This I Believe
110 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 4 years ago - ★★★★ - 243 ratingsInspiring, uplifting, and educational, This I Believe features people from all walks of life sharing the stories behind their core beliefs. Since 2005, this program has been heard weekly on public radio and used in thousands of classrooms worldwide. It has also spawned nine books, including the NY Times bestseller "This I Believe." Hundreds of past episodes are archived at thisibelieve.org.
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Episodes
Dr. Charles Parrish: They Lived Their Faith
February 18, 2019 22:01 - 5 minutes - 3.2 MBInspired by the generosity of his parents, University of Louisville sociology professor Charles H. Parrish believed in the importance of helping others and always looking for the good in people. By doing so, Parrish said we can catch a vision of God. From Edward R. Murrow's original 1950s This I Believe series.
Cindy Lollar: A Walk in the Woods Together
February 11, 2019 16:50 - 4 minutes - 3.26 MBLike any long-term relationship, Cindy Lollar and her partner Greta have had their ups and downs. Now as they grow old together, Lollar believes the love and commitment she and Greta share are as strong and enduring as those found in any marriage.
Reg Stark: Pennies from Heaven
January 28, 2019 15:24 - 5 minutes - 3.52 MBAfter 43 years of marriage, native Texan Reg Stark lost his wife, Linda, to cancer. Ever since, he has been finding pennies everywhere he goes. Stark believes each coin he discovers is a sign that Linda is still with him and still looking out for him.
Benita Porter: The Power of Words
January 21, 2019 14:34 - 5 minutes - 3.71 MBOn August 28, 1963, Benita Porter went with her mother to attend the March on Washington. It was during Dr. King’s spellbinding message of hope, love, and the universality of mankind that Ms. Porter was inspired by the belief that words—her own words—could arouse passion, change minds, and bring about social change.
Cherie Burbach: My Father Told Me I Was Fat
January 14, 2019 16:32 - 5 minutes - 3.9 MBWhen Cherie Burbach was a young girl, she believed her father's cruel words defined her, and her only escape from his verbal assaults was to write about her emotions. Now, as an adult, she values her words over her father's, and she continues to write to express who she is.
Isabel Allende: In Giving I Connect With Others
January 07, 2019 14:56 - 5 minutes - 3.79 MBIn grieving the death of her daughter, novelist Isabel Allende finds inspiration in the life of service her daughter led, and comfort in the love Allende was able to give her in death.
Melinda Shoaf: The Designated Celebrator
December 31, 2018 16:55 - 5 minutes - 3.6 MBHoliday gatherings mean long hours for Melinda Shoaf: polishing the silver, hanging the decorations, cooking the big dinner. But the Memphis homemaker believes her family deserves a good celebration.
Corey Harbaugh: Truth and the Santa Claus Moment
December 24, 2018 15:04 - 4 minutes - 3.4 MBDo you answer a child’s question honestly, even if it risks shaking their beliefs? Corey Harbaugh struggled with that decision when his son asked who really brings him presents at Christmas. Harbaugh found a reply that honors both his son and the truth.
Alexxandra Shuman: The Essentials to Happiness
December 17, 2018 17:55 - 5 minutes - 3.69 MBWhen Alexxandra Shuman was in eighth grade, she was diagnosed with clinical depression. But it took more than medication for her to feel happy again. Ms. Shuman believes she has to look in the right places on her journey to finding happiness.
Brighton Early: Finding the Flexibility to Survive
December 10, 2018 20:06 - 5 minutes - 2.98 MBBrighton Earley’s mom shops at a gas station because she can no longer afford to buy food at a regular grocery. At first Earley was ashamed to go on these shopping trips, but now the Los Angeles student believes they’ve taught her a valuable lesson.
Seetla Sistla: The Perfume of Love
December 03, 2018 22:29 - 4 minutes - 2.64 MBAs a teenager, Seeta Sistla dabbled with perfume but found the floral scents to be overpowering for her. But, after watching her father lovingly care for her ill mother, she has come to see that the perfume he anoints his wife with is a powerful statement of his love.
Silas House: The Knowing
November 27, 2018 19:59 - 7 minutes - 5.16 MBAs a writer, Silas House doesn't like to use the word "love" too much. But, when it comes to his dogs, House knows that they embody love in every sense of the word—the giving and receiving of affection, practicing kindness and patience, and enjoying every single moment.
