This I Believe

Based on the NPR series of the same name, This I Believe features 80 Americans—from the famous to the unknown—completing the thought that begins with the book's title. The pieces that make up the program compel listeners to re-think not only what and how they have arrived at their own...

Phyllis Allen reflects on tumultuous decades and the changing vocabulary of race in "Leaving Identity Issues to Other Folks", her contribution to NPR’s This I Believe series. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from the famous to the unknown, completing...

In her contribution to NPR's This I Believe series, novelist Isabelle Allende reflects on how her daughter's life--and death--taught her that "In Giving I Connect With Others". This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from the famous to the unknown, completing...

In this essay originally aired in the 1950s, composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein expresses his belief in the potential of people to create change, in "The Mountain Disappears," his contribution to NPR's This I Believe series. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features...

Public intellectual, conservative author and political commentator William F. Buckley, Jr., speaks to his belief in divine creation in "How Is It Possible To Believe In God?", his contribution to NPR’s This I Believe series. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features...

In this essay originally aired in the 1950s, novelist and screenwriter Niven Busch discusses faith, prayer, and subway rides in "The Fellowship of the World", his contribution to NPR’s This I Believe series. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from the...

Former neurosurgeon Ben Carson describes his mother's dedication to his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor in "There Is No Job More Important Than Parenting," his contribution to NPR's This I Believe series. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from the...

Greg Chapman describes the power of crafting his own story as a gay man from a conservative Baptist background in "A Journey Toward Acceptance and Love", his contribution to NPR’s This I Believe series. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from the famous...

Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher reflects on humanity’s interdependence and reliance on each other, in "A Shared Moment of Trust," her contribution to NPR’s This I Believe series. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from the famous to the...

Mary Cook explains how her recovery from grief taught her that grieving is not a battle, but a surrender, in "The Hardest Work You Will Ever Do", her contribution to NPR’s This I Believe series. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from the famous to the...

Radio producer and screenwriter Norman Corwin reflects on small but contagious acts of kindness and compassion in "Good Can Be As Communicable As Evil", his contribution to NPR’s This I Believe series. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from the famous...

Susan Cosio talks about finding God during "A Daily Walk Just to Listen" to Him in her contribution to NPR’s This I Believe series. This short audio essay is an excerpt from the audiobook edition of NPR's This I Believe anthology. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features...

In this essay originally aired in the 1950s, Former Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas encourages a return to the faith of his father's generation in "My Father’s Evening Star"*, his contribution to NPR’s This I Believe series. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that...

In this essay originally aired in the 1950s, Elizabeth Deutsch (then 16 years old) became the youngest contributor to the first This I Believe series with "An Honest Doubter", in which she reflects on her active search for a personal philosophy and a personal faith. This I Believe is a National...

Elizabeth Deutsch Earle reflects on her original This I Believe Essay, first aired in the 1950s when she was then the youngest contributor to the program, in "Have I Learned Anything Important Since I was Sixteen?" This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from...

Dr. Anthony Fauci reflects on the meaning of knowledge, excellence, and service in his life in "A Goal of Service to Humankind", his contribution to NPR’s This I Believe series. This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from the famous to the unknown...