People Make Things

I sit down and have a chat with my friend Siddarth, who after a couple decades of video game development is just starting his first Kickstarted board game, Avertigos: South China Sky. We talk about the creative process, boardgame development, marketing, and distribution, and running a Kickstarter. Great stuff. Want to know more about Avertigos? The Kickstarter is HERE !

I had the great fortune to meet Brie Code while I was in Tehran, and she graciously agreed to come on the show to talk about AI, programming, managing creative people, a virtual game development lifestyle, working with huge teams (as she did on Assassins Creed at Ubisoft), and starting Tru Luv Media. A great chat, full of great information for people across the creative industries. Some especially interesting insights on "how things get made" in large game studios.  Want more info on Brie and Tru Luv Media?- @briecode on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. - @truluvmedia on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook- http://www.briecode.com

I have a bit of a think about how the world asks us to divide ourselves. Yeah, I am still thinking Iran - but in my defense, I recorded this 2 weeks ago. All still very relavant. I promise, near the end, I talk games, entertainment, and culture... but the beginning is a bit political. Want to know more about Ninesquirrels?Discord: discord.gg/U4tMNuH Website: www.ninesquirrels.boomzap.com Twitter: @ninesquirrels

Earlier this month I attended the Tehran Game Convention at the invitation of the convention and the Iranian government I experienced warm hospitality, delicious food, and a suprisingly large and active game development and publishing scene. I wanted to share more of this information with the world, so I invited one of the conference organizers, Milad Entezami, to come on the show and tell us all about Iranian game publishing and development. Disclosure: My trip to the TGC was paid for by the convention, and I was visiting Iran at the invitation of the government. That being said, I was not paid to make this podcast. Milad's conversation closely matches both the experience I had in Iran and a number of collaborating sources. :)  For more information about the Tehran Game Convention: http://www.tehrangamecon.com/    

I travel to the Tehran Game Convention in Iran, as a guest of the Iranian government. I have a lot to say about the trip, and share some travel stories and thoughts about Iran. I don't talk much about games or the convention, but I have more of that coming up in other interviews and stuff.

I wanted to talk leadership and diversity with someone, and I knew exactly the right person to go to: Megan Gaiser has been a transformational leader in the game industry for years, serving as CEO and President of her Interactive, and the principal for Contagious Creativity. She is also the Exec. Producer for the 21st Century Leadership Diversity Summit.  Want to know more about Megan Gaiser? Check out, and join the Manifesto at: www.LeadershipforDiversity.comTwitter: @MeganGaiser 

I'm working through a bunch of things after my trip to Iran, including the viewpoint of other on my decision to travel to Iran, and while I am sorthng through my more concrete thoughts on that specific trip... I needed to get this out there. It's not about games, its not really about entertainment, but its some stuff I am working through, and perhaps it's interesting. Want to know more about Ninesquirrels?Discord: discord.gg/U4tMNuH Website: ninesquirrels.boomzap.comTwitter: @ninesquirrels  

This is a very different episode - I'm talking about my trip to Nepal, and my involvement in the 3 Summits for Nepal charity. Then I chat at length about Nepal and 3 Summits for Nepal with local Nepali entrepreneur Jwalant Gurung, owner of Crystal Mountain Treks, and founder of 2 Summits for Nepal. This is something very near and dear to me, and a bit of a departure from my usual rants about video games and whatnot - I hope you'll indulge me. Interested in donating to 3 Summits for Nepal?www.3summitsfornepal.com Interested in knowing more about Crystal Mountain Treks?www.crystalmountaintreks.com/ Want to hear more Bipul Chettri?www.bipulchettri.comwww.facebook.com/chettribipul/ Want to know more about Ninesquirrels?Discord: discord.gg/U4tMNuHWebsite: www.ninesquirrels.boomzap.comTwitter: @ninesquirrels

I chat with Edward Li of Twitchy Finger games about Hong Kong and indie game development. This is a straightforward, soup-to-nuts explanation of how to build a game company, and is manditory listening for young entrepreneurs.  Want to know more about Edward Li / Twitchy Finger?Linked InWebsite: www.twitchyfinger.com  

An in depth discussion of the Philippine game industry and game media with Carlos Hernandez of Too Much Gaming. An absolute "must listen" for people interested in games in the Philippines. Want to know more about Carlos?Website - www.toomuchgaming.netPodcast - www.podomatic.com/podcasts/thetmgpodcast

I have a long response to the people on my Facebook about the concept of the "Selfmade man" and my experiences in travelling in Indonesia. Want to know more about Ninesquirrels?Discord: discord.gg/U4tMNuH Website: ninesquirrels.boomzap.comTwitter: @ninesquirrels

I have a very involved chat w/ Kris Antoni from Jakarta about starting and running Toge Productions, makers of the Infectionator series, and one of the most successful independent game studios in Indonesia. Want to know more about Kris?Twitter: @kerissaktiToge Productions: www.togeproductions.com

I have a wonderful chat with Pablo Bairan from the Philippines about the Cosplay in the Philippines. If you've ever wondered what that was all about, this is probably the best explanation I've ever gotten about the lure, joy, and mechanics of cosplay. Want to know more about Pablo?www.cosplay.phwww.facebook.com/pbairanwww.facebook.com/heroesforhireph

