Sex ed instructor Charlie Blake fields an unexpected question from a student.

This story originally aired on The Story Collider’s podcast on December 10th, 2021 in an episode titled “Human Reproduction: Stories about how we learn about sex”. Find the transcript and other information: https://www.storycollider.org/stories/2021/11/10/human-reproduction-stories-about-how-we-learn-about-sex

Charlie Blake: First Date

As Zuri pursues her dream of becoming an immunologist at Harvard, she begins to worry that she’s being “weeded out.”

Zuri is an immunologist and a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University, where she studies how the immune system influences animal behavior. She hails from the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) and is fascinated by how the immune system helps animals adapt to different environments. Outside the lab, Zuri is passionate about increasing access to STEM careers for folks of all genders and ethnic backgrounds and sharing her science with the public. She loves spin class, sparkling rosé, and bragging about the fact that she shares a birthday with Beyoncé.

This story originally aired on The Story Collider’s podcast on December 31st, 2021 in an episode titled “A Magical Night: Stories about moments when science was magic”. Find the transcript and other information: https://www.storycollider.org/stories/2021/11/10/a-magical-night-stories-about-when-science-was-magic

Zuri: Black Girl Magic

When his mother is diagnosed with breast cancer, Ian has to take care of her, even though she didn't always do the best job of taking care of him.

This story originally aired on The Story Collider’s podcast on 9th July, 2020 in an episode titled “Help from Family Part 1: Stories about complicated relationships”. Find the transcript and other information: https://www.storycollider.org/stories/2020/7/7/help-from-family-part-1-stories-about-complicated-relationships

Ian: Waiting For Something

Riley Blevins went to work for Cure HHT in hopes of helping his son. But turns out, he wouldn't be the one doing the saving.

"Thankful," by Riley Blevins

A mother recounts her journey as her 3-year-old daughter battles Kawasaki disease, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. Filled with fear, resilience, and gratitude, the story highlights their experience in the hospital, the transformative power of modern medicine, and the ultimate triumph of a joyful, fearless child.

"Rare Resilience," by Ann Geffen

Elizabeth Ann has trouble adjusting to a career at a non-profit, until something clicks about what it means to advocate for rare disease.

"Finding My Community," by Elizabeth Ann

"Mad Libs" By Barabara Goodman

Ecologist Thom Young-Bayer makes the unthinkable decision to leave science after his life changes course.

Thom Young-Bayer’s affinity for the outdoors developed into a brief career as an ecologist, during which he worked as a tropical forest guide, studied coral reef fish and kelp forests, and traveled to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Since then, he has managed two organic farms, worked on a commercial fishing vessel, sailed across the Pacific using celestial navigation, and worked as the First Mate of a Maine windjammer. He maintains his tenuous grip on sanity with open water swimming, ultra-marathon running, and classical piano. He lives with his wife, Skylar, and their two dogs in Maine.

This story originally aired on The Story Collider's podcast on March 3, 2017, in an episode titled "Natural Habitats." Find the transcript and other information here: https://www.storycollider.org/stories/2017/3/3/natural-habitats-helen-cheng-thom-young-bayer

Thom Young-Bayer: The Rough Draft

Comedian Myq Kaplan has a spiritual epiphany while experimenting with ayahuasca.

Myq (Mike) Kaplan is a standup comedian who has appeared on the Tonight Show, Conan, Letterman, James Corden, Seth Meyers, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, and America’s Got Talent. He has a half-hour special on Comedy Central, a one-hour standup special on Amazon called “Small, Dork, and Handsome,” and a new Dry Bar special called "Live From The Universe," as well as two podcasts, "The Faucet" and "Broccoli and Ice Cream," and a book of his jokes illustrated by Ramin Nazer called "Heart Brain Art Train." His debut album, “Vegan Mind Meld,” was one of iTunes’ top 10 comedy albums of the year, and his newest album, “A.K.A.,” debuted at #1 and was called “invigoratingly funny” by the NY Times! Thanks for reading this!

This story originally aired on The Story Collider's podcast on December 1, 2017, in an episode titled "Psychotropic Substances: Stories about altered states." Find the transcript and other information here: https://www.storycollider.org/stories/2017/11/14/psychotropic-substances-stories-about-altered-states

Myq Kaplan: Electric Meat

At 22 years old, Jenn M is accepted to graduate school just as she discovers she's pregnant.

Jenn received her master’s in public history from UMBC where she focused on the Black Power movement. Her articles on the Black Power movement and the history of abortion rights have been featured in the Washington Post. Most importantly, Jenn loves storytelling and is thrilled to be part of the Story Collider family. She is the executive producer of the live storytelling show Health’s Angels: Personal Stories about Women’s Health, where women can share their mental, physical, and emotional health stories. You can find more at healthsangelsdc.com. Say hi to her on Twitter @jenn_montooth.

This story originally aired on The Story Collider’s podcast on September 13, 2019, in an episode titled “Secrets: Stories about the things we keep to ourselves”. Find the transcript and other information here:
https://www.storycollider.org/stories/2019/9/9/secret-stories-about-the-things-we-keep-to-ourselves

Jenn M: House Baby?

Between Barack and A Hard Place Lecture at Colorado College

Tim Wise

Kelli Rodriguez