State of the Human

Nakedness, story 1: Exposure Therapy

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.

Reclaiming, story 8: Back to the Garden

“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.

Reclaiming, story 7: Orca Boy

Max Du is so obsessed with whales that his childhood friends call him Orca Boy. But when a SeaWorld trainer named Dawn is killed by an orca and there's public backlash against SeaWorld, his love for whales turns to shame. Years later he meets a whale trainer named Lyndsey, who was Dawn’s best friend. As Max and Lyndsey learn together the complicated dance of grief, loss, and healing, they find in their friendship a way to reclaim a part of themselves they thought was lost.
This story was produced by Max Du and Carolyn Stein with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project. Max Du is a computer science Ph.D. student and Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University. By night, he is a writer interested in immigrant experiences and the human-animal relationship. In addition to working on pieces for the Storytelling Project, he is currently doing fieldwork for a non-fiction book that features the oral histories of whale & dolphin trainers. When he’s not wrangling robots or making friends with whale trainers, Max also enjoys improvising on the piano and listening to Jimmy Buffet.

Reclaiming, story 6: Friends in Liminal Spaces

In this story about connection outside the bounds of physical space, time, and life experience, an unlikely friendship buds during uncertain times.
 
Producer: Anastasia Sotiropoulos
Featuring: Adamu Chan, Michelle Chang, and Anastasia Sotiropoulos
 
Referenced research:
“State can be held liable for San Quentin COVID deaths, court rules,” https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/covid-liability-prisons-18404372.php
“Another San Quentin Inmate Dies From COVID-19 Complications, CDCR Says,” https://youtu.be/3Tp--1L-5Gg?si=TAkNg0O9ZRkmOKhu
“Court Orders Immediate Release Or Transfer 1,700 San Quentin Prison Inmates Over Virus Outbreak,” https://youtu.be/UX-h-QkTPSs?si=hQXeIxFTv9MIptjO
 
Music by Blue Dot Sessions, tracks listed below:
The Gran Dias, Highway 430, KeoKeo, For We Shall Know Speed, Scarlett Overpass, Valantis Vespers, Trenton Channel, Shepman, Hermes Gray, Pulse, JR Nara, Footsteps on Alden, A Little Powder, Gothrd

Reclaiming, story 5: Welcome to Paradise

Carolyn Stein grew up with music like Avril Lavigne and The Marianas Trench – classic, trashy pop punk. But she never considered herself much of a punk rocker, until she took a little trip to the East Bay to a tiny venue called 924 Gilman Street. But soon after Carolyn discovers this venue, she learns that it may be at risk of closing. What will be lost if this venue closes?
Welcome to Paradise was produced by Carolyn Stein, Ana De Almeida Amaral, and Max Du, with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project.

Reclaiming, story 4: Tattoos and Taboos

Whether you have a tattoo or not, we are all familiar with the stigmas that are commonly held against tattoos. Where does this aversion come from? What do these taboos say about history? What do they say about us? In this story, Keoni Rodriguez shares how his tattoos helped him reclaim his indigenous Hawaiian heritage, connect with his ancestors, and begin to heal a history of colonialism and erasure. Tattoos and Taboos was produced by Ana De Almeida Amaral, Natasha Charfauros, Mikayla An-Yee Chen, & Chloe Gabrielle Mendoza, with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project. A special thank you to Keoni Rodriguez for sharing his story with us.

BONUS: Story Craft Conversation with Kaitlyn Auth and Charlie Darracott on Keep Stanford Wrestling

Alina Wilson and Alex Strong sit down with Kaitlyn Auth and Charlie Darracott for a story craft conversation about the story behind creating Keep Stanford Wrestling.

Reclaiming, story 3: Keep Stanford Wrestling

In the spring of 2020, Stanford University made the decision to cut 11 of their varsity teams due to financial issues and lack of success. This episode follows the men’s wrestling team and their coaches in the months following the decision to cut their team as they navigate the challenges of fighting for their spot back.

BONUS: Story Craft Conversation with Aru Nair on Journey Through Generations

As an added bonus to our Reclaiming 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 Aru Nair, the creator of Journey Through Generations, the second story in our Reclaiming series.

Reclaiming, story 2: Journey Through Generations

In this episode, the 2nd in our Reclaiming What's Been Lost series, Aru Nair goes on a journey to India to understand how oral tradition preserves cultures. But when a surprise trip to her father's home town shows her a side if him she's never seen, she emerges with a new understanding of how the stories we tell shape the people we become.