GameLayer Radio

In this episode, Jamie Thomson and David Kolmer discuss the future of instructional design, the impact of AI, and how to leverage tools like QuikAuthor to create effective microlearning experiences. They explore how instructional designers can stay relevant and add value in a rapidly evolving industry. Jamie Thomson, an AI consultant with 25 years' experience in HR and L&D. Thomson led the design and full end-to-end development of QuikAuthor, an AI-enabled microlearning platform, including its web architecture, interactive course builder, and native mobile apps. https://quikauthor.io/

keywords

Instructional Design, Microlearning, AI in Education, Learning Technologies, Quick Author, eLearning Tools, L&D Strategy, Digital Learning, Gamification, Content Creation

key topics

The evolution of instructional design in the age of AI

How microlearning platforms like Quick Author enable rapid content creation

The importance of learner-centric and business-aligned training

The role of gamification and interactive activities in microlearning

Challenges and opportunities for instructional designers in a tech-driven world

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and guest background

13:55 The future of AI in instructional design and potential disruptions

16:00 Skills instructional designers need to stay relevant

18:07 Measuring impact beyond vanity metrics

19:58 The strategic role of L&D in organizational success

22:01 Gamification, engagement, and learner experience

23:56 Content transfer, reinforcement, and metacognition

26:13 Tools, templates, and creative activities in Quick Author

27:56 SCORM, LMS integration, and data tracking

29:57 The importance of demonstrating ROI in L&D

32:03 The impact of AI on the instructional design industry

34:00 The shift from traditional to strategic L&D roles

35:59 The future outlook for instructional designers and AI

37:55 The diverse skill set of instructional designers

39:56 Microlearning as a resource and learner-centric approach

42:02 Efficiency, impact, and strategic value in content creation

44:02 Reducing waste and increasing productivity with AI tools

46:08 The importance of business metrics and ROI in L&D

47:53 Where Jamie is from and his background

50:00 Final thoughts and how to connect with Jamie

CREDITS

GAMELAYER RADIO is found wherever you get your podcasts. Transcripts and swag at Gamelayer.fm

Theme Music by Caleb Willitz. calebwillitz.com/ calebwillitz.bandcamp.com/music

Found Sound on the "domain of play" borrowed from ⁠⁠Balance in the Spiritual Life Dharma talk by Sr. Trai Nghiem⁠⁠ ⁠https://youtu.be/yZag9LOp7uc?si=T2Qyfc-4y-XJoSOz&t=3301⁠

INTERLUDE MUSIC

John_Kensy_Music - Mindfulness Relaxation & Meditation Music pixabay.com/users/john_kensy_music-26026995/

GAMELAYER Radio explores the intersection of art, games, and education,

targeting creative individuals who seek to reignite their sense of play and curiosity.

The program aims to inspire learners to embrace the power of action, novel experiences, and playfulness in pursuit of a fulfilling life.

By fostering a mindset of continuous wonder and exploration, the show encourages adults to nurture their inner child and adopt a playful approach to learning and creativity.

Each episode invites learners to embark on a journey of discovery, emphasizing the importance of "learning-by-doing".

PODCAST APP LINKS

♥️ Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gamelayer/id1804386590

♣️ Pocket Casts https://pca.st/ch0fdeon

♦️ Spotify https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gamelayer

♠️ Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2a617d81-2f96-43a3-9938-7f0b2ad7e49d/gamelayer

🎲 YOUTUBE PODCAST https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-gamelayer-271190065/

SOCIAL MEDIA

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/gamelayer.fm/ @gamelayer.fm

LINKED IN! https://linkedin.com/company/gamelayerfm

Navigating a Career as a Creative

Kerris shares her journey from studying game design to working in immersive technology and educational games, discussing the challenges of turning passion into a career, the impact of AI, and the future of gaming and immersive experiences. There is a particular excitement in finding work connected to something you already love.

You arrive with curiosity, experience, and a history of paying attention. The hobby becomes a degree. The degree becomes a job. The job becomes a career.

That path can feel like a reward. It can also become complicated.

