Our Man of Perpetual Sorrow

Savage Love's relationship columnist Dan Savage finds comfort in the place he least expects before and after his mother's death. This story is Act Three of Episode 379 from the radio show This American Life.

Dan Savage points a finger at the Catholic Church for being the kind of criminal organization that drives him to atheism—despite the fact that he still wants to believe he'll see his mom in heaven someday. Dan writes the sex advice column Savage Love and is the author of several books including The Comittment. (16 minutes) 

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Winged Migration

Kathie Russo recalls the mysterious disappearance of her husband, Spalding Gray and contemplates his existence after death. This story is Act Two from Episode 369 of the radio show This American Life. 

Kathie Russo's husband was Spalding Gray, who was best known for delivering monologues onstage—like "Monster in a Box," and "Swimming to Cambodia." On January 10, 2004, he went missing. Witnesses said they saw him on the Staten Island Ferry that night. Two months later, his body was pulled out of the East River. Kathie tells the story of the night he disappeared, and about how, in the weeks following, she and each of their three children were visited by a bird, who seemed to be delivering a message to them. (10 minutes)  

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