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

Future of StoryTelling (FoST)

Future of StoryTelling 159 episodes Latest May 29, 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

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 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 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 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
Little Cinema, Big Ideas — Jay Rinsky Apr 17, 2026 1795 Jay Rinsky, Founder and Chief Creative Director of Little Cinema, is reimagining what it means to go to the movies.What began as an experiment, mixing film, live performance, and audience interaction, has grown into an industry-leading experiential studio transforming screenings into shared events. From a 24-hour David Bowie tribute at House of Yes to large-scale productions with Warner Bros., The
Netflix is Going Beyond the Screen — Greg Lombardo Apr 2, 2026 1685 Greg Lombardo, Vice President of Experiences Creative & Production at Netflix, takes us inside the thinking behind Netflix House and the company’s growing slate of real-world experiences.From Stranger Things to Bridgerton to Squid Game, Greg and his team are translating global hits into physical environments you can step into, through immersive worlds, live experiences, and themed dining. He s
Escaping Into Story — David Spira and Peih-Gee Law Mar 20, 2026 1985 Reality Escape Pod hosts David Spira and Peih-Gee Law take a closer look at escape rooms as immersive, participatory experiences. They unpack the medium’s evolution, the rise of escape room tourism, and how hands-on play can reshape learning, collaboration, and the way people connect through story.They also share standout rooms from around the world and reflect on the creative and business choices
What Ice Cream Can Teach Us About Connection — Manish Vora Mar 6, 2026 1736 Manish Vora, CEO and co-founder of the Museum of Ice Cream, shares how a 30-day pop-up across from the Whitney Museum became a global experiential brand and helped define what he calls the “experium,” a mix between a museum and an experience.In this conversation, he reflects on how we define a museum, why participation and hospitality matter as much as physical design, and how simple rituals like
The 4 Elements of Transformative Experience — Margaret Kerrison, Revisited Feb 19, 2026 1945 We’re revisiting our conversation with writer and immersive storyteller, Margaret Kerrison, an episode first recorded following the launch of the ambitious Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience at Disney World in Florida. As a key architect of its narrative and characters, Margaret offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create immersive story worlds. We explore the craft of writi
Mixed Reality and the Human Experience — Todd Eckert Feb 5, 2026 1641 Today, we speak with producer Todd Eckert of Tin Drum, a studio creating original work for mixed reality. While the medium remains unfamiliar to many, Todd has spent years exploring its potential as a form of storytelling that blends the physical and digital worlds. This conversation centers on his most recent piece, An Ark, now at The Shed in New York, and how mixed reality can forge intimate rel
Art as Activism, Activism as Art — Pierce Freelon, Revisited Jan 22, 2026 1549 We’re re-releasing a conversation from 2021 that remains strikingly relevant today. In this episode, we speak with Pierce Freelon– musician, filmmaker, social entrepreneur, and former Durham, North Carolina City Councilman– whose work sits at the crossroads of art, activism, and storytelling. From his Emmy Award-winning Beat Making Lab to his Grammy-nominated albums AnceStars and Black to the Futu
Scaling the Intimacy of Live Music — Warren Webster Jan 8, 2026 1694 Before Billie Eilish and Olivia Dean were winning Grammys and selling out at Madison Square Garden, they were performing in living rooms with Sofar Sounds. In this episode, we talk with Warren Webster, CEO of Sofar Sounds, about the importance of connecting artists and fans through intimate live music to create community. Warren also discusses the economics of Sofar concerts and how they approach

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