Podcasts about ie business school

Get the free Core Drives in the Wild guide, behavioral design applied to real corporate cases: professorgame.com/WildCD Episode Summary Rob breaks down why enterprise AI adoption stalls even with paid licenses and training, while a group of students beat a locked, proctored exam with ChatGPT and no support at all. Reading both cases through the Octalysis Framework, he shows how the exam accidentally stacked Core Drive 8 (Loss & Avoidance), Core Drive 6 (Scarcity & Impatience), and Core Drive 2 (Development & Accomplishment) into a ferocious, if mispointed, motivation engine. The enterprise bought the most capable tool and surrounded it with zero motivation, so nobody opened the app. Listeners learn why AI adoption is a motivation problem wearing a tooling costume, and leave with a two-part diagnostic question to ask of any AI initiative. About the Host Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Key Takeaways Students beat a lockdown, proctored, face-to-face online exam by getting ChatGPT to answer questions live through a Chrome extension, with no license, no training, and no change management. Adoption was instant, total, and creative enough to defeat the security. The exam accidentally stacked three Black Hat Core Drives: Core Drive 8 (Loss & Avoidance, failing is high-stakes), Core Drive 6 (Scarcity & Impatience, one timed shot), and Core Drive 2 (Development & Accomplishment, clearing the hurdle to the grade). Enterprises buy the paid license, training, IT support, and a leadership mandate, then adoption stalls because none of those things are motivation. There is no personal loss for ignoring the tool and no personal win for using it. Motivation pointed at the wrong goal produces flawless adoption of exactly the behavior you did not want. The students aimed AI at passing, not learning, and got it. As AI removes capability constraints, the human motivation layer becomes the only constraint left, which is why behavioral design matters more in the AI era, not less. The diagnostic: ask what your team personally gains by using the tool and what they personally lose by ignoring it. If the honest answer is "nothing much either way," no rollout plan will save it. Topics Covered 0:00 - Students hacked a locked exam 0:52 - Same tech, opposite outcome 1:44 - Adoption was never the problem 2:39 - The exam's accidental motivation engine 4:31 - Almost entirely Black Hat motivation 5:18 - Why the funded enterprise stalls 6:30 - Adoption and direction both matter 7:41 - Why behavioral design matters with AI 7:55 - Your diagnostic question for today Mentioned in This Episode The Octalysis Framework, developed by Yu-kai Chou ChatGPT (OpenAI) Core Drives in the Wild, the Professor Game free guide Free Resources and Get in Touch Core Drives in the Wild: Professor Game Free Guide Get Daily Value on Your Email Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Debate con Juan José Rubio, catedrático de Hacienda Pública y exdirector del Instituto de Estudios Fiscales; Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School; e Ignacio Linares, experto en innovación y CEO SOI ESP

Get the free Core Drives in the Wild guide and see behavioral design applied to real products and services: professorgame.com/WildCD Episode Summary Eleanor Ross, Creative Director at Expert Theory and one of the youngest recipients of the National Training and Simulation Association's Top Under 40 award, breaks down how she designs wargames and simulations that put learners inside high stakes decisions instead of watching from the outside. She walks through the moment a Team USA group tried to buy Greenland mid game, the Logic, Function, Form framework she uses to build every simulation, and a year long Taiwan resilience exercise she ran for the Irregular Warfare Center. Listeners come away with two best practices that make any simulation stick, a debrief discipline and deliberate role reversal, plus a clear view of how AI tools now let a team produce news articles and role player materials in under ten minutes. Ross also makes the case that heavy topics like terrorism, invasion, and irregular warfare land harder when they are engaging, and that good design starts by deciding what people should feel when they walk out. About the Host Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Key Takeaways In an early Arctic simulation run as an alpha test for the Canadian Department of National Defense, a Team USA group went off script and tried to buy Greenland, a move no one had prepared for, which forced Ross to build the response live. Ross and her team at Expert Theory adjudicated that unplanned move and used their AI backend to produce news articles, tweets, and formatted materials for a role player in under ten minutes, a turnaround the wargaming community historically treated as impossible. Her Logic, Function, Form framework stacks design like a pyramid: Logic defines what players should know and feel on the way out, Function defines the actors and goals that get them there, and Form covers constraints like the 30 or 90 minute time box. A quality debrief is the most important best practice in simulation design, because the takeaways people carry out are set up by the structured discussion, not by the game itself. Putting participants in roles they would never hold, such as US military officers playing the Somali government or the US embassy in a Fort Bragg deployment game, forces the perspective shift that makes the lesson land. Ross builds her design philosophy on Rutger Bregman's Humankind and its claim that people are inherently good, using games to surface the nuances behind how opposing sides actually see themselves. Topics Covered 0:00 - A wargamer who hates video games 2:59 - Inside a wargame designer's week 4:18 - When Team USA tried buying Greenland 7:45 - Why failure is a junior mindset 13:02 - A Taiwan resilience wargame for DOD 17:26 - The Logic, Function, Form framework 20:34 - Best practices: debrief and role reversal 24:30 - The books behind her design philosophy 26:33 - Perspective taking through languages 29:27 - Making heavy topics engaging 31:12 - Her favorite game: Votes for Women 33:01 - Building games in six minutes with Providence Get the free Core Drives in the Wild guide and see behavioral design applied to real products and services: professorgame.com/WildCD About Eleanor Ross Eleanor Ross is Creative Director at Expert Theory, an AI powered simulation startup building immersive learning experiences for clients including the U.S. Department of Defense, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Georgetown, and Penn State. She designs and facilitates simulations that restore agency to learners by placing them inside complex, high stakes decisions, and her co-authored research with the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology and Education Center has shown that simulations measurably deepen learning while strengthening confidence, teamwork, and decision making. She chairs programming for the Women's Wargaming Network and is one of the youngest ever recipients of the National Training and Simulation Association's Top Under 40 award. Her work focuses on the Arctic and high north, irregular and gray zone warfare, and leadership. Find the Guest Online Expert Theory (website) Eleanor Ross on LinkedIn Expert Theory on LinkedIn Mentioned in This Episode The Art of Wargaming by Peter Perla Humankind by Rutger Bregman Votes for Women, Eleanor's favorite game (by Fort Circle Games) Proposed future guest: Yuna Wong Proposed future guest: John Curry Providence, Expert Theory's platform for building games in minutes Free Resources and Get in Touch Core Drives in the Wild: Professor Game Free Guide Get Daily Value on Your Email Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Con Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School; Antonio Sanabria ,Doctor en Economía, profesor e investigador en economía aplicada en la UCM; e Ignacio Linares, experto en innovación y CEO SOI ESP.

