This is Love

Latest Episodes:

The Sea Around Us Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

When writer Rachel Carson built a house on Maine’s Southport Island, her new neighbor, Dorothy Freeman, sent her a note to welcome her. Rachel wrote back. And when the summer was over, they kept writing to each other.

Lida Maxwell’s book is Rachel Carson and the Power of Queer Love.

Martha Freeman's book is Always, Rachel: The Letters of Rachel Carson and Dorothy Freeman, 1952-1964

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Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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Hot Dog! Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

An episode all about hot dogs and the people who love them.

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Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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The Terra Nova Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

In 1910, a group of British men set off on an expedition – they wanted to be the first people to reach the South Pole. Over a hundred years later, in the journals and letters that survived, a writer discovered a love story.

For more, check out Allegra Rosenberg’s article, “From Antarctica with Love.”

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Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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An American Original Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

In 1963, Jeanne and Alan Abel traveled to Washington, DC to picket in front of the White House. They said they were part of a campaign that wanted to put clothes on animals — including the first lady’s horse.

Jenny Abel and her husband, Jeff Hockett, made a documentary about her parents called Abel Raises Cain.

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We also make Criminal and Phoebe Reads a Mystery.

Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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Bambi, a Burrito Bowl, and Barry Manilow May 30, 2025

Show notes

Two years ago, we started making Criminal Plus episodes — behind-the-scenes conversations featuring Phoebe and Criminal co-creator Lauren Spohrer. Today, we’re sharing some of those conversations with you — about everything from Phoebe’s jangly bracelets to the reason a judge ordered a man to watch Bambi. And we’re also sharing a promo code if you’d like to support our work and join our membership program. Use the code “JOINUS” for 20% off of an annual Criminal Plus membership, at ⁠thisiscriminal.com/plus⁠.

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The Bear Repair May 21, 2025

Show notes

For the past 40 years, people have been sending Sally Winey their damaged stuffed animals, and she's been doing what she can to repair them. "That bear's been with them through everything.”

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Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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This Is Uncomfortable May 07, 2025

Show notes

Terence McPherson and Shawnika Giger met at a party in Atlanta, and went on their first date a few weeks later. Things were going well, until they started to talk about money.

This episode is in collaboration with our friends at This Is Uncomfortable.

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We also make Criminal and Phoebe Reads a Mystery.

Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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And... Did You Kiss? Part 2 Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

When The Guardian sends two strangers on a blind date, the last question they have to answer for the newspaper column is “Would you meet again?” We asked people how their dates went – and what happened next.

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Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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And… Did You Kiss? Part 1 Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

At The Guardian newspaper, there’s a person who has to find two complete strangers to send on a blind date every week.

In our next episode, we hear about how things really went from the blind daters themselves. You can listen right now by signing up for Criminal Plus.

Say hello on Facebook and Instagram. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts.

We also make Criminal and Phoebe Reads a Mystery.

Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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D'yan Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

About twenty years ago, D’yan Forest considered getting into stand-up comedy. “People told me, no, don’t go into comedy. Everybody is going to make fun of you. They’re gonna heckle you. You’re an old woman.” D’yan ignored them.

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We also make Criminal and Phoebe Reads a Mystery.

Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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