Brain Stories

Frank Kosa
  • 5.0 (35)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

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. 

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 12 - Payal: The True Cost of Family Peace

    When Payal's brother developed mental illness, he moved back into his old bedroom in his parents' house. Where he stayed for more than 15 years, getting no help, not even seeing a doctor. This is the story of how an entire family can get completely stuck, and what Payal did to break free. Fill out our first ever SURVEY! We want to hear about your experience with mental health care, good or bad. Find that survey here. You can do it in less than 2 minutes, & we may even use some of your response in our next episode! Payal has educated hundreds of people through NAMI's Family-to-Family class. Help her continue this work at the Pomona Valley chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), by making a donation of any size. Just go to namipv.org and click on the donate button.  No one manages mental illness alone. NAMI is a great place to get information, support, and connect with others.  To find an affiliate near you, visit nami.org/find-your-local-nami/. Their support groups and programs are free.  The Episode Producer was Boen Wang whose other work can be found at boen.cool.  The final episode of our first season is out on April 16th, so keep your ears out!  Let us hear from you! Tell us your reaction to this episode. You can leave a text or regular old confidential voice message at (424) 240-9302. If you have a detailed story, it's even better to email us an audio message to brainstoriesproductions@gmail.com. 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.

    31 min

  2. MAR 19

    Episode 11 - Michael pt. 2: Recovery: How to Become the Guy on the Giving-Back Side

    This is the second and final episode of Michael Stewart's story. He had beaten his craving for drugs and gotten into one of the very few programs that treat mental illness and drug use. Which meant, the hardest part was about to begin. This is how Michael traveled the long, twisting road of recovery, rebuilding his life to become an outreach specialist - the guy on the giving-back side. The episode producer was psychiatrist Mark Ragins. He has written an excellent book entitled "Journeys Beyond the Frontier: A Rebellious Guide to Psychosis and Other Extraordinary Experiences." You can order it at your local bookstore or his website, markragins.com. Michael started his recovery at River Community, the very first residential treatment program for dual diagnosis in the United States. You can find out more about it at rivercommunityazusa.com.   Michael trained for peer support and then worked at Project Reach Peer Support Network. Learn about them and the unique power of peer support at prpsn.org.   Both of those organizations are in southern California. If you want to find out about programs near you, go to the Treatment Advocacy Center's helpline at TAC.org/helpline. There, you can fill out a quick confidential form with your request and get an answer in 1-3 days. It's not for a crisis response, but they are a trustworthy resource.   Let us hear from you! Tell us your reaction to this episode. You can leave a text or regular old confidential voice message at (424) 240-9302. If you have a detailed story, it's even better to email us an audio message to brainstoriesproductions@gmail.com. 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.

    32 min

  3. MAR 5

    Episode 10 - Michael pt. 1: Drugs, Voices and the Great Escape

    For nearly 60 years, Michael Stewart's life was marked by violence from his childhood, addiction, suicidal thoughts, and a serious mental health issue.  Whether he was selling cars, getting put behind bars, or living on the streets, drugs and mental illness were two of the only constants in his life. For decades, Michael used for relief. "Drugs gave me the ability to open up and be more vulnerable than I had been before." The question was, could he figure out a way to be more vulnerable and survive without using? The Episode Producer was psychiatrist, Mark Ragins. He is the author of a riveting account of mental illness and treatment called "Journeys Beyond the Frontier: A Rebellious Guide to Psychosis and Other Extraordinary Experiences." It's a terrific read. Find out more about him and where to get the book at markragins.com. Part 2 of Michael's story will be out on March 19th - mark your calendar! You can find clear overviews on dual diagnosis (mental illness and addiction) at: National Alliance for Mental Illness, and National Library of Medicine. Also check out research from the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC), which found that 9 out of 10 people with schizophrenia and a drug use issue get *no* treatment for their drug use. In essence, treating only half of their problem. Even worse, another brief TAC did found that just 1 out of 8 people with schizophrenia and drug use issues got any treatment at all. How does anyone recover from an illness for which they receive no treatment? Links to the study and the brief are here and here.  Let us hear from you! Tell us your reaction to this episode. You can leave a text or regular old confidential voice message at (424) 240-9302. If you have a detailed story, it's even better to email us an audio message to brainstoriesproductions@gmail.com. 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.

    30 min

  4. FEB 19

    Episode 9 - Paul: Behind the Scenes - a Chat-Musical Smackdown

    What do Rachmaninoff, Mr. Rogers and Dr. Dre have in common?  Find out in this episode - where we pull back the curtain...on Brain Stories, and go behind-the-scenes for an inside look at the original music, and the highly original man who composed it:  Paul Swartzel.   He's funny, irreverent, a brilliant musician, devoted husband, loving dad, and someone who lives with a mental illness.  This episode chucks chronology straight out the narrative window; it's revelation through song.  And Paul is a one-man Ode to Joy.   Get your ears ready to dance.  We release new episodes every two weeks through mid-April.  The next episode will be out March the 5th.  Ignore rumors to the contrary, even if we started them.  To find out more about Paul, hear selections of his music and see the full version of BBQ Man Unleashed: The Greatest Professional Wrestling Work of All Time, go to his website, PaulSwartzel.com.   Your playlist will thank you.   You can also check his availability.   Be sure to check out the Grammy-Award-winning chamber orchestra Alarm Will Sound at their website, alarmwillsound.com.  To find out when Paul's composition with them will premiere, sign up for their newsletter.  Catch their performances, and get their music.  Your playlist will thank you again.    The Episode Producer was Boen Wang whose other work can be found at boen.cool.  Let us hear from you!  Tell us your reaction to this episode.  Let us know what you think of Louis Gossett, Jr., or play us the theme song of *your* favorite wrestler.   Play it on a Theramin and we'll put it in an episode.  You can leave any tune, text, or regular old confidential voice message at (424) 240-9302. If you have a detailed story, it's even better to email us an audio message to brainstoriesproductions@gmail.com. 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.

