This American Life Season 1 Episode 5 Growth Spurt

In the fifth episode of season one of This American Life, titled "Growth Spurt," the show explores the theme of growth and development in various forms. The episode is divided into three acts, each with its own unique story.

In the first act, host Ira Glass introduces us to a woman who has an unusual condition that has caused her to grow to be about seven feet tall. We meet her family and learn about the challenges she has faced due to her height, including discrimination and finding clothing that fits. However, we also hear about the unique experiences she has had due to her height, such as playing professional basketball in Europe. This story serves as a reminder that growth can manifest in unexpected ways, and that our differences make us who we are.

The second act takes a more humorous turn, as we hear about a man who decides to try all manner of growth products in an attempt to become taller. From stretching exercises to buying "height-enhancing" shoes, he tries it all, and we hear about the comical and disappointing results of his experiments. This story serves as a commentary on our societal obsession with growth and the many products that promise to help us achieve it, even if they don't actually work.

In the final act, we hear about a man who runs a successful chain of fast-food restaurants. He tells the story of how his business grew from a single location to a multi-million dollar enterprise, and the challenges he faced along the way. However, as the business grew, the man realized that he had lost touch with the values that had driven him to start the business in the first place, and he made the difficult decision to close some of his locations and re-focus on what was important to him. This story serves as a reminder that growth can be both positive and negative, and that it is important to stay true to our values as we pursue success.

Throughout the episode, we hear from a variety of people who have experienced growth in one way or another, whether it be physical, personal, or professional. The stories are diverse and engaging, and the episode as a whole serves as a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to grow and change in our lives.