I’ve always been into listening to radio novelas, serials, etc. Usually with my dad, late at night, and usually the shows were old Mexican serials complete with sound effects. There is something about storytelling that is so lacking in most of what you find in all forms of media these days. Today it’s all gloss and no substance.

This American Life is one of the finest English-language radio programs, in my opinion. The stories are almost always compelling. They often highlight that which goes unnoticed in this great expanse land of the U.S.A.

The narrator, Ira Glass, has that sort of voice that you never forget. When he speaks you just want to listen and listen and listen. When I finally saw the Showtime (cable), visual version of This American Life I saw how perfectly he fit his voice. Looking a bit geeky, rather peppered-hair, and endearing.

If you want to get a listen, a free podcast, or get some CDs of previous shows, go to thislife.org. I highly recommend it. You’ll end up glued to your speaker for an hour.