Best Zebra Studio Podcasts (2024)

1
Empowering Talent, Embracing Challenges with Multi-Startup Founder, Shawn Foust of Fortis Games 51:57

6h ago51:57

51:57

Shawn Foust is the Co-founder and COO of Fortis Games, a global game studio with a mission to create worlds that matter – that challenge minds, build connections, and inspire communities. Before founding Fortis, Shawn was VP of Central Operations at WB Games after its acquisition of PlexChat, which he co-founded and led as CEO. Prior to that, he se…

1
The Rise of Iron Galaxy Studios from 13 to 270+ Employees with Chelsea Blasko of Iron Galaxy Studios 44:20

3d ago44:20

44:20

Chelsea Blasko, co-CEO and Partner of Iron Galaxy Studios, started as the company's 13th employee and quickly became the catalyst behind the studio’s incredible expansion across multiple locations. She has been instrumental in guiding the studio’s leaders through product development and collaboration. She also established Iron Galaxy’s career coach…

1
Exploring the Art and Immense Potential of Gaming with Chris Melissinos, Game Evangelist of AWS 58:01

10d ago58:01

58:01

🎮 Ever wondered how video games made it to the Smithsonian? What does it mean to be a Game Evangelist? How do you figure out what gamers really want? In this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast, Chris Melissinos, the Principal Evangelist for Video Games at AWS, shares his profound passion, rooted in the belief that video games are among the most si…

1
The 'Secret Sauce' of Sustainable Growth & Strategic Partnerships with Mike Wallen of Keywords Studios 43:58

14d ago43:58

43:58

Join us as we dive into the secrets of driving business growth with Mike Wallen, Chief Commercial Officer at Keywords Studios. With over 29 years of experience, Mike's career has been a fascinating journey from recruiter and agent to VP at Lakshya Digital, and now Global Business Development Director at Keywords. His key insight? Understanding the …

1
The Secrets of Serial Success with Jordan Weisman of Endless Adventures Inc. 47:20

18d ago47:20

47:20

Jordan Weisman is a 40-year industry legend with four entrepreneurial company exits to Disney, Microsoft, Topps, and Paradox Interactive. His achievements include winning over 100 awards, becoming a New York Times bestselling author, and co-creating iconic tabletop games such as BattleTech, Shadowrun, MechWarrior, and Earthdawn. Today, he is the CE…

1
Navigating Big Partnerships and Indie Success with Alyssa Walles of Midwest Games 45:12

25d ago45:12

45:12

Alyssa Walles is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in entertainment, gaming, tech, and publishing. Known for catalyzing innovation and driving revenue growth, she has played a key role in launching the Walt Disney gift catalog, Sony PlayStation, and negotiating National Sports League agreements for the video game franchise Backy…

1
Formula to Game Franchises and Startup Success with Bill Roper of Lunacy Games 1:21:03

29d ago1:21:03

1:21:03

Wondering what it takes to build successful game franchises or start your own game studio? 🎮 🎮 Join host Lizzie Mintus on the latest episode as she chats with Bill Roper, a gaming industry veteran behind iconic franchises like Warcraft, Starcraft, and Diablo. Starting as employee #17 at Blizzard Entertainment, Bill's journey took him from voice act…

1
Creating Marketing Magic in Gaming with Sarah Anderson of Amazon Games 55:37

1M ago55:37

55:37

In this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast, host Lizzie Mintus sits down with Sarah Anderson, Head of Global Marketing and Partnerships at Amazon Games. With over 30 years of experience in the gaming industry, Sarah has held strategic roles at Sega, Canopy, 2K Games, and now Amazon Games, where she leads growth initiatives and fosters community fo…

1
Navigating Video Game Marketing & Branding with Perrin Kaplan of Zebra Partners 55:39

1M ago55:39

55:39

Join host Lizzie Mintus in this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast as she sits down with Perrin Kaplan, a global strategic marketing and communications C-level executive known for her award-winning work in tech, entertainment, consumer products, gaming, mixed reality, AI, and more. Noted in several books, documentaries, and publications, Perrin co…

1
Bringing Games to Holographic Life with Jeri Ellsworth of Tilt Five 54:49

1M ago54:49

54:49

Join host Lizzie Mintus as she interviews inventor and entrepreneur Jeri Ellsworth, co-founder of Tilt Five, the world's first augmented reality tabletop gaming system. 🏁 From building race cars and owning a computer store chain to creating toys for millions, her early achievements set the stage for a groundbreaking career. She then moved on to cre…