I talk about the joy of ignorance, and how sometimes it's critical to the process to put your experience aside.  Want to know more about Ninesquirrels?Discord: discord.gg/U4tMNuHWebsite: ninesquirrels.boomzap.comTwitter: @ninesquirrels

We chat with author and photographer Vincent Carrella about what it means to follow your dreams, what you sacrifice to be a working artist, and what success means. It's one of the most honest interviews I have ever had, and a must-listen for aspiring makers of things. Want more info about Vincent and what he makes?Photography Website: www.thelighthouse.photography/The Serpent Box on Amazon: goo.gl/Kp5EUZ Twitter: @theserpentbox

Chris talks about community, and what it means to belong to something. He also digresses a great bit about Japan, the 1980's, whisky, and Reddit.  Want to know more about Ninesquirrels?Discord: discord.gg/U4tMNuHWebsite: ninesquirrels.boomzap.comTwitter: @ninesquirrels

We chat with Bhama Roget, comedian, voice talent, and actress, known for her roles in Laggies, Eden, and the award-winning web series Wrecked. She's also the voice of the Awakening and Dana Knightstone game series, and Seattlites know her as the crazy Bartell shopper. You can check her out now on YouTube @ The Bhama Show - and see her performing at comedy clubs around Seattle. Want to know more about Bhama? Twitter: @thebhamashowInstagram: thebhamashowYouTube: The Bhama Show

Chris talks about overcoming fear, and getting through the wall that stops most people from succeeding. It's shockingly relevant.  Want to know more about Ninesquirrels?Discord: discord.gg/U4tMNuHWebsite: ninesquirrels.boomzap.comTwitter: @ninesquirrels

I have a chat with entrepreneur, game developer, and businessman Gabby Dizon about founding and running Altitude Games, in Manila. We talk about production, virtual offices, working fromhome, working with investors, and growing a game studio. Lots of great information inside! Want more info about Gabby and what he makes?Website: www.altitude-games.com/ Dream Defense: (Apple) goo.gl/7QI0dk (Google) goo.gl/Fai1dK Twitter: @altitude_games

I have a very frank and rather foul-mouthed rant about whats happening around the world concerning immigration and race relations, and how it affects the entertainment industry.  Want to know more about Ninesquirrels?Discord: discord.gg/U4tMNuHWebsite: ninesquirrels.boomzap.comTwitter: @ninesquirrels

Then I interview Renegade_Pige, a livestreamer form the Twitch network about the dark seamy underbelly of the world of livestreamers and influencers. So. Much. Salt. Wanna know more about Pige? Follow his stream at www.twitch.tv/renegade_pige Wanna see Ninesquirrels live in Twitch?www.twitch.tv/ninesquirrels Other things Ninesquirrels: Discord: discord.gg/U4tMNuHWebsite: ninesquirrels.boomzap.comTwitter: @ninesquirrels

We're going out on a limb a bit in this episode. I talk at length about my colon, the pain of IBS, and wonder who else out there is dealing with pain they can't talk about in polite company. 

Gwen Guo of IMBA Interactive in Singapore talks about gender roles in Asian business, dealing with anxiety, developing a freelance client base, networking, and much, much more. Highly suggested for budding entrepreneurs and freelancers looking for inspiration. Want more info about Gwen and what she makes?Website: www.imbainteractive.comEmail: gwen@imbainteractive.comGwen’s Twitter: @gy_gwen

I have a serious think about the whole purpose of this podcast, productivity, and how it relates to entertainment. 

I talk with Ian Gregory of Witching Hour Studios. We talk about Singapore, Race, Culture, his new game Masquarada, and his secret life as an Uber driver. Want to know more about Ian and Witching Hour?Website: www.witching-hour.netMasquerada: www.masquerada.com (or just grab it on Steam!)Witching Hour Twitter: @witchinghourSG

I get all mellow and talk about my failures. then I hate it, delete it, and do it again. Because I am meta like that. 

A long and involved chat with Ariella Lehrer about her 30+ years of success in the game industry. For anyone interested in the ups and downs of being in the creative industry for the long haul... this is your episode. Want to know more about Ariella Lehrer?Ariellalehrer.com for her blog!Legacygames.com for all her games! Crayola Color Blaster on the App store!

I get all serious and stuff about my trip to the Topography of Terror in Berlin, and then we discuss the recent broohaha with PewDiePie and internet outrage.

I chat with my good friend Yan Marschal of Sanuk games about surviving as an indie developer. Find more information about Sanuk games at sanukgames.com   

I talk my trip to Berlin, and the perils of making assessments w/o context. I cover a bunch of ground. Airline travel, game conventions, immigration, architecture, and the age old question of whether or not to recline in airplane seats. 

Interview with Jessica Tams, founder of the Casual Connect video game organization. We talk about entrepreneurship, games, conventions, and bootstrapping a successful business.

Short intro episode discussing why I am doing this and what future podcasts will be like. It's the Hello World of podcasts. Also, I discuss my trip to the US for PAX South and... well, Trump.