This American Life
A long-running weekly public radio podcast covering the full breadth of American experience through journalism, personal essays, and short fiction; this report covers the entire run from 1995 to present, now over 880 episodes. Content varies widely by episode, ranging from lighthearted family stories to heavy reporting on violence, grief, abuse, and other adult themes.
Episodes to know about
Survivors describe in first-person detail the sights and sounds of a mass shooting at a Texas restaurant; no guns are shown (audio only), but accounts are visceral.
Episodes featuring violence, war reporting, or crime carry a spoken disclaimer at the top; listeners can use this as an exit point before content begins.
Drug use, alcoholism, and addiction are discussed in a number of episodes, sometimes as the central subject; framing is journalistic rather than glamorizing.