Debate con Carlos Santana, Director del Programa Avanzado en Cadenas de suministro del IE Business School; Alejandro Falcón, socio director de Falcón Abogados; y Ricardo Pérez, profesor del IE.

Get the free Core Drives in the Wild guide, behavioral design applied to real products: professorgame.com/WildCD Episode Summary Rob breaks down why the most durable loyalty has almost nothing to do with points, contrasting a typical airline miles program with a neighborhood barber who keeps a customer for ten years with no app, no tiers, and no expiring rewards. He shows how the same Core Drive can run in opposite directions: airline programs fake Core Drive 4 (Ownership and Possession) with a points balance they control and devalue, while the barber builds real ownership through a relationship the customer actually owns. Along the way he names the over-justification effect, the moment a relationship becomes a calculation, and how Black Hat motivation can win in the short term while quietly corroding loyalty. Listeners come away with a clear diagnostic and a way to tell a real loyalty program apart from a price promotion on a delayed schedule. About the Host Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Key Takeaways Most loyalty programs build a transactional dependency rather than loyalty: the customer ends up loyal to the points, not the brand, so the moment a competitor offers more points they defect. Airline miles run on a Black Hat stack of Core Drive 4 (Ownership and Possession), Core Drive 6 (Scarcity and Impatience) through tier status, and Core Drive 8 (Loss and Avoidance) through expiring miles, which shifts the flyer from chasing something they want to avoiding a loss. The over-justification effect is the damage mechanism: a flyer who genuinely liked an airline starts booking the worse flight (longer, worse time, sometimes pricier) purely because it earns miles, the moment the relationship becomes a calculation. A relationship turned into a calculation is trivially beatable. A competitor with a slightly better offer doesn't just win one trip, it reveals there was never loyalty to begin with. A ten-year barber relationship survives real inconvenience (further away, closer cheaper options nearby) using the calm side of the same Core Drives: Core Drive 5 (Social Influence and Relatedness) plus genuinely owned personalization the customer cannot port to a competitor. The diagnostic: strip the points, discounts, and digital rewards entirely. If the honest answer to "why would anyone stay" is nothing, it isn't a loyalty program, it's a price promotion with a delayed payment schedule. Topics Covered 0:00 — Loyalty to the points, not the brand 1:16 — The Black Hat machinery of airline miles 2:25 — The over-justification effect in action 4:13 — The ten-year barber with no points 5:11 — Same Core Drive, opposite direction 6:12 — Inverting Core Drive 8 into a safe choice 7:36 — Run the strip-the-points diagnostic Get the free Core Drives in the Wild guide, behavioral design applied to real products: professorgame.com/WildCD Mentioned in This Episode Core Drives in the Wild (Professor Game free guide) The Octalysis Framework and its Core Drives (Yu-kai Chou) Black Hat and White Hat motivation The over-justification effect Free Resources and Get in Touch Core Drives in the Wild: Professor Game Free Guide Get Daily Value on Your Email Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

En Capital Intereconomía, la Tertulia Capital analiza la actualidad política, económica y social junto a Manuel Romera, director del Sector Financiero del IE Business School; Gonzalo Garnica, consultor empresarial; y Carlos Arenas, doctor en Economía. El debate pone el foco en Andalucía, donde Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla negociará con Vox en un contexto marcado por las exigencias de fuertes rebajas fiscales. También se analiza la victoria judicial de Shakira frente a Hacienda en un litigio de 55 millones de euros relacionado con su domicilio fiscal. Sobre la mesa, además, el desembarco de los robotaxis de Uber, Cabify y Bolt en Madrid, las protestas de agricultores españoles ante el encarecimiento de costes y la presión sobre el sector agroalimentario, el deterioro del poder adquisitivo de los hogares y el enfriamiento de la compra de vivienda tras varios meses de caída. También se aborda el aviso de FEDEA sobre el creciente desequilibrio fiscal entre comunidades autónomas. En la Entrevista Capital, Javier Fatás, responsable de fertilizantes de COAG y cerealista en Zaragoza, analiza el nuevo plan de acción de la Unión Europea sobre fertilizantes en plena crisis energética y geopolítica. El sector alerta del impacto del bloqueo de buques y de la presión sobre el abastecimiento y los precios agrícolas. Terminamos la hora con el análisis de preapertura de los mercados junto a Pablo García, director de DIVACONS - Alphavalue.

Con Julián Salcedo, presidente del Foro de Economistas Inmobiliarios y socio director de CEFRE; Fernando Zunzunegui, abogado y profesor; y Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School

