Usually we talk about death as a tragedy, a mystery, a hard-to-comprehend fact of life. But in addition to all that, for all sorts of people it's also ... a job. This week, stories of undertakers, homicide detectives, slaughterhouse workers, enunculators, autopsy pathologists, exterminators, and others. Does their contact with death teach them something we should learn?
The Undertaking
Thomas Lynch reads from his book The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade. (14 minutes)
Smugglers
Writer David Sedaris on an unwelcome surprise in a toilet — a turd. (14 minutes)
Related
If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
Act Two: Know When To Walk Away, Know When To Run
Ira travels to Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker, gets hooked, and tries to figure out what it would mean if he'd ditch his job in radio to become a professional card player.
Act Four: Sorry Johnny... It's Only Business.
This American Life producer Sarah Koenig reports on a very surprising reason why insurance companies dump members, and how this reasoning contradicts President Obama's argument for what will lower health care costs.
Act Two: Winged Migration
Kathie Russo's husband was Spalding Gray, who was best known for delivering monologues onstage—like "Monster in a Box," and "Swimming to Cambodia." On January 10, 2004, he went missing.
Staff Recommendations
Dr. Gilmer and Mr. Hyde
Did a beloved family doctor with no criminal history suddenly up and strangle his own father?
Duty Calls
Josh's family didn't play much of a role in his daily life—until duty called, and they took over his life.