
Professor Game Podcast
Education Podcasts
Professor Game is a weekly podcast where we interview gurus, experts and successful practitioners of games, gamification and game thinking that will bring us the best of their experiences to get ideas, insights and inspiration to make experiences meaningful.
Location:
Spain
Description:
Professor Game is a weekly podcast where we interview gurus, experts and successful practitioners of games, gamification and game thinking that will bring us the best of their experiences to get ideas, insights and inspiration to make experiences meaningful.
Twitter:
@RobAlvarezB
Language:
English
Website:
http://professorgame.com/
Episodes
Failed Game Becomes a Hit — 8 Years Later with Dain Saint | Episode 401
7/14/2025
🚀 Want your community buzzing and bringing in more revenue? Snag my free mini course with 3 killer gamification hacks: professorgame.com/freebie-3-gamification-hacks
“Sometimes your idea isn’t broken — it’s just not ready yet.” In this immersive episode, Dain joins Rob to explore how interactive storytelling can drive real-world impact, from failed game prototypes that resurrected years later to transforming news stories into joyful community games. Tune in for deep insights on designing for emotion, embracing iteration, and why sometimes a pamphlet beats an app.
dain saint (he/they) is a Philly-based storyteller, designer, and creative director making beautiful immersive experiences. They run Reckless Magic, an interactive storytelling label, and curate Futurefull, an interfuturist storytelling collective.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in community building and education. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
dainsaint.comDain Saint@dainsaint
Links to episode mentions:
Immersive Storytelling for Real and Imagined Worlds Emerging StrategyHadesRoll For ShoesTag!
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Duration:00:34:51
Level Up IRL: Designing Your Purpose with Yu-kai Chou | Episode 400
7/7/2025
🚀 Want your community buzzing and bringing in more revenue? Snag my free mini course with 3 killer gamification hacks: professorgame.com/freebie-3-gamification-hacks
What if your life was a game—and you had the playbook to win? In this episode, gamification expert Yu-kai Chou returns to share his new framework, 10K HP (10,000 Hours of Play), and how aligning your purpose, role, and daily actions can unlock real-life legendary success. 🎮💥
Previous episodes with Yu-kai:
Yu-kai Chou and how to do gamification with OctalysisYu-kai Chou Creating Frameworks including REMOTEOctalysis Prime is a Big Part of Yu-kai Chou’s Life MissionYu-kai Chou Bringing Gamification Balance for Kids Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in community building and education. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Links to episode mentions:
10,000 Hours of Play: Unlock Your Real-Life Legendary Success
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Duration:00:40:12
They Made $300k Per Month With Skool (Just Copy Them) | Episode 399
6/30/2025
Want help creating online revenue—without needing like a thousand different tools?
Book a free 1:1 call to create your single platform revenue-creating online community: 🎯 professorgame.com/discoverycall
Tired of juggling tools to run your online business? We break down why Skool is a game-changing platform for building and scaling online communities and offer a tour of its features, benefits, and real earning potential. Plus, learn how to go beyond tech and design for retention and revenue with the right strategy.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Links to episode mentions:
Create your own community in Skool with my helpBook Your FREE Clarity Call
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Duration:00:14:37
When Computers Taught You to Create, Not Just Consume with Jesper Juul | Episode 398
6/23/2025
If you're struggling to make more money with your online community, check out my FREE resources to learn how to do just that: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
What can a 40-year-old machine teach us about loyalty, engagement, and creative freedom? In this episode, Jesper Juul returns to the Professor Game Podcast to talk about his new book Too Much Fun, diving deep into the legacy of the Commodore 64.
From hacking and game development to subculture and hardware design, Jesper unpacks the "five lives" of the C64 and what they reveal about user retention, tinkering, and systems that last. If you're designing for engagement today, this is a nostalgia-fueled masterclass in getting it right—and where we started getting it wrong.
Jesper Juul is a video game theorist and occasional developer working at the Royal Danish Academy. He has previously taught at MIT and New York University. His books include Half-Real, and recently “Too much Fun” about the Commodore 64, his first computer, on which he wrote games and demos. Here's his first episode on the podcast: Jesper Juul and Handmade Games
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in community building and education. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
jesperjuul.net@jesperjuul@jesperjuul.bsky.social
Links to episode mentions:
Too Much Fun: The Five Lives of the Commodore 64 Computer
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Duration:00:34:18
AI + Game Thinking = Retention Breakthrough | Episode 397
6/16/2025
Click the link below to book a quick 10–15 minute chat with me.
