People trying and struggling to see what another person sees. Prologue: Guest-host Tobin Low talks to comedian Tig Notaro about a jarring ride to school with her son. (6 minutes) There Will Be Blood: Producer Aviva DeKornfeld heads to the Calgary Stampede to watch as men try out a machine designed to simulate menstrual cramps. (15 minutes) Face Your Demons: A man can’t seem to see anyone in his life for who they really are, plunging his life into chaos. (18 minutes) Pump It Up: Senior Editor David Kestenbaum hears about a way to save some money and help save the world. All he needs is a little help. (5 minutes) I’m Great, Thanks For NOT Asking: Marie Phillips reads a short story involving an aloof friend, a goose, and some extreme gardening. (7 minutes)
A quick warning.
There are curse words that are unbeeped in today's episode of the show.
If you prefer a beeped version, you can find that at our website, thisamericanlife.org.
From WBEZ Chicago, it's this American Life.
I'm Tobin Lowe, in for Ira Glass.
You may have heard of comedian Tig Notaro, but if you're a gay person like me, you have really heard of Tig Notaro.
She is what I would call gay famous, which makes the story of what happened to her so surprising.
She and her wife, Stephanie, have two kids, Twin boys.
And after seven years of living in the same house with Stephanie and Tig, having their two moms tend to every meal and butt wipe.
Seven years of the boys telling their teachers and random whoevers that they have two moms.
They're all in the car on the way to first grade.
One morning, Stephanie and I were just in the front seat talking, and they were in the back seat talking like we always do.
And.
And then Stephanie said something about us being gay.
And our son Finn leans forward and pokes his head between us, and he says, you're gay?
We were, like, obviously just as shocked as he was.
We were like, yeah.
And he said, what's gay?
And that was a whole other level of stunned.
Oh, my gosh.