Keywords

game design, immersive technology, educational games, AI in gaming, creative careers, game development, virtual reality, augmented reality, indie games, professional growth

Key Topics

• Turning creativity into a career and its emotional toll
• The impact of perfectionism and managing options in creative work
• Educational game design and collaboration with schools
• The evolving landscape of the gaming industry and market challenges
• The influence of AI and emerging technologies on content creation
• The importance of mentorship and alumni networks in career development
• The rise of immersive and augmented reality experiences in entertainment

Alternate Reality Titles

1. Don’t Let Work Own the Game
2. The Work Life Expansion Pack
3. Passion Has a Stamina Bar
4. When Your Passion Becomes the Main Quest
5. The Career Boss Battle
6. Career Mode Is Hard

Sound Bites

"There is never going to be that point where it is good enough"

"Sometimes the dumbest game can become a top seller"

"Results are everything in game development"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and guest background

01:55 Turning creativity into a career and its emotional toll

03:01 Stress of perfectionism in creative work

04:12 Educational game design and collaboration with schools

09:17 The value of university education versus online resources

13:55 The challenge of staying motivated and avoiding wasted time

16:54 Tools and platforms used in game and animation design

20:12 AI's impact on game development and content creation

22:17 Alumni connections and networking in creative careers

25:42 Current market challenges and AAA games

30:34 Innovation in gaming and the success of indie games

38:25 Immersive and augmented reality experiences

41:24 The role of Dungeons and Dragons and imagination in immersion

48:25 Future technologies and the potential of augmented reality

49:11 Closing remarks and where to connect

LINKS

Kerris Garbutt

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerris-g-341806113/

University of Southampton

Games Design and Art (BA)

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/games-design-art-degree-ba

Cow Clicker Founder: If You Can't Ruin It, Destroy It

https://www.npr.org/2011/11/18/142518949/cow-clicker-founder-if-you-cant-ruin-it-destroy-it

Unity

https://unity.com/

Immersive Gamebox

https://www.immersivegamebox.com/

Palworld

https://www.pocketpair.jp/en/games-en/palworld-en/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1623730/Palworld/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palworld

GAMELAYER RADIO is found wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcripts and swag at Gamelayer.fm

Theme Music by Caleb Willitz.

calebwillitz.com/

calebwillitz.bandcamp.com/music

Found Sound on the "domain of play" borrowed from ⁠⁠Balance in the Spiritual Life Dharma talk by Sr. Trai Nghiem⁠⁠ ⁠https://youtu.be/yZag9LOp7uc?si=T2Qyfc-4y-XJoSOz&t=3301⁠

Most conversations about careers focus on finding the right job. This conversation is about something much bigger: becoming the person you want to be.

In this episode of GAMELAYER Radio, David Kolmer sits down with experiential learning strategist Chris Federer for a wide-ranging conversation that explores what happens when you stop reacting to life and begin designing it with intention.

Chris shares his unconventional journey from instructional design and facilitation into independent consulting, digital nomadism, and experiential learning strategy. Along the way, he challenges many of the assumptions we make about entrepreneurship. There are no secret marketing funnels. No overnight success stories. Instead, Chris argues that meaningful careers are often built one relationship at a time, through curiosity, experimentation, and the courage to continually reposition yourself as the world changes.

The discussion moves beyond business into a philosophy of learning. Chris reflects on his experience volunteering in the Peace Corps, working abroad in Georgia, and developing a simple framework called TRIPP—(Track, Reward, Iterate, Progress, and Play.) A way of approaching travel, volunteering, and everyday life as intentional experiments rather than passive experiences. Instead of waiting for life to happen, he encourages us to choose an identity, test it, reflect on it, and share what we learn.

David and Chris also dive into topics familiar to longtime GAMELAYER listeners: gamification, experiential learning, design thinking, branding, communities of practice, and the surprising realization that play is often less about games and more about creating safe spaces to explore ideas. Rather than treating learning as the transfer of information, they examine how curiosity, experimentation, relevance, and reflection create experiences that actually change people.

One of the most compelling moments arrives when the conversation turns toward intentional living. Chris describes it as the difference between reacting to circumstances and becoming someone through deliberate choices. For him, every new pursuit—whether photography, facilitation, or consulting—began with a decision to lean into uncertainty and learn in public. That perspective resonates deeply with the mission of GAMELAYER Radio: creating space for people who are willing to prototype their lives, question old assumptions, and discover who they become through the process.

