Join hosts Bryan Kett and Leslie Berntsen as they bring you four stories of when science made our storytellers make difficult decisions.

Rob Ulrich is a scientist at UCLA who studies how living things make their hard parts: cystoliths, coral, shells, etc. Rob is also the Associate Director of the Reclaiming STEM Institute, Co-Founder of Queer & Trans in STEM (fka Queers in STEM), a writing consultant, and a writer. For their research and advocacy, Rob currently holds fellowships with the National Science Foundation and the Center for Diverse Leadership in Science, and they have been invited to speak on the popular podcasts, including Ologies, Talk Nerdy, ExoLore, and at meetings for the American Geophysical Union, the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society, the Geologic Society of America, the California Academy of Sciences, and the New York Academy of Sciences. To avoid answering the question “What do you want to do after your Ph.D.?”, they hide in their apartment and cook and bake, or outside by hiking and going to the beach.

Vicki Juditz has performed original stories at theaters and festivals across the country, including the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN. A frequent performer at THE MOTH, she was proud to have her story "Dancing at Joe's" selected to air on THE MOTH RADIO HOUR. During these pandemic times, you can catch her performing at story circles from Newfoundland to the Netherlands.

Stuart Jacobson earned his PhD in soil microbiology at Cornell University. His research concerned toxic chemical degradation. He has worked as a laboratory scientist, a small business owner, entrepreneur, stay-at-home father, science writer, and now works part-time as a Trust Administrator although he would prefer to make his living as a storyteller. He has told stories in venues throughout the Los Angeles area and also in New York City.

Becky Feldman is a writer, performer, and podcast host. Originally from New Jersey, she is an alum of the UCB Theatre and the Ruby LA. In addition to being a staff writer on children's animated shows, her TV appearances include "Community", "Broad City", and "Brooklyn 99". This story is an excerpt from her solo storytelling show "Tight: Sexy Stories About Pelvic Pain", which debuted in January 2020.

Story Collider Los Angeles - Difficult Decisions