Best Succeed Despite The Odds Podcasts (2025)

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Close Calls: Stories about near misses 28:56

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6d ago28:56

28:56

In this week’s episode, our storytellers face life-or-death moments they’ll never forget. Part 1: On a trip to Colombia for a research conference, biologist Stephanie Galla must rely on her fight-or-flight instincts when she is cornered by a mugger with a knife. Part 2: An ordinary day takes a shocking turn when Kim Weaver is struck by lightning. S…

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Best of Story Collider: Hypothesis 35:31

13d ago35:31

35:31

This week we present two classic stories from people who had hypotheses. Part 1: Teaching sixth grade science becomes much more difficult when Xochitl Garcia's students start hypothesizing that fire is alive. Part 2: When journalist John Rennie is assigned to cover an entomological society event where insects are served as food, he sees an opportun…

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Knowledge: Stories from our workshops 26:48

20d ago26:48

26:48

In this week’s episode, we’re featuring two powerful stories born from our education program. Part 1: As an undergraduate with no “real” science experience, Molly Magid is thrilled to join a research project studying how bats fly—until she discovers the bats refuse to cooperate. Part 2: As a child, Léa Souccar and her father explore the wreckage in…

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Reframe: Stories about art helping mental health 31:52

27d ago31:52

31:52

In this week’s episode, we explore how creativity, humor, and connection can be powerful tools for mental health and healing. Part 1: When anxiety starts taking over her life, Jude Treder-Wolff signs up for an improv class. Part 2: Counselor Belinda Arriaga and emergency medicine doctor Nancy Ewen join forces to collect scientific evidence of the p…

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Evictions: Stories of things that had to go 25:47

1M ago25:47

25:47

In this week’s episode, both storytellers face the challenge of evicting some very unwelcome guests. Part 1: While housesitting for her uncle, JiJi Lee’s peaceful stay takes a chaotic turn when a squirrel breaks in. Part 2: When a serious mold infestation takes over the university campus, Joshua Wilson is tasked with eliminating it. JiJi Lee is a c…

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Best of Story Collider: Identity Crisis 30:04

1M ago30:04

30:04

This week we present two classic stories about people struggling with their identity. Part 1: When science journalist Katherine Wu interviews a scientist about a new facial recognition algorithm, the conversation turns more personal than she expected. Part 2: Hurricane Katrina gives Mary Annaise Heglar a new perspective on both her grandfather and …

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Becoming Your Hero: Stories about embodying a role model 25:47

2M ago25:47

25:47

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers transform into someone they admire—one quite literally, the other more figuratively. Part 1: While juggling climate science studies and a budding comedy career, Rollie Williams finds an unexpected niche impersonating his environmental hero, Al Gore. Part 2: Scott Acton longs to follow in Hemingway’s …

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Someone Else's Shoes: Stories about understanding others perspectives 26:34

2M ago26:34

26:34

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers are pushed out of their comfort zones—and challenged to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Part 1: As someone who always likes to play it safe, psychologist Kenneth Carter sets out to understand what makes thrill-seekers tick. Part 2: Philosophy professor Rob Reich is frustrated that so many …

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Sticky Fingers: Stories about theft 31:36

2M ago31:36

31:36

In this week’s episode, we explore what pushes someone to steal, and how it feels to be the one robbed. Part 1: With a potential cancer diagnosis looming and his health insurance about to vanish, David Crabb finds an envelope stuffed with $100 bills. Part 2: When Zakiya Whatley bonds with another student in grad school, it feels like the start of a…

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Then Comes A Baby?: Stories about the choice to have children 27:01

2M ago27:01

27:01

This week’s episode dives into one of the most personal decisions many women face: whether or not to have children. Part 1: When a piece of her IUD breaks off, Bailey Swilley’s spirals about her choice never to have children. Part 2: Christel Bartelse takes an unconventional approach to figure out if she wants to be a mother or not. Bailey Swilley …

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Best of Story Collider: Acceptance 35:40

3M ago35:40

35:40

This week, we’re presenting stories about the struggle to find acceptance — whether it’s at Space Camp or in the United States of America. Part 1: Computer scientist LaShana Lewis’s childhood dream of attending Space Camp starts to feel far away — until she gets the Christmas surprise of a lifetime. Part 2: When Guizella Rocabado leaves her home in…

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Green Thumb: Stories about gardening 42:03

3M ago42:03

42:03

In this week’s episode, we’re getting into the weeds—literally—with two stories about how gardens and green spaces can take root in our lives in unexpected ways. Part 1: Feeling lonely after a move to New York City, Kofi Thomas finds connection, purpose, and community through a neighborhood garden. Part 2: As he fights to stay sober, Michael Hudgin…

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Wired Lives: Stories about brain-computer interfaces 38:44

