Add Layers to The Story You Tell

JMS episode 363 Sam Gennawey

“When people dream of being a Cast Member or a Park Ranger it’s less about the pay and more about being part of something special.”

One of my favorite things about hosting conversations is discovering how two seemingly different worlds are actually much more alike than we realize. I had the chance to talk with author and urban planner Sam Gennawey about his journey from writing books on Disneyland and Universal Studios to exploring the stories of our national parks.

At the surface theme parks and natural parks are very different in appearance. However, at an organization level they are often working toward the same goal. They want to create an environment where visitors can let their guard down, feel a sense of wonder, and connect with a story bigger than themselves.

At Disneyland, that story is carefully crafted through design and backstory. In a national park, the story is already written in the land, the history, and the people who cared for it. The role of the interpreter or ranger is to draw that story out.

Sam described it as layers of storytelling. A casual visitor may just see the surface and enjoy the moment. Others who come with curiosity can go deeper, discovering rich details and unexpected lessons that linger long after they leave. The best stories are the ones that provoke you to want to know more, even long after the experience ends.

A lot of this also reflects to the way we live and work. Whether you’re leading a team, designing an experience, or just sharing a story with your kids, the layers matter. The right story, told well, doesn’t just inform. It stays with you.