Best Rob Alvarez Podcasts (2025)

1
Building Beats Playing: Matt Dalio's Path | Episode 420 33:07

Play Pause

16h ago33:07

33:07

Build a thriving, monetized community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7. Join us for free: 🏡 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web When is failure the first step to real success? In this episode, Matt Dalio, founder of Endless Studios, shares how a dream project collapsed—and sparked a breakthrough. Discover how building games, not…

1
Gen X, Gen Z, and the Infamous Red Lion’s Head Heist 1:00:16

5d ago1:00:16

1:00:16

Episode 74 is the one where Nice Pull! accidentally becomes a three-generation support group for nostalgia, back pain, and bad life choices involving comic books. Jeff and Chris start in the smoldering ruins of Halloween, ranting about neutered “trunk-or-treat” events that feel like tailgates with training wheels, and reminiscing about when kids ha…

1
8 Years Building the Global Leading Gamification Podcast | Episode 419 14:30

8d ago14:30

14:30

Aiming 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 fo…

1
Sithty Second - Secrets of Power (with Rob!) 27:01

10d ago27:01

27:01

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron! This week, we celebrate the release of Star Wars Unlimited's newest set, Secrets of Power! Rob, a local Colorado player, joins Andrés to discuss our favorite new cards, combos, and how it feels playing the set! Follow us: Twitch: @Sithty_Minutes BlueSky: @sithtyminutes.bsky.social Discord: Sithty Minutes Show Notes: S…

1
Building Better Platforms, with Ajay Chankramath, Sean Alvarez & Nic Cheneweth - HockeyStick #49 40:35

10d ago40:35

40:35

Welcome to Episode 49 of The HockeyStick Show! I’m Miko Pawlikowski, and this week I sat down with three platform leaders who’ve lived through the messy, unglamorous reality of building internal platforms that actually help teams ship better software: Ajay Chankramath, Sean Alvarez, and Nic Cheneweth. We unpacked what platforms really are, why they…

1
Design With Audiences: Mister and Mischief's Playful Guide to Engagement | Episode 418 33:07

15d ago33:07

33:07

Build a thriving, loyal community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7. Join us for free: 🏡 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web 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, a…

1
The Secret Framework That Keeps Users Coming Back | Episode 417 16:00

22d ago16:00

16:00

Exploring gamification for your product or org? Let's chat → professorgame.com/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 i…

1
Tongue Slits , Midlife Terrors, and Larry Lupree in a Cabinet 46:52

25d ago46:52

46:52

Chris and Jeff sprint headlong into spooky season: sweaty plastic masks with tongue-slicer mouth slits, and the eternal question—why do fewer kids trick-or-treat now and why did our childhoods involve more eggs, fists, and questionable judgment? The lads veer gloriously off-road into “adult fear”: a 13-year-old’s drive-to-school pop quiz on mortali…

1
From Viral Spike to Sticky Play: Doug Weitzbuch on Building Housle | Episode 416 32:58

29d ago32:58

32:58

Want your members to actually stick around and engage without burning out or guessing what works? Join our free community of retention-focused leaders: 👥 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web 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 roadma…

1
Epic Fight? Here's What Really Happened | Episode 415 14:36

1M ago14:36

14:36

Exploring gamification for your product or org? Let's chat → professorgame.com/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 Hea…

1
Reggae, Buffets, and other Betrayals 55:43

1M ago55:43

55:43

Jeff and Chris take a hard look at how their tastes have aged—like fine wine left open in a hot car. What starts as a celebration of survival (“nobody famous died this week!”) spirals into a brutally honest confessional about everything they used to love and now can’t stand, and vice versa. Revel as they roast reggae, air travel, buffets, and human…

1
Taxes for the Empire - Argentina's Trump Bailout 59:24

1M ago59:24

59:24

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron! This week, Andrés breaks down one of the few government negotiations that Trump has cared about during the shutdown, a bailout of Milei's Argentina. It's not an accident, and even Star Wars has precedent for why Trump cares about this. Follow us: Twitch: @Sithty_Minutes BlueSky: @sithtyminutes.bsky.social Discord: Sit…

