883: Call Your Parents - This American Life Recap

Podcast: This American Life

Published: 2026-03-22

Guests: Shirley Glass, Barry Glass

What Happened

Ira Glass reflects on how starting This American Life at age 36 coincided with a distant relationship with his parents. Despite his parents' disapproval of his career in public radio, viewing it as a 'sad little backwater,' Ira made efforts to mend their relationship by having them on his radio show. This decision proved beneficial, with his parents appearing five times in the first eight months and enjoying the attention and affirmation.

Ira's mother, Shirley Glass, a therapist in the Jewish suburbs outside Baltimore, was invited to lead a discussion for a group of women about relationships with adult children. This group quickly became focused on the dynamics between parents and their adult children. During her preparation, Shirley reached out to her own children for advice, leading to humorous exchanges, such as Ira's sister Randy jokingly advising the group to 'get a different leader.'

Key criteria for parental satisfaction discussed in the group included whether their children were married, lived nearby, appreciated them, had grandchildren, and were successful. Despite these common desires, some parents expressed disappointment when their dreams for their children were not realized. Interestingly, some parents grew to love their child's partner more than their own child over time.

Ira Glass discovered that his father, Barry Glass, had a brief stint in radio at age 19 before becoming a certified public accountant. Barry left radio for more job security and control over his destiny, a fact unbeknownst to Ira growing up. Barry's workaholic nature led him to start his own business and work long hours, embodying the typical suburban dad.

Despite their initial disapproval, Ira's parents participated in his radio show, which helped improve their relationship. Ira had a significant conversation with his father, Barry, where past tensions were resolved, and his father apologized for previous behaviors. This development marked a turning point in their relationship, fostering more open and friendly interactions.

Ira's mother, Shirley, was quoted in a Marie Claire article as a 'sexpert,' much to Ira's surprise. This openness to public discourse on sensitive topics highlighted the contrast between her professional life and her more defensive attitude towards criticism from her children. Ira reflects on how these radio stories and public interactions became a medium for them to practice getting along and accepting one another.

Barry Glass, after retiring, expressed interest in returning to radio, which he fulfilled by co-hosting an episode of 'This American Life' with Ira for Father's Day. This experience not only reignited Barry's passion for radio but also provided an opportunity for father and son to bond over a shared interest. Through these interactions, Ira realized that his radio show had fundamentally changed his relationship with his parents, making it more open and accepting.

Key Insights

• Ira Glass's career in public radio was initially met with disapproval from his parents, who were concerned about his financial stability and viewed the field as insignificant. Despite this, Ira's decision to include his parents on his show improved their relationship and changed their perception.
• Shirley Glass, Ira's mother, led a group discussion focused on parental relationships with adult children. Her preparation involved seeking advice from her own children, highlighting the complex dynamics families face when discussing intergenerational expectations and relationships.
• Barry Glass had a brief career in radio before becoming a certified public accountant for job security. This detail, unknown to Ira during his childhood, later became a shared interest that helped mend their strained father-son relationship.
• Ira Glass's relationship with his parents improved significantly after they participated in his radio show. These interactions allowed them to practice getting along in public, leading to more open and friendly personal interactions.