Friendships are the driving force behind many stories - tales of adventuring together, first meetings and growing together, and perhaps most importantly, how friends weather the storms of conflict and change. Today, we talk to Ivana and Jay from the podcast Friends With Elephants about what makes for a great friendship, some notable BFFs in pop culture, and why you should (not) paint portraits of your friends for their birthday.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

Find our guests Jay and Ivana at: http://friendselephants.com/ or on Twitter at @itsivana and @jesterjay.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original [...]}

In the physical world, a crucible is a vessel used to melt metal through fire and heat so that it can be forged into something new. In the world of stories, a crucible is very similar - a test under fire where you come out changed on the other side. Today, we talk to multimedia storyteller Caelyn Sandel about the art of dynamic fiction, how she turned a crucible moment into her much-beloved game Bloom, and how even media like Steven Universe features great examples of crucibles.  

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

Find our guest Caelyn at: http://inurashii.xyz

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NOTE: This episode comes with a content warning for discussion of violence, domestic abuse, homelessness, and loneliness.

Today’s episode is a very special interview with artist and activist Kiva Bay. We look in-depth at the darker side of stories, both narrative and fictional, and discuss how real-life traumas can be channeled into telling important stories. Also, Kiva shares a hilarious story from early childhood, demonstrating that there is levity to be found in any situation.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

Find our guest Kiva at: http://kivabay.com

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created [...]}

Today, we explore a silent partner in the development of our personal narratives: our physical environment. From mythology to food to music and more, our very essence is influenced by where we are in the world and how we interact with and react to the world around us.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

There is a well-known saying by Winston Churchill that “history is written by the victors”. Today, we take that idea one step further by exploring the concepts of emergent narrative and historiographies as they relate to both video games, world history, and our own real life experiences.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

Chances are, however you fill in that blank with when it comes to YOUR family, your answer will be as unique as the life you’ve lived. From ancient histories to famous families in pop culture, today’s episode explores the ties that bind, whether through blood or based on your “family of choice”.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

Anyone who loves a good story knows how magical the art of storytelling can be. Today, we talk about one of its greatest gifts - the power of connectivity. Our special guest today, Leslie from One Time Stories, shares with us how her experiences in curating stories from diverse storytellers has brought more magic and meaning to her life.

This episode also features two unique stories on the theme “fairy tale”, one from Leslie and one from Chuck.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

Find our guest Leslie at: http://onetimestories.com/

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original c [...]}

Relationships come in all shapes and sizes, and it comes as no surprise that they each tell their own special story with their own shared beats and structures. Today, Chuck shares the story of one of his most important relationships, and how that experience has shaped many of his own stories going forward.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

Today, we look at the many roles producers can play when it comes to the success of stories, music, theatre, film, and more. Featuring a special guest interviewee, Kelly Taylor, who runs Daisy Productions - a Toronto-based theatre company. She brings a ton of producer know-how and a few hilarious stories!

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

Find our guest Kelly at: http://www.daisyproductions.ca/

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

As the antithesis to our last two episode themes - subversion and lies - today we look at the fun and friendly world of collaboration. Personal stories and popular culture anecdotes prove there’s power to be had in teaming up to achieve awesomeness.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

Liar, liar, pants on fire - or so the old children’s nursery rhyme goes. You may be a dirty liar… but don’t worry, so are we. And everyone else around you is probably a liar too, in some capacity or another. Today, we look at the lies we tell in our own lives and how some of the biggest lies in pop culture have led to some of the greatest climactic reveals.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

Today, we get down and dirty with a subject that many know and admire, but just as many find a little uncomfortable: subversion. Love or hate it, tune in to find out why subversive stories make for excellent adventures in both factual history and popular culture.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

Today, we look at the concept of elegance as it features in storytelling, poetry, and even mathematics. Featuring a special guest interviewee, Linus Rachlis.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

Find our guest Linus at: linus.rachlis.net

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

Coming at you unscripted, unedited, and unleashed from behind the scenes, you’ve unlocked some sweet bonus content from Producer Emily. Today, we celebrate our first 50 followers on Twitter! Shout out to our awesome tweeps.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

Today, we talk about our own personal backstories, and how they shape your current reality as well as others’ perceptions of you. Chuck also shares a personal story from his own life, and what he’s learned from the curious random happenstance that’s led him to where he is today.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

Today, we dig into the first rule of storytelling - “show, don’t tell.” But what does this rule really mean, and how does this change across platforms such as novels, video games, theatre, and film? Tune in to find out!

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}

And it all begins. Meet your humble narrator, Chuck McPhail, as he delves into the realm of storytelling. Learn about life, the universe, and everything - or at least why this podcast is being created and what you can expect to get out of it.

Want to talk to us? Email us at whatsthestorypodcast@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter @WTSPodcastMcP, or find us on Facebook and Tumblr under What’s The Story Podcast.

_{What’s the Story is produced by Laughing Cat Creative. It is written, narrated, and created by Chuck McPhail. Our intro and outro music feature original content from the band d’Archangel.}