1
From Fan to Creator: Jaime Schwarz on the IP Economy | Episode 414 35:40

1M ago35:40

35:40

Want your members to actually stick around and engage without burning out or guessing what works? Join our free community of retention-focused leaders: 👥 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web 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…

1
A Galactic Meltdown - National Governor's Association 53:50

1M ago53:50

53:50

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron! This week, Andrés talks about the National Governor's Association and the crisis they face as both Illinois and California's Governors threaten to leave the organization because of their failure to stand up to Trump about National Guard Deployments. Come for the Governor drama, stay for the special edition Star Wars b…

1
The One Choice That Will Determine Your Online Success | Episode 413 9:13

2M ago9:13

9:13

Build a thriving, monetized community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7. Join us for free: 🏡 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web 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: 👉 professorgame.com/openyourskool Content is not king. In this episode, we unpa…

1
Galactic Shutdown - US Shutdown 59:49

2M ago59:49

59:49

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron! The Federal Government is shutdown, and the negotions were shorter than the start of Phantom Menace. Under that context, Andrés breaks down what a shutdown is, who is impacted, and why this one could be harder to untangle than previous shutdowns. Come for the political drama, stay for a WTF Did You Say segment full of…

1
Exploring OpenUK, with Amanda Brock - HockeyStick #48 30:13

2M ago30:13

30:13

Welcome to Episode 48 of The Hockey Stick Show! I’m Miko Pawlikowski, and in this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Amanda Brock, CEO of OpenUK and a leading voice in open technology, open source, and policy. Amanda’s experience spans law, tech, and community-building, and we dove deep into the realities of open source, AI, and what it m…

1
Why Careers Need a Game Loop, with Unity's Jessica Lindl | Episode 412 26:42

2M ago26:42

26:42

Build a thriving, monetized community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7. Join us for free: 🏡 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web 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 P…

1
Saluting Robert Redford, Shredding Rob Schneider, and What the Hell is a Pee-qual? 44:49

2M ago44:49

44:49

This time around the guys wander into the pop-culture saloon to pour one out for Robert Redford, 89 years young and still cooler than anyone on your timeline. In a rambling tribute that starts with Redford’s Twilight Zone cameo and ends somewhere between Sundance and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the guys dissect why he was basically the Paul Newm…

1
The Wrong Director - James Comey, Kash Patel, FBI Director 55:40

2M ago55:40

55:40

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron! This week, Andrés goes over the career of James Comey and compares that to Kash Patel's most recent blunders to highlight exactly why Trump thinks one of them was a "bad director" and the other is a "good director." Come for the FBI lore, stay for the Star Wars news! Follow us: Twitch: @Sithty_Minutes BlueSky: @sithty…

1
How To Grow Your Community! Without Paying For Ads | Episode 411 11:13

2M ago11:13

11:13

Your next viral title is already written. Get the free sheet: 👉 professorgame.com/YT-Title-Spreadsheet Curious about Skool? Grab the 14-day free trial through my link (and it helps me keep creating resources for you): 👉 professorgame.com/openyourskool Think ads are the only way to grow your community? Think again. Rob reveals how he grew his commun…

1
Sithty Second - Late Night Cancellations 35:54

2M ago35:54

35:54

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron! This week, we have to talk about the milestone we've crossed in this fledgling empire with the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late night show. Join Andrés as he breaks down the situation, highlights why this matters, and shares tips for future action. Follow us: Twitch: @Sithty_Minutes BlueSky: @sithtyminutes.bsky.socia…

1
Escape Rooms for Growth with Sarah Iverson | Episode 410 36:27

2M ago36:27

36:27

👉 Build a thriving, playful community—without chasing members or creating endless content. ✨ Get started free with our community The Game of Skool: professorgame.com/freecommunity-web Magic in the Mundane: Sarah Iverson on Gamifying Wellness Discover how Sarah Iverson transforms personal growth into playful adventures through wellness escape rooms,…

