Ira Glass

And soon, nothing more terrible, nothing more true. This is a special way of being afraid. No trick dispels. Religion used to try. That vast, moth-eaten musical brocade, created to pretend we never die. And specious stuff that says, no rational being can fear a thing it will not feel. Not seeing that this is what we fear. No sight, no sound. No touch or taste or smell.

And soon, nothing more terrible, nothing more true. This is a special way of being afraid. No trick dispels. Religion used to try. That vast, moth-eaten musical brocade, created to pretend we never die. And specious stuff that says, no rational being can fear a thing it will not feel. Not seeing that this is what we fear. No sight, no sound. No touch or taste or smell.

Nothing to think with, nothing to love or link with. The anesthetic from which none come round. And so it stays just on the edge of vision, a small, unfocused blur, a standing chill that slows each impulse down to indecision. Most things may never happen. This one will. And realization of it rages out in furnace fear when we're caught without people or drink. Courage is no good.

Nothing to think with, nothing to love or link with. The anesthetic from which none come round. And so it stays just on the edge of vision, a small, unfocused blur, a standing chill that slows each impulse down to indecision. Most things may never happen. This one will. And realization of it rages out in furnace fear when we're caught without people or drink. Courage is no good.

It means not scaring others. Being brave lets no one off the grave. Death is no different whined at than withstood. Slowly light strengthens and the room takes shape. It stands plain as a wardrobe. What we know, have always known. Know that we can't escape. Yet can't accept. One side will have to go. Meanwhile, telephones crouch, getting ready to ring, in locked up offices.

It means not scaring others. Being brave lets no one off the grave. Death is no different whined at than withstood. Slowly light strengthens and the room takes shape. It stands plain as a wardrobe. What we know, have always known. Know that we can't escape. Yet can't accept. One side will have to go. Meanwhile, telephones crouch, getting ready to ring, in locked up offices.

And all the uncaring, intricate rented world begins to rouse. The sky is white as clay, with no sun. Work has to be done. Postmen, like doctors, go from house to house.

And all the uncaring, intricate rented world begins to rouse. The sky is white as clay, with no sun. Work has to be done. Postmen, like doctors, go from house to house.

Our program was produced today by Nancy Opdek and myself, with Alex Bloomberg, Jane Marie, Lisa Pollock, Robin Simeon, and Alyssa Shipp. Our senior producer for today's show is Julie Snyder. Production help from PJ Vogt and Tara Kuda. Help on today's rerun from Michael Comadese, Joan Nelson, Catherine Raimondo, Ryan Rumery, and Angela Gervasi.

Our program was produced today by Nancy Opdek and myself, with Alex Bloomberg, Jane Marie, Lisa Pollock, Robin Simeon, and Alyssa Shipp. Our senior producer for today's show is Julie Snyder. Production help from PJ Vogt and Tara Kuda. Help on today's rerun from Michael Comadese, Joan Nelson, Catherine Raimondo, Ryan Rumery, and Angela Gervasi.

Mike Birbiglia, who you heard earlier in the show, has his own podcast called Working It Out. And our latest bonus episode for Life Partners is his latest episode of his podcast where I am the guest and he critiques my skills as a stand-up comedian. If you want to become a life partner and get access to all of our bonus episodes, there are so many now.

Mike Birbiglia, who you heard earlier in the show, has his own podcast called Working It Out. And our latest bonus episode for Life Partners is his latest episode of his podcast where I am the guest and he critiques my skills as a stand-up comedian. If you want to become a life partner and get access to all of our bonus episodes, there are so many now.

Go to thisamericanlife.org slash lifepartners. This American Life is delivered to public radio stations by PRX, the public radio exchange. Thanks as always to our program's co-founder, Mr. Torrey Malatia, who explains why he shows up for work sometimes with no shirt, torn pants, no shoes.

Go to thisamericanlife.org slash lifepartners. This American Life is delivered to public radio stations by PRX, the public radio exchange. Thanks as always to our program's co-founder, Mr. Torrey Malatia, who explains why he shows up for work sometimes with no shirt, torn pants, no shoes.

I'm Ira Glass. Back next week with more stories of This American Life.

I'm Ira Glass. Back next week with more stories of This American Life.

Next week on the podcast of This American Life, Alicia was out of a job when she started making wigs for pets. And she decided, this is going to be my thing. Which worked.

Next week on the podcast of This American Life, Alicia was out of a job when she started making wigs for pets. And she decided, this is going to be my thing. Which worked.

That good news turned out to be not entirely good news. Next week on the podcast, on your local public radio station.

That good news turned out to be not entirely good news. Next week on the podcast, on your local public radio station.