Dr. Marc's Masterclass

After having a great run in the corporate world, working for great companies like Schweppes, Dr. Pepper, Cadbury, and Southwest Airlines, and reaching the managerial level at many of them, Dr. Clinton Purtell felt he needed to give something back to society. His endless curiosity and a massive appetite for learning led him to the academic space where he found fulfillment as an educator, mentor, and career facilitator.  Clinton Purtell, Ph.D., is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, Director of External Relations, UNT Frisco/New College at the University of North Texas, and a dear friend. He is passionate about corporate entrepreneurship, early-stage venture strategy, and start-up supply chain strategies.  In this episode, Dr. Clint shares his experiences in the corporate and entrepreneur space, the reasons why he transitioned into academia, and the biggest challenges and rewards of being at the front in the classroom. We also talk about Dr. Clint's past as a gamer, where he pictures the future of gaming, esports, and education and how these three can influence each other.  Resources: Visit the UNT website: https://frisco.unt.edu/ Connect with Dr. Clint on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cpurtell/ Send him an email: clinton.purtell@unt.edu or follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cpurtell1

Many Black students, especially male students, get into college believing they'll be professional athletes. Unfortunately, the reality is that less than 1% of them will actually get there. However, that doesn't mean they can't work in the sports industry; they can be linked with professional sports through finance, technology, or marketing. Closing the gap between those job opportunities and students is one of the many jobs the National Society of Black Sports Professionals performs in the community. Our guest, Larry Lundy, is here to talk to us about it.  Larry Landy is the President of the Landy Marketing Group (LMG). He has over 20 years of experience working in strategic marketing and sales. Larry is the former Vice President of Advantage Marketing Group; he was the Director of Sports Marketing at Disney, and the President of Dallas All Sports Association for 9 years, from 2001 to 2010.  In this episode, Larry kindly shared bits of his journey of getting into sports, his experience working for Disney's sports division, and how that opportunity opened lots of doors for him. We also talk about the legendary coach Eddie Robinson and how he influenced Larry's life and college sports in general. Larry shared his point of view on the intersections between traditional sports and esports, how they can influence each other, what marketing strategies can be used in both arenas, and much more.  Resources: Lundy Marketing Group website: http://www.lundymarketinggroup.com/ National Society of Black Sports Professionals website: https://blacksportsprofessionals.com/ Follow Larry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/llundylmg/ or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lundylmg

The traditional sports industry is known for being relatively small; you are never further from two or three degrees of separation. If we look at college athletics, that number could be even smaller. It is also known because it is difficult to get in; a lot of people want to work in sports, and there are not many positions. Still, it is not impossible, and new technologies, communication tools, and even gaming and esports opened multiple new pathways into it.  Our guest Scottie Rodgers, Director of Communications for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, has a lot to say about the different ways of getting into the sports industry, about consistency, and about pursuing a dream job.  In this episode, Scottie shared bits of his story and how he stayed connected with sports throughout his life. Although he always wanted to work in the NFL, he had to wait over 20 years to do it, which he used to gain experience and know the nuances of the industry. We also talk about social media, esports and gaming, the power of communications, and much more.  Resources: Visit the Goodyear Cotton Bowl website: https://www.cottonbowl.com/index.aspx or connect with Scottie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sfrodgers/ or Twitter: https://twitter.com/sfrodgers?lang=es

In the conversation about connecting marginalized communities and sports, exposure seems to be one of the best options. LaDondra Wilson, Dallas Wings' VP of Social Responsibility, believes that kids can't believe in what they can't see. The Wings and Panther City Lacrosse Club regularly take kids from these communities to the games to gain first-hand experience with the product.  LaDondra believes that it is not only about visiting schools once in a while and telling them what it is about but also about checking schools periodically and ensuring they have the right equipment.  Our guest, LaDondra Wilson, is the VP of Social Responsibility and Executive Director of the Dallas Wings Community Foundation. She is passionate about connecting underserved populations with resources and opportunities to help them succeed.  In this episode, our conversation spins around the use of sports as a pathway to education, job opportunities, and progress. LaDondra talks about her background in social work and how she managed to adapt her knowledge and use it in the traditional sports space at the Wings. We also go through how to bring more people from minorities to the traditional sports and the esports and gaming space.  Visit the Dallas Wings website: https://wings.wnba.com/ Connect with LaDondra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladondra-wilson-she-her-hers-53566653/