Get the free Core Drives in the Wild guide, behavioral design applied to real products: professorgame.com/WildCD Episode Summary Victoria Ichizli-Bartels, author of fourteen books on gameful living and coiner of the term "self-gamification," explores how the role of the tabletop RPG game master maps onto the inner conversation we have with ourselves. She walks through Jill Bolte Taylor's "brain huddle" concept (a 90-second pause that resolves inner conflict by letting the 12 different players in our heads come to the table), three diagnostic questions for stressful moments ("what is happening inside myself," "who is talking," and "what is the goal of this person"), and a Justin Alexander hack borrowed from RPG handbooks: instead of treating a stressful thought as a crisis, respond with "yes, this can happen, now what do you do?" Listeners come away with practical reframes for daily self-management and a clearer way to spot which inner player is driving a given thought. About the Host Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Key Takeaways Jill Bolte Taylor's "brain huddle" concept proposes that 90 seconds of pause is enough to resolve inner conflict, by letting the different characters in our heads (which Victoria counts as roughly 12 distinct players, including self-leader, self-coach, game designer, and game master) come together and find an appropriate response. The single most useful diagnostic question for a stressful moment is "what is happening inside myself," followed by "who is talking" and "what is the goal of this person" — the third one usually reveals that the inner voice is trying to protect or train you, not sabotage you. Justin Alexander's RPG game master hack, "yes, this can happen, now what do you do?", reframes intrusive or stressful thoughts (like "I want to quit my job") from a crisis into an exploration, which usually reveals you don't want the extreme outcome — you want a smaller change. RPG handbook rules ("respect your co-players, be patient, be curious, be open-minded") map directly onto self-talk. Open-mindedness toward your own impulses is the rule most people break without noticing. Victoria connects RPG engagement to Core Drive 7 (Unpredictability and Curiosity): players love active play and surprise inside games but resent it in life, even though the underlying motivator is identical. Recognizing this changes how you experience unexpected events. The strategic-game metaphor of map exploration ("the land becomes lighter as you pay attention") and cool-down phases (planting crops after taking a castle) gives a concrete vocabulary for energy management between high-output and recovery days. Topics Covered 0:00 — Opening hook on RPG surprise 0:25 — Welcome and guest reintroduction 1:51 — 14 books in and still surprised 4:06 — Writing about TTRPGs without playing them 6:47 — The game master inside your head 9:48 — Why RPGs are collaborative storytelling 12:22 — Is there a map of the mind 16:47 — Rules of the inner RPG 18:29 — The 12 players inside us 19:05 — The 90-second brain huddle 23:30 — Self-care hacks from RPG handbooks 25:37 — The yes-this-can-happen reframe 26:56 — Closing thoughts and what is next Get the free Core Drives in the Wild guide, behavioral design applied to real products: professorgame.com/WildCD About Victoria Ichizli-Bartels Victoria Ichizli-Bartels is a writer, coach, and consultant with a background in semiconductor physics, electronic engineering (Ph.D.), information technology, and business development. While not a traditional gamer, Victoria coined the term "self-gamification," a gameful, playful approach to self-care and self-help that combines anthropology, kaizen, and gamification to enhance quality of life. With over a decade of experience living gamefully, she is the author of fourteen books and the instructor of two online courses on turning life into fun games. Victoria grew up in Moldova, lived in Germany for twelve years, and since 2008 has been based in Aalborg, Denmark, with her husband and two children. Find the Guest Online Website: https://www.victoriaichizlibartels.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaichizlibartels/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/optimistwriter Substack: https://selfgamificationclub.substack.com/ Mentioned in This Episode Be Your Best Game Master by Victoria Ichizli-Bartels (the book this conversation is built around) So You Want to Be a Game Master by Justin Alexander Whole Brain Living by Jill Bolte Taylor (the "brain huddle" concept and the four-characters model) The 5-Minute Perseverance Game by Victoria Ichizli-Bartels (her first book, published 10 years ago) Actual Real Life Role-Playing Games by Victoria Ichizli-Bartels 10,000 Hours of Play by Yu-kai Chou A.J. Jacobs and his life-as-experiment / puzzler books Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and tabletop RPGs in general Story Cubes (the dice-and-pictures storytelling game) Core Drive 7 — Unpredictability & Curiosity (Octalysis) Free Resources and Get in Touch Core Drives in the Wild: Professor Game Free Guide Get Daily Value on Your Email Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Richard Vaughan Live entrevista a Javier Fernández Aguado 12/05/2026. Tras años de trabajo como alto directivo y luego como empresario, Javier Fernández Aguado es en la actualidad Presidente de MindValue. Ha dirigido durante un sexenio la cátedra de management de IE Business School. https://javierfernandezaguado.com/ Vaughan Radio, puedes encontrar los podcasts en iVoox, Spotify, Apple music. También puedes escucharnos a través de la web grupovaughan.com y la app de Vaughan Radio.

Tertulia con: Dolores González Pastor, Directiva de Asuntos Públicos corporativos; Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School; y Kamal Romero, consultor independiente de analítica de datos y economía.

Get the free Core Drives in the Wild guide, behavioral design applied to real products: professorgame.com/WildCD Episode Summary Tetiana Kobzar, product designer with 18 years of experience and creator of the Comportance Framework, joins Rob to share how behavioral design turns clinical and educational software into products people actually want to use. She walks through the seven steps of Comportance (goal, baseline, emotion, hypothesis, minimum validation, cadence, and iteration) and shows how it shaped a gamified speech therapy app for Alder Hey Children's Hospital and a mini-game replacement for 27 cognitive assessment tests. The conversation covers why founders overload products with functionality, why Duolingo's Black Hat motivation works for some users and burns out others, and how Octalysis fits inside a wider behavioral design practice. Listeners leave with a practical structure for designing engagement and a sharper read on when game-based beats gamified. About the Host Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Key Takeaways The Comportance Framework runs seven steps in order: define the goal, set the baseline metrics, design the emotion (motivation and positioning), state one hypothesis, build the minimum validation, set the measurement cadence, and iterate. Most founders skip the goal and emotion steps and jump straight to functionality. Tetiana's team at Alder Hey Children's Hospital replaced weekly-only speech therapy with a gamified app where clinicians set tasks as mini games, letting kids practice pronunciation between sessions while the therapist tracks progress. A separate Tetiana project replaced 27 pen-and-paper cognitive assessment tests with mini games on tablets, capturing extra signal (timestamps, finger tremor, voice recordings) that paper tests cannot measure. Most products fail not because users are irrational but because founders treat them as rational agents. Behavioral biases and cognitive overload kill engagement faster than missing features. The Pareto trap in client work: founders spend 80% of their attention on the 20% of clients who complain, while the 80% of healthy clients who quietly bring most of the revenue get under-served. Reverse the ratio to protect recurring revenue. Duolingo's streak mechanic is heavy Black Hat motivation. It drives high retention but creates rage-quit risk: a user who loses a 4,000-day streak rarely returns. The near-miss has to threaten loss without delivering it. Game-based design (where the experience itself feels like a game) opens more creative options than gamification (points, badges, leaderboards bolted onto a non-game product), but both belong inside a wider behavioral design practice. Topics Covered 0:00 — Why Duolingo's Black Hat motivation backfires 0:24 — Rob's intro and the Core Drives in the Wild guide 2:47 — Daily life after the acquisition 4:14 — Favorite fail: design for the end game 8:16 — Alder Hey speech therapy app and 27 cognitive tests as games 11:26 — Game-based versus gamified, and where the line blurs 15:44 — Where Octalysis fits inside the Comportance Framework 17:11 — The seven steps of Comportance, walked end to end 23:50 — Cognitive overload and treating users as humans 27:24 — Duolingo streaks, near-miss design, and rage-quit risk 31:42 — Book picks: Cialdini, Yu-kai Chou, Don Norman 33:29 — Civilization, board games with the kids, final advice Get the free Core Drives in the Wild guide, behavioral design applied to real products: professorgame.com/WildCD About Tetiana Kobzar Tetiana Kobzar is a product strategist and behavioral designer with 18 years of experience building software for healthcare, wellness, and education. She is the creator of the Comportance Framework, a seven-step methodology that brings behavioral science structure to product design. Her recent work includes a gamified speech therapy app for Alder Hey Children's Hospital and a tablet-based replacement for 27 cognitive assessment tests, and she shares behavioral design ideas through her #BehaviouralDesignThursday LinkedIn series and industry talks. Find the Guest Online LinkedIn Tetiana-kobzar.com Instagram TikTok Mentioned in This Episode Proposed guest: someone from Duolingo Recommended book: Actionable Gamification by Yu-kai Chou Recommended book: Influence by Robert B. Cialdini Recommended book: The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman Favorite game: Civilization series Duolingo Is Not A Free Language Learning App, It Is... (The Octalysis Group) Alder Hey Children's Hospital speech therapy app (Tetiana's project) Comportance Framework (Tetiana's seven-step methodology) Octalysis Framework by Yu-kai Chou Free Resources and Get in Touch Core Drives in the Wild: Professor Game Free Guide Get Daily Value on Your Email Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Juan José Rubio, catedrático de Hacienda Pública y exdirector del Instituto de Estudios Fiscales 609350700nnCarlos Santana, Director del Programa Avanzado en Cadenas de suministro del IE Business School 653 77 97 77nnEduardo Abad, presidente de UPTA 699 01 92 18

