UnFictional

Fútbol Confidential: Soccer City Nov 18, 2022

Fútbol Confidential looks at AYSO, American homegrown soccer culture.

Fútbol Confidential:The Soccer Store Nov 18, 2022

Fútbol Confidential looks at Niky’s Sports, the biggest family-run chain of soccer stores in LA.

Fútbol Confidential: Fútbol Nov 18, 2022

Two Mexican-American fans talk about rooting for more than one hometown team in Los Angeles and in Mexico.

Fútbol Confidential: Hollywood United Nov 18, 2022

Fútbol Confidential looks at the legendary LA city league soccer team formed over beers in a Santa Monica pub by British expatriates.

El Pueblo Jun 09, 2022

In ‘El Pueblo,’ producer Mike Schilitt explores the surprising history of Olvera Street – an idealized fantasy of Mexico created in downtown Los Angeles that has supported generations of Agelenos.

The Cabin Notebook May 26, 2022

When Aric Allen was 21, he lived in a desolate mountain cabin for 10 weeks. There he planned to write a novel, but instead he learned how to be alone.

Lowrider May 12, 2022

Producer Jaime Roque takes a ride with Ernie Moran in his 1965 Chevy Impala to explore the history and culture of the lowrider community of East Los Angeles.

nisha Apr 28, 2022

In the U.S., nisha venkat feels safe and relieved to identify as queer and non-binary. But in their home country Dubai, nisha’s gender identity is illegal, and they can be deported or convicted of homexuality, or “cross-dressing.”

The Transmogrifier Apr 14, 2022

Imagine entering a giant machine that sucks you in one end, and spits you out the other side as something completely different. That describes the transmogrifier — a fantastical device from the Calvin and Hobbes comic strips. Over the last couple of years, it feels like everyone has been through the transmogrifier in one way or another. In this episode, stories of the transmogrified. Unfictional producer Bob Carlson watches his two children go through the transmogrifier and come out unexpectedly as grown-ups. Meanwhile, almost every element of producer Jaime Roque’s life was upended by the transmorgrifier: new job, marriage, and prospective fatherhood.

Los Emprendedores Apr 14, 2022

Street vendors are an essential part of Los Angeles’ history and its economy. You can find vendors with mobile carts and food trucks on street corners, outside concert venues, and sporting events selling hot dogs, tacos, burritos, churros, fruit, t-shirts, souvenirs, and just about anything else you can imagine. For decades, this activity was illegal. And even though vending was somewhat decriminalized in 2018, the line between legal and illegal is not always clear. Producer James Roque follows the stories of a few of these entrepreneurs, finding out why they started vending, the challenges they encounter on a daily basis, and how they fared during the last few years.

Music could be your whole life Nov 04, 2021

KCRW’s Bob Carlson talks to some of Deirdre O’Donoghue’s friends and gets further inside her world away from the microphone.

This is SNAP! Oct 28, 2021

Bent By Nature Episode 1 introduces KCRW DJ Deirdre O’Donoghue, host of "SNAP!," a freeform alternative and independent music and culture program in Los Angeles in the '80s — and goes inside the community she cultivated, her passion for music, and the problems she had with KCRW’s management and staff. Featuring archival live performances by Camper Van Beethoven, the Meat Puppets, Glass Eye, Jazz Butcher, the Dream Syndicate, and more.

The Man Inside the Radio May 21, 2020

UnFictional host Bob Carlson’s journey on the inside of rock and roll radio.

Rolling Thunder May 14, 2020

Mary Lorson explores scenes from her childhood in a personal memoir musical documentary. Featuring an elusive father, A Dancerina doll, a Polaroid Swinger, and a camel hair coat from Saks, all in constant motion.

The Rescue May 07, 2020

A promising job drew Fedelina Lugasan to the U.S. from the Philippines, she’d start her new life with a family she trusted. But the picture they painted for her was not what her life turned out to be.

The Philosophy of the Flying Saucers Apr 30, 2020

A man finds an old reel to reel tape that reveals much more than just flying saucers and alien conspiracy theories.

The Rowing Man Apr 23, 2020

Ove the rowing man. A stranger who came by way of the ocean, and was soon no longer a stranger.

Mauricio Across the Border - Part 2 Apr 16, 2020

Maurcio, star of a hit Mexican television show, is abandoned in the desert while trying to cross the border.

Mauricio Across the Border - Part 1 Apr 09, 2020

Mauricio leaves Mexico City for Los Angeles, and his dreams of television come true in a very unlikely way.

The Dream is Over Mar 21, 2019

One man’s treasure is another man’s Olympic gold medal.

Denial Mar 14, 2019

It never occurred to Janey that he would put something in her drink. Never in a million years.

Friends in Juggalo Places Mar 07, 2019

Take a three-day bus trip across the country with a juggalo, and you’ll learn some things.

1-800-KISS-MY-ASS Feb 28, 2019

Aric Allen spent much of the early 2000s on the phone – selling get-rich-quick schemes and rapidly turning into a person he didn’t recognize.

Vampire of Barcelona Feb 21, 2019

Enriqueta Marti was a real-life monster who roamed the streets of 20th Century Barcelona collecting bones and kidnapping children. Except, of course, she wasn’t.

