the power of story
the power of story

The Power of Story

Make Connections

Find Meaning

Nothing brings us together like story. Facts and figures only polarize us. But we’re different after having heard each other’s stories. Rick Rekedal is helping the next generation discover how story shapes culture, inspires meaning and moves the world.

From DreamWorks to the World

For over 20 years, Rick’s creative influence helped shape some of this generation’s most enduring franchises — How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, The Prince of Egypt, and more. His storytelling expertise reflects a rare ability to connect imagination with impact.


Where Faith, Imagination, and Influence Meet

Now, Rick brings that same creative depth to the campus and beyond — guiding students to discover how story shapes culture, inspires faith, and transforms lives.


While he was a DreamWorks executive, Rick built and shaped a course on the power of storytelling that he taught for years on Monday nights to Belmont students studying the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. Those graduates now work at some of the largest studios in Hollywood.


Now based at Belmont University in Nashville, his course invites a new generation to see story as a powerful force for truth, meaning, and change. “The Power of Story to Transform Your Life” is a marquis course now offered once per year at Belmont University.


A Classroom That Shapes Culture

In a world searching for authentic voices and timeless ideas, this is where future storytellers are learning to unleash their own voice — and make a lasting difference in the world.

Rick's Story

Rick Rekedal is an award-winning creative executive, author, and master storyteller with a three-decade career shaping culture through the power of story. For more than 20 years at DreamWorks, he helped build some of the world’s most beloved franchises — including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Trolls, Spirit, and The Prince of Egypt — and acclaimed projects such as Saving Private Ryan, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and Men in Black.


Beyond DreamWorks, Rick has led at the highest levels of creative leadership, with clients and companies including Netflix, AGBO, Striker Entertainment, Breyer Horses, David C Cook Publishing and Integrity Music.


Rick serves as Chief Creative Officer of Belmont University, and holds the AWC Endowed Chair for Faith-Inspired Storytelling.


Under his original banner Story Crate, Rick has Shapes: Rise of the Jaggeds (graphic novel series) and One Small Step (a personal narrative of family and recovery). A new book series “UnVarnished” is currently in development for possible launch in 2026.


Winner of multiple industry honors—including two Annie Awards, two Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, Toy of the Year, Family Board Game of the Year, and 2025 ECPA Young People’s Christian Book of the Year.

Books by Rick Rekedal

UnVarnished Series: Coming Soon


“Face down in the dust, there may yet be hope.” Lamentations 3:29


The Bible for real – no gloss. The UnVarnished series is in the works!

UnVarnished is a collection of stories based on people whose lives are hidden in plain sight right there in the Bible, the stories of grief ignored, prayers seemingly unanswered. Too often we want our stories of faith wrapped up in a bow, when life is much more messy than that. 


When we look at those stories authentically, with no gloss or varnish, we can feel heard, understood. UnVarnished sits in the gritty underside of “God with us” – exploring grief, faith, and the search for meaning in a broken world.

"I’m excited to be working with Rhion Magee, my career-long partner in creative projects going back to our early years at DreamWorks."

Shapes: Rise of the Jaggeds

Shapes: Rise of the Jaggeds follows gamer Tripp as he discovers his destiny with the Shape Sovereigns. Blending cosmic adventure and friendship, this graphic novel series confronts BlackHat’s dark power threatening reality itself.

Shapes: Rise of the Jaggeds book cover

One Small Step

One Small Step is Rick Rekedal’s heartfelt tribute to his 1970s Midwestern family. Amid struggles of alcoholism and separation, it celebrates a father’s courage, a son’s love, and the hope that transforms hardship into lasting strength.

One Small Step book cover