    40 min

  5. FEB 5

    Episode 8 - Ronald & Caroline pt. 3: The Real Feeling of Flight

    This is the 3rd and final installment of Ronald Braunstein and Caroline Whiddon's 3-part story. In the previous two episodes, Ronald endured brutal ups and downs in his career, only to be fired from a final job, that left him never able to work again. Then he got a great idea to form his own orchestra, which he took straight to Caroline. Despite that nothing like it had never been done before, and that they had no money to pull it off, they dove in headfirst. It's a story of love, music, mental health, and triumph in a time of Covid. This is their trail-blazing story of resilience, determination and openness about mental illness. Me2/ is the world’s only classical music organization created for people living with a mental illness and those who support them. Their mission is to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness, both in practice and performance. They now have orchestras in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. To see their schedule, photos, videos or learn more about them, go to their website at Me2music.org.  Find out even more about Me2/Orchestra from a documentary made about it entitled Orchestrating Change which premiered in 2020. That website is here.  World Eat-A-Salad-With-Your-Hands Day...isn't official yet, but it should be. Get inspired about this in Episode 7.   Let us hear from you! We want to know how this story affected you, or any questions or stories you'd like to share. Text, or call and leave us a confidential voice message at (424) 240-9302. If you have a detailed story, it's even better to email us an audio message to brainstoriesproductions@gmail.com. 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.

    45 min

  6. JAN 22

    Episode 7 - Ronald & Caroline pt. 2: The Crash

    This is the second installment of Ronald Braunstein's 3-part story. In the previous episode, Ronald reached spectacular highs, but also devastating lows. In this episode he applies for a job where Caroline Whiddon works. As he begins one more grueling comeback, they quickly team up. It's his last chance. It proves all he hoped, until it becomes his worst nightmare.  Part 3, the finale of Ronald & Caroline's story, will be out February 5th. Don't miss it! If you're looking for more information about living with Bipolar Disorder, go watch the videos and conversations with Jess Curtis, host of the Youtube Channel "Our Bipolar."  If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For a list of additional options, go to  SpeakingofSuicide.com/Resources.  Let us hear from you! We want to know how this story affected you, or any questions or stories you'd like to share. Text, or call and leave us a confidential voice message at (424) 240-9302. If you have a detailed story, it's even better to email us an audio message to brainstoriesproductions@gmail.com. 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.

    38 min

  7. JAN 8

    Episode 6 - Ronald pt. 1: The Unreal Feeling of Flight

    With almost superhuman effort, Ronald Braunstein became the youngest winner in the history of Europe's most prestigious conducting competition, guaranteeing him a career of massive success. He had rocketed to stellar heights. But plagued by mood swings he would not understand for years, he would fly, crash, rise up and crash again. Until he reached a low he thought would destroy him.    Episode 6 is the first installment of a 3-part story that follows Ronald's life of dizzying highs, crushing lows and nearly impossible triumph.   Parts 2 & 3 will be out on Jan 22nd & Feb 5th, respectively. Follow us to hear them when they drop! There's a lot of information about Bipolar Disorder online. A great starting place with solid information is nami.org. Go there and search "bipolar disorder." For further resources, check out Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance at their website.  Let us hear from you! We want to know how this story affected you, or any questions or stories you'd like to share. Text, call or leave us a voice message at (424) 240-9302. If you have a detailed story, it's even better to email us an audio message to brainstoriesproductions@gmail.com. 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.

    30 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    Episode 5 - Lindsay: Forgiving Schizophrenia

    This is an interview episode. Why? Because the story of Lindsay’s family was very well told in the bestselling book, Hidden Valley Road. The book chronicles her family of 12 siblings, six of whom developed a serious mental illness. There’s no need to tell it again. But there is always more to say. And in this episode, Lindsay says it.  The Episode Producer was Boen Wang whose other work can be found at boen.cool.  Bob Kolker’s book, Hidden Valley Road can be found here. Please consider donating to the Galvin Family Trust this holiday season. Their website is here: galvinfamilytrust.org. Those who donate will get access to bonus video clips from Lindsay’s interview! Learn more about Lindsay’s involvement in mental health advocacy at her website, lindsaymarygalvinrauch.com. And lastly, you can find Dr. Xavier Amador's TED Talk here. Let us hear from you! We want to know how this story affected you, or any questions or stories you'd like to share. Text, call or leave us a voice message at (424) 240-9302. If you have a detailed story, it's even better to email us an audio message to brainstoriesproductions@gmail.com. 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.

    28 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Frank Kosa
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Brain Stories and SamoBé Corporation
  • Show Website
    Brain Stories

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