The Story Collider

Shame: Stories about the judgment of others

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who felt shamed by a diagnosis.Part 1: Jamie Brickhouse's HIV-positive status becomes a point of tension ...

Help from Family Part 2: Stories about taking care of relatives

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people for whom science and their family crossed paths.Part 1: After her mom's version of the sex talk confus...

Help from Family Part 1: Stories about complicated relationships

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present stories about two people who had to navigate the complicated process of helping their family when they were needed most.Part 1: ...

Out on my Own: Stories about going away from home

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who found adventure when on their own.Part 1: Shawn Hercules is a successful gospel radio deejay in Barba...

Navigating Whiteness: Stories from Black educators

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from Black people who were dealing with the ramifications of our racist systems.Part 1: As a science teacher, Mamoudo...

Saving Dad: Stories about fathers who needed a helping hand

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about people who sprung to action to help a dad.Part 1: To cheer up her ailing father, Victoria Ruiz decides to smugg...

Rebirth: Stories about recovering from pain

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who lost loved ones and had to rebuild themselves.Part 1: Massih Moayedi survives cancer, but the reco...

BONUS EPISODE: Bias: A story about institutional racism

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present a story from our back-catalogue that speaks to this current moment in time.As a medical school student Roger Mitchell Jr. sees a ...

Memories: Stories about memories left unformed

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we share two stories from people whose understanding of the use of memory was challenged.Part 1: Padraic Stanley gets a fresh start when his...

Impressions: Stories about our relationships to data

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who used technology to understand their relationships.Part 1: Digital consultant Phong Tran navigates his...

Celebrating 10 Years: Our favorite stories

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present four of our favorite stories of all time.Part 1: Neuroscientist David Carmel tests his own understanding of the brain when his ow...

Becoming Mom: Stories about wanting to mother

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from two women who struggled to adopt.Part 1: Inspired by her work as a parental behavior researcher, Bianca Jones...

Something's Not Right: Stories about needing to figure things out

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who needed to decipher themselves.Part 1: After some unfortunate night-time incidents, Keith Mellnick rea...

When I Was a Scientist: Stories about an earlier life

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who used to be scientists.Part 1: Despite loving science, Ivan Decker's first exposure to field work does...

Unprepared: Stories about unprepared parents

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who found themselves without the tools they needed.Part 1: When Jack Walsh finds out his first child will...

Revelations: Stories about big reveals

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who learned something about their childhood later in life.Part 1: Growing up in the fifties and sixties, ...

Emergency: Stories about urgent situations

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who deal with emergencies.Part 1: As a first-generation pre-med student with no financial aid, Brooke Dol...

Asking for Help: Stories about needing assistance

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who didn’t ask for help until it was too late.Part 1: Determined to fit in as a PhD student, Aparna ...

Desperate Times: Stories about resorting to desperate measures

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who were at the end of their rope.Part 1: After donating her kidney to a friend, Leah Waters struggles to...

Math Class: Stories about adventures in math education

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from the math classroom.Part 1: High school math whiz Tori has always hoped a boy would fall in love with her mind, b...

Barriers: Stories about what stood in our way

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who were faced with barriers to their education.Part 1: Eager to succeed in her Physical Chemistry class,...

Leap of Faith: Stories about finding and losing faith

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we share two stories from people who were confronted with their faith.Part 1: Feeling like a loser after he fails to graduate on time with h...

A Whole New World: Stories about having to take on the challenge of a whole new existence

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories of people having to navigate a new world.Part 1: Sean Bearden has never been interested in education, but when he's i...

Sex Ed: Stories about the education of sexuality

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vote for your favorite Story Collider story of all time here: https://airtable.com/shreBxfsM5XYktIT5This week we present two stories from people who n...

Love and Technology: Stories about the technology that alters our lives

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vote for your favorite Story Collider story of all time here: https://airtable.com/shreBxfsM5XYktIT5This week we present stories from people who navig...

Mothers and Sons: Stories about the love between mothers and sons

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from mothers who learned valuable lessons from the sons they birthed.Part 1: Avi Caspe and his mother, Ariel Detzer, ...