Strangers in a Good Way Feb 14, 2019

One woman discovers that her childhood crush has grown up into someone she doesn’t recognize.

Purple Rain Feb 07, 2019

A romantic daytime drive becomes a nightmare when Mihai’s mind betrays him – and he turns on the person he loves.

My Foolish Illusion Jan 31, 2019

When John Elder Robison gets an experimental treatment for Asperger’s, he feels like he’s suddenly seeing the world in technicolor. But that doesn’t mean he likes what he sees.

Stories of Perception Jan 24, 2019

This season on UnFictional, we’re looking at how we come to know the unknown parts of ourselves. Get the first episode January 31st.

Halloween 2018 Oct 31, 2018

It’s a bonus episode! We’ll be back in January, but we’ve got two spooky stories to tide you over – a Halloween classic, and a brand-new, never-before-heard story of a haunted house gone terribly wrong.

Punk Jubilee Mar 29, 2018

A girl gang goes on a rampage of sex, larceny and murder. But what happened when the cameras weren’t rolling? Go behind the scenes of a riotous ‘70s punk film.

Haunted Mar 22, 2018

Tara has always believed in ghosts, so she wasn’t surprised when a ghost starting haunting her Los Feliz apartment. That is, until she found out that the ghost was actually something far more frightening.

Her Name is Ember Mar 15, 2018

Ember has pretty much always known who she truly was. But it was a long, obstacle-ridden path to live that true life – as a woman.

Big Sur: The Secret Road Mar 08, 2018

A secret road leads to a marooned community and an ocean paradise – along the coast of California.

Bay of Smokes: The Day Smog Showed Up In LA Mar 01, 2018

When you think of Los Angeles, you think of smog. But have you ever heard about the day when smog just showed up in Los Angeles? An impressionistic trip the hazy history of the skies over Los Angeles.

Man Choubam (I am good) Feb 22, 2018

After years of living in the space between who she really is, and who her mother wants her to be, Sharon decides she’s finally going to confront her mother – on a cruise with a famous Iranian talk show psychiatrist.

The Outsider Feb 22, 2018

A young movie nerd from Los Angeles finds himself in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the set of Francis Ford Coppola’s redemption film, “The Outsiders,” thanks to a strange cosmic twist of fate (and a pair of mail-order shoes).

UnFictional returns! Feb 14, 2018

The new season of UnFictional is right around the corner. Unbelievably true stories of chance encounters that changed everything. A pair of mail-order shoes that led to “The Outsiders.” A secret road to a California paradise. The day Los Angeles and smog first met. Stories that will stick in your head like a memory. Coming on February 22nd, hosted by Bob Carlson.

The Past Can Hold a Terrible Power Jul 01, 2017

The past can warp a person in mysterious ways. Sometimes we can figure out what's eating at us, but sometimes, we just have to push forward – into the darkness.

Because It's There Jun 24, 2017

A former mountaineer returns to the Himalayas for one last climb – to bury his long lost friend. A story from KCRW's newest podcast: The Document.

Father's Day 2017 Jun 17, 2017

There comes a time in every child's life when they realize they can strike their own path. But often, that path leads straight back to their parents. This week, three stories of fathers and their children.

Lost Bird Jun 06, 2017

A bird and a cat are saved, and so – somehow – are their saviors.

Sister Aimee Jun 03, 2017

Sister Aimee combined faith and fame in 1920s Los Angeles. She was the most popular woman in the country. Then she disappeared.

The Other Man May 27, 2017

Stories of two men who meet by chance and emerge indelibly changed – or at least, one of them does.

The Enemy Within May 06, 2017

Coming home from war can be messy, especially when the battle doesn't stay on the battlefield. This is the story of what it means to love and care for soldiers who have brought the war home with them.

Barcelona: The View from the Streets Apr 29, 2017

A tour through the life… of the tour guide.

Joe Frank: Dreamers Apr 22, 2017

A work by legendary radio storyteller Joe Frank.

Green Goblins Apr 15, 2017

A story of baseball, fatherhood and what it's like to be the black team.

Running Away Apr 01, 2017

Perseverance is a funny thing. Some people are addicted to finishing the job, no matter the cost. Running away with an idea, no matter where it takes them. And sometimes, it turns out to be worth it.

Thought I Was Dead Mar 25, 2017

Death is a state of mind.

Conspiracy, Not the Crime Mar 18, 2017

When you're in trouble, do you fight or do you run? The story of a man who fled from the US government for 31 years.

That Escalated Quickly Mar 11, 2017

Life comes at you fast and sometimes – sideways. And, before you know it, things have gone totally off the rails.

The Liberace of Lucha Libre Mar 04, 2017

Into the hyper-masculinized world of Mexican wrestling steps Cassandro, an unapologetically gay man whose 27-year-career exploded traditional ideas of what it means to be a lucha libre fighter.

The Road Warriors Feb 25, 2017

When it comes to crazy, immoral and stupid decisions, nothing can match a teenager looking for a good time.

Bait and Switch Feb 18, 2017

It can be a masterful feat of salesmanship, or it can be a total mistake – an unhappy case of mistaken identification. This week on the show, Bait and Switch. Three stories from our live show at Riot LA.

