The Story Behind Story Circle
Some ideas arrive like lightning bolts — a single, electric moment that changes everything.
Others, like Story Circle, take shape gently, almost organically, from a series of experiences that click into place like pieces of a puzzle.
The idea for Story Circle began on a trip to Florida Southern College in 2015, where my partner (Nick) and I (Liam) visited the beautiful Red Theatre, designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The theatre’s architecture was unlike anything we’d seen before: a perfect circle, built to draw people together. In the very center of the space was a subtle but powerful design feature — a focal point where sound naturally gathered. You could stand there, speak in a normal voice, and be heard perfectly all around.
You have to try it, believe it. Visiting the Red Theatre was a special part of a four-hour long tour of the campus architecture. If you like art or architecture and want to see this space, book your tour the next time you’re in Central Florida.
Nick in the Red Theatre at Florida Southern College.
It wasn’t just an architectural trick; it was an invitation. To gather. To listen. To share.
The space planted a seed in my mind: what if storytelling could be reimagined in the same way? What if we created an event that physically and emotionally brought people closer, where every voice mattered and every story resonated?
In 2016 we founded TEDxKingstonUponThames in our home town in London. After one event for 100 people we quickly scaled up to selling out the Rose Theatre Kingston - another impressive circular space - and a 900+ seat theatre.
For 8 years, we were deeply immersed in TEDxKingstonUponThames, an event that had already shown us how powerful stories could be when shared with authenticity and passion. Over time, something interesting happened. We found ourselves increasingly drawn to selecting speakers who had deeply personal, emotional stories to tell. These weren’t just “ideas worth spreading” in the traditional TED sense — they were raw, human experiences that moved audiences in a different way.
The focus began to shift from presenting big ideas to sharing lived experiences. From concepts to connection. From the head to the heart.
Liam (left) and Nick (right) on the TEDxKingstonUponThames stage at Rose Theatre Kingston.
And as much as we loved TEDx and everything it stood for, it became clear that we were moving beyond its original framework. The boundaries that had once guided us now felt limiting. A new thing was trying to emerge — something that didn’t just tolerate personal storytelling but centered it.
In early 2020, the name Story Circle was born. It felt right immediately: simple, timeless, and true to the spirit of what we wanted to create.
But, as we all know, 2020 had other plans. The pandemic swept across the world, and like so many other dreams, Story Circle had to be put on hold. Live events became impossible, and our focus shifted again. The idea, though, never disappeared. The name stayed with us, quietly waiting for the right time.
And by 2024, it was clear — the time had come.
Story Circle was ready to be brought to life, almost ten years after visiting the Red Theatre that sparked the idea in the first place.
And here we are: a space inspired by architecture, guided by community, and powered by the timeless human need to share our stories.
A place where there is no stage, no separation — only a circle, a focal point, and a shared human experience.
We can’t wait to see what stories you bring to the circle.