Libsyn Directory

I Tried VR Fire Training (and Failed to Find the Phone) with Ludus | Episode 409

Release Date: 09/08/2025

The Magic Doesn’t Start Where You Think It Does | Episode 425

Professor Game Podcast

Want to run away from destroying an experience? Happy to brainstorm → A magical Christmas experience in Madrid almost collapsed because of one overlooked detail. We break down a real-world holiday experience through the stages of gamification, and reveal where confusion can destroy even the most beautiful experience. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and , he founded and hosts , the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He...

Your Bio as an Origin Story: Gamifying the Job Hunt with Jade Arthur | Episode 424

Professor Game Podcast

If you’re considering gamification for engagement, retention, or loyalty, I’m happy to compare options with you: What if your bio was more than a skills list and your job hunt felt like a well-designed game? We explore with our guest Jade Arthur how to gamify the job search for the games industry, creating stories, systems and mindsets that boost confidence, visibility and long-term career engagement. Jade is a language and mindset coach for job seekers in gaming. She helps job seekers take down the villains in their job search like the "Cover Letter Crusher" and the "Interview Assassin."...

You're Using Streaks Wrong - Here's What Actually Works | Episode 423

Professor Game Podcast

Exploring useful streaks for your product or org? Let’s chat → Why do streaks motivate users at first but eventually push them away? Rob explores the psychology behind collapses, the dangers of existing habit metrics, and practical ways to redesign streaks so they support, not sabotage, long-term engagement. Perfect for product leads, community builders, and behavior designers. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and , he founded and hosts , the #1 gamification...

Quests, Self-Talk & Health: Glen Lubbert's Stamina Lab Game of Life | Episode 422

Professor Game Podcast

Retention or loyalty on your roadmap? Happy to brainstorm → We unpack the “tell the cab driver where to go” strategy, health quests, and the eight magic words that shift self-talk from guilt and shame to possibility and lasting change on this chat with Stamina Lab CEO Glen Lubbert. We discuss how to turn health and well-being into a game you can actually win. Glen is the co-founder and CEO of Stamina Lab, a health tech company that helps people create lasting well-being—not through willpower, hacks, habits, or fixing themselves—but by building on the inner resources and skills they...

Stop Shaming Your Users: Ethical Alternatives to Dark Patterns | Episode 421

Professor Game Podcast

Exploring behavioral design without shaming? Let’s chat → In this episode, we break down the wild world of “confirm shaming”: manipulative, guilt-driven prompts apps use to push you into saying yes. From hilarious to downright unethical examples, we unpack why these dark patterns harm long-term loyalty and how to use motivation ethically to build real engagement and retention. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and , he founded and hosts , the #1 gamification podcast, and has...

Building Beats Playing: Matt Dalio’s Path | Episode 420

Professor Game Podcast

Build a thriving, monetized community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7. Join us for free: 🏡 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...

8 Years Building the Global Leading Gamification Podcast | Episode 419

Professor Game Podcast

Aiming for sustainable retention? Intro chat (no sales pitch): 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 (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and , he founded and hosts , the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global...

Design With Audiences: Mister and Mischief’s Playful Guide to Engagement | Episode 418

Professor Game Podcast

Build a thriving, loyal community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7. Join us for free: 🏡 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...

The Secret Framework That Keeps Users Coming Back | Episode 417

Professor Game Podcast

Exploring gamification for your product or org? Let’s 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 (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and , he founded and hosts , the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based...

From Viral Spike to Sticky Play: Doug Weitzbuch on Building Housle | Episode 416

Professor Game Podcast

Want your members to actually stick around and engage without burning out or guessing what works? Join our free community of retention-focused leaders: 👥 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...

More Episodes

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

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