Elan Lee

Elan Lee, creator of the wildly successful card game Exploding Kittens, shares insights on his journey from a $10K Kickstarter to a $100M business. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on consumer engagement rather than just funding. The conversation dives into innovative marketing strategies, the necessity of humor in game design, and how constraints can spark creativity. Elan also discusses the significance of player interaction and shares amusing anecdotes from promoting his game at conventions.

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 and CEO of Exploding Kittens, shares insights on scaling a card game into a thriving company. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement and co-creation in the gaming industry. Elan reveals how a successful Kickstarter campaign forged deep connections with fans and transformed them into stakeholders. He discusses the logistics challenges of fulfilling 700,000 orders, the joy of collaborative creativity, and innovative methods like involving players as 'Kitty Test Pilots' to enhance gameplay. The conversation highlights turning obstacles into creative opportunities.

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.