Masters of Storytelling

In episode one of season two, Maya talks to Experience Consultant, Victoria Taylor, about her work at the cross sector of hospitality, tourism, cultural destination, and luxury experience brands. During the conversation, the two speak briefly about Wrexham Association Football Club, which is based in North Wales, just outside her hometown. The team was recently acquired by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whos vision's led the complete transformation of a team with a rich legacy and passionate fanbase. In Victoria's words: they've transformed Wrexham from a town into a city. In part three of our Masters of Storytelling mini series, 'How to Tell a Sports Story,' Maya talks to Edward Hodge, Vice President of Creative and Innovation at BRC. Listen in as Edward and Maya discuss the science of immersion: how we use lighting, sound, technology, and a dash of magic to recreate the same emotional highs we experience on game days as non game days. Listen to Maya's interview with Victoria Taylor: https://bit.ly/42SSI6b To learn more about BRC: www.brcweb.com

B. Joseph Pine II is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and management advisor to Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial start-ups alike. He is cofounder of Strategic Horizons LLP, a thinking studio dedicated to helping businesses conceive and design new ways of adding value to their economic offerings. In 1999 Joe and his partner James H. Gilmore wrote the best-selling book ‘The Experience Economy: Work Is Theatre & Every Business a Stage’, which demonstrates how goods and services are no longer enough; what companies must offer today are experiences - memorable events that engage each customer in an inherently personal way. Joe is also co-author of ‘Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want’, which recognizes that in a world of increasingly paid-for experiences, people no longer accept the fake from the phony, but want the real from the genuine; and ‘Infinite Possibility: Creating Customer Value on the Digital Frontier’, on how to use digital technology to stage experiences that fuse the real and the virtual. In his speaking and teaching activities, Joe has addressed both the World Economic Forum and TED and is a Visiting Scholar with the MIT Design Lab. He has also taught at Penn State, Duke Corporate Education, the University of Minnesota, UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management, and the Harvard Design School. He serves on the editorial boards of Strategy & Leadership and Strategic Direction, is honorary editor of The International Journal of Mass Customization, and is a Senior Fellow with both the Design Futures Council and the European Centre for the Experience Economy, which he co-founded. In this episode of Masters of Storytelling, Maya talks to Joe about the art of packaging ideas, the difference between fake and faux, and why if you treat your customers like the individuals that they are they will be your customers forever. Join Joe on Substack while he works on his new book on the Transformation Economy: https://strategichorizons.com/the-transformation-economy-and-you/ For more information about Joe Pine, visit: www.strategichorizons.com/pine-and-gilmore/joe-pine/ For more information about BRC Imagination Arts, visit: www.brcweb.com

In episode one of season two, Maya talks to Experience Consultant, Victoria Taylor, about her work at the cross sector of hospitality, tourism, cultural destination, and luxury experience brands. During the conversation, the two speak briefly about Wrexham Association Football Club, which is based in North Wales, just outside her hometown. The team was recently acquired by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whos vision's led the complete transformation of a team with a rich legacy and passionate fanbase. In Victoria's words: they've transformed Wrexham from a town into a city. In part two of our Masters of Storytelling mini series, 'How to Tell a Sports Story,' Maya talks to Christian Lachel, Chief Creative Officer at BRC. Listen in as Christian and Maya discuss the business case or rather, the opportunity, sports stadiums and venues have to wake up their sleeping asset. The two unpack the planning, budgeting, goal setting, and deep strategic work that goes into building not only sports experiences, but entire mixed use destinations and districts. Listen to Maya's interview with Victoria Taylor: https://bit.ly/42SSI6b To learn more about BRC: www.brcweb.com

In episode one of season two, Maya talks to Experience Consultant, Victoria Taylor, about her work at the cross sector of hospitality, tourism, cultural destination, and luxury experience brands. During the conversation, the two speak briefly about Wrexham Association Football Club, which is based in North Wales, just outside her hometown. The team was recently acquired by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whos vision's led the complete transformation of a team with a rich legacy and passionate fanbase. In Victoria's words: they've transformed Wrexham from a town into a city. To follow up on her interview with Victoria, Maya talks to Brad Shelton, Vice President of Creative and Story at BRC. Listen in as Brad and Maya discuss why we tell sports stories, how sports teams serve as symbols for humanity and civic pride, and the transformative impact that teams and stadiums have on their communities. Listen to Maya's interview with Victoria Taylor: https://bit.ly/42SSI6b To learn more about The Bud Selig Experience: https://bit.ly/3wFcIxk To learn more about The Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium Tours: https://bit.ly/3IgdjFw To learn more about BRC: www.brcweb.com

