Have you lived through a world
most people never see?
Darksquare is an English-language long-form interview show looking for firsthand stories from hidden, closed, dangerous, taboo, or normally inaccessible worlds.
We are not looking for a celebrity. We are looking for real access, real experience, and stories that can only be told by someone who was actually there.
You will be taken to a separate multi-step application form. Share only what you are comfortable sharing at this stage.
You can apply with a preferred name. We only contact strong fits.
Have you lived through a world most people never see?
Darksquare is an English-language long-form interview show looking for firsthand stories from hidden, closed, dangerous, taboo, or normally inaccessible worlds.
We are not looking for a celebrity. We are looking for real access, real experience, and stories that can only be told by someone who was actually there.
You will be taken to a separate multi-step application form.
Share only what you are comfortable sharing at this stage.
You can apply with a preferred name.
We only contact strong fits.
Editorial review
Every serious submission is reviewed by a real person.
Separate application form
This page explains the fit before asking for details.
Privacy-first
You can start with only what feels safe to share now.
Serious long-form format
Darksquare is built for careful conversations, not spectacle.
WHO THIS IS FOR
We are looking for firsthand access, not generic backstories.
We are looking for firsthand access, not generic backstories.
Darksquare focuses on people who have lived inside worlds most outsiders never really see. That can mean hidden professions, closed institutions, former insider roles, unusual systems, survivors, witnesses, or overlooked work that reveals something deeper about how the world actually works.
Darksquare focuses on people who have lived inside worlds most outsiders never really see. That can mean hidden professions, closed institutions, former insider roles, unusual systems, survivors, witnesses, or overlooked work that reveals something deeper about how the world actually works.
You don't have to be famous to matter.
Share a 30-60 min cinematic conversation.
You don't have to be famous to matter.
Share a 30-60 min cinematic conversation.
STORY FIT EXAMPLES
Examples of stories that fit Darksquare
These are examples, not limits. The common thread is firsthand access to a world most people misunderstand, never see, or only hear about from the outside.
01
Ordinary people, extraordinary access
People who are not public figures but happened to be inside a rare world or pivotal system.
e.g. someone whose job, timing, or life path put them inside something most people never see.
02
Prison & justice
People who have lived or worked inside prison, custody, parole, or adjacent systems.
e.g. a former prison officer explaining what outsiders always get wrong about life inside.
03
Cyber, hacking & security
People with real experience inside cybercrime, digital investigations, or system security.
e.g. a former hacker or cyber investigator describing how these worlds really work.
04
Emergency, medicine & death
People whose work exposes them to situations the public rarely sees directly.
e.g. a forensic pathologist, trauma worker, or night-shift hospital staff member.
05
Former insiders
People who once belonged to a hidden or taboo world and can now speak about it clearly.
e.g. a former trafficker, cult member, or operator from a closed system.
06
Survivors & witnesses
People who lived through coercive systems or events that reveal a hidden reality.
e.g. someone who escaped a coercive group or witnessed how a closed system functions.
07
Overlooked workers
People in jobs most outsiders overlook, whose work brings them close to rare human situations.
e.g. a night porter, dispatcher, body handler, or security worker with extreme firsthand stories.
08
Closed institutions
People with access to worlds defined by rules, secrecy, hierarchy, or restricted visibility.
e.g. intelligence, crisis response, or military-adjacent roles with direct experience.
STORY FIT EXAMPLES
Examples of stories that fit Darksquare
These are examples, not limits. The common thread is firsthand access to a world most people misunderstand, never see, or only hear about from the outside.
01
Ordinary people, extraordinary access
People who are not public figures but happened to be inside a rare world or pivotal system.
e.g. someone whose job, timing, or life path put them inside something most people never see.
02
Prison & justice
People who have lived or worked inside prison, custody, parole, or adjacent systems.
e.g. a former prison officer explaining what outsiders always get wrong about life inside.
