THIS AMER-ICAN LIFE

This American Life, the mesmerizing, hour-long NPR radio program and podcast about nothing and everything unveiled their new identity earlier this month. It will soon grace everything from podcast icons to tote bags (and hopefully book spines given the vertical nature of the lockup). The show, which is produced in Chicago and recorded in Manhattan, is hosted by the incomparable Ira Glass.This American Life sprung from humble beginnings in 1995 (the inaugural budget was approximately $250,000 for the year) but is now carried by over 500 affiliates to 1.7 million eager listeners each week. Mr. Glass’s best quality is his preternatural ability to seem impartial while exuding energy and passion about divisive topics–anything from healthcare to terrorism. He is, like the show, smart