Jocelyn Fong: Rice for Thanksgiving
November 20, 2018 00:47 - 4 minutes - 2.66 MBMany people have a favorite Thanksgiving dish. It’s not turkey or pumpkin pie for Jocelyn Fong, but something that combines American tradition with her father’s Chinese heritage. Fong believes her simple dish helps her connect with her mix of cultures.
Michael Whitehead: We Will See the Job Through
November 12, 2018 22:48 - 4 minutes - 3.4 MBIraq War veteran Michael J. Whitehead shares some of the lessons he learned on the battlefield in Iraq, about the strength of the Iraqi people, and the importance of leaving the country in better shape than he found it.
Michael Seifert: An Act of Faith in America
November 05, 2018 19:21 - 5 minutes - 3.26 MBWhen citizens in Michael Seifert’s Texas border town couldn’t get respect from local elected officials, they didn’t get angry. They got organized. Seifert and his neighbors discovered that voting was the best tool they had to improve their community.
Clint Morehead: The Stillness of the Library
October 30, 2018 14:45 - 5 minutes - 3.77 MBWhen Clint Morehead was still in medical school, he often spent upwards of 10 hours a day studying at the library. More important than the aesthetics of the space around him, Morehead finds that libraries provide a valuable place to go—inside himself.
Korinthia Klein: Amazing Grace
October 21, 2018 21:38 - 5 minutes - 3.5 MBKorinthia Klein’s grandfather was her biggest fan when she was a young music student. When she finally learned his favorite song, Klein had only one chance to play it for him. She believes it was more than a musical gift. It was one of love and comfort. Hundreds of additional This I Believe episodes can be found at thisibelieve.org.
Kamaal Majeed: Being Content with Myself
October 15, 2018 17:34 - 4 minutes - 2.68 MBMassachusetts teenager Kamaal Majeed believes being content with himself and defining his own life are more important than adhering to any racial stereotypes that his peers may try to force upon him. More This I Believe episodes can be found at thisibelieve.org.
Josh Rittenberg: Tomorrow Will Be a Better Day
October 08, 2018 16:46 - 4 minutes - 2.46 MBWhat kind of world are we leaving younger generations? Manhattan teenager Josh Rittenberg says all parents worry about their children’s futures. But he believes he and his peers will see a better world. More This I Believe episodes at thisibelieve.org.
Sarah Adams: Be Cool to the Pizza Dude
October 01, 2018 17:05 - 5 minutes - 3.31 MBWe know them. We depend on them. We call them out on cold, rainy nights. Now, college professor Sarah Adams tells us why her life philosophy is built around being cool to the pizza delivery dude. More This I Believe episodes at thisibelieve.org.
Mary Courtwright:The Forging of Courage
September 24, 2018 18:48 - 4 minutes - 2.7 MBWhen Mary Courtwright was young, she used to think courage was a quality that people were born with. But over time, as she has had to make tough life choices, she has found that courage is something quiet and steadfast, always there to help her make decisions.
Curt Columbus: The Importance of Neighbors
September 18, 2018 21:38 - 4 minutes - 2.7 MBCurt Columbus feels that our increasing reliance on technology is making us more isolated and less interactive with each other. By regularly visiting with neighbors, Columbus believes these small conversations and connections are the key to a vibrant democratic society. More episodes at thisibelieve.org.
Winter Prosapio: My Grandmother's Dicho
September 10, 2018 22:12 - 3 minutes - 2.14 MBWinter Prosapio and her family endured a series of medical and financial troubles that left them feeling broken and bruised. Ms. Prosapio called on an old family saying that gave her the strength to get through hard times.
Delaine Eastin: Standing Up for Our Children
September 03, 2018 19:36 - 4 minutes - 2.95 MBAs the former highest-ranking official in California's elementary and secondary public school system, Delaine Eastin believes that investing in children's education is not just the right thing to do, but also a patriotic necessity. More episodes at thisibelieve.org.
John McCain: The Virtues of the Quiet Hero
August 27, 2018 12:12 - 5 minutes - 3.05 MBAs a Naval aviator, Congressman, and parent, John McCain was guided by a belief in honor, faith, and service. They are values he tried to model for his children and future generations of Americans. He died on August 25, 2018. More episodes in this series can be found at thisibelieve.org.
