This interview is part of a series on MyndStories celebrating 100 episodes of The MyndStories Podcast. 

One of the most downloaded episodes on The MyndStories podcast has nothing to do with a therapist, mental health professional, or lived experiences. 

It has to do with a story. 

The One With The New Girl was released on June 1, 2023, and continues to have hits worldwide. From the US to Myanmar to the Netherlands, the episode struck a universal chord. This was the first episode of Dear Mynd, which used a children’s story to explore themes such as friendship, isolation, and acceptance. 

The premise was simple: How can we use stories to explore mental health?

The result was Dear Mynd, a storytelling segment encouraging conversations about mental health. “We are, after all, our stories. And our stories are us,” was the tagline for all the episodes. And no one could have voiced those stories better than the host, Dr. Srividya Sivakumar.

From Dear Mynd to reciting beloved poems through The Poetic Pause, hers is the most-loved Voice on the MyndStories Podcast, described by a sound editor as “Hennessy whiskey…like sitting in front of a fireplace, listening to the fire crackling, sipping some fine-aged whiskey.”

Dear Mynd and The Poetic Pause account for over 18 episodes on The MyndStories Podcast.

Dear Mynd has been on a temporary pause for a short period, but it isn’t an ending. Good things don’t have to end. They may return with the voices that made them special. Some stories and voices are simply meant to continue, in their own time, in their own way, and unfold new chapters.

What makes Dear Mynd and The Poetic Pause such runaway hits? A teacher, poet, and 3x TEDx speaker, Dr. Srividya wasn’t a podcaster before this but took to podcasting like a brush to canvas, or shall we say whiskey to glass?

In this interview, she explains how the podcast came about, the experience of hosting, and the support she seeks from her audience. 

Let’s fly into it…

How was your experience hosting the podcast?

It was life-altering in many ways and taught me a great deal. 

How has hosting the podcast shaped your understanding of mental health and well-being?

I was unaware of the many nuances of mental health and well-being before associating with MyndStories as a host. My experience has certainly helped me understand this space a lot better. 

What were some of the most impactful or surprising moments across the episodes?

Receiving messages of support from listeners was the most impactful part for me. 

You realize that there is great value in what you’re doing and that the stories or poems you’re narrating resonate with so many others. 

How did you decide on the stories and poems? What was the process? 

Swati Nair was great at sourcing the most interesting stories. Then, she, Smitha Murthy, and I would discuss them, deciding what worked and what didn’t.

We’ve featured stories by Smitha Murthy (The One on the Bridge, The One That Almost Went Away), the top three stories from a story contest we ran (Shikil Vyas’s The One with the Salesman, Sharath C’s The One With the Shadows, and Bobby Menonn’s The One That Danced With Shadows), and one by me (The One with Saraswati).

The decision was a collaborative process, during which we discussed not just the stories but also the script and the music. 

What was your favorite moment from the podcasts you did? And why? 

I distinctly recall that anticipation before the podcast went live. Sharing your work with the world is exciting and nerve-wracking!

Apart from that, learning how to work with new technology is an enjoyable experience. 

What was your favorite podcast from the ones you hosted? And why?

That would be The One with Soul, the episode that featured Invictus, the iconic poem by William Ernest Henley. I find that poem sublime and inspirational. 

What kind of impact do you hope the podcast has had on its audience?

The hope of Dear Mynd is to simplify mental health awareness beyond the jargon and clinical terms, making it accessible to all. I hope that the podcast has succeeded, to a large degree, in doing that. 

If you could describe the podcast or your journey in three words, what would they be?

An inspired idea. 

Any advice for new podcast hosts who are just starting out? 

One needs to do their research well and prepare well to ensure it’s an enjoyable and enlightening experience for the listener.

Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to the audience as this podcast reaches the 100-mark milestone?

Just to continue to offer support to the podcast, and to keep the conversations going.