1
Star Wars Unlimited - Twin Suns with Sunsdown! 1:06:29

2M ago1:06:29

1:06:29

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron!This week, we take a moment to find some joy and talk about Star Wars Unlimited's casual format, Twin Suns! Rich of Sunsdown Gaming joins the pod to chat about the format, our favorite thematic decks, and turns or actions that just rarely happen in the competitve Premier format. Come for SWU talk, stay for a travel con…

1
Tom Hanks attacks Alex P. Keaton, the Scourge of Laugh Tracks, and who the hell is Larry Lupree? 42:46

2M ago42:46

42:46

Jeff and Chris celebrate the arbitrary magic of the number70, accidentally turn their “things that didn’t age well” episode into a eulogy for Very Special Episodes, and wage holy war on laugh tracks. Family Ties’ Uncle Ned drinks vanilla extract, Different Strokes’ bike shop creeper ruins childhoods, MAS*H drops a helicopter, and Blossom is somehow…

1
I Tried VR Fire Training (and Failed to Find the Phone) with Ludus | Episode 409 2:57

3M ago2:57

2:57

Health and Safety 🔥 training is a drag and ineffective or expensive and dangerous ☠️... Or is it? Check out what's possible with our sponsor Ludus and their Free Guide: professorgame.com/free-ludus-guide Or just book a free VR demo. Warning: you might end up liking Health and Safety training... professorgame.com/ludus-vr-demo Hearing this only? Che…

1
Palpatine's PORD - National Guard Deployment 59:24

3M ago59:24

59:24

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron! This week, Andrés discusses the chaos of National Guard deployments in the US and how it is a sign of a panicking Palpatine. Don't let the show of force fool you, the DOJ can't even indict a person who threw a sandwich that went viral. Follow us: Twitch: @Sithty_Minutes BlueSky: @sithtyminutes.bsky.social Discord: Sit…

1
I Paid 5 Growth Experts To Create A Growth Playbook For The Same Community | Episode 408 8:04

3M ago8:04

8:04

Don't guess your next title – get the proven ones for free: 👉 professorgame.com/YT-Title-Spreadsheet Want your content to actually get seen? I paid five growth experts to reverse-engineer how to grow a community—without spending a cent on ads. In this episode, I reveals the three biggest levers. Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as wel…

1
Celebrities We’ve Lost, the Mystery of Cleo Huxtable, and Jeff Jumps Off a Cliff Again! 54:09

3M ago54:09

54:09

Episode 69 of Nice Pull! was supposed to be the “sexy” one, but instead Jeff and Chris turned it into a cross between an obituary column and a dad-joke competition. Along the way, wrestling gets exposed as soap opera cosplay, forgotten sitcom stars get canonized, and the Oscars’ In Memoriam is reimagined as a dance party scored to “Walking on Sunsh…

1
Civic Engagement Through Classroom Games with Kerry Flanagan-Owen | Episode 407 32:22

3M ago32:22

32:22

Book a free 1:1 call to create your personalized gamification game plan: 🎯 professorgame.com/discoverycall Can games teach students to navigate politics and power? Kerry Flanagan-Owen from the Bill of Rights Institute says YES—and she's showing us how playful learning is transforming civics education in classrooms across the U.S. Kerry Flanagan-Owe…

1
AI Regulation - Colorado Special Session 39:55

3M ago39:55

39:55

Welcome aboard Kyber Sqaudron! This week, Colorado is in the midst of a Special Session dealing with the fallout from the Federal Budget and AI regulation, and Andrés got to speak with legislators and hear from them at a Press Conference hours before the special session started. If you're in Colorado, and AI matters to you, there's never been a bet…

1
How to Win at the Game of Life (Without Playing by the Rules) | Episode 406 15:49

3M ago15:49

15:49

If you feel like your inner explorer's been benched for too long... you're not alone. We're rebuilding new learning quests inside a Skool group. Might be your next side quest. 🎯 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web Education wasn't built to empower—it was built to control. In this episode, Rob Alvarez breaks down how education evolved into a grind l…