Kathy Holwadel: There is a Plan
August 20, 2018 14:53 - 4 minutes - 2.11 MBOnce a poster-child for yuppie success with all the trimmings, Kathy Holwadel's world fell apart just when she thought she had it all. She got a divorce, her mother died, her son went to jail, and she quit her fancy career. But oddly enough, it all seemed to make sense.
Kevin Myers: The Necessity of Compassion
August 14, 2018 14:45 - 3 minutes - 2.28 MBAs a young boy, Kevin Myers felt outraged at being treated unfairly because of his life circumstances. However, his mother taught him an important lesson in forgiving others that he still carries with him today.
Yasmina Shaush: The American Dream Lives On
August 06, 2018 13:12 - 5 minutes - 2.93 MBAs a young immigrant to the United States, Yasmina Shaush feels the weight of several generations who have high expectations for her. Ms. Shaush has come to believe that the beauty of America is the opportunity for success through hard work and determination. More episodes at thisibelieve.org.
Delia Motavalli: Find a Good Frog
July 30, 2018 14:54 - 4 minutes - 2.71 MBDelia Motavalli has grown up watching movies about fairy tales and princesses. But after she received a piece of advice from her mother, Delia has come to realize her own definition of "happily ever after." More episodes at thisibelieve.org.
Dale Long: Why Are We Here?
July 24, 2018 00:40 - 5 minutes - 2.49 MBWhen Dale Long asked himself the large life question, "Why are we here?," he wasn't always sure of the answer. But one night of stargazing with his children brought him clarity on his place in the universe.
Lori Vermeulen: The Perfect Merge
July 16, 2018 20:50 - 5 minutes - 2.31 MBFor Lori Vermeulen, a "merge" sign is more than a traffic directive in a construction zone. It’s a life philosophy based on making a choice to do what is best for the group versus what is best for the individual. More episodes at thisibelieve.org.
Dave Stewart: My Time and Place Among the Cows
July 09, 2018 21:06 - 3 minutes - 1.77 MBFor many people, work defines the pace of their lives. That’s especially true for New England dairyman Dave Stewart. He believes his cows help him appreciate the slower rhythms of the natural world, and embrace the responsibilities of farm and family life. More This I Believe episodes at thisibelieve.org.
Robert Heinlein: Our Noble, Essential Decency
June 28, 2018 21:04 - 12 minutes - 6.86 MBIn spite of his successful career as a science fiction writer, Robert Heinlein's beliefs are more down to earth. Mr. Heinlein believed in the decency of his neighbors, and the future of the human race.
Cheryl Dukes: A Place I Call Home
June 18, 2018 20:33 - 4 minutes - 2.25 MBCheryl L. Dukes grew up in the military, and when her father received new orders, the family packed up and said goodbye quickly. Never knowing what it meant to be permanently rooted to a place, Ms. Dukes found out recently when she found the kitchen, the yellow house, and the neighbors she now calls "home." More This I Believe episodes at thisibelieve.org.
Ron Wooley: A Stack of Rocks
June 11, 2018 15:25 - 4 minutes - 2.19 MBHow do you memorialize someone whose ashes were spread in the ocean? Teacher Ron Woolley honors his father by stacking stones at the seashore every time he goes for a swim. His tribute may not be permanent, but Woolley believes his love for his dad is. Listen to more This I Believe episodes at thisibelieve.org.
Kate Debiec: Finding My Father in a Small World
June 04, 2018 15:47 - 4 minutes - 2.24 MBKate Debiec's father had a knack for making friends with strangers quickly. After her father passed away, Ms. Debiec realized the importance of the legacy he had left her.
Jeff Sloan: The Best Education in the World
May 28, 2018 21:05 - 5 minutes - 2.39 MBFrom the moment Jeff Sloan became a father, his priorities shifted as he felt the weight of his new responsibilities. What he didn't realize on Day One was how much he would learn about himself and about life through being a dad. Hundreds more This I Believe episodes at thisibelieve.org.
