Courtney Becker, an award-winning editor and producer, leads day to day operations and all development and production for The Greats Story Lab™. A Baylor University alumna with a University Scholar degree in Neuroscience and Creative Writing and graduate from the Cornell graduate certificate program in entrepreneurship, she honed her film industry skills through the prestigious Academy Gold Rising program with the Academy of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Courtney's diverse experience includes internships at Bron Studios and Millennium Media, and key roles in producing impactful content ranging from shorts to feature-length documentaries. A serial entrepreneur, she launched Stellata Skies, LLC, in 2018, solidifying her commitment to innovative storytelling and production excellence.

Dr. Sarah Jane Murray (Ph.D., Princeton) is an award-winning Professor of Great Texts & Creative Writing at Baylor University and EMMY®-nominated filmmaker with work distributed by PBS, Netflix, Amazon, and the New York Times. Supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and American Philosophical Society, her research explores the origins of the Western thought and the vital role of storytelling in cultural transmission. From clay tablets and papyrus to the invention of manuscripts, printing, digital film, and 21st century emerging technologies, she believes great storytelling experiences survive because of the ‘3Ms’ — they’re meaningful, memorable, and motivate us to grow. Dr. Murray is the translator with Dr. Matthieu Boyd of the medieval French Moralized Ovid (D.S. Brewer, 2023), a three-volume work described by the Times Literary Supplement as ‘a masterclass in what modern scholarly translation should be.’ Her current work seeks to democratize access to meaningful learning, cultivate critical thinking, and pioneer new educational pathways in interactive storytelling, emerging tech (like XR), and transformational play.

Dr. Caleb Simone, a distinguished scholar in ancient Greek cultural and intellectual history, specializes in the study of poetry and performance within their historical contexts. After earning his PhD from Columbia University in 2020, he was appointed the 2020-21 Bothmer Fellow in Greek and Roman Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Currently, he serves as a Visiting Scholar in Classics at The University of Texas at Austin, where he continues to advance his research and delve into the depths of classical antiquity, unraveling its mysteries and treasures.

Dr. Lori Baker serves as the Executive Vice President of Aspirational Excellence at Belmont University. With a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she specializes in the molecular and forensic analysis of skeletal remains. An authority in her field, Dr. Baker's insights have reached a global audience as an invited speaker at numerous national and international venues. Her work has been featured across major platforms including National Geographic, Scientific American, Discover Magazine, and top newspapers like the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, as well as on NPR, BBC, and MSNBC.

Dr. Jennifer Boulanger is a scholar specializing in medieval and Arthurian literature, as well as feminist and gender theory. After earning her M.A. and Ph.D. in English from Southern Methodist University, she joined the Upper School English faculty at The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas. Here, she teaches courses in British Literature, Literature of Minorities, Monsters, Short Stories, and Creative Writing within an all-girls environment. Dr. Boulanger collaborates closely with Hockaday’s Institute for Social Impact and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to infuse empathy and real-world experiences into her curriculum. Her passions extend to creative writing, art, her son Patrick, and her Yorkie, Sir Lancelot du Lac Boulanger Morris.

Dr. Matthieu Boyd is Professor of Literature and Chair of the School of the Humanities at Fairleigh Dickinson University. A distinguished scholar with degrees from Princeton University, Stumdi Breton Language Institute, University College Dublin, and Harvard University, he publishes widely in medieval literature and literature in Celtic languages. He has held leadership roles in several scholarly associations, including the International Marie de France Society and the International Arthurian Society’s North American Branch. Currently, he serves as a contributing editor for The Broadview Anthology of British Literature 3e and as book review editor for the North American Journal of Celtic Studies. His notable translations include the Four Branches of the Mabinogi and the early Irish epic Táin bó Cúailnge, with his recent collaboration on The Medieval French Ovide moralisé (D.S. Brewer, 2023) alongside SJ Murray.

