Rise and Play Podcast

In this episode, host Sophie Vo is joined by Derk, former CEO and co-founder of Paladin Studio, and co-host Tiffany Keller , a product leader with extensive experience in the gaming industry, to discuss the powerful impact of leadership retreats. They share personal stories and insights on the value of retreats, ranging from medicinal ceremonies in Colombia to silent meditation retreats in Peru, exploring different practices and their benefits.

Whatever type of retreat resonates with you, the conversation emphasizes the necessity of taking intentional breaks to reconnect with oneself, manage stress, and foster personal growth. Accessible recommendations are provided for those new to the concept, including yoga, meditation, and breathwork.

Tune in this special episode, which will broaden your perspectives on self-care and take a step back with retreats.

01:21 Personal Experiences with Retreats

04:01 The Impact of Retreats on Personal and Professional Life

07:49 Defining and Understanding Retreats

09:35 Triggers and Motivations for Intense Retreats

16:55 The Process and Benefits of Medicinal Retreats

29:36 Accessible Practices for Everyday Life

30:21 Introduction to Self-Reflection Techniques

30:45 Exploring Physical Activities for Stress Relief

31:20 The Power of Ecstatic Dance

32:21 Diverse Spiritual Practices

35:05 Personal Meditation Practices

35:58 The Importance of Retreats

41:24 Challenges in the Gaming Industry

49:35 The Value of Self-Awareness

55:59 Conclusion and Future Plans

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In this episode, we reconnect with gaming industry veteran Steve Cuss to discuss his journey from traditional to liberated leadership, starting The GamePlan Consultancy and publishing his first book, Liberated Leadership. Steve shares his insights on the challenges and rewards of fostering a more inclusive and authentic workplace, exploring the significance of authenticity, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence for creative leaders.

Steve emphasises the importance of self-awareness for leaders and the opportunities for self-transformation through retreats and personal inner work. We delve into the significance of creating psychological safety, balancing control with autonomy, and aligning personal and organisational values to find a deeper purpose in leadership.

01:46 Steve Cuss’s Journey Over the Past Year

04:05 Challenges and Insights in Leadership Training

09:34 The Evolution of Leadership in the Gaming Industry

10:51 The Concept of Liberated Leadership

15:12 Personal Growth and Authenticity in Leadership

26:45 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership

27:40 The Importance of Deliberate Pauses

29:09 Creating Psychological Safety

30:10 The Need for Feedback in Leadership

31:39 Integrating Values and Purpose

38:22 Challenges in Leadership and Gender Differences

43:20 The Business Case for Emotional Intelligence

48:21 Practical Steps for Leaders

This conversation is a follow-up to a discussion we had with Steve a year ago, introducing the concept of Liberated Leadership, and its genesis. You can listen to that episode here:

You can buy the book “Liberated Leadership” here: https://amzn.eu/d/6lHxbAW

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In this episode, host Sophie Vo interviews Eric Tan, a highly experienced executive with 17 years in the entertainment and music industries. Eric shares his journey from being a business executive to embracing his role as a creative executive, his experiences and struggles in the gaming and music industries, and his insights on the importance of music partnerships in gaming. They discuss Eric's career highlights, including his roles at Riot Games, Sony Music, and his own company, Fifth Journey Limited. Eric also shares his vision for the future of music in games and offers advice for entrepreneurs navigating similar paths.

Interested in exploring a music partnership? Reach out to Eric here: https://calendly.com/erictanhk/call-with-eric

01:34 Introducing Eric Tan: A Music and Gaming Executive

03:55 Eric's Journey into Music and Gaming

05:38 The Evolution of Music in Games

07:41 Music Marketing Strategies in Gaming

10:38 Challenges and Opportunities in Music Partnerships

20:04 Reflecting on Fifth Journey Limited

24:21 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

31:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode hosted by Nina Kim, we delve into the leadership journey of Amy Graves, an experienced marketing strategy specialist who has led social media marketing for game studios such as Natural Motion, Epic Games, the Irregular Corporation and Square Enix. Amy discusses her transition from film to games, her journey from a behind-the-scenes role to taking on significant leadership responsibilities, the lessons she learnt on taking new roles, and her career transitions. Amy shares powerful stories on how she has built a culture of constructive feedback in her teams, adapted leadership styles across different cultures, and embraced leading with effective empathy.

