Story Islands explores how creative thinkers really innovate — one island at a time. In a world obsessed with data, we take a more curious path. Each guest brings five story islands from their life and work, and together we travel through the people, places and sparks that have shaped their lives and ideas.
We jump between islands, follow surprising connections, and discover how innovation rarely travels in a straight line. Listen in order, or choose your own path on Stornaway.
Season 2 – Now Live!
The Story Islands podcast is back, and for the first time, this season is interactive — giving you a fresh, non-linear way to explore each episode.
Episode 1: Story Islands with Margaret Heffernan
A powerful conversation on creativity, curiosity, and the five Story Islands in a data-driven world.
Episode 2: Story Islands with David Dimbleby
A conversation on journalism, curiosity, and public trust in an age of certainty and noise.
Episode 3: Story Islands with Rebecca Atkinson
A conversation on disability, uncertainty, and the radical power of making culture more inclusive.
Episode 4: Story Islands with Martha Lane Fox
A conversation on technology, resilience, and building a more human and hopeful digital future.
Season 1 – all episodes:
Story Islands End of Season: Unleashing the Power of Adaptive media
With Natasha McKenzie“Humans matter to the way that stories are structured, to the innovation of the stories.”
Secure Attention
With Nick Handley“The power of video, particularly adaptive video, brings someone just closer in to digital experiences.“
Building soft skills
With Paul Brennan“In terms of the results, spectacular is the word I would use.“
Changing behaviours
With Paul Mallaghan“The combination of digital and physical is always very powerful, particularly when you are talking about learning.“
How to Save a Life
With Martin Percy“When I’m making an interactive film, I try not to think of it as a story. Instead, I try to think of it as making a model of real life.“
Who betrayed Barnaby Butters?
With Morgan Obregon“If the end user is interacting and entertained throughout the experience, they’re going to withhold the information longer and incorporate it into their daily lives “
Interactive workflow secrets
With Paul Raschid“Think about replayability, and how you can weave that into the structure of the story that you want to tell “
The Story of Story Islands
With Natasha McKenzie“You have huge amounts of content inside you waiting to be turned into a story. The difficult part is how do you put the bits together to turn it into that story?”
Choosing Your Own Path
With Ru Howe and Kate Dimbleby
🚀 Season 1 Finale:
Story Islands End of Season : Unleashing the Power of Adaptive media
With Natasha McKenzie