--- title: The Power of Storytelling, Spaces, and Spark with Graham Veysey of Aspen Ideas Festival description: We’re joined by an incredible panel of creative entrepreneurs to explore the challenges and rewards of turning passion into a successful business. image: https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-Graham%20Veysey-min.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://planningalt.com/insights/the-power-of-storytelling-spaces-and-spark-with-graham-veysey#main-content) [![Logo](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Logo.svg "Logo")](https://planningalt.com) [![Logo](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Logo.svg "Logo")](https://planningalt.com) - [Approach](https://planningalt.com/approach) - [Services](https://planningalt.com/services) - [About](https://planningalt.com/about) - [Insights](https://planningalt.com/insights-blog) - [Events](https://planningalt.com/events) - [Contact](https://planningalt.com/contact) - [Login](https://planningalt.com/client-login) [WEALTH PERSONALITY QUIZ](https://planningalt.com/quiz-assessment-landing-page) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu [WEALTH PERSONALITY QUIZ](https://planningalt.com/quiz-assessment-landing-page) - [Approach](https://planningalt.com/approach) - [Services](https://planningalt.com/services) - [About](https://planningalt.com/about) - [Insights](https://planningalt.com/insights-blog) - [Events](https://planningalt.com/events) - [Contact](https://planningalt.com/contact) - [Login](https://planningalt.com/client-login) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/planning-alternatives/) #### True Wealth Assessment ![PA-Blog\_MoneyPersonality-min](https://planningalt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PA-Blog_MoneyPersonality-min.jpg?width=400&height=224&name=PA-Blog_MoneyPersonality-min.jpg) Everyone has their own unique relationship with money. Take this quiz to uncover the unconscious beliefs and emotional patterns that can drive your financial decisions.  [Start Now](https://planningalt.com/true-wealth-assessment) *Takes 2-3 minutes.* #### Money Personality Quiz ![PA-Blog\_MoneyPersonality-min](https://planningalt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PA-Blog_MoneyPersonality-min.jpg?width=1200&height=672&name=PA-Blog_MoneyPersonality-min.jpg) True Wealth isn’t just about your financial portfolio. It encompasses everything that makes life rich and vibrant. Take the assessment to see where you are on your journey. [Start now](https://planningalt.com/true-wealth-assessment?hsLang=en) *Takes 7-8 minutes.* 1 min read # The Power of Storytelling, Spaces, and Spark with Graham Veysey of Aspen Ideas Festival [Planning Alternatives](https://planningalt.com/insights/author/planning-alternatives) July 1, 2025 [Day in a Canoe Podcasts](https://planningalt.com/insights/tag/day-in-a-canoe-podcasts) ![The Power of Storytelling, Spaces, and Spark with Graham Veysey of Aspen Ideas Festival](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-Graham%20Veysey-min.png) | [![Spotify-teal](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Spotify-teal.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UzJPQlv2Gd2sSjUM8Qzdc) | [![Apple-Podcast-teal](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Apple-Podcast-teal.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-of-storytelling-spaces-and-spark/id1376400571?i=1000715126775) | [![Youtube-teal](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Youtube-teal.svg)](https://youtu.be/1MDpLSHIsXk) | | --- | --- | --- |   [Graham Veysey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamveysey/), Executive Director and Producer of Aspen Ideas Festival, joins us to explore the value of building community and designing meaningful experiences. As a serial entrepreneur, Graham brings a multidisciplinary mindset to leadership and neighborhood development. He reflects on life lessons from public service, creative partnerships with his wife, and cultivating spaces where connection thrives.    Key Takeaways: - (01:49) Graham chases the energy, and now leads the Aspen Ideas Festival. - (05:14) Chasing energy means turning meaningful ideas into tangible outcomes. - (09:50) Shared stories spark connections and build grassroots communities. - (12:22) Working with his wife adds balance, precision, and design thinking. - (13:56) A casual suggestion led to a standout bamboo art installation at the festival. - (16:06) A bold congressional run hinged on splitting the vote and outsider appeal. - (18:00) Graham returned to Cleveland seeking deeper roots. - (21:54) Fulfillment is raising happy, healthy kids and deepening family connection.   > “When you can truly listen to someone and hear where they’re coming from, it makes the world a bigger and more exciting place.” > \- Graham Veysey   Resources Mentioned: - [Graham + Fisk's Wine-In-A-Can website](https://grahamandfisk.com/) - [Aspen Ideas Festival](https://www.aspenideas.org/) - [Partners In Health](https://www.pih.org/) - [IDEO.org](http://ideo.org/) - [Rising Star Coffee Roasters](https://risingstarcoffee.com/)   Connect with Graham Veysey, Executive Director and Producer, Aspen Ideas Festival  LinkedIn: [www.linkedin.com/in/grahamveysey/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamveysey/)    Connect with Nathan Mersereau: Phone: 248-645-1520  Email: [nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com](mailto:nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com) Twitter: [@NathanMersereau](https://twitter.com/nathanmersereau) LinkedIn: [Nathan Mersereau](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-mersereau-cfp%C2%AE-a984761/) Address: 255 S Old Woodward, Suite 310 Birmingham, MI 48009 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### A wealth of insight [![Creating Safe Spaces for Mental Health Conversations with Jason Reid of National Services Group, Inc.](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-web-Jason%20Reid-min-1.png)](https://planningalt.com/insights/creating-safe-spaces-for-mental-health-conversations-with-jason-reid) #### [Creating Safe Spaces for Mental Health Conversations with Jason Reid of National Services Group, Inc.](https://planningalt.com/insights/creating-safe-spaces-for-mental-health-conversations-with-jason-reid) [Day in a Canoe Podcasts](https://planningalt.com/insights/tag/day-in-a-canoe-podcasts) [![Enjoying a Rich Life: Our 100th Episode Celebration with Janet T. Planet, Graham Veysey, and Brian Gast](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-web%20(5)%20copy.png)](https://planningalt.com/insights/enjoying-a-rich-life-our-100th-episode-celebration) #### [Enjoying a Rich Life: Our 100th Episode Celebration with Janet T. Planet, Graham Veysey, and Brian Gast](https://planningalt.com/insights/enjoying-a-rich-life-our-100th-episode-celebration) [Day in a Canoe Podcasts](https://planningalt.com/insights/tag/day-in-a-canoe-podcasts) [![Letting Go of the Spotlight To Embrace Mentorship with Chris Stakich of CEO Coaching International](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-web-Chris%20Stakich-min.png)](https://planningalt.com/insights/letting-go-of-the-spotlight-to-embrace-mentorship-with-chris-stakich) #### [Letting Go of the Spotlight To Embrace Mentorship with Chris Stakich of CEO Coaching International](https://planningalt.com/insights/letting-go-of-the-spotlight-to-embrace-mentorship-with-chris-stakich) [Day in a Canoe Podcasts](https://planningalt.com/insights/tag/day-in-a-canoe-podcasts) Company - [Approach](https://planningalt.com/approach) - [Services](https://planningalt.com/services) - [About](https://planningalt.com/about) - [Team](https://planningalt.com/our-team) - [Locations](https://planningalt.com/locations) - [Contact](https://planningalt.com/contact) - [Careers](https://planningalt.com/careers) Insights - [Assessments](https://planningalt.com/quiz-assessment-landing-page) - [Podcasts](https://planningalt.com/insights/tag/podcasts) - [Events](https://planningalt.com/events) - [Insights](https://planningalt.com/insights-blog) - [Client Login](https://planningalt.com/client-login) - [Form CRS](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/2025-Client-Relationship-Summary.pdf) - [ADV Part 2A Brochure](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/23129617/2026%20Form%20ADV%20Part%202A%20Rev.%208-7-26.pdf) - Wealth Advisors for Life™ - | - [Terms & Conditions](https://planningalt.com/terms-conditions) - | - [Privacy Policy](https://planningalt.com/privacy-policy) © 2026 Planning Alternatives [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/planning-alternatives/) Return to top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Planning Alternatives", "url" : "https://planningalt.com/insights/author/planning-alternatives" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-01T18:14:45.489Z", "datePublished" : "2025-07-01T18:14:45.000Z", "headline" : "The Power of Storytelling, Spaces, and Spark with Graham Veysey of Aspen Ideas Festival", "image" : [ "https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-Graham%20Veysey-min.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://planningalt.com/insights/the-power-of-storytelling-spaces-and-spark-with-graham-veysey", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Logo-dark-1-1.png" }, "name" : "Planning Alternatives" } } ```