One of the many things that changed around video games is their role in kids' lives. Initially, video games were seen as alienating, isolating, and addictive flashing lights that kept the children in front of the screen for hours. Today, and since the massive use of online games, video games are much more than just games; kids use them to socialize, make friends, learn teamwork, and many other things.  Gaming became, in many ways, an enriching experience, and we will discuss that with our guest, Keith Vinson.   Keith Vinson is the Vice President of Operations at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and former executive director of Greater Charlotte's YMCA. Keith has over 20 years of leadership experience, building effective teams, highly productive, and immersed in a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.  In this episode, we talk about the role of video games in people's lives, the career opportunities they offer, and the evolution of the relationship between parents and gaming. Keith shares part s of his journey to YMCA, his experiences with video games as a kid, and his reaction to having a gamer son. We also talk about YMCA's numerous inclusive programs, Keith's relationship with parents at YMCA, and much more.  Visit the YMCA Dallas website: https://www.ymcadallas.org/ or connect with Keith at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithvinson/

In the past, professors and educators were seen as information sources; students would attend lectures to learn about stuff. To Dr. Bob Heere, our guest today, the role of the professor has (or should have) changed; students have access to information in the palm of their hands. He believes that students don't need the educators to tell them the story but to help them make sense of it and apply it to the real world.  Dr. Bob Heere is a Professor & Director of Sport Management at the University of North Texas. He was born in the Netherlands, where he got a Masters' degree in International Affairs from the University of Amsterdam. Dr. Bob spent his entire life in the academic space, whether as a Lecturer, Researcher, Knowledge manager, or Ph.D. Program Director. In 2005, he got his Ph.D. in Sport Management from Florida State University, and he actually lives in Texas.  In this episode, we look at the higher education system from a different perspective. Dr. Bob offers his unique point of view on the approach to lecturing, diversity, the creation of esports degrees, and paid internships. We also talk about the type of education students get from the University of North Texas, where Dr. Bob lectures, and more.  Connect with Dr. Bob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobheere/ or send him an email at: bob.heere {at} unt.edu

Although Oak Cliff is a neighborhood where more than 66% of the population is Hispanic, 22% white, and over 7% Black, the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce didn't hire a Black person until 2007. That person is one of today's guests to the show, the current President of the Chamber, Kiyundra Jones.  In this episode, I have the pleasure of welcoming Kiyundra Jones and DeAnn Lax to the podcast. Kiyundra is the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce president, IOM, and a Business Expert. DeAnn Lax works as an Associate Creative Director at the Chamber; she is a communications professional with over 15 years of experience in community relations, grant writing, and public affairs.  Today, Kiyundra and DeAnn share bits of their story, how and why they decided to join the Chamber. We have a conversation about the Chamber's services, how they assist the community, and their link with minorities' representation. Kiyundra talks about the moment she got into the Chamber and noticed she was the only Black person there. We also talk about video games, education, the St. Philip's School and Community Center work, and much more.  Visit the Oak Cliff Chamber website: http://oakcliffchamber.org/ Check on their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Oak-Cliff-Chamber-of-Commerce-105530486724/ Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakcliffchamber/ You can connect with Kiyundra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiyundra-jones-iom-314855104/ Or with DeAnn also on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deann-lax-m-a-0425a611/

When it comes to turning our passion for video games into a job, the key is to look for what we are excited about, what we are good at, and being flexible and open to new challenges. For example, some of Lindsay Grace's students started in Localization translating Nintendo games into Japanese and then moved into game design. He believes that having flexibility affords longevity in the gaming industry. Today Marc welcomes Lindsay Grace; is Knight Chair in Interactive Media and an associate professor at the University of Miami School of Communication. Lindsay is the author of 'Doing Things with Games' and the 2019 recipient of the Games for Change Vanguard award. He has received multiple awards for his work, including the Games for Change Festival, the Digital Diversity Network, the Association of Computing Machinery's digital arts community, and Black Enterprise, to name a few. We talked about Lindsay's passion for video games, his humble origins, and his incredible connection with IBM charity programs. He spoke about how he started designing video games when he was 10 and how his parents influenced him. We also talked about equality in gaming and his consistent work in representativity and inclusion in the industry. Visit Lindsay's website at: https://professorgrace.com/ or connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaygrace/ or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mindtoggle?lang=es

