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The Story Collider

The Story Collider

Story Collider, Inc. 727 Episodes Jul 24, 2026

The Story Collider is a podcast that shares true, personal stories about science. Each episode features a variety of storytellers, from scientists and doctors to patients and comedians, all recounting their own experiences with science. The stories are heartfelt, humorous, and often surprising, highlighting how science touches everyone's lives. The podcast is produced by Story Collider, Inc. and is based in the United States.

Episodes

Not a Straight Line: Stories about becoming a science journalist
Not a Straight Line: Stories about becoming a science journalist Jul 24, 2026 00:28:19 In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers share the unconventional paths that led them into science journalism.Part 1: Keren Landman always wanted to be a writer, but her family didn’t see it as a practical career — so instead, she went to medical school. Part 2: When Adithi Ramakrishnan gets to college, she only sees two career paths ahead of her: medical school or scientific rese
Manhood: Stories about masculinity
Manhood: Stories about masculinity Jul 17, 2026 00:26:25 What does it actually mean to “be a man”? In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers grapple with masculinity and are forced to confront what manhood means to them.Part 1: As a teenager, Mike McFadden realizes one part of his body isn’t developing like the other boys his age. Part 2: Ricky Ortiz believed that to be a good husband, father, and provider, he could never show weakness.
Speak Up: Stories about self-advocacy
Speak Up: Stories about self-advocacy Jul 10, 2026 00:26:44 In a perfect world, getting the health care you need wouldn’t require fighting for it. But in this week’s episode, both of our storytellers discover just how hard they have to push to get the treatment — and validation — they need and deserve.Part 1: Cooper Joslin is determined to get a hysterectomy to finally stop the debilitating symptoms of endometriosis but all the doctors won’t seem
Thalassophobia: Stories about fear of the ocean
Thalassophobia: Stories about fear of the ocean Jul 3, 2026 00:28:36 In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers come face to face with one of their deepest fears: the ocean. Part 1: When the children’s TV show host Carly Ciarrocchi is assigned a scuba diving episode, she’s forced to confront a lifelong fear of the ocean.Part 2: Growing up, Darcie Little Badger was wary of the ocean. But when she takes an oceanography class in college, she begins to q
Best of Story Collider: Love and Technology
Best of Story Collider: Love and Technology Jun 26, 2026 00:34:44 In this week’s Best Of episode, we present stories from people who navigated our changing relationship to technology.Part 1: As a kid, Samy Kamkar discovers his superpower -- hacking. Part 2: When Jordan Bush's father-in-law-to-be is diagnosed with cancer shortly before her wedding, she finds a creative way to help him attend. Samy Kamkar is a hacker-turned-security researcher building
Above and Beyond: Stories about the lengths we go to for loved ones
Above and Beyond: Stories about the lengths we go to for loved ones Jun 19, 2026 00:32:04 In this week’s episode, both storytellers discover just how far people will go for the ones they love.Part 1: When Bailey Swilley’s dad goes into cardiac arrest, she watches her mom care for him and starts to reevaluate what love really looks like.Part 2: At rock bottom, Pam Stepansky turns to her dad for support with her alcoholism.Bailey Swilley is a writer, comedian and storyteller fro
Gluten: Stories about the love of bread
Gluten: Stories about the love of bread Jun 12, 2026 00:26:57 In this week’s episode, storytellers share stories about carbs, control, and the unexpected ways bread shapes our lives.Part 1: When everyone in Rich Tackenberg’s family is diagnosed with celiac disease, he’s forced to confront a terrifying possibility: life without his emotional support carb. Part 2: During the pandemic, Aditya Surendran sets out to conquer making a 36-hour baguette. Ric
Trying: Stories about fertility
Trying: Stories about fertility Jun 5, 2026 00:31:17 In this week’s episode, we’re bringing you two stories about navigating the uncertainty, hope, and heartbreak of trying to have a baby.Part 1: After a pregnancy loss, Annie Tan channels her grief into rescuing an injured mockingbird.Part 2: Kibby McMahon is convinced she can will her way into pregnancy, but her body refuses to follow the plan.Annie Tan is an educator, activist, writer and
Best of Story Collider: Leaving Home
Best of Story Collider: Leaving Home May 28, 2026 00:35:39 In this week’s Best Of episode, 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 moving to New York City, he has to make some tough decisions about where home is. Part 2: Arlo Pérez Esquivel struggles to define his boundaries with his father while he is pursuing his education in another country.Ali
In Memory Of: Stories about honoring loved ones
In Memory Of: Stories about honoring loved ones May 22, 2026 00:26:21 In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers reflect on the ways we try to hold onto the people we love.Part 1: Gwendolyn Napier is left heartbroken when harsh Atlanta weather destroys the trees planted to honor her family members.Part 2: Bimini Wright looks back on her childhood spent aboard a research boat, studying tuna alongside her larger-than-life fisherman father.Gwendolyn J. N
Balaena: Stories about whales
Balaena: Stories about whales May 15, 2026 00:25:40 In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers share tales about whales. Part 1: As a child, Brittany Munson dreams of growing up to be a whale trainer. Part 2: As a marine scientist focused on living creatures, Maya Santangelo is convinced that diving to explore an old whaling shipwreck in the Antarctic will be boring. Brittany Munson is a Lead Educator at the California Science Center
Impending Doom: Stories about facing the scary unknown
Impending Doom: Stories about facing the scary unknown May 8, 2026 00:23:34 In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers are forced to confront the terrifying unknown and decide how to live in the shadow of what might come.Part 1: After three generations of women in her family develop Alzheimer’s disease, Mary Jo Pollack enrolls in a study that could reveal whether she’s next. Part 2: When Sabrina Samuel is diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and told to wait a y

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