Steven DeBose is a writer, producer, and script consultant hailing from Austin, Texas. He has shaped narratives and discovered emerging talent as the Conference Coordinator for the GTX Film Festival in Georgetown, TX, and as the Director of Script Competitions at the Austin Film Festival. A devoted aficionado of science fiction, comic books, and pop culture, Steven is passionate about crafting stories with unforgettable characters that resonate deeply and deliver poignant messages.

Dr. Phillip Donnelly is a Professor of Literature for Great Texts and the English Department at Baylor University and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa. His research explores the rich historical intersections between philosophy, theology, and literature, focusing especially on Renaissance works and the Classical educational tradition. Dr. Donnelly contributes to notable publications, including the new Milton Encyclopedia, edited by Thomas N. Corns (Yale University Press), and the Oxford Guide to the Historical Reception of Augustine, edited by Karla Pollmann and Willemien Otten (Oxford University Press).

Abianne Falla is the founder and driving force behind CatSpring Yaupon, a thriving woman-led company dedicated to sustainability and community. Established a decade ago, CatSpring Yaupon began during the devastating 2011 drought that swept through Texas. On her family's ranch in Cat Spring, TX, while much of the land suffered, the resilient yaupon plant—often dismissed as a weed—flourished. Inspired by this native resource, Abianne transformed it into a sustainable business, committed to preserving the land and supporting local communities. Under her leadership, CatSpring Yaupon has grown into a model of responsible entrepreneurship, combining respect for nature with a passion for people.

Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson (PhD Baylor University) is the Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books at Pepperdine University. The author and editor of several books, Dr. Wilson has received a handful of awards including book of the year in culture and the arts from Christianity Today, the Hiett Prize in Humanities and Culture, and the Emerging Public Intellectual Award from CCCU and other partners. She is a Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum. 

Dr. Junius Johnson is a writer, teacher, speaker, independent scholar, and musician with a passion for beauty, imagination, and wonder. As executive director of Junius Johnson Academics, he offers innovative courses designed to inspire both children and adults with intellectual curiosity and rigor. A lover of storytelling, Junius is drawn to fantasy, science fiction, and young adult fiction. He also performs professionally on the French horn and electric bass. He holds degrees from Oral Roberts University and Yale University and is the author of five books, including The Father of Lights and On Teaching Fairy Stories. He co-hosts The Classical Mind podcast and contributes frequently to discussions on faith and culture.

Kate Kimmis serves as the Associate Director for the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute at Southern Methodist University. A Baylor University alumna with specializations in Theatre and Great Texts, Kate is an award-winning theatre director, playwright, producer, actor, and teacher. Her students' work has consistently been recognized as the best in Texas. Kate is driven by the belief that good storytelling fosters empathy, connection, and curiosity about the world. Her dedication to the power of narrative continues to inspire her multifaceted contributions to the fields of theatre and education.

Megan Legband is an Associate Attorney at Farrow-Gillespie Heath Wilmoth LLP, specializing in business law with a focus on for-profit and nonprofit entities, covering issues from corporate governance to business litigation. Previously, she clerked for the Honorable K. Nicole Mitchell in the Eastern District of Texas. Megan holds a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, where she was a Managing Online Content Editor for the Texas Law Review and a Dean’s Fellow. She earned her B.A., magna cum laude, from Baylor University. Megan is passionate about creative writing, community volunteering, and Formula One.

Dr. Robert Miner is the author of five books, including Thomas Aquinas on the Passions (Cambridge UP, 2009), Nietzsche and Montaigne (Palgrave Macmillan, 2017), and Nietzsche’s Gay Science (Edinburgh UP, 2022). He has translated key works by Aquinas and co-translated Giambattista Vico’s New Science (Yale UP, 2020). With over two decades of teaching experience at Baylor University, Boston College, and Xavier University, Robert joined the Philosophy department at Providence College in 2023. Passionate about teaching, Robert believes education should awaken the mind, encouraging deep inquiry and cross-disciplinary connections, as advocated by Montaigne.

