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by Stanford Storytelling Project
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- Apr 8, 202626 min
Play: Pioneer
On a school trip re-enacting the past, Coco tries to find themselves in the magic beyond who they are supposed to be. In this episode, Author Lydia Conklin reads "Pioneer" a short story from Rainbow Rainbow, their collection of stories about queer, gender-nonconforming, and trans characters. Produced by Alana Esposito
- Mar 18, 202613 min
Play: Missing Pieces
After an accident left Becca with a skull fracture and concussion, she turned to an unlikely form of play to pick up the pieces. Interview with: Becca Taylor Producers: Arun Chhetri, Nardos Demilew, Gracielly Abreu, and Carolyn Stein Narration: Nardos Demilew
- Mar 16, 202620 min
Play: Adesuwa's Day Off
After years of discipline and structure, Adesuwa takes a day off from productivity to remember how to have fun. Producer: Adesuwa Agbonile Host: Jacob Matlof
- Dec 9, 202512 min
Invisibility, Story 6: The Cancer Fighter's Other Side
As a pediatric neuro-oncologist, Dr. Paul Fisher works with children fighting brain cancer. In this episode, he shares how invisible skills like empathy and human connection are central to his medical practice. Producer: Alex Strong
- Jun 10, 202530 min
Invisibility, Story 5: Hillbilly Highway
Viva Donohoe always saw her grandmother as the archetype of a sophisticated woman, modeled in the spirit of iconic country singer Patsy Cline. But an investigation into Cline’s life leads Viva to discover hidden truths about her grandmother and the woman she modeled herself after. Story By: Viva Donohoe Producers: Viva Donahoe, Eva Sanez, Ana De Almeida Amaral Music: Internet Archive
- Jun 9, 202519 min
Invisibility, Story 4: Willies on West 79th
In today’s episode, Sarah Lewis reads “Willies on West 79th,” a strangely moving tale about love, body dysmorphia, and why a rat ballet company might be the most honest place in New York. Producers Arun Chhetri Sarah Lewis Alex Strong Story by: Sarah Lewis Music by: Blue Dot Sessions
- Jun 8, 202518 min
Invisibility, Story 3: Mousetraps
In today’s episode, Wallace Stegner Fellow Zach Williams reads his surreal story “Mousetraps,” where a simple errand spirals into a disorienting interrogation of masculinity, guilt, and moral performance. Producers Arun Chhetri Zach Williams Isabelle Edgar Story by: Zach Williams Music by: Blue Dot Sessions
- Jun 7, 202514 min
BONUS: Story Craft Conversation with Langston Buddenhagen on New Flowers
As an added bonus to our Invisibility series, we’re including conversations with the creators who made them to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the craft of audio storytelling. In this episode, Alex Strong talks with Langston Buddenhagen, the creator of New Flowers, the first story in our Invisibility series.
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About State of the Human
State of the Human, a podcast of the Stanford Storytelling Project, shares stories that deepen our understanding of single, common human experiences—belonging, giving, lying, forgiveness—all drawn from the experiences and research of the Stanford community.
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