3M ago38:44

38:44

This week’s special episode—produced in partnership with Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society at Georgia Tech – features two powerful stories from individuals whose lives have been shaped by brain-computer interfaces. Part 1: As his Parkinson’s symptoms worsen and medications take a toll, Brandan Mehaffie faces a life-altering d…

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Mishaps: Stories about unintended mistakes 26:06

3M ago26:06

26:06

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers share tales of well-intentioned choices gone wrong. Part 1: In fourth grade, Ro Moran is thrilled to be trusted with the class pet iguana, Iggy, for the night. But by morning, something is very wrong. Part 2: As an exchange student studying superconducting oxides, Karoline Mueller tries to save money…

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Best of Story Collider: Pride 28:55

3M ago28:55

28:55

To close out Pride Month this week, we're sharing a special best of episode featuring stories about coming out in science! Part 1: Science educator Charlie Cook experiments with coming out to students. Charlie Cook is a non-binary white settler on ancestral, unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territory. They are a museum science interpr…

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Red Flag: Stories about toxic relationships 27:04

4M ago27:04

27:04

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers use a scientific lens to examine their worst relationships. Part 1: Carlos Maza uses the plague to analyze his brutal breakup. Part 2: Panagiota Vogdou refuses to see her boyfriend as toxic until a stranger on the bus tells her to go to therapy. Carlos Maza is a video journalist focusing on misinform…

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Coming Out: Stories about sharing one's identity 24:46

4M ago24:46

24:46

In celebration of Pride Month, we’re sharing two stories about coming out with the help of science. Part 1: After years of struggling with their gender identity, Parker Sublette finds inspiration in marine life. Part 2: Bullied as a kid for the sound of his voice, Garret Glinka begins to reclaim his confidence thanks to biology class. Parker Sublet…

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Pseudoscience: Stories about scientific misinformation 27:41

4M ago27:41

27:41

This week’s special episode—produced in partnership with Challenging Pseudoscience, at the Royal Institution, with support from the Open Society Foundation—features two storytellers who share just how easy it is to fall for scientific misinformation, and how difficult it can be to find your way back. Part 1: When Lydia Greene’s infant daughter has …

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Best of Story Collider: Celebrating 15 Years 25:28

4M ago25:28

25:28

To kick off our big 15 year anniversary celebration, we’re re-sharing two stories from the storytellers you, the fans, voted as your favorite stories. And the best part? You can see these storytellers, along with the other fan favorites, take the stage live on June 3, 2025, at Caveat in New York City during our special anniversary show and fundrais…

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Moving On: Stories about letting go of a relationship 27:52

5M ago27:52

27:52

Some relationships stand the test of time—others unravel. In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers explore what it means to heal, let go, and move forward. Part 1: Stuck in a monsoon on Kauai, Belinda Fu unintentionally ruins a friendship with a classmate. Part 2: Matt Storrs blames a dinosaur scientist’s theory for the end of his marriage.…

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Hyperfixation: Stories about intense focus 29:09

5M ago29:09

29:09

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers become extremely fixated on something very specific. Part 1: After being diagnosed with breast cancer and opting for bilateral mastectomies, Jenna Dioguardi becomes beholden to her cancer to-do list. Part 2: As an 11-year-old kid, Luke Strathmann makes it his life mission to get rich off of Beanie Ba…

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A Mother's Love: Stories honoring mothers 29:59

5M ago29:59

29:59

In honor of Mother’s Day, both of our storytellers share stories about their unique relationships with their moms. Part 1: Rita Rigano always had a complicated relationship with her mother, and it becomes even more fraught when her mother’s dementia worsens. Part 2: In the midst of writing her PhD dissertation, Jordyn Rice embarks on one last road …

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Missing Pieces: Stories about an unremembered friendship 19:14

5M ago19:14

19:14

In this week’s episode, Thomas Dixon and Rachel Robinson manage to build a friendship, despite not remembering the exact moments they shared. Thomas Dixon is the author of "I'm Sorry... That's Awesome!: Inventing a Solution for Memory Loss", and the inventor of ME.mory (a digital memory mobile application/service). Thomas was running when struck by…

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Best of Story Collider: Justice 34:58

6M ago34:58

34:58

This week we present two stories from people who stood up against a system eager to tear them down. Part 1: After a car crash alters Emily Winn's life forever, she must relive the trauma when she testifies in a deposition. Part 2: Geneticist C. Brandon Ogbunu contemplates the role race has played in his academic career after he is confronted by the…

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Freak Accident: Stories about highly unusual incidents 32:04

6M ago32:04

32:04

In this week’s episode, both our storytellers’ lives are altered by an unexpected mishap. Part 1: When teenage Ron Hart accidentally walks through a glass door, he lands in the ER on the worst possible day: a tornado drill. Part 2: After a car accident leaves all of her teeth bent inward, Di Cai begins to rethink her life as a scientist. Ron Hart i…

