DiscoverThis American Life858: How to Tell a Dumb American Story
858: How to Tell a Dumb American Story

858: How to Tell a Dumb American Story

Update: 2025-04-1313
Share

Description

A couple devises a strategy to get their daughter's killer prosecuted and to get attention for other Native families. 

Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.

  • Prologue: Mika Westwolf was killed in a hit-and-run on a Montana highway. Her parents thought the driver might get away with it. The driver was white. Mika was a citizen of the Blackfeet Nation. (1 minute)
  • Act One: Mika’s parents, Carissa Heavy Runner and Kevin Howard, share recordings of their interactions with law enforcement. (8 minutes)
  • Act Two: Carissa and Kevin take matters into their own hands. (20 minutes)
  • Act Three: The county prosecutor explains why he let Mika’s killer out of jail. Will Carissa and Kevin's efforts pay off? Sierra follows them to court. (33 minutes)

Transcripts are available at thisamericanlife.org

This American Life privacy policy.
Learn more about sponsor message choices.

Comments 
In Channel
882: Give a Little Whistle

882: Give a Little Whistle

2026-03-0801:02:27

208: Office Politics

208: Office Politics

2026-03-0101:01:36

881: I Want What I Want

881: I Want What I Want

2026-02-2201:00:21

878: New Lore Drop

878: New Lore Drop

2026-01-1101:00:21

877: The Making Of

877: The Making Of

2025-12-2101:01:35

876: Bigger Than Me

876: Bigger Than Me

2025-12-0701:00:31

875: I Hate Mysteries

875: I Hate Mysteries

2025-11-2301:03:07

An Update from Ira

An Update from Ira

2025-10-1605:17

A Big Announcement

A Big Announcement

2024-10-1604:16

00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

858: How to Tell a Dumb American Story

858: How to Tell a Dumb American Story

This American Life