1
CTO's Guide to VR Game Development Success with Charles 'Chuck' Tolman 49:18

2M ago49:18

49:18

Join host Lizzie Mintus as she sits down with Charles 'Chuck' Tolman, a seasoned CTO/CIO with a rich history in the video game industry. Chuck's career began at Atari in 1993, and he has since made significant contributions to over 30 games, including major franchises such as titles like Spider-Man, Call of Duty, and The Walking Dead. In this episo…

1
Leveling Up Game Marketing, Mentorship, and Impact with Jen Donahoe of Jade Inferno Consulting 52:49

2M ago52:49

52:49

Jen Donahoe is a publishing, marketing, and growth leader with over 20 years of experience in the game, toy, and entertainment industries. She started her career in the toy industry at Hasbro, Disney, and Mattel before moving to the game industry, where she led marketing and growth teams at EA, Zynga, Scopely, and Riot. Today, she is a strategic ma…

1
Blueprint for Live Game Success with Scott Hartsman, Games Angel & Advisor 1:03:47

2M ago1:03:47

1:03:47

Join host Lizzie Mintus, and guest Scott Hartsman, as they dive deep into the secrets to creating successful live games, streamlining hiring processes, and making tough decisions as a leader. Scott's extensive track record speaks for itself, with a portfolio of successes dating back to the early days of online gaming. From EverQuest 1 and 2 to Rift…

1
Redefining DEI Strategies through Empathy with Trinidad Hermida-Black of the BIG Foundation 53:10

2M ago53:10

53:10

🎮💡 Unpopular Opinion: #DEI isn't just one person's job! Hiring a DEI specialist or expecting marginalized employees to carry the burden of change isn't going to magically transform your culture. So how can we truly promote positive DEI change? Join us as we sit down with Trinidad Hermida-Black, the Executive Director of Black in Gaming Foundation a…

1
Growth, Grit, and Gaming with Russell Ovans of East Side Games 51:34

2M ago51:34

51:34

Join us as we sit down with Russell Ovans, Board Member at East Side Games (ESG). Russell is a free-to-play games executive with a Ph.D. in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence). His diverse career includes founding Backstage Technologies, teaching college, holding executive roles in a tech incubator, and owning a brewery. In 2018, he returned…

1
From "Pizza Attack" Battle to Brand Strategies: Legal Insights in Gaming with Don McGowan 54:36

2M ago54:36

54:36

Join us as we sit down with Don McGowan, former General Counsel at Bungie. If you're in the game industry, you've likely heard about Bungie's groundbreaking lawsuit protecting employees from online threats, aka the "Pizza Attack." Don orchestrated the whole process and is here to share the behind-the-scenes details in full. Don's career in the ente…

1
The Power of Leading with Empathy in the Game Industry with Mitch Gitelman 57:06

2M ago57:06

57:06

Join us as we sit down with Mitch Gitelman, a 30-year veteran of the game industry and former CEO of Harebrained Schemes, known for hits like the Shadowrun Returns and Battletech. He also played key roles as a founding member and studio head for Microsoft Games, leading the Xbox Live Arcade business during its heyday. In this episode, Mitch shares …

1
Bridging Creativity and Generative AI for Next-Gen Gaming with Jon Radoff of Beamable 48:57

3M ago48:57

48:57

Jon Radoff is the co-founder and CEO of Beamable, an extensible server platform that enables developers to create online games and virtual worlds in minutes. His journey began at NovaLink, where he developed Legends of Future Past, one of the first MMORPGs. Jon went on to found Eprise Corporation, GamerDNA, and Disruptor Beam, reaching over 20 mill…

1
Fostering Employee Growth Through Effective Leadership by Joshua Howard of OtherSide Entertainment 59:09

3M ago59:09

59:09

Joshua Howard is the COO of OtherSide Entertainment, a company focused on providing players with innovative gameplay, immersive worlds, and engaging narrative. His focus extends beyond creating great games; he fosters positive team cultures, cultivates future leaders, and prioritizes employee well-being as the foundation for exceptional player expe…

1
Community Management in Games From Crowfall and Eve Online Veteran Valerie Massey 1:07:23

3M ago1:07:23

1:07:23

Valerie Massey is a gaming veteran and community management expert. With more than two decades developing and fostering multiplayer online games, Valerie Massey has worked extensively in public relations, community building, and customer care. She has experience with businesses such as Consortium9, ArtCraft Entertainment, CCP Games, and Leap Motion…

1
How To Get Investment in Your Game Studio by Moritz Baier-Lentz of Lightspeed 54:00

3M ago54:00

54:00

Moritz Baier-Lentz, is a Partner and Head of Gaming at Lightspeed Gaming, a company that partners with extraordinary founders in the gaming sector. In this position, Moritz has spearheaded investments in groundbreaking ventures, including Fortnite and League of Legends creators. With extensive experience at BITKRAFT and Goldman Sachs, he has advise…

1
Expert Guidance for Navigating Layoffs and Transitions With Career Coach Dawn Pinkney 1:02:32

3M ago1:02:32

1:02:32

Dawn Pinkney is a Career and Executive Coach and the Founder of Marjorie Dawn Coaching, where she provides life coaching services to professionals, empowering them to perform at their best. With over 25 years of experience in the games industry, Dawn has worked extensively in production with renowned teams, contributing to the creation and publicat…

1
The Influence of Writers on the Gaming Industry With Dean Takahashi 54:50

4M ago54:50

54:50

Dean Takahashi is the Lead Writer for GamesBeat at VentureBeat, a technology news website that provides news, analysis, features, interviews, and videos. He boasts over 28 years of experience as a tech journalist, with a dedicated focus on gaming. Joining VentureBeat in 2008, Dean previously contributed to esteemed publications such as The Mercury …

1
Launching Potions: A Curious Tale With Renee Gittins 52:17

4M ago52:17

52:17

Renee Gittins is the Creative Director and CEO of Stumbling Cat, an indie studio based in Seattle. With a diverse skill set encompassing business operations, software engineering, and creative direction, Renee leads her team with a unique blend of expertise. Before her role at Stumbling Cat, she served as the General Manager of Phoenix Labs in Vanc…

1
Luck and Hard Work: The Intricate Journey of a Startup With Eric Marcoullier 1:10:44

4M ago1:10:44

1:10:44

Eric Marcoullier is a Fractional Co-founder and Early-Stage Startup Coach at BPM140 Consulting, where he guides first and second-time founders in the pursuit of finding a successful product-market fit. His journey in the tech industry began with the co-founding of IGN in 1996, where he led product and engineering until its sale three years later. F…

1
The Puzzle of Puzzle Games: Navigating Game Development With Laura Taranto 54:46

4M ago54:46

54:46

Laura Taranto is the Senior Director of Product Management at Big Fish Games, a developer and distributor of casual games for computers and mobile devices. With 14 years of experience, Laura has traversed various phases of game development, with a particular emphasis on nurturing and growing live titles. In June of 2021, she joined Big Fish Games, …

1
Improving Talent Acquisition in the Gaming Industry With Jon Wolheim 57:38

4M ago57:38

57:38

Jon Wolheim is the Volunteer Vice President of People and Culture at Games For Love, a nonprofit providing video games in children's hospitals and helping medical professionals to meaningfully integrate games into therapies. Jon's education runs through Stanford, USC, and MIT, where he got his start in core Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learn…

1
Lessons From a Gaming Industry Entrepreneur With Anthony Castoro 57:57

4M ago57:57

57:57

Anthony Castoro is the Owner of Protagonist Games, an independent games and technology company specializing in multiplayer and online games. He is also the Founder and CEO of Simulation Theory, a proprietary technologies platform yielding incredible high-performance results for video games, AR/VR, real-time AI applications, and industrial simulatio…

1
The Future of Remote Game Development 50:49

4M ago50:49

50:49

Štěpán Kaiser is the Co-founder and CEO of Remāngu, a cutting-edge platform designed to bridge the gap between remote individuals and prominent gaming studios. With a background in software engineering and a passion for innovation, Štěpán has spearheaded Remāngu's development of intuitive feedback management solutions tailored to meet the evolving …

1
Insights From a Venture Capitalist for Aspiring Gaming Founders 1:06:20

5M ago1:06:20

1:06:20

David Kaye is a General Partner at F4 Fund, a pioneering venture capital firm specializing in funding early-stage technology startups. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for disruptive ideas, David leads F4 Fund in identifying and investing in high-potential ventures poised to impact their respective industries significantly. Leveraging h…

