The Future Of Storytelling: Brett & Shannon Leonard (Filmmakers, Storytellers, Digital Creators)

In this episode, I’m joined by Brett and Shannon Leonard – a father and son duo working at the bleeding edge of storytelling, technology, and human connection. You might know Brett as the visionary director behind The Lawnmower Man and Virtuosity – films that helped define how we imagined virtual reality and artificial intelligence decades before they became real. Shannon grew up immersed in that creative world, and now brings his own deep expertise in AI-native workflows and digital storytelling. Together, they’re building what they call “emergent narrative” – interactive storyworlds where audience and creator co-author the experience. We talk about creativity, AI ethics, virtual therapy, Hollywood’s future, and the radical idea that storytelling might be our greatest human technology. It’s a wide-ranging, inspiring, and deeply optimistic conversation – I think you’re going to love it.

Takeaways

• Storytelling is evolving with technology and AI.
• Intergenerational collaboration enhances creativity.
• AI can unlock new forms of narrative engagement.
• The future of storytelling lies in positive narratives.
• Emergent storytelling allows for unique user experiences.
• Community plays a vital role in creative expression.
• The democratization of creativity is on the rise.
• Ethics in storytelling is crucial in the age of AI.
• Context engineering is essential for effective storytelling.
• Human connection remains central to storytelling.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Storytelling and Technology
02:54 Intergenerational Collaboration in Creativity
05:51 The Impact of AI on Storytelling
09:01 The Future of Narrative and AI
11:49 Ethics and Responsibility in Storytelling
15:00 Emerging Trends in Filmmaking and AI
18:04 The Role of Context in Storytelling
20:54 Emergent Narrative and Interactive Storytelling
24:01 The Democratization of Creativity
27:06 Building a New Era of Storytelling
30:04 The Future of Entertainment and AI
32:45 Navigating the Transition to New Media
36:00 The Role of Community in Storytelling
39:04 The Evolution of Human Creativity
41:58 The Balance of Agency and Narrative
45:05 The Future of Storytelling in a Digital Age
47:50 The Importance of Human Connection
50:55 The New Landscape of Storytelling
54:03 The Power of Story in Shaping Reality
56:57 Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Storytelling