The League of Extraordinary Storytellers

What changes when audiences stop watching the story—and start living it?In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, Theron Skees speaks with Jasmin Jodry, an award-winning Creative Director and global experience designer working across themed entertainment, immersive storytelling, technology, performance, and worldbuilding.Jasmin explores the idea of storyliving—designing experiences where guests participate, make choices, and become emotionally invested in the story. The conversation also examines multidisciplinary collaboration, business strategy, technology, return on experience, global creative leadership, and the growing potential for entertainment to create meaning, connection, and human transformation. 🎧 Listen now to explore how intentional experience design can shape not only what people see—but what they feel, remember, and carry forward.

What happens when a story becomes something you can step into?In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, Theron Skees speaks with Francine Boon and Victor van Doorn of Sherlocked, the Amsterdam-based experience design studio behind award-winning immersive adventures, escape rooms, museum experiences, and city games.The conversation explores play, mystery, realism, audience participation, environmental storytelling, emotional design, and the business of creating experiences that blur the line between fiction and reality.Francine and Victor share how Sherlocked designs moments of wonder, why adults need permission to play, and how immersive experiences can help people return to the real world seeing it differently.🎧 Listen now to explore how curiosity, craft, and human behavior come together in great immersive experience design.

Great opportunities often begin with one person opening a door.In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, Theron Skees speaks with Roberta Perry, business development strategist, founding member and past international president of the Themed Entertainment Association, and longtime leader in the global attractions industry.Roberta shares her unconventional journey from restaurants and nightclub entertainment to technology, themed entertainment, and industry leadership. The conversation explores relationship-building, collaboration, business strategy, storytelling, technology, and why serving a professional community is more powerful than simply networking within it.🎧 Listen now to discover how relationships, courage, and a willingness to say yes can shape both a career and an industry.

What makes an Audio-Animatronics character feel alive?In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, Theron Skees speaks with Doug Griffith, creative leader, animator, concept designer, educator, and subject matter expert in Audio-Animatronics animation.Doug shares insights from his decades-long career at Walt Disney Imagineering, including the early WED Enterprises days, EPCOT, Tokyo Disneyland, Alien Encounter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Country Bear Musical Jamboree, and the evolution of digital tools in character design.The conversation explores themed entertainment, character animation, robotics, storytelling, believability, the Uncanny Valley, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the future of animatronics in experience design.🎧 Listen now to explore how artistry, technology, and imagination come together to create characters audiences believe in.

In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, I speak with Dave Hoffman, former Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Development Executive with a 35-year career in themed entertainment.Dave shares insights on experience design, storytelling, and creative leadership, including his work across Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disney Resort. The conversation explores collaboration, guest experience, operational design, and the balance between creative vision and business realities.