Kenny Miracle is an independent filmmaker with two decades of experience creating mission-driven films, primarily focused on raising awareness about commercial sexual exploitation. A native of Southeast Missouri, Kenny's passion for filmmaking began in high school and was honed through film school and years of work in post-production and teaching. His breakthrough came with the award-winning documentary Nefarious: Merchant of Souls, which ignited his dedication to documentary filmmaking. His work includes Liberated: The New Sexual Revolution, acquired by Netflix, and films premiered at the 2022 and 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival. Kenny lives near Austin, TX, with his wife and three daughters, collaborating with filmmakers nationwide.

Becky Presnall is a Ph.D. candidate in the English Department at Baylor University, where she previously earned her M.A. Her research focuses on Middle English Arthurian romances from the Northwest Midlands, Classical reception studies, and children's literature. Becky holds multiple roles at Baylor, including Doctoral Administrative Fellow for the Graduate School, Graduate Writing Center Coordinator, and Web Developer and Committee Member for the Medieval and Renaissance Research Society. She is also the Founding Graduate Fellow at The Greats Story Lab™, contributing to pioneering research and educational initiatives.

Dr. Lynn Ramey is Professor of French and of Cinema and Media Arts at Vanderbilt University and Chair of the Department of French and Italian. Ramey is the author of An Introduction to Jean Bodel (2024), Black Legacies: Race and the European Middle Ages (2014), and Christian, Saracen and Genre in Medieval French Literature (2001). With a team, she has developed an immersive video game for learning medieval French, "Brendan's Voyage." Along with Tison Pugh, she is completing a book entitled Engagements in Literary Gaming due for publication in late 2025.

Steve Riach is a visionary in the realm of virtuous content creation, with a career dedicated to inspiring audiences worldwide. As the founder and president of SER Media and a principal at Eterne Films, both based in Dallas, TX, Steve leads the production and creative direction of two influential media companies. An award-winning producer, director, and writer, he has made significant contributions to sports content in America. Steve's impressive body of work includes the creation of over 250 television specials, films, and home video properties, alongside the authorship of twelve books, with more on the way. His commitment to storytelling that uplifts and inspires has solidified his reputation as a leader in the industry.

Daniel Richards is a leading expert in marketing ideas and a classical rhetoric enthusiast. In 2021, he co-founded Return on Ideas, a creative studio and marketing agency dedicated to liberty, responsibility, and individual rights. Previously, Daniel was the Vice President of Digital at the Federalist Society, where he transformed their video and digital marketing initiatives, overseeing the production of over 550 videos and generating 40+ million views. The "SCOTUSbrief" series, which he led, was a finalist for the 2019 "Best Content Marketing Video Series" by the Content Marketing Institute. He also executive produced the documentary “They Say It Can’t Be Done” (2021), exploring the tension between innovation and regulation.

Joel Teal is a professional writer and aspiring novelist. A Baylor University graduate, he earned a degree in Great Texts of the Western Tradition with a focus on creative writing and speculative fiction, exploring how contemporary works draw from ancient literature. Prior to joining The Greats Story Lab™, Joel worked at Western Governors University as an Enrollment Coordinator, advising students while also building a freelance career in blog writing, story editing, and proofreading. Currently part of the KD Writing Fellowship, he is developing a maritime horror/fantasy novel that examines themes of vulnerability and trust. Joel is also a competitive pool player with multiple state and local championship titles, balancing his literary and athletic passions.

Originally from Southern California, Dr. Jonathan Tran brought his expertise in theology and ethics to Baylor University after completing his graduate studies at Duke University. As the Associate Dean of Baylor’s Honors College and an Associate Professor of Theology in the Great Texts program, Dr. Tran is deeply engaged in teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses. He also serves the Baylor community by supporting students, staff, and faculty in the Honors College. His research delves into the theological and political implications of human life expressed through language.