Code of Ethics: Stories about doing the right thing

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories of people struggling with what the “right” thing to do is.Part 1: Catherine Macdonald always wanted to study shar...

Identity Crisis: Stories about what makes us who we are

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about people struggling with their identity.Part 1: When science journalist Katherine Wu interviews a scientist about...

Hypothesis: Stories about having a question that needs answering

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who had hypotheses.Part 1: Teaching sixth grade science becomes much more difficult when Xochitl Garcia's...

Leaving Home: Stories about having to leave in order to find home

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories of people who had to leave home to find a new home.Part 1: When Ph.D student Ali Mattu's girlfriend tells him she is ...

Shoot for the Stars: Stories about people who look to the night sky for inspiration

27 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we share two stories of people who were inspired by heroes of space.Part 1: After watching a documentary about the moon landing, Kate Downey...

Dating by the Numbers: Stories about the romantic side of numbers

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who found an intersection between numbers and their sex life.Part 1: When online dating isn't working ...

A Scientist is Born: Stories that cross generations

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories that give us insight into the birth and life of a scientist.Part 1: As a 16-year-old, Lily Be gets an unexpected educ...

Justice: Stories about righteous determination

06 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who stood up against a system eager to tear them down.Part 1: After a car crash alters Emily Winn's life ...

BONUS: Behind the Scenes, Episode 1: Stage Fright

03 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A sneak peek at our new BONUS podcast for Patreon supporters! Today's episode is the first of our Behind the Scenes series. Liz and Erin are joined by...

Thankful: Stories about gratitude

29 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who owe a debt of gratitude to somebody for their entrance into the science community.Part 1: A chance me...

Outsiders: Stories about seeing things from the outside

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present stories from two scientists who were confronted with their status as an “outsider.”Part 1: After getting hit by a car, Ph.D. ...

Wild: Stories about humans and animals coexisting

15 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present stories from two people finding their boundaries with the wild world of animals.Part 1: Adam Selbst competes with tigers for the ...

Late Diagnosis: Stories about being diagnosed as an adult

08 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about people who discovered a diagnosis late in life.Part 1: As a child, TC Waisman is told that she is on the autism...

Crushes: Stories about scientists in love

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from scientists searching for that special someone.Part 1: Zoology student Devon Kodzis's strategy of attracting boys...

Cursed: Stories about superstitions

25 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who let science lead them down a rabbit hole of curses.Part 1: Science journalist Erik Vance decides to g...

Leadership: Stories about responsibility

18 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who had to become leaders whether they liked it or not.Part 1: Eager to show off their new job testing wa...

Silence: Stories about finding our voices

11 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about the sounds that silence can take on.Part 1: Kambri Crews attempts to smuggle a gift into prison for her father,...

My First Science: Stories about early experiences with science

04 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people telling the first time they crossed paths with science.Part 1: In the third grade, Lylianna Allala finds ...

On the Scene: Stories about showing up when disaster strikes

27 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about being the one who is there when it happens.Part 1: Journalist Sarah Kaplan normally covers the science beat, bu...

BONUS: Before and After: Stories that evolve over time

24 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this special BONUS episode, we unveil a brand-new addition to our podcast! To celebrate, we present new versions of classic stories from Story Coll...

Miseducation: Stories about what happens in the classroom

20 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from teachers dealing with wild experiences in the classroom.Part 1:  When his students keep having “accidents" du...

Secrets: Stories about the things we keep to ourselves

13 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about the the parts of ourselves that we keep under wraps.Part 1: At 22 years old, Jenn M is accepted to graduate sch...

Proving Myself: Stories about fighting distrust

06 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who have to prove themselves in science acedemia.Part 1: When there's an explosion in the chemistry lab, ...

Labor Day: Stories about trying to make a baby

30 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re presenting two stories about people trying to become parents.Part 1: After finally getting together in their forties, Chris Wade and...

Surgery: Stories about operations

23 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from surgeons who had complications with the knife. Part 1: A routine procedure with one of the primates in her lab b...

