Stories and Stanza

About Stories and Stanza

Stories and Stanza is a podcast by Abhra Pal featuring authentic storytelling through two distinct series — charting in the Mental Health category top charts across the US, UK & Canada. Between The Lines — Intimate conversations with writers and creators exploring the vulnerability behind their craft, the stories that shaped them, and the creative struggles that lead to transformation. Fail With Me — Raw, unfiltered conversations with doctors, psychologists, and mental health advocates unpacking emotional intelligence, resilience, and the courage it takes to rebuild. Because awareness builds bridges — and people suffer silently until someone speaks first.

Publisher

Abhra Pal

Category

arts · health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Feb 2024

Latest episode

7 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 126 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   7 Jun 2026

   You Don't Need a Diagnosis to Seek Help | Therapy, Red Flags & Finding the Right Support ft. John Cuturilo (Part 2)

   Counsellor John returns to unpack therapy goals, red flags to watch for, how long therapy takes, and why you don’t need a diagnosis to deserve support.

2. 

   1 Jun 2026

   The Warning Signs We Miss: Robert Mahoney on Behavioral Threat Assessment

   Robert explains why our communities over-invest in protection and response while dangerously undervaluing prevention, the role of identity, purpose, and community in radicalization, and what the ”three buckets” theory tells us about human behaviour.

3. 

   18 May 2026

   The Dark Humor That Saved My Life in the Psych Ward

   Robert Rickelmann spent decades battling crippling anxiety, alcoholism, and mental illness — including a near-fatal suicide attempt in 1996. In this raw and candid conversation, he shares what survival, recovery, and finally telling his story really looks like. A vital episode for anyone touched by men’s mental health.

Inside a recent episode

Iran's Fight for Freedom Beyond War and Appeasement ft. Zolal Habibi

Published 13 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] But till now, the reality is that there has always been the policy of appeasement, which has come to the aid of the regime, and in fact has tied the hands of the people of Iran, and unfortunately, the people of Iran have been used as bargaining chicks at these negotiations and at the appeasement table. […]

Who has been a guest on Stories and Stanza

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Sylvia Rusan
• Jamie Hughes
• Manicaa
• Trent Miles
• Ellie Laliberté

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

80,434

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

96 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

268 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 73 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

81

Social presence

0

YouTube

92

Engagement

71

Contact Stories and Stanza

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Stories and Stanza