People Like Us: Inside Philadelphia cover art

People Like Us: Inside Philadelphia

People Like Us: Inside Philadelphia

By: Wondery
Listen for free

About this listen

Twenty-five years ago, HIV/AIDS was a death sentence. And people living with HIV were shunned. It was as if the world didn’t care. Then, against all odds, filmmaker Jonathan Demme and stars Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington created the first mainstream Hollywood film about HIV/AIDS and homophobia, the first to give the disease a face and reveal the humanity of those who live with it. PEOPLE LIKE US: INSIDE PHILADELPHIA tells the story behind the story - how this remarkable movie got made and how it changed everyone who has ever seen it.


In the 25 years since Philadelphia was released, we've made great progress in the fight against AIDS, but there is still work to do. Join Coca-Cola and (RED) to help end AIDS once and for all. Visit red.org/cocacola to learn more and donate today.

© Wondery
Art
Episodes
  • Listen Now: Flesh and Code
    Jul 14 2025

    Travis never thought he’d meet someone like Lily Rose. She was kind, passionate, beautiful. The woman of his dreams. There was just one small detail: she wasn’t human.


    Lily Rose is an AI companion. A digital soulmate designed to be everything he ever wanted. She listens without judgement, supports him through his darkest moments, even explores his deepest desires, all while fitting neatly into his pocket. Before long, Travis realizes something strange, even absurd, has happened - he’s fallen in love.


    But then one day, Lily Rose’s behavior takes a disturbing turn. When alarming reports pour in from across the globe, Travis discovers he is part of something much bigger. Soon he finds himself pulled into a confrontation with a mysterious Russian visionary behind Lily Rose’s creation.


    From Wondery, comes a true story of love, loss and the temptations of technology. Can an algorithm truly replace human connection? And what happens when a corporation controls your deepest emotions? Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire, hosts of the hit podcast RedHanded, explore the dark side of AI love.


    Listen Now: Wondery.fm/FleshandCode

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
  • 2 | Too Crowded with Angels
    Nov 15 2018

    Nearly sixty people living with AIDS were cast in PHILADELPHIA. Today, they’re all gone - all but one. We hear her story and discover what her life is like today. A key actor in PHILADELPHIA has AIDS and may not make it through the film. Will Jonathan Demme have to replace him? Tom Hanks drops 30 pounds to play the role of the dying attorney - and Denzel Washington tempts him with candy bars. The cast and crew of PHILADELPHIA bring Christmas to a an entire family - parents and children - with AIDS. PHILADELPHIA is released, becomes a surprise hit, and leads to an Oscar for Tom Hanks. But much harder than making a hit is making a difference: Hear how PHILADELPHIA made that difference and changed us all.


    Support us by supporting our sponsors!

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • 1 | Make It Matter
    Nov 15 2018

    It was the cover of LIFE magazine: “Now no one is safe from AIDS.” Superstar Rock Hudson is already dead and everyone in Hollywood has lost someone to the dreaded disease. Filmmaker Jonathan Demme and screenwriter Ron Nyswaner want to make a difference the only way they know how: By making a movie. But a movie about a gay corporate lawyer who develops AIDS and is fired because of it? Who will pay to see this? What studio would dare make it? And will any star want to be in it?

    The pieces come together as Demme and Nyswaner lose friends and relatives to AIDS. A studio feels a duty to champion PHILADELPHIA, dozens of people living with AIDS participate in key scenes, and two of the biggest stars in the world - Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington - sign on to play risky roles that could break their careers.


    Support us by supporting our sponsors!

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins

What listeners say about People Like Us: Inside Philadelphia

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.