Victoria Taylor is Experience Partner to hospitality, tourism, cultural destination, and luxury experience brands. She works with her clients to create unique experiences that impact people, profit and planet whilst proofing for the future. Fascinated with traditional craftsmanship and "maker" based hospitality experiences that delve into the origins of people and place, she has an insatiable curiosity for the exceptional and the unusual. Her unique work has taken her all over the world and as a seasoned keynote speaker, Victoria enjoys events that spark ideas to change things and challenge what always "has been." In this episode of Masters of Storytelling, Maya talks to Victoria about the art of designing experiences, how destinations can transform communities, and the courage that’s required to create something truly singular. For more information about Victoria, visit: www.victoriatayl.uk For more information about BRC Imagination Arts, visit: www.brcweb.com

In the final bonus episode of season one, Maya sits down with Dylan Agajanian, composer, editor, mix-er, master-er, audio engineer, and the person entirely responsible for this podcast sounding 'real'. Since starting work on this podcast at the end of 2021, Maya and Dylan have become good friends, a friendship born from a uniquely joyous creative collaboration. To wrap up season one, the two met up to discuss everything they did, everything they loved, and the many things they learned making season one of, 'Masters of Storytelling.' To learn more about Dylan Agajanian visit: https://www.dacomposer.com/ For more information about BRC: https://bit.ly/3B4RDKB Follow BRC on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3a9OJsu

To follow up on her interview with Joe Rohde, former Disney Imagineer and experience architect of Virgin Galactic, Maya talks to Bob Rogers, the man who puts the ‘B' 'R’ in ‘BRC’. Founder and chairman of BRC Imagination Arts, Bob is our Master of Storytelling. Over the course of his 50+ year career, Bob has developed two patents, has won over 500 international awards for creative excellence with BRC, including two Academy Award nominations. In 2006, Bob was honored with this industry's highest honor, the Themed Entertainment Association's Award for Lifetime Achievement. He's been inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame and has served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences. Bob was also invited by NASA to help develop its master plan for the exploration of Mars and later awarded him the NASA Public Service Medal. Writer, innovator, teacher, scholar…Bob has many things, but we tend to think of Bob as a magician. He's made a career making people smile, suspending our disbelief long enough to help us forget ourselves or maybe to find ourselves. To learn more about Bob Rogers: www.bobrogers.com To learn more about BRC: www.brcweb.com

Joe Rohde is an artist, explorer, and creative executive. Over the course of his 40 year career with the Walt Disney Company, Joe worked at Imagineering, the creative arm that designs and builds everything from cruise ships, theme parks, rides and attractions, hotels, and infrastructure systems for the company's theme parks and resorts. During his tenure, he oversaw several projects, including Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, Expedition Everest, and Pandora, the world of Avatar. Joe is now retired, but still takes on projects like his work a strategic adviser with Virgin Galactic, one of a handful of companies aiming to commercialize space travel. He joined the company in early 2021 as the first experience architect. The astronaut Buzz Aldrin once said, “If we can see the horizon, we want to know what's beyond.” As you’ll hear, Joe is someone for whom travel has been transformational, driving his curiosity and desire to see, hear, smell, feel and taste the thing he wants to know. In this episode of Masters of Storytelling, Maya talks to Joe about narrative placemaking, deep research, and the public responsibility of the storyteller. In an effort to keep each episode a reasonable length, we’ve split this interview into two parts. This is part two. To follow Joe on Instagram, visit: bit.ly/3BVpZl3 For more infomation about BRC Imagination Arts, visit: www.brcweb.com

Joe Rohde is an artist, explorer, and creative executive. Over the course of his 40 year career with the Walt Disney Company, Joe worked at Imagineering, the creative arm that designs and builds everything from cruise ships, theme parks, rides and attractions, hotels, and infrastructure systems for the company's theme parks and resorts. During his tenure, he oversaw several projects, including Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, Expedition Everest, and Pandora, the world of Avatar. Joe is now retired, but still takes on projects like his work a strategic adviser with Virgin Galactic, one of a handful of companies aiming to commercialize space travel. He joined the company in early 2021 as the first experience architect. The astronaut Buzz Aldrin once said, “If we can see the horizon, we want to know what's beyond.” As you’ll hear, Joe is someone for whom travel has been transformational, driving his curiosity and desire to see, hear, smell, feel and taste the thing he wants to know. In this episode of Masters of Storytelling, Maya talks to Joe about narrative placemaking, deep research, and the public responsibility of the storyteller. In an effort to keep each episode a reasonable length, we’ve split this interview into two parts. This is part one. To follow Joe on Instagram, visit: bit.ly/3BVpZl3 For more infomation about BRC Imagination Arts, visit: www.brcweb.com

