Every episode of the Professor Game podcast, hosted by Rob Alvarez of The Octalysis Group. Honest breakdowns of gamification, behavioral design, and the Octalysis Framework, applied to real products, retention, and engagement. New episodes weekly, plus interviews with leading experts.
Beyond Points & Badges: How James Portnow Designs Intrinsic Engagement | Episode 426
If you’re considering gamification for engagement, retention, or loyalty, I’m happy to compare options with you: professorgame.com/chat Episode Summary James Portnow argues that point systems and leveling bars are “the path to abject failure” in gamification, and that real engagement comes from intrinsic design […]
The Magic Doesn’t Start Where You Think It Does | Episode 425
Want to run away from destroying an experience? Happy to brainstorm → professorgame.com/chat Episode Summary Rob walks through a real Christmas experience at Madrid’s Manantial de los Sueños, using it to demonstrate how a beautifully executed gamified experience nearly collapsed at onboarding. He […]
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 Episode Summary Jade Arthur reframes the job search for the gaming industry as a game with named villains (the Cover Letter Crusher, the Interview Assassin, the Bio […]
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 Episode Summary Examining why streak mechanics (borrowed from Duolingo and meditation apps like Happier) frequently backfire once users miss a day, triggering the abstinence violation effect and rage-quitting. Drawing on his own […]
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 Episode Summary Glen Lubbert presents Stamina Lab’s solution-focused approach to behavior change, which deliberately rejects root-cause analysis in favor of asking “what kept you from doing more of the thing you didn’t want […]