Last Chapter Feb 11, 2017

A story about the last chapter of a man’s life, and how he asked for his best friend's help – to die.

You Want a Piece of Me? Feb 04, 2017

There are times when it feels like everybody wants something from you, even when you have nothing left to give. This week, three stories of people who gave up a piece of themselves – or wanted a piece of somebody else.

The Big Day Jan 28, 2017

A wedding, a bar mitzvah, and a day of innocence lost. (EXPLICIT LANGUAGE)

Shoot First Jan 21, 2017

There's a bloody war raging in the Philippines – a war that's being waged by the country's own government, against its own people. The story of Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, and the thousands of lives it has already claimed.

Eyes Back on the Highway Jan 14, 2017

Scooter Tramp Scotty has been drifting for twenty years, dipping in and out of people’s lives along the way. The road has become his home. As far as he's concerned, living life the way it should be lived.

Solo Man Jan 07, 2017

When Erden Eruç set off to circumnavigate the globe, rowing alone across three oceans, he didn’t know just how much the trip would change him – and his relationships with his friends, family and wife. The story of an epic journey by bike, foot, and boat. And of what is, perhaps, the biggest challenge of all: coming home.

What Jacob Heard Dec 17, 2016

When Jacob was a kid, he was a devoted member of his local Pentecostal congregation. But as he got older, he realized that the church he loved so much might not love him back.

Grace of the Sea Dec 10, 2016

A story containing love, violence and a magic potato.
Warning: This program contains explicit language and addresses adult topics and themes - including sex and drug use.

The Bar Girls of Angeles Dec 03, 2016

On November 8, 2013, the Philippines was ravaged by the strongest typhoon to make landfall in recorded history. This week, we're partnering with WGBH's GroundTruth to tell the story of the aftermath, from the place where climate change and sex trafficking meet: at a bar, in a town called Angeles.

The Animal Inside Nov 26, 2016

We live with them. We feed them. Sometimes, we even clothe them. And sometimes, it all comes back to bite us. This week, trying to care for the animals in our lives – and inside ourselves.

No Such Thing As Luck Nov 19, 2016

Those with experience know that things happen for a reason -- or they don't happen at all. (Repeat)

Bilal's Calling Nov 12, 2016

There's a fine line between taking a principled stand and being stubborn. Follow Tyreek Bilal as he struggles with his mosque and with his own attempts to live a godly life in a harsh world.

Graffiti Paint and Protest Oct 22, 2016

They do it under the cover of darkness, on buildings and storefronts and the walls of alleyways. Can breaking one law help change another? This week, we hear from street artists about graffiti as political protest, as art, and as an addictive, inimitable high.

Terri and Clifford Oct 15, 2016

Clifford Clinton lived a very public life in Los Angeles. He opened high-profile cafeterias – Clifton's among them – and launched a campaign to rid the city of corruption and other vices. BUT, he also lived a private life as a sexual pioneer who may have kick-started the swinging 60s.

The Missileers Oct 08, 2016

Go down into the silo with the "missileers." Their hands are on the nuclear keys, and they practice the end of the world over and over. (Repeat)

Looping Swans Oct 01, 2016

In Soviet Russia, when the TV started playing Swan Lake, it meant something had hit the fan.

A Shock to the System Sep 24, 2016

Sometimes, all we need is a good, hard push over the edge. This week, four stories of people who got a shock to the system – sometimes, literally.

Joe Frank: Thief Sep 17, 2016

Another story from broadcasting legend Joe Frank. (Repeat)

Live Die Kill: Los Angeles Sep 10, 2016

What do you live for? What would you die for? What would you kill for? (Repeat)

Love Me Sep 03, 2016

The messiness of human connection.

24-hour Radio Race 2016 Aug 27, 2016

The winners of KCRW's fourth annual 24-hour radio race.

Faster and Faster Aug 20, 2016

"If everything seems under control…. you’re not going fast enough." - Mario Andretti

We Are Not Alone Aug 13, 2016

There's a place in the desert where people gather. They have different beliefs. But when they look into the night sky, they all share one idea.

Hearing Hiroshima Aug 06, 2016

What an atomic bomb leaves behind.

Possession Jul 30, 2016

I once saw a woman possessed right in front of me. Her eyes glazed over, she shook, and she wasn't there anymore… someone else was. (Repeat)

Stockholm Syndrome Jul 23, 2016

What happens in a bank vault doesn't always stay in a bank vault.

Wake Up Baby Jul 16, 2016

Do you know who's watching your baby?

You’re a Mind Reader Jul 09, 2016

With enough practice, you can know what anybody’s thinking – or can you?

Cut Your Losses Jul 02, 2016

Three stories about falling short, and having to move on anyway.

Homeless Jun 25, 2016

One man's life is split between homeless shelters, rental apartments, and a home – his home – in the woods.

Fathers' Day 2016 Jun 18, 2016

Sometimes fathers lift you up, sometimes they need a hand, but a lot of the time they just want to rock.

Crack Up Jun 11, 2016

All the best stories live on the brink of a breakdown.

What Keeps Us Apart Jun 04, 2016

Between meet-cute and final embrace, every love story has an obstacle keeping our lovers from a shared destiny. (Repeat)

A Dancer Dies Twice May 28, 2016

You leap in the air, but any landing might be the end of your career.

