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The League of Extraordinary Storytellers: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Theron Skees
"The League of Extraordinary Storytellers" is a podcast that celebrates the visionaries, innovators, and orchestrators from the themed experience industry. Hosted by Theron Skees, creative leader and author of Creating Memorable Worlds, the podcast features video interviews with leaders from every discipline—designers, engineers, writers, technicians, and more—who come together to dream and build story-driven, transformative experiences. Each episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the unique roles and collaborations that drive this dynamic industry.
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- 2 weeks ago1h 6m
Episode 19 - Roberta Perry
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.
- Jun 15, 20261h 9m
Episode 18 - Doug Griffith
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.
- May 15, 20261h 3m
Episode 17 - Dave Hoffman
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.
- Apr 15, 20261h 6m
Episode 16 - Lyndsey Archer
In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, Theron Skees speaks with Lyndsey Archer, former Walt Disney Imagineering designer and Founder of Studio Archer.Lyndsey shares how experience design creates emotional connection, how art and interior architecture evolve into immersive environments, and what it takes to lead collaborative teams across global projects. The conversation explores storytelling, brand experience, themed entertainment, entrepreneurship, and the role of emotional design in the Experience Economy.
- Mar 15, 20261h 3m
Episode 15 - Jason McManus
In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Storytellers, Theron Skees speaks with Jason McManus, Principal and Executive Creative Director at TAIT and former Walt Disney Imagineering creative leader.Jason shares how experience design creates emotional connection, why creative directors must communicate across disciplines, and how the themed entertainment industry continues to evolve globally.The conversation explores storytelling, theme park design, guest experience, the Experience Economy, emerging technologies like AI, and the growing influence of immersive design across industries including healthcare, hospitality, and education.
- Feb 15, 20261h 12m
Episode 14- Pigalle Tavakkoli
Season 2 opens with experience design pioneer Pigalle Tavakkoli.From immersive theatre to global education and consulting, Pigalle shares how experiences move beyond spectacle to create internal transformation—shifting how people feel, think, and act. We explore the evolution from design thinking to experience thinking, the power of multidisciplinary collaboration, and why the future of organizations depends on intentional, human-centered experiences.
- Dec 15, 20251h 18m
Episode 13: James Wallman
For the Season 1 finale, Theron Skees talks with James Wallman, CEO of the World Experience Organization, about the future of experiences and their growing role in culture, business, and human behavior.James shares insights on why experiences matter more than ever, how the Experience Economy continues to evolve, and why “transformation” represents the next major opportunity for creators and organizations. This episode explores meaning, memory, identity, and the systems behind designing experiences that truly impact people.A thoughtful conversation for anyone shaping the world through story, design, and human connection.
- Nov 17, 20251h 11m
Episode 12: Tony Mancini
How do you lead when creativity and commerce collide?In this episode, Tony Mancini—a veteran of Disney, MGM Resorts, and Las Vegas Sands—joins host Theron Skees to explore how story, brand, and business come together to create unforgettable guest experiences. From his “six P’s” framework to his philosophy of excellence over perfection, Tony shares insights that reveal how collaboration, accountability, and design discipline shape the future of experiential environments.
About The League of Extraordinary Storytellers
"The League of Extraordinary Storytellers" is a podcast that celebrates the visionaries, innovators, and orchestrators from the themed experience industry. Hosted by Theron Skees, creative leader and author of Creating Memorable Worlds, the podcast features video interviews with leaders from every discipline—designers, engineers, writers, technicians, and more—who come together to dream and build story-driven, transformative experiences. Each episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the unique roles and collaborations that drive this dynamic industry.
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