Hey, Maddie Sifaya here.

These last few episodes, we've been focusing on black scientists, their work, and what they're experiencing right now.

Today's episode is about Brandon Taylor.

He wanted to be a scientist, but he's not one.

And the story of why is a story that we should all hear, especially now.

So here's our episode with Brandon, which we first put out back in early April.

New episode tomorrow.

Talk to you then.

You're listening to shortwave from NPR.

Brandon Taylor was the kind of kid who kept a rock journal.

And I grew up on a farm and so I would keep very detailed notes about my grandpa's like chickens that he was breeding.

I mean, if this kid wasn't destined for career in science, I don't know who is.

Some people go to college and they're like, what is my major?

I never wavered.

The biggest change in my life was deciding that I would instead of being a neurosurgeon, study neurochemistry.

Like that was like the big change in my life.

I know I walked on the wild side here.

And so like for me, my entire life, I thought I was going to be a scientist.

But today Brandon is not a scientist.

He's a writer.

His debut novel, Real Life, came out this year.

And it was a big hit.

...