Misdirection May 21, 2016

The greatest magicians keep their best and most finely tuned skills... a secret.

Something Can't Be Everything May 14, 2016

Spirituality, love, and magic in 60's Hollywood.

Belle of the Ball Apr 30, 2016

Stories of women who are the center of attention, for better or worse.

Standing Over the Bed Apr 23, 2016

The scariest nightmares are the ones that follow you into the daytime.

The Pirate Apr 16, 2016

A cigarette at his lips, parrot Bok-Bok on his shoulder, Johnny O spent 68 years on the San Pedro waterfront, he calls himself a pirate. (Repeat)

A Portrait of Horace Parlan Apr 09, 2016

Denmark was once home to many expatriate American Jazz musicians. These days, Horace Parlan is one of the only ones left.

The Hoax Artist Apr 02, 2016

Some grifters are just in it for cash. Others are in it for something much more valuable.

Thinking of You Mar 26, 2016

There are the people we think of when they're not there, and there is the hope that someone, somewhere is thinking of YOU. (Repeat)

A Bump in the Road Mar 19, 2016

What's it all about, the journey, the destination… or the potholes?

The Grace of Jeff Buckley Mar 12, 2016

When Jeff Buckley began his day in London on March 18, 1994, he was virtually unknown. By that night, he was a legend. (Repeat)

Out of the Air Mar 05, 2016

Two stories of unexpected exits from the sky - one mysterious, the other terrifying.

Service Sector Feb 27, 2016

Stories about those who are here to serve you… at least in theory.

I Am Montgomery Clift Feb 20, 2016

A psychic told Craig he is haunted by the ghost of actor Montgomery Clift. First he didn't believe it, but finally he couldn't deny it. (REPEAT)

Don’t Judge Me Feb 13, 2016

Stories of bad decisions, dark sides, and guilty pleasures.

My Life of Crime Feb 06, 2016

All it takes is a sudden thought, a snap decision, that sends you down a road of lawlessness.

Where Nobody Knows Your Name Jan 30, 2016

Sometimes you find yourself in an unfamiliar place. A foreign country, jail, or maybe just the wrong smoky club...

Joe Frank: Downfall Jan 23, 2016

Created in adversity, against all odds, and finished yesterday in the ICU of a major hospital. (Repeat)

Career Change Jan 16, 2016

Two stories about detours on the path of life.

Last Chance to Evacuate Earth Jan 09, 2016

A story of lost souls, close calls and web design.

Skylarking Dec 29, 2015

A meditation on the joys of laying back and looking up at a big blue sky.

UnFictional Holiday Special 2015 Dec 25, 2015

A holiday broadcast presentation of UnFictional, featuring some of the show's best stories.

Tough Guy Dec 05, 2015

A couple of stories about badass dads who don’t care what you think. (Repeat)

Friends and Basketball Nov 21, 2015

When you're out on the basketball court, is a teammate the same thing as a friend?

Intruder Alert Nov 14, 2015

Three stories about people who aren't supposed to be here.

The Séance 2015 Oct 31, 2015

On a summer night in the early 1990's, a small group of friends gather for a dinner party in Los Angeles. Just for fun, someone suggests having a little séance....

Get Off the Couch Oct 24, 2015

Sometimes the hardest thing is to find motivation to do anything at all. Just stand up and walk out the door… it may kill you, or it may change your life.

Vanished Status Oct 10, 2015

Howard Mechanic had been living under an assumed name for 28 years when he decided to run for his local city council. What was he hiding?

Friends in High Places Oct 03, 2015

As long as you’ve got connections you can get whatever you need; a job at the White House, some help on Shabbos, or a joint from an Amsterdam cafe.

The Couple in 303 Sep 19, 2015

Boston Irish mob boss "Whitey" Bulger and his girlfriend spent 15 years hiding out in Santa Monica. Residents say the most wanted man in America was a good neighbor.

The 24 Hour Radio Race 2015 Sep 12, 2015

The winners of our third annual whirlwind radio competition!

An American Life Sep 05, 2015

A barber is sent to war with little chance of survival. Despite the physical and emotional wounds he suffered, he came out of it a better man.

Who Are You Aug 22, 2015

Often it’s the people closest to us, who hold the darkest secrets.

The Fishwives' Tale Aug 15, 2015

Your husband was lost at sea, and you have no way to support your family. What do you do....? Start a band.

A Long Way from Home Aug 08, 2015

Fascinating documentary production and storytelling that covers the ground between the sophisticated and the profane. A half-hour of captivating stories of real life, created by the most talented producers from around the country, as well as stories from writers and performers based in Los Angeles.

Collision Course Jul 11, 2015

It's that shaky, full-body hangover you get after you realize how close you just came to oblivion…

When It All Blows Up Jul 04, 2015

Three stories with a bomb at the center of each. One is very real, another imaginary, and in one the bomb is human.

Introducing 'Here Be Monsters' Jun 27, 2015

Transport yourself into the unknown with two stories from KCRW's newest podcast, Here Be Monsters.

Advice from Dad Jun 20, 2015

Live stories from Mike White, Ken Reid and Steven Yeun about getting advice (both good and bad) from their fathers.