03
Cyber, hacking & security
People with real experience inside cybercrime, digital investigations, or system security.
e.g. a former hacker or cyber investigator describing how these worlds really work.
04
Emergency, medicine & death
People whose work exposes them to situations the public rarely sees directly.
e.g. a forensic pathologist, trauma worker, or night-shift hospital staff member.
05
Former insiders
People who once belonged to a hidden or taboo world and can now speak about it clearly.
e.g. a former trafficker, cult member, or operator from a closed system.
06
Survivors & witnesses
People who lived through coercive systems or events that reveal a hidden reality.
e.g. someone who escaped a coercive group or witnessed how a closed system functions.
07
Overlooked workers
People in jobs most outsiders overlook, whose work brings them close to rare human situations.
e.g. a night porter, dispatcher, body handler, or security worker with extreme firsthand stories.
08
Closed institutions
People with access to worlds defined by rules, secrecy, hierarchy, or restricted visibility.
e.g. intelligence, crisis response, or military-adjacent roles with direct experience.
SELECTIVE BY DESIGN
This page is not for every story, and that is intentional.
Darksquare is looking for stories with real access, real stakes, and enough depth to support a serious long-form conversation.
A strong fit usually means:
- —You were actually inside the world you want to describe
- —Your story can be explained clearly in one sentence
- —You can describe what happened in concrete moments, not just general opinions
- —You can explain what outsiders usually get wrong
Probably not a fit if:
- —Your story is mostly secondhand
- —You are mainly promoting a business, brand, or project
- —Your story is interesting on paper but hard to explain clearly
- —You are looking for fast exposure without editorial review
SELECTIVE BY DESIGN
This page is not for every story, and that is intentional.
Darksquare is looking for stories with real access, real stakes, and enough depth to support a serious long-form conversation.
A strong fit usually means:
- —You were actually inside the world you want to describe
- —Your story can be explained clearly in one sentence
- —You can describe what happened in concrete moments, not just general opinions
- —You can explain what outsiders usually get wrong
Probably not a fit if:
- —Your story is mostly secondhand
- —You are mainly promoting a business, brand, or project
- —Your story is interesting on paper but hard to explain clearly
- —You are looking for fast exposure without editorial review
HOW IT WORKS
What happens after you apply
The process is selective and human-led.
01
You submit your application
You will be taken to a separate multi-step form where you can describe your story in more detail.
02
We review it editorially
A real person reviews the submission to see whether there is a clear fit for Darksquare.
03
We contact strong fits
If your story feels right for the show, we will reach out directly using the details you provide.
04
We discuss next steps
If there is mutual interest, we move into a more detailed conversation about fit, format, and comfort level.
Not every submission will move forward. Selectivity helps protect the quality and care of the process.
You don't have to be famous to matter.
HOW IT WORKS
What happens after you apply
The process is selective and human-led.
01
You submit your application
You will be taken to a separate multi-step form where you can describe your story in more detail.
02
We review it editorially
A real person reviews the submission to see whether there is a clear fit for Darksquare.
03
We contact strong fits
If your story feels right for the show, we will reach out directly using the details you provide.
04
We discuss next steps
If there is mutual interest, we move into a more detailed conversation about fit, format, and comfort level.
Not every submission will move forward. Selectivity helps protect the quality and care of the process.
You do not need to be famous to matter.
FROM THE TEAM
The person behind Darksquare
A note from Ryad
I built Darksquare because I know what it means to fight something invisible. I spent the past 20 years in finance. Before that, I was a professional chess player and had the chance to play against Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov.
From the outside, that sounds like a strong story. But the truth is that I have also been through depression. I know what it feels like to keep functioning while something inside you is falling apart. I was abandoned by my mother when I was six months old, and I have carried that wound for most of my life. I am not sharing this for sympathy. I am sharing it because Darksquare cannot be built on fake polish.
