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Integration Fiction Podcast

What happens after the epiphany?

For over a century, literary fiction has traced a progression: characters move from ignorance to recognition, from denial to acceptance, from resistance to appreciation. They finally see their patterns. They make peace with hard truths. They find meaning in suffering.

Beautiful work. Important work.

But many readers — especially those who've done therapy, mindfulness, or serious self-reflection — find themselves asking: "Now what?"

Integration Fiction answers that question.

This emerging literary approach shows characters who don't just recognize their patterns but use them. They become chefs of their own experience — inventorying their ingredients, understanding what nourishes and what heals, creating original recipes that serve their specific circumstances.

The Integration Fiction Podcast, created by author Phani Kandula, explores this new literary territory through:

Foundational episodes covering:

  • What Integration Fiction is and how it differs from traditional literary fiction
  • The Contradiction-Free Living (CFL) framework for understanding character psychology
  • Why masters like Chekhov actually broke the "show don't tell" rule at transformation moments
  • The five essential requirements for writing Integration Fiction

Story reviews analyzing:

  • Contemporary short fiction through the IF lens
  • Masters including Chekhov, Mansfield, Munro, and Lahiri
  • How recognition stories differ from integration stories — and why both have value

This podcast is for:

  • Post-therapy readers who want models for implementation, not just insight
  • Writers developing Integration Fiction craft
  • First and second-generation immigrants creating hybrid cultural identities
  • Anyone who believes small, intentional acts can create meaningful change

Episodes are under 10 minutes. No fluff. Just focused exploration of what literature can offer when recognition is the beginning, not the end.

Subscribe to YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IntegrationFiction

Weekly episodes will be published on Saturday 9 am Central Time.