The Counterstory Podcast

Whose stories get told—and whose stories get left out? Welcome to The Counterstory Podcast , a podcast from the Counterstory Institute where we challenge dominant narratives, amplify voices too often pushed to the margins, and create space for stories that complicate what we think we know. Hosted by Dr. Douglas Valdez and Dr. Lisa Belknap, Counterstory brings together conversations about identity, culture, mental health, education, community, healing, and social change. Through honest dialogue, lived experience, scholarship, and a little humor along the way, we explore the stories that shape how we understand ourselves, one another, and the world around us. At the heart of the podcast is a simple idea: stories have power. They can reinforce the narratives we have inherited—or help us imagine something different. Each episode invites guests and listeners to sit with complexity, learn from perspectives different from their own, and recognize the knowledge that exists within communities whose experiences have historically been overlooked or misunderstood. This isn't about having all the answers. It's about asking better questions, listening differently, and making room for stories that deserve to be heard through the lens of counselors and counselor educators. Your story matters. Your perspective matters. And sometimes, changing the story begins by creating a newone. Welcome to The Counterstory Podcast.