No sales, no pressure—just ideas and clarity on how to engage your community and grow revenue.
🗓 professorgame.com/discoverycall
Strategy Meets AI
Game design + AI = game changer. In this episode, Amy Jo Kim returns to share how she’s combining decades of design wisdom with cutting-edge AI to build smarter, faster onboarding and retention systems. If you're struggling with churn, this conversation is your blueprint to better systems, better questions, and better engagement.
Previous episodes with Amy Jo Kim:
Amy Jo Kim shows the importance of finding the fun as a game designerAmy Jo Kim's Game Thinking Masterclass 2019
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Links to episode mentions:
AI Journey Maker
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3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's RevenueLinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagramTikTokYouTubeAsk a question
Duration:00:32:00
Why Most Community Building Fails (And HOW TO WIN) | Episode 396
6/9/2025
🚀 Want your community buzzing and bringing in more revenue? Snag my free mini course with 3 killer gamification hacks: professorgame.com/freebie-3-gamification-hacks
Why are your members disappearing—even when you’re doing everything “right”?
Rob breaks down the real reasons communities lose members, even when packed with great content. Drawing from what successful games do to keep players hooked, you'll learn the 3 invisible traps that quietly destroy retention—and what to do instead.
No gimmicks. No burnout. Just practical, game-inspired strategies to re-engage your members and boost community revenue.
Grab the free Retention Hacks Guide above to start implementing today!
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in community building and education. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Lets's do stuff together!
3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's RevenueLinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagramTikTokYouTubeAsk a question
Duration:00:09:43
Coaching Leadership Through Role-Playing Games with Joe Lasley | Episode 395
6/2/2025
🚀 Want your community buzzing and bringing in more revenue? Snag my free mini course with 3 killer gamification hacks: professorgame.com/freebie-3-gamification-hacks
What happens when role-playing games become a leadership development tool?
In this episode we interview Joe, founder of GameNamic Leadership, to explore how tabletop RPGs can unlock transformational learning, reshape team dynamics, and deliver lasting cultural change. From piloting immersive retreats to coaching teams in real time, Joe shares how combining leadership coaching with roleplay doesn't just gamify learning—it changes how people show up at work.
Dr. Joe Lasley is an Assistant Professor of Leadership and Organizational Studies at the University of Southern Maine and the Founder of Gamenamic Leadership, where he merges academic rigor with the imaginative power of tabletop role-playing games to transform how individuals and teams learn to lead in the real world. He is an International Coaching Federation certified Leadership Coach, has a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies, and degrees in Organizational Psychology, Higher Education Administration, and Organizational Communication.
In academia, Joe designs and teaches courses on leadership development, systems thinking, organizational and group dynamics, with a focus on experiential and transformational learning. He has published peer-reviewed aresearch on leadership development through role-playing games, led action research projects, and regularly presents at national and international conferences including International Leadership Association, National Communication Association, and North American Simulation And Gaming Association.
As a consultant, Dr. Joe created LeadRPG, an innovative method that blends leadership development with tabletop role-playing games to build emotionally intelligent, adaptive leaders and creative teams. With the LeadRPG Team, he has developed immersive retreats, facilitated custom programs for mission-driven organizations and tech leaders, and produced game-based toolkits used for leadership coaching, team development, and reflective practice.
With expertise spanning group dynamics, adaptive leadership, and game-based learning, Dr. Joe is committed to helping people unlock their potential, co-design shared experiences, and navigate complexity with creativity, purpose, and play.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
gamenamic.orggamenamic.org/retreatJoe LasleyGameNamic Leadership
Links to episode mentions:
GijsPlaying and RealityAge of Wonders 4
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Duration:00:30:03
The Great Gambit: Teaching Peace Through Play with Anders Kjellberg | Episode 394
5/26/2025
🔥 Losing users? Get free, expert-backed resources to boost retention with gamification: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
What happens when a teacher turns history into a simulation?
We interview Swedish educator Anders Kjellberg, who co-created The Great Gambit, a role-playing simulation designed to help students understand the driving forces behind conflict—and how to prevent war. From sweaty failures to empowering classroom dynamics, Anders shares what worked, what didn’t, and how learning through games can activate students like never before.
