# The Backstory-S01E09-Melissa Spas

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backstory-podcast-7733603/the-backstory-s01e09-melissa-spas
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backstory-podcast-7733603/the-backstory-s01e09-melissa-spas.md
Podcast: [The Backstory Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backstory-podcast-7733603)
Published: 2026-07-27T12:21:34+00:00
Episode link: https://thebackstory.podbean.com/e/behind-the-backstory-inside-the-national-storytelling-initiative/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/que5em9r7h55trjs/The_Backstory-S01E09-Melissa_Spas77g6c.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-backstory-podcast-7733603/episodes/the-backstory-s01e09-melissa-spas
Duration seconds: 4032

## Resource

Hosts Elizabeth, Josh, and Shannon share project updates—recent hires, RFPs, and the start of paid production—as they push the National Storytelling Initiative from planning into action. Shannon and Josh discuss fresh audience research showing many active Christians on the edge of church life and the need for more compelling, relevant stories. They also preview upcoming storytelling tests, campaigns, and gatherings. Guest Melissa Spas, Belmont’s new managing director for the coordination program, explains goals to listen, convene, and build shared resources so grantees can learn from one another and scale narrative work across diverse Christian communities. Find more about the coordination efforts at: https://www.belmont.edu/storytelling-coordination-program/

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## Transcript

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