Episodes
Tales of Impact: Game Development Drives Social Change in Africa
In this episode, Tom Leonard talks with Glenn Gillis and Bella Rogerson from Sea Monster and Games for Change Africa. They discuss the power of games to create social impact and drive change. They also talk about the role of storytelling in games and...
The Power of Play: Impact of the Game Development Industry in Ukraine
In this episode, host Tom Leonard interviews Elena Lobova, co-founder of GDBay, about her personal perspective on the game development industry in Ukraine and her experiences with the ongoing war in the country. They discuss the benefits of gaming fo...
Beyond Borders: The New Era of Gaming and Culture
In this episode, host Tom Leonard introduces the theme of Accelerating esports Success and interviews Sho Sato, CEO of LUDiMUS, a game consulting company. They discuss Sho's background in game development and the services LUDiMUS provides. They also ...
Gaming Meets Motorsports: The Battle Racing Entrepreneurial Journey
In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard interviews Joshua Nelson, the founder and CEO of Emotional Ideas and the creator of Battle Racing. They discuss the journey of building Battle Racing, a patented sports and entertai...
From Vision to Venture: The Power of Incubators and Accelerators in S…
In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard and Executive Producer Reginald Nsowah interview Sarah Rauchwerger, founder of TechLab Innovation Center, about the role of incubators and accelerators in the startup ecosystem. The...
Venture Forward: Navigating the Startup Ecosystem
In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard interviews Jason Krauss, founder of Prepare for VC. They discuss the different types of organizations that entrepreneurs can tap into, such as communities, incubators, accelerators,...
Introduction to Incubators and Accelerators
Introduction to Incubators and Accelerators In Season 4 of the Gamers Change Lives Podcast titled “Accelerating Esports Success” we are talking to people around the world, telling the stories of how entrepreneurs can tap into the resources provided b...
Game On Africa: Esports as a Catalyst for Growth and Opportunity
Today we are speaking with three returning guests on our first LinkedIn Live Event: Soufiane EL FILALI from Morocco, Brad Kirby from South Africa, and Ronny Lusigi from Kenya. Tom Leonard kicks off the LinkedIn Live session of "Gamers Change Lives", ...
Playing Life’s Game: Bridging Esports and Improvisation
Today we are speaking with Patricia Ryan Madson, a Professor Emerita from Stanford University, and author of the book: "IMPROV WISDOM: Don’t Prepare, Just Show Up". "The Gamers Change Lives Podcast" Episode with Tom Leonard & Patricia Ryan Madsen...
Talk Smarter, Game Better: Mastering the Game of Communication
Today we are speaking with Matt Abrahams, Lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business specializing in Strategic Communication. He hosts the popular podcast “Think Fast Talk Smart”. He is also the author of a new book called “Think...
Innovate & Play: How Creativity Drives the World of Asian Esports
Today we are speaking with Robert Gax, Creative Lead, APAC & India at Ampverse in Singapore. Summary of the Gamers Change Lives Podcast Episode: Esports 101 with Robert Gax Robert Gax, a seasoned creative director, now drives the vision for Ampve...
Playing by the Rules: How Legal Expertise Shapes Esports Success
Today’s guest is Justin Jacobson, Esq., an entertainment, esports, and video game attorney from New York City. We take a dive deep into the world of esports, its legal intricacies, and the business side of gaming. Key points: Justin's professional jo...
Crafting Success: The Evolution of a Gaming Visionary
Today’s guest is Amila Pathirana. He is the Co-Founder and CEO at GamerTech™ and Founder at The Gaming Insider. Key Points: Esports in Sri Lanka: Amila overviews the esports scene, its decade-long presence, and the challenges faced. Amila's Gaming Or...
Breaking Boundaries and Fostering Inclusivity in Esports
Today we are speaking with Fernando Pereira. He is the President at GROW UP / CEO at XTEND3D / Founder at GIRLGAMER Festival. In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard interviews Fernando Pereira, an event organizer and adv...
Closing the College-to-Career Gap: College Esports’ Impact
Donna “BasicTaq” Walters I am Tom Leonard, the host of the Gamers Change Lives Podcast where we talk about how esports can create jobs anywhere in the world. Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives. In Season 1 we talked about jobs. In Season 2 we talk...
Building Long-term Partnerships: Strategies and Perspectives
Today’s guest is Nimish Raut, Global Head Esports : Partnerships & Special Projects at NODWIN Gaming in India. Our discussion included: Nimish highlights the importance of long-term thinking in the esports industry, emphasizing future growth and ...
Using Tech to Level Up Esports, Education, and Equity
Today’s guest is Today’s guest is Danielle Rourke, Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist at Dell Technologies. In the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard and Danielle Rourke, Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist for Higher Educat...
Startups, AI, and Health Data Integration into Gaming
Today’s guest is Today’s guest is Hendrikje Wagner, Founder HypeRate.io. Welcome to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast, where Tom Leonard explores the integration of health data in gaming with Hendrikje Wagner from Hype Rate. They discuss Hype Rate's in...
Beyond Sponsorship: Strategies for Non-Profit Esports Funding
Today’s guest is Eliot J. Oreskovic. He is the Executive Co-Director of the United States Esports Association and an esports consultant. In this episode of The Gamers Change Lives Podcast, Tom Leonard interviews Elliot Oreskovic, the executive co-dir...
Empowering Youth: Esports’ Impact on STEM Education
Today’s guest is Jadesola Adedeji Co-Founder of STEM METS in Lagos, Nigeria, who prides herself on being a life-long learner. In this episode of "The Gamers Change Lives Podcast," Jadesola Adedeji, co-founder of STEM-METS, discusses her journey and t...
Art Direction, AI, and Diversity in Games: A Game Developer’s Insights
Today’s guest is Inka McAtee from Germany. She founded KnotHorn Studio where she works as CEO and Art Director for the independent company. Since October 2021, INKA has been the Project Lead of Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports Germany. In this podcast inter...
Esports and Games in Puerto Rico & the Power of Mythology
Today’s guest is Shirley McPhaul from Puerto Rico. She is a speaker, researcher & educator in Web3 & Video Games. In this podcast conversation, host Tom Leonard speaks with Shirley McPhaul about the growth of the esports industry in Puerto Rico. Shir...
How Simple Solutions Can Create Job Opportunities
In this podcast conversation, Tom Leonard interviews Amir Satvat, the head of Global Startup Operations at AWS, covering topics related to e-sports, gaming, community building, and content creation on LinkedIn. Amir shares his passion for gaming, par...
Training for an Esports Future
Today’s guests are Nik Turner - consultant and lecturer in Esports & Education at Queen Mary’s College in the UK – and the founders of CTRL Esports: COO George Lewin, CMO Harry Lunn, CDO Ben Gregg, and CEO William Holman. In this podcast discussion, ...