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When is failure the first step to real success? In this episode, Matt Dalio, founder of Endless Studios, shares how a dream project collapsed—and sparked a breakthrough. Discover how building games, not just playing them, helps kids master coding, design, and 21st-century skills. From pragmatic lessons on profitability to testing assumptions cheaply, Matt reveals how to turn ambitious visions into lasting, scalable impact.

Matt is the founder of Endless, which is fighting for a world in which every kid is a creator. Endless Studios is a youth game making studio built to introduce youth to 21st Century skills like coding and design. Matt's mantra is that if you can engage them, you can teach them. His second mission is to make that available to everyone in the world by addressing the device and internet gap, which is the work of the Endless Foundation. Matt dreams of a world in which every kid can shape their technology instead of being shaped by it.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Guest Links and Info

• Website: endlessstudios.com

Links to episode mentions:

• Recommended book:
  • Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
  • The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
• Favorite games:
  • Civilization
  • Sim City
  • Plague

Lets's do stuff together!

• Let's chat about your gamification project
• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• Start Your Community on Skool for Free
• Game of Skool Community
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Aiming for sustainable retention? Intro chat (no sales pitch): professorgame.com/chat

Eight years, 420 episodes, and countless insights later: we celebrate the incredible journey of the Professor Game Podcast. From humble beginnings to becoming the #1 gamification podcast in the world, this episode dives into consistency, growth, and what's next for the Engagers community.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Links to episode mentions:

• Episodes mentioned:
  • Episode 000
  • Episode 1 with Yu-kai Chou!
  • Episode 2 with Scott Reinke, winner of the Educational Gamification Project of the Year 2016
• Professor Game, the world's #1 gamification podcast, is recognized by independent rankings such as MillionPodcasts, Feedspot, Player.fm, and others like ListenNotes.
• Gamification World Congress, this is the most official reference still online I could find!
• The Octalysis Group
• Community Building Resources: Game of Skool Community
• Social Media and Contact Information:
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
• Professor Game YouTube Channel

Lets's do stuff together!

• Let's chat about your gamification project
• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• Start Your Community on Skool for Free
• Game of Skool Community
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Ask a question

Build a thriving, loyal community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7.

Join us for free: 🏡 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web

From theme parks to zines, Andy & Jeff Crocker reveal how analog thinking powers modern engagement. We explore Infinite Right Answers, designing for collaboration, embracing imperfection over performance, and a field-tested model (confidence + generosity) that boosts motivation, loyalty, and community value.

With roots firmly planted in the worlds of theatre and themed entertainment, Mister & Mischief (a.k.a. Jeff and Andy Crocker) create fun-forward journeys beyond the fourth wall. With an unexpected blend of storytelling and real-world engagement, the husband-and-wife team help foster curiosity and connection through immersive experiences that encourage participants to revisit an opportunity to play pretend. Think of them as your extroverted friends that allow anyone a safe place to step out of their shell and explore in places they'd otherwise never go. Jeff and Andy have created experiences for clients including Universal Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering and their award-winning work has been praised by The New York Times, Broadway World and No Proscenium. They were recently named in Blooloop's International list of Top 50 Immersive Influencers

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Guest Links and Info

• Website: misterandmischief.fun
• LinkedIn: Mister & Mischief
• Instagram: @misterandmischief

Lets's do stuff together!

• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• Start Your Community on Skool for Free
• Community
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Exploring gamification for your product or org? Let's chat → professorgame.com/chat

We dive into the fascinating overlap between product thinking and gamification. By bridging Marty Cagan's product discovery mindset with the Octalysis framework, we uncover how to build not just functional products — but ones users love coming back to.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Links to episode mentions:

• Some public references to the Octalysis Framework and the process discussed:
  • The Strategy Dashboard for Gamification Design
  • Using the Octalysis Framework to Understand What Game Design Techniques to Use
  • Intro to the Battleplan Spreadsheet within Octalysis Design
• References to Marty Cagan and his works and principles through Silicon Valley's Product Group (SVPG):
  • Principles
  • Discovery vs. Delivery
  • Markers of an Empowered Product Team: A Talk by Marty Cagan
  • The Product Discovery Plan

Lets's do stuff together!

• Let's chat about your gamification project
• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• Start Your Community on Skool for Free
• Game of Skool Community
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Ask a question

Want your members to actually stick around and engage without burning out or guessing what works?

Join our free community of retention-focused leaders: 👥 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web

What happens after "going viral"? Doug Weitzbuch (Housel) breaks down the Wordle-style mechanics, player feedback he wishes he'd acted on sooner, and the roadmap to localized, high-intent engagement. Practical lessons on PR, streaks, and turning play into business outcomes.

