Brain Stories

This documentary series captures stories of those living with a mental illness, and the people who support them. True, intimate and unflinching. Welcome to stigma-free storytelling. Episodes dropping every 2 weeks.

Brain Stories is a health podcast hosted by Frank Kosa, with 18 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Frank Kosa hosts Brain Stories, a health show with 18 episodes published.

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  Episode #18

  Episode 18 - Brain Stories Connections: Judge Jim Bianco: A Model for Solving Homelessness and Mental Health

  Sep 17, 202632 minS2

  Expecting little, Judge Jim Bianco took an assignment to the low-prestige mental health court. But it changed his career, and the lives of more than 16,000 people. This is how Los Angeles County has crafted an astonishingly successful program to get those who are unhoused and live with serious mental health issues off the streets, out of jails and into permanent homes. Called The Office of Diversion and Reentry, it may just be the solution this nation has desperately sought for more than 60 years. 380,000 Jail days saved! See the numbers at a glance here, and learn more about Los Angeles County's Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR). See the 2022 article James Bianco wrote in the LA times here . Read this insightful column by Steve Lopez from July, 2026 about another judge in ODR. The article is also available at this yahoo link . Subscribe or follow Brain Stories so you never miss an episode. The next episode will be released in two weeks. This episode was edited and co-produced by Kate Rusk-Kosa. Theme music comes to us from Paul Swartzel. It was executive produced by Frank Kosa and Janet Yang. Find out more about this episode and the Brain Stories documentary series at www.BrainStoriesProductions.com . This show is a copyright of Brain Stories Productions and the SamoBé Corporation. The use of this episode or any of its content in any form or way for Artificial Intelligence, its development or training is copyright infringement, and expressly prohibited without prior written agreement.

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  Episode #17

  Episode 17 - Brain Stories Connections: Aidan Park, What’s So Funny About Mental Health?

  Sep 3, 202632 minS2

  As a stand-up comedian, hilarious was Aidan Park's profession. But after the death of his partner sent him spiraling, he learned that stand-up and vulnerability were a combination so powerful, they saved lives. It was a secret he planned to widely publicize. So he founded The Yay Foundation to help others tell stories one punch-line at a time, for everyone's mental health. You can find out more about his organization at its website, theyayfoundation.org. You can order his book, The Art of Being Yay , at his own website, aidanpark.com . Subscribe or follow Brain Stories so you never miss an episode. The next episode will be released in two weeks. This episode was edited and co-produced by Kate Rusk-Kosa. Theme music comes to us from Paul Swartzel. It was executive produced by Frank Kosa and Janet Yang. Find out more about this episode and the Brain Stories documentary series at www.BrainStoriesProductions.com . This show is a copyright of Brain Stories Productions and the SamoBé Corporation. The use of this episode or any of its content in any form or way for Artificial Intelligence, its development or training is copyright infringement, and expressly prohibited without prior written agreement.

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  Episode #16

  Episode 16 - Brain Stories Connections: Rachel Star Withers' Wisdom on Hallucinations & Schizophrenia

  Jul 23, 202638 minS2

  Welcome to Brain Stories Connections! Now available in video format available on our Youtube channel. Today, Rachel Star Withers talks about the hallucinations she has had since she was a kid, and how she learned to manage them. It became the basis of a brilliant children's book she has written. Rachel is buoyant, refreshingly open, and has forged a method to deal with hallucinations and depression that could help millions. Rachel is a speaker, entertainer, teacher and the host of a terrific podcast called Inside Schizophrenia. Check it out here . You can find out more about her on her webpage . Her children's book, "The Adventures of _____________, volume 1" is available here . It includes a workbook and ought to be required reading for any child living with depression, ADHD or hallucinations - and anybody who is supporting those children. There are one part each for hallucinations, depression and ADHD - you can buy them individually if you prefer. Subscribe or follow Brain Stories so you never miss an episode. The next episode will be released in two weeks. This episode was edited and co-produced by Kate Rusk-Kosa. Theme music comes to us from Paul Swartzel. It was executive produced by Frank Kosa and Janet Yang. Find out more about this episode and the Brain Stories documentary series at www.BrainStoriesProductions.com . This show is a copyright of Brain Stories Productions and the SamoBé Corporation. The use of this episode or any of its content in any form or way for Artificial Intelligence, its development or training is copyright infringement, and expressly prohibited without prior written agreement.