What makes this episode especially meaningful is that it isn't an interview in the traditional sense. It's an exploration. Rather than asking Chris for polished answers or career advice, David follows ideas as they emerge, allowing the conversation to wander through business, education, travel, creativity, and identity. The result is a discussion that reveals not just what Chris does, but how he thinks—and in doing so, invites listeners to examine how they think as well.

Whether you're an instructional designer, facilitator, entrepreneur, educator, traveler, consultant, or simply someone trying to build a more intentional life, this episode offers practical insights alongside thoughtful questions worth carrying long after the conversation ends.

Because in the end, the most important project you'll ever design isn't a course, a business, or a product.

It's the person you're becoming.

TRIPP represents a structured approach to self-optimization: Track, Reward, Iterate, Progress, and Play.

GAMELAYER RADIO is found wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcripts and swag at Gamelayer.fm

Theme Music by Caleb Willitz.

calebwillitz.com/ calebwillitz.bandcamp.com/music

Found Sound on the "domain of play" borrowed from ⁠⁠Balance in the Spiritual Life Dharma talk by Sr. Trai Nghiem⁠⁠ ⁠https://youtu.be/yZag9LOp7uc?si=T2Qyfc-4y-XJoSOz&t=3301⁠

Interlude Music

John_Kensy_Music - Mindfulness Relaxation & Meditation Music

pixabay.com/users/john_kensy_music-26026995/

In this episode of GAMELAYER Radio, David Kolmer talks with Sarah Filman about improv, play, people leadership, and the surprising ways creative practice can change how we experience ourselves. Sarah began her career in applied mathematics, computer science, and technology at Microsoft. Over time, though, she kept returning to the same questions: How do people work well together? How do teams create trust? And what helps us stay grounded when life refuses to follow the script? https://www.playfulperspectives.com/

Sarah discovered improv while looking for a way to respond more comfortably to unexpected questions at work. What began as a practical tool for handling curveballs became something much more personal. Through repeated practice, improv gave her a place to make mistakes publicly, loosen her grip on being right, listen with her whole body, and relate to uncertainty differently.

Sarah describes anxiety as something she once treated as a permanent identity. Improv did not erase the anxiety, but it helped her see that she was also funny, clever, creative, and capable of change. The shift was gradual: a little less tightness in her chest, a little more room to respond, and eventually the feeling that she had “upgraded her operating system.”

The conversation explores applied improv and Sarah’s work facilitating teams, coaching leaders, and teaching Improv for Anxiety. David and Sarah also play an improv game together, imagining a snorkeling trip off the coast of Spain that includes sunburns, peeling skin, cappuccino, and the simple rule of building on whatever comes next. Their improvised story becomes a practical demonstration of how play teaches presence, trust, flexibility, and shared attention.

This episode is about more than performing or being funny. It is about creating a safe place to experiment with new responses before life demands them. It is about learning to treat mistakes as information, meeting the unexpected without immediately judging it, and using play to make a little more room for yourself.

Listen to Playing Through Anxiety for a thoughtful, funny conversation about the relationship between structure and freedom—and how a small amount of play can help us become more fully ourselves.

GAMELAYER RADIOis found wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcripts andswag at Gamelayer.fm

Theme Music byCaleb Willitz. calebwillitz.com/
calebwillitz.bandcamp.com/music

Found Sound onthe "domain of play" borrowed from ⁠⁠Balance in the SpiritualLife Dharma talk by Sr. Trai Nghiem⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/yZag9LOp7uc?si=T2Qyfc-4y-XJoSOz&t=3301⁠

PODCAST APP LINKS♥️ Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gamelayer/id1804386590

♣️Pocket Casts

https://pca.st/ch0fdeon

♦️Spotify

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gamelayer

♠️Amazon Music

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2a617d81-2f96-43a3-9938-7f0b2ad7e49d/gamelayer

🎲YOUTUBE PODCAST https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-gamelayer-271190065/

SOCIAL MEDIA
INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/gamelayer.fm/LINKED IN! https://linkedin.com/company/gamelayerfmYOUTUBE   https://www.youtube.com/@GAMELAYERfm

