Professor Game Podcast

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

👉 Build a thriving, playful community—without chasing members or creating endless content.

✨ Get started free with our community The Game of Skool: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web

Magic in the Mundane: Sarah Iverson on Gamifying Wellness Discover how Sarah Iverson transforms personal growth into playful adventures through wellness escape rooms, storytelling, and creative game design.

Sarah Iverson is the founder of Curious Sunshine, a play-based wellness initiative that transforms personal growth into an imaginative adventure. A multidisciplinary artist, graphic designer, and holistic coach, Sarah fuses her love of puzzles, storytelling, and wellness to create experiences that spark joy, reflection, and real change. Backed by a B.A. in Art and a Master's in Environmental Leadership, Sarah's work lives at the intersection of creativity and consciousness. Through Curious Sunshine, she develops escape rooms, courses, and coaching programs that help people move from stuck to sparked—using play as the engine for transformation. Whether it's decoding riddles or unblocking old patterns, Sarah invites you to explore the magic of your mind, one curious step at a time.

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: curioussunshine.com
• LinkedIn: Sarah Iverson
• Instagram: @playfullysarah
• YouTube: playwithcurioussunshine

Links to episode mentions:

• Recommended book: The Playful Intelligence by Anthony T. DeBenedet
• Favorite game:
  • Paper Mario series
  • Sudoku

Lets's do stuff together!

• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Ask a question

Health and Safety 🔥 training is a drag and ineffective or expensive and dangerous ☠️... Or is it? Check out what's possible with our sponsor Ludus and their Free Guide: professorgame.com/free-ludus-guide

Or just book a free VR demo. Warning: you might end up liking Health and Safety training... professorgame.com/ludus-vr-demo

Hearing this only? Check out the video episode on our web or straight on YouTube

On this sponsored episode, we dive into the world of VR-based health and safety training with Ludus. You'll get a behind-the-scenes peek into my home HQ as I test five of their standalone VR/AR simulations — from firefighting to CPR and even recycling! I share honest, hands-on impressions of how they look, feel, and function, including what works, what could be clearer, and how gamified experiences like these can truly enhance engagement and learning.

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 Demo with Ludus: professorgame.com/ludus-vr-demo
• Health and Safety Training with Ludus VR Free Guide: professorgame.com/free-ludus-guide

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

Don't guess your next title – get the proven ones for free: 👉 professorgame.com/YT-Title-Spreadsheet

Want your content to actually get seen? I paid five growth experts to reverse-engineer how to grow a community—without spending a cent on ads. In this episode, I reveals the three biggest levers.

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:

• Want titles that actually earn clicks? Grab the free spreadsheet!
• Why Hooks Are So Important by Alex Hormozi
• Start Your Community on Skool for Free (and help Professor Game without paying anything)

Lets's do stuff together!

• Optimize YouTube Titles Spreadsheet
• Community
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Ask a question

Book a free 1:1 call to create your personalized gamification game plan: 🎯 professorgame.com/discoverycall

Can games teach students to navigate politics and power? Kerry Flanagan-Owen from the Bill of Rights Institute says YES—and she's showing us how playful learning is transforming civics education in classrooms across the U.S.

Kerry Flanagan-Owen is the Senior Manager of Learning Design at the Bill of Rights Institute, where she leads the development of free K–12 civics, government, and U.S. history resources. With a background in teaching and instructional coaching, Kerry brings deep expertise in designing engaging, inquiry-driven experiences for classrooms nationwide. Most recently, she spearheaded the creation of a series of card-based games as part of the Institute's Government and Politics: Civics for the American Experiment curriculum, using play to bring abstract civics concepts to life for high school students.

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: billofrightsinstitute.org
• LinkedIn: Kerry Flanagan-Owen
• LinkedIn: Bill Of Rights Institute
• Instagram: @brinstitute
• Facebook: facebook.com/BillofRightsInstitute
• X/Twitter: @brinstitute
• YouTube: youtube.com/user/BillofRightsInst

Links to episode mentions:

• Proposed guest: Dr. Susan Rivers Game Design and SEL Psychologist and GBL
• Recommended book: The Power of Play by David Elkind
• Favorite game: Space Team and Cranium
• Peter Williamson Episode

Lets's do stuff together!

• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube
• Ask a question

If you feel like your inner explorer's been benched for too long... you're not alone. We're rebuilding new learning quests inside a Skool group. Might be your next side quest. 🎯 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web

Education wasn't built to empower—it was built to control. In this episode, Rob Alvarez breaks down how education evolved into a grind loop and how we can flip the system using gamification. If you've ever felt like your inner explorer got benched, 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 to episode mentions:

• Peter Gray's article: A Brief History of Education
• Our community to rekindle curiosity, play and exploration

Lets's do stuff together!

• 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue
• Community
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Ask a question