8 Years Building the Global Leading Gamification Podcast | Episode 419
Release Date: 11/17/2025
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Epic Fight? Here's What Really Happened | Episode 415
Professor Game Podcast
Exploring gamification for your product or org? Let’s 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 (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...
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From Fan to Creator: Jaime Schwarz on the IP Economy | Episode 414
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 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...
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The One Choice That Will Determine Your Online Success | Episode 413
Professor Game Podcast
Build a thriving, monetized community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7. Join us for free: 🏡 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: 👉 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, and advocate for the use of gamification and...
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Why Careers Need a Game Loop, with Unity's Jessica Lindl | Episode 412
Professor Game Podcast
Build a thriving, monetized community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7. Join us for free: 🏡 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...
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How To Grow Your Community! Without Paying For Ads | Episode 411
Professor Game Podcast
Your next viral title is already written. Get the free sheet: 👉 Curious about Skool? Grab the 14-day free trial through my link (and it helps me keep creating resources for you): 👉 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, and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and...
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Escape Rooms for Growth with Sarah Iverson | Episode 410
Professor Game Podcast
👉 Build a thriving, playful community—without chasing members or creating endless content. ✨ Get started free with our community The Game of Skool: 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...
info_outlineAiming 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:
- Professor Game YouTube Channel
Lets's do stuff together!