Best Chris Tolson Podcasts (2024)

1
Will it Game? Episode 87 with Chris Backe 23:59

21m ago23:59

23:59

As we kick off a new season of Will it Game?, we have Chris Backe of Entro Games in the judges seat. Ric and Ryan are bringing their best dragon themed board game pitches this week. The question is, will either of their pitches take flight? Chris Backe is a board game designer with more than 16 signed designs. He has spent the past couple years hel…

1
Being Local during Disaster and the Role of Magooney's Coffee Shop with Melissa O'Toole 47:54

3h ago47:54

47:54

Melissa O'Toole, a well-respected Broke Village local, gives us her perspective on the floods both from her personal experience and from what is now a hub of the village, Magoony's Coffee House, which plays an important part in village life. Melissa and her husband Paul moved to Broke nearly 30 years ago with their family and had a couple of busine…

1
Will it Game? Episode 86 with Shannon DeWitt 31:24

4h ago31:24

31:24

This week on the podcast we have Shannon DeWitt, one of the creators behind Southern-Fried Gaming Expo. We’re jumping into retro gaming and pitching pinball themed games as Shannon sits in the judges seat. Will our pitches achieve a high score or will these game concepts go down the drain? Shannon DeWitt and a team of friends created Southern-Fried…

1
A Love of Wollombi, Volunteering in the RFS & the Historic Pub with Chris Books 1:03:52

4h ago1:03:52

1:03:52

Chris Brooks, the proprietor of the iconic Wollombi Tavern during the July 2022 flood, is a resilient and community-oriented individual. In the early eighties, when Chris was in the army he discovered the tavern during regular trips to Singleton. Originally a builder from Sydney, in 2016, he and his wife decided to buy a small hobby farm and drew a…

1
Will it Game? Episode 85 with Isaac Villa 28:36

5d ago28:36

28:36

Sometimes, an episode just gets put on the back-burner…for over a year. Will it Game? is back and we’re kicking it off with an episode with guest judge Isaac Villa from Gaming with Sidekicks. This episode was originally recorded in March of 2023, but the content is timeless. Just ignore everything that deals with places and times. In this episode, …

1
Returning Home and the Flood Impacts on Broke Estate with Bernadette Tolson 37:31

8d ago37:31

37:31

Bernadette lives with her husband, Max, on a property called Broke Estate on the outskirts of Broke where they have accommodation, a vineyard, and cattle. They were on other side of the road collapse that blocked of the local villages. Eventually they could get to Singleton but it was a few days before they could get into Broke. ‘It was scary becau…

1
Natural Disaster Trauma: What the Research Says with Rob Gordon 53:03

13d ago53:03

53:03

Rob Gordon gives us a powerful and detailed explanation of the effects on the human psyche of trauma from disasters and describes strategies for healing. He is warm and compassionate and his examples which all come from his experience over many years illustrate the complexity of the human response to tragic events and explain why it can take many y…

1
The Hero of Broke: Operational Excellence and Generosity with Mick McCardle 45:07

20d ago45:07

45:07

Mick is a man who was acknowledged by the village as being an absolute hero when it came to supporting the community. His operational role was essential and his heart was huge when it came to supporting the local people. Born in 1963 he was in the Army from 1981 to 2013. In 2016 he moved with his wife to Broke where he owns a small business. He was…

1
How Surviving a Flood Deepens a Loving Partnership with Carina Moonen 34:28

27d ago34:28

34:28

Carina and her husband Leith were severely impacted by the 2022 flood but because they live at Warkworth, away from the main flood area and cut off by flooded roads, they were not assisted by emergency services. “I was a little bit bitter that nobody had come, simply because if Leith hadn't been here, I would not have left. I would have waited for …

1
When Emergency Support Means Compassion for a Community with Annie Cossins 46:49

1M ago46:49

46:49

Annie is a volunteer firefighter and a deputy captain with Wollombi Brigade in the Lower Hunter District. During the floods in 2022, along with many other firefighters in Wollombi Brigade, she undertook the daunting task of cleaning out local residents' flooded homes and businesses. She learnt how important it was for residents to start the recover…

