• No School - Spring Break - Mar.14 - Mar.18
  • No School - Spring Vacation Day - April 15
  • HS Theatre Spring Show - April 8-9
  • End of 3rd Quarter - Mar. 31
  • HS One Act Plays- April 13 at 7pm
  • No School - Prof. Development Day - April 25
The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Leaf

The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Leaf

The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Leaf

This American Life founder, host visits Ohio State University

While possibly not that impressive to a generation that considers radio an anachronism, This American Life (TAL), hosted and founded by Ira Glass, is the most popular radio show in the United States. Each week TAL produces an hour-long podcast filled with various stories relating to the theme of that particular week. Glass visited Ohio State University on March 2 to talk about the show and make balloon animals. Photo Courtesy of Lila Englander.

To most of the world, Ira Glass is just another nameless face. But to This American Life (TAL) fans, Ira Glass is a faceless name, a voice coming out of their radio or computer. This American Life is a radio show on NPR that produces a one hour-long episode each week.

Glass delivered a talk at Ohio State University on March 2. He primarily discussed the show and what it has taught him.

He attributes the reason 1.7 million people listen to an hour-long episode of TAL each week to the way in which TAL structures their stories. Throughout the story the plot is moving forward. It feels more like a movie than journalism.

Glass compared this approach to a detective story; the question of “who is the murderer” always hovers until the final moment in which everything is answered simultaneously.

Story continues below advertisement

Similarly, he stressed his dislike for the infamous “topic sentence.” He believes that when people are told what they are about to hear or read, they will stop listening. Instead, TAL tries to pull people in by telling the story in an interesting way or unusual order.

Another tip from Glass is to “be yourself in your writing and your interviews.” He played a clip from story he produced when he was 26 years old working for NPR to illustrate how much worse it sounds when he tries to be someone he is not.

For anyone interested in a career that requires creativity, Glass feels that it is pertinent to specifically set aside time just to come up with ideas.

He thinks that what he has most gained from his job is the ability to understand people he usually would not. For example, he said he feels a great understanding of and empathy for right-wing Christians.

Lastly, Glass said he does not believe journalism almost ever affects social change by itself. His only goal in life was to find a job he could stand.

Some favorite TAL episodes to start off with:

1. Harper High School part one and part two
2. Middle School
3. What Doesn’t Kill You
4. Superpowers
5. What Happened at Dos Erres

More to Discover
About the Contributor
Lila Englander, Assignment Editor
I am currently a senior. This year I serve as an assignment editor. I love writing about people or groups with fascinating stories who often fly under the radar. Beyond learning to use the Adobe design programs and developing my writing skills, journalism has allowed me to pursue my love of learning and gain a deeper understanding of the profound value of collaboration. I enjoy participating in Academic Quiz Team, Chinese Club and TEAMS team. I love backpacking, kayaking, climbing, reading and napping. I am learning Chinese at school at the AP level and can read, write and speak Hebrew because I went to Jewish day school until eighth grade. I also sharpened my Hebrew skills during junior year while studying abroad for a semester in the desert of Israel through Alexander Muss High School in Israel. The past three summers, I have been lucky enough to intern at a small nonprofit called Design Impact. My favorite book is "Infinite Jest" by David Foster Wallace. My favorite T.V. shows are "The Wire" and "True Detective." My three favorite news sources are "The New York Times," "The Atlantic," and "The Onion." I also listen to "This American Life" on NPR every week. Although I am interested in pursuing a career in engineering, I am confident that journalism will benefit me wherever I end up. I am looking forward to another great year on staff!
Activate Search
This American Life founder, host visits Ohio State University