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  Episode #15

  Episode 15 - Feed Swap | Look Again Podcast - LEAP, Schizophrenia & Anosognosia w/Dr. Xavier Amador

  Jul 9, 202627 minS2

  Welcome to Brain Stories Connections! Now available in a new video format available on our Youtube channel. Is the word "curating" often overused and pretentious? Yes, thanks for asking. Nevertheless, Brain Stories is curating - sifting through the massive podcast landscape to present the very best of our recs. In this episode, we recommend Look Again: Mental Illness Re-Examined. It's the podcast of the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society (BCSS). Led by their CEO, Faydra Aldridge, BCSS has delivered invaluable services, support and education in Canada for years. This episode features an interview with Dr. Xavier Amador. We told his compelling chronicle in Episode 1 of Brain Stories; *this* is the perfect companion. With interviewer Myles Constable, Dr. Amador delves into why it will never work to tell someone their reality is false, their truth not true. And explains the value of his technique Listening, Empathizing, Agreeing and Partnering (LEAP). The episode ends with a short conversation about how important it is to tell stories about serious mental illness - something BCSS has done for years. Spoiler alert: that interview is with Brain Stories EP, Frank Kosa. Go to the BCSS website because there is so much more to see. Or go straight to their podcast, Look Again , and binge. Find out more about Dr. Amador's LEAP method, videos and information at his website, leapinstitute.org . Btw, LEAP works with anyone who wants to be heard, seen and validated, that is, basically everyone. Subscribe or follow Brain Stories so you never miss an episode. The next episode will be released in two weeks. This episode was edited and co--produced by Kate Rusk-Kosa. Theme music comes to us from Paul Swartzel. It was executive produced by Frank Kosa and Janet Yang. Find out more about this episode and the Brain Stories documentary series at www.BrainStoriesProductions.com . This show is a copyright of Brain Stories Productions and the SamoBé Corporation. The use of this episode or any of its content in any form or way for Artificial Intelligence, its development or training is copyright infringement, and expressly prohibited without prior written agreement.

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  Episode #14

  Episode 14: Gail Freedman's New Film on Mental Illness - Inside Conversation

  Jun 25, 202631 minS2

  Welcome to Brain Stories Connections! And a new video format available on our Youtube channel. Gail Freedman's new film is just out. A documentary called "No One Cares About Crazy People," it was inspired by the book written by Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, Ron Powers. The film follows several people with serious mental illness and their families as they seek the most fundamental help against "inconceivable odds." In her interview, Gail shares surprising insights, and opens up around her own experience of growing up with a mom who lived with borderline personality disorder. She's interviewed by Sarah Haufrect, whose mother also lived with borderline personality disorder. For the latest information about where to stream "No One Cares About Crazy People" and to watch a trailer, go to https://noonecaresfilm.com/now-streaming/ . Ron Powers' book is deeply moving, and full of wry, hard-won insight. It's available at your local bookstore. Find the NY Times review of the book here . Subscribe or follow Brain Stories so you never miss an episode. The next episode will be released in two weeks. Sarah Haufrect was episode producer. She is a writer and mental health activist. Check out her work at her website. This episode was edited and co--produced by Kate Rusk-Kosa. Theme music comes to us from Paul Swartzel. It was executive produced by Frank Kosa and Janet Yang. Find out more about this episode and the Brain Stories documentary series at www.BrainStoriesProductions.com . This show is a copyright of Brain Stories Productions and the SamoBé Corporation. The use of this episode or any of its content in any form or way for Artificial Intelligence, its development or training is copyright infringement, and expressly prohibited without prior written agreement.

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