1
Providing Shelter & Empathy for the Broke Community with Kirsty & Quinton McLeod 1:04:50

1M ago1:04:50

1:04:50

Kirsty and Quinton McCleod are a couple who manage Starline Alpacas Farmstay in Broke. They have a shared passion for farming, agritourism and for the growth and development of our region. Quinton came to the region with an interest in viticulture , but his farming background saw him return to his first love, and Alpacas took the limelight. Kirsty …

1
The Traumatic Impact and Toll a Flood Takes with Leith Moonen 1:15:39

2M ago1:15:39

1:15:39

Leith has a heart rending story about the events of the 6th of July 2022, when he and his wife, Carina, were caught up in the floods and lost everything. Their village, Warkworth, was out of the way and not part of the hub of activity in the area, but they were heavily impacted on the day of the flood. They ended up camping by the roadside in atroc…

1
The Broke Community Hall: a Hub of Connection & Empathy with Evelyn Hardy 54:44

2M ago54:44

54:44

Evelyn Hardy is a well -loved local pillar of the local community in Broke. She loves to keep busy and found that during the 2022 floods her commitment to the wellbeing of the local community was a way of dealing with her own losses in the flood. In her story she shares her experiences during the floods. As secretary of the Broke Community Hall and…

1
The Reality of Floods for Emergency Services with Tony Hawkins 41:42

2M ago41:42

41:42

Tony is a long-time resident of the Wollombi area up near Broke. He moved there with his partner in 1992. His story concerns the 2022 Broke and Bulga and Wollombi flood situation. He has a unique perspective because of his long association with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and community support. During floods, the community reaches out for help and…

1
Connection and Compassion in the Community after the Flood with Carly Dawson 52:47

2M ago52:47

52:47

Carly Dawson only moved into Broke almost a year to the day before the floods. She had been around the area for a while before that after she and her and her son had spent a long time travelling and working around Australia with a caravan, but with no plans to settle in Broke. Circumstances led them to the Hunter and she subsequently got a job in t…

1
Beyond the Deluge: Flood Resilience Stories from the Hunter Valley 4:16

2M ago4:16

4:16

G'day, John Millam from Kintsugi Heroes, and welcome to Beyond the Deluge. There are some encounters in life that no amount of preparation planning and past experience will equip us to deal with when they hit. On the 6th of July, 2022, the rivers and streams outside of Wollombi broke and other villages in the Undervalley, New South Wales flowed ove…

1
Your First Million with Backstage Capital Founder Arlan Hamilton 28:17

3M ago28:17

28:17

I'm excited to welcome Arlan Hamilton to our show. Arlan is a trailblazer in the venture capital world, focusing on helping underrepresented founders. She has a deep passion for both the business and personal aspects of her work, and she's here to share her incredible journey and insights with us. Summary In our conversation, Arlan opens up about h…

1
The Intersection of Teaching and Design: Supporting Emerging Talent with Krislam Chin 40:07

6M ago40:07

40:07

Krislam Chin, a designer and educator based in West LA, shares her journey in the design industry and her passion for teaching. She discusses the importance of travel for creative individuals and the need for designers to experience the world. Her studio, Hello World Studio, aims to provide opportunities for emerging designers. She emphasizes the i…

1
Special Edition: The Rise and Fall of InVision with Jay Demetillo 37:13

7M ago37:13

37:13

We will be diving into the fascinating story of the rise and fall of InVision. In this episode, join host Harrison Wheeler and special guest Jay Demetillo as they take you on a journey through the history of InVision and discuss the impact it had on the design industry. They explore the evolution of design tools, from the days of Photoshop and Drea…

1
Navigating Career Plateaus and Personal Branding with Chris Do 33:11

7M ago33:11

33:11

Chris Do, a personal branding coach and host of The Futur podcast, discusses the importance of personal branding and standing out in a changing market. He emphasizes the need to show up authentically and express your unique perspective and the value of thought leadership and writing in building your personal brand. He also shares his experience wit…

