Creating Worlds, One Story at a Time...

The podcast that takes you inside the dynamic teams that bring themed experiences to life

The Power of Collaboration

Discover how professionals from vastly different disciplines—creative, technical, craftsperson, and beyond—work together seamlessly to bring extraordinary ideas to life. Learn the importance of teamwork and communication in overcoming challenges and delivering transformational experiences.

Storytelling as the Medium

Recognize that every professional contributes a unique piece to the puzzle, ensuring that the branded story is reflected in every touchpoint of the experience. These multi-dimensional narratives where collaboration across the disciplines is not just important—it’s essential.

Celebrating Dynamic Roles

Be inspired by the wide range of expertise and perspectives in the industry, showcasing how people with unique skills and backgrounds contribute to a shared vision. We celebrate the many different talents it takes to create extraordinary experiences.

Episodes

Welcome to our first season! Enjoy these episodes on your favorite podcast platform

Chris Lattner - Episode 4

Chris Lattner, a pioneer in immersive storytelling and escape room design, shares his journey from role-playing games to creating richly detailed, story-driven experiences. He offers insights on collaboration, the power of character, and the future of immersive entertainment—along with practical advice for aspiring storytellers.

New episodes of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers drop monthly—featuring in-depth conversations with the creative and technical minds behind the world’s most immersive experiences. Stay tuned for insights, inspiration, and stories from the forefront of themed experience design.

New episodes of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers drop monthly...

Craig Russell- Episode 1

Craig Russell, former co-leader of Walt Disney Imagineering, reflects on the critical importance of taking the long view in business, prioritizing quality and mission over short-term gains. He also highlights the essential role of collaboration in themed entertainment, emphasizing how strong leadership and trust among diverse disciplines create extraordinary experiences.

Stacy Barton- Episode 2

Stacey Barton, a veteran storyteller, performer and experience creator dives into audience-centric storytelling, the creation of immersive live performances, and the importance of collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. Stacey shares her personal journey, offers valuable career insights, and discusses the future of live experiences, providing inspiration and advice for aspiring storytellers.

Francisco Nunez podcast

Francisco Nunez, president of FrankNDesign, explores the intersection of architecture, technology, and experience design as well as his journey from the Dominican Republic to the world of themed entertainment. Frank shares the importance of the balance between creativity and technical feasibility, and the innovative problem-solving skills required to bring memorable worlds to life.

About The Host

Host, Theron Skees

As a former senior creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, Theron has spent his career injecting brand story and narrative into theme parks, destination experiences and organizations around the world. He has led diverse creation, design and construction projects from 100's of millions to billions of dollars in a wide variety of experience types. Now, as the founder of The Designer's Creative Studio, he applies lessons from his 30+ year career in Themed Entertainment focusing on the use of storytelling solutions and experience design to transform “customers” to “audience” members, drive business uplift and grow brand equity.

Theron represents how experience and story are not just something that gets applied on top of a brand but are the core values an audience considers to be a part of any organization’s DNA. With notable brand collaborations across a broad section of the global economy, he demonstrates that this area of expertise is needed wherever people live, work, eat, shop, or play.

Additional Resources

Need More Information to Inform Your Journey?

Embark on a journey into the enchanting world of Themed Entertainment with this essential guide. For anyone who has ever wondered how destinations like Disney, Universal Studios, or even luxury cruise lines come to life and cause us to revisit again and again, Creating Memorable Worlds offers the answers. More than a manual or text book, each chapter demystifies the process of turning creative visions into unforgettable guest experiences.

The Designer's Creative Studio website

The Designer's Creative StudioWe create meaningful story experiences that connect audiences to brands in new and lasting ways. Our studio offers a range of expertise to support this journey from brand refinement to complete experience development. We’d love to serve as your conductors, providing innovative, solution-oriented experience design to any community where people live, work, eat, shop or play. Explore the different ways we can collaborate and begin your brand’s transformation.