1
Navigating the Gaming Industry With Sucker Punch’s Chris Zimmerman 1:11:29

5M ago1:11:29

1:11:29

Chris Zimmerman is the Co-founder of Sucker Punch Productions, a video game developer best known for creating action games for PlayStation consoles. A renowned figure in the video game industry, Chris has been instrumental in producing iconic titles such as Sly Cooper, inFAMOUS, and the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima. Before his venture int…

1
Elevating Well-Being Through Gaming With Alina Matson 49:58

5M ago49:58

49:58

Alina Matson is the Co-founder and CEO of Glossbird, an innovative game studio creating lifestyle-improving games for untapped player markets. She is an award-winning designer, engineer, inventor, and startup consultant with a diverse portfolio ranging from flying cars to the latest VR headset at Metis. In her roles at Glossbird, Alina leads a team…

1
Unifying Social Media and Gaming Through Generative AI With Negar Shaghaghi 36:54

5M ago36:54

36:54

Negar Shaghaghi is the Co-founder and CEO of Auxuman, a game technology company with a mission to bridge the divide between social media and gaming. With a remarkable career trajectory, Negar served as an AI Product Leader for the past six years, showcasing her expertise and leadership in the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence and prod…

1
Balancing Acts: Overcoming Startup Challenges for Moms With Terry Redfield 49:08

5M ago49:08

49:08

Terry Redfield is the Founder of a stealth mode startup, a company in its early stages of development and inspired by a game she created in 2015. With nearly three decades in the gaming industry, Terry embarked on her remarkable journey at 3DO as a junior artist. Her notable contributions include content creation for acclaimed games such as Psychon…

1
Strategies for Inclusion and Diversifying Leadership in the Gaming Industry With Gina Joseph 54:18

5M ago54:18

54:18

Gina Joseph is the Chief Strategy Officer at VentureBeat and GamesBeat, the leading sources for news, events, and groundbreaking research used to help leaders make intuitive decisions. Gina brings two decades of expertise in media and technology to her role. As a first-generation Afghan American woman, she actively champions diversity and inclusion…

1
Navigating Mental Health in the Gaming Industry: Breaking the Stigma With Kate Edwards 56:13

6M ago56:13

56:13

Kate Edwards is the CEO of Geogrify, a niche consultancy providing geocultural and geopolitical content strategy to help clients reach a global audience. She is also the Co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of SetJetters, which aims to revolutionize the film tourism experience with its location-based app. An award-winning gaming industry veteran…

1
50 Years of Dungeons and Dragons: An Iconic Fan-Favorite With Ray Winninger 1:03:31

6M ago1:03:31

1:03:31

Ray Winninger is a seasoned video game pioneer who began his career as a freelance designer in high school. His most recent role was as Executive Producer at Wizards of the Coast, where he managed a studio for Wizards’ Dungeons and Dragons. Ray’s career spans over 30 years, leading departments for prominent companies such as Sony, Viacom, Microsoft…

1
Indie Studio Startups: What Every Aspiring Founder Needs To Know With Raph Koster 1:00:00

6M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Raph Koster is the CEO of Playable Worlds, a computer games company specializing in gamification, online games, and game development. As a veteran game designer, he’s been professionally credited in almost every industry area. Raph was the lead designer and director of Ultima Online, one of the first MMOs to reach $1 billion, and Star Wars Galaxies…

1
Rafael Brown on the Importance of Diversity in Leadership and How To Pivot During Slow Seasons 59:49

6M ago59:49

59:49

Rafael Brown is the Founder and CEO of Symbol Zero, a video game studio developing interactive software across games, XR, virtual worlds, and concerts. As a seasoned veteran with 27 years of industry experience, he’s contributed his talents to over 37 projects. Before Symbol Zero, Rafael founded Digital Leaf Design, serving as the Creative Director…

1
The Power of Networking and Fostering Relationships for Career Success 43:19

6M ago43:19

43:19

Joe Nickolls is the VP of Sumo Digital North America, a multi-genre video game platform featuring titles for major publishers, including Microsoft, Sony, Sega, and 2K. With 25 years of industry experience, he’s contributed his talents at various studios like Capcom and EA, where he led the MAXIS Studio, overseeing the Sims franchises. Joe is also t…

