Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Subscribe to the MPR News with Tom Weber podcast

Ira Glass, host of "This American Life," is keeping a watchful eye on the podcast wave, which seems to be growing ever higher.

Last month, the New York Times became the latest media giant to jump into the game when they announced they were creating a podcast team.

"Why do they have to enter my world?" Glass joked with MPR News host Tom Weber. "Why do they have to compete with me? Why do people 

"In my corner of public radio, which is long-form narrative, I'm in the one corner of journalism where things are thriving, and there's money for the first time in my career, because of podcasting," Glass said. 

If "This American Life" is considered a pioneer in podcasting, its sister show, "Serial," is an outright phenomenon. In its first season, 10 million people downloaded each new episode of "Serial." Glass said "Serial" is on track to match those numbers in its second season.

But Glass is also the first to admit that his format isn't anything revolutionary: Telling stories over the airwaves "is the most old school use of radio," he said. Podcasting is just a new way to deliver those stories.

He's currently on tour with his show "Reinventing Radio," in which he pulls back the curtain on "This American Life" episodes, and explains how the show is made. His Minneapolis show of 

For the full interview with Ira Glass, use the audio player above.

Arts and Culture

Shows

MPR News with Tom Weber

Tom Weber Feature

MPR News Staff

Author

Ira Glass will be in Minneapolis on Saturday for his show, "Reinventing Radio," in which he pulls back the curtain on "This American Life" episodes are made.

Ira Glass, host of "This American Life," talks about his show's early beginnings and how the podcast industry has opened new doors for journalism.

Ira Glass on 'Reinventing Radio'

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox