Best John Skees Podcasts (2024)

1
Starting a Studio, Don’t Give Up, Self Publishing, Being a CEO, and the Gold Rush ‘90s with Brad Hendricks of Blind Squirrel Entertainment 1:05:27

2d ago1:05:27

1:05:27

In this episode, I speak with Brad Hendricks, CEO and Founder of Blind Squirrel Entertainment. Brad talks about his path from working with new game technologies to starting his own company after his previous job at Gamebryo ended. He shares how he and his team landed their first project with 2K Games, kickstarting their game development journey bef…

1
Trevor Ariza Talks NBA Life, Kobe’s Influence & Raising a Top Prospect | IMAN AMONGST MEN 1:04:27

4d ago1:04:27

1:04:27

After spending 18 years in the NBA, Trevor Ariza knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a pro. The LA native kicked it on set with Iman and Ahrrii Shumpert and chopped it up about what Kobe texted him two days after the ‘08 Finals, his NBA career, fatherhood, and what it’s like raising a son who’s a top basketball prospect. --- Stay connect…

1
Van Lathan On Growing Past TMZ & Celebrity Gossip | IMAN AMONGST MEN 52:29

11d ago52:29

52:29

On this episode of Iman Amongst Men, media personality Van Lathan joins Iman and Ahrii Shumpert to discuss his interest in pursuing media, his role at TMZ, the downfall of celebrity news, and how he’s ventured off to create his own lane to tell authentic stories. Stay connected with #UNINTERRUPTED: Instagram 👉 / uninterrupted TikTok 👉 / uninterrupt…

1
Langston Kerman Loves Being a Multifaceted Creative | IMAN AMONGST MEN 1:01:07

25d ago1:01:07

1:01:07

On this episode of Iman Amongst Men, actor, writer, and comedian Langston Kerman joins Iman and Ahrii Shumpert to discuss writing poetry in high school, his comedic inspirations, balancing multiple facets of his skill set, and why The Boys was his most challenging roles. --- Stay connected with #UNINTERRUPTED: Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/…

1
Navigating a Layoff, Importance of Networking, Working at PlayStation, Resumes and Portfolios, Mental Health, The Rise of Indies, Building a Brand, and Accepting Change with Alex Gombos 1:02:23

1M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

In this episode, I speak with Alex Gombos, a seasoned talent acquisition manager who shares her insights and career journey in the gaming industry. Most recently, she supported the game development studios at PlayStation. Alex highlights the importance of networking, building an online presence, and being proactive in pursuing career goals, whether…

1
O’Shea Jackson Jr. Wants to Create His Own Legacy | IMAN AMONGST MEN 1:05:35

1M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

In this episode of Iman Amongst Men, writer and actor O’Shea Jackson Jr joins co-hosts Iman and Ahrii Shumpert to discuss how a teacher inspired him to pursue scriptwriting, being Ice Cube’s son, leaving school to audition for Straight Outta Compton, and more. --- Stay connected with #UNINTERRUPTED: Instagram 👉 / uninterrupted TikTok 👉 / uninterrup…

1
DJ Skee Discusses How Steve Rifkind Changed His Life & Music Evolution | IMAN AMONGST MEN 1:14:18

1M ago1:14:18

1:14:18

On this episode of Iman Amongst Men, multi-media mogul DJ Skee joins Iman and Ahrii Shumpert to discuss getting an opportunity from Steve Rifkind, early DJ days, curating vibes, and going on tour with Prince. --- Stay connected with #UNINTERRUPTED: Instagram 👉 / uninterrupted TikTok 👉 / uninterrupted X 👉 / uninterrupted Facebook 👉 / uninterrupted W…

1
A.J. McKee Shares Why It’s Important to Control Emotions as a Fighter 48:38

2M ago48:38

48:38

On this episode of Iman Amongst Men, MMA fighter A.J. McKee joins Iman and Ahrii Shumpert to share how he started fighting, discipline, which fighters he grew up idolizing and more. --- Stay connected with #UNINTERRUPTED: Instagram 👉 / uninterrupted TikTok 👉 / uninterrupted X 👉 / uninterrupted Facebook 👉 / uninterrupted Website 👉 https://www.uninte…

1
Tony Rock Reminisces About Everybody Hates Chris & His Beef With Drumsticks 1:16:37

2M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

On this episode of Iman Amongst Men, comedian Tony Rock joins Iman and Ahrii Shumpert to discuss his comedy career, mentors, his favorite movie role and why he no longer eats drumsticks anymore. --- Stay connected with #UNINTERRUPTED: Instagram 👉 / uninterrupted TikTok 👉 / uninterrupted X 👉 / uninterrupted Facebook 👉 / uninterrupted Website 👉 https…