What does it take to make a great game? Dr. Glenn Platt believes that it is needed much more than just game development. We need to consider the artwork, a fantastic story, its narrative, the music, and the business model, among other elements. He believes that great games have a horizontal approach, considering all those details; it is not about computer science only. Today Dr. Marc is joined by Dr. Glenn Platt and Dr. Phil Alexander, and they have a great conversation about esports and gaming and its relationship with high education. Dr. Glenn Platt is a Gameful Strategist and Professor at the Miami University. He holds a Master's Degree and a Ph.D. in Economics and Political Economy, both from Carnegie Mellon University. Glenn is also a Speaker; he presented in SXSW, TEDx, and hundreds of events. He is also a Fundraiser, a Founder, a Futurist, and a Leader. Dr. Phil Alexander is an Assistant Professor of Games at Miami University, and he is the Co-Director of Miami Varsity Esports; his door at the university says: "Does Game Stuff." Phill holds a Master's Degree in Rhetoric and Composition from Miami University and a Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Writing from Michigan State University. He is a storyteller and author of the book "Esports for Dummies." You can connect with Dr. Glenn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennjplatt/ or with Dr. Phill also on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-alexander/ You can also visit the Miami University website: https://miamioh.edu/index.html Connect with Dr. Marc on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

Esports doesn't require its athletes to lift heavy weights, sprint, or compete on a field. Still, it demands high levels of concentration, massive cognitive efforts, and tons of hand-eye coordination, which translates into burning a significant amount of calories. They're a different type of athlete, but definitely athletes.  That is why their nutrition is as crucial as traditional athlete's nutrition, and that is why Josh Otero and his team created NutriGMR.  Josh Otero is the Co-Founder and CEO at NutriGMR; he has been a sports technology entrepreneur since 2013. Josh is a lifelong athlete, and he was always passionate about helping people live healthier lives and using technology to improve people's overall wellness and fitness.  In this episode, we talked about Josh's background as an athlete, which started when he was 18 months old. Josh shared why he decided to introduce his product into the gaming industry and how it can improve gamers' and esports athletes' lives. We also talked about Josh's vision of giving back to the community and the importance of community building.  You can connect with Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshotero/ or visit the NutriGMR website: https://nutrigmr.com/ Connect with Dr. Marc on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

The esports and gaming industry offers a broad set of possibilities for students from almost every specialty; communicators, marketers, accountants, lawyers, psychologists, designers, software developers, and many more. That's one thing John Davidson loves most about the industry he's helping to develop and grow.  Today's guest is John Davidson, a TEDx and Keynote Speaker, Chairman of the Esports Trade Association, founder of the Davidson Learning Center, and host of The DLC Drop Podcast. John's background as a lifelong skateboarder gave him a consistent perspective of life; after falling and failing at something, he would step up and try it again.  Throughout this episode, they discuss John's experience and learnings from skateboarding and what those experiences added to his business mentality. They also spoke about affirmation and external validation, inclusion in esports, and the importance of networking. John also shared a few tips for students and brands interested in getting into the esports industry.  Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-davidson-42953846/ or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/j0hndavids0n You can also send him an email to: John@DLCyouth.com Or visit John's website: https://www.dlcyouth.com/ Connect with Dr. Marc on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

When it comes to teaching esports at an academic level, schools should look for teachers with academic qualifications only or people with practical experience in gaming? Dr. Joey Gawrysiak believes that ideally, they should look for a mix of both; the amalgamation of industry practitioners and traditional academic researchers.  Dr. Joey Gawrysiak is Director of Esports Shenandoah University and Co-Founder and Partner at GHS Esports Solutions. Dr. Joey is an old-school gamer; he used to play competitive Halo traveling on his own dime and competing for a case of Bawls energy drink.  He is a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sports and Fitness Administration/ Management. He is passionate about teaching, diminishing racial disparity, and making the esports scene a place with more opportunities for people of color, females, and every other underrepresented population. In this episode, we talked about esports programs in schools, what is available, and what we can expect in the future. Dr. Joey also shared his vision on how esports and gaming programs can offer better opportunities for students and how he's working to make that happen.  Connect with Dr. Joey Gawrysiak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-gawrysiak-68516646/ Or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/joeygawrysiak Visit Shenandoah University's website: https://www.su.edu/ Connect with Dr. Marc on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

