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 transformative visitor experiences for brands, museums, cultural institutions, and theme parks. Today on the FoST Podcast, Bob shares his deep story philosophy, and what it means to put the guest at the center of the story, create experiences that move people, and use storytelling to inspire change.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To request an invitation to the FoST Explorers Club London trip, visit https://bit.ly/4wPk1eX.

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© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Bob Rogers, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 with the ambitious goal of enabling more interactive, responsive, and transformative gaming experiences. In this episode, we speak with Yves about how generative AI could reshape the player experience, the limitations of large language models, the promise of world models, and why human-centric design will remain essential to the future of storytelling.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To request an invitation to the FoST Explorers Club London trip, visit https://form.jotform.com/262284711554155.

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Michael Simonelli

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Yves Jacquier, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 finding his place on Broadway, as well as an invaluable source of wisdom for anyone interested in building a business in a creative field. We’re revisiting this conversation today — Jeffrey shares openly about his journey to finding himself in theater, stories of his creative collaboration with artistic powerhouses like Jonathan Larson and Lin-Manuel Miranda, his philosophy of good producing, and more.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

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© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Jeffrey Seller, Madison Brown, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, Eitan Wolf, and Megan Worman.

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, activism, and media — he shares insights on the evolving art of storytelling in the age of AI, and how we can learn to live well with these technologies rather than simply endure them.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

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© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Michael Simonelli

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Baratunde Thurston, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 through Roosevelt's life that invites you to step into the story. 

We’re releasing a special episode — our host today is Ted Roosevelt V, interviewing Charlie Melcher, Founder and CEO of the Future of StoryTelling, and Ed O’Keefe, CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Ted, Ed, and Charlie look back on how the library started, the challenges and triumphs felt along the journey, and where it stands today following the library’s opening and the celebrations and reflections of America 250.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Michael Simonelli

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Ted Roosevelt V, Ed O’Keefe, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman. 

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 in our stories?

Leading the company’s creative and strategic studio for brands, entertainment partners, and new immersive ventures is Dean Rodgers, the experiential director at Studio Secret Cinema. In this conversation, Dean talks about the art of world-building and what he calls “world belonging,” the importance of creating moments of collective awe, and why live, participatory experiences may become even more valuable in an increasingly digital world.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Michael Simonelli

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Dean Rodgers, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 that very assumption. Paola speaks to how opera can be a space to explore new technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and even artificial intelligence. 

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Paola Prestini, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 acclaimed Traveling While Black to filming an Emmy-award winning production on the International Space Station. At the forefront of this medium, Félix and Paul talk about their challenges and learnings from VR work: what it means to develop a new language of storytelling, the importance of establishing “presence” for immersion, and how VR can situate us inside experiences to connect with distant worlds.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Félix Lajeunesse, Paul Rafaël, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman. 

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, the Tate Modern, Venice Biennale, and Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sissel reveals how the invisible world of scent can uncover forgotten histories and deepen human connection. 

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Sissel Tolaas, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 with it.

Matt shares why they moved away from traditional narrative, and what changes when storytelling takes a step back and participation takes the lead.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Matt DuPlessie, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 Walt Disney Company, and Cosm, Little Cinema is pushing storytelling beyond the screen.

Jay shares how his approach to storytelling evolved, why cinema shouldn’t be a solitary experience, and how projects like The Matrix, Willy Wonka, and Harry Potter are being reimagined as immersive, shared experiences.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Jay Rinsky, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 shares how Netflix approaches experience design, what audiences are really looking for beyond the screen, and why these spaces are becoming a powerful extension of storytelling.

With a background spanning 20th Century Fox, Universal Studios, and BRC Imagination Arts, Greg brings a unique perspective on where entertainment, design, and culture are headed next.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Greg Lombardo, Alexis Garcia, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 that help these immersive experiences thrive.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to David Spira, Peih-Gee Law, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 choosing an ice cream name can spark real connection. He also opens up about scaling location-based experiences, designing for play in a phone-saturated world, and what’s ahead with new flagship locations in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Manish Vora, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 writing for immersive experiences, and how it demands a distinctive creative approach — one rooted in world-building, collaboration, and audience agency.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Margaret Kerrison, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 relationships between audience and performer. We reflect on how emerging technologies can be valuable in understanding the deeper human condition.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Todd Eckert, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 Future, Pierce shows how storytelling, rooted in family and community, can drive real social change.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Pierce Freelon, Luke Gernert, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

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 scaling this intimacy across the globe. Stay tuned to hear special Sofar Sounds live performances featured.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2026 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Warren Webster, Rebecca Carlisle, Madison Brown, Lor Simpson, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman. Sofar songs in this episode are performed by Benjamin Carter and Rootbeer Richie & The Reveille.

Today, we’re re-releasing a favorite conversation and a 2024 Webby Award-nominated episode with acclaimed Mexican filmmaker, Alejandro González Iñárritu. Iñárritu is best known for directing Oscar-winning films like Birdman and The Revenant, but today, we discuss his work beyond Hollywood. Unpacking Carne y Arena, a groundbreaking virtual-reality installation centered on the lived experiences of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, Alejandro embodies a storyteller who creates to evoke empathy and humanity.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2025 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Alejandro González Iñárritu, Madison Brown, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.

What happens when one of Hollywood’s most beloved classics is reimagined for one of the most advanced immersive venues in the world? In this episode, Carolyn Blackwood and Ben Grossmann break down how they adapted The Wizard of Oz for the Sphere. They discuss the technical challenges and creative opportunities of using VFX, generative AI, and 4D effects to pull audiences into the world of Oz, while preserving the authenticity of the original film.

To learn more, visit our website at fost.org. 

To get your copy of Charlie’s book, The Future of Storytelling, visit thefutureofstorytelling.com/home.

--

© 2025 Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

Produced by Future of StoryTelling, Corp.

124 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher

Director, Carolyn Merriman

Assistant Producer, Tsuki Carlson

in collaboration with Charts & Leisure

Founder, Jason Oberholtzer

Producer, Meghal Janardan

Editor, Garrett Crowe 

Mix and Music, Michael Simonelli

With special thanks to Carolyn Blackwood, Ben Grossmann, Madison Brown, David Gray, Bonnie Eldon, and Megan Worman.