BONUS: Power of Patients: Stories about taking back the narrative

21 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Story Collider is delighted to bring you an extra BONUS episode this week -- thanks to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a new kind of philanthropy ...

The College Years: Stories about leaving home for university

16 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who left home for university and discovered something unexpected.Part 1: After Kenny Kinds begins lying t...

My Parent's Child: Stories about taking care of those who took care of us

09 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we share two stories from scientists who had to take on a new role with their parents.Part 1: As the scientist in the family, Steve Scott ta...

Saving the World: Stories about trying to be the savior

02 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who ran into roadblocks trying to save the world.Part 1: When pharmacy professor Lindsay Acree volunteers...

Dream Deferred: Stories about hitting roadblocks

26 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about people who had to accept a delay in their personal journeys.Part 1: Veterinarian Rodrigo Solis thinks he's foun...

Private Parts: Stories about the science of intimate areas

19 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who had disastrous moments with their own genitals.Part 1: Lonely after her move to New York City, Adrien...

Concern: Stories about being worried

12 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people gripped with concern for others.Part 1: When biologist Andrew Holding's new baby stops feeding, his scien...

Marriage: Stories about making it work

05 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1:  After turning down a tenure position, Sarah Brady struggles to adapt to her new life as the spouse of a physician. Part 2:  As he grows up,...

Youthful Indiscretions: Stories about being Young and Dumb

28 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about people making choices informed by the naïvety of youth. Part 1: On a dull night in Orlando, young Josh Flaum d...

Strength: Stories about searching for what makes us strong

21 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories of scientists having to find a strength within themselves.Part 1: BiologistH eather Hamlin leaves the safety of the l...

Adventures with Dads: Stories about chasing down our fathers

14 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we share two stories from people who have go on wild goose chases to find their dads. Part 1: In his last year of medical school in Colombia...

Underwater: Stories about swimming deeper

07 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories from people who were underwater both literally and metaphorically.Part 1: Barbara Abernathy has always felt at home i...

Plan B: Stories about people needing a backup plan

31 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we bring you two stories of people who had to reckon with the fact that their first choice wasn’t available.Part 1: When the local science...

Mental Health: Stories about having crises of the mind - Part 2

24 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two more stories about people who need help to deal with mental health.Part 1: Comedian Zack Stovall reevaluates his past battles...

Mental Health: Stories about having crises of the mind - Part 1

17 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about people’s struggles with their own mental health.Part 1: After passing out on the NYC subway, comedian Mike Br...

Moms of Science: Stories about being mothers and scientists

10 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present a story of scientist becoming a mother.Part 1: Heather Williams trades in her physicist labcoat for motherhood, and wonders if sh...

Confidence: Stories about finding your voice

03 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about people finding strength in their own voice.Part 1:  A parent-teacher conference leads Eugenia Duodu to questio...

The Joy of Cats: Stories about our feline friends

26 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, for National Pet Parents day, we bring you two stories of our relationships with our cats.Part 1:  In a battle over her apartment's air qu...

Older and Wiser: Stories about growing up

19 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories of the children we used to be and how they grew up.Part 1: As a sixth grader, Anna Neu decides she's going to fall in...

Limelight: Stories about being the voice of science

12 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about scientists who became the face of the scientific community.Part 1: When conservation scientist Laura Kehoe writ...

Peace: Stories about searching for solace

05 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The week we present two stories of people being confronted with chaos and looking for peace.Part 1: Overwhelmed by setbacks as she pursues her academi...

New Places: Stories about being somewhere new

29 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about being the new one in a new place.Part 1: After moving to a brand-new school in the seventh grade, Edith Gonzale...

Ocean Adventures: Stories about the swashbuckling high seas

22 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we are presenting two stories from people who took to the open ocean.Part 1: As an irresponsible 17-year-old, Brian D. Bradley volunteers t...

Teamwork: Stories about working together

15 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1: A power outage on campus leads physics student Zoya Vallari to take a stand against her university's female-only curfew.Part 2: Firefighter Ni...