Ahmad Zaki Abu Shadi: The Secrets of Life
May 21, 2018 15:12 - 12 minutes - 7.05 MBFrom the 1950s This I Believe series, Egyptian-born Ahmad Zaki Abu Shadi tells how he left his homeland to gain spiritual and intellectual liberty. The artist and scientist believed freedom was a synonym for life itself, and a precious treasure deserved by all. More 1950s and contemporaryThis I Believe programs at thisibelieve.org.
Scott Saalman: Swing-shift Kisses
May 14, 2018 14:16 - 5 minutes - 2.6 MBScott Saalman, of Jasper, Indiana, learned much about love from observing his parents' daily kiss goodbye.
Julie Sellers: Passing the Baton
May 07, 2018 14:07 - 5 minutes - 2.56 MBAs an adoptive mother, Julie Sellers knows there is another woman somewhere in the world to whom she owes a debt of gratitude for giving her the life—and the family—she has. Explore more This I Believe programs at thisibelieve.org.
Kimberly Trevisani: Pieces of Me
April 30, 2018 16:19 - 6 minutes - 2.8 MBWhen a close friend was diagnosed with cancer, Kim Trevisani thought of all the little things her friend would miss while in the hospital. Today, Kim has come to appreciate the little moments of her daily routine, because those small details are what make up her life.
Colleen Shaddox: Jazz is the Sound of God Laughing
April 23, 2018 15:38 - 5 minutes - 3.07 MBAs a child, Colleen Shaddox loved hearing her uncle play jazz piano. Now her son is developing a love for the music that she believes unites her family even in the most troubling of times.
Connie Spittler: Pink Moments
April 16, 2018 14:07 - 5 minutes - 2.92 MBMany people revel in the beauty of a familiar landscape. For Connie Spittler, it’s Arizona’s Catalina Mountains when the setting sun illuminates them. Spittler believes making time to embrace nature gives her the strength to face life’s challenges.
John Updike: Testing the Limits of What I Know and What I Feel
April 09, 2018 13:48 - 5 minutes - 3.04 MBPulitzer Prize winning novelist John Updike explores the roots of his beliefs and finds them grounded in religious faith, the ideals of democracy and in the power of creative writing.
Pearl Buck: Roll Away the Stone
March 05, 2018 16:21 - 11 minutes - 6.8 MBFor Women's History Month, we listen to an essay from Edward R. Murrow's original This I Believe radio series. Even in the face of possible nuclear war, Nobel Prize-winning writer Pearl S. Buck finds her faith in humanity to be stronger than ever, and believes that cooperation can solve the world’s problems. For more This I Believe programs, please visit thisibelieve.org.
Ralph Bunche: Nana Lit the Beacons
February 26, 2018 16:42 - 5 minutes - 3.08 MBNobel Peace Prize winner Ralph Bunche had a "poor and hard life," having lost both of his parents as a young child. But he was raised by his grandmother, a woman of principle, who taught Bunche the simple lessons that became the foundation of his beliefs. From Edward R. Murrow's 1950s This I Believe radio series. For more This I Believe programs, please visit thisibelieve.org
Walter White: All Or Nothing
February 19, 2018 16:50 - 5 minutes - 3.04 MBLong-time NAACP Executive Secretary and civil rights activist Walter White was inspired by his parents as well as Jesus and Gandhi to believe in upholding moral principals and committing to human equality. From Edward R. Murrow's 1950s radio series "This I Believe." For more 1950s This I Believe programs, please visit thisibelieve.org.
Louise V. Gray: What We Tried To Do
February 12, 2018 17:20 - 5 minutes - 2.29 MBIn college, playwright Louise V. Gray had a passionate romance with another young writer. Then just before their wedding, the relationship faltered and they went their separate ways. Now years later, Gray is still grateful for that time with her lover.
Penn Jillette: There Is No God
September 25, 2017 16:00 - 5 minutes - 3.63 MBAs half of the magic act Penn and Teller, Penn Jillette enjoys challenging his audiences with the unconventional. In stating his personal credo, Jillette finds liberation in believing there is no God
Albert Einstein: An Ideal of Service to Our Fellow Man
April 30, 2017 16:00 - 5 minutes - 3.73 MBNobel Prize-winning physicist Albert Einstein finds beauty in life's mysteries, and says the fate of mankind depends on individuals choosing public service over private gain.