A balanced diet, pre-competitive warmup, awareness of their posture, and breathing exercises are vital in any traditional athlete's routine, and it is not different for professional gamers. The world is changing, sports are changing, and with them, the definition of what an athlete is. This is just some of what was discussed with today's guest, Elise Carlson.  Elise Carlson is the Head Athletic Trainer at Florida Memorial University. She holds a Master's Degree in Athletic Trainer from Barry University, and she worked as a clinical athletic trainer for Professional Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy in New York. In this episode, Elise and Dr. Marc discuss the importance of athletic training for gamers and esports professionals, how to avoid and prevent injuries and health problems. Elise also shares how she decided to become an athletic trainer and her excitement for working with the gaming community.  Florida Memorial University website: https://www.fmuniv.edu/ Connect with Elise on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-carlson-63612a14a/ Connect with Dr. Marc on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

Considered the second biggest esports hotspot in the country, the Dallas-Fort Worth region is the perfect intersection of sports, tech, and sports business in general. Eric Griffin believes that after industry giants like OpTic Gaming, compLexity Gaming, Team Envy, and Mavs Gaming have chosen the region as headquarters, opportunities have multiplied for gamers, teams, educators, and corporations. Eric Griffin is the Managing Director of Research and Innovation at the Dallas Regional Chamber. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Southern Methodist University, and a Master in Public Policy in Environmental Policy, and a Master of Environmental Management Resource Economics and Policy, both from Duke University. One of his jobs at the Chamber is to leverage sustainable economic development based on innovation. In this episode, Eric kindly talked about the growth of the esports and gaming industry in Dallas and how that impacts the community financially, on an educational level, and socially. He spoke about the Chamber's concerns about how gaming and esports can help develop young people and create career opportunities. Dallas Regional Chamber: https://www.dallaschamber.org/ Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-jerome-griffin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

The rise of several African professional gamers to the world stage in the last few years is not the making of a rare coincidence, but the product of many organizations and companies interested in including African people in this full-of-opportunities emerging industry. Kevin Meltzer is the CEO and Co-Founder of Big5 Games, one of the companies building bridges between Africans and the gaming industry. Originally from Zimbabwe, Kevin lives in Johannesburg; he is an active speaker at technology and gaming events and a true believer that the gaming market offers countless career opportunities. He hopes that instead of a big actor or traditional sports star in the future, young Africans would want to become the next gaming star. In this episode, Kevin talks to Dr. Marc about the future of gaming in Africa, mobile gaming, the lack of parenting support for gamers, and what African countries need right now to develop the esports industry faster. Kevin kindly shares his vision on the power of gaming to bring people together, breaking racial, gender, or any other type of oppression towards minorities. He also shares his number one networking tip! To learn more about Big5 Games, visit: https://www.big5games.com/ Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-meltzer-960b1/ Or Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmeltzer To connect with Dr. Marc, visit: Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

The esports industry is generating billions every year, and everyone seems interested in participating in it, higher education institutions included. However, it took almost 7 years for HBCUs to offer scholarships in competitive esports since Chicago's Robert Morris offered a varsity-level scholarship for the first time in 2014. Keshia Walker, a lifetime gamer, is President of Insight Marketing and the Founder and CEO of the Black Collegiate Gaming Association (BCGA), destined to connect young Black College students with internships and full-time career opportunities in the gaming and esports industry.  In this episode, we discuss the importance of individuals who know about gaming and understand the Black culture in the esports industry, the exciting Black College Con event, and how hard it is for women, especially Black women, to establish in the industry.  Connect with Keshia Walker: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keshiawalker/ Black Collegiate Gaming Association: Website: https://bcgausa.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bcgausa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcgausa/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/bcgausa Insight Marketing: Website: https://insights-mpc.com/ To connect with Dr. Marc, visit: Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