01:41 Meet the Guest: Amy Graves

02:34 Amy's Journey from Film to Games

08:06 Challenges and Learnings in Leadership

15:05 Adapting Leadership Styles

28:41 The Importance of Feedback

39:58 Values and Future Aspirations

43:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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⭐️ Exclusive partnership promotion: Get DevGAMM tickets 15% off with the promo code: devgamm15 ⭐️

In this episode, Sophie welcomes Maria Chyrvona, the CEO of DevGAMM, to discuss the evolution of the gaming conference since its inception in Ukraine in 2008. They dive into the personal and professional experiences that shaped DevGAMM, including navigating the challenges of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.

Maria shares insights into the organization of events, their business model, and the unique values that make DevGAMM's events feel like a community and personalized experience. Don’t miss out on the upcoming DevGAMM Lisbon event on November 14-15, notable speakers including John Romero, and an exciting indie developer contest with cash prizes of $100,000!

For more info, check the DevGAMM Awards 2024 info and how to submit your game.

00:37 Guest Introduction: Maria from DevGAMM

01:49 The Origins of DevGAMM

07:59 Challenges and Resilience During the War In Ukraine

17:26 Business Model and Event Organization

24:42 Creating a Unique And Personalized Event Experience

37:28 Upcoming DevGAMM Lisbon Event in November and Indie Game Awards Prize. Get event tickets 15% off with the promo code: devgamm15

44:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

⭐️ Exclusive partnership promotion: Get DevGAMM tickets 15% off with the promo code: devgamm15 ⭐️

Thanks for reading Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

What is the impact of coaching and what should you expect when you receive coaching?

Some even ask: What is the ROI of coaching?

In this special coaching episode, host Sophie Vo sits down with Hannah Mattil, the Senior Team Lead for Research Operations at PlaytestCloud. They reflect on Hannah’s personal and professional growth over six months of leadership coaching.

Hannah shares her journey from initial skepticism about coaching to the valuable lessons and self-awareness she gained. They discuss the importance of self-reflection, receiving and acting on feedback, and setting clear goals. Hannah emphasizes how the coaching experience has helped her develop confidence, composure, and a deeper understanding of her strengths and weaknesses.

This episode is a testament to the transformative power of coaching and its impact on leadership and personal development. Sophie Vo openly shares her unique approach and process to coaching, with her 16 years of leadership in games.

For people considering coaching, this episode will highlight what to expect, and when is the right time to invest in yourself.

Coaching is a process that needs full readiness from the coachee for the most optimal outcome.

01:37 Special Episode: Hannah's Leadership Journey

03:33 Hannah's Background and Entry into Gaming

05:08 The Coaching Journey Begins

10:33 Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence

13:01 Reflecting on the Coaching Experience

26:34 Applying Coaching Lessons in Real Life

29:49 Final Thoughts and Advice on Coaching

35:30 Conclusion and Call to Action

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

In this new episode, we sit down with Charlotte Gailledreau, a French game studio founder, narrative RPG enthusiast, and ex-Game Lead at the Oh Bi Bi and Gumi studios. Charlotte shares the story of founding her game studio, Sunny Lab, in 2022 alongside her associate Hugo Sahuquet.

They discuss their journey from mobile to console & PC gaming, the significance of storytelling in their projects, and the trials of fundraising and team building.

Charlotte opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of being a first-time CEO, emphasizing resilience, community support, and the importance of maintaining a balanced life. The episode is a heartfelt exploration of the unspoken difficulties in the gaming industry in 2024 and offers valuable insights into the personal and professional aspects of leading a game studio.

Be sure to check the upcoming launch of their new game The Witch’s Bakery 🥐 on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sunnylabgames/witch-bakery-paris-2d-adventure-rpg

01:45 Charlotte Gailledreau’s decade as a product leader in gaming

02:47 Charlotte's Background and Sunny Lab

04:16 Building Sunny Lab: Challenges and Wins

20:43 The 2024 Rollercoaster Of the Fundraising Journey

34:13 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

38:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🙋🏻‍♀️ Need A Coach? Book a call with me and let’s figure it out together!

📆 🇩🇪 Don’t miss out on our networking event with Kolibri in Berlin on Sept 5th

Space is limited: Save your spot HERE!

💡 Get more leadership resources on: riseandplay.io

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Thanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.