Most learning fails because it stops at information. ChrisFederer makes the case for something far more powerful: designing experiences that help people learn faster, remember more, and actually change. Chris and host David Kolmer unpack why experiential learning works, how backwards design turns a vague activity into a clear transformation, and why the best communities are built around one question - what outcome are people gettinghere that they could not get alone? Chris draws on a career that spans student travel, facilitation, business strategy, community building, and experiential education, showing how intention and reflection connect every chapter. Davidbrings his own lens from instructional design and backward design, pushing the conversation into what makes learning environments actually effective instead of merely engaging. You'll discover:

• Why a great experience has to be designed around a specific learner need, not just a clever format
• How Chris built a design thinking community in Salt Lake City and used it to learn the field while helping otherspractice real skills
• Why live, interactive spaces create more value than passive lectures or content dumps
• How facilitators can use chat, moderation, and social engagement to make a learning experience feel alive
• Why reps, reflection, and clear transformation objectives matter more than theory alone

Chris also shares the lessons that came from teachingskiing, leading student travel in Argentina, and working across cultures in Thailand, where he learned firsthand that immersion, feedback, and meaningful stakes can accelerate growth in ways textbooks never do. If you care aboutlearning design, community building, training, podcasting, or creating experiences people actually want to return to, this conversation is packed with practical insight and sharp takeaways. Essential listening if you're trying toturn attention into transformation.

PODCAST APP LINKS

♥️ Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gamelayer/id1804386590

♣️ Pocket Casts

https://pca.st/ch0fdeon

♦️ Spotify

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gamelayer

♠️ Amazon Music

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2a617d81-2f96-43a3-9938-7f0b2ad7e49d/gamelayer

🎲 YOUTUBE PODCAST https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-gamelayer-271190065/

SOCIAL MEDIA

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/gamelayer.fm/ @gamelayer.fm

LINKED IN! https://linkedin.com/company/gamelayerfm

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/gamelayer.fm/

YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@GAMELAYERfm

GAMELAYER Radio explores the intersection of art, games, and education,

targeting creative individuals who seek to reignite their sense of play and curiosity.

The program aims to inspire learners to embrace the power of action, novel experiences, and playfulness in pursuit of a fulfilling life.

By fostering a mindset of continuous wonder and exploration, the show encourages adults to nurture their inner child and adopt a playful approach to learning and creativity.

Each episode invites learners to embark on a journey of discovery, emphasizing the importance of "learning-by-doing".CREDITS

GAMELAYER RADIO is found wherever you get your podcasts. Transcripts and swag at Gamelayer.fm

Theme Music by Caleb Willitz. calebwillitz.com/ calebwillitz.bandcamp.com/music

Found Sound on the "domain of play" borrowed from ⁠⁠Balance in the Spiritual Life Dharma talk by Sr. Trai Nghiem⁠⁠ ⁠https://youtu.be/yZag9LOp7uc?si=T2Qyfc-4y-XJoSOz&t=3301⁠

War games can be about more than conflict. They can be laboratories for understanding humanity. In this episode, David Kolmer sits down with Eleanor Ross - Creative Director @ExpertTheory to explore a different side of simulations and war gaming—one centered on people, perspective, empathy, and understanding.

Eleanor works in simulation and war-game design, creating immersive role-playing experiences that help participants prepare for complex situations. Unlike traditional war games focused on weapons and battlefield movements, much of her work examines the human side of crisis: diplomacy, economics, information, culture, relationships, and decision-making.

At the center of Eleanor's philosophy is a simple idea: people need to talk to each other more.

A well-designed simulation can put participants inside perspectives they might normally dismiss or misunderstand. Instead of reducing another country, organization, or group to “the enemy,” players encounter people with motivations, histories, pressures, and beliefs of their own.

David and Eleanor discuss how that process can challenge bias, encourage critical thinking, and help people understand why others make the choices they do.

They also explore the craft behind making simulations feel real—from creative writing and realistic media to role-playing, facilitation, storytelling, and the suspension of disbelief.

Eleanor shares stories from simulations involving Taiwan, agricultural warfare, resilience, diplomacy, government, industry, and national security. She explains why bringing people with very different backgrounds into the same room can be one of the most valuable outcomes of the game.