1
Balancing Design and Engineering in the Tech Industry With Adekunle Oduye 25:59

7M ago25:59

25:59

Adekunle Oduye, a Design Engineer at Plaid, discusses his journey from art to design to engineering and how he became a design engineer. He emphasizes the importance of understanding both design and code and communicating and collaborating effectively. He also talks about his podcast, "Code & Pixels," which aims to provide practical guidance and in…

1
From Burnout and Isolation Into Allyship and Inspiration: The Intersectionality of Music, Design, Inclusion, and Social Justice With Kendall “Boo Boo” Howse 33:33

8M ago33:33

33:33

Kendall "Boo Boo" Howse, a Senior Designer, Illustrator, and Musician, discusses his design journey, which started with creating artwork for his music projects that eventually led to him freelancing full-time. He shares his passion for Dungeons & Dragons and its evolution to becoming a more inclusive and cooperative game. He emphasizes the importan…

1
Creative Empowerment: Embracing Individuality and Promoting Cultural Expression with Eso Tolson 33:50

8M ago33:50

33:50

Eso Tolson, a Memphis-based designer and brand strategist, shares his journey as an artist and how he developed his unique style. He reveals his passion for uplifting and inspiring people through his work, including his art projects. He also talks about finding safety and comfort in different spaces and the impact of his trip to Hawaii. He emphasiz…

1
Superhuman by Design: Unifying Community and Authenticity in Design With Donald Burlock 41:27

9M ago41:27

41:27

Donald Burlock, User Experience Designer and Author of Superhuman by Design, joins the show to discuss his book and his mission to bring authenticity and social impact to the design profession. He shares his journey of self-discovery and the importance of showing up as your authentic self in a world that often pressures us to conform. He also highl…

1
From Collaborating to Cofounding: The Evolution of a Design Agency From the Ground Up to Success With Ashley Phillips and Miro LaFlaga 30:00

9M ago30:00

30:00

Ashley Phillips and Miro LaFlaga, Founders of Six Cinquième, an award-winning strategic branding agency in Montreal, Canada, discuss their journey in starting their agency and the lessons they've learned. They discuss the importance of flexibility, adapting to change, and prioritizing personal well-being and creativity in the workplace. They also t…

1
Shifting the Design Industry Towards Ethical Frameworks and Care With George Aye 40:53

10M ago40:53

40:53

George Aye discusses his journey in design and the unique perspective he brings as an Adjunct Professor and Co-Founder of Greater Good Studio. He shares his current obsession and efforts to improve his diet and overall health. He also delves into the importance of design ethics and the need for a shared understanding and framework in the industry. …

1
Fanbase and the Future of Social Media With Isaac Hayes III 17:12

10M ago17:12

17:12

Isaac Hayes III, entrepreneur and music producer, discusses the peer-to-peer subscription model and the rise of subscriptions on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. He sees this as a validation of his platform, Fanbase, which aims to uplift creators of color who other platforms have underserved. He believes every social media platfor…

1
Neurodivergence and Storytelling in the Workplace With Design Lead Alexis Cotton 30:03

11M ago30:03

30:03

Alexis Cotton, a Design Lead at Meta, discusses her journey into design and her experience as a neurodivergent designer. She shares her passion for storytelling and finding her voice as a designer. Alexis also talks about the challenges of making friends during the pandemic and the importance of work-life balance. Key Takeaways: Learn how to redisc…

1
Spatial Computing and AR/VR: An Accessibility Discussion with Reginé Gilbert 34:45

11M ago34:45

34:45

Reginé Gilbert, designer and author of "Inclusive Design for a Digital World," joins the show to discuss her recent award, The James Weldon Johnson Professorship, and her work in accessibility and inclusion in the XR space. She shares her journey into UX design and how she became interested in accessibility, as well as her current focus on spatial…

1
Leveraging intuition, improv, and inquiry with Natalie Nixon 30:19

1y ago30:19

30:19

Natalie Nixon, Ph.D., is a creativity strategist, keynote speaker, and author. She is the CEO of Figure 8 Thinking and known as the Creativity Whisperer for the C-Suite. She has been recognized as one of the "Top 50 Keynote Speakers for 2022" by Real Leaders and her book, "The Creativity Leap: Unleash Curiosity, Improvisation, and Intuition at Work…