This channel is about people who have been inside darkness, pressure, danger, survival, hidden worlds, or private battles most people never see. I want to speak with people who know what it means to face something real. I am not a therapist. I am not here to sell answers. I am here to have honest conversations. If one conversation helps one person fight their demons, then Darksquare has a reason to exist. And maybe, in the process, I will learn how to fight mine.
If you have been inside the dark and came back with something real to say, tell us your story.
Start your application
Garry Kasparov
Ryad & the World Champion Garry Kasparov
FROM THE TEAM
The person behind Darksquare
A note from Ryad
Garry Kasparov
Ryad & the World Champion Garry Kasparov
I built Darksquare because I know what it means to fight something invisible. I spent the past 20 years in finance. Before that, I was a professional chess player and had the chance to play against Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov.
From the outside, that sounds like a strong story. But the truth is that I have also been through depression. I know what it feels like to keep functioning while something inside you is falling apart. I am not sharing this for sympathy. I am sharing it because Darksquare cannot be built on fake polish.
The goal is not spectacle. The goal is depth.
If you have been inside the dark and came back with something real to say, tell us your story.
Start your applicationWHY DARKSQUARE
A serious platform for stories that deserve more than shock value.
Darksquare is built around long-form conversations with people who have real experience inside worlds most people only see from the outside. The aim is not cheap spectacle. It is clarity, context, tension, and human depth.
I'm not building Darksquare because I escaped my demons. I'm building it because I'm still learning how to face them.
01
Long-form, not soundbites
We are interested in stories that need space, context, and real conversation.
02
Editorial review
Submissions are reviewed before anyone is contacted about next steps.
03
Respectful framing
Sensitive stories are approached carefully. You can set boundaries around topics.
04
Real people, not polished personas
We care more about firsthand experience and clarity than public profile or media training.
WHY DARKSQUARE
A serious platform for stories that deserve more than shock value.
Darksquare is built around long-form conversations with people who have real experience inside worlds most people only see from the outside. The aim is not cheap spectacle. It is clarity, context, tension, and human depth.
I'm not building Darksquare because I escaped my demons. I'm building it because I'm still learning how to face them.
01
Long-form, not soundbites
We are interested in stories that need space, context, and real conversation.
02
Editorial review
Submissions are reviewed before anyone is contacted about next steps.
03
Respectful framing
Sensitive stories are approached carefully. You can set boundaries around topics.
04
Real people, not polished personas
We care more about firsthand experience and clarity than public profile or media training.
SENSITIVE STORIES
You can start carefully.
Some stories are personal, risky, or difficult to talk about. On the application form, you do not need to share every detail immediately. Start with what feels safe and relevant. If your story is a fit, later conversations can happen with more context and care.
- You can begin with a preferred name.
- You can mention topics you do not want to discuss yet.
- A real person reviews submissions before any next step.
Read the full Privacy policy
SENSITIVE STORIES
You can start carefully.
Some stories are personal, risky, or difficult to talk about. On the application form, you do not need to share every detail immediately. Start with what feels safe and relevant.
- You can begin with a preferred name.
- You can mention topics you do not want to discuss yet.
- A real person reviews submissions before any next step.
Read the full Privacy policy
FAQ
Questions people might have before applying
If you are unsure whether to apply, start here.
No. Darksquare is not built around fame. It is built around firsthand access, clear storytelling, and real experience.
FAQ
Questions people might have before applying
If you are unsure whether to apply, start here.
No. Darksquare is not built around fame. It is built around firsthand access, clear storytelling, and real experience.
APPLY
If your story belongs here, start the application.
The next step is a separate multi-step form where you can explain your story in more detail.
Not every story will be a fit. Every serious submission will be reviewed.
APPLY
If your story belongs here, start the application.
The next step is a separate multi-step form where you can explain your story in more detail.
Not every story will be a fit. Every serious submission will be reviewed.
Darksquare
Long-form interviews about hidden worlds and firsthand stories.
© Darksquare
Darksquare
Long-form interviews about hidden worlds and firsthand stories.
© Darksquare