Anders works as a teacher in Swedish upper secondary school. His main subjects are History and Swedish but he is also part of the school's educational steering group and takes part in a collaborational project with other Nordic upper secondary shools.
Apart from being a teacher, Anders is a musician, playing mostly bass, guitars and syntheizsers in several of bands and records a lot of music in his house up in the Swedish forests.
Together with his friend Zhenya Luchaninau, he has created an educational tool/simulation to be used in history class in upper secondary school, called "The Great Gambit". The scene is a tumultous transitional period in Europes history, dealing with the years between 1871 and 1914: the build up to World War One. The purpose of the game is, to put it short: make the students understand the driving forces behind conflicts and wars and, hopefully, teach them to understand how a society can avoid such things.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
thegreatgambit.comAnders KjellbergThe Great Gambit Community
Links to episode mentions:
Neil YoungHang CityWho Knows Where
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Duration:00:25:33
Bram Wulteputte Gamifies Education With Minecraft and NASA | Episode 393
5/19/2025
🔥 Losing users? Get free, expert-backed resources to boost retention with gamification: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
How do you gamify learning without losing the learning?
We talk with Bram about designing Minecraft-powered learning experiences that actually work. From working with NASA to teaching democracy through play, he reveals how chunking content, building tutorials, and collaborating with subject matter experts creates game-based learning that sticks.
Bram Wulteputte is a Co-founder and the Head of Education at Shapescape, a company merging education with the immersive world of Minecraft. With years of experience in games and gamification, Bram has built educational experiences that don’t just engage—they inspire. Through Shapescape’s partnership with Minecraft Education, he’s been shaping unique content that bridges fun and learning, resonating with audiences around the globe. From guiding strategy to developing immersive curriculums, Bram has hands-on insights into how gamification can unlock new dimensions in both education and business.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
Website: shapescape.com/education
LinkedIn: Bram Wulteputte
X/Twitter: @BramWulteputte
Links to episode mentions:
Justin EdwardsMinecraft EducationThe Anxious GenerationStart With WhyOverwatchMinecraft
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Duration:00:31:09
Why Aldi Agaj Builds Games With Scientists AND Teachers | Episode 392
5/12/2025
🔥 Losing users? Get free, expert-backed resources to boost retention with gamification: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
What if learning felt like playing — and retention was built into the design?
In this episode, Rob interviews Aldi Agaj, CEO of Alter Learning, who shares how his team builds educational video games in collaboration with scientists, educators, and developers. From failures to scaling 40+ games, Aldi reveals how passion, teamwork, and gamification fuel long-term engagement and real-world impact in education.
Chief Executive Officer of AAK Tele-Science , And CEO of Alter-Learning Educational Platform from since 2020. He's an Entrepreneurial Chief Executive Officer, experienced in founding companies in domestic and international marketplaces. Facilitator and builder of world-class technology. Provides technical and visionary leadership for technology company offering a Cloud-Based Platform as a Service (SaaS) for Scientific Research.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
alter-learning.comAldi Agaj
Links to episode mentions:
Silmarillion
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Duration:00:31:35
3 Customer Retention Strategies That Keep Customers Coming Back | Episode 391
5/5/2025
🚀 Want your community buzzing and bringing in more revenue? Snag my free mini course with 3 killer gamification hacks: professorgame.com/freebie-3-gamification-hacks
Tired of watching great customers walk away?
We reveal how gamification can transform retention, skyrocket engagement, and massively increase your customer lifetime value—without resorting to gimmicky rewards.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Episode Links:
3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
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Duration:00:08:56
Role-Playing for Real Learning with Anthony Kurza | Episode 390
4/28/2025
🔥 Losing users? Get free, expert-backed resources to boost retention with gamification: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
From clueless to collaborative in one session? That’s the power of a well-designed Tabletop RPG. Rob Alvarez sits down with Anthony Kurza, creator of the SAN model and higher ed coach, to explore how role-playing games can unlock retention, connection, and deep learning—both inside and outside the classroom.