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Breaking Barriers: Stories about succeeding despite the odds 26:56

6M ago26:56

26:56

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers share tales of persistence and beating the odds in order to pursue their scientific dreams. Part 1: Determined to become an academic, Rajyashree Sen must take on a broken system to secure a spot in a PhD program in Vienna. Part 2: Josh Barber dreams of studying fish, but when his father goes to jail …

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#64 Charlotte Storey - Two-Handed World 45:27

6M ago45:27

45:27

In the final episode of our series, we continue with Charlotte Storey for a heartfelt conversation about the two-handed world we live in. Charlotte opens up about her personal experiences she has had travelling with her disability, sharing the challenges and perils she's faced along the way. With unwavering courage, she reflects on the deep hope sh…

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Not The One: Stories about ill-fated partners 26:45

6M ago26:45

26:45

Some people are meant to be together—but in this week’s episode, our storytellers discover they’re definitely not a match made in heaven. Part 1: When Mark Pitzer gets splashed with methyl cyanide, he turns to his new girlfriend in hopes of comfort. Part 2: Hoping to impress his scientist date, Adam Selbst plans the perfect outing: the Central Park…

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#63 Charlotte Storey - Inner Assassin 27:32

6M ago27:32

27:32

In this episode Harriett sits down with our final guest of the season, the remarkable Charlotte Storey, to discuss her incredible storey beginning in the West End. Charlotte shares how she learned to own the stage before she developed her musical talent, specializing in the baritone saxophone. Charlotte opens up about how her path took an unexpecte…

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Best of Story Collider: Fight or Flight 31:54

7M ago31:54

31:54

This week, we present two stories about confronting threats -- whether it’s actual physical danger or a threat to your career. Part 1: Climate scientist Kim Cobb is exploring a cave in Borneo when rocks begin to fall. Part 2: Neurobiologist Lyl Tomlinson is startled when he's accused of stealing cocaine from his former lab. Kim Cobb is a researcher…

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#62 Delphine Legat - Rejection, Redirection 34:09

7M ago34:09

34:09

In part 2, Delphine Legat joins host Harriett Pound to dive deep into the psychology of burnout and stress. Delphine opens up about the powerful mindset shifts that can help you manage daily stressors, find balance, and seize opportunities in life. She emphasizes the importance of failing regularly and using rejection as a tool for redirection, enc…

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Loss for Words: Stories about troubles communicating 32:28

7M ago32:28

32:28

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers struggle to get the right words out. Part 1: After living with a stutter all her life, Sara Street thinks coding might be the solution to her communication problems. Part 2: Electrical engineer Anna Fox longs to share her work with her family, but struggles with how to explain it. Sara Street has liv…

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#61 Delphine Legat - Habit Stacking 40:02

7M ago40:02

40:02

In this episode, guest Delphine Legat explains how she became a psychologist , confidence and performance coach. Hear how her childhood and education helped her find her voice which became useful when she started a corporate role. After years of hard work and experiencing burn-out first hand, she broke away from the mould and turned her efforts to …

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Spiritual Crossroads: Stories about conflicting beliefs 28:47

7M ago28:47

28:47

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers explore what happens when belief systems collide—and how science and empathy can help bridge the divide. Part 1: Neuroscientist Lauren Vetere is excited to see if real life will mimic science at an interfaith event. Part 2: Growing up as a devout Jew, Fred Gould’s relationship with God is shaken by e…

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#60 Arthur Williams - Cubbing Around 29:24

7M ago29:24

29:24

Listen in for the second part of Arthur Williams' insightful chat with Harriett. Hear how Arthur combined his passion for aviation and television into an epic career. From presenting at the 2012 Paralympics to hosting shows from around the world, Arthur reflects on how these experiences have shaped his life and work. Now part of the Farm Strip Flyi…

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Family Ties: Stories about our roots 28:41

7M ago28:41

28:41

Is who we are shaped more by nature or nurture? It's a question science has grappled with for years. In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers dive into their family histories to explore how the people and experiences that came before them continue to shape who they are today. Part 1: As a teenager, Mark Pagan worries that having an old dad …

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#59 Arthur Williams - Blue Sky Thinking 27:15

7M ago27:15

27:15

In this episode, we sit down with Arthur Williams as he takes us through his story. From his early years serving in the Marines, to a life-altering car accident in 2007. Hear how he found a life-changing distraction in Aerobility, where he trained to become a pilot, applied some 'Blue Sky Thinking' and found new purpose. Watch now, https://youtu.be…

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Best of Story Collider: Representation 45:00