In this bonus episode, Maya talks to Bernard Semerdjian, an incredible graphic designer, art director, experience designer, and mensch. The two sat down a couple of weeks ago to talk about Maya's interview with concept artist and art director Philip Boutté Jr., world building, and what it means to create the thing that you would like to see in the world. https://bit.ly/3RjkAcswww.11ravens.comhttps://bit.ly/3B4RDKBhttps://bit.ly/3a9OJsu

Phillip Boutté Jr. is a concept artist within the costume designers guild. He's worked on a multitude of different blockbuster projects—films like Black Panther, Inception, Once Upon a time in Hollywood, Bohemian Rhapsody, Captain America, Hunger Games, The Greatest Showman—and as a production designer on musical tours and music videos for artists likeMadonna, Ariana Grande, The Black Keys, and Panic at the Disco. Phil is also co-founder and CEO of 9B Collective, which he started with two friends, Michael Uwandi and Aldis Hodge. Their goal is to provide a shift in the entertainment landscape by working towards true inclusivity both in front of,and behind the camera. The collective includes artists working across multiple disciplines, from Feature Films, Animation, Television, Video Games, XR, Graphic Design, and more. In this episode of Masters of Storytelling, Maya talks to Phil about costume and character design, the permanence of practice, and how his experience as a child actor influenced his purpose today. As you’ll hear, Phil’s someone who experienced a problem, saw the possibility, and rather than sit comfortably as pawn, he’s a become player, unafraid to effect change when everyone else said they didn’t know how to. For more information about Phillip Boutté Jr., visit: www.artstation.com/phillipbouttejr For more information about 9B Collective, visit: www.9bcollective.com For more infomation about BRC Imagination Arts, visit: www.brcweb.com

In episode in five Maya interview Abigail Rosen Holmes, a lighting and production designer for concerts, special events, and installations. She’s worked artists like Phish, The Cure, Janet Jackson, The Cure, CHER; for companies like Disney, Nordstrom; and on projects the span from the High Roller Observation Wheel at Caesar’s in Vegas to Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall,’ which was performed live at the site of the Berlin Wall shortly after it had been torn down. To follow up on this conversation, Maya speaks with Brad Shelton, Vice President and Creative Director at BRC and the man behind many of BRC's music focused projects. A fellow ex-theater kid turned theater-adult, he’s a storyteller, writer, and director who’s overseen the development of entire entertainment resorts and guest experiences around the world that span music, sports, entertainment, space, and everything in between. https://bit.ly/3zwESIihttps://bit.ly/3B4RDKBhttps://bit.ly/3a9OJsu

Abigail Rosen Holmes is a lighting, video and production designer who's worked on live concerts, special events, and installations for artists like Phish, The Cure, Janet Jackson, The Cure, Cher; for companies like Disney and Nordtrom; and on projects the span from the High Roller Observation Wheel at Caesar’s in Vegas to Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall,’ which was performed live at the site of the Berlin Wall only eight months after it had been torn down. A D.C. native and graduate of Brown University, Abigail spent years touring the US and Europe with some of the world's biggest music acts before spending six years as a Disney Imagineer. Her unique and varied background lend to her habit of leaning into otherwise unfamiliar mediums, platforms, and tools. This has contributed to a depth of experience that is fundamental to who she is today. In this episode of Masters of Storytelling, Maya talks to Abigail about her experience as a roadie, the power of abstraction in lighting and media design, and the magnificent things that happen when you just say 'yes.' For more information about Abigail and NYXdesign, visit: www.nyxdesign.com For more infomation about BRC Imagination Arts, visit: www.brcweb.com

In Maya’s interview with Chris Do, an Emmy award-winning designer and director, the two discuss business storytelling, brand strategy, finding your purpose, and the importance of doing what you love. To follow up on this conversation, Maya spoke to Cara Pico, BRC’s Design Studio Director. She leads all of BRC’s casting and recruitment, studio operations, and supports practically every department at BRC from project development to marketing, finance to design and production. For more information about BRC: https://bit.ly/3B4RDKB Follow BRC on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3a9OJsu

CEO and Chief Strategist of Blind Inc, Chris Do has lectured all over the world. Storyteller, businessman, designer, teacher, and creative strategist among other things, Chris has spent over 15yrs teaching at schools like ArtCenter College of Design, Otis College of Art and Design, and has reached millions through his second company, The Futur—an online education platform with close to 2M subscribers on YouTube. He received his BFA from Art Center College of Design in Graphics/Packaging, where he has taught Sequential Design for over a decade. He’s lectured all over the world on subjects including pricing, sales, negotiations, content marketing, branding, storytelling, building community and influence. In this episode of Masters of Storytelling, Maya talks to Chris about his journey starting and growing a creative agency, business storytelling and the importance of knowing your audience, and the magic that happens when you do work that has meaning. For more information about Chris and his company Blind, visit: www.blind.com For more information about The Futur, visit: www.thefutur.com To learn more about BRC Imagination Arts: www.brcweb.com