Doug Weitzbuch is a television producer with credits on hit series including Hell's Kitchen, World of Dance, Lip Sync Battle, and Duck Dynasty. After producing Netflix's Buy My House, a Shark Tank–style real estate series, he created HOU$LE, the viral daily house-price guessing game often described as "Wordle for Real Estate." He currently produces FOX's The 1% Club, hosted by Joel McHale. Doug lives in Los Angeles with his wife (a real estate agent, naturally) and their two kids.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Guest Links and Info

• Website: housle.house
• LinkedIn: Doug Weitzbuch
• Instagram: @housle.house
• TikTok: @housle

Links to episode mentions:

• Proposed guest: Andrew Chen A16Z Speedrun
• Recommended book: The All In Podcast
• Favorite game: NYT mini games!

Lets's do stuff together!

• Let's chat about your gamification project
• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• Start Your Community on Skool for Free
• Game of Skool Community
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Ask a question

Exploring gamification for your product or org? Let's chat → professorgame.com/chat

No, there was no epic showdown, just a powerful new alliance. Rob joins The Octalysis Group and reveals how this new chapter amplifies his mission to make gamification practical, ethical, and impactful. Plus, what stays the same on Professor Game.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Links to episode mentions:

• Let's chat about your gamification project
• The Octalysis Group Team
• The Octalysis Group Welcomes Rob Alvarez
• Octalysis Design Challenge by Rob
• Yu-kai Chou is episode 001 of Professor Game
• Yu-kai Chou's 10k HP new book episode

Lets's do stuff together!

• Let's chat about your gamification project
• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• Start Your Community on Skool for Free
• Game of Skool Community
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Ask a question

Want your members to actually stick around and engage without burning out or guessing what works?

Join our free community of retention-focused leaders: 👥 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web

What if your game character could earn you royalties? Jaime Schwarz unpacks co-creation, interactive media, and why the next frontier of engagement lives in the IP economy. A must-listen for future-focused creators!

After an award winning 15 years as a copywriter and creative director for NYC agencies, Jaime Schwarz dove into Web3, first by filing the worlds first NFT patent in 2017 and then by founding brand therapy teaching brands to speak for themselves. After co-founding 7 startups from then till 2022, Jaime co-founded the Team Flow Institute using employee intelligence and Parallel Worlds, the first spatial transformation company. With his patent granted he is now also the founder of MRKD.dj ensuring DRRM (digital rights and royalties management) by smart contracting the samples themselves for infinite drops. On the roadmap is MRKD.worlds which expands stories across media using the same name chain as MRKD.dj to ensure interoperability and equitable co-creation across an open spatial web.

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: MRKD.dj
• LinkedIn: Jaime Schwarz
• Instagram: @mrkd.dj.remix
• Other Webs:
  • Brandtherapy.coach
  • TeamFlow.institute
  • parallelworlds.us

Lets's do stuff together!

• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• Start Your Community on Skool for Free
• Community
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Ask a question

Build a thriving, monetized community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7.

Join us for free: 🏡 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web

Thinking of trying Skool? Use my link to get the 14-day free trial (same as direct)—and you'll also be supporting my work: 👉 professorgame.com/openyourskool

Content is not king. In this episode, we unpack the 3 key "engines" that turn passive followers into engaged community members. If you're tired of content burnout and ready to build something meaningful, this one's for you.

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 and Info

• Free Resources to try this out: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web
• Try Skool for free: professorgame.com/openyourskool

Lets's do stuff together!

• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• Start Your Community on Skool for Free
• Community
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Ask a question

Build a thriving, monetized community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7.

Join us for free: 🏡 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web

Vice President at Unity and author of The Career Game Loop, Jessica Lindl shares how game-based strategies build better communities, improve retention, and drive real impact.

Jessica Lindl is the Vice President of Ecosystem Growth at Unity Technologies, where she leads global efforts to empower creators, learners, and professionals through transformative, game-inspired solutions. With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of gaming, education, and workforce development, Jessica has helped millions of learners build meaningful careers. She is also the author of The Career Game Loop: Learn to Earn in the New Economy, a groundbreaking book that applies game design thinking to real-world career growth. Jessica is a Pahara-Aspen Fellow and serves on advisory boards for GSV Ventures and Jobs for the Future.

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

• Websites:
  • Unity.com
  • careergameloop.com
• LinkedIn: Jessica Lindl
• Instagram: @career_game_loop
• TikTok: @careergameloop
• YouTube: youtube.com/@CareerGameLoop

Links to episode mentions:

• Proposed guest: Jane McGonigal
• Recommended book: Reality is Broken by Jane McGonigal
• Favorite game: The Legend of Zelda

Lets's do stuff together!

• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• Start Your Community on Skool for Free
• Community
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Ask a question

Your next viral title is already written. Get the free sheet: 👉 professorgame.com/YT-Title-Spreadsheet

Curious about Skool? Grab the 14-day free trial through my link (and it helps me keep creating resources for you): 👉 professorgame.com/openyourskool

Think ads are the only way to grow your community? Think again. Rob reveals how he grew his community to 140+ members with $0 in ad spend—using three powerful, game-inspired strategies you can start 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 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:

• YouTube Titles Spreadsheet: professorgame.com/YT-Title-Spreadsheet
• Start your community on Skool: professorgame.com/openyourskool

Lets's do stuff together!

• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• Start Your Community on Skool for Free
• Community
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Ask a question