Don't experiment on your own revenue with broken game mechanics. Get our guide "Core Drives in the Wild" to learn how to apply real behavioral science to your product: professorgame.com/WildCD Most apps lose 77% of their users within the first three days because they treat onboarding like a tax audit instead of a human journey. In this episode, Rob Alvarez breaks down why your "helpful" 15-step toolkit might actually be causing cognitive friction and driving users away. By moving from function-focused design to human-focused design, you can transform a bounce into a lifelong advocate. Rob explores the "Christmas Magic Mistake," the "Hello World" principle for instant wins, and the "Miyagi Method" of scaffolding to ensure your users actually want to come back for Day 2. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Links to episode mentions: Core Drives in the Wild Free Guide The Magic Doesn't Start Where You Think It Does (Christmas experience episode)   Lets's do stuff together! Core Drives in the Wild: Professor Game Guide Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Un debate con Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School; Fernando Zunzunegui, abogado y profesor; y Ricardo Pérez, profesor del IE.

Identify the exact strategies Sharon and Rob discussed so you can start increasing engagement in your own projects today. Grab our Core Drives in the Wild guide for free professorgame.com/WildCD What if the secret to solving real-world isolation or preventing misconduct wasn't more rules, but better play? Sharon Wood, a veteran gaming executive who helped launch the original Grand Theft Auto, joins us to discuss her shift from commercial hits to "Serious Games" with a scientific edge. We explore the neurological reality that the brain cannot distinguish between real and virtual experiences, making games a potent tool for building empathy and confidence. From memory care apps that reunite families to clinical trials in schools, this episode moves past the "points and badges" surface of gamification to show how progressive mastery actually changes lives. Sharon Wood is a seasoned gaming executive with over four decades of experience spanning sports marketing, entertainment, media, and video game development. Her career began in the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment marketing before she entered the gaming industry in 1996 during PlayStation's early days, where she orchestrated groundbreaking partnerships between major brands like Pepsi and Frito-Lay and video games. Most notably, Sharon launched the original Grand Theft Auto on a modest marketing budget. While defending the controversial title in the media, she consulted with psychologists and discovered something surprising: games could actually provide safe environments for exploring moral concepts rather than encouraging negative behaviors. This revelation changed everything. Inspired by gaming's positive potential, Sharon collaborated with a psychologist around 2012-2013 to create "Luminous," a game designed to help women and girls build self-confidence. Within months of launch, it became a top-five app in 34 countries. This success led Sharon to found Happy People Games (HPG), a company dedicated to creating "serious games": interactive experiences that merge scientific evidence with engaging gameplay to deliver real-world benefits beyond entertainment. Unlike simple gamification with badges and points, HPG builds games that create progressive mastery experiences, harnessing the natural reward response from achievement and channeling it toward positive outcomes. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Guest Links and Info Websites: happypeoplegames.com thenewforevers.com Instagram: @thenewforevers   Links to episode mentions: Proposed guest: Christian Svensson Favorite game: Tekken   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Hoy en la tertulia han participado: Inmaculada Serrano, CEO de StratXpace; Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School; y Kamal Romero, consultor independiente de analítica de datos y economía.

Don't experiment on your own revenue with broken game mechanics. Get our guide "Core Drives in the Wild" to learn how to apply real behavioral science to your product: professorgame.com/WildCD Most companies treat user churn as a data problem, but looking at "where" someone leaves doesn't explain "why" they lost interest. We break down the "Engagement Leaks," a phenomenon where record-breaking marketing spend fails to fix a product that is effectively a sieve for users. By analyzing the high-touch onboarding of Superhuman, the "novelty hangover" of Robinhood's digital confetti, and the legendary community design of Harley-Davidson, this episode reveals how to use the Octalysis Framework to plug leaks in different stages of the user journey. A masterclass in transitioning from a product people merely start to one they actually stay with. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Links to episode mentions: Superhuman Robinhood Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) The Octalysis Group   Lets's do stuff together! Core Drives in the Wild: Professor Game Guide Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Debate con Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School; Antonio Sanabria, Doctor en Economía, profesor e investigador en economía aplicada en la UCM; y Ángel Niño, concejal delegado de Innovación y Emprendimiento del Ayuntamiento de Madrid y economista.

Exploring gamification for your product or org? Let's chat → professorgame.com/chat We sit down with product leader and author Nesrine Changuel to explore the behavioral science of "Product Delight." Nesrine pulls from her extensive experience at tech giants like Google and Spotify to explain why emotional connection cannot be treated as an afterthought in product design. By distinguishing between purely functional requirements and deep emotional motivators, she reveals how features like Google Chrome's inactive tabs or Spotify's curated playlists solve core psychological needs rather than just technical problems. You can walk away with actionable frameworks for removing user friction, anticipating needs, and asking the ultimate design question: "If my product were a human, how would the experience be better?" Nesrine is a product coach, trainer, speaker, and author the author of Product Delight Book. With a background in research and over a decade of product experience, she has built products used by millions like Google Chrome, Google Meet, Spotify, and Skype. Nesrine is known for her focus on emotional connection and user delight. Today, she helps teams create products people don't just use, but truly love. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Guest Links and Info Website: nesrine-changuel.com LinkedIn: Nnesrine Changuel Product Delight Book   Links to episode mentions: Proposed guest: Elena Verna Recommended book: Emotional Design by Don Norman Favorite game: DiXit   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Analizamos las claves de esta decisión para el estrecho de Ormuz con Carlos Santana, Director del Programa Avanzado en Cadenas de suministro del IE Business School. Luego sigue en tertulia con Ricardo Pérez, profesor del IE; y José Ignacio Gutiérrez, presidente de la Federación de Servicios Financieros de la Confederación de Cuadros.

