This year, The Story Collider aired more than a hundred stories on its podcast, and many more at its live shows online and across the United States. As we reach the end of the year, our team is reflecting on the stories that moved us most — here are a few highlights below!

”Absolutely, Positively” by Ken Haller from Stories of COVID-19: Masks

“Finding someone with the historical context, necessary medical context, and storytelling acumen to convey his story about the parallels of the AIDS crisis and COVID-19 is incredibly rare. Ken didn't just do a good job on what would be a great story for anyone; he made it sing.”

—Zack Stovall, Producer - New York

“Roadkill Girl” by Edith Gonzalez from Human Nature: Confidence

“To me, this is the perfect science story. Edith tells it so beautifully and so vividly. She’s doing science through the entire story, but the focus is so clearly on her experience. It’s so funny but not a joke. I was so invested and immersed in this story.”

—Lindsay Cooper, Operations Manager

”My Heroes” by Jenice Matias from the Two Sides mini-series

“Working with Jenice on her two-sides story was one of the most profound experiences in my storytelling coach career. It was heartbreaking but inspiring to watch Jenice process her experiences in real time and use it for her art. I'm so honored I got the chance to meet Jenice and help her bring her powerful stories to the Story Collider podcast.”

—Misha Gajewski, Program Manager

“The Dentist,” by Fabrizzio Subia, from Apprentices

“Integrating a political message into a personal story is difficult, but Fabrizzio does such an incredible job of painting the world where he developed his political ideology that it becomes impossible for you not to sympathize. I also love the way Fabrizzio consistently uses the Spanish words for the dentistry terms he learned because it undermines the English-centric view of ‘jargon.’ I love personal stories because they pull the curtain back on a life I haven't led, and Fabrizzio generously shares this experience that I hope everybody can hear and understand.”

—Nisse Greenberg, Program Director

See also: “La Dentista” — the Spanish language version of Fabrizzio’s story — from this Spanish language live show in September.

“A story about latinidad and science!”

—Lily Be, Senior Producer - Chicago

“Singing on 2 North” by Jude Treder-Wolff, from Inspiring

“I was so moved by Jude Treder-Wolff’s story of the power and joy of science and art woven together — I think because it sums up the essence of Story Collider! Also, it includes this incredible song, which I defy you not to get stuck in your head.”

—Erin Barker, Executive Director