1
AAA-Action Game Studio CEO Jerry Hook Shares Industry Insights 1:02:33

6M ago1:02:33

1:02:33

Jerry Hook is the Founder and CEO of Jar of Sparks, a new studio committed to creating AAA action-adventure games. He has over 20 years in the industry and was a founding member of Xbox Live during his Microsoft tenure. Jerry also led the Destiny franchise at Bungie and headed the Design team for Halo Infinite at 343 Industries. While at 343 Indust…

1
Talofa Games: A Gaming Platform Invigorating Entertainment, Fitness, and Mental Health With Jenny Xu 48:45

6M ago48:45

48:45

Jenny Xu is the Founder and CEO of Talofa, a video game platform inspired by her interests in running, fitness, and gaming. She hopes Talofa can help gamers improve their mental and physical health through play. Jenny is also the Founder and former CEO of JCSoft Inc., an independent game company that creates experimental horror-comedy mobile games.…

1
Gaming: An Ever-Evolving Industry With Gordon Walton 58:50

7M ago58:50

58:50

Gordon Walton is the Chief Product Officer and Executive Producer at Playable Worlds, a computer games company specializing in gamification, online games, and game development. As a pioneer in the industry, Gordon started his career in 1977 and has executive-produced multiple MMO games. He has an extensive resume, working for companies such as Arts…

1
David Fox on Creating Groundbreaking Games at Lucasfilm Games and the Evolution of Virtual Reality 1:02:01

7M ago1:02:01

1:02:01

David Fox is the Co-founder and Director of Electric Eggplant, specializing in new media and interactive design. In addition to his responsibilities at Eggplant, David decided to adapt his 2013 Rube Works: The Official Rube Goldberg Invention Game to XR. He is also a founding member of Lucasfilm Games as employee number two. During his 10-year tenu…

1
Fostering Innovation and Accessibility in the Gaming Industry With Ben Kvalo 51:48

7M ago51:48

51:48

Ben Kvalo is the Founder and CEO of Midwest Games, a regionally-focused video game publisher dedicated to championing disenfranchised developers in underrepresented regions, starting in the Midwest. He possesses over 12 years in the industry, including contributions to over 100 game titles and 50-plus films encompassing several of the entertainment…

1
Career Coach Sonia Michaels Explains Why “Soft Skills” Are Hard and Other Job and Interview Tips 59:14

7M ago59:14

59:14

Sonia Michaels is a career coach and consultant for gaming professionals in Greater Seattle. Additionally, she serves as the Department Chair of Humanities and Social Sciences at DigiPen Institute of Technology, where she’s taught communications, public speaking, and English for over 30 years. As a sought-after speaker, Sonia has presented at vario…

1
Using Social Design to Build Safer and Inclusive Gaming Communities With Carl Kwoh 58:33

7M ago58:33

58:33

Carl Kwoh is the Co-founder and CEO of Jam & Tea Studios, a new multiplayer game startup focused on building player connections. He’s experienced in tabletop, web, mobile, PC, and console games. Before Jam & Tea, Carl developed the product management discipline at Phoenix Lab as the VP of Products. In 2017, he founded Ghostly Bear Games after spend…

1
The Evolution of Massively Multiplayer Online and Why MMO Is Still Popular Over 25 Years Later 59:33

8M ago59:33

59:33

Jess Mulligan is a consultant and troubleshooter for senior executives of online games operating in the US and Europe. Jess is a veteran in the industry with over 35 years of experience working in producer and leadership roles. Before offering their expertise as a consultant, Jess spent over five years at Travian Games in Munich, Germany, before ex…

1
Patrick Ascolese on Video Game Entrepreneurship, Pricing Structure, and Virtual Reality Game Design 1:24:46

8M ago1:24:46

1:24:46

Patrick Ascolese is the Founder of Dark Arts Software, a Seattle-based independent virtual reality, gaming, and technology studio. Before his current venture, he lent his expertise as an AR/VR Design Consultant at Meta for nearly a year, where he contributed to the development of its upcoming AR headsets. Patrick began his career at Microsoft over …

1
Changing the World Through Gaming With Irena Pereira 45:45

8M ago45:45

45:45

Irena Pereira is the Founder and CEO of Unleashed Games, a video game startup developing games that unite players through cooperative gameplay. Irena is also the Owner of Digital Experiments, a company that specializes in helping gaming teams elevate user participation, putting the player first. A pioneer in user experience, Irena is a seasoned vet…

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