About this episode
This episode features stories about the challenges and emotions surrounding fertility and pregnancy loss.
In this week’s episode, we’re bringing you two stories about navigating the uncertainty, hope, and heartbreak of trying to have a baby. Part 1: After a pregnancy loss, Annie Tan channels her grief into rescuing an injured mockingbird. Part 2: Kibby McMahon is convinced she can will her way into pregnancy, but her body refuses to follow the plan. Annie Tan is an educator, activist, writer and storyteller from Manhattan's Chinatown. Annie’s work has been featured in Huffington Post, New Republic, PBS’ Asian Americans, RISK! and twice on The Moth Radio Hour on NPR. Annie is writing a memoir about connecting with her immigrant parents despite not sharing a common fluent language. Find more at annietan.com . Dr. Kibby McMahon is a licensed clinical psychologist, researcher, and digital health entrepreneur who’s obsessed with the emotional complexities of relationships. She earned her BA from Columbia University and her PhD in clinical psychology from Duke University, where her NIMH-funded research focused on how regulating our own emotions helps us connect more deeply with others. She has held research and clinical roles at Duke University Medical Center, Columbia University, Weill…
People in this episode
Guests: Annie Tan, Kibby McMahon
Topics covered
- fertility
- pregnancy loss
- emotional complexity
- grief
- hope
- relationships
Keywords
- fertility
- pregnancy loss
- grief
- hope
- relationships
- emotional complexity
- storytelling
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Huffington Post, New Republic, PBS, NPR, Duke University, Columbia University, Weill Cornell Hospital, Max Planck Institute, KulaM
More episodes of The Story Collider
- Gluten: Stories about the love of bread · June 12, 2026 · 27 min
- Best of Story Collider: Leaving Home · May 28, 2026 · 36 min
- In Memory Of: Stories about honoring loved ones · May 22, 2026 · 26 min
- Balaena: Stories about whales · May 15, 2026 · 26 min
- Impending Doom: Stories about facing the scary unknown · May 8, 2026 · 24 min
- A Science Journalist Tries to Hack Heartbreak | From A Slight Change of Plans · May 5, 2026 · 33 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Story Collider podcast page.