Why do humans tell stories?

Long before books filled shelves, stories helped us make sense of the world, understand one another, and imagine lives beyond our own. They're one of the oldest ways we learn, connect, and process experience.

Literary agent Holly Root has spent her career helping stories find readers. Now, she explains why we're naturally drawn to narrative, how fiction allows us to step into someone else's perspective, and why the right book often arrives at exactly the right moment.

Whether you're an avid reader or someone wondering why stories continue to matter in a world full of endless information, this episode offers a look at the role reading plays in shaping who we become.