Circles: Stories about coming back around

08 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we present two stories about times in which everything came full circle.Part 1: In the middle of a school day, science teacher Brittany Beck...

Mentors: Stories about who helps us find our way

01 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1: As a brand-new professor of physiology, John Redden is eager to help students, but soon realizes it’s more complicated than he thought.Part ...

Inspiration: Stories about what inspires us

22 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting two stories from scientists about the people and places that inspired them.Part 1: Just before she leaves for her dream ...

Heredity: Stories about where we come from

15 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we present two stories about people understanding their links to their past.Part 1: A question that Laura Spink asked her parents as a kid ...

In Love with Science: Stories about Loving Science

08 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting two stories from people who made science their one and only..Part 1: Parmvir Bahia struggles to appease her parents’ d...

Danger: Stories about life-threatening situations

01 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting two stories from scientists who found themselves in potentially life-threatening situations.Part 1: Ralph Bouquet goes o...

Courage: Stories about standing up for yourself

25 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting stories about the courage to be the person you were meant to be.Part 1: The lessons that Margaret Rubega learns from her...

Acceptance: Stories about belonging

18 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting stories about the struggle to find acceptance — whether it’s at Space Camp or in the United States of America.Part 1...

Stress: Stories about being under pressure

11 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting two stories about stressful situations in science. Part 1:  Due to stress in her personal life, TV writer Joey Slamon d...

Just a Number: Stories about age and science

04 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting two stories about age, and what it means to feel either too old or too young to become a scientist.Part 1:  Miserable a...

Carpe Diem: Stories about seizing the day

29 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In our last episode of 2018, we’re presenting two stories about facing challenges head-on and seizing the day.Part 1: .On the eve of his first big t...

New Friends: Stories about unexpected connections

21 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting stories about unexpected friendships in science, whether they’re formed in the field or at Burning Man.Part 1: Looking...

Science vs. Love: Stories about the battle between head and heart

14 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting stories about times when science gets in the way of love — or vice versa.Part 1: Jacqueline Trumbull is preparing for ...

Science Gets Personal: Stories about science getting real

08 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting two stories about times when science got personal and research started to hit home.Part 1: After years of suffering, Phi...

Moments of Truth: Stories about pivotal moments

30 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting two stories about pivotal moments in science when everything suddenly becomes clear.Part 1: When puppeteer Raymond Carr ...

Parents: Stories about moms and dads

23 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, in honor of the start of the holiday season, we're presenting stories about parents — and the ways our relationships with them intersect ...

Getting In: Stories about making the grade

16 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It’s that time of year — application season. So this week, we’re presenting two stories about the (literal and figurative) struggle to be accept...

Pregnancy: Stories about the science of having a baby

09 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we’re presenting two stories about the science of pregnancy.Part 1: An expert in oxytocin, the hormone released during bir...

Bodies: Stories About the Skin We're In

02 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re presenting stories about our relationships with our bodies, in all their shapes and sizes.Part 1: Born without a right pectoral mus...

Fear: Stories of daring adventures in science

26 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, in honor of Halloween, we're presenting two stories about facing fears for science.Part 1: As a newly minted PhD student in geology, Erik K...

Rescue: Stories about taking care of others

19 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're presenting stories about times when science comes to the rescue — or not, as the case may be. Part 1: When science writer Kate She...

Cancer Sucks: Stories from cancer survivors

12 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're presenting two stories from cancer survivors.Part 1: Gail Thomas clashes with her oncologi...

Sense of Touch: Stories about the power of contact

06 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're presenting two stories about the power of touch.Part 1: While working on a book about the sense of touch, science journalist Sushma S...

Overwhelmed: Stories about being in over our heads

28 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're presenting stories about times when science is just too much.Part 1: Fiona Calvert is a crier — but when she starts her PhD, she pr...

Science Saved My Life: Stories about life-saving passion

21 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're presenting stories about passion for science that keeps us going, even in the face of overwhelming struggle. Part 1: When Cailin Gal...