

Future of StoryTelling (FoST)
Future of StoryTelling
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 5, 2024 • 30min
Drone Storytelling at New Heights — Kimbal Musk
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.

Aug 22, 2024 • 37min
The Rise of Uncle Nearest — Fawn Weaver
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.

Aug 8, 2024 • 36min
Embodying Empathy with Global X-Perience — DJ Begbie
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.

Jul 25, 2024 • 34min
Your Brain is a Storyteller — Theodore H. Schwartz
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.

Jul 11, 2024 • 32min
Greater Humanity with Layered Reality — Andrew McGuinness
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.

Jun 27, 2024 • 27min
Making Change One Story at a Time, Revisited — Jose Antonio Vargas
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.

Jun 13, 2024 • 27min
Agency, Exploration, Discovery, Revisited — Vince Kadlubek
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.

May 30, 2024 • 28min
Good, True, and Beautiful, Revisited — Glen Keane
Legendary Disney veteran and Academy Award winner Glen Keane has made invaluable contributions to the art of animation. In this episode, we revisit a conversation from 2020 with Glen about his story, craft, and philosophy on creativity.For additional links and more information, 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 Glen Keane, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, and Megan Worman.

May 16, 2024 • 26min
Creating a Healthy AI Ecosystem, Revisited — Stephanie Dinkins
Since this 2020 conversation with artist, educator, and AI practitioner Stephanie Dinkins, essential questions about artificial intelligence have only become more pressing. In turn, Stephanie's method of approaching AI—with a conscious eye towards breaking down bias, rather than perpetuating it— has only become more necessary.For additional links and more information, 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 Stephanie Dinkins, Bonnie Eldon, Michael Bass, David Gray, and Megan Worman.

May 2, 2024 • 31min
"Silo" and Disrupting Entertainment, Revisited — Hugh Howey
Silo, the TV adaptation of Hugh Howey's acclaimed sci-fi novel Wool, has become one of Apple TV's hottest properties since it aired last May: it's earned a second season and several nominations in the forthcoming 2024 BAFTA Television Awards among other accolades. To celebrate the success of Silo, we're revisiting this episode with Hugh about how Wool took the world by storm. --© 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 OberholtzerExecutive Producer, Mike RugnettaEditor, Garrett Crowe Mix and Music, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Hugh Howey, Bonnie Eldon, Meghal Janardan, Sarah Vitak, Elisabeth March, Michael Bass, and Megan Worman.