Debate con Eduardo Abad, presidente de UPTA; Fernando Zunzunegui, abogado y profesor; y Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School.

Master the science of motivation and see how top experts do it right. Get the free 9-day "Core Drives in the Wild" email sequence here: professorgame.com/WildCD We break down three massive gamification disasters from 3 huge companies to reveal exactly what happens when we ignore behavioral science. We explain how well-intentioned features like leaderboards and point systems can accidentally create toxic work environments or destroy thriving communities. By applying the Octalysis framework, we highlight the dangers of relying too heavily on Black Hat motivation and extrinsic rewards without balancing them correctly. You will learn how to design systems that drive genuine engagement rather than building expensive burnout traps. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Lets's do stuff together! Core Drives in the Wild: Professor Game Guide Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Wondering if Octalysis fits your challenge? Quick intro chat → professorgame.com/chat Most companies rely on traditional design thinking to build their products. That assumption is exactly why their retention rates flatline. In this episode, Rob Alvarez sits down with Joris Beerda, CEO of The Octalysis Group, to unpack the five-step Octalysis design process that drives engagement for Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft and Porsche. They discuss the critical difference between human-centered and human-focused design, the mechanics of building a high-functioning loyalty loop, and how to prioritize features using the "Biggest Bang for the Buck" model. If you want to move beyond simple points and badges to build experiences users genuinely care about, this conversation lays out the exact blueprint. Joris Beerda is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Octalysis Group. As a world-leading expert in Human-Focused Design and Octalysis Gamification, Joris' global career in creating engagement spans across 20 years, 15 countries and 7 languages. He has designed Human-Focused experiences for dozens of Fortune 500s as well as medium-sized companies. Joris is also a well known Keynote Speaker on Gamification in many renowned conferences throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Guest Links and Info LinkedIn: Joris Beerda The Octalysis Group The Octalysis Group Case Studies   Links to episode mentions: Proposed guest: Daniel Kahneman or Richard Thaler Recommended book: Why Everyone Else is a Hypocrite by Robert Kurzban Favorite game: Heroes of the Storm   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

También hablan de la guerra y del precio del crudo: Eric Freeman, CEO y cofundador de Alpha Unmanned Systems; Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School; y Juan Pedro Moreno, presidente del Consejo Asesor para la Transformación digital de la Comunidad de Madrid

Don't experiment on your own revenue with broken game mechanics. Get our guide "Core Drives in the Wild" to learn how to apply real behavioral science to your product: professorgame.com/WildCD We dismantle the myth that simply adding points, badges, and leaderboards will fix a broken product. We explore why superficial rewards often lead to a 90% failure rate in corporate gamification and cause dangerous spikes followed by massive engagement crashes. By contrasting Google News's failed badge system with Wikipedia's intrinsic motivation model, we highlight the critical shift from transactional features to human-focused behavioral science. You can learn how to balance White Hat techniques like Epic Meaning with Black Hat mechanics like Scarcity to build long-term retention without burning out your user base. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Links and resources Google News: https://news.google.com Wikipedia: https://www.wikipedia.org Duolingo: https://www.duolingo.com The Octalysis Group: https://octalysisgroup.com Lets's do stuff together! Core Drives in the Wild: Professor Game Guide Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Con Ignacio Linares, experto en innovación; Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School; y Ángel Niño, concejal delegado de Innovación y Emprendimiento del Ayuntamiento de Madrid y economista

Have a product challenge around retention? Quick intro chat → professorgame.com/chat Leif Sorensen reveals why most corporate learning games fail. We discuss the "magic powder" fallacy, where companies try to cram too many behavioral frameworks into a single experience. Leif breaks down his process for building AI-generated learning games at Actee and explains why focusing on the transfer of learning is the real secret to changing behavior. The episode also explores the post-COVID failure of traditional LMS platforms and how facilitators can run better sessions by focusing on player engagement instead of memorizing game content. Leif Sørensen is the founder and owner of Actee, a global platform using games to develop soft skills and support learning and change in organizations. He works closely with companies, consultants, and learning professionals to design engaging, research-based learning game experiences. Leif is a frequent speaker and podcast host, focusing on gamification, leadership, and how games can make complex topics easier to understand and act on. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Guest Links and Info Website: Actee.com LinkedIn: Leif Sorensen Instagram: @acteeglobal Spotify: The Learning Edge - Gamification and L&D   Links to episode mentions: Proposed guest: Sune Gudiksen Recommended book: Transfer of Learning by Robert E. Haskell Favorite game: Derby   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project Start Your Community on Skool for Free YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Ask a question

En Capital Intereconomía, en Empresas con Identidad, hablamos con Alejandro González, CEO y fundador de Taalentfy, una empresa tecnológica española nacida en Málaga y especializada en empleabilidad y desarrollo del talento. Su propuesta combina inteligencia artificial y evaluación psicométrica para detectar y potenciar competencias más allá del currículum tradicional, colaborando con universidades, centros de Formación Profesional, entidades públicas y organizaciones para mejorar la conexión entre personas y oportunidades laborales. En Digital Business conversamos con Stella Luna de María, CEO de Pentaquark Consulting, sobre Moltbook, una red social concebida para que también puedan interactuar inteligencias artificiales, abriendo una nueva dimensión en la relación entre usuarios, tecnología y plataformas digitales. También analizamos la noticia de la tecnología madrileña rumbo a la Luna, después de que la NASA haya confiado un sistema crítico de su nave a una empresa española. Además, hablamos con Luis Martín, director de Soluciones de IA en LLYC, y con Susana Rodríguez, profesora de blockchain y criptoeconomía en IE Business School, para analizar el actual tablero de la geopolítica de la inteligencia artificial. Durante la conversación abordamos la competencia entre Estados Unidos, China y Europa por el control global de la IA, el dominio de la cadena de valor —desde la energía y los semiconductores hasta la nube, los modelos y las aplicaciones— y el riesgo de que ese poder tecnológico pueda condicionar incluso la autonomía de países enteros. También debatimos sobre quién lidera hoy la carrera, qué papel juega la Unión Europea, si estamos ante una nueva guerra fría tecnológica y qué debería preocupar más: quién gana o la falta de control sobre lo que se está creando.

