Soundings

Genetics

Genetics promised us the book of life laid open. But even after the sequencing of the human genome, there's still a lot we don't know. How do people make choices based on the imperfect knowledge that genetic science provides? Today we look at a few examples of that. We hear a story about sperm donation and the perils of choosing your child's father out of a book. We hear a story about using genetics to make a decision about surgery. We walk into an MRI to investigate the genetic basis of personality. And a short story about cannibalistic vultures. Prepare for a show that will leave you doubled up in a helix of joy.
Producers: Charlie Mintz, Matt Larson, Laura Chao, Angela Castellanos, Leah Bakst
Host: Charlie Mintz
Featuring: Max McClure
Music: Cults, Boomsnake, Mothlight
More info at:http://web.stanford.edu/group/storytelling/cgi-bin/joomla/index.php/shows/season3/199-genetics.html

Trash

We throw all kinds of things away without really thinking about it. These five stories take a look at where our trash goes, the creative things that people do with it, and even question what it means to throw something away. First, a story about small-scale composting and the worms who do it. Next, a story about what to do with all your old scraps of fabric lying around. Third, how what's left in a city dump can provide inspiration for an art movement. Fourth, behind the scenes at an estate sale. And last, a short story about bringing a box of forgotten photographs back to life.
Producers: Hannah Krakauer, Lydia Santos, Killeen Hanson, Laura Chao, Rebecca Pfiffner, Matt Larson, Kasiana Mclenaghan
Host: Hannah Krakauer
Music: Noah Burbank, Japandi, Nimbleweed, Kissing Johnny
More info at:http://web.stanford.edu/group/storytelling/cgi-bin/joomla/index.php/shows/season3/189-trash.html

Off the Pedestal

What happens when we put people on pedestals? And what happens when we take them off? Host Killeen Hanson interviews her father about his estranged father. Andrew Altschul exposes the ordinariness of rock-stars in an excerpt from his novel Lady Lazarus. Lee Konstantinou interviews Arnold Rampersad about his biography of Ralph Ellison; his question is not What kept Ellison from publishing anything after Invisible Man? but rather, How did this author climb onto that pedestal in the first place?
Producers: Killeen Hanson, Noah Burbank, Lee Konstantinou
Host: Killeen Hanson
Featuring: Brent Hanson, Andrew Altschul, Arnold Rampersad
Music: Noah Burbank
More info at:http://web.stanford.edu/group/storytelling/cgi-bin/joomla/index.php/shows/season3/195-episode-305-off-the-pedestal.html

Valentines 3

Sometimes a simple question is all it takes to get someone telling a story. We begin this show by asking people to tell the story of their first kiss. Every story is the same. Every story is different. After that, changes of hearts and a deeper understanding of one's capacity to love. Then we have two glimpses into potential future realities, android love and a Valentinian Apocalypse. Have a great V Day.
Producers: Aaron Thayer, Eme Akpabio, Claire Woodard, Charlie Mintz, Will Rogers, and Jonah Willihnganz
Host: Rachel Hamburg
Featuring: Max McClure, Heidi Thorsen, and members of the Stanford community who told us their story in White Plaza.
Music: Daniel Steinbock, Max McClure, Fleet Street, and a spontaneous mishmash of singers who were out serenading people on the Saturday night before this story aired, in February 2009.
More info at:http://web.stanford.edu/group/storytelling/cgi-bin/joomla/index.php/shows/season3/349-valentines-3.html