1
Dalen Terry Breaks Down Top 3 Toughest NBA Matchups 1:12:44

2M ago1:12:44

1:12:44

On this episode of Iman Amongst Men, Chicago Bulls guard Dalen Terry joins Iman and Ahrii Shumpert to discuss his basketball journey, adversity, DeMar DeRozan’s mentorship and more. --- Stay connected with #UNINTERRUPTED: Instagram 👉 / uninterrupted TikTok 👉 / uninterrupted X 👉 / uninterrupted Facebook 👉 / uninterrupted Website 👉 https://www.uninte…

1
Rachel Lindsey on Going From Lawyer to Reality TV Star 1:09:35

2M ago1:09:35

1:09:35

Life is what you make of it. On this episode of Iman Amongst Men, Rachel Lindsay is all about fulfilling her purpose. The lawyer-turned-TV-personality discusses her upbringing, journey as an attorney, doing what she truly loves and being the first Black women on The Bachelorette. Presented by @cashapp Stay connected with #UNINTERRUPTED: Instagram 👉…

1
Ice Cube Talks John Singleton, Writing for TV & Pursuing Passions 1:07:52

2M ago1:07:52

1:07:52

On this episode of Iman Amongst Men, LA legend Ice Cube joins Iman and Ahrii Shumpert to discuss his music career, writing for TV versus music, BIG3, and how John Singleton inspired him to pursue acting and movies. --- Stay connected with #UNINTERRUPTED: Instagram 👉 / uninterrupted TikTok 👉 / uninterrupted X 👉 / uninterrupted Facebook 👉 / uninterru…

1
Kalan.FrFr Keeps It a Buck About Music, Football & Passion Projects 1:07:58

2M ago1:07:58

1:07:58

On this episode of Iman Amongst Men, rapper Kalan.FrFr sits down to discuss this new eave of music, keeping it real, his football career, and his music process when he’s working on new projects. --- Stay connected with #UNINTERRUPTED: Instagram 👉 / uninterrupted TikTok 👉 / uninterrupted X 👉 / uninterrupted Facebook 👉 / uninterrupted Website 👉 https…

1
Starting a Game Company, Underserved Developers, New Opportunities, Finding a Publisher, Industry Sustainability, Networking, Navigating Change, MDEV, Being Authentic, and Skee-Ball with Ben Kvalo of Midwest ... 1:01:17

3M ago1:01:17

1:01:17

In this episode, I speak with Ben Kvalo, the Founder and CEO of Midwest Games. Discover how Midwest Games focuses on supporting underserved developers in overlooked regions, aiming for a more sustainable industry, and learn about the upcoming MDEV conference. Ben shares his journey into the game industry, starting with his transition from radio to …

1
BLXST | Authenticity Over Everything 1:12:13

4M ago1:12:13

1:12:13

Being true to yourself goes a long way. To kick off Season 3 of Iman Amongst Men, singer and songwriter Blxst joined co-hosts Iman and Ahrii Shumpert to discuss authenticity, fatherhood, West Coast rappers, and how he got started in music. Presented by @cashapp Stay connected with #UNINTERRUPTED: Instagram 👉 / uninterrupted TikTok 👉 / uninterrupted…

1
Creating ANIMAL WELL, Building a Game Engine, Finding Opportunities, Indie Games, Dunkey, Going to DePaul, Having Patience, Publisher BIGMODE, Disdain for Midjourney Assets and Crow Country with Billy ... 1:32:55

4M ago1:32:55

1:32:55

In this episode, I spoke with Billy Basso, the sole developer behind the hit indie game ANIMAL WELL. Discover how he began working on the game as an after-work hobby 7 years ago, and his vision for creating a lush, 2D Metroidvania experience where players explore underground caves, solve puzzles, and encounter creatures with minimal guidance. Billy…

1
Working on Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Artist Turned Designer, Serious Games to Triple A, NASA, Learning to Lead, Player Reaction Videos, Communication Skills, and the Designer’s Journey with Roxanne Splitt ... 1:18:20

5M ago1:18:20

1:18:20

In this episode, I spoke with Roxanne Splitt, Associate Design Director at Insomniac Games. Hear their experiences and insights from working on various game projects, including collaborations with NASA and acclaimed games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Roxanne reflects on the educational and emotionally significant aspects of working on the NASA proje…

