Thomas Edison’s Botanical Laboratory

A stranger on an overnight bus ride causes a woman to contemplate her future. This essay originally appeared in Off Assignment. Plus, Off Assignment is offering a writing course this spring, called Writing the Mundane. Early bird pricing is on until February 9! Sign up here: http ...  Show more

Co-host Kelly McEvers and producers Johanna and Amanda answer questions about places that exceeded expectations, finding yourself in dicey situations while on the road, and what to do when you have a lot of visitors but not a lot of money.If you have a question for our next mailb ...  Show more

In 1974, Surinder and his family came out of a pharmacy to discover their car was gone. Not knowing anyone else in town, he opened the phone book, and dialed a stranger with a familiar Indian last name. The man who answered not only helped them, but went on to play a surprisin ...

Mike fell on the sidewalk, and wasn’t able to get up on his own. Then a kind stranger asked how he could help.

When Leahruth began to cry at a tollbooth, the toll collector offered unexpected comfort.

Do you have your own story of an unsung he ...

In 2001, a high school student named Danny skips class with two friends and meets a mysterious man on the train. Dressed in an expensive tailored suit and carrying a wallet stuffed with cash, the man claims that nobody else on the train can see him...and it seems to be true. Thin ...  Show more

A favorite from 2022: After a mortifying fall in physics class, Julie remembers the unexpected gift she received from a fellow student.

Do you have your own story of an unsung hero? We'd love to hear it! Record a voice memo and email it to us at <a href="mailto:myunsungh ...