A Need to Build Jun 06, 2015

Stories of men who have a need to build, are compelled to build, obsessed, and healed by the act of creation.

Joe Frank: The Poor Are Always with Us May 30, 2015

Stories by radio artist and storyteller Joe Frank.

The Wrong Man May 23, 2015

A man in the wrong place at the wrong time, a man so right he’s wrong, and a boy becomes the wrong man.

The Winter Camp May 16, 2015

To the nomads of of the Tibetan Plateau, change is part of life and if you’ve got a yak, you’ve got everything you need.

Mothers Day 2015 May 09, 2015

"God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers."
- Rudyard Kipling

The Big Lie May 07, 2015

You lie to manipulate, or to hide, or to seem more interesting, but mainly it's to save your own butt. (Repeat)

The Diary of Dang Thuy Tram May 02, 2015

Against orders, Frederick Whitehurst kept the diary of a young North Vietnamese doctor. It took 30 years for her words to be heard.

My Former Enemy Apr 25, 2015

"It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend."
— William Blake (1757 - 1827)

Nature Boy Apr 18, 2015

The story of a man so ahead of his time he was out of sync with the world.

The Fragile Brain Apr 11, 2015

When you can't trust your own thoughts, it's a lonely world. Who decides when you're better, and how do you even know?

The Ballad of Dock Ellis Apr 04, 2015

One of the most memorable characters to ever play baseball, Dock Ellis challenged the baseball establishment, pitched a no-hitter on acid, but always had impeccable style.

The New Me Mar 28, 2015

Go ahead and try on a new identity and see if it fits.

A Foot in the Door Mar 21, 2015

Humiliation, fear, poverty, de-humanization, self-doubt and lies… welcome to show business.

Practices of Enfreakment Mar 07, 2015

Freak, it means freakishly different. It’s an outrageous, rare difference.

My Secret Shame Jan 31, 2015

Everyone has a secret shame: A secret plan, a secret crush, an unwelcome secret intruder in your pants.

How to Dig a Grave Jan 24, 2015

There are many lessons to be learned six feet under the ground.

An UnFictional Christmas Special Dec 25, 2014

On this special holiday episode of UnFictional we share past stories of gifts, god and awkward family visits.

Dog Mountain Dec 20, 2014

There's a mountain top in Vermont with hiking trails, wildflowers, a dog chapel and no leash law. It's a place called Dog Mountain.

UnFictional Live, Volume 2 Dec 13, 2014

From the line of fire... Three more stories from UnFictional Live, featuring Tig Notaro, Susan Orlean and Dave White.

The Most Dangerous Guy in Norway? Nov 08, 2014

He took heroin, stole cars, robbed banks and kidnapped a policeman. They locked him up in prison, and that’s where he found a better life.

Witch Hunt Nov 01, 2014

Nineteen people were hanged as a result of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. The reasons may be very familiar to 21st century Americans.

Joe Frank: Sunken Ship Oct 25, 2014

A man’s experiences with women, beginning with his mother, create misery for everyone.

Meet the Family Oct 11, 2014

The family you’re born into, and ones you make, the family you know, and the strange and alien one you're forced into for love.

Just Can't Handle It Oct 04, 2014

Three stories, recorded live, about hitting your breaking point and dealing with the consequences.

The Lost Genius of Judee Sill Sep 27, 2014

Judee Sill robbed stores at gunpoint, went to reform school, fell in love, got lost in drugs… and created some hauntingly beautiful songs.

The 24 Hour Radio Race 2014 Aug 23, 2014

Presenting the winners of the second annual KCRW 24 Hour Radio Race!

The Story of Orville Gibson Aug 02, 2014

A farmer in a small New England village gets up early to milk his cows, and he’s never seen alive again.

Falling Jun 28, 2014

The story of an 11-year-old boy, the only survivor of a plane crash, who has to make his way down a mountain to find rescue.

Women's Work Jun 21, 2014

A woman arms herself before leaving for work; an 18 year old girl spends three months in an Alaskan cannery; and that woman on the phone is not who you think she is.

I Knew You Back Then Jun 07, 2014

The kid you remember from school: a secret crush you still wonder about, the friend who drifted away, the kid who left his mark with a fist.

LA Work Day Jun 03, 2014

Police dispatcher, stripper, waitress, nanny, mariachi, restroom attendant, guard: just trying to earn a wage over the course of a day.

Little Julian's Secret May 24, 2014

Some call him the Chicano Bigfoot; Little Julian Herrera was a star of the 50s East LA music scene, until one day he just disappeared. Is he still out there somewhere?

Ministry of Presence May 10, 2014

Memories of the death house, from a man who sat with 95 condemned men on their last day on earth.

The Unreal Made Real Apr 29, 2014

The unreal somehow takes form. An unseen hand cures illness, and a secret society of laundry dryer astronauts is created by accident.

Robbers Cave Apr 12, 2014

It's 1954, a group of boys arrive at summer camp, but they don't know they are actually part of an experiment to study prejudice. Step 1: Make the boys hate each other.

The Mark of a Man Apr 08, 2014

While one guy tries make his mark as a man, another tries to erase the mark that represents a life of mistakes and regret, most of it spent in prison.

