The Story Collider

A neuroscientist tests the limits of wonder when his own father suffers a stroke.

Margot Leitman faces down doctors, friends and uncertainty when she suddenly loses hearing in one ear. "If I’ve gone deaf, for real, that means the last thing I’ve heard to its full extent was James Cameron’s Avatar, and [that is so] disappointing for me." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Margot Leitman faces down doctors, friends and uncertainty when she suddenly loses hearing in one ear. "If I’ve gone deaf, for real, that means the last thing I’ve heard to its full extent was James Cameron’s Avatar, and [that is so] disappointing for me."

Aaron Wolfe escapes the harsh realities of science through the thrilling (and sexy) world of science fiction. (explicit) “I was so afraid to deal with reality, and I was so afraid of science, and what was in front of me.”

In the Indian Ocean, doctor George Lombardi makes use of the most important lesson his mother ever taught him: floating. "Let me give you one of the morals early on: No bonding experiences with somebody you're about to fire."

In the Indian Ocean, doctor George Lombardi makes use of the most important lesson his mother ever taught him: floating. "Let me give you one of the morals early on: No bonding experiences with somebody you're about to fire." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Madeline Huberth confronts the imminent death of a classroom goldfish while navigating the dangerous social waters of junior high. "Why could someone, if they could control a situation and make a happy ending, choose not to do so?"

Madeline Huberth confronts the imminent death of a classroom goldfish while navigating the dangerous social waters of junior high. "Why could someone, if they could control a situation and make a happy ending, choose not to do so?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After becoming ill during a trip to Ecuador, DARPA researcher Chris Roussi seeks medical advice from a local expert: a shaman. "Here I am, an engineer-scientist, and here's this educated man spouting the worst kind of fuzzy thinking, superstitious claptrap. I look him in the eye and I say: OK!"

After becoming ill during a trip to Ecuador, DARPA researcher Chris Roussi seeks medical advice from a local expert: a shaman. "Here I am, an engineer-scientist, and here's this educated man spouting the worst kind of fuzzy thinking, superstitious claptrap. I look him in the eye and I say: OK!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A middle school science fair points the way for Helly Schtevie -- directly away from science. "I think I was probably a precocious little twerp, but that kind of confidence really helped me at school."

A middle school science fair points the way for Helly Schtevie -- directly away from science. "I think I was probably a precocious little twerp, but that kind of confidence really helped me at school."

Aspiring English teacher Will Garré is given a chance to teach his own class -- a physics class, and he realizes he isn't going to be able to MacGuyver his way out of this one. "We didn't dissect our pigs correctly, but they had some character development."

Aspiring English teacher Will Garré is given a chance to teach his own class -- a physics class, and he realizes he isn't going to be able to MacGuyver his way out of this one. "We didn't dissect our pigs correctly, but they had some character development."

As a high-schooler, comedian John Flynn finds a way to step out of his siblings' shadows, on the day his science class is determining their blood types. At age fourteen I was like 'I'm so oppressed. No one's letting me be my own person!'