Home Podcasts Future of StoryTelling (FoST)
Future of StoryTelling (FoST)

Future of StoryTelling (FoST)

Future of StoryTelling 159 Episodes Oct 8, 2026

The Future of StoryTelling (FoST) podcast features conversations between founder Charlie Melcher and innovative storytellers from various fields, exploring how narratives can drive positive change. The show examines the evolution of storytelling in the digital age, drawing on insights from media, technology, and communications experts. Each episode delves into the craft and impact of storytelling across different disciplines.

Episodes

Why the Medium Matters — David Byrne, Revisited
Why the Medium Matters — David Byrne, Revisited Oct 8, 2026 2178 To mark the release of David Byrne’s new book, SLEEPING BEAUTIES, we’re revisiting our conversation with him from the FoST archives. A legendary musician, storyteller, and lead singer of Talking Heads, Byrne reflects on the creation of his immersive theatrical project, Theater of the Mind, the relationship between art and science, and why some ideas demand entirely new forms. He also discusses the
The Anatomy of a Welcoming Space — David Rockwell
The Anatomy of a Welcoming Space — David Rockwell Sep 24, 2026 2033 David Rockwell is the founder and president of Rockwell Group, the acclaimed architecture and design firm helping shape how we experience space, food, theater, and culture. Whether it's redefining modern luxury dining through the design of the Nobu restaurants, or creating signature work in boutique hospitality through the W Hotels, David is a visionary for architects and storytellers across t
The Power of Deep Story — Bob Rogers
The Power of Deep Story — Bob Rogers Sep 10, 2026 1809 Bob Rogers is a pioneer of immersive storytelling and the founder of BRC Imagination Arts, the renowned strategic design and production agency behind experiences like the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Experience, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and the Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium Tour, to name a few. His new book, DEEP STORY, distills more than four decades of experience creating
Generative AI and the Future of Gaming — Yves Jacquier
Generative AI and the Future of Gaming — Yves Jacquier Aug 27, 2026 1783 Could generative AI unlock a new era of storytelling in video games?Ubisoft, the gaming company behind some of the best-selling open-world franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry is exploring this very question.Yves Jacquier founded the Ubisoft La Forge lab in 2016 to bring game creators together with academic researchers. At La Forge, they work to envision and prototype emerging technologies
30 Years of Broadway and the Legacy of Rent — Jeffrey Seller, Revisited
30 Years of Broadway and the Legacy of Rent — Jeffrey Seller, Revisited Aug 13, 2026 2495 Jeffrey Seller is the legendary Broadway producer behind shows like Rent, Hamilton, In the Heights, and more. His shows have won a combined 22 Tony Awards, including four for Best Musical, and he's the only producer to have mounted two shows that went on to win the Pulitzer Prize. Last year, Jeffrey published his autobiography, Theater Kid, an honest and moving reflection on his path to findin
Humans, Machines & Democracy — Baratunde Thurston
Humans, Machines & Democracy — Baratunde Thurston Jul 30, 2026 1859 In a world increasingly dominated by technology, how do we ensure storytelling remains authentic and impactful? Today's guest, Baratunde Thurston, has spent decades grappling with our relationship to technology and each other, through his work as the Director of Digital at The Onion to his Webby Award-winning project, Life With Machines. Baratunde comes from a rich background in comedy, activi
Making the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
Making the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Jul 16, 2026 3276 Most presidential libraries are built to remember a presidency in archives. This project began with a unique challenge: How can we tell Theodore Roosevelt’s story to inspire people to become better citizens, leaders, and stewards of the world? And how can we make the visitor, not Roosevelt, the hero of the story? What emerged isn’t a traditional museum or archive. It's an immersive journey thr
World-Building at Secret Cinema — Dean Rodgers
World-Building at Secret Cinema — Dean Rodgers Jun 26, 2026 1880 Secret Cinema has been at the forefront of immersive live experiences based on beloved films and cultural franchises since their founding in 2007. Known for immersive productions of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Casino Royale, and the recent Dirty Dancing, Secret Cinema’s work revolves around the question that we often tackle at Future of StoryTelling: How can we make the audience the hero i
When Classical Music Meets AI — Paola Prestini
When Classical Music Meets AI — Paola Prestini Jun 11, 2026 1813 Opera is often thought of as one of the most traditional art forms. Rooted in centuries-old conventions and grand theaters, it’s not usually the first place people look for experimentation or technological innovation. But in today's conversation with Paola Prestini — co-founder and artistic director of National Sawdust and VisionIntoArt and one of the top composers in the world — we challenge
A New Language for VR Storytelling — Felix and Paul, Revisited
A New Language for VR Storytelling — Felix and Paul, Revisited May 29, 2026 2480 With the launch of Interstellar Arc, the groundbreaking free-roaming VR experience at AREA15 in Las Vegas, we’re revisiting this conversation with the creators and immersive storytelling pioneers Félix Lajeunesse and Paul Raphaël, co-founders of Felix & Paul Studios. In this conversation, Félix and Paul talk about the evolution of virtual reality, from their early VR experiments and the acclai
The Stories of Smell — Sissel Tolaas, Revisited
The Stories of Smell — Sissel Tolaas, Revisited May 14, 2026 1641 Today, we’re re-releasing an episode with Norwegian chemist, artist, linguist, and smell researcher, Sissel Tolaas, whose work explores scent as a powerful medium for storytelling. In this conversation, Sissel shares how she analyzes smell molecules in everything from garments in museum archives, to the ancient ruins of Pompeii. Through collaborations with institutions such as the Cooper Hewitt, t
Building a Business Out of Play — Matt DuPlessie
Building a Business Out of Play — Matt DuPlessie Apr 30, 2026 1788 Matthew DuPlessie, Founder & CEO of Level99 and 5 Wits, joins Charlie Melcher to explore a different approach to immersive experience design.Level99 is built as an open world of short, high-intensity challenges. Guests move through it in small teams, choosing where to go, repeating rooms, and improving over time. Progress carries across visits, so the experience evolves the more you engage wit

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