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December 5, 2014

Regrets, I've Had a Few

Every day we make mistakes, and most of the time we just ignore these failings and move forward. But every so often, there is one that makes us pause and take notice. This week, people struggling with those regrets — big and small — that take root and have to be dealt with.

Elna Baker's younger sister, on video.

Note: The internet version of this episode contains un-beeped curse words. BEEPED VERSION.

Prologue

When Elna Baker was a kid, she hit her younger sister on the head with a broom, then lied and said it was an accident. So Elna’s dad held a family trial to find the truth. (16 minutes)

Act One

Tattoos and Memories and Dead Skin on Trial

A man posts an ad on Craiglist to find someone to remove his swastika tattoo. Producer Emily Hsiao talked with him about why he got it and why he wants it gone. Emily is an independent producer in Brooklyn. Her story was produced at the Transom Story Workshop in Woods Hole, MA, where you can learn how to make radio. The music was created for this version of the story by Merel van Dijk and Anthony Barilla from the band Merel & Tony. (13 minutes)

Act Two

This Is Just As Hard for Me as It Is for You

Producer Miki Meek tells the story of a man named Will Ream who is trying to figure out what is best for his children, and having some regrets about how things worked out. To tell this story we collaborated with songwriter Stephin Merritt. Stephin scored the story and wrote original songs with lyrics based on quotes from the interviews with Will Ream. You can stream and download them here. (24 minutes)