Rise and Play Podcast

In this episode, host Sophie Vo is joined by Derk, former CEO and co-founder of Paladin Studio, and co-host Tiffany Keller , a product leader with extensive experience in the gaming industry, to discuss the powerful impact of leadership retreats. They share personal stories and insights on the value of retreats, ranging from medicinal ceremonies in Colombia to silent meditation retreats in Peru, exploring different practices and their benefits. Whatever type of retreat resonates with you, the conversation emphasizes the necessity of taking intentional breaks to reconnect with oneself, manage stress, and foster personal growth. Accessible recommendations are provided for those new to the concept, including yoga, meditation, and breathwork.Tune in this special episode, which will broaden your perspectives on self-care and take a step back with retreats.01:21 Personal Experiences with Retreats04:01 The Impact of Retreats on Personal and Professional Life07:49 Defining and Understanding Retreats09:35 Triggers and Motivations for Intense Retreats16:55 The Process and Benefits of Medicinal Retreats29:36 Accessible Practices for Everyday Life30:21 Introduction to Self-Reflection Techniques30:45 Exploring Physical Activities for Stress Relief31:20 The Power of Ecstatic Dance32:21 Diverse Spiritual Practices35:05 Personal Meditation Practices35:58 The Importance of Retreats41:24 Challenges in the Gaming Industry49:35 The Value of Self-Awareness55:59 Conclusion and Future PlansThanks for reading Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

In this episode, we reconnect with gaming industry veteran Steve Cuss to discuss his journey from traditional to liberated leadership, starting The GamePlan Consultancy and publishing his first book, Liberated Leadership. Steve shares his insights on the challenges and rewards of fostering a more inclusive and authentic workplace, exploring the significance of authenticity, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence for creative leaders.Steve emphasises the importance of self-awareness for leaders and the opportunities for self-transformation through retreats and personal inner work. We delve into the significance of creating psychological safety, balancing control with autonomy, and aligning personal and organisational values to find a deeper purpose in leadership.01:46 Steve Cuss’s Journey Over the Past Year04:05 Challenges and Insights in Leadership Training09:34 The Evolution of Leadership in the Gaming Industry10:51 The Concept of Liberated Leadership15:12 Personal Growth and Authenticity in Leadership26:45 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership27:40 The Importance of Deliberate Pauses29:09 Creating Psychological Safety30:10 The Need for Feedback in Leadership31:39 Integrating Values and Purpose38:22 Challenges in Leadership and Gender Differences43:20 The Business Case for Emotional Intelligence48:21 Practical Steps for LeadersThis conversation is a follow-up to a discussion we had with Steve a year ago, introducing the concept of Liberated Leadership, and its genesis. You can listen to that episode here:You can buy the book “Liberated Leadership” here: https://amzn.eu/d/6lHxbAW Thanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

In this episode, host Sophie Vo interviews Eric Tan, a highly experienced executive with 17 years in the entertainment and music industries. Eric shares his journey from being a business executive to embracing his role as a creative executive, his experiences and struggles in the gaming and music industries, and his insights on the importance of music partnerships in gaming. They discuss Eric's career highlights, including his roles at Riot Games, Sony Music, and his own company, Fifth Journey Limited. Eric also shares his vision for the future of music in games and offers advice for entrepreneurs navigating similar paths.Interested in exploring a music partnership? Reach out to Eric here: https://calendly.com/erictanhk/call-with-eric 01:34 Introducing Eric Tan: A Music and Gaming Executive03:55 Eric's Journey into Music and Gaming05:38 The Evolution of Music in Games07:41 Music Marketing Strategies in Gaming10:38 Challenges and Opportunities in Music Partnerships20:04 Reflecting on Fifth Journey Limited24:21 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward31:17 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

In this episode hosted by Nina Kim, we delve into the leadership journey of Amy Graves, an experienced marketing strategy specialist who has led social media marketing for game studios such as Natural Motion, Epic Games, the Irregular Corporation and Square Enix. Amy discusses her transition from film to games, her journey from a behind-the-scenes role to taking on significant leadership responsibilities, the lessons she learnt on taking new roles, and her career transitions. Amy shares powerful stories on how she has built a culture of constructive feedback in her teams, adapted leadership styles across different cultures, and embraced leading with effective empathy.01:41 Meet the Guest: Amy Graves02:34 Amy's Journey from Film to Games08:06 Challenges and Learnings in Leadership15:05 Adapting Leadership Styles28:41 The Importance of Feedback39:58 Values and Future Aspirations43:02 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

⭐️ Exclusive partnership promotion: Get DevGAMM tickets 15% off with the promo code: devgamm15 ⭐️In this episode, Sophie welcomes Maria Chyrvona, the CEO of DevGAMM, to discuss the evolution of the gaming conference since its inception in Ukraine in 2008. They dive into the personal and professional experiences that shaped DevGAMM, including navigating the challenges of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. Maria shares insights into the organization of events, their business model, and the unique values that make DevGAMM's events feel like a community and personalized experience. Don’t miss out on the upcoming DevGAMM Lisbon event on November 14-15, notable speakers including John Romero, and an exciting indie developer contest with cash prizes of $100,000! For more info, check the DevGAMM Awards 2024 info and how to submit your game.00:37 Guest Introduction: Maria from DevGAMM01:49 The Origins of DevGAMM07:59 Challenges and Resilience During the War In Ukraine17:26 Business Model and Event Organization24:42 Creating a Unique And Personalized Event Experience37:28 Upcoming DevGAMM Lisbon Event in November and Indie Game Awards Prize. Get event tickets 15% off with the promo code: devgamm15 44:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts⭐️ Exclusive partnership promotion: Get DevGAMM tickets 15% off with the promo code: devgamm15 ⭐️Thanks for reading Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

