This American Life Episode 577: Something Only I Can See
Release Date: July 13, 2025
Host: Ira Glass
Produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago

Introduction

In Episode 577, titled "Something Only I Can See," This American Life explores the profound experiences of individuals who perceive realities invisible to others. Host Ira Glass weaves together three compelling stories that delve into the themes of perception, connection, and the human desire to be understood.

Act One: Genetic Detective – Jill Viles and Priscilla Lopes Schliep

Overview: The first act centers on Jill Viles, a woman battling a rare form of muscular dystrophy, and her quest to understand her condition by connecting with Priscilla Lopes Schliep, an Olympic athlete with a strikingly muscular physique. Despite skepticism from the medical community, Jill's determination leads to a groundbreaking discovery.

Key Points:

• Jill's Rare Condition: At 22, Jill experiences a unique visual disturbance post-laser eye treatment, described as "a green that could never exist" (00:24). This phenomenon symbolizes her broader struggle with a mysterious muscular disease.

• DIY Medical Research: Frustrated by the lack of answers from doctors, Jill embarks on self-directed research in college, eventually identifying her condition as Emory Dreyfus muscular dystrophy through meticulous study (16:29).

• Connecting with Priscilla: Jill uses Google Images to identify similarities between herself and Priscilla, leading to a life-saving intervention for Priscilla’s undiagnosed lipodystrophy (29:28).

• Scientific Validation: Geneticist Dr. Abhimanyu Garg confirms the genetic link between Jill and Priscilla, highlighting the critical impact of Jill's perseverance (35:39).

Notable Quotes:

• Jill Viles: "A really great visual to think about that is, shockingly, a Barbie doll." (17:04)
• Ira Glass: "When you see something that nobody else can, it can be terrifying." (04:21)
• David Epstein: "Jill saved her dad's life. Now, using the cutting edge medical tool known as Google Images, she caused the most intense medical intervention in the life of this professional athlete." (37:33)

Insights: Jill's story underscores the vital role of individual initiative in medical breakthroughs. Her ability to see connections that others overlooked not only provided crucial answers for herself but also benefitted Priscilla, demonstrating the profound impact of personal determination in the face of institutional skepticism.

Act Two: Comedy and the Unseen Joke – Tig Notaro and Carol Ashton

Overview: The second act shifts to the world of comedy, featuring Tig Notaro and Carol Ashton. This segment explores the elusive nature of humor and the challenges of communicating personal, inside jokes to an audience.

Key Points:

• The Unseen Joke: Tig recounts a car ride where Carol Ashton, her girlfriend's mother, attempts to tell an innovative joke but cannot contain her laughter (45:00).

• Performance Challenge: Despite initial hesitation, Tig invites Carol onstage. The result is an unexpected comedic moment that captivates the audience, highlighting the unpredictable essence of comedy (51:57).

• Inside vs. Outside Humor: The segment delves into the concept of inner jokes—humorous ideas that are only funny within one's own mind—and the difficulty of sharing such humor with others.

Notable Quotes:

• Tig Notaro: "Who would name their kid after a hotel? Hell, Shane." (51:57)
• Nancy Updike: "All jokes start as inside jokes inside someone's head." (53:31)

Insights: This story illustrates the delicate balance between personal creativity and audience reception in comedy. Carol's struggle to present her joke underscores the subjective nature of humor and the courage required to share personal expressions with the world.

Act Three: Earth Angel – Udi and the Mysterious Angel

Overview: The final act presents a fictional narrative titled "Earth Angel," read by actor Alex Karpofsky. It tells the story of Udi, who forms a complicated friendship with an angel that remains unseen by others.

Key Points:

• Manifestation of an Angel: Udi encounters an angel who appears human but hides his wings, leading to a peculiar and ultimately tragic friendship (54:34).

• Strained Relationship: The angel’s refusal to reveal his true form and his unreliable presence strain their relationship, culminating in a heartbreaking incident that forces Udi to confront the reality of the angel’s intentions (59:01).

• Theme of Perception: The tale explores themes of belief, loneliness, and the longing for genuine connection, emphasizing how personal perceptions can shape and sometimes distort reality.

Notable Quotes:

• Udi: "How about flying around a little? Be a sport." (59:01)
• Angel: "I just don't want people to see me, that's all." (60:36)

Insights: "Earth Angel" serves as a metaphor for the unseen struggles and invisible connections that individuals experience. It poignantly captures the human desire to find understanding and companionship, even when faced with incomprehensible circumstances.

Conclusion

Episode 577, "Something Only I Can See," masterfully intertwines real-life medical detective work, the nuanced world of comedy, and a touching fictional narrative to explore the profound impact of unseen perceptions. Through Jill Viles' genetic journey, Tig Notaro's comedic experiment, and the heartfelt story of Udi and the angel, the episode highlights the delicate interplay between personal insight and external validation.

Closing Quote: Ira Glass: "Each week on the program, of course, we choose a theme, bring you different kinds of stories on that theme. Today's show, something only I can see. We have stories of people who spot something that no one else has noticed and then feel compelled to tell somebody, show somebody, do something about it." (44:21)

Timestamps

• 00:24: Jill's visual disturbance post-eye treatment.
• 04:21: Ira Glass on terrifying experiences of seeing the unseen.
• 16:29: Jill identifies her condition as Emory Dreyfus muscular dystrophy.
• 17:04: Jill describes the deformity using the image of a Barbie doll.
• 29:28: Jill connects with Priscilla through Google Images.
• 35:39: Geneticist Dr. Garg validates Jill's genetic findings.
• 37:33: David Epstein highlights Jill's impact on Priscilla's health.
• 45:00: Tig Notaro introduces the story of the unseen joke.
• 51:57: Carol Ashton delivers her joke about Paris Hilton.
• 53:31: Producer Nancy Updike comments on inside jokes.
• 54:34: Introduction to the fictional narrative "Earth Angel."
• 59:01: Climactic moment in "Earth Angel" story.
• 60:36: Closing line from the angel character.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of Episode 577, capturing the essence of each story while highlighting key moments and notable quotes to offer a vivid portrayal for those who haven't listened to the episode.