1
The mindset shift from mercenary to missionary with Melvin Hale 29:56

1y ago29:56

29:56

Melvin Hale has undergone a remarkable evolution in his life. He has 25 years of experience in the design industry and has worked at the biggest names in tech like LinkedIn, Meta, YouTube, RGA, and Google. We'll delve into his journey of finding happiness, reflections on leadership style, and coping with personal challenges. Tune in for an engaging…

1
The Business of Design and Creating Opportunity Through Side Projects with Netflix Design Director Kristy Tillman 35:53

1y ago35:53

35:53

I'm joined by Kristy Tillman, Director of Design at Netflix, as she shares invaluable insights on career growth and the pursuit of creative opportunities. Kristy challenges the traditional emphasis on job titles, urging listeners to prioritize personal growth and learning. Drawing from her experience as a Director of Design, she highlights the dive…

1
Demystifying AI: Hype, Consumption, and Creation of Powerful Products with Aastha Gaur 37:53

1y ago37:53

37:53

Aastha, Director of Product Design at Google, joins us again in this engaging podcast that covers the world of AI at the intersection of customer engagement. In this episode, we cover valuable insights into its definition, the reasons behind its current hype, and the crucial distinction between consuming and creating AI-powered products. We explore…

1
Will it Game? Episode 84 with Ali Plays a Lot 27:11

1y ago27:11

27:11

This week we’re pitching games that use multi-use cards to our guest Ali of Ali Plays a Lot. Will Ric’s dexterity game stand up against Ali’s questioning? Can Ryan kick flip his way into a win this week? You can check out all of Ali’s video and gaming content on his LinkTree account. https://linktr.ee/aliplaysalot Like the content that is filing yo…

1
Leadership Lessons: Spotting the Good, the Bad, and Forgiving Yourself as a Work-in-Progress with Leslie Miley 44:23

1+ y ago44:23

44:23

Join us on an insightful journey with Leslie Miley, a tech industry veteran and advisor to the CTO of Microsoft. In this episode, we explore topics of leadership, courage, representation, and the unique perspective of an introverted business influencer. Leslie shares his remarkable career path, spanning from diverse experiences of privilege to marg…

1
Will it Game? Episode 83 with Kimberly Tolson 28:54

1+ y ago28:54

28:54

This week we have educator and YouTuber Kimberly Tolson in the judges seat. We’re pitching two board games with a push your luck mechanic. With both Ric and Ryan pitching board games with food, which one will connect with Kimberly the most? Stop by Kimberly’s YouTube channel, Tabletop Tolson to check out her hilarious board game content. Like the c…

1
The First Step: Stephen Green's Lessons Learned as an Entrepreneur and Investor 34:59

1+ y ago34:59

34:59

What does it take to start a business? Is it by having the money or by having investors? Does it depend on having social capital? Or both? Would you believe that it all starts in your head? It all starts with ONE idea that solves a problem. And it's not impossible that 3,000 miles away, someone will pay for that solution you came up with. By taking…

1
Will it Game? Episode 82 with Stephanie of Brown House Board Games 24:23

1+ y ago24:23

24:23

This week our Instagram friend Stephanie of Brown House Board Games joins us in the guest judges seat. We’re pitching travel games to Stephanie to see if we can create a fun game that goes along with her profession. Will Ryan make loads of references that no one gets? Can Ric accurately portray the pains of air travel in cardboard form? You can che…

1
Inclusive technical writing with Dr. Cana Uluak Itchuaqiyaq 39:46

1+ y ago39:46

39:46

Summary Did you know that technical writing is all around us? From manuals, recipes, to tribal codified values, they have served as guides and instructions about how to live our lives for ages. But what would you do if instructional design didn't apply to you? How do you ensure that all voices are heard, included, and valued? To help with that, lis…

1
Will It Game? Episode 81 with Lance Hill 24:33

1+ y ago24:33

24:33

In this monumental 81st episode of Will it Game, we have Lance Hill of Funhill Games in the judges’ seat. Ric and Ryan are pitching two pick up and deliver games for Lance to judge. Will Ric’s pitch get a frosty reception? Will Ryan’s game pitch leave him on the wrong side of a left hook? Plus, in a complete turn of events, we have a third game pit…