What is the impact of coaching and what should you expect when you receive coaching?Some even ask: What is the ROI of coaching?In this special coaching episode, host Sophie Vo sits down with Hannah Mattil, the Senior Team Lead for Research Operations at PlaytestCloud. They reflect on Hannah’s personal and professional growth over six months of leadership coaching.Hannah shares her journey from initial skepticism about coaching to the valuable lessons and self-awareness she gained. They discuss the importance of self-reflection, receiving and acting on feedback, and setting clear goals. Hannah emphasizes how the coaching experience has helped her develop confidence, composure, and a deeper understanding of her strengths and weaknesses.This episode is a testament to the transformative power of coaching and its impact on leadership and personal development. Sophie Vo openly shares her unique approach and process to coaching, with her 16 years of leadership in games.For people considering coaching, this episode will highlight what to expect, and when is the right time to invest in yourself.Coaching is a process that needs full readiness from the coachee for the most optimal outcome.01:37 Special Episode: Hannah's Leadership Journey03:33 Hannah's Background and Entry into Gaming05:08 The Coaching Journey Begins10:33 Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence13:01 Reflecting on the Coaching Experience26:34 Applying Coaching Lessons in Real Life29:49 Final Thoughts and Advice on Coaching35:30 Conclusion and Call to Action⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

In this thought-provoking discussion, Charlotte Gailledreau, a passionate narrative RPG expert and founder of Sunny Lab, joins co-founder Hugo Sahuquet. They share their inspiring journey of creating a game studio, focusing on representation and storytelling in gaming. The duo candidly address funding struggles, the importance of community support, and the emotional toll of leadership. They also dive into their upcoming game, The Witch’s Bakery, which underscores creativity amid challenges and sparks hope in the gaming industry.

Shelby Moledina, a seasoned Game and Film Director, chats with Ayla Derric, founder of the all-volunteer Cave Bear Games. They dive into the inspiring story of turning a portfolio project into a viral success while navigating the apocalyptic challenges of the game industry. Ayla emphasizes the power of networking with genuine passion and fostering a positive studio culture for junior devs. Through her journey, they highlight the importance of trusting instincts and the strength found in taking control of one's creative fate.

In this inspiring episode, we switch roles with Shelby Moledina, as our new co-host on the show who interviews Sophie Vo to share her journey of breaking barriers within the gaming industry, focusing on building inclusive and conscious game companies and studios.Sophie discusses her experiences in establishing key projects like Rise and Play, her role as CEO and co-founder of Kylan, a new game studio in Vietnam, and transitioning from corporate structures to startup environments. She highlights the importance of leadership, pitching, fundraising, and above all alignment within co-founder teams.Shelby and Sophie discuss the challenges and learnings from their entrepreneurial ventures (Shelby was the co-founder of the studio Double Loop Games which closed in 2023), underscoring the significance of personal growth, connections, and embracing changes in the pursuit of their missions. Sophie also introduces her upcoming project, Olivya, aimed at innovating at the intersection of coaching, technology, and games.01:30 Special Co-host: Shelby Moledina02:26 The Birth of the Podcast Rise and Play04:30 Navigating Leadership and Consciousness In Business08:19 Fundraising and Building a New Studio in 2024 (Kylan)14:07 Personal Growth and Overcoming Fears16:11 Lessons from the Co-Founders Journey25:37 Discovering Sophie’s ‘Why’ out of games33:09 Continuing the leadership journey with Olivya💡 Get more leadership resources on: riseandplay.io⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Thanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

Share your opinion on the future of game monetization in their market research survey with a chance to win Gamesforum tickets!In this episode of Rise and Play, new cohost Tiffany Keller joins the podcast. Tiffany has spent the past decade in product management across several billion dollars plus earning franchises at three of Gaming’s top five acquisitions and the most downloaded games of the decade. She sits down with Joanne Lacey, COO and Board Director at Adinmo, a privacy-first in-game monetization platform working with free-to-play mobile game publishers and developers.They dive into her path to the executive suite in multiple ad ecosystem roles that span Board Director of the trade body shaping GDPR for mobile, senior roles in multiple start-ups that have gone on to be acquired by larger companies and a Board Trustee for a cancer charity. Jo shares her leadership philosophy as a “Defender” to foster team cohesion in remote working, even during instability such as the Ukraine conflict. Jo shares how Adinmo is shaping the evolving relationship between the gaming and advertising industries- highlighting the importance of understanding the intersection of player behavior and brand values to create valuable ad experiences in games.For those experiencing layoffs or wanting a change, Jo advises how your career could branch out into adjacent game ecosystem roles.Take their survey now for a chance to win Gamesforum tickets: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RGKZDK302:46 Introducing Joanne and Adinmo07:21 Jo's Career Journey17:58 Leadership and Company Culture22:04 Navigating the Gaming and Advertising Ecosystem26:15 Product Market Fit and Industry Trends34:31 Career Insights and Opportunities37:51 Conclusion- Take their market research survey now!💡 Get more leadership resources on:https://www.riseandplay.io/⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Thanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com