Professor Game Podcast | Rob Alvarez Bucholska chats with gamification gurus, experts and practitioners about education

Get the App

Professor Game Podcast | Rob Alvarez Bucholska chats with gamification gurus, experts and practitioners about education

Rob Alvarez Bucholska: Gamification and learning experiences expert, speake

Rob Alvarez Bucholska: Gamification expert, speaker and host of Professor Game

28 minutes 50 seconds

Your Bio as an Origin Story: Gamifying the Job Hunt with Jade Arthur | Episode 424
If you're considering gamification for engagement, retention, or loyalty, I'm happy to compare options with you: professorgame.com/chat

What if your bio was more than a skills list and your job hunt felt like a well-designed game? We explore with our guest Jade Arthur how to gamify the job search for the games industry, creating stories, systems and mindsets that boost confidence, visibility and long-term career engagement.

Jade is a language and mindset coach for job seekers in gaming. She helps job seekers take down the villains in their job search like the "Cover Letter Crusher" and the "Interview Assassin." Her mission is to give job seekers the knowledge to authentically express their value and vision while finding joy in the process.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Guest Links and Info
- Website: make-the-grade-with-jade.lovable.app
- LinkedIn: Jade Arthur
- Instagram: @makethegradewithjade
Links to episode mentions:
- Proposed guests: Bruno Frasca
- Recommended book: Made to Stick by Dan and Chip Heath
- Favorite game: Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen
Lets's do stuff together!
22 December 2025, 5:30 am
16 minutes 34 seconds

You're Using Streaks Wrong - Here's What Actually Works | Episode 423
Exploring useful streaks for your product or org? Let's chat → professorgame.com/chat

Why do streaks motivate users at first but eventually push them away? Rob explores the psychology behind collapses, the dangers of existing habit metrics, and practical ways to redesign streaks so they support, not sabotage, long-term engagement. Perfect for product leads, community builders, and behavior designers.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Links to episode mentions:
- Duolingo (language learning & streak mechanics)
- Happier Meditation (formerly 10% Happier)
- Streaks (habit-tracking app)
- Finch (self-care & habit-tracking app)
- Octalysis Framework (gamification & Core Drives)
- Abstinence Violation Effect (psychology of lapses)
Lets's do stuff together!
15 December 2025, 5:30 am
31 minutes 52 seconds

Quests, Self-Talk & Health: Glen Lubbert's Stamina Lab Game of Life | Episode 422
Retention or loyalty on your roadmap? Happy to brainstorm → professorgame.com/chat

We unpack the "tell the cab driver where to go" strategy, health quests, and the eight magic words that shift self-talk from guilt and shame to possibility and lasting change on this chat with Stamina Lab CEO Glen Lubbert. We discuss how to turn health and well-being into a game you can actually win.

Glen is the co-founder and CEO of Stamina Lab, a health tech company that helps people create lasting well-being—not through willpower, hacks, habits, or fixing themselves—but by building on the inner resources and skills they already have. His company combines solution-focused health coaching, behavior science, and personalized data to improve energy, focus and resilience—without the usual shame or overwhelm.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Guest Links and Info
- Website: staminalab.io
- LinkedIn: Glen Lubbert
- Instagram: @staminalab.io
- X/Twitter: @glenlubbert
- YouTube: youtube.com/@staminalabTV
Links to episode mentions:
- Proposed guest: Dr. Deborah Teplow
- Recommended book: Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia
- Favorite game: The Five Crowns Card Game
Lets's do stuff together!
8 December 2025, 5:30 am
19 minutes

Stop Shaming Your Users: Ethical Alternatives to Dark Patterns | Episode 421
Exploring behavioral design without shaming? Let's chat → professorgame.com/chat

In this episode, we break down the wild world of "confirm shaming": manipulative, guilt-driven prompts apps use to push you into saying yes. From hilarious to downright unethical examples, we unpack why these dark patterns harm long-term loyalty and how to use motivation ethically to build real engagement and retention.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Links to episode mentions:
Lets's do stuff together!
1 December 2025, 5:30 am
33 minutes 7 seconds

Building Beats Playing: Matt Dalio's Path | Episode 420
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 just playing them, helps kids master coding, design, and 21st-century skills. From pragmatic lessons on profitability to testing assumptions cheaply, Matt reveals how to turn ambitious visions into lasting, scalable impact.