In this Masters of Storytelling bonus episode, Maya talks to Matthew Solari, Vice President and Creative Director at BRC, about themes discussed in Maya's interview with Margaret Kerrison, Senior Experiential Creative Lead, Story Development at Airbnb(Episode 4). A writer in his own right, Matthew is incredible at blending scholarship with the art of showmanship, translating otherwise complex or controversial topics into universally accessible, engaging stories for guests. For more information about BRC: https://bit.ly/3B4RDKB For more information about Matthew Solari: https://bit.ly/3ORg4Si For more information about The Hebrew Bible Experience: https://bit.ly/3vK5uVS Follow BRC on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3a9OJsu

Born in Indonesia and raised in Singapore, Margaret Kerrison is a Creative/Story Lead for immersive experiences and brand narrative. Her goal is to help teams THINK BIG when it comes to developing and sharing compelling stories with the world. A disruptive thinker with 14 years of experience building award-winning projects from the ground up, she’s consistently challenging the status quo, asking "What If" and "Why Not?" Margaret’s worked as a Story Lead, Story Consultant, and Writer for multiple immersive experiences including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Star Wars: Launch Bay, Hyperspace Mountain, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, Avengers Campus, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, National Geographic HQ, NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted, Heineken Experience, StoryGarden by AMOREPACIFIC, and the Information and Communications Pavilion (Expo 2010 Shanghai). In addition to her role as Senior Experiential Creative Lead, Story Development at Airbnb, Margaret's just completed her first book: Immersive Storytelling for Real and Imagined Worlds: A Writer’s Guide. Whether you're a writer or not, she does a wonderful job outlining the important questions you need to ask and answer to get to the why of your story. In this episode of Masters of Storytelling, Maya talks to Margaret about her craft as a creative story lead, the benefits of being a curious learner, and the critical yet often invisible role writers play in the development of immersive experiences. To pre-order Margaret’s book, Immersive Storytelling for Real and Imagined Worlds: A Writer’s Guide visit: https://amzn.to/3vFVBXW For more information about Margaret, visit: https://www.margaretkerrison.com/ For more information on BRC visit: www.brcweb.com

In this Masters of Storytelling bonus episode, Maya talks to Edward Hodge, Vice President and Creative Director at BRC, about themes discussed in Maya's interview with Emmy award-winning pianist and composer Kris Bowers (Episode 3). Edward’s what some people call a 'technical wizard'. The man with the magic wand, he’s often responsible for bringing our shows to life using integrated technical systems, projection mapping, and special effects. For more information about BRC: https://bit.ly/3B4RDKB For more information about Edward Hodge: https://bit.ly/3JhtAvt For more information about the Music Box Experience Center at Ravinia Festival: https://bit.ly/3u0aOCj For more information about the Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium Tours: https://bit.ly/3IgdjFw Follow BRC on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3a9OJsu

An Emmy Award-winning composer and pianist, Kris Bowers has mastered the art of translating emotion to sound. From Bridgerton to Space Jam, Green Book, and most recently, King Richard, the Juilliard-educated pianist has established himself at the forefront of Hollywood’s emerging generation of genre-defying composers. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kris first made a name for himself in 2011, when he won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The win earned him a record deal with Concord Jazz, who later released his debut album, Heroes+Misfits, which opened at number one on the iTunes jazz chart in 2014. Since then, he's gone on to compose for projects that include Kobe Bryant’s Muse, Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us, Netflix’s Dear White People, and Shonda Rhimes' Inventing Anna. In addition to his work as a composer for TV and film, Kris has recorded and performed with artists such as Q-Tip, Aretha Franklin, Ludacris, Christian Rich, Jay-Z, and Kanye West. In this episode of Masters of Storytelling, Maya talks to Kris about his craft as a composer, how he views jazz as a way of life, and the visceral experience of tying sound to story. Many thanks to Kris Bowers for providing music for this episode: For more information about Kris, visit: www.krisbowers.com For more information about BRC, visit: www.brcweb.com Follow BRC on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3CofmWY Follow BRC on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3a9OJsu

In this Masters of Storytelling bonus episode, Maya catches up with Christian Lachel, Chief Creative Officer at BRC Imagination Arts, to discuss Corona Island and the art of science of branded destinations. One of today’s most important thought leaders in the experiential space. Christian has led the strategy, design, and production of some of the world’s most successful branded destinations including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Jameson Distillery Bow St., NASA Kennedy Space Center, and more. For more information about BRC: https://bit.ly/3B4RDKB For more information about Christian Lachel: https://bit.ly/3HAMyfE Follow BRC on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3a9OJsu