what we do
SOUL’S Mission
To reconnect curious adults with the magic, wonder and joy of creative expression and imaginative exploration.
Real-life, dusted with magic
surprise, delight, wonder, awe, movement, beauty, novelty, discovery, imagination, creation, play
Through a process of co-creation with local artists and businesses, SOUL is transforming the way we explore the landscapes around us, and within us.
Each immersive story, in each city, is unique. Be the first to find out about new events & regular programming by sharing your email with us at the bottom of this page.
soul experience examples
stories of urban life
Full day experiences that take you on a participatory, creative urban journey. Seasonal events designed to be social, sensory rich, and story driven. At each stop you meet new characters, engage in creative activities, and interact with imaginative environments and your fellow travelers. Think theatrical production meets Airbnb Experience.
the muse series
Four hour evening experiences designed for collaborative creative exercise. Monthly events that keep your creative juices flowing. MUSE is a workshop on the move!
stories outside of urban life
Experiences at the intersection of nature and creativity in semi remote locations. Think theatrical production meets outdoor adventure.
soul salons
Purposeful creative conversations and social events over poetic dinners, designed for SOUL Seekers to connect with each other and explore creative concepts in an inspiring environment.
why we do it
connect | Explore | create
We believe both art and travel profoundly contribute to the vitality and perspective of global communities. We are a bridge between the two worlds, aiming to amplify their power. Creativity needs input to produce output. By moving throughout a city as you discover anew, we hope to put you in a mode of play and ignite creative expression. You’re invited to exchange passive consumption for active participation, by stepping into the creative process alongside local artists and businesses. As a result, we hope you leave feeling deeply connected to the people, places, and stories encountered. Carry this feeling into your own communities, and continue seeking experiences made with SOUL.
We welcome you into our tribe of creative explorers.
artisan artifacts & creative collaborations
soul souvenirs
Remembering your SOUL experience with handmade artisan artifacts.
soul studio
Do you need guidance on creating imaginative pop-up events, installations, or experiential marketing activations? We love collaborating to design meaningful gatherings. Get the conversation started! soul@storiesofurbanlife.com
wizard behind the curtain
Heidi Arni
Founder, Chief Creative
From the time she was dexterous enough to climb the 100 year old fir tree in her backyard, where she wrote stories in a DIY treehouse, Heidi knew she would grow-up to become a creative explorer, and began preparing her exit strategy to travel the world, because, "If you can dream it, you can do it." -Walt Disney
After earning a degree in Performance Theater, Heidi went on to work for film festivals, arts centers, and boutique travel businesses, designing, directing, and producing a variety of events and experiences across three countries, five states, and nine cities for organizations like Sundance Institute, National Geographic Immersive Experiences, Queensland Performing Arts Center and SoWa Art + Design District. Before leaving Australia, Heidi launched the first iteration of SOUL (Stories of Urban Life), on a mission to reconnect curious adults with the magic, joy, and wonder of creative expression and imagination. Today, Heidi calls Boston, Massachusetts home, where she integrates her love of myth, mysticism and archetypal wisdom into Wildfire Collective experiences.