Joe Frank: Isolation Apr 01, 2014

A new program produced by veteran radio storyteller Joe Frank.

Connie and Pedro; The Two Proms of Carlos Kotkin; The Lonely Funeral Mar 29, 2014

This week, excerpts from three of our previous episodes. One is a personal story of a family's immigration experience. Another is about a different rite of passage and two proms, ten years apart. Yet another about two friends who attend funerals of people who died alone.

The Cabinet of Animosities Mar 15, 2014

There's a museum in Croatia that exhibits items left behind at the end of love affairs. Take the audio guide tour...

My Reality Feb 25, 2014

A reality television producer finds a line that she refuses to cross, while a man accidentally inflicts emotional scars on a first date.

Cracking the Love Code Feb 15, 2014

Meet a mother who could very accurately analyze her daughter's dates, after a short conversation. Then later, if love is the drug, this guy may have the disease. (Repeat)

Preacher's Kid Feb 04, 2014

Two boys raised as preacher's kids; one tries to follow a virtuous path, the other becomes a wanted fugitive.

Southern Flight 242: Bringing My Father Home Jan 28, 2014

Will's father died when he was seven years old, but it took him 35 years to bring him home.

Unwanted Jan 18, 2014

Stories of the unwanted: a teenager, unwanted by those closest to him, visits his troubled past. Plus, the people who take your burdensome possessions and blow them up.

Mano a Mano Jan 14, 2014

Cuts and bruises, pure good and pure evil, life and death…

Joe Frank: A Hollywood True Story Dec 31, 2013

Joe Frank returns with an improbable story that begins in Hollywood and inexplicably ends at Auschwitz.

An Afternoon of Stories from KCRW's Independent Producer Project Dec 25, 2013

On Christmas Day, from noon to 2:30pm, we're sharing our favorite radio stories of 2013, all created by independent producers. Hear stories from UnFictional, Strangers, The Organist, and more!

Extended Family Dec 24, 2013

There's a house in Oakland where dozens of people have lived for decades… even though most of them have been dead for years.

Family Justice Dec 10, 2013

Two stories about crime hitting close to home. A man's evil plan takes an ironic turn and a Brooklyn dad launches an investigation into the case of his kid's stolen dog.

The Ghosts of Fire Island Dec 03, 2013

Throughout the 20th century, Fire Island was a gay mecca for fun and freedom. In the 80's, a mysterious illness transformed the community.

One Moment Changes Everything Nov 26, 2013

Often, the most life altering turns in our life, pivot on just one quick moment.

Skating in Darkness Nov 16, 2013

Much like a radio listener, a blind person has to rely a lot on their sense of hearing. But once you learn to hear with your whole body...

Wandering Souls: Saigon Nov 12, 2013

Vietnam is filled with angry ghosts. Killed violently, buried without ritual, spirits roam resentfully, visiting the living in their dreams.

Consequences Nov 05, 2013

Melanie and Ed once had a landlord that they loved, even if they always feared for their life a little bit. Plus, the stories our scars tell.

The Bones of a Damaged King Oct 19, 2013

The answer to a 400 year old mystery is found in a parking lot.

Joe Frank: A Life Well Lived Oct 05, 2013

A new episode featuring the work of Joe Frank.

UnFictional Live, Volume 1 Oct 01, 2013

Stories from the first ever UnFictional live show... sweet and hilarious tales of birth, family, and death.

The God of Chaos Sep 21, 2013

What does an ancient African deity have to do with a Reese's cup? Meet Elegba, trickster spirit of chaos. Plus, Evan Kleiman on the spirit of chaos in restaurant kitchens.

The Womb 2013 Sep 14, 2013

In this updated edition of a 2011 episode, stories of the ocean, what it does to us and how it changes us...

24-Hour Radio Race 2013 Sep 10, 2013

What happens when a producer is given just a theme and a ridiculously short time-frame? It's a Radio Race! And the results were amazing.

A Pack, a Flock, a Herd, a Murder Aug 27, 2013

Five animal stories curated by Nate DiMeo of The Memory Palace. Plus, do you know the mind of an antelope?

Silence Aug 03, 2013

Two stories of silence. A young woman's hearing gradually goes away, so she and her family weigh their options. A radio producer with chronic tinnitus can't stand silence.

The Wrath of Comic-Con Jul 23, 2013

Three stories from the enormous tentacled beast known as Comic-Con: Romantic nerd dreams dashed, a 9-year old with a dangerous obsession and a hero among the superheroes.

Weddings and Unweddings Jul 09, 2013

Does a breakup have to be full of aimless despair and lonely self pity? Why not mark the occasion with a ceremony and invite your friends? This is the story of one couple that did just that.

Joe Frank: Reality Check Jun 21, 2013

Radio storyteller Joe Frank examines the very nature of reality...

The Invisible Man Jun 15, 2013

On today's episode, two stories about fathers lost and found...

Bloods May 28, 2013

Being an African-American fighting in the jungles of Vietnam meant always getting the most dangerous missions, and sometimes having to save the lives of the very people who hated you.

Keep Them Guessing May 18, 2013

A man delves into his grandparent's history as massively popular mind readers on the radio.

Moms Gone Wild May 14, 2013

In the 1970's, Minneapolis was Funky Town. One night, Joanna's mom met a disco guy with a body-sized freezer who took her on the worst date she ever had.

