The Story First Podcast
From award-winning podcaster and filmmaker Brian McDonald (Invisible Ink, Land of the Dead), whose work has been embraced by Pixar, HBO, and Disney. Building on his acclaimed show You Are a Storyteller, this series features high-level conversations with writers, filmmakers, and creators—real exchanges between craftspeople on how and why stories work.
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The Story First Podcast
From award-winning podcaster and filmmaker Brian McDonald (Invisible Ink, Land of the Dead), whose work has been embraced by Pixar, HBO, and Disney. Building on his acclaimed show You Are a Storyteller, this series features high-level conversations with writers, filmmakers, and creators—real exchanges between craftspeople on how and why stories work.
From Saturday-morning cartoons to Batter Royale, Leisl Adams has spent her life bringing stories to life—one drawing at a time.
In this episode, Brian McDonald talks with Leisl about the curiosity that fuels creativity, the discipline that turns passion into craft, and what it means to keep the fun in art even after it becomes your job.
They explore childhood imagination, mentorship, and the invisible work behind storytelling that makes characters—and artists—feel alive.
It’s honest, funny, and full of hard-won wisdom from a lifelong student of story.
Let’s get started.
Story First Podcast
The Story First Podcast
From award-winning podcaster and filmmaker Brian McDonald (Invisible Ink, Land of the Dead), whose work has been embraced by Pixar, HBO, and Disney. Building on his acclaimed show You Are a Storyteller, this series features high-level conversations with writers, filmmakers, and creators—real exchanges between craftspeople on how and why stories work.