In a time where connection is more important than ever, companies need to find unique ways to connect with those who mean the most to them and to help stay top of mind. Dr. Marc shares his experience of being wowed by a gift after he spoke at an event, and when he saw it was created by a company named BirdieBox, he had to learn more. In this episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass, Dr. Marc sits down with Caroline Shellenberger and Kristin Miller of BirdieBox to discuss why they were so excited to work for this company, what they love about being able to help their clients connect at a deeper level, and what's on the horizon for this amazing company. Plus they discuss what the future with esports could hold for them. To learn more about BirdieBox Visit: https://www.birdiebox.com/ To connect with Kristin visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinmiller79/ To connect with Caroline, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cshellenberger/ To connect with Dr. Marc, visit: Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

Imagine getting to test video games as part of your career? That's just one small perk to Davina Mackey's amazing job at PlayStation. Davina is the Director of Support Services & Options, plus she's the President of Black@PlayStation Employee Network. Davina shares her journey with Dr. Marc on this episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass, discussing how her career began and what eventually led her into the video gaming world. She also discusses why the pandemic was so important for her team, and put them right in the forefront as a new product was getting ready to release as the world was shutting down. Plus Davina discusses the initiatives at PlayStation to attract more black talent to not just their company, but gaming in general, and what advice she has for those who are looking to get involved in the gaming industry. To connect with Dr. Marc, visit: Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

How can a brand stand out in the world of gaming with just a fraction of the marketing budget as the bigger companies? Corey Rosemond shares how Rig Gaming found a niche within the gaming space and learned to focus on building incredible products that other companies were willing to turn their back on. This is what led the company to be purchased by Nacon Gaming, and why today he still has such a passion for the world of gaming and esports. Corey who is the Vice President of Nacon Gaming (USA) and Global Partnerships Director of Rig Gaming, joins Dr. Marc in this episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass to discuss the rise of Rig Gaming, his career in the world of gaming, and one of the most important factors those who are looking to get into gaming need to know.

Imagine going from not being able to walk out of your home because everyone recognized you from your popular TV show to having nothing. It's a reality that Leon Winkler lived from having the MTV Network pick up his show in Holland to not getting renewed. It wasn't that the show wasn't popular enough, but it was because he had made some bad choices. It was when Leon watched his father take his last breath, with a list of to-dos and dreams he never quite got to, when he decided he had an incredible opportunity that he wasn't going to let pass him by. He went back to school to finish his degree, a Masters, and a PhD and then landed a job with Ubisoft, who at first told him he wasn't qualified for the job. He is now the Director of International Events for the company. Leon shares his struggles and his triumphs in this incredible episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass! To connect with Dr. Marc, visit: Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

It was an unfortunate tragedy at a high school soccer practice that changed Evan Ernst's life forever and shined a light on the deathly issue of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This disease goes easily undiagnosed amongst seemingly healthy student-athletes. Evan shares his journey in this week's episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass and discusses why he's so passionate about changing the narrative about heart disease in youth, and why it's so crucial we make sure everyone has all of the tools and care they need to make sure this issue is resolved. He also talks about why this condition doesn't just affect all traditional athletes, but even those who love gaming and esports. To learn more about Evan and his organization, visit: https://www.whoweplayfor.org/ To connect with Marc, visit him on. Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

It is crucial that diversity is recognized in every industry throughout America, and NASCAR is making sure to make this initiative a top priority. Brandon Thompson, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion is a huge part of this mission. In this episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass, Brandon discusses his passion behind being part of such an interregnal step in this extremely public organization. They also discuss the importance of programs like 'The Cosby Show' and 'A Different World' highlighting Historically Black Colleagues and Universities, and what led Brandon to join NASCAR from school. Plus they talk about the relationship NASCAR has with esports and some of the exciting things to come. To learn more about the program at NASCAR, visit: https://www.nascar.com/diversity To connect with Marc, visit him on. Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

