
Future of StoryTelling (FoST)
The Future of StoryTelling (FoST) is a passionate community of people from the worlds of media, technology, and communications who believe that better stories can create a better future. Join FoST Founder and CEO Charlie Melcher for a series of conversations with expert storytellers from a range of disciplines to learn how they’re navigating the changing media landscape, focusing on how stories can help create positive and lasting change in the world. Conversations address a breadth of topics, from immersive storytelling to emerging technologies, the neuroscience of narrative, and much more. www.futureofstorytelling.org
Latest episodes

Apr 10, 2025 • 24min
The Worth of Water — Scott Harrison, Revisited
On today's episode, we revisit a conversation with Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of Charity: Water. Scott and his team recently opened The Experience Lab by Charity: Water just outside of Nashville, where they utilize experiential storytelling to help visitors foster empathy for people struggling to access clean water. To celebrate this new endeavor, please enjoy this conversation from 2020. To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. --© 2024 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.124 West 13th StreetNew York, NY 10011Founder and CEO, Charles MelcherDirector, Carolyn MerrimanAssistant Producer, Madison Brownin collaboration with Charts & LeisureFounder, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett Crowe Mix and Music, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Scott Harrison, David Gray, Amy Snook, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, Eitan Wolf, and Megan Worman.

Mar 13, 2025 • 31min
Discovering Great Stories with The Black List — Franklin Leonard and Randy Winston
Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List, and Randy Winston, its creative director, dive into the platform's evolution from film to publishing. They discuss the importance of providing feedback and connections for writers, revealing how The Black List empowers emerging voices in both industries. The duo explores innovative storytelling approaches, emphasizing the value of original narratives over traditional metrics. They also tackle the challenges of diversity in publishing, offering insights for aspiring writers on navigating the complex landscape.

Feb 27, 2025 • 30min
Taking Design from Good to Great — Robert Brunner
Today’s guest is Robert Brunner, founder and creative director of Ammunition. Robert is one of the world’s foremost industrial designers, having worked on popular products from the iconic Beats headphones to the omnipresent Square terminal to the Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader. In this episode, Robert shares his insights about the role that design plays in connecting people to brands and how he helps companies tell stories through their products.To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. For more information on Charlie's SXSW session, click here. --© 2024 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.124 West 13th StreetNew York, NY 10011Founder and CEO, Charles MelcherDirector, Carolyn MerrimanAssistant Producer, Madison Brownin collaboration with Charts & LeisureFounder, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett Crowe Mix and Music, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Robert Brunner, David Gray, Amy Snook, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, Eitan Wolf, and Megan Worman.

Feb 14, 2025 • 28min
The Stories of Smell — Sissel Tolaas
Sissel Tolaas is an expert on the art and science of smell. Her endeavor to help people rediscover this essential sense and understand its importance has led her to collaborate with some of the world’s top research institutions, cultural organizations, and brands. Today on the FoST Podcast, she shares her learnings from thirty years of research on smell and how she imagines it could shape the future. To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. --© 2024 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.124 West 13th StreetNew York, NY 10011Founder and CEO, Charles MelcherDirector, Carolyn MerrimanAssistant Producer, Madison Brownin collaboration with Charts & LeisureFounder, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett Crowe Mix and Music, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Sissel Tolaas, David Gray, Amy Snook, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, Eitan Wolf, and Megan Worman.

Jan 30, 2025 • 29min
How to Design an Escape Room — Victor van Doorn, Revisited
On today’s episode of the FoST Podcast, we revisit a conversation with Victor van Doorn, co-founder and creative director of escape room company Sherlocked. He and other escape room creators like him aren’t just making timed puzzle rooms— they’re creating embodied, social story experiences that players love.To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. --© 2024 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.124 West 13th StreetNew York, NY 10011Founder and CEO, Charles MelcherDirector, Carolyn MerrimanAssistant Producer, Madison Brownin collaboration with Charts & LeisureFounder, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett Crowe Mix and Music, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Victor van Doorn, Amy Snook, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, Eitan Wolf, and Megan Worman.

Jan 16, 2025 • 33min
Storytelling's Future Normal — Rohit Bhargava
Rohit Bhargava is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur whose specialty is identifying the trends and innovations of the future that others tend to overlook. In this episode, he discusses his predictions for the next generation of stories, from immersive entertainment to generative AI to history itself. To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. --© 2024 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.124 West 13th StreetNew York, NY 10011Founder and CEO, Charles MelcherDirector, Carolyn MerrimanAssistant Producer, Madison Brownin collaboration with Charts & LeisureFounder, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett Crowe Mix and Music, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Rohit Bhargava, Lynnette McCurdy, Amy Snook, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, Eitan Wolf, and Megan Worman.

Dec 12, 2024 • 24min
Balanced and Connective Brand Storytelling — Angela Ahrendts, Revisited
For the last episode of 2024, we return to the very first conversation on the FoST Podcast with Angela Ahrendts. Angela has had an incredible career in business--she's been the CEO of Burberry, SVP of Apple Retail, and more--and in this discussion shares invaluable insights on her approach to brand storytelling. To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. --© 2024 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.124 West 13th StreetNew York, NY 10011Founder and CEO, Charles MelcherDirector, Carolyn MerrimanAssistant Producer, Madison Brownin collaboration with Charts & LeisureFounder, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett Crowe Mix and Music, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Angela Ahrendts, Amy Snook, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, Eitan Wolf, and Megan Worman.

12 snips
Nov 28, 2024 • 27min
Exploring the Experience Economy — Joe Pine, Revisited
In this engaging discussion, Joe Pine, co-author of the influential book "The Experience Economy," delves into the evolution of economic value from commodities to unique experiences. He highlights how businesses must adapt to rising customer expectations by shifting from products to immersive experiences, with examples from brands like Coca-Cola and Whirlpool. Joe passionately discusses the importance of crafting memorable, emotionally resonant experiences using emerging technologies, paving the way for deeper connections and transformative customer engagement.

Nov 14, 2024 • 25min
Science is a Story — Vivienne Ming, Revisited
Today, we revisit a conversation with Dr. Vivienne Ming, theoretical neuroscientist, author, and serial entrepreneur. Dr. Ming has worked in AI and machine learning for 25 years, inventing multiple systems to improve health outcomes and address social issues. She uses data to help foreground more just and diverse stories—a talent and commitment that now is more important than ever. To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. --© 2024 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.124 West 13th StreetNew York, NY 10011Founder and CEO, Charles MelcherDirector, Carolyn MerrimanAssistant Producer, Madison Brownin collaboration with Charts & LeisureFounder, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett Crowe Mix and Music, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Vivienne Ming, Amy Snook, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, and Megan Worman.

Nov 4, 2024 • 35min
The Story of "The Work of Art" — Adam Moss
In this engaging conversation, Adam Moss, a celebrated magazine editor and author of 'The Work of Art,' shares his insights from interviewing leading creatives like Stephen Sondheim and Sofia Coppola. He delves into the collaborative nature of storytelling, the profound impact of editing on narratives, and his personal transition from magazine writing to book creation. Adam reflects on the allure of artistic artifacts, revealing how unfinished works can illuminate the artist's mindset and drive the creative process.
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