This American Life

People try to make their dreams come true but sometimes fail.

Stories exploring the cost of stubbornness include a boy who decides never to fall in love and a politician who tries to win an election without telling a single lie.

Getting closer to God; an artist serves dinner to a diverse group.

Cartoonist Chris Ware; a filmmaker documents his alcoholic stepfather.

Effecting positive change.

Three stories of the unexpected consequences of trying new things: scientists accidentally discover a way to erase memories and later get surprising requests from people who want their own minds wiped clean, pig researchers accidentally create more problems with every improvement they make, and two owners of a Chicago hot dog stand try some novel business practices that unwittingly unleash raw human emotion that would probably be better penned up.