This story serves as an inspiring example for all independent studios considering their funding options in 2024, reminding us that collective willpower and fearlessness can be as powerful as more seniority and money.

In this episode of Rise and Play, guest host Shelby Moledina returns.  Shelby is a Game Director and Film Director with 30+ titles shipped, and 20+ years of experience at large and small companies (WB Games, DeNA, Double Loop Games, and more).  This week, she speaks with Ayla Derrick, the founder of Cave Bear Games, an all-volunteer studio that went unexpectedly viral earlier this year.

Ayla, a newcomer to the game industry with a background in education, shares how and why she started Cave Bear Games in 2024, which has been a historically apocalyptic year in the games industry.  Ayla discusses how she harnessed CBG's viral success to build the studio, and to spread the wealth far beyond CBG by creating a strong volunteer and junior game dev community.  We cover essential topics such as the importance of trusting your instincts to find your own way to solve problems, networking with genuine passion, and fostering a positive studio culture.   

Ayla and Cave Bear's journey make it clear that there's real power in taking fate into your own hands.

02:19 Starting an All-Volunteer Studio, for Junior Devs

20:25 Growing the Team AND a Dev Community...at the Same Time

33:04 Using a Newcomer's POV to Tackle Business Challenges in Novel Ways

37:36 The Importance of Communication, Genuine Outreach, and Passion

47:22 Like PB&J: ADHD and Game Development

54:18 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

💡 Get more leadership resources on: riseandplay.io

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Thanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.

In this inspiring episode, we switch roles with Shelby Moledina, as our new co-host on the show who interviews Sophie Vo to share her journey of breaking barriers within the gaming industry, focusing on building inclusive and conscious game companies and studios.

Sophie discusses her experiences in establishing key projects like Rise and Play, her role as CEO and co-founder of Kylan, a new game studio in Vietnam, and transitioning from corporate structures to startup environments. She highlights the importance of leadership, pitching, fundraising, and above all alignment within co-founder teams.

Shelby and Sophie discuss the challenges and learnings from their entrepreneurial ventures (Shelby was the co-founder of the studio Double Loop Games which closed in 2023), underscoring the significance of personal growth, connections, and embracing changes in the pursuit of their missions. Sophie also introduces her upcoming project, Olivya, aimed at innovating at the intersection of coaching, technology, and games.

01:30 Special Co-host: Shelby Moledina

02:26 The Birth of the Podcast Rise and Play

04:30 Navigating Leadership and Consciousness In Business

08:19 Fundraising and Building a New Studio in 2024 (Kylan)

14:07 Personal Growth and Overcoming Fears

16:11 Lessons from the Co-Founders Journey

25:37 Discovering Sophie’s ‘Why’ out of games

33:09 Continuing the leadership journey with Olivya

💡 Get more leadership resources on: riseandplay.io

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Thanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.

Share your opinion on the future of game monetization in their market research survey with a chance to win Gamesforum tickets!

In this episode of Rise and Play, new cohost Tiffany Keller joins the podcast. Tiffany has spent the past decade in product management across several billion dollars plus earning franchises at three of Gaming’s top five acquisitions and the most downloaded games of the decade. She sits down with Joanne Lacey, COO and Board Director at Adinmo, a privacy-first in-game monetization platform working with free-to-play mobile game publishers and developers.They dive into her path to the executive suite in multiple ad ecosystem roles that span Board Director of the trade body shaping GDPR for mobile, senior roles in multiple start-ups that have gone on to be acquired by larger companies and a Board Trustee for a cancer charity. Jo shares her leadership philosophy as a “Defender” to foster team cohesion in remote working, even during instability such as the Ukraine conflict. Jo shares how Adinmo is shaping the evolving relationship between the gaming and advertising industries- highlighting the importance of understanding the intersection of player behavior and brand values to create valuable ad experiences in games.

For those experiencing layoffs or wanting a change, Jo advises how your career could branch out into adjacent game ecosystem roles.

Take their survey now for a chance to win Gamesforum tickets: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RGKZDK3

02:46 Introducing Joanne and Adinmo

07:21 Jo's Career Journey

17:58 Leadership and Company Culture

22:04 Navigating the Gaming and Advertising Ecosystem

26:15 Product Market Fit and Industry Trends

34:31 Career Insights and Opportunities

37:51 Conclusion- Take their market research survey now!

💡 Get more leadership resources on:

https://www.riseandplay.io/

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Thanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.