1
Design systems, working with engineers, and object-oriented UX, with Principal Designer Keith Rich 26:53

1+ y ago26:53

26:53

Summary Wouldn’t it be nice to do every day for our careers the same thing that brought us joy when we were kids? Keith Rich was able to do this by merging his creativity in the soccer field with his work in design and development to come up with solutions for people to use and enjoy throughout their day. With his combined love for soccer and desig…

1
Will It Game? Episode 80 with Bob Crowell 23:54

1+ y ago23:54

23:54

Ric and Ryan from One Board Family are joined by Bob Crowell…. also from One Board Family. This week we’re pitching games about failed superheroes. Can Ryan find a hidden win with his social deduction game? Or will Ric’s game of heroes with a dirty secret come out on top? You can find Bob where you find One Board Family. We’re @oneboardfamily on al…

1
Stretching the bounds of creativity and Advancing Women in Technology with Mindy Duong 37:11

1+ y ago37:11

37:11

Summary Mic test. 1, 2, 3. You know, this interview should have been done in between karaoke songs. Why? Because Harrison and his guest share a love for singing. As a creative since the age of 3 and a pioneer in the field of UX and design, Mindy Duong is an eyewitness to its challenges and improvements, one of which is being the only woman in the r…

1
Will it Game? Episode 79 with Mondo Davis 24:55

1+ y ago24:55

24:55

In this episode of Will it Game?, we attempt to alienate all our board game listeners by talking about sports for 20 minutes. Our guest judge is designer Mondo Davis, a fan of sports and board games. Will Ric reinvent how we think of legacy games? Can Ryan handle the amount of hate mail coming his way? You can check out Mondo’s next game Color Fiel…

1
Will it Game? Episode 78 with AnnaMaria Phelps 26:34

1+ y ago26:34

26:34

We’ve got some terrible game pitches for your ears and an excellent guest judge for today’s episode. AnnaMaria Phelps is with us to judge our board game pitches with the theme of “Haute Cuisine”. We have convinced AnnaMaria that we have class, just wait until we share these game ideas! AnnaMaria Phelps is the founder of Violet Daisy Games, a new pu…

1
Stranger Creatives mindful approach to building an equitable design practice with Steven Wakabayashi 38:24

1+ y ago38:24

38:24

Summary If you were told you were about to die, how would you respond? Steven Wakabayashi didn’t wait long to use it as opportunity to turn his health, life, and career around. His three programs are his best approach to prevent others from going through the same thing he did. Do not wait until something bad happens to start taking your health seri…

1
Healing, quarantine scheming, and HmntyCntrd with Vivianne Castillo 36:05

1+ y ago36:05

36:05

Summary One positive thing about the pandemic is quarantine scheming. Many innovative ideas were born out of it, one of which is HmntyCntrd. What the industry needs are finally being addressed, thanks to Vivianne Castillo and her team. They are passionate about it and can call it out for what it is: How to be human-centered. Because to be human-cen…

1
Building Community with David Silva 31:38

2y ago31:38

31:38

David Silva is a web developer and founder of Techqueria, the largest community of Latinx professionals in the tech industry, with over 18,000 members. In this episode, we explore his tech path, from learning to code as a young child in Colombia to studying religion in Israel, working in startups in San Francisco, and finally settling in New York. …

1
How to lead and what we got wrong about imposter syndrome with Temi Adeniyi 34:05

2y ago34:05

34:05

Temi Adeniyi is a design leader and product designer who’s making wonderful things for the internet. In this episode, she takes us through her journey into the design industry, from London to Berlin, always following her curiosity. We also dive further into her four principles, which are: collaboration in all directions openness, giving trust, and …

1
Will it Game? Episode 77 with Nathan Thornton 30:26

2y ago30:26

30:26

This week game designer Nathan Thornton is back as our guest judge. Since our game pitches didn’t scare him away 2 years ago, we figured we should give it another shot. Ric and Ryan are going to pitch there best “Atlanta” themed game. Will either of us give Nathan an authentic big city experience without the need to leave his home office chair? Nat…

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Chris Tolson Podcasts

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