7M ago45:00

45:00

In this week’s episode, both our storytellers examine the importance of diversity and representation in science – and not just in their research sample. Part 1: While serving on a diversity panel, biologist Latasha Wright is asked if representation in STEM matters, prompting her to reflect on her experiences. Latasha Wright, Ph.D., Chief Scientific…

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#58 Sarah Stephenson-Hunter - Tidal Wave Moment 43:46

8M ago43:46

43:46

In the second part of her story, Sarah Stephenson-Hunter reveals what led to her tidal wave moment, forcing Sarah to confront unimaginable challenges. With unwavering courage, Sarah opens up about the hard decisions she's had to make, fully embracing her new reality, relentlessly building her confidence to be the best disabled entrepreneur she can …

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Self-Image: Stories about how we see ourselves 23:28

8M ago23:28

23:28

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers experience a shift in how they see themselves. Part 1: Fangfang Ruose fears that her prosthetic legs will exclude her from becoming a fashion model. Part 2: When engineering student Devan Sandiford runs into an old friend from his former college, he desperately wants her to think he’s cool. Fangfang …

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#57 Sarah Stephenson-Hunter – F.E.A.R 31:16

8M ago31:16

31:16

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Sarah Stephenson-Hunter, who shares her powerful journey of growing up with health challenges and the profound impact it had on her childhood. Facing severe bullying and struggling to fit in at school, Sarah battled through some dark times. Despite her health deteriorating over the years, she opens up abo…

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Will You Be My Valentine?: Stories about using science to find love 29:10

8M ago29:10

29:10

While love and science don’t often go hand-in-hand, this week, in celebration of Valentine’s Day, both of our stories are about finding love using scientific methods. Part 1: After Tony Dahlman plucks up the courage to ask out a fellow statistician, he consults the Survey Administration Manual for guidance on how to construct the perfect date. Part…

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Top Secret: Stories about things we hide 26:07

8M ago26:07

26:07

In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers share stories about times their deepest secrets were discovered. Part 1: Growing up in Ghana, Pauline Owusu-Ansah hides her secret desire to study lizards. Part 2: Saad Sarwana’s secret identity as a standup comedian threatens to ruin his burgeoning physics career. Pauline Owusu-Ansah is a first year…

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#56 Mandy Hickson – Break Right! 36:35

8M ago36:35

36:35

In the second part of Mandy’s chat with Harriett, she reflects upon her experiences navigating life in the military. Mandy opens up about the challenges of being female in a traditionally male-dominated field, exploring the power of teamwork, selfless service, and the evolution of mental health awareness. Sharing personal stories from her deploymen…

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Best of Story Collider: Chemistry 38:42

8M ago38:42

38:42

This week, we present two stories about science intersecting with love -- in both fortunate and unfortunate ways. Part 1: Nothing can come between Lindzi Wessel and her new boyfriend, David -- except maybe herpes. Part 2: Marine biologist Skylar Bayer and first mate Thom Young find love on a boat. Lindzi Wessel is a science and health journalist wh…

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#55 Mandy Hickson – Stepping Stones 51:08

9M ago51:08

51:08

This week, fast jet pilot, now motivational speaker and author of ‘An Officer, Not a Gentleman’ Mandy Hickson sits down with Harriett Pound. Mandy walks us through her early career and the stepping stones she faced as she navigated the RAF in the 1980’s. Facing failures, building resilience and educating others on ‘Femininity’, Mandy reflects on ho…

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Excluded: Stories about being left out 27:55

9M ago27:55

27:55

Few things sting more than being on the outside looking in. In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers share deeply personal accounts of feeling rejected. Part 1: At school, Natalie Ayala can’t understand why she and the other dual-language kids are treated differently. Part 2: As a photographer on a research expedition in Antarctica, Marley …

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#54 Paul and David Winstanley - Grounding Force 54:22

9M ago54:22

54:22

In Part 2, Paul and David share how their mother ensured that they remained grounded throughout the peaks and troughs of their career paths. With twists and turns, we find out these brothers have had no easy ride, but through it all made invaluable memories and maintained a brotherly bond that they’ll cherish forever. This episode is available as a…

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Adapt: Stories about adjusting to new conditions 26:34

9M ago26:34

26:34

Being able to change to meet one’s circumstances is essential to survival. As HG Wells famously wrote: “adapt or perish.” In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers find themselves in unfamiliar territory and need to change course. Part 1: As the only American, microbiologist Chris Robinson struggles to make friends with the other researchers…

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#53 Paul and David Winstanley - Bounce Back-Ability 37:34

9M ago37:34

37:34

Kicking off the New Year, Harriett is joined by the Winstanley brothers; Paul (Air Traffic Controller, Chair of the UK ATCO union and Aerobility trustee) and David (C.E.O of Biggin Hill Airport). Sharing their unfiltered highs and lows, Paul and David discuss how they navigated through early life, learning to look after their mental health, and how…