Ira opens this episode about Vacations “showing” some photos from his vacation in Hawaii with his family. Originally broadcast under the Your Radio Playhouse moniker, this episode is now available with some obvious overdubs calling the show This American Life for the first time in my audio journey. Two solid TAL pieces in this episode come as a story about two American immigrants — Chinese and German — who take their family on vacation to Ethopia, and a haunting David Sedaris story about his journeys hitchhiking.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Three episodes in and Ira Glass knocks one out of the park. Still broadcasting under the name Your Radio Playhouse this episode of poultry related stories includes a touching story of the night 3000 birds died on a turkey farm, an original — first in 25+ years — episode of Chicken Man, how to cook chicken by sound, and the lead story and grand slam of the show:

Duki’s story. When Danielle’s family serves poultry at their dinner table, no one utters the word “chicken.” Instead, it is always called “fish.” Danielle explains why with the help of her friend “Duki.”

You don’t even know how strange and wonderful TAL can be until you’ve heard Duki’s story.

Rating 5 out of 5