1
Drive-in Theaters, Crying Rooms, and Chris’ Enormous Head 47:05

3M ago47:05

47:05

Strap in, because Jeff and Chris are one drive-in snack bar announcement away from a full nervous breakdown. This week, the boys hit Episode 68—two away from their totally arbitrary, earth-shattering milestone of Episode 70. What dothey talk about? Well, what don’t they? We’re talking drive-in theaters (where the movie was always secondary to pajam…

1
Tempest Breaker - Arezou Review 1:10:24

3M ago1:10:24

1:10:24

Welcome Aboard Kyber Squadron! Arezou's back which means you know we're chatting all things High Republic today! Join us as we talk about Tempest Breaker, Baron Boolan's refusal to do the readings, and Lourna's sassy redemption tour. Come for the Star Wars, stay for Arezou's Novel Era! Follow us: Twitch: @Sithty_Minutes BlueSky: @sithtyminutes.bsky…

1
From Skeptics to Superstars: The Power of Play at Work with Alex Suchman | Episode 405 35:44

4M ago35:44

35:44

🚀 Want your community buzzing and bringing in more revenue? Snag my free mini course with 3 killer gamification hacks: professorgame.com/freebie-3-gamification-hacks Forget trust falls and awkward icebreakers. Alex Suchman is redefining the workplace with intentional play. Tune in to find out how one game changed a manager's mindset—and why play ma…

1
The Future of Diffusion Models, with Mark Liu - HockeyStick #47 29:17

4M ago29:17

29:17

Welcome to Episode 47 of The Hockey Stick Show! I’m Miko Pawlikowski, and in this episode, I had the chance to chat with Mark Liu about AI, creativity, and how to think about the future of technology. Mark has worked on some really cool projects, and we went deep into both the technical and personal lessons. 1. Understand the Basics Before Chasing …

1
SWU Galactic Championship - Palp Sidious Blue Day 3! 50:08

4M ago50:08

50:08

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron! This week, Andrés sits down with McBober from L8 Night Gaming to talk about a deck that is super fun to play, and can apparently be competitve enough to be a standout in the Galactic Championship! Come for the Star Wars Unlimited talk, stay for the lore and Anakin conversation. Follow us: Twitch: @Sithty_Minutes BlueS…

1
Why Your Game Mechanic Is the Learning with Elisa Navarro Chinchilla | Episode 404 33:24

4M ago33:24

33:24

Get access to over $1,000 worth of retention and gamification strategies, templates, and live sessions—for free. All inside our Professor Game community: 🎁 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web What happens when a powerful game opens Pandora's box? Elisa Navarro Chinchilla shares the highs, lows, and serious challenges of designing games for real-wor…

1
Big Boy Heists, Roller-skating Floats, and the World’s Sexiest Freeway Mannequin 47:51

4M ago47:51

47:51

Jeff and Chris kick things off with a sarsaparilla fueled dive into the wild world of vintage family restaurants. The guys unwrap the cringey backstory of Sambo’s, Bob’s Big Boy thefts, Howard Johnson’s over-the-freeway diners, puberty inducing mannequins in lingerie on Interstate 8, and the alleged crimesof the Frito Bandito. There’s even a heartf…

1
2025 Galactic Championship Recap 38:52

4M ago38:52

38:52

Welcome back Kyber Squadron! Andrés is back from Vegas and got a chance to speak with a player from the championship about Star Wars Unlimited's first Galactic Championship from the event floor! Then join Andrés as he sits back and reflects on the experience from a casual player's perspective, what worked, what didn't, and the biggest hope for next…

1
Secrets to Building the Most Engaging Community Ever | Episode 403 5:24

4M ago5:24

5:24

Click the link below to book a quick 10–15 minute chat with me. No sales, no pressure—just ideas and clarity on how to engage your community and grow revenue. 🗓 professorgame.com/discoverycall What do sticky communities and addictive games have in common? We break down two powerful design moves to build a community you love showing up to—and one yo…

