We don't have many opportunities on broadcast public radio in the U.S. to hear a full hour on a single topic or a single subject. A lot can be conveyed in two minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes, but sometimes a longer format allows for a stronger story and more empathy for the characters.
One of my favorite episodes of This American Life is one of the special episodes where they devote a full hour to one story. "Duty Calls" from June 2008 is Josh Bearman's story of helping out his semi-estranged mother and brother after his mother almost dies from self-neglect. Despite the tragic parts, Bearman's take on the story is sincere without being melodramatic, and he's good at showing the humor and absurdity in his situation. I appreciate the original way he approaches some pretty familiar themes, like interdependence within family and the practical challenges that keep people in poverty.
You can listen to the full mp3 here.
PHOTO: Julia Rubinic
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