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855: That’s a Weird Thing to Lie About

2025/3/2

This American Life

Kasey, an autistic woman, discusses how she perceives the lies of neurotypical people and shares her philosophy of 'radical honesty with tact.'

Kasey finds neurotypical people's lies puzzling and often transparent.
She advocates for honesty, recognizing cultural structures rather than deception.
Kasey practices radical honesty but acknowledges justified lies for protection.
She believes honesty leads to vulnerability and intimacy.
Kasey navigates social norms while maintaining her truthful nature.

Unnecessary and outrageous lies that make you wonder — why lie about that in the first place?

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Prologue: Kasey, a woman who prides herself on her truthfulness, tries to help host Ira Glass figure out how to stop lying about one specific thing. (10 minutes)
Act One: Producer Dana Chivvis talks to Liz Flock about a strange experience she had in 2011. (21 minutes)
Act Two: Host Ira Glass talks with M. Gessen about a lie they've been seeing out in the world a lot recently — the “bully lie.” (15 minutes)
Act Three: We find someone brave enough to stand up and make a case FOR lying. That person is producer Ike Sriskandarajah. (8 minutes)

Transcripts are available at thisamericanlife.org)

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