Anthony Kurza is a game designer specializing in tabletop role-playing games and an educator in higher education. His work bridges storytelling, game mechanics, and immersive learning, creating experiences that foster social-emotional learning and critical thinking. As an adjunct professor and College Life Coach and Florida State University, he helps students explore the power of collaborative storytelling, while his research focuses on how TTRPGs can be used as educational tools. He has also developed his own TTRPG system and is eager to share it with the world—whether through publishing, workshops, or partnerships that bring games into new spaces. His goal is to make storytelling and role-playing more accessible, engaging, and transformative for players and educators alike.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
kurzplaysgames.itch.ioAnthony Kurza
Links to episode mentions:
Joe LasleyGarrett Munro and Maryanne CullinanSarah Lynne BowmanCorbin NallDelaney SillsAli WattsTransformational Role-playing Game Design Monsters, Aliens and Holes in the Ground DreadAlice is Missing
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Duration:00:36:25
Witcher-Level Storytelling for Real Engagement with Jakub Szamalek | Episode 389
4/21/2025
🔥 Losing users? Get free, expert-backed resources to boost retention with gamification: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
Why do players stay hooked for 100+ hours in games like The Witcher 3? It's not just gameplay—it's story. Rob Alvarez is joined by Jakub Szamalek, the master narrative designer behind gaming's most iconic worlds, to unpack the secrets of choice, emotion, and retention through storytelling.
Jakub Szamalek is an award-winning narrative designer and writer, best known for his work on The Witcher III: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077. Jakub has played a key role in shaping some of the most emotionally immersive and critically acclaimed storylines in modern gaming, blending deep lore, player-driven choices, and unforgettable characters.
Beyond games, Jakub is also a novelist and a passionate storyteller who understands how narrative can hook people—and keep them coming back. Today, we’ll explore what makes interactive stories so powerful, and what we can learn from games like The Witcher to design better, more engaging experiences in other fields.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
The Blood of DawnwalkerInner Space
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Duration:00:42:02
When Perfect Balance Fails: Lessons in Gamified Design with Alireza Ranjbar | Episode 388
4/14/2025
If you're struggling to keep people engaged and loyal in your product or business, check out my FREE gamification course to learn how to do just that: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
What happens when a perfectly balanced gamification system fails with users? Alireza Ranjbar Shourabi shares this shocking experience and unpacks how cultural nuances, hidden perceptions, and behavioral insights can make or break your engagement strategy.
Starting in high school, Alireza used computers as a means to create and play games, first diving into programming and then exploring 2D and 3D art. Eventually, he discovered his true passion in game design, which sparked a deep curiosity about human behavior. With this newfound interest, he went for psychology, sociology, behavioral economics, and persuasive design, continually learning about motivational theories like Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Flow, and the Fogg Behavior Model, as well as every aspect of behavioral economics available. Soon enough, he realized these principles and insights could be applied outside of games as well. This revelation led him to design engagement solutions and gamified campaigns across a variety of fields, including Fintech, E-learning, E-health, Open Innovation, and even offline advertising. With experience in designing for diverse platforms and genres, Alireza has contributed to nearly every area of gamification and game development, from systems design, AI, and UX to marketing and monetization. However, economy and balance—the 'hidden' yet crucial elements of experience design—have always been his primary focus and specialty. For him, design is about striking a balance between a fun, fair player experience and sustainable monetization for a successful business. Above all, he views players as complex individuals with limitless dimensions, constantly seeking to understand and interpret the behavioral data collected from in-game interactions—and beyond.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
Alireza Ranjbar Shourabi
Links to episode mentions:
Joris DormansBJ FoggGame Mechanics: Advanced Game Design Tiny HabitsJourney
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Duration:00:31:54
Feedback Loops for Saving the World with Katie Patrick | Episode 387
4/7/2025
If you're struggling to keep people engaged and loyal in your product or business, check out my FREE gamification course to learn how to do just that: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
Badges won’t cut it. Katie Patrick reveals how focusing on feedback loops, imagination, and measurable actions makes climate programs actually work. Join us to explore how to crush environmental inaction with game-inspired design.
Katie Patrick is an Australian-American environmental engineer and climate action designer. She's author of the books How to Save the World and Zerowastify and hosts a podcast where she investigates the academic research in environmental psychology.
Katie specializes in the design of getting people to change. She applies gamification and behavioral science in a way that dramatically increases the adoption of environmental programs and has worked with organizations including UNEP, NASA JPL, Stanford University, U.S. State Department, Google, University of California, Magic Leap, and the Institute for the Future.
