Foilboarding Mastery, Hidden Monopoly Secrets, Digital Addiction & How To Make Family Dinners Fun Again, With Exploding Kitten's Elan Lee.

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Jun 14, 2025

Elan Lee, co-creator of the wildly popular card game Exploding Kittens, shares his journey from crafting movie effects to revolutionizing family game nights. He discusses innovative ways to connect through play and the transformative impact of games on family relationships. Elan also dives into his personal wellness journey, including e-foiling and nutrition strategies for better health. With humor and heart, he highlights the importance of meaningful interactions and the joys of spontaneous gameplay in bringing families closer.

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ANECDOTE

Exploding Kittens Origin Story

Elan Lee created a simple card game on a poker deck with Sharpie markings.
A chance meeting with Matthew Inman led to iterating and renaming the game "Exploding Kittens."

ADVICE

Crowdfunding Beyond Funding

Use stretch goals as community engagement tools, not just funding incentives.
Encourage backers to participate in fun challenges to unlock rewards and keep momentum.

INSIGHT

Games Make Players Entertaining

Great games make the players entertaining, not just the game itself.
Focusing on interactive, social experiences creates lasting memories and engagement.

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In this episode with Elan Lee, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most creative minds in the world of game design—and walk away with some unexpected life lessons along the way. You’ll hear how Elan went from crafting movie special effects and pioneering the Xbox to co-creating Exploding Kittens, a wildly successful card game that started with nothing more than a Sharpie and a deck of poker cards on a beach in Hawaii.

Whether you’re a parent looking for better ways to connect with your kids, a creative chasing your next big idea, or just someone who loves a good origin story with a dose of humor and heart, you won't want to miss this conversation.

Full show notes: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/elanlee

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