The conversation also gets into an unexpected ingredient in serious learning: fun.

Eleanor argues for bringing back “whimsy” and creating experiences people actually want to participate in. Creativity, storytelling, and play can be part of what makes learning memorable.

In This Episode

• What war games and simulations actually are

• Kinetic vs. non-kinetic war gaming

• Why writing and storytelling matter in simulation design

• How games can challenge assumptions and biases

• Humanizing an adversary instead of demonizing them

• Using simulations to prepare for diplomacy and negotiation

• Creating emotional stakes that make scenarios feel real

• What agricultural warfare simulations teach us about local consequences

• Why bringing diverse stakeholders together matters

• The role of AI in modern simulation design

• Why realistic media helps create a suspension of disbelief

• The importance of the after-action review and debrief

• Why work should include more fun and whimsy

• How games might help us rediscover the humanity of “the other”

A Central QuestionCan putting ourselves inside another person's decisions—even temporarily—change the way we understand them?

For Eleanor, that's one of the most powerful possibilities of simulation.

People on opposing sides rarely see themselves as villains. They have histories, incentives, cultural assumptions, fears, responsibilities, and their own ideas about the right decision.

A thoughtfully designed game gives participants an opportunity to encounter that complexity.

Perhaps the greatest value of a war game isn't learning how to defeat someone.

Perhaps it's learning how to understand them.

About Eleanor RossEleanor Ross works in simulation and war-game design with Expert Theory, where she helps develop and facilitate role-playing simulations across government, universities, businesses, and other organizations.

Her background in languages, writing, theater, facilitation, civic engagement, and international experience informs an approach built around creativity, human behavior, and engagement.

214 Please Stay Human: Writing, AI, and the Magic of the Unscripted | Nicole Papaioannou Lugara, PhD

The Art and Science of Writing, Creativity, and Entrepreneurial Risk

In this episode, Nicole Papiano shares her unique journey from aspiring horse trainer to PhD in English, and then to a successful entrepreneur and instructional designer. We explore how genuine care influences writing and learning, the impact of social connection on our brains, and the realities of running a small business in the learning and development space.

Key topics:

• The significance of caring and effort in effective writing and teaching
• How storytelling and social connection shape human cognition and learning
• Challenges and rewards of founding and growing a small business
• The influence of AI on authentic writing and learning processes
• Building a flexible, values-driven career and life balance
• Lessons learned from business failures and turning setbacks into #wins
• Practical advice for those considering entrepreneurship in learning design
• The importance of serendipity, evolving work, and community engagement

Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Nicole Papiano and her journey from horse trainer to entrepreneur02:15 - The importance of quality and care in Nicole's work and brand perception04:00 - Origin story of the ducks and how playful branding supports creativity06:00 - The role of storytelling and social learning in cognition and connection08:00 - The significance of concise writing and influence of "The Elements of Style"10:00 - The impact of perceived effort in showing you care for your audience12:00 - AI as a tool—not a substitute—for genuine care in writing and learning14:00 - Parallels between customer service and learner engagement strategies16:00 - Nicole's career shift from academia to business and lessons learned18:00 - The evolving nature of consulting work and maintaining control and flexibility20:00 - Risks and rewards of entrepreneurship; balancing innovation with caution22:00 - Managing business overheads, debt, and personal growth as a solo entrepreneur25:00 - The social brain and storytelling as human evolutionary advantages
28:00 - The importance of embracing serendipity and ongoing adaptation in business30:00 - Reflections on failure, resilience, and the lessons that shape ongoing success33:00 - How client feedback and real impact validate learning innovations36:00 - Advice for those contemplating a move into solo consulting and entrepreneurship38:00 - The value of community, collaboration, and continuous learning in professional growth43:00 - The power of recognizing individual strengths within teams and networks45:00 - External evaluation, accountability, and the challenge of measuring long-term impact48:00 - Navigating career transitions, market uncertainties, and maintaining authenticity52:00 - The importance of social connection, storytelling, and the brain’s wiring for connection55:00 - The value of intentional quiet and reflection amidst the noise of modern life57:00 - The creative process as a parallel across art, theater, writing, and learning design
58:00 - Practical tips for building a freelance or entrepreneurial practice in L&D59:00 - Closing thoughts: staying human, embracing change, and the future of learning

Connect with Nicole:Connect with Nicole Papaioannou Lugara, PhD on LinkedIn and explore her work with Your Instructional Designer , and Let's Ducking Write.