Katie started UrbanCanopy.io, a map-based application that uses satellite imaging of urban heat islands and vegetation cover to encourage urban greening and cooling initiatives. She is also the co-founder of Energy Lollipop, a Chrome extension and outdoor screen project that shows the electric grid's CO2 emissions in real time.
She was CEO of the VC-funded green-lifestyle magazine Green Pages Australia and was appointed environmental brand ambassador by the Ogilvy Earth advertising agency for Volkswagen, Lipton Tea and Wolfblass Wines.
She has served on the board of Australia’s national eco label, Good Environmental Choice Australia, and won the Cosmopolitan Woman of the Year Award for entrepreneurship. After graduating from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology with a B.Eng in Environmental Engineering, she worked as an environmental design engineer for building engineers WSP in Sydney on some of the world’s first platinum-LEED-certified commercial buildings.
Katie lives in Silicon Valley with her young daughter, Anastasia.<
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
helloworlde.comKatie Patrick@katiepatrickhello@katiepatrick
Links to episode mentions:
Better Angels of Our Nature Mastery
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Duration:00:41:17
Why Most Habit Hacks Fail (and What Actually Works) with Jason Hreha | Episode 386
3/31/2025
If you're struggling to keep people engaged and loyal in your product or business, check out my FREE gamification course to learn how to do just that: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
Forget hacks—behavioral change starts with better behavior selection. In this episode, Jason Hreha and Rob Alvarez explore how psychometrics can help align strategies with personalities for meaningful, lasting impact in business and life.
For close to 15 years, Jason has been applying behavioral science research and methodologies to solve hard problems in the technology world. He is the founder and CEO of Persona, The Talent Company. They are the world's leading provider of elite non-technical talent. Jason is also a senior advisor at Edelman, a global communications firm, where he provides behavioral science insights and guidance to clients across various industries and sectors.
Jason's passion is to create products and services that empower people to achieve their goals and improve their lives. He has co-founded and led several successful startups, such as Kite.io, a mobile search company that was acquired by Quixey, and Dopamine, the first tech-focused applied behavioral science firm. Jason has also served as the global head of behavioral science at Walmart, where he co-founded and built the Walmart Behavioral Science Team. Additionally, he is the creator of Behavioral Strategy, an interdisciplinary approach to ensuring that behavioral research is incorporated into new products and initiatives from the strategic planning phase. The goal of Behavioral Strategy is to achieve Behavior Market Fit.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
Jason Hrehapersonatalent.comthebehavioralscientist.com Real ChangeThe Big Five Personality Test
Links to episode mentions:
Personality
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Duration:00:37:56
🎤 Crocs Not Allowed: Building Trivia, Nations, and Engagement with Mark Corona | Episode 385
3/24/2025
If you're struggling to keep people engaged and loyal in your product or business, check out my FREE gamification course to learn how to do just that: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
🎤 What do a trivia show, a fake country, and a war against Crocs have in common? You’ll find out in this hilariously high-energy episode of the Professor Game Podcast with Rob and the unforgettable Mark Corona! From founding the micro-nation of Slowjamistan (where Crocs are banned by law 😆) to designing and hosting a national trivia game show unlike any other, Mark shares the wild ride of combining entertainment with meaningful engagement. He dives into stories of tech failures turned learning moments, how games build community and retention in corporate settings, and why persistence is the real superpower behind success. It’s an episode packed with laughs, lessons, and a whole lot of game show magic! 🎮🎙️
Mark Corona is a national trivia host, high-energy speaker, and the founder of his own country. Known for engaging audiences with interactive trivia and unforgettable experiences, he blends entertainment with business insights to engage and retain.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
markcorona.com@PorderBatrol@theporderbatrol
Links to episode mentions:
Think And Grow RichSuper Mario BrosThe Price is Right
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Duration:00:27:03
How Games Reveal Who We Are With Ryan Jones 🔍🎮 | Episode 384
3/17/2025
If you're struggling to keep people engaged and loyal in your product or business, check out my FREE gamification course to learn how to do just that: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
What if the characters we play in games reveal more about who we truly are? 🎭🎲 Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) offer more than just entertainment—they create powerful opportunities for self-discovery, personal growth, and deeper engagement. This conversation dives into how the roles we play in games often reflect real-life struggles, aspirations, and identities—sometimes without us even realizing it. Through immersive storytelling and emergent gameplay, TTRPGs become tools for building emotional intelligence, confidence, and connection. Whether you're designing learning experiences, digital communities, or gamified products, this episode uncovers how role-play can drive transformation and long-term engagement.
