Future of StoryTelling (FoST)

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.

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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 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.
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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 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.
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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 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.
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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 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.