Ira Glass, executive producer and host of public radio series This American Life, is shown Feb. 5, 2007. The show will air on CBC Radio One on Sunday nights. (Tina Fineberg/Associated Press)

This American Life, the U.S. public radio show hosted by Ira Glass, is coming to CBC Radio One this season.

The unique show tells the personal stories of a broad range of individuals — from everyday folks to unusual characters — using creative narrative techniques and journalism.

Every week, it focuses on one theme and uses the real-life experiences of various people to illustrate that theme. Past themes have included the turncoat, the cruelty of children, obsession and summer camp.

Produced by Chicago Public Radio and distributed by Public Radio International, This American Life is one of the most heavily downloaded podcasts on American radio. Time has declared Glass the best radio host in America.

"It's one of the most acclaimed and innovative radio shows in America. At its core, what the show does is take personal stories and make them universal," said Chris Boyce, programming director for English radio at CBC.

Many Canadians may already be listening to the show via podcast, he said. It is the first time This American Life has been aired in Canada.

CBC Radio One plans to air it Sundays at 11 p.m. across the country (12 midnight AT), starting Jan. 9.

Boyce said CBC began looking at a broader range of international radio programs when it revamped Radio One’s overnight schedule a year ago.

Radio One released a schedule rejig Tuesday that featured:

• A new season of Age of Persuasion with ad man Terry O'Reilly.
• A rebroadcast of The Bottom Line with David Suzuki, first broadcast in summer 2010.
• A rebroadcast of political radio drama Backbencher.
• Return of The House, Day 6, White Coat Black Art and Quirks & Quarks on the weekend schedule.
• Return of The Current, Q, As It Happens and Ideas to the weekday schedule.