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Artwork for Future of StoryTelling

Future of StoryTelling (FoST)

Future of StoryTelling
Storytelling
Virtual Reality
Artificial Intelligence
Escape Rooms
Immersive Experiences
Immersive Storytelling
Mixed Reality
Augmented Reality
The Future Of Storytelling
Smell
Design
Community Engagement
Justice and Equity
Cultural Narratives
Technology and Society
AI Ethics
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 monthlyEpisodes164Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DesignArtsTechnology

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Artwork for Future of StoryTelling

Latest Episodes

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 wen... more

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... more

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 ho... more

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

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Recent Guests

Jeffrey Seller
Broadway producer, memoirist of Theater Kid
Theater production (Rent, Hamilton, etc.)
Episode: 30 Years of Broadway and the Legacy of Rent — Jeffrey Seller, Revisited
Baratunde Thurston
Writer, comedian, activist; host of Life With Machines and How to Citizen
Life With Machines; How to Citizen
Episode: Humans, Machines & Democracy — Baratunde Thurston
Ted Roosevelt V
Host of Good Citizen, great-great-grandson of Theodore Roosevelt
Good Citizen / Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
Episode: Making the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
Ed O'Keefe
CEO, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
Episode: Making the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
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

Host

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

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 420 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
#83
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#58
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#161
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#188
France/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#198
Germany/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#27
Chile/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

30 Years of Broadway and the Legacy of Rent — Jeffrey Seller, Revisited
Q: Rent's opening became linked to tragedy with Jonathan Larson's death; how did that shape the show's launch and its legacy?
Larson's sudden passing intensified the show's urgency and public interest. We adapted quickly, had a dress rehearsal read-through the next day, and leveraged the moment to underscore the show's themes of struggle and perseverance, turning a tragedy into a catalyst for lasting momentum and cultural impact.
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.

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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1. Freakonomics Radio
2. Planet Money
3. Hidden Brain
4. Decoder with Nilay Patel
5. Pop Culture Happy Hour

How many episodes of Future of StoryTelling are there?

Future of StoryTelling launched 6 years ago and published 164 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. Jeffrey Seller
2. Baratunde Thurston
3. Ted Roosevelt V
4. Ed O'Keefe
5. Dean Rodgers
6. Paola Prestini
7. Félix Lajeunesse
8. Paul Raphaël

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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