*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."