The Descent May 04, 2013

Alex Chadwick's story of two men whose troubles and tragedies find respite in the raging rapids of Cataract Canyon.

Me and the Holy See Apr 30, 2013

Imagine having all the power and moral authority of the Catholic Church focused on one person… you.

No Greater Love Apr 23, 2013

Would you risk your own life to save the life of someone else?

The Man in the Road Apr 13, 2013

The story of a chance meeting in the Nevada desert that lead to a series of court battles that lasted for over 30 years.

Nick's Story Mar 26, 2013

A soldier returns from Afghanistan, happy to be back. He loves music and superhero Thor. But his parents see that he is haunted by something that happened in battle.

Rhapsody in Bohemia Mar 16, 2013

What do you get when you take one of the greatest and strangest rock songs of all time and let fans and critics pull it apart, examine it, critique it and cover it?

My So-Called Guru Mar 12, 2013

Two stories about healers and teachers who DO NOT have the best interests of their students in mind.

Welcome to the Metal Feb 05, 2013

A DJ turned-mom's relationship with the inmates at a nearby state penitentiary. Also, a shocking event transforms the family of a strip club-owner's daughter. (Repeat)

Joe Frank: A Conversation Jan 29, 2013

MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY: Joe Frank presents a sweeping philosophical inquiry into the nature of God, morality, love, human suffering and restaurant tipping.

The Sundance Experience Jan 18, 2013

A filmmaker takes his movie to Sundance for one last chance to save his stalled career.

Don't Go Far Jan 12, 2013

For two streetwise Irish boys who loved hopping on trains and ferries and discovering new faraway places, one adventure took them so far they become front page news.

After You Left Jan 01, 2013

Mysteries, sudden appearances and unexpected disappearances. Two stories about searching for something that no longer exists, but then kind of finding it anyway.

Holiday Visitors Dec 25, 2012

Stories about unexpected holiday guests: "The King" pays a surprise visit to the Nixon White House, and a reluctant Mormon meets an un-earthly visitor...

Roller Girls Dec 15, 2012

Rocking and rolling and slamming and jamming with the ladies of the London Roller Girls.

The Lucid Dreamers Nov 17, 2012

This week, we go beyond the wall of sleep with "the lucid dreamers." (Repeat)

Joe Frank: Old Man Nov 13, 2012

A new program created for UnFictional by radio storyteller Joe Frank.

A Bootful of Bass Nov 03, 2012

Our car is shaking the floor and rattling the windows. It's 'A Bootful of Bass.'

Heel, Toe, Step Together Oct 13, 2012

The story of an octogenarian dancer teaching a 28-year old how to waltz.

Self-Immolation Man Oct 09, 2012

A young boy escapes to a foreign country by himself, on foot, with no money or passport. When he grows up, he sets himself on fire, and lives to tell the tale.

Caught! Sep 11, 2012

On this episode of UnFictional, three stories about getting nabbed red-handed... (Repeat)

Child of Ardoyne Sep 04, 2012

An impressionistic portrait of conflict in Northern Ireland, from the perspective of children.

The Angel of Death Aug 28, 2012

Two stories about that key life moment many of us spend a lifetime dreading, one that none of us lives to tell about. The moment. It's all in the timing... (Rebroadcast)

Not the Olympics Aug 07, 2012

Stories with thoughts of the Olympics in the background.

Ghosts of Srebrenica Jul 14, 2012

A journey through eastern Bosnia finds the dead and missing from the infamous 1995 Srebrenica massacre as present in daily life as those they left behind.

American Dreamer: Sam's Story Jun 16, 2012

A talented and articulate young jazz musician finds that for an "illegal," graduation marks a dead end. We follow his struggle to achieve his American dream.

Bring Your Game Jun 05, 2012

This week, two stories about life, family and basketball... (Repeated from October 21, 2011)

In the Family May 12, 2012

In this episode, two personal stories from "Outfront," a 15 minute documentary series that ran on the CBC in Canada up until a few years ago.

Your Future in Sales May 01, 2012

On this episode, three stories about young people let in on the secrets of selling, both good and bad... (Repeat)

Work in Progress Apr 14, 2012

Gloria Lowe and a small army of dry-wallers, community gardeners, bakers, philosophers and other true-believers are working small miracles all over Detroit...

It's Always Now Apr 10, 2012

Writers know: the best stories are built around a moment; a point of no return. Kent Pierce and Simon Lewis both survived car wrecks that became that moment...

The Best Laid Plans Mar 17, 2012

Storytellers who think they know the plan of action, only to come face to face with someone with a conflicting agenda. (This program originally aired January 4, 2011.)

The Man Who Could Record Your Dreams Mar 13, 2012

A verbal slip turns a UCLA neuroscience researcher's affirmation into a science fiction drama that threatens to devour years of serious research.

The Auctioneer Feb 28, 2012

Today on the program, a trip to auctioneer school.

Why I Ride the Bus Feb 18, 2012

Carl Kozlowski’s sometimes funny, sometimes torturous road from total denial that he suffered a sleep disorder to something resembling a cure...

