[3] Later in the first season, Ling delved into topics such as drug abuse in Utah's Mormon community, and the gay rodeo scene.

This Is Life was one of 12 anticipated nonfiction series to air on CNN, amid its typical daily newscasts, in 2015.

[5] The influx of these original primetime shows was part of a new initiative to "help CNN reduce its dependence on the network’s traditional format," according to a Variety article.

[6] Celebrity writer Greg Gilman speculated that This is Life would be similar in concept to Lisa Ling's previous show, Our America.

[2] However, Ling told the Huffington Post that This is Life would be "edgier" and "much more in your face" than the last series, which aired on OWN.