*Episode Summary* In this inaugural episode of Storytime, Lee explores the evolutionary origins of story, from the ancient cave paintings of our ancestors to the digital narratives of today. Drawing on a range or sources, Lee delves into the profound role storytelling plays in shaping our understanding of the world and ourselves. He invites listeners to consider the earliest story they remember and how it has stayed with them, setting the stage for a deep exploration of the power and purpose of storytelling in future episodes. *About this Podcast* Welcome to 'Storytime,' the podcast that explodes the phenomenon of Story. Hosted by S. Lee Ware, a doctor-scientist turned poet-author, this channel delves into the nature, evolution, and history of human storytelling through the lenses of science, history, and literature. Subscribe for deep dives into the world’s greatest tales, and the minds that make -- and are made of -- Story. *References:* 1. Boyd, B. (2009). On the Origin of Stories: Evolution, Cognition, and Fiction. Harvard University Press. 2. Gottschall, J. (2012). The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 3. Mar, R. A., & Oatley, K. (2008). The Function of Fiction is the Abstraction and Simulation of Social Experience. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(3), 173–192. **https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6924.2008.00073.x** *Connect with S. Lee Ware* Website (sign up for newsletter): Metastory.press http://Metastory.press, where you can read free early chapters from my novels. Support: Buy Me A Coffee (or a book!) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/sleeware Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lee_Ware Twitter: (the Metastory, for daily quotes from my novels) https://twitter.com/The_Metastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sleeware Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s_lee_ware/ *Credits* Produced by S. Lee Ware All content © S. Lee Ware 2023. All rights reserved. -- Music by Aleksey Chistilin https://pixabay.com/users/lexin_music *Contact* For inquiries and collaborations, please email lee@wonderawe.press. *Disclaimers* "The information provided in this video is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical, legal, financial, spiritual, or otherwise professional advice."

In this trailer for the Storytime series, Lee sets the stage for a journey into the heart of storytelling. Drawing from a diverse range of disciplines, Lee aims to unravel the mysteries of Story, its origins, structures, and profound impact on human existence. This series is an open invitation to anyone intrigued by the magic of storytelling and its power to shape our understanding of the world.

Hear me O’ ye mortal kind, for such story resides in mortal mind as might lift the blind with gift of sight by inner eye pried wide. When your kind first rose on heels and toes, truth I placed beneath your roots: a whispered tale in my own voice of all the wails and woes of choice. A song of Hope both found and lost I’ve scarred upon your inner arcs, that all your inner thoughts be marked like some sign of God carved in bark and left for you to find. Yes, such story buried deep inside is mine.

"By the gods, it’s a treasure, a pleasure to the soul but to hold. And yet a rock — however glorious to behold, however imbued with divine truth, however close to the gods it may bring one to — is no substitute for food. So keep yourself cool, you fool, and keep your wits. You’ve all the power here. Yet now at least I know the game is bait-and-switch."