Ryan Alan Jones is a transformational coach, mindfulness practitioner, and advocate for the power of storytelling in personal development. Currently pursuing a doctorate in leadership and coaching, Ryan’s academic work complements his unique approach, which integrates tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) to help individuals uncover new facets of themselves, build social and emotional intelligence, and foster beautiful and satisfying lives. His work bridges the creative and the practical, drawing on his experiences as a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, actor, and director. Through his innovative approach, Ryan bridges the worlds of imagination and reality, helping others discover their potential and redefine their personal narratives.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
raj.coachRyan Alan Jones@drjones.coach@drjones.coach
Links to episode mentions:
Anthony KurzaTransformative Role-Playing Game DesignVenture Society
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Duration:00:33:15
Role-Playing for Real Growth 🎭 with Kathrin Fischer | Episode 383
3/10/2025
If you're struggling to keep people engaged and loyal in your product or business, check out my FREE gamification course to learn how to do just that: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
What if playing pretend could unlock real-world skills? 🎭🎲 We explore how Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) are transforming education and therapy. Through structured yet creative gameplay, Kathrin helps students and therapy patients develop communication, teamwork, and confidence—while having fun. She shares how even short, one-hour sessions can lead to long-term behavioral changes, deeper engagement, and transferable skills that go beyond the game table. Whether you’re an educator, a product designer, or a community builder, this episode will inspire you to harness the power of play to boost retention, motivation, and meaningful learning experiences.
Kathrin Fischer is a teacher and learning therapist from Germany who focuses on applied ttrpg (tabletop roleplaying game) as a method in learning since 2019. With her Company EduTale she provides workshops and material for educators and therapists. She also works at the Bonn Lab for Analog Games and Imaginative Play of the University of Bonn.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
edutale.deKathrin Fischer@edutale2020EduTale
Links to episode mentions:
Michael LowDr. Laura Lewald RomahnRole-Playing Game Studies: Transmedia FoundationsFor The Queen
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Duration:00:31:18
What Gamers Can Teach Us About Motivation with Christopher Dattoli | Episode 382
3/3/2025
If you're struggling to keep people engaged and loyal in your product or business, check out my FREE gamification course to learn how to do just that: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
What if your favorite video game could teach you more about life and career success than any classroom? 🎮🎙️ We explore the surprising connections between gaming, motivation, and professional growth. From mastering Starcraft strategies to navigating the world of voice acting, Chris shares how the principles of grit, iteration, and engagement in games helped him transition from corporate marketing to a thriving career behind the mic. They discuss the power of storytelling in games, how to design experiences that keep people engaged naturally, and why the best retention strategies mirror the mechanics of great games. Whether you're an educator, community builder, or product designer, this episode is packed with actionable insights on gamification, engagement, and building loyalty—all inspired by the world of video games. 🚀
Chris Dattoli is an NJ-based voice actor who has been a part of various video games, audiobooks, anime’s, cartoons, & commercials, such as “Kon" in the fighter game Konsui Fighter, "Kuroki Maeba" in ReBite: The Psychopathic Chef, "Rower" in the animated series Handaria, Arthur, Marty, and all the male roles in the physiological video game IMAGO: Beyond the Nightmare, & in the video game Brigandine Grand Edition as Zemeckis, Cador & Paternus. He’s also voiced numerous commercials for brands like the NFL Network, Disney, Microsoft, Lowes, and more! In addition to his voice resume, Chris is also an On Camera actor and model. In 2024, Chris won a Voice Arts Award from the Society of Voice Arts & Sciences! Chris is a long-time fan of anime (back when they were on LaserDisc!) and video games and loves to keep up to date on the newest titles.
Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.
Guest Links and Info
dattolivoiceovers.comChris Dattoli@chrisdattolivo@chrisdattolivoChris Dattoli@chrisdattolivo
Links to episode mentions:
Beyond The NightmaresJames KlineThe Gift of GiftologyThe Console: 50 Years of Home Video GamingFinal Fantasy VIIBlaster MasterZombies ate my neighborsMonster PartyMegaman X
Duration:00:39:12