CREDITS
GAMELAYER RADIO is found wherever you get your podcasts. Transcripts and swag at Gamelayer.fm

Theme Music by Caleb Willitz. calebwillitz.com/
calebwillitz.bandcamp.com/music

Found Sound on the "domain of play" borrowed from ⁠⁠Balance in the Spiritual Life Dharma talk by Sr. Trai Nghiem⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/yZag9LOp7uc?si=T2Qyfc-4y-XJoSOz&t=3301⁠

What can the outdoors teach us about leadership,communication, and being present? In this episode of GAMELAYER Radio, David Kolmer speaks with Mike Dowell, Outdoor Education and Recreation Supervisor for Parkway-Rockwood Community Education and supervisor of the Babler Outdoor Education Center.

Mike shares how outdoor activities such as archery, geocaching, fishing, survival skills, and team-building challenges create powerful opportunities for experiential learning. He explains why the activity is only the beginning—and how thoughtful reflection helps participants connect an outdoor experience to their work, relationships, and everyday lives.

David and Mike also discuss creating safe environments forfailure, allowing silence during difficult conversations, balancing different leadership styles, and having “the strength to lead and the faith to follow.”

The conversation also explores Mike’s path from fly fishingand wilderness leadership in Wyoming to outdoor education in Missouri, along with the art and ethics of interacting with the natural world.

Learn more about outdoor programs, field trips, group experiences, and team-building opportunities at the Babler Outdoor Education Center: https://bableroec.org/

CREDITS

GAMELAYER RADIO is found wherever you get your podcasts. Transcripts and swag at Gamelayer.fm

Theme Music by Caleb Willitz. calebwillitz.com/ calebwillitz.bandcamp.com/music

Found Sound on the "domain of play" borrowed from ⁠⁠Balance in the Spiritual Life Dharma talk by Sr. Trai Nghiem⁠⁠ ⁠https://youtu.be/yZag9LOp7uc?si=T2Qyfc-4y-XJoSOz&t=3301⁠

SOCIAL MEDIA

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/gamelayer.fm/ @gamelayer.fm

LINKED IN! https://linkedin.com/company/gamelayerfm

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/gamelayer.fm/

YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@GAMELAYERfm

SHOW

GAMELAYER Radio explores the intersection of art, games, and education, targeting creative individuals who seek to reignite their sense of play and curiosity.

The program aims to inspire learners to embrace the power of action, novel experiences, and playfulness in pursuit of a fulfilling life.

By fostering a mindset of continuous wonder and exploration, the show encourages adults to nurture their inner child and adopt a playful approach to learning and creativity.

Each episode invites learners to embark on a journey of discovery, emphasizing the importance of "learning-by-doing".

Unlocking Creativity and Personal Growth with Dr. Kevin Thorn

Join us as Dr. Kevin Thorn shares his journey from military service to a multi-faceted career in training, art, and community engagement. Discover his unique approaches to creativity, stress management, and innovative teaching methods that challenge traditional thinking. This episode delves into the importance of play, the power of visual language, leveraging Lego for learning, and embracing authenticity in personal and professional life.

In this episode:

• Kevin Thorn's background crossing from military to corporate training, art, and community projects
• The significance of play in adult learning and personal development
• How the 'Idea Deck' fosters game design and creative thinking
• Kevin’s use of Lego Serious Play in education, therapy, and branding exercises
• Strategies Kevin uses to manage anxiety and live with purpose
• The impact of social media, branding, and storytelling on personal and professional growth
• The value of listening to one's body and mind in daily life and work
• Insights into the design process for learning activities & games, emphasizing sketching and paper prototypes
• The role of constraints in fostering creativity and innovation
• Fun stories about movies, Star Wars, and family adventures that inspire Kevin
• How Lego and play are powerful tools for inclusive learning with developmental needs
• The importance of authentic self-expression and humor, illustrated by Kevin's collections
• Kevin's Batman-themed items

