We use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. If you continue to use our site, you agree to the use of such cookies. For more info, see our privacy policy.
Skip to main content

Hi. We love you. Be our Life Partner.

Support the show to get ad-free listening, bonus content, and our new Greatest Hits Archive.

Learn more
This American Life Partners logo
00:00
00:00
  • Transcript
  • Share
This American Life
  • Life Partners
  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Follow Us
  • Life Partners
318
October 6, 2006

With Great Power

A family wishes for years that they could do something to stop their neighbor's shocking behavior. Suddenly they get the power to decisively change things forever...and they have to decide whether they will. This, and other stories of everyday people who get saddled with great power—and the great sense of responsibility that goes with it.
  • Download
    Control-click (or right-click) Tap and hold to download
  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe
  • Transcript
Jason

Prologue

Ira tells the story of two friends of his who were like superheroes. They had this incredible power to save someone. And with that great power came great responsibility. His friends are with Mission USA, working with gang kids in Chicago's prisons. (4 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Act One

Objects In Side View Mirror Are Truer Than They Appear

Alex Kotlowitz reports on a woman with the power to change two people's lives...and at the height of her power, she doesn't even know she has it. Alex is the author of Never a City So Real and other books. (25 minutes)

By

Alex Kotlowitz
Act Two

Unwelcome Wagon

Host Ira Glass interviews the mother and daughter in a family who wished for years they could do something to stop their neighbor from all kinds of shocking behavior. Suddenly they get the power to decisively change things forever...and they have to decide whether they will. (14 minutes)

By

Ira Glass

Song:

“I Got to Get Away” by Dave Barker
Act Three

Waiting For Joe

When you're powerless, you think a lot about the powerful figures above you. Especially when their actions just make no sense. Or when they don't seem to be living up to their responsibilites. Shalom Auslander tells the story of the one authority figure who's like this more than any other. This story is from his collection Beware of God. (11 minutes)

By

Shalom Auslander

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
507: Confessions
Oct. 11, 2013

Act One: Kim Possible

Former DC police detective Jim Trainum tells reporter Saul Elbein about how his first murder investigation went horribly wrong.
379: Return to the Scene of the Crime
May 1, 2009

Act Three: Our Man Of Perpetual Sorrow

Dan Savage points a finger at the Catholic Church for being the kind of criminal organization that drives him to atheism—despite the fact that he still wants to believe he'll see his mom in heaven someday.
438: Father's Day 2011
June 17, 2011

Act Four: Bring Your Child to Work Detail

Michael May tells this story about two prison inmates in Texas—Daniel Johnson and Jesse Johnson—and the unusual bond they formed.

Staff Recommendations

View all
355
May 9, 2008

The Giant Pool of Money

The surprisingly entertaining story of how the U.S. got itself into a housing crisis.

706
May 29, 2020

A Mess to Be Reckoned With

Lissa Yellow Bird searches for missing people. She's great at it. But then, her niece goes missing.

This American Life

This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Contact
  • Life Partners
  • Serial
  • S-Town
© 1995 - 2025 This American Life Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Subscribe

  • on Spotify
  • in Apple Podcasts

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email