The Womb Feb 07, 2012

In this episode, stories of the ocean; what it does to us and how it changes us... (This program originally aired on Tuesday, March 22, 2011.)

Natural Disorder Jan 14, 2012

On today's episode, three stories told in words and music, all produced by Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister...

Strangers Jan 03, 2012

We introduce you to the Strangers podcast, from KCRW's Independent Producer Project about the strangers we meet, the strangers we become and the strange places we go.

Christmas 2011 Dec 24, 2011

In this episode, offbeat stories of Christmas' past, including an awkward tale told entirely through Facebook status entries.

Holiday Buffet Nov 29, 2011

Today, a special for the beginning of the holiday season…. a compilation of family stories from the first year of this program.

Domesticated Nov 22, 2011

Three very funny stories told by L.A.-based storytellers. In all three tales, the human's life is significantly changed by the peculiar feelings we have about our pets.

Occupation in October Nov 12, 2011

Alex Chadwick spent a weekend at Zuccotti Park with a few Occupy activists...

War and the Warriors Nov 05, 2011

Two soldiers on the run in Vietnam take two drastically different paths, and a producer asks soldiers in Iraq, ''What's on your iPod?''

The Seance Nov 01, 2011

On a summer night in the early 1990's, a small group of friends gather for a dinner party in Los Angeles. Just for fun, someone suggests having a little séance....

We Come to Someone's Worst Day Oct 15, 2011

Stories of rescuers and the people they rescue....

Dizzy Oct 04, 2011

A frustrating struggle to diagnose chronic and sometimes painful dizzy spells. Plus, a 13-year-old's eye-opening visit to Action Park and how it made him a man...

Sunshine Skyway Sep 17, 2011

This radio piece, created by independent producer Rich Halten, is the story of a man who threw himself off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay in Florida....

Irv and Me Aug 27, 2011

When Hank Rosenfeld met veteran comedy writer Irving Brecher, he knew he was in the presence of Hollywood history. Plus, what to say when someone asks how to write comedy...

And Then What Happened? Aug 23, 2011

There's a quick and violent event, followed by the rippling aftermath. Plus, an independent journalist's stream-of-consciousness telling of a street mugging, his own.

Breaking Away Aug 02, 2011

Luzer Twersky, who grew up within Hasidic communities in New York and London, decided to leave the community and make a new life in the secular world...

The Accidental Parent Jul 02, 2011

In the first of two stories, 4-year-old Lexi takes on parenthood. Then a professional musician's life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes a full-time father.

In Uniform Jun 04, 2011

In this episode, two stories about the human beings inside a uniform....

The Lonely Funeral May 21, 2011

A soulful and moving Dutch documentary about a civil servant who works with a professional poet to plans funerals for people who have died alone, bodies that were never claimed from the morgue...

The Two Proms of Carlos Kotkin Apr 23, 2011

Stories about a special rite of passage. Carlos Kotkin went to two high school proms, more than ten years apart. Plus, Curie Youth Radio's Will You Go to Prom with Me?

Miscellaneous Mar 02, 2011

An episode about boxes and boxes and piles and bins of miscellaneous stuff...

Stories about Dads Feb 19, 2011

Mike Birbiglia on battling an online porn virus for his tech-challenged parents, Laura Silverman on bad marriage advice, and seeing the city on a stroll with a newborn's blind father, Ryan Knighton. (This program originally was broadcast on October 12, 2010.)

Night on Earth Dec 07, 2010

Stealing an idea from Jim Jarmusch, we drop down to five random locations and hear personal stories that all take place in the nighttime.

Care Nov 23, 2010

Two stories about looking after the welfare of others, one at the beginning of life and another near the end of life.

Separated by Birth Nov 09, 2010

Two stories about families who have been driven apart... David Ellis Dickerson’s mission to save his family from a faith he considers hypocritical and dangerous. Also, Carol Brobeck and Joel Woodruff recount the adoption and reunion that defines their relationship.

Radio Diaries: Willie McGee and the Traveling Electric Chair Nov 02, 2010

This week, we spotlight Radio Diaries. Joe Richman is the man behind Radio Diaries and he helps people document their own lives in their own voices. We listen to the most recent work from Richman along with co-producer Samara Freemark. Willie McGee and the Traveling Electric Chair: A Granddaughter's Search for the Truth just won an award at the Third Coast International Audio Festival in Chicago.

Also on the program, Frank Schubert, Lighthouse Keeper.

Hometowns Oct 05, 2010

Roswell: LA Writer Dave White tells the story of growing up in Roswell, New Mexico. He's bothered by the fact that his own personal memories keep getting drowned out by a man-made image that gets foisted on the town by endless TV shows, movies and books.
How Are You Who You Are?: Eric Winick recorded this documentary about a family he grew up with in Marblehead, Massachusetts. It's a story about the rarest and most profound kind of love, where you love someone regardless of what, or who they become. Plus, an online-only interview Bob Carlson did with Winick, co-producer of the documentary.

(This program was originally broadcast on October 5, 2010.)

Connie and Pedro Sep 28, 2010

A personal story of crossing the border and protecting the border, a fascinating, funny and thoughtful lesson in family, culture and patriotism. Also, a heartbreaking tale of an Inuit Eskimo boy who finds himself in turn of the century New York City.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected