870: My Other Self

This episode of "This American Life" explores the theme of presenting alternate versions of oneself to the world. It begins with Ira Glass discussing how his public persona differs from his private life, which serves as an introduction to the show's theme. Act one features reporter Evan Ratliff's experiment with creating an AI clone of his voice and using it to interact with others, from customer service representatives to telemarketers, and eventually, friends and family, revealing unexpected reactions and ethical considerations. Act two presents a personal story from producer Emmanuel Dzotsi about his father's small lie about playing the saxophone when he met his mother, and how this lie, and others, shaped Emmanuel's understanding of his parents as flawed individuals.