Matt is the founder of Endless, which is fighting for a world in which every kid is a creator. Endless Studios is a youth game making studio built to introduce youth to 21st Century skills like coding and design. Matt's mantra is that if you can engage them, you can teach them. His second mission is to make that available to everyone in the world by addressing the device and internet gap, which is the work of the Endless Foundation. Matt dreams of a world in which every kid can shape their technology instead of being shaped by it.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Guest Links and Info
- Website: endlessstudios.com
Links to episode mentions:
- Recommended book:
  - Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
  - The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
- Favorite games:
Lets's do stuff together!
24 November 2025, 5:30 am
14 minutes 30 seconds

8 Years Building the Global Leading Gamification Podcast | Episode 419
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 for the Engagers community.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Links to episode mentions:
- Episodes mentioned:
  - Episode 000
  - Episode 1 with Yu-kai Chou!
  - Episode 2 with Scott Reinke, winner of the Educational Gamification Project of the Year 2016
- Professor Game, the world's #1 gamification podcast, is recognized by independent rankings such as MillionPodcasts, Feedspot, Player.fm, and others like ListenNotes.
- Gamification World Congress, this is the most official reference still online I could find!
- The Octalysis Group
- Community Building Resources: Game of Skool Community
- Social Media and Contact Information:
- Professor Game YouTube Channel
Lets's do stuff together!
17 November 2025, 5:30 am
33 minutes 7 seconds

Design With Audiences: Mister and Mischief's Playful Guide to Engagement | Episode 418
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, and a field-tested model (confidence + generosity) that boosts motivation, loyalty, and community value.

With roots firmly planted in the worlds of theatre and themed entertainment, Mister & Mischief (a.k.a. Jeff and Andy Crocker) create fun-forward journeys beyond the fourth wall. With an unexpected blend of storytelling and real-world engagement, the husband-and-wife team help foster curiosity and connection through immersive experiences that encourage participants to revisit an opportunity to play pretend. Think of them as your extroverted friends that allow anyone a safe place to step out of their shell and explore in places they'd otherwise never go. Jeff and Andy have created experiences for clients including Universal Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering and their award-winning work has been praised by The New York Times, Broadway World and No Proscenium. They were recently named in Blooloop's International list of Top 50 Immersive Influencers

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Guest Links and Info
- Website: misterandmischief.fun
- LinkedIn: Mister & Mischief
- Instagram: @misterandmischief
Lets's do stuff together!
10 November 2025, 5:30 am
16 minutes

The Secret Framework That Keeps Users Coming Back | Episode 417
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 is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Links to episode mentions:
- Some public references to the Octalysis Framework and the process discussed:
- References to Marty Cagan and his works and principles through Silicon Valley's Product Group (SVPG):
Lets's do stuff together!
3 November 2025, 5:30 am
32 minutes 58 seconds

From Viral Spike to Sticky Play: Doug Weitzbuch on Building Housle | Episode 416
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 roadmap to localized, high-intent engagement. Practical lessons on PR, streaks, and turning play into business outcomes.

Doug Weitzbuch is a television producer with credits on hit series including Hell's Kitchen, World of Dance, Lip Sync Battle, and Duck Dynasty. After producing Netflix's Buy My House, a Shark Tank–style real estate series, he created HOU$LE, the viral daily house-price guessing game often described as "Wordle for Real Estate." He currently produces FOX's The 1% Club, hosted by Joel McHale. Doug lives in Los Angeles with his wife (a real estate agent, naturally) and their two kids.

Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Guest Links and Info
- Website: housle.house
- LinkedIn: Doug Weitzbuch
- Instagram: @housle.house
- TikTok: @housle
Links to episode mentions:
- Proposed guest: Andrew Chen A16Z Speedrun
- Recommended book: The All In Podcast
- Favorite game: NYT mini games!
Lets's do stuff together!
27 October 2025, 4:30 am
14 minutes 36 seconds

Epic Fight? Here's What Really Happened | Episode 415
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 Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Links to episode mentions:
Lets's do stuff together!
20 October 2025, 4:30 am
35 minutes 40 seconds

From Fan to Creator: Jaime Schwarz on the IP Economy | Episode 414
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 IP economy. A must-listen for future-focused creators!

After an award winning 15 years as a copywriter and creative director for NYC agencies, Jaime Schwarz dove into Web3, first by filing the worlds first NFT patent in 2017 and then by founding brand therapy teaching brands to speak for themselves. After co-founding 7 startups from then till 2022, Jaime co-founded the Team Flow Institute using employee intelligence and Parallel Worlds, the first spatial transformation company. With his patent granted he is now also the founder of MRKD.dj ensuring DRRM (digital rights and royalties management) by smart contracting the samples themselves for infinite drops. On the roadmap is MRKD.worlds which expands stories across media using the same name chain as MRKD.dj to ensure interoperability and equitable co-creation across an open spatial web.

Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.

Guest Links and Info
- Website: MRKD.dj
- LinkedIn: Jaime Schwarz
- Instagram: @mrkd.dj.remix
- Other Webs:
Lets's do stuff together!
13 October 2025, 4:30 am
More Episodes? Get the App