A Short Musical Bonus Episode

Ira Glass and performer Julian Fleischer present a musical collaboration recorded at Joe's Pub in New York City, centered on the theme "love songs for the end of the world." The pair updates the lyrics of the 1936 classic "I Can't Get Started" to reflect contemporary anxieties and absurdities, referencing figures like Vladimir Putin, Elon Musk, and Marjorie Taylor Greene. This performance serves as a tribute to the tradition of lyrical parody, mirroring the creative habits of Glass’s mother, who frequently adapted show tunes for local community events. Listener-supported funding remains the backbone of the show, enabling the production of deep-dive investigative journalism, such as recent reporting on daily life in Iran, while this intimate, lighthearted bonus content functions as a direct gesture of gratitude to the audience.