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: Kevin Thorn's diverse career journey - Kevin the "Venn Diagram Man"
02:00 - The power of play and creativity for adults
08:00 - Managing anxiety with mental resilience
13:00 - A day in the life: flexible work & listening to your body
23:00 - Transition moments: Speaking at conferences
34:00 - Paper sketches and digital noise draining creativity
42:00 - Designing educational games within constraints: the Idea Deck process
52:00 - Using Lego Serious Play for team building, branding, and therapy
61:00 - Community engagement: Lego in schools, libraries, and social impactprojects
64:00 - Reflections on motivation, curiosity, and living intentionally
70:00 - Favorite movies, Star Wars family moments, and humor
79:00 - The importance of outdoor time, yard work, and self-care
84:00 - The challenge of balancing gaming and family life
85:00 - How to connect with Kevin & closing thoughts

Resources & Links:

Lego Serious Play Certification https://seriousplaybusiness.com/

The Idea Deck for Game Design

Connect with Kevin:

⁠Kevin Thorn (Linked In)

Thoughts on Creativity & Play:

Kevin emphasizes that play isn't just for children—it's a vital process for adults to innovate, explore, and manage stress. His approach involves minimal digital distraction, sketching on paper, and embracing constraints as steppingstones to creative breakthroughs. These principles support lifelong learning, community impact, and personal authenticity.

Final Takeaway:
Kevin advocates for intentional living, continuous curiosity, and integrating playful practices—like Lego and storytelling—into daily routines. His stories remind us that embracing authenticity, humor, and constraints can unlock profound personal and professional growth.

Mo Ash shares his journey with David Kolmer, from a UN  Model United Nations participant, “MUN” or “MUN-er”  [ https://www.un.org/en/mun ] to a learning designer/ Instructional Designer. Discussing the evolution of instructional design in Egypt, the Penta framework that he developed for assisting in the design of game-based learning, and the importance of community and science based choices in professional growth.

Discover insights on game design, overcoming real world challenges, and the future of L&D amongst the void of the A.I. bubble.

Keywords
Instructional Design, Game-Based Learning, Penta Framework, Egypt, Learning, Community, L&D Future, Self-Development, Professional Growth

Learning ResourcesMoe Ash on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/moeash7/

The Penta Framework (Book and Upcoming) https://pentadeckform.fillout.com/t/dFz4hasu59us

Claire Obscure Expedition 33 (Video Game)https://www.expedition33.com/Example of rebooting the RPG genre with fantastic narrative

Splendor (Board Game)

AZUL (Board Game) https://www.nextmove-games.com/en/azul/azul-game/

Key Topics

The evolution of instructional design in Egypt

The Penta framework for game-based learning

Building and nurturing learning communities

Overcoming challenges and failures in business

The role of storytelling and narrative in game design

Alternate Reality Titles

The Penta Framework:Revolutionizing Game-Based Learning

From UN “MUN-er”  to Learning Designer: Mo Ash's Journey

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Moe Ash

02:39 The Learning and Development Community in Egypt

05:31 Family Dynamics and Work-Life Balance

08:23 The Evolution of Learning and Development Roles

11:11 The Design Process and the Penta Framework

37:18 The Mechanics of Fun in Games

40:12 Lessons from Failure and Self-Reflection

46:43 Building a Supportive Community

52:18 Understanding the Essence of Games

58:46 Personal Insights and Spirit Animals

01:11:50 Connecting with Moe Ash

CREDITS

GAMELAYER RADIO is found wherever you get your podcasts. Transcripts and swag at Gamelayer.fm

Theme Music by Caleb Willitz. calebwillitz.com/
calebwillitz.bandcamp.com/music

Found Sound onthe "domain of play" borrowed from ⁠⁠Balance in the SpiritualLife Dharma talk by Sr. Trai Nghiem⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/yZag9LOp7uc?si=T2Qyfc-4y-XJoSOz&t=3301⁠

VHS: Don't you want to become a cult leader?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUlVGjJg6f8

528Hz + 174Hz | Full BODY CELL Regeneration | MIRACLE Tones for Golden Chakra Healinghttps://youtu.be/7xJw6eBEJQs?si=ubNwF26vwGvGw_1_