Future of StoryTelling (FoST)

Ben Shewry is a chef, author, and co-owner of Attica Restaurant in Melbourne, Australia. Recognized as one of the top restaurants worldwide, Attica offers guests an experience that immerses them in Australia’s unique cuisine. In his new book, Uses for Obsession, and on this episode of the FoST Podcast, Ben discusses how that experience came to be, as well as his personal learnings on creativity and culture in and around the kitchen— insights which are incredibly applicable to any storyteller.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 Ben Shewry, Amy Snook, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, and Megan Worman.

Neil Carty, Head of Cosm Studios and Labs, is an innovator in spherical storytelling and immersive experiences. He discusses the evolution of immersive media and how Cosm blends physical and digital elements to create shared realities. The conversation highlights transformative projects like 'Orbital' and the importance of soundscapes in engaging audiences. Carty emphasizes community engagement and emotional connections, asserting that immersive narratives can spark imagination and foster lasting change.

Christian Lachel, Chief Creative Officer at BRC Imagination Arts, has over 20 years of experience in immersive brand experiences. He shares insights on the groundbreaking Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh, discussing its role in whisky tourism and Scottish culture. Lachel reveals how personalized, AI-driven flavor profiles enhance visitor experiences. He emphasizes the importance of building emotional connections through storytelling, transforming customers into heroes, and fostering meaningful relationships beyond transactions.

Kimbal Musk is the cofounder and CEO of Nova Sky Stories, the company that's pushing the boundaries of the new medium of aerial drone storytelling. Combining light and sound to create emotionally resonate experiences, Nova collaborates with some of the best artists of our time to tap into the awe of looking up into the night sky. In this episode, Kimbal discusses their work and the future of this nascent art form. 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 Kimbal Musk, Courtney Walsh, Amy Snook, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, and Megan Worman.

When Fawn Weaver learned that the first master distiller for Jack Daniel's Distillery was a formerly enslaved man named Nearest Green, she set out to tell his story in the best way she could think of: by creating a whiskey brand that celebrates his legacy. In her new book, Love & Whiskey, Fawn shares what she learned of the incredible friendship between Nearest and Jack, the impact of their relationship, and how she turned that story into the fastest growing whiskey brand in American history.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 Fawn Weaver, Rhona Davis, Jessica Davis, Amy Snook, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, and Megan Worman.

Hong Kong-based nonprofit Crossroads Foundation brings together those who are in need with those who can provide help. To raise awareness about global issues and create lasting change, they’ve come up with a unique approach: immersive, experiential programs on world need that allow people to have real emotions and foster genuine empathy. Director and senior spokesman DJ Begbie shares what these programs look like and why they're so effective. To learn more, visit our website.--© 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 DJ Begbie, Lauren Morrow, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, and Megan Worman.

In his new book, Gray Matters: A Biography of Brain Surgery, neurosurgeon Dr. Theodore Schwartz delves into the history and practice of neuroscience. What he and his fellow scientists have discovered is that our lives are based on stories that our brains construct, and those stories are not fact, but fiction. Ted is certainly not the first guest on this podcast to talk about the relationship between brain science and storytelling— but as a neurosurgeon, he comes at it from a uniquely hands-on perspective. To learn more, visit our website.--© 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 Ted Schwartz, Lauren Morrow, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, and Megan Worman.

Immersive entertainment company Layered Reality's approach is, as the name suggests, layered: they combine components of immersive theater with new technologies to create productions that feel participatory, immersive, and alive. Today, their CEO Andrew McGuinness joins us to talk about how he’s built such a successful immersive entertainment company and where he plans to take it next.To learn more, visit our website.--© 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 Andrew McGuinness, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, and Megan Worman.

Jose Antonio Vargas, Founder of Define American, shares his journey as an undocumented immigrant, emphasizing the power of storytelling in shaping the immigration narrative. He discusses testifying in Congress, shifting immigration narratives, and the impact of positive storylines on citizenship.

In this revisited episode, we go back to a conversation with Vince Kadlubek of legendary immersive art collective Meow Wolf, whose installations give visitors agency to re-engage their imaginations and create their own stories—an experience that can be transformational.To learn more, visit our website. --© 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 Vince Kadlubek, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, and Megan Worman.