Originally told in 2017 | Updated for our 15th anniversary

When a string of strange, slightly gross incidents start to pile up, molecular biologist Maryam Zaringhalam begins to suspect something might be off with her sense of smell. Spoiler: she’s right.

Originally shared back in 2017, Maryam’s hilarious and sharp story explores what happens when science meets real life in the most unexpected — and slightly embarrassing — ways.

Now, eight years later, Maryam returns to the Story Collider stage with an update. While she still can’t smell a thing, a few other things in her life (and perspective) have definitely changed.

🎧 Tune in for the second episode in our Fan Favourites Revisited series — only on Patreon.

Maryam Zaringhalam is a molecular biologist by training who traded in her pipettes for the world of science policy and advocacy. She’s on a mission to make science more open and inclusive through her work both as a science communicator and policymaker. She’s a Senior Producer for the Story Collider in DC and previously served as the Assistant Director for Public Access and Research Policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 2023 to 2024. She has a cat named Tesla, named after the scientist and not the car. You can learn more about her at https://webmz.nyc.