1
Will Prompts take your Job?, with Dan Cleary - HockeyStick #46 20:12

4M ago20:12

20:12

Welcome to Episode 46 of The Hockey Stick Show! I’m Miko Pawlikowski, and in this episode, I had the chance to chat with Dan Cleary, co-founder of PromptHub. We dove deep into the world of prompt engineering — what it is, why it matters, and how it’s evolving alongside rapid advancements in AI. Understanding the Rise of Prompt Engineering Dan expla…

1
Sithty Second - Galactic Championship 34:21

4M ago34:21

34:21

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron! This week, Andrés is travelling to Vegas, and wants to share the excitement with listeners! Hear about the Galactic Championship, the latest set in Star Wars Unlimited, and some key cards and changes that make this set more strategic than previous sets! Follow us: Twitch: @Sithty_Minutes BlueSky: @sithtyminutes.bsky.s…

1
Cortisol, Crappy Pizza, and CHiP’s on a Trailer 47:48

4M ago47:48

47:48

The boys jump helmet-first into the weird, wonderful world of buddy cop TV shows, psychotropic nostalgia, and the gloriously greasy tradition of 1970s dinner outings—where the pizza was cheap, the ambiance was ragtime theater of the absurd, and the waitstaff dressed like extras from a Prohibition musical—because nothing says 'fun for the kids' like…

1
From Boring to Brilliant: Rethinking Education with AI and Engagement | Episode 402 31:39

4M ago31:39

31:39

Build a thriving, loyal community—without chasing members or cranking out content 24/7. Join us for free: 🏡 professorgame.com/freecommunity-web Crushing churn in the classroom? It starts with embracing AI. Rob Alvarez is joined by Dr. Matt Metzger to explore how AI can revamp higher education—boosting motivation, retention, and engagement while sta…

1
Disability Justice - Greg of Resilience Squadron 1:03:10

4M ago1:03:10

1:03:10

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron! For Disability Pride Month we have Greg Norman of Resilience Squadron on the podcast to talk about all the various ways in which politics and disability are interacting in this day and age. We cover everything from the various mediums the franchise exists in, to how intertwined we are with people living with disabilit…

1
Failed Game Becomes a Hit — 8 Years Later with Dain Saint | Episode 401 34:51

4M ago34:51

34:51

🚀 Want your community buzzing and bringing in more revenue? Snag my free mini course with 3 killer gamification hacks: professorgame.com/freebie-3-gamification-hacks "Sometimes your idea isn't broken — it's just not ready yet." In this immersive episode, Dain joins Rob to explore how interactive storytelling can drive real-world impact, from failed…

1
Supercharge your Chaos Engineering, with Rob Charlwood - HockeyStick #45 37:40

5M ago37:40

37:40

Welcome to Episode 45 of The Hockey Stick Show! I’m Miko Pawlikowski, and in this episode, I had the chance to chat with Rob Charlwood, Principal Site Reliability Engineer at Cazoo. We explored the world of chaos engineering — what it is, how to get started, and why it’s essential for building resilient systems. Demystifying Chaos Engineering Rob b…

1
In Guns We Trust - Bill Kole, Evangelicals, and Trump 1:05:37

5M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

Welcome aboard Kyber Squadron! This week, Andrés sits down with reporter, author, and "Reverse Anakin" Bill Kole! His upcoming book, "In Guns We Trust," talks about the unholy alliance between evangelicals, the gun industry, and the current GOP. We break down the connections, the disconnect between the teachings of Jesus and the policy of the GOP, …

1
Mood Rings, Psychic Fish, and Questionable TV Team-ups 46:00

5M ago46:00

46:00

Jeff, powered by three Red Bulls and a questionable sense of purpose, drags Chris into a deep dive on 70s/80s TV — an era when undercover cops thought driving a bright red muscle car or a jet-black van with a giant red stripe was the pinnacleof subtlety. They take no prisoners as they rip apart: Cracker Jack prizes devolving from actual metal toys …