En Capital Intereconomía abrimos la Tertulia Capital con Manuel Romera, director del Sector Financiero del IE Business School; Rubén García-Quismondo, socio director de Quabbala, abogados y economistas; y Tomás Gómez, economista. El debate gira en torno al impacto económico de la guerra en Oriente Medio, después de que la Agencia Internacional de la Energía (AIE) haya propuesto la mayor liberación de reservas estratégicas de petróleo de la historia para frenar la escalada del crudo. También analizamos la reunión de emergencia del G7 para contener el impacto económico del conflicto con Irán y la propuesta de Podemos de nacionalizar Repsol para garantizar precios energéticos más asequibles. En la Entrevista Capital hablamos con Nacho Rabadán, director general de la Confederación Española de Empresarios de Estaciones de Servicio, para entender por qué el precio de la gasolina ha subido tan rápidamente, si bajará con la misma velocidad si se relaja el petróleo y qué se puede esperar en los próximos días a las puertas de Semana Santa. También abordamos si el Gobierno debería aprobar nuevos descuentos al combustible como los aplicados en el pasado y cuánto del precio que pagamos por litro corresponde realmente a impuestos. El programa se completa con el análisis de preapertura de las bolsas junto a David Cortina, responsable de Renta Variable de Santander Private Banking, con las claves para afrontar la sesión en los mercados.

Hoy con Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School; Carlos Santana, Director del Programa Avanzado en Cadenas de suministro del IE Business School; e Ignacio Linares, experto en innovación.

If you're implementing AI and want to realize that promised ROI, let's see if Octalysis fits → professorgame.com/chat Breaking down why most AI projects fail despite being technically flawless. The problem isn't the code; it's the lack of behavioral design. By applying the Octalysis Framework, we see how to move away from "Black Hat" implementations that trigger resistance and identity threats. Instead, we shares how to design AI as an individual contributor's superpower. It is a deep dive into balancing short-term Black Hat-driven data bumps with long-term White Hat engagement to ensure your team feels like masters of their craft rather than data entry clerks for an algorithm. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Links to episode mentions: Let's implement AI successfully leveraging Octalysis Behavioral Design professorgame.com/chat How gamifying AI shapes customer motivation, engagement, and purchase behavior Harmonizing human-AI synergy: behavioral science in AI-integrated design Digital tracking, gamification, social media, and AI: How technology influences motivation AI-Driven Gamification Approaches: Enhancing Engagement Through Intelligent  Systems Some of The Octalysis Group's resources: Why Your Sales Leaderboard is Killing Performance (And What AI-Driven Motivation Actually Looks Like) How AI Loyalty Programs are Rewriting Loyalty Why Corporate Learning Platforms Fail (AI Corporate Learning) AI-Powered Behavioral Design for Customer Loyalty The Fintech Engagement Crisis: Why AI Without Behavioral Design Creates Apps Nobody Uses AI Powered FMCG Loyalty: Escaping the Points Trap with Behavioral Design   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Han debatido: Eric Freeman, CEO y cofundador de Alpha Unmanned Systems; Carmen Morales, profesora del IE Business School; y Juan Verde, estratega internacional para el sector privado y público.

I've interviewed hundreds of experts and now lead Engagement Strategy (EU) at TOG. If you want help applying this, start here: professorgame.com/chat Can a leader truly be effective without ever presenting a single slide? Clark Aldrich returns to the show to dismantle the "expert-led" model of management and education. He introduces Socratic Cards: a physical tool designed to replace passive consumption with active, high-stakes inquiry. By shifting the responsibility of learning from the teacher to the learner, Clark explains how organizations can transition from "easily replaceable employees" to "heroic tribes" that thrive on peer mentorship and meaningful challenges. Clark Aldrich is a past guest (episode 94 and 127) and is the award-winning creator/author/founder of Short Sims, Unschooling Rules, The Complete Guide to Simulations and Serious Games, and Gartner's eLearning coverage. Aldrich's sims and games have been covered extensively, including by The New York Times, ABC, CBS, NPR, ESPN, and CNN. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Guest Links and Info Website: socraticcards.com LinkedIn: Clark Aldrich   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Have a product challenge around retention? Quick intro chat → professorgame.com/chat Stop feeling like you're grinding without a progress bar. In this episode, we explore the behavioral science of "leveling up" in real life to combat burnout and invisible growth. By applying the Octalysis Framework we discusse how to map your career as an evolving skill tree. Whether you are a product leader looking to build meaningful user progression or an individual seeking to reclaim your "Player 1" status, this episode provides a blueprint for turning disjointed milestones into a cohesive, high-functioning journey of mastery. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Links to episode mentions: The Octalysis Framework Yu-kai Chou's first episode on Professor Game! 10000 Hours of Play by Yu-kai Chou   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question Looking forward to reading or hearing from you, Rob

Esta última hora hemos tenido el espacio Los Desayunos de Capital, donde hemos contado con Manuel Melenchón, Manager Director del Sur de EMEA de Hyatt, que ha hecho un repaso de las expectativas y los planes que tiene la compañía en 2026. Después hemos tenido el Foro de Empleo, en el que han participado Marisa Cruzado, socia en CVA, Luis Pérez, director de Relaciones Institucionales de Randstad y Rafael Pamillón, profesor de Economía en el IE Business School y la Universidad San Pablo CEU. Han analizado el impacto del absentismo laboral y la regularización de inmigrantes.

