The Other Man

April 5, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

This American Life episode "The Other Man" explores how outsiders disrupt established family or social dynamics, likened to a new planet shifting gravitational orbits. Through three acts, it presents personal stories of intrusion: a movie star upending a child's centrality at home, an ancient spirit transforming family tensions, political rivals deploying a name duplicate in an election, and a new partner clashing with a young daughter's resistance.

A Star Disrupts Home Orbits

Sarah recounts her childhood in Long Island when actor Robert Redford visited to read her stepfather's unpublished manuscript on Leonard Peltier. At 11, Sarah was the family's "sun," amusing her parents as the youngest child. Redford's arrival changed everything: her mother became unusually charming, laughing at his stories and preparing a fancier dinner with special placemats. Sarah felt jealous, sullenly rocking the bench during dinner to irritate him and bluntly saying they didn't always eat like that when he complimented the meal. A neighbor friend fawned appropriately, getting an autograph, but Sarah refused one, cementing her resistance. The visit highlighted how an outsider could realign family attention, making Sarah act to restore her central role.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:23) **Robert Redford Disrupts Family** - Sarah recalls her childhood jealousy when movie star Robert Redford visits, shifting family attention.
2 (05:10) **Show Theme Introduction** - Ira Glass previews stories of outsiders upending family dynamics in three acts.
3 (06:51) **Act One: Psychic Buddha Keskese Intro** - Davy Rothbart introduces family story of mom channeling ancient Buddhist spirit Aaron after going deaf.
4 (07:57) **Davy Discovers Aaron** - 12-year-old Davy reads mom's journals, initially thinks Aaron is a secret lover.
5 (08:21) **Mom Describes Aaron's Arrival** - Mom explains sensing biblical figure during meditation; Aaron becomes constant revered teacher presence.
6 (09:55) **Aaron Dictates Scriptures** - Mom channels 2500-year-old Satipattana Sutra, teaches meditation to growing groups in garage.
7 (10:47) **Aaron as Family Member** - Boys treat Aaron normally; marvels at modern things like Ferris wheels, loves puns.

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Show Notes

What happens when a new guy comes on the scene and changes the way everyone relates to each other?

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Prologue: Ira talks with Sarah Koenig about the first and only time a movie star came to her family's house when she was a kid. It didn't go well, for the celebrity or for her. The star was Robert Redford. He arrived and immediately stole all the attention her parents usually lavished on her, their youngest. Worse, they were nervous and strange around him, not themselves at all. Young Sarah was not pleased. Robert Redford paid the price. (6 minutes)
Act One: Davy Rothbart's mother is funny, rational, and by most measures, pretty normal. Except that she spends every day in the company of an ancient Buddhist monk named Aaron, who no one else can see. Davy talks to his brothers, father, and eventually his mom, and asks the question they've somehow never managed to discuss: do any of them actually believe he's real? (26 minutes)
Act Two: Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. had always lived in the shadow of his father's name. But just before his primary, an aide delivered strange news: a second Jesse Jackson had appeared on the same ballot — a retired truck driver with no political experience. Ira reports on whether it was a coincidence or mischief orchestrated by the Congressman's rivals. (9 minutes)
Act Three: Jonathan Goldstein and Heather O'Neill tell the true story of a man trying to wedge himself into an idyllic family of two. For the first few years, Heather's daughter Arizona was not very fond of Jonathan. He ranked nineteenth on her list of favorite people, behind the neighbor's dog and the plumber. (15 minutes)

Transcripts are available at thisamericanlife.org

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