

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

Apr 18, 2024 • 42min
Evolving Layers of Experience, Revisited — Felix and Paul
Today, we revisit a conversation from 2021 with immersive storytelling pioneers Félix Lajeunesse and Paul Raphaël of Felix & Paul Studios. For over ten years, these two have been carefully developing a unique experiential language— a language which they’ve deployed to incredible effect in the location-based VR experience Space Explorers: The Infinite. Felix and Paul discuss the elements of this language and how it came to be in this revisited episode.For additional links, information, and 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 & LeisureExecutive Producer, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett CroweMix, Music, and Final Assembly, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Félix Lajeunesse, Paul Raphaël, Bonnie Eldon, David Gray, Amy Snook, Michael Bass, Eitan Wolf, and Megan Worman.

Apr 5, 2024 • 33min
Second City and the Power of "Yes, And" — Kelly Leonard
Improvisation is an essential skill for comedians at the famous Second City— and it’s a valuable skill for creators and businesses off stage, too. No one knows this better than Kelly Leonard, the Executive Director of Learning and Applied Improvisation at Second City Works. In this episode, Kelly shares some of his insights into how improv can make us better bosses, makers, friends, family members, and all around better people.For additional links, information, and 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 & LeisureExecutive Producer, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett CroweMix, Andrew AtkinMusic and Final Assembly, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Kelly Leonard, Bonnie Eldon, David Gray, Amy Snook, Michael Bass, Eitan Wolf, and Megan Worman.

Mar 21, 2024 • 29min
Human-Centric Health Stories — Jim Weiss
We all get sick-- and yet somehow, so much of the communication from biopharmaceutical companies fails to connect with the average person. Jim Weiss, the Founder and Chairman of health innovation company Real Chemistry, is working to change that. In this episode, Jim shares how his consultancy is making healthcare communications more effective, creative, and human.Listen to Jim's podcast, Get Real with the Chairman, here.For additional links, information, and more, please 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 & LeisureExecutive Producer, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett CroweMix, Andrew AtkinMusic and Final Assembly, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Jim Weiss, Danielle Clark-Brown, Kate Vos, Bonnie Eldon, David Gray, Amy Snook, Michael Bass, Eitan Wolf, and Megan Worman.

Mar 7, 2024 • 29min
The Reimagined Greatest Show On Earth — Juliette Feld Grossman
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey has been delighting Children Of All Ages for generations. However, The Greatest Show On Earth is anything but dated — after all, you don’t last for 150 years without regular refreshes. Join Juliette Feld Grossman, COO of Feld Entertainment, as she walks audiences through the new circus and how her family business has been so successful in creating wildly popular live family entertainment.For additional links, information, and more, please 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 & LeisureExecutive Producer, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett CroweMix, Andrew AtkinMusic and Final Assembly, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Juliette Feld Grossman, Sabrina Lowe, Steve Yaros, Bonnie Eldon, Elisabeth March, David Gray, Amy Snook, Michael Bass, and Megan Worman.

Feb 19, 2024 • 30min
Niantic and the Future of Mixed Reality — John Hanke
In this engaging discussion, John Hanke, the founder and CEO of Niantic, dives into the innovative world of augmented reality. He shares the vision behind Niantic's AR games like Pokémon Go and their impact on outdoor activity and community building. The conversation highlights the new 'Rangers Wanted' app, designed to educate children on conservation. Hanke also explores the future of mixed reality, advocating for lightweight AR glasses and the blend of AI with storytelling, emphasizing the importance of real-world interaction.

Feb 1, 2024 • 32min
Design in Our Time at MoMA — Paola Antonelli
Paola Antonelli is Senior Curator of Architecture & Design at the Museum of Modern Art, where she’s been expanding the understanding and appreciation of design in all its forms for nearly 30 years. On this episode of the FoST Podcast, Paola asks thought-provoking questions about the value of design, illuminates design’s relationship to story, and discusses the evolution of the museum.For more information, additional links, and 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 & LeisureExecutive Producer, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett CroweMix, Andrew AtkinMusic and Final Assembly, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Paola Antonelli, Esther Omole, Bonnie Eldon, Elisabeth March, David Gray, Amy Snook, and Megan Worman.

Jan 18, 2024 • 28min
Pursuing Fan Joy at Scale — Greg Lombardo Revisited
In this revisited episode, we return to a conversation from February 2023 with Greg Lombardo, VP and Head of Experiences at Netflix. As Netflix's experiential offering continues to grow, Greg's insights on creating immersive entertainment that successfully engages fans both on a deep level and on a large scale remain incredibly relevant.For more information, additional links, and 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 & LeisureExecutive Producer, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett CroweMix, Andrew AtkinMusic and Final Assembly, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Greg Lombardo, Bonnie Eldon, Elisabeth March, David Gray, Amy Snook, and Megan Worman.

Dec 21, 2023 • 34min
Systems for Immersive Storytelling — Les Enfants Terribles
The high-touch, immersive storytelling of theater company Les Enfants Terrible’s show Alice’s Adventures Underground is made possible by a complex system behind the scenes. On this episode of the FoST Podcast, Creative Director James Seager and Artistic Director Oliver Lansley pull back the curtain to give us a special look at the magic that the audience doesn’t see.For additional links, information, and more, visit our website.--© 2023 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 & LeisureExecutive Producer, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett CroweMix, Andrew AtkinMusic and Final Assembly, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to James Seager, Oliver Lansley, Laura Nicholson, Bonnie Eldon, Elisabeth March, David Gray, Amy Snook, and Megan Worman.

6 snips
Dec 7, 2023 • 47min
Solving the Leadership Crisis — Ajaz Ahmed
AKQA is not just one of the most successful design and innovation agencies in the world— it’s also a workplace that allows creative people to truly thrive. On today’s episode of the FoST Podcast, AKQA founder and CEO Ajaz Ahmed discusses his principles of leadership and how AKQA serves its clients, employees, and community.For additional links, information, and more, visit our website.--© 2023 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 & LeisureExecutive Producer, Jason OberholtzerProducer, Meghal JanardanEditor, Garrett CroweMix, Andrew AtkinMusic and Final Assembly, Michael SimonelliWith special thanks to Ajaz Ahmed, Bonnie Eldon, Elisabeth March, David Gray, Amy Snook, and Megan Worman.

25 snips
Nov 16, 2023 • 59min
Humanity Is First — Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, a celebrated filmmaker known for 'Birdman' and 'The Revenant,' discusses his journey from Hollywood to creating the immersive VR installation 'Carne y Arena.' He emphasizes how technology can convey powerful narratives that foster empathy, especially for marginalized groups like immigrants. Iñárritu critiques trends in VR, advocating for a focus on emotional engagement rather than mere spectacle. He also reflects on the moral responsibility of storytellers and the importance of inspiring future generations amidst a negative media landscape.