1
Kayvon Thibodeaux | Owning Your Narrative 52:19

6M ago52:19

52:19

Kayvon is not related to Coach Thibs, but you already knew that. Me and my brother couldn't believe the man we were talking to was only 23 years old. Wise beyond his years fr. Coach Prime said look good feel good pay good play good. I say I wish I could've rolled up to the ACC tournament in a Ferrari. It's different for kids these days. I'm not hat…

1
Recruiters Talk Hiring, Job Strategies, Plan B, Call of Duty, Networking, ATSs, The Industry Layoff Trend, Resume Tips, and LinkedIn’s Value with Keith Plesha of Krafton 1:39:32

7M ago1:39:32

1:39:32

In this episode, I spoke with Keith Plesha, Sr. Recruiter with Krafton Americas who offers valuable insights from his recruiting career. He emphasizes the significance of networking, continuous learning, and staying on top of industry trends for career success. Topics such as interpersonal skills, mentorship, and the impact of remote work on hiring…

1
Working on Jedi Starfighter, Portfolios, DirectX’s Mission, Embracing AI, the Neuroscience of Play, Empathy, the Industry’s Next Growth Market, and Helping Ukraine with Founder and CEO Sam Glassenberg ... 58:06

8M ago58:06

58:06

In this episode, I spoke with Sam Glassenberg, Founder and CEO of Level Ex, as we dive into subjects encompassing the gaming industry, technology, and healthcare. Sam recounts his unexpected journey into gaming, beginning as an animator at LucasArts and eventually helping lead Microsoft’s DirectX Graphics team. We then transition to discussing the …

1
Starting Bungie, UEFN, Teamwork, Making Halo, AI Concerns, Portfolios, UGC, Game Industry Optimism, Diversity, Building EQ, and the Fourth Curtain Podcast with founder and CEO Alex Seropian of Look North ... 48:44

9M ago48:44

48:44

I welcome Alex Seropian, founder and CEO of Look North World on this episode kicking off the 5th (wow, 5th) year of the podcast. Hear as Alex shares insights about his current role, including hosting The Fourth Curtain podcast and his new studio, Look North World. Learn about the growing significance of user-generated content (UGC) in the gaming in…

1
Robert Horry | Living Life Without Fear 1:05:17

10M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

Big Shot Bob came through and spoke straight from the heart. The basketball stories were incredible, but the perspective he gave about his daughter and how to live a life without fear left the whole studio feeling different. In sports and in life, you have to make the most out of every opportunity and can't take nothing for granted. That's the mind…

1
The Professor | Where There's a Will, There's a Way 1:03:35

10M ago1:03:35

1:03:35

If you see a dude hooping in Venice Beach dressed up like Spiderman, please do not try to defend this man. Or do - so we can all watch you get cooked on YouTube. Hearing all the stories about And1 brought back some deep memories for me and Ahrii. The Professor was a phenom back then, but he's still giving out buckets for free. For the kids at home,…

1
Lethal Shooter aka Chris Matthews | Shooters Shoot 56:30

10M ago56:30

56:30

I played basketball my whole life, and I've never heard a shooter talk about how quick his pupils dilate. Google Chris Matthews if you want to see how Lethal Shooter used to get down in college. He was a certified bucket fr. In basketball and life, you gotta take your shots and take them with confidence!…

1
Daniel Ezra | Flipping The Script 1:11:11

10M ago1:11:11

1:11:11

Daniel came to the U.S. not knowing anything about American football. Now my dog is an All-American. I swear he's nothing like Spencer James in real life. Hire me and Ahrii to play two British dudes! We got range. He said Americans are more likely to support each other's dreams, but I think he just called us delusional.…

1
Odis Shumpert | Family Values 1:33:39

12M ago1:33:39

1:33:39

Big O aka our dad is a legend. He taught us so much and I still don’t know how he raised four boys in that era. He finally admitted to us why he stopped playing us in basketball when we were kids. We had to bring this man on our podcast to learn some major things about our family tree. Thanks for a great season y’all! Happy birthday.…

1
From Improv to the Game Industry, Charting Your Path, Being Flexible, Consolidation Concerns, Working with Clients, Future Tech, the M+DEV Conference, and Taking Care of Yourself with Jennifer Javornik ... 49:46

12M ago49:46

49:46

I welcome Jennifer Javornik, the Chief Partnerships Officer at Filament Games on this 60th episode. Learn about her current role, the company’s connection with UW Madison, and how she transitioned from a traditional IT role into the game industry. Hear about being in improv comedy, learning to be less formal, and how the industry embraces being you…