What if projects weren't just part of work but how work gets done in your organization? In this episode, Kevin is joined by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez to discuss the project economy and why treating projects as "side work" is no longer an option for leaders. Antonio challenges traditional hierarchies and operational mindsets, making the case that today's value creation, innovation, and transformation happen primarily through projects. He also explains why mindset matters more than tools and why project leaders must think like entrepreneurs who own outcomes, fight for value, and bring problems into the open rather than hide them. Kevin and Antonio explore the critical skills leaders need to move from managing tasks to leading change, including building real teams, understanding the business impact of projects, and having the courage to challenge senior leaders when priorities are unclear. Antonio's Story: Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez is the author of five books, including the Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook and his latest book, Powered by Projects: Leading Your Organization in the Transformation Age. He is a world-leading expert in project management, strategy execution, and organizational transformation. He is the creator of the "project economy" concept, which advocates that organizations shift from traditional hierarchical structures to fully project-driven ones—where change, innovation, and strategy come to life through projects. Antonio was selected as one of the top 50 most influential management thinkers in the world by Thinkers50 in both 2023 and 2025. He previously served as chairman of the Project Management Institute and is a visiting professor at top business schools, including Duke CE, IE Business School, and Skolkovo. This Episode is brought to you by... Flexible Leadership is every leader's guide to greater success in a world of increasing complexity and chaos.  Book Recommendations Powered by Projects: Leading Your Organization in the Transformation Age by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows . . .: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life by Steven Pinker  Like this? Leadership in Project Management with Lou Russell Creating Meaningful Work with Wes Adams and Tamara Myles Building and Leading High Performance and Championship Teams with Chantal Vallée Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group  

Recently funded and aiming for sustainable retention? Intro chat (no sales pitch): professorgame.com/chat What if your research team worked like a raid party? Raul Mora shares how bringing gamer language and MMORPG structures into academia boosted clarity, motivation, and long-term commitment. This conversation explores community design, role-based engagement, and why listening to gamers is the most underrated retention strategy in education. Raúl is a professor at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, Colombia, now also teaching remotely from Trondheim, Norway. He's been in education for over 30 years, including time as a school and English teacher and as a college professor. His research explores second language literacy practices in the city, digital spaces, and schools. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Guest Links and Info Webs: Guest: elpatronhimself.net Research Lab: lslp.org LinkedIn: Raúl Mora Instagram: @lslplegion TikTok: @lslplegion Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/elpatronhimself.bsky.social Book: Understanding Second Language Users as Gamers   Links to episode mentions: Proposed guest: Antero Garcia Recommended book: What Video Games Have to Teach Us by James P. Gee Favorite game: Mortal Kombat   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

I've interviewed hundreds of experts and now lead Engagement Strategy (EU) at The Octalysis Group. If you want help applying this, start here: professorgame.com/chat Why do people ignore things they know are good for them and obsess over games instead? In this episode, we introduce the Octalysis Framework, unpacking the eight core drives of human motivation and explain how human-focused design leads to stronger engagement, higher retention, and better-designed products, platforms, and learning experiences. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Links to episode mentions: The Octalysis Framework for Gamification & Behavioral Design Octalysis Prime on YouTube by Yu-kai Chou Actionable Gamification by Yu-kai Chou   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

Según la versión transmitida tradicionalmente, el cristianismo surgió en su forma ya acabada a partir de la predicación de Jesús de Nazaret, cuyo inalterado mensaje se cristalizó unos siglos más tarde en la Iglesia. Sin embargo, la evidencia histórica muestra una realidad bien distinta. Tras la muerte de Jesús, proliferaron diversas comunidades de creyentes, con enfoques, creencias, objetivos y filiaciones muy distintos entre sí. Harían falta más de dos siglos para que uno de esos múltiples cristianismos acabara imponiéndose sobre los demás, institucionalizando su particular versión como la única. Antonio Piñero y Javier Alonso han escrito Cómo nació el cristianismo con el propósito de ofrecer una visión rigurosa y documentada de los primeros años de existencia del cristianismo. Antonio Piñero es filólogo, historiador y escritor, especialista en el estudio del cristianismo primitivo y en la figura del Jesús histórico. Catedrático emérito de Filología Griega en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, ha dedicado su carrera a investigar los orígenes del cristianismo, los evangelios canónicos y apócrifos, y la literatura gnóstica. Autor de una extensa obra, también es traductor y editor de numerosos escritos antiguos que hoy forman parte de referencias imprescindibles en lengua española. Es una de las voces más reconocidas en el ámbito de los estudios bíblicos y religiosos. Javier Alonso es licenciado en Filología Semítica, DEA en Historia Antigua, y Máster en Lenguas y Culturas del Oriente Próximo Antiguo, todo por la Universidad Complutense. Es escritor, traductor, conferenciante, guía de viajes arqueológicos y profesor de Humanidades en el IE Business School y en la IE University. Ha escrito numerosos libros, artículos y cuentos sobre temas relacionados especialmente con la Historia Antigua y la Arqueología, o la Historia en general. También es colaborador habitual de varios programas de radio y televisión que tratan temas de Historia o religión.

If you're considering gamification for engagement, retention, or loyalty, I'm happy to compare options with you: professorgame.com/chat The biggest impact of gamification often happens in the least obvious places. In this episode, Rob Alvarez talks with David Dand about using game-inspired strategies in recruitment, leadership, and employee experience to attract better-fit talent, reduce churn, and build stronger, more human organizations, even in highly traditional sectors. David is the Founder and Managing Director of Coreus, a boutique hiring services provider based in Brighton. Coreus specialises in helping professional SMEs tackle critical talent challenges and is experienced in the complexities of recruiting in skilled, competitive, and often highly regulated markets. David is a CIPD-qualified HR and recruitment expert with a career spanning global firms such as EY, AXA, and Roche, with a focus on cultural fit, leadership assessment, and career coaching. He lives in the South Downs near Brighton, UK, with his wife and their three mischievous children. His interests include music, travel, and sport. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Guest Links and Info Website: Gamification in Recruitment | Coreus LinkedIn: Personal: David Dand | LinkedIn Company: Coreus Instagram: @coreus_talentacquisition   Links to episode mentions: Recommended book: Hiring Success by Jerome Ternynck Favorite game: Chess and Football   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project Start Your Community on Skool for Free YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Ask a question

You'll get the same 14-day free trial either way—but if you use my link, you'll also be supporting Professor Game:

In this heartfelt episode, Rob reflects on the profound impact his father, Mariano Alvarez, had on his life, particularly as a prominent actor in Venezuela. As he commemorates the 25th anniversary of his father's passing, Rob shares personal anecdotes that highlight the lessons he learned from Mariano, including the importance of believability in storytelling, the value of physical fitness, and the significance of generosity. Through his father's legacy, Rob connects these lessons to his work in gamification, emphasizing how immersive experiences can evoke empathy and engagement in audiences. Rob also reminisces about their shared love for superheroes and video games, illustrating how these interests were nurtured by his father. He discusses the influence of Mariano's career in theater and film, and how it shaped his understanding of performance and audience connection. Ultimately, this episode serves as a tribute to Mariano's life and the enduring lessons that continue to inspire Rob in both his personal and professional endeavors. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Links and Info Mariano Alvarez Wikipedia Mariano Alvarez IMDb Homenaje a Mariano Alvarez - Detrás de las Cámaras Jose Gregorio Hernandez (one of the characters he represented)   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue Start Your Community on Skool for Free YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Ask a question

