Boss Fight!

While this is normally a team effort, for this one I'm going solo.As we wrap up season one of Boss Fight, I wanted to give listeners a chance to get to know the man behind the podcast. I'm going to answer the same questions we ask our guests, as well as a special take on our boss fight segment.Power Up:TherapyWalking dailyJournalingWeekly check-insSelf-compassionResources: Instagram: @seanianjacobsonFind more at seanjacobson.com/bossfight!Boss Fight! is produced by Crate Media.

When we're all living in an extended quarantine and coping with high levels of stress, video games can be a welcome reprieve from the real world. But when part of your escape becomes surrounded by toxicity, how do you cope?Joshua Lago joins me to talk about finding your place in a community that enjoys talking about games without being swept up in the negativity of it all. We also discuss some of the inherent issues of viewing video games as art, what that means for the community, and how some games find different ways to balance on that spectrum.Power Up:Having a healthy pattern and routine can make all the difference during challenging times.Resources: Instagram: @androidisaloserTwitter: @androidisaloserFind more at seanjacobson.com/bossfight!Boss Fight! is produced by Crate Media.

Even the most positive forces you know can be dealing with the shadows of depression and self-doubt.Ryan Robinson is one of those people who you'd be surprised to learn the depths of where he's been or what he's had to deal with. Constantly a source of joy and support for others, it took forming his own party of support to tackle the raid boss of depression when he just couldn't handle it on his own.Power Up:Everyone is capable of overcoming their boss fight. If there comes a point where you're not capable, make sure there's someone in your life who can pick up the slack until you are.Resources: Listen: Save Continue PodcastFind more at seanjacobson.com/bossfight!Boss Fight! is produced by Crate Media.

When things are hard, it can be nice to find a silver lining. But it's important that we don't let that lining obscure or deny the very real feelings we have.Over the past year we've experienced one of the worst collective events in history. I don't think it's hyperbole to say we're all dealing with trauma from this to different extents. Leslie is having a hard time letting go of the guilt that comes with feeling bad when you know other people have it harder than you.Power Up:If there's something you can do in a span of two minutes or less, just do it. We can always find two minutes, and even if it doesn't seem like a lot, the feeling of doing something can snowball.Resources:Listen: Nice Things PodcastTwitter: @garbage_himeTwitter: @nicethingscastFind more at seanjacobson.com/bossfight!Boss Fight! is produced by Crate Media.

Starting a new business is always a large undertaking. Starting one during a pandemic? Talk about turning up the difficulty level!When Marina started their business, they had taken every precaution – they had startup money, a generous runway of savings, and clients lined up. Short of a global pandemic, things should have been good, but some boss fights come when we least expect them – and they hit us in ways we couldn't have anticipated.Power Up:The Martinez Method: Look at when you need to be done with a task, then cut that time in half. Spend half of the time relaxing and refreshing, and the rest of the time doing your work.Resources: newcoyote.commarinaforhire.comFind more at seanjacobson.com/bossfight!Boss Fight! is produced by Crate Media.

In some ways, we're all looking for notoriety, attention, or fame. Whether it's just amongst our peers or on a wider scale, popularity has its perks. But it can also come with unforeseen consequences.Josh Boykin, founder of Intelligame.us, had to reckon with those consequences when his work hit some explosive growth – as well as coming to terms with the factors that contributed to it.Power Up:You don't have to go it alone. When difficult times arise, it's time to play co-op and get some assistance in your quest.Resources: intelligame.usTwitch: twitch.tv/intelligameusTwitter: @wallstormerdualwieldstudio.comFind more at seanjacobson.com/bossfight!Boss Fight! is produced by Crate Media.

You could be the most selfless person in the world… but if you're not taking care of yourself, you'll have nothing to give of yourself to others.Jenny Windom, aka Kimchica, is finding this balance a struggle: The feeling of guilt around prioritizing yourself when you so strongly want to help others. But the role of any support member in a party depends on keeping yourself standing first and foremost.Power Up:Getting away from screens and taking a walk can be a great way to take care of yourself, especially when you're in front of them all day. Also trying to take in information from areas outside of your expertise can help you grow as a person and really enrich your experience and your life.Resources: Instagram: @jennywindomTwitch: twitch.tv/kimchicaFind more at seanjacobson.com/bossfight!Boss Fight! is produced by Crate Media.

Boss fights offer a unique opportunity to measure our progress. As difficult as they may be, the feeling of overcoming a difficult challenge can't be matched.Hayden Lee faces an encounter many are familiar with: Anxiety. Through repetition, recognition, and personal mastery, he's managed to keep the boss at bay — though it's never truly defeated.Power Up: Your thoughts are in your control. It's not easy, but there is a space between the impulse of a thought and the response to that thought. It takes practice to recognize that space, but when you do, so much is possible.Find more at seanjacobson.com/bossfight!Boss Fight! is produced by Crate Media.

Boss Fight is a show about video games, the people that play them, and the challenges we face in the game of life. In each episode, Sean Ian Jacobson brings on a guest to talk about their experiences playing games and how games relate to the challenges we face in life. Whether you're interested in the human side of video games or need support as you go up against your own personal Boss Fight, come play along!