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The Story Collider

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Chanté Summers: Thinking With My Amygdala

September 6, 2019

When there's an explosion in the chemistry lab, graduate student Chanté Summers springs into action.

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In Chemistry Tags Chanté Summers, Season 9, chemistry, lab work, lab accident, women in STEM

Paula Croxson: I Know This Monkey

August 23, 2019

A routine procedure with one of the primates in her lab becomes much more complicated when neuroscientist Paula Croxson cuts herself with the scalpel.

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In Neuroscience Tags Paula Croxson, Season 9, animals, primates, lab work, surgery, Story Collider producer, neuroscience

Sarah Fankhauser: The Science Comes First

March 1, 2019

Biologist Sarah Fankhauser’s relationship with her adviser changes when she joins her lab as a grad student.

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In Biology Tags Sarah Fankhauser, mentor, adviser, biology, lab work, Season 9

Ali Mustafa: My Office was an Underground Bunker

February 1, 2019

Ali Mustafa finds that the scars of war stay with him even at his new job in the lab.

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In Engineering Tags Ali Mustafa, Boise State, war, engineering, lab work, military, Season 9, Iraq

Melanie McConnell: Vitamin C for Cancer

February 2, 2018

Biochemist Melanie McConnell encounters unexpected resistance when she tests an experimental cancer treatment.

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In Biology, Chemistry, Health and Medicine Tags Melanie McConnell, cancer, research, lab work, cancer research

Cather Simpson: The Bright Light of Fame

January 26, 2018

As a graduate student, Cather Simpson is excited to present her work -- but then her adviser lies about it.

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In Chemistry, Physics Tags Cather Simpson, lab work, mentor, adviser, graduate school, grad school, chemistry, physics, honesty

Jean Ansolabehere: The Keanu Reeves Test

December 22, 2017

Research technician Jean Ansolabehere is surprised to find herself falling in love with a woman in her lab.

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In Biology Tags Jean Ansolabehere, lab work, love, LGBT in STEM, LGBT identity, lab accident

Cris Gray: Twelve Dollars an Hour

July 21, 2017

To make ends meet as a college student, Cris Gray takes a high-paying job in a veterinary school lab… and finds out why it’s so high-paying.

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In Biology Tags Black in STEM, Black lives matter, veterinary school, lab work, mice, making ends meet, college, Cris Gray

Stephanie Loeb: Blood, Sweat and Tears

July 7, 2017

Physics major Stephanie Loeb travels to Singapore to study nanoparticles, but is intimidated by her enigmatic project leader.

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In Physics, Engineering Tags Singapore, nanoparticles, physics, nanoscience, lab work, supervisor, Stephanie Loeb, Yale University

Rebecca Brachman: Deadly Mistake

December 16, 2016

Neuroscientist Rebecca Brachman is working late one night alone in the lab when she accidentally sticks herself with a needle full of deadly toxin.

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In Neuroscience, Health and Medicine Tags Rebecca Brachman, lab work, emergency room, lab accident, danger

John Rennie: The lab safety officer

September 1, 2013

After he's named lab safety officer, John Rennie must recover a precious sample from the bottom of a vat of liquid nitrogen. So he reaches in.

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Tags John Rennie, career, lab work, lab accident, season 3

Aditi Nadkarni: How to impress your graduate advisor

July 28, 2013

As a new, super competitive, graduate student Aditi Nadkarni thinks she has the perfect way to impress her advisor and labmates ... until one night it spirals a tiny bit out of control.

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Tags Aditi Nadkarni, season 3, grad school, graduate school, lab work, lab accident

Michelle Dobrawsky: Love in a biophysics lab

October 10, 2010

The very first story on the Story Collider podcast.

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Tags Michelle Dobrawsky, Season 1, love, comedy, lab work

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UPcoming Shows

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Washington, DC - Chain Reactions
Nov 5
November 5, 2026
Washington, DC - Chain Reactions
November 5, 2026

Story Collider is back in DC for five true, personal stories exploring the chain reactions that shape our lives.

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November 5, 2026
Los Angeles, CA - Into the Unknown
Nov 12
November 12, 2026
Los Angeles, CA - Into the Unknown
November 12, 2026

Join us in LA for an unforgettable night of true, personal stories about stepping into the unknown.

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November 12, 2026
New York, NY - Trial by Fire
Nov 19
November 19, 2026
New York, NY - Trial by Fire
November 19, 2026

Join us at QED Astoria in Queens, NY for a night of true, personal stories about unexpected challenges, high-stakes moments, and discovering what we're capable of when the heat is on.

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November 19, 2026

Thank you to our listeners, storytellers, workshop participants, sponsors, donors, and funders. We couldn't do this without you! 

We are grateful for the support of the New York State Council on the Arts, The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Society for Science, and The Richard Lounsbery Foundation, as well as past support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Science Sandbox, The National Association of Science Writers, The Kavli Foundation, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, which seeks to preserve the world’s most treasured landscapes and seascapes.

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