In this rare and deeply personal episode, Rob steps away from the traditional gamification conversation to speak as a Venezuelan. Blending lived experience, political involvement, and game-thinking principles, Rob reflects on the cost of doing everything "by the rules," the exhaustion of democratic paths, and why this moment matters so deeply to millions of Venezuelans around the world. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

If you're considering gamification for engagement, retention, or loyalty, I'm happy to compare options with you: professorgame.com/chat What if gamification isn't about rewards at all? James Portnow joins the Professor Game Podcast to explain why intrinsic engagement, thoughtful iteration, and strong design goals matter more than mechanics. From YouTube education to tabletop games, this conversation is packed with insights on building experiences people truly care about. James Portnow is a Game Designer by trade, who's worked on games ranging from the Call of Duty Series to League of Legends to Farmville. His latest project, Cyberpunk Legends (the official Cyberpunk co-op card game), Kickstarted for over a million dollars, putting it in the top 1% of kickstarters ever created. He is also the creator of one of the most popular YouTube channels on history, Extra History. He's spoken at universities and corporations around the world and at conferences ranging from GDC to PAX to SXSW. He's been quoted in the New York Times and Time Magazine, published by Oxford University Press and has taught at the Masters and Bachelor's level. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Guest Links and Info Website: nightcrewgames.com LinkedIn: James Portnow Instagram: @night.crew.games @extracredits TikTok: @night.crew.games Facebook: nightcrewgames ExtraCredits Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/nightcrewgames.bsky.social YouTube: Extra Credits Extra History Other links: kickstarter.com/projects/cyberpunklegends/cyberpunk-legends-into-the-night   Links to episode mentions: Proposed guest: Richard Garfield of Magic The Gathering Designer on Candy Crush - Perhaps David Darabian? Jonathan Blow The Slay the Spire guys - Mega Crit Recommended book: Poetics by Aristotle Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Baudrillard Favorite game: Magic The Gathering

Comenzamos este año 2026 haciéndonos muchas preguntas. Y para obtener algunas de esas respuestas hay que hablar con quienes, aunque no les gusta hablar de predicciones, estudian y analizan el panorama geoestratégico mundial. Nos acompañan en la Casa de la Radio Federico Aznar, capitán de fragata y Analista Principal del Instituto Español de Estudios Estratégicos; Eva Borreguero, profesora de Ciencia Política en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid y experta en el Indo-Pacífico; y José María Calvo Sotelo, Profesor en la IE Business School y experto en energía. Los tres, junto con otros analistas, son autores del Panorama geoestratégico 2026 que publica anualmente el IEEE en el CESEDEN, el Centro Superior de Estudios de la Defensa Nacional. También el director del IEEE, el general de brigada Víctor Bados, para profundizar en las zonas en conflicto. Escuchar audio

Want to run away from destroying an experience? Happy to brainstorm → professorgame.com/chat A magical Christmas experience in Madrid almost collapsed because of one overlooked detail. We break down a real-world holiday experience through the stages of gamification, and reveal where confusion can destroy even the most beautiful experience. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Links to episode mentions: El Manantial de los Sueños 4 Phases of a Player Journey   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue Start Your Community on Skool for Free Game of Skool Community YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Ask a question

If you're considering gamification for engagement, retention, or loyalty, I'm happy to compare options with you: professorgame.com/chat What if your bio was more than a skills list and your job hunt felt like a well-designed game? We explore with our guest Jade Arthur how to gamify the job search for the games industry, creating stories, systems and mindsets that boost confidence, visibility and long-term career engagement. Jade is a language and mindset coach for job seekers in gaming. She helps job seekers take down the villains in their job search like the "Cover Letter Crusher" and the "Interview Assassin." Her mission is to give job seekers the knowledge to authentically express their value and vision while finding joy in the process. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Guest Links and Info Website: make-the-grade-with-jade.lovable.app LinkedIn: Jade Arthur Instagram: @makethegradewithjade   Links to episode mentions: Proposed guests: Bruno Frasca Recommended book: Made to Stick by Dan and Chip Heath Favorite game: Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue Start Your Community on Skool for Free Game of Skool Community YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Ask a question

Exploring useful streaks for your product or org? Let's chat → professorgame.com/chat Why do streaks motivate users at first but eventually push them away? Rob explores the psychology behind collapses, the dangers of existing habit metrics, and practical ways to redesign streaks so they support, not sabotage, long-term engagement. Perfect for product leads, community builders, and behavior designers. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Links to episode mentions: Duolingo (language learning & streak mechanics) Happier Meditation (formerly 10% Happier) Streaks (habit-tracking app) Finch (self-care & habit-tracking app) Octalysis Framework (gamification & Core Drives) Abstinence Violation Effect (psychology of lapses)   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue Start Your Community on Skool for Free Game of Skool Community YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Ask a question

Retention or loyalty on your roadmap? Happy to brainstorm → professorgame.com/chat We unpack the "tell the cab driver where to go" strategy, health quests, and the eight magic words that shift self-talk from guilt and shame to possibility and lasting change on this chat with Stamina Lab CEO Glen Lubbert. We discuss how to turn health and well-being into a game you can actually win. Glen is the co-founder and CEO of Stamina Lab, a health tech company that helps people create lasting well-being—not through willpower, hacks, habits, or fixing themselves—but by building on the inner resources and skills they already have. His company combines solution-focused health coaching, behavior science, and personalized data to improve energy, focus and resilience—without the usual shame or overwhelm. Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.   Guest Links and Info Website: staminalab.io LinkedIn: Glen Lubbert Instagram: @staminalab.io X/Twitter: @glenlubbert YouTube: youtube.com/@staminalabTV   Links to episode mentions: Proposed guest: Dr. Deborah Teplow Recommended book: Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia Favorite game: The Five Crowns Card Game   Lets's do stuff together! Let's chat about your gamification project 3 Gamification Hacks To Boost Your Community's Revenue Start Your Community on Skool for