In this special episode of Blue Collar White Coat, host Amy turns the mic on herself. She shares the winding path from small-town Maryland to city living and the National Aquarium, from dolphin training to science communication at a national lab, and the blue-collar roots that shaped her perspective along the way.

Amy reflects on growing up in a working-class family, navigating ADHD and college setbacks, and finding her place in STEM storytelling. Through tales of early jobs, graduate school abroad on a budget, and the realities of animal care jobs, she reveals why this show exists: to highlight the skilled tradespeople and scientists who keep discovery moving forward. And to remind us that at the end of the day, we all have stories worth listening to.