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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Episodes

Friday May 30, 2025

Alana Esposito and Alex Strong to discuss the process behind how A Foot in Both Worlds came to be. 
Producers: Alana Esposito, Alex Strong

Friday May 23, 2025

Paul Calvo has always been ambitious, but he hasn't always been on the right side of the tracks. This is his story.
Producer: Alex Strong.
Music by Blue Dot Sessions.
Sounds by Free Sounds.

Friday May 23, 2025

Paul Calvo has always been ambitious, but he hasn't always been on the right side of the tracks. This is his story.
Producer: Alex Strong.
Music by Blue Dot Sessions.
Sounds by Free Sounds.

Friday May 16, 2025

A group of Stanford alumni recall their time in undergrad climbing buildings on campus – and the way it permanently altered their lives.
Producer: Alana EspositoMusic from Blue Dot Sessions

Friday May 09, 2025

When a group of students stumbles upon a mysterious plaque hidden beneath an oak tree, a late-night discovery turns into a real-time detective story. Their search for answers uncovers a decades-old secret, and a story that’s both forgotten and unforgettable. 
 
ProducersArun Chhetri: Host, producer, sound design
With Will Briger & Henry Segal
 
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Guests
 
Gloria Gatlin: Stanford Alumni and Wife of Thane Plambeck. Gloria was the first person to respond to our email and put us on the right track.
Christopher Wright: Key conspirator of the Wright K. Sexton Memorial Park. Chris runs a nonprofit organization called EarlyFamilyMath.com.
https://www.earlyfamilymath.org/ 
Harlan Sexton: Key conspirator and placer of the Wright K. Sexton Memorial Park. 
References
99% Invisible, Always Read the Plaque
https://99percentinvisible.org/article/always-read-plaque-mapping-10000-global-markers-memorials/ 
Music
 
Temperance by <a href="https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/236965">Blue Dot Sessions</a>
Sunday Lights by <a href="https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/224308">Blue Dot Sessions</a>
Delicates by <a href="https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/315806">Blue Dot Sessions</a>
La Naranja Borriana by <a href="https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/315809">Blue Dot Sessions</a>
Underground River - opening version:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0tcYwM7XS8TFVXJTSEtAnZ?si=2a722c801c7048a9 
Fedora Shadow:
https://open.spotify.com/track/21DCkITafCkCY5Jhg4UoL0?si=4247e1ae23a945d5 
I was only temporary:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4XAilWzhZM0uyR4vtERfHi?si=9b66f4dc7fda4280 
Nothing Burns Like the Cold:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6G0KITyDe4EQREYyuVQmOn?si=61c253d1f8844efe  
Private Investigator:
https://open.spotify.com/track/7zHhpvu59OKXDG51LsXLTq?si=e88ac5ca10bb4af3 
Night on the Docks:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0obm7Lz78514LAWNm3hpOd?si=9251d9ccfeb24835 
Swing on Her Shoes Movement II:
https://open.spotify.com/track/41WpQ6DMoSIn8SpNyAE1xq?si=78f02c1335b245ed 
Midna’s Theme:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0PQLT15vJCcGdNpnSqcmj1?si=310819f23ec44d48  
China Town Suite:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0cUfeQ0khjHHqQmUI5cVHr?si=f17eb431ea25426e 
Gumshoe Blues:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6A7pxkpK5rCvFVDs855z4Q?si=66e586f7d11e4213 
Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang - Remastered:
https://open.spotify.com/track/72IhFCBLDSHmcW64vN2FTH?si=9c2a027ebd3e4e77 
Turning Pages: 
https://open.spotify.com/track/0ZjdWu99IncSGTqskVN3Hw?si=12237ce49e2c406f 
Quai De Seine:
https://open.spotify.com/track/45OgwuM747T76J3LUgINOn?si=f598b6f9a83c4719 
 

Saturday Jun 29, 2024

What would you do for the sake of a story? In this live story, recorded at the 2024 Senior Story Slam, Alina Wilson shares the story that spawned this series on Nakedness for State of the Human.

Friday Jun 28, 2024

Growing up with Indian immigrant parents in a Wyoming college town, Aru was used to the tension of what her parents expected her to be and the person she was actually becoming. In this story, recorded at First Person Story in April of 2024, Aru takes the risk of emotional nakedness with her mom–even though it may leave her feeling exposed. www.firstpersonstory.org www.storytelling.stanford.edu

Friday Jun 28, 2024

Being naked–or seeing others naked–can evoke a firestorm of emotions . . . everything from freedom to vulnerability to sensuality to shame. In three stories pulled from the Storytelling Project archives (created in 2012) we explore the glory and grit of stripping down.

Friday Jun 28, 2024

Destiny Cunningham learned shame early. The comments that teachers, church leaders, and other kids made about her body led her to wear clothes like armor, hiding herself from others so she wouldn't be noticed. Years later, Destiny and her friends decide to visit a nudist retreat in the hopes that she'll learn how to become naked without feeling exposed.

Thursday Jun 27, 2024

“Back to the Garden” tells the story of an organic farming couple, Jose and Rich, who are committed to sustaining the environment . . . and who don't believe in climate change. This episode explores how that dissonance might be possible, the power of language, and whether or not the term "climate change" will help save the planet.
Produced by Anna McNulty, Shameeka Wilson, and Laura Joyce Davis.

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