Episode 3737: Stephen Most – Stories Make the World | The Art of Documentary Storytelling, Truth & Filmmaking  Weekend of 7-18 seg 3 episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 11, 2026 · 8 MIN

Episode 3737: Stephen Most – Stories Make the World | The Art of Documentary Storytelling, Truth & Filmmaking Weekend of 7-18 seg 3

from This Week in America with Ric Bratton · host Ric Bratton

Why do stories have the power to change minds, preserve history, and help us better understand the world?On this episode of This Week in America, Ric Bratton welcomes acclaimed writer and documentary filmmaker Stephen Most, author of Stories Make the World. With writing credits on four Academy Award-nominated documentaries and five Emmy-winning films, Stephen shares what decades of nonfiction storytelling have taught him about truth, creativity, and the responsibility of telling real stories.In Stories Make the World, Stephen explores how documentary filmmakers discover meaningful stories, represent reality honestly, and transform raw information into narratives that educate, inspire, and endure. Blending personal experiences with behind-the-scenes insights from award-winning productions, the book offers an engaging look at the craft of storytelling and why it remains one of humanity's most powerful tools.In this episode, you'll discover:  Why stories help us understand ourselves and the world around us   The challenges of portraying real people and real events with honesty   How documentary filmmakers balance facts with compelling storytelling   What today's media landscape teaches us about truth and authenticity   Lessons from Stephen's work on Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning documentaries  Whether you're a filmmaker, writer, student, educator, or someone fascinated by the power of great storytelling, this conversation offers valuable insights into the art of documentary filmmaking and the timeless importance of telling true stories.This Week in America with Ric Bratton is one of America's premier syndicated radio shows and podcasts, featuring engaging conversations with bestselling authors, thought leaders, and experts on health, business, personal growth, history, technology, and current events. Heard on more than 100 radio stations and podcast platforms worldwide, each episode delivers insightful interviews that inform, inspire, and entertain.If you're interested in documentary filmmaking, nonfiction storytelling, screenwriting, journalism, media ethics, history, creative writing, or the power of stories to shape our understanding of the world, don't miss this fascinating conversation with award-winning filmmaker and author Stephen Most. Discover why stories continue to connect people across generations—and why truthful storytelling matters now more than ever.Keywords:  Stephen Most, Stories Make the World, documentary filmmaking, documentary films, documentary storytelling, nonfiction storytelling, storytelling, screenwriting, documentary screenwriting, filmmaking, documentary writer, documentary producer, documentary history, creative nonfiction, narrative storytelling, visual storytelling, media studies, journalism, truth in storytelling, media ethics, documentary production, Academy Award nominated documentaries, Emmy winning documentaries, documentary interviews, filmmaking podcast, writing documentaries, storytelling techniques, documentary education, creative writing, nonfiction writing, history documentaries, PBS documentaries, film production, filmmaker interview, This Week in America, Ric Bratton 

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 11, 2026

Embed this episode

Ready to play

Episode 3737: Stephen Most – Stories Make the World | The Art of Documentary Storytelling, Truth & Filmmaking Weekend of 7-18 seg 3

0:00 8:15

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of This Week in America with Ric Bratton?

This episode is 8 minutes long.

When was this This Week in America with Ric Bratton episode published?

This episode was published on July 11, 2026.

Can I download this This Week in America with Ric Bratton episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!