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Artwork for Future of StoryTelling

Future of StoryTelling (FoST)

Future of StoryTelling
Storytelling
Virtual Reality
Escape Rooms
Artificial Intelligence
Immersive Experiences
Mixed Reality
Augmented Reality
Immersive Storytelling
The Future Of Storytelling
Smell
Community Engagement
Justice and Equity
Cultural Narratives
Technology and Society
AI Ethics
Design
Immersive Media
The Shed
Art and Innovation
An Ark

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 ca... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes161Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyDesignArts

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Artwork for Future of StoryTelling

Latest Episodes

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 Di... more

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... more

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 Feli... more

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 ... more

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Recent Guests

Dean Rodgers
Experiential Director at Studio Secret Cinema
Secret Cinema
Episode: World-Building at Secret Cinema — Dean Rodgers
Paola Prestini
Leading classical composer and artistic entrepreneur
National Sawdust; VisionIntoArt
Episode: When Classical Music Meets AI — Paola Prestini
Félix Lajeunesse
Co-founder of Félix & Paul Studios
Félix & Paul Studios
Episode: A New Language for VR Storytelling — Felix and Paul, Revisited
Paul Raphaël
Co-founder of Félix & Paul Studios
Félix & Paul Studios
Episode: A New Language for VR Storytelling — Felix and Paul, Revisited
Matt DuPlessie
Founder of Level99; pioneer in location-based entertainment
Level99 / Boxfort (former)
Episode: Building a Business Out of Play — Matt DuPlessie
Jay Rinsky
Founder of Little Cinema
Little Cinema
Episode: Little Cinema, Big Ideas — Jay Rinsky
David Spira
Co-founder of Room Escape Artists
Room Escape Artists
Episode: Escaping Into Story — David Spira and Peih-Gee Law
Peih-Gee Law
Fan favorite contestant from Survivor, host of Reality Escape Pod
Reality Escape Pod
Episode: Escaping Into Story — David Spira and Peih-Gee Law
Manish Vora
CEO and co-founder of the Museum of Ice Cream
Museum of Ice Cream
Episode: What Ice Cream Can Teach Us About Connection — Manish Vora

Host

Charlie Melcher
Host of FoST Podcast and founder/CEO of Future of StoryTelling

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 419 ratings
  • Energizes the Batteries

    As a multidisciplinary artist, the varied discussions keep me up to date on new ways (or revived methods) to tell a story.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DoodlesUponDoodles
    United States2 years ago
  • Real thinking of the futures

    Conversations about the future—not just storytelling! A direction and call to being conscious and mindful of our senses as we go forward.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TempleInside
    United States3 years ago
  • Time in between

    Beautiful interview with third row, the three founders have a sweet place in my heart and it was lovely to hear their voices and process. Especially enjoyed resonated with theNotion that time in between for things to sift reveals other possibilities creative thought etc. I find that so true in life and in my coaching work with artists in general helping them to see that moments in between-When's so much is unknown - has a creative function and purpose. Naomi Vladeck , coach , author Braving Cr... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jonkyjan 9
    United States3 years ago
  • Genuine joy and curiosity

    Rarely does something come along that evokes such joy, playfulness, and curiosity — while also bringing together such intellect across disciplines. It has everything you need: a true roadmap of human communication and self-expression!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NicotianaG
    United States3 years ago
  • Top Podcast for Innovative Storytelling

    Great guests and Charles Melcher’s curiosity and questioning make it a standout production.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Secret guy21
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Content is consistently insightful for marketers and creators exploring storytelling futures.
Guests are authentic and deeply engaged with transformative storytelling.
Listeners praise the depth, pacing, and curiosity of conversations.
The host curates diverse, expert guests with deep domain knowledge.
The show offers practical takeaways for immersive experiences and brand storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#208
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#187
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#100
Germany/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#118
Italy/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#147
Australia/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#215
France/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

World-Building at Secret Cinema — Dean Rodgers
Q: What future do you see for AI in immersive experiences?
Dean expresses skepticism about AI replacing the human element, arguing that the value of these experiences lies in real human interaction, while acknowledging that AI might influence certain behind-the-scenes aspects but not the core live experience.
World-Building at Secret Cinema — Dean Rodgers
Q: What makes a successful immersive experience scale-wise, and how do you balance intimacy with throughput?
The hosts discuss that while extremely small, six-person experiences may be the pinnacle of immersion, they are not financially viable, so the industry must find models that preserve live human interaction and agency at larger scales, including using professional hosts and live elements to maintain quality.
The Stories of Smell — Sissel Tolaas, Revisited
Q: Tell us about the origins of smell.
Sissel describes chemical communication as the earliest form of interaction, with smell acting as a direct route to emotion and memory, bypassing rational processing and linking to the hippocampus. She explains how smell became a foundational system for human experience, from biology to culture, and why it remains a powerful but underutilized storytelling tool.
Little Cinema, Big Ideas — Jay Rinsky
Q: What was the first big immersive project that helped establish the business?
The first big project was an ambitious Wizard of Oz reimagining with a large live ensemble, live band, and extensive animation layers that demonstrated the potential of immersive cinema and helped prove there was a viable audience for these experiences, paving the way for studio involvement and larger-scale productions.
Little Cinema, Big Ideas — Jay Rinsky
Q: So tell me about the history of Little Cinema.
Little Cinema started as a whim in New York, aiming to expand how people experience cinema beyond the traditional theater by combining live performances, music, and mixed-media visuals. Over time, it evolved into a full-fledged studio that creates immersive experiences for major IP, collaborating with partners like Cosm and Meow Wolf to scale these experiences while staying grounded in a site-specific, artistic approach.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Future of StoryTelling

What is Future of StoryTelling about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thought-provoking show that centers on the evolution of storytelling through immersive media, technology, and experiential design. Across episodes, guests range from VR studios and multi-sensory installations to experiential cinema, escape rooms, and live music experiences, all discussed with a curious, interdisciplinary host. Listeners likely include brand marketers, designers, and tech-minded creatives who want actionable insights on how storytelling can shape culture, business, and audience engagement. The program stands out for its high-caliber, cross-industry guests and a focus on practical applications of emerging storytelling techniques, governance of responsible immersive experiences, and the future of participatory media.

Note: ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Future of StoryTelling?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Future of StoryTelling:

1. The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant
2. Hidden Brain
3. Planet Money
4. The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
5. On with Kara Swisher

How many episodes of Future of StoryTelling are there?

Future of StoryTelling launched 6 years ago and published 161 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Future of StoryTelling?

Recent guests on Future of StoryTelling include:

1. Dean Rodgers
2. Paola Prestini
3. Félix Lajeunesse
4. Paul Raphaël
5. Matt DuPlessie
6. Jay Rinsky
7. David Spira
8. Peih-Gee Law

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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