1
HaHa Davis | Laugh and the World Laughs With You 1:16:57

12M ago1:16:57

1:16:57

You don’t want zero problems Big Fella! His mama still calls him Carlos but Haha might be the funniest man on social media right now. He went from KFC cook to features with Chance and linking with Snoop, so I don’t want to hear no excuses!By UNINTERRUPTED

1
Kier Gaines | Mental Health is Heath 1:32:57

1y ago1:32:57

1:32:57

Kier Gains went to school for 10 plus years to be a licensed therapist and mental health advocate and he knows his ish. People you need to tap into his social media for real advice not just someone's opinion. For men, he is someone you need to check out, sometimes your barber is not enough. My only problem with him is he doesn't like mac and cheese…

1
Maxisnicee | Calling Your Own Plays 55:57

1y ago55:57

55:57

Is Max nice? He told us he could get 40 in an NBA game. What y’all think? This man calls everybody twin because he actually has a twin. Y’all gonna have to pay extra for the unedited version of this one.By UNINTERRUPTED

1
Matthew Cherry | If You See It, You Can Be it 58:24

1y ago58:24

58:24

Former NFL player Matthew Cherry went from being a PA for Tracee Ellis Ross to directing an episode of ‘Blackish’. If that isn’t a come-up, I don’t know what is. And he breaks down what us girl dad’s face doing our daughter’s hair in his award-winning short, ‘Hair Love’. The struggle is real y’all but I wouldn’t change it for the world.…

1
Kwame Onwuachi | Cooking with Gas 1:16:19

1y ago1:16:19

1:16:19

Just because this man is a chef doesn’t mean he needs to walk around with a knife that big. Kwame has jokes for days, but the jerk chicken story really gave me a new appreciation for his craft. Don’t mess with a man who has dug a hole the height of him before.By UNINTERRUPTED

1
Video Games Cause Violence Fallacy, Find Your Why, Indie Development, Mental Health Crisis, Neuroplasticity, Forgiveness Matters, VR Deep Dive, Creator Keys, Robotics and More with Ryan Douglas of DeepWell ... 1:19:52

1y ago1:19:52

1:19:52

I welcome Ryan Douglas, the Co-Founder at DeepWell DTx, NeuFluent / Founder, Nextern to this episode. Learn how DeepWell DTx is working to meld medical professionals, scientists, and game developers to create mental health digital therapeutics through play and neuroscience. Hear about the power of gaming to improve mental health, citing games like …

1
Jordan Ward | The Journey And The Destination 1:08:22

1y ago1:08:22

1:08:22

Jordan’s album title is a quadruple entendre so you know he ain’t playin wit y’all. I can’t vouch for the sushi in Chicago but Jordan says it’s fire. Shoutout St. Louis they really produced some incredible music over the years. Tap in!By UNINTERRUPTED

1
Cree Summer | Finding Your Voice 1:24:12

1y ago1:24:12

1:24:12

I swear to god Cree is one of the coolest people we eve talked to. The way she flips into the different voices is impressive, but she’s been doing it since she was a kid! Next time you see me and Cree we’ll be on rum springa!By UNINTERRUPTED

1
BJ The Chicago Kid | Bearing Your Soul 1:28:01

1y ago1:28:01

1:28:01

BJ taught me how to sing from my diaphragm so it’s almost over for y’all. A Chicago kid like us singing for President Obama … hit the stunt button one time! Went from the crib to singing background to centerstage and still ain’t afraid to see y’all across the street.By UNINTERRUPTED

1
Gilbert Arenas | Zero to 100 1:25:40

1y ago1:25:40

1:25:40

How do you go from Agent Zero to No Chill Gill? This man is different. We got real parenting gems from the petty king! I could talk hoops with Gil all day. 3 years minimum for an apology is crazy!By UNINTERRUPTED

1
Amber Rose | When You Stop Learning, You Stop Living 1:24:19

1y ago1:24:19

1:24:19

I met Amber on “College Hill” and according to her I, was her favorite. Don’t be surprised when we start a Halloween business. Amber has beef with the editing but I just wish y’all could see the Ray J outtakes. There’s something really profound in minding your own businessBy UNINTERRUPTED

1
Tristan Mack Wilds | Becoming Your Alter Ego 1:17:29

1y ago1:17:29

1:17:29

My boy, Mack and I can definitely agree that more people need to put some respect on Method Man's name ! And please give Ahrii a producer credit for the Wu Tang TV show because he swears he knows everything. Who knew folks don't consider Staten Island a part of New York? From 'The Wire', to '90210' to' Swagger' the boy be working.…

