In this engaging discussion, Elan Lee, co-creator and CEO of Exploding Kittens, shares his journey from video game design at Xbox to creating a global gaming sensation. He reveals insights into their record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, raising nearly $9 million through innovative storytelling and community engagement. Lee discusses the creative process behind games like 'Poetry for Neanderthals,' emphasizing simplicity and player interaction. The conversation touches on the evolution of game distribution, designing tabletop experiences, and fostering connections through play.

In this recap, Brené Brown, a renowned research professor and bestselling author, discusses the importance of vulnerability and personal growth, particularly in midlife. Elan Lee, CEO of Exploding Kittens and an inventive game designer, shares his insights on building a successful Kickstarter campaign and the psychology behind community engagement. They dive into intriguing topics like the concept of 'sleep divorce' and its surprising benefits on relationships. Humor and academic brilliance intertwine, making for a compelling listen!

Elan Lee, co-founder of Exploding Kittens Inc., joins Reid Hoffman to discuss how Exploding Kittens became one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns. They talk about the importance of creativity, diverse expertise, and cultivating a community through casual colleagues and partners. They also explore the challenges of fulfilling Kickstarter orders and the process of turning a project into a company. Additionally, they highlight the power of collaborating with unexpected sources and evaluating your network for potential co-creators.

Christine Lagorio-Chafkin talks to Matthew Inman and Elan Lee--founders of Exploding Kittens--about how they founded their company, when to give up on a potentially good idea, and the $1 million dollar meow.

To make something irresistible, get to the fun part — fast. That’s how Exploding Kittens became one of the world’s most popular games. When cartoonist Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal) and game developer Elan Lee (former Xbox) designed the card game Exploding Kittens, they took fun very seriously. This mindset unlocked their creativity in unexpected ways: They transformed a Kickstarter into a wildly successful interactive game, and radically simplified their instructions so their players could get to the fun part faster. In their story, you’ll find surprising lessons for any field on serving your audience and feeding your own creativity.Get the transcript, photos and original game sketches at https://sparkandfire.com/explodingkittens/Subscribe to the Spark & Fire weekly newsletter for images, stories and creative prompts: http://eepurl.com/hkmyMrSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.