Writer Alison Smith reconnects with her estranged father after he develops Alzheimer's disease, and science journalist Peter Brannen mourns the loss of his mother while studying the earth’s biggest mass extinction.

Growing up, Moni Avello struggles to understand her younger sister, who has Asperger's syndrome, and for Morgan Givens, the onset of puberty feels like an alien invasion. 

Chase Masterson's role on Star Trek Deep Space 9 inspires her to think about how she can help others, and Bethany Van Delft and her fiance reckon with the zombie apocalypse.

Growing up, Amanda Gorman is determined to eliminate her speech impediment, and as an aspiring scientist brought up in a family of artists, Elisa Schaum feels like a black sheep.

Marine biologist Jessica Hoey tries to keep her daughter’s belief in mermaids alive, and Jamie Brickhouse begins to notice some startling changes in his mother's behavior.

Mathematician and comic book writer Jason Rodriguez feels torn between cultural and professional identities, and as a graduate student, Josh Silberg begins to question whether he's cut out for science.

Aletha Maybank's childhood experiences with institutional racism inspire her work as a physician, and Joselin Linder shares a unique and deadly genetic mutation with just fourteen other people in the world.

Planetary geologist Sara Mazrouei misses out on a dream opportunity -- because of where she was born, and marine ecologist Madhavi Colton faces down despair as the challenges of conservation overwhelm her.

Climate scientist Kim Cobb is exploring a cave in Borneo when rocks begin to fall, and neurobiologist Lyl Tomlinson is startled when he's accused of stealing cocaine from his former lab.

Journalist Judith Stone worries she'll cause conflict writing about cultural differences aboard the International Space Station, and nurse Anna Freeman attempts to advise a Syrian hospital over a shaky Skype connection.