1
DeMar Derozan | Never Stop Attacking 1:27:44

1y ago1:27:44

1:27:44

DeMar and I have been going toe-to-toe since high school. The Crib still holds a grudge from when USC beat Georgia Tech. Compton made a real one. Now he’s an honorary Chicagoan. The Kobe Drew League stories go crazy. When you a girl dad, Target is better than the mall!By UNINTERRUPTED

1
How to Successfully Pitch to Publishers, Learning to Script, the Importance of Sound Design, Chance Encounters, Doing Great Work, Being Calm, FMOD and More with Jeff Linville of Ritual Studios 54:05

1y ago54:05

54:05

I welcome Jeff Linville, the Co-Founder and Sound Designer at Ritual Studios to this episode. We discuss topics like sound design, pitching your game to publishers, and the future of AR and VR. Jeff shares about the importance of your personal network, learning how to script and work in-engine, and maintaining a healthy mindset with the ups and dow…

1
Vernon Davis | Roles We’re Born To Play 1:10:50

1y ago1:10:50

1:10:50

How many Super Bowl champs can play the villain role like my boy Vern? This man is doing things a lot of actors wouldn’t be willing to do to go to that place. I respect the commitment to the craft. Football players are different fr fr. I’m just tryna find a 7-on-7!By UNINTERRUPTED

1
Kaitlyn Bristowe | Stepping Outside of the Box 55:38

1y ago55:38

55:38

Kaitlyn Bristowe is the homie. We met on Dancing With The Stars Live but I need to tap in on her season of The Bachelor. Our stories from touring with DWTS are legendary but you had to be there. She’s really my favorite Canadian guest until we get Jim Carey.By UNINTERRUPTED

1
Metta Sandiford-Artest | The Evolution of a Man 1:14:48

1+ y ago1:14:48

1:14:48

Call him Metta Sandiford-Artest everywhere but the airport. Me and Ahrii loved watching this man play for the Bulls way before he was my teammate. Coach Metta is a hilarious dude. Please believe no one else in the league is practicing with a forty pound weight vest on!By UNINTERRUPTED

1
Christian Combs | Carrying On Tradition 42:27

1+ y ago42:27

42:27

Christian King Combs is willing to do whatever it takes to continue the Bad Boy legacy, just don’t ask him to walk anywhere for cheesecake. I swear he sounds just like his pops when he do those radio drops. We had a fun trip down memory lane. He does it for his family and with his family, just like me and Ahrii. Just get this man a few more coffee …

1
LaRussell | Free Game 1:07:14

1+ y ago1:07:14

1:07:14

LaRussell is not just making great music. He’s giving out free game while changing the game while playing his own game! Doing shows in your own backyard is crazy! I really might pull up though. Save me a plate!By UNINTERRUPTED

1
KevonStage | Being Undeniable 1:17:55

1+ y ago1:17:55

1:17:55

Kev said don’t try to hit home runs, just try to make contact. This is why I play basketball bc I don’t really get down like that, but clearly, it’s working for Kev! It’s a blessing to have a wife like Kev’s who will push you to be better and also give you real advice. If you really rock with someone, make sure you watch their videos until the end!…

1
The Job Episode - Resume Strategies, Applying For Positions, Portfolios and Websites, Interviewing Tips, and Much More with John Podlasek 25:31

1+ y ago25:31

25:31

I put this information together for a presentation at DePaul University in Chicago recently. The audience found it helpful, plus listener Chris Hardin thought it’d make a great episode. So I made some tweaks and recorded it solo as a short episode :) While it’s intended for folks looking to get their first job there are different ideas and strategi…

1
IDK | No Labels 1:09:32

1+ y ago1:09:32

1:09:32

IDK told us he was in the state penn and public college in the same year. Now he’s reimagining education at Harvard in a real way. A true innovator. They were changing this man’s shoes at Coachella like tires. Crazy. Ima need to try out this chocolate cake fr fr, but no free product placements!By UNINTERRUPTED

1
Amari Bailey | Manifesting Your Destiny 1:19:39

1+ y ago1:19:39

1:19:39

I’ve known Amari Bailey since he was a shorty in Chicago. Of course, he knew at age 4 he was going to be in the NBA. He’s got all the tools and I can’t wait to see him go toe-to-toe with the best in the world. I swear kids these days will never know the struggle before NIL money! I’m not hating but I am.…

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