Not many people can say they've been in the esports industry for over a decade, but Charles Conroy is one of the lucky few. Now the Vice President of Gaming at The Switch, Charles started out as a player, then a General Manager of Direct TV's Dallas Franchise for the TV Championship Gaming Series. His career has been through many ups and downs, but there's been one thing that has remained the same, his unwavering passion for a sport that he grew up loving and allowed him to live a life he really never could have even imagined as a child. In this episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass, Charles discusses his rise, fall, and then rise again in the world of esports, and the lessons he learned along the way. He discusses how he stayed humble and kept his priorities the same through it all, and how he landed another dream job at The Switch. To connect with Charles Conroy, you can visit his website: https://www.theswitch.tv/ To connect with Marc, visit him on. Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

In today's episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass. Dr. Marc Williams's guest is Esports Futuri Editor in Chief, Chauntel Busche. Chauntel talks about her life being a mom to her two beautiful children. Plus she discusses how she handles all that she has to juggle with being the Managing Director of Esports Futuri, running her own marketing company, and being a mom of two boys. Listen as Chauntel unravels how she became fond of marketing and why she chose this career over music. To connect with Marc, visit him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. Find all of our shows at https://www.EsportsFPN.com

One of the most iconic deals that transformed the relationship of movies and merchandising was the original Star Wars deal between Kenner Toys and George Lucas, and Jacob Miles was part of the team who put that all together. In this episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass, Dr. Marc interviews Jacob Miles III, CEO of MAP Esports Network Inc. (Including Esports Futuri and the Esports Futuri Podcast Network). They discuss how Jacob started in the multi-billion-dollar toy business and his connection to Star Wars. How growing up in hard times in Cincinnati taught him to be a good man, and the important life lessons he had to learn but shaped him for success. To Connect With Jacob Miles III: Jacob R Miles III - Author | Facebook Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobrmiles/ Or Twitter: Jacob R. Miles III (@jacobmiles) / Twitter. To connect with Marc, visit him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/

Esports is more than just fun and games but also have applications immersed in science and engineering. Johnathan Holifield, the Executive Director for the HBCU Initiative, holds and educates that esports has academic applications and the development of skills and insights are marketable. In this episode, Johnathan shares his story as an opportunity warrior that fights for every opportunity and encourages young people to improve their skills and be competitive assets in the playing field and our fast-changing world. To connect with Dr. Marc, visit him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To listen and watch all of our shows, visit: https://www.EsportsFPN.com.

We all have experiences in life, but it's what we do with those experiences, both good and bad, that truly define our life. In this episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass, Dr. Marc sits down with Olympic Commentator, Lewis Johnson, to discuss his career in track and field, how he rose to become an All American, how he changed his career path to land a job with a company like NBC, and what were some of the most defining moments of his life. Plus he discusses what has been important to him raising his own kids, and the advice he has for other parents in helping teach any child to reach for the skies. To connect with Marc, visit him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To listen and watch all of our shows, visit: https://www.EsportsFPN.com.

The future is so bright for esports and gaming, that students are now presented with ample opportunities to follow a career path by doing what they love most. In this episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass, Dr. Marc talks to Mark ‘Garvey' Candella, Director of Student and Education Programs at Twitch. Mark has a passion for opening the doors of today's youth and helping companies to utilize the skills developed by getting involved in the gaming world. We've said this before, and we'll say it again, we're no longer in a time where parents should be discouraged by children who love gaming. It could actually end up leading to a career fueled by passion and joy.  To connect with Marc, visit him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Network. To hear all of our shows, visit EsportsFPN.com

Grab your notepad because this episode has some gems. From being raised by his grandma in the Bronx to now working with some of the biggest companies in the world, Hip Hop Gamer has quite a story to tell. Dr. Marc welcomes him to this first episode of Dr. Marc's Masterclass where Hip Hop Gamer talks about the impact gaming has on him, and why his grandma encouraged him to play games, how he helps the youth, and why knowing you are and staying true to yourself is everything. To learn more about Hip Hop Gamer, visit his YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFq6WCd0xcEVA-c7QNLrSgg To connect with Marc, visit him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Network. To hear all of our shows, visit EsportsFPN.com

The beginning of it all! Learn why you need to listen and what you can expect from upcoming episodes! Connect with Dr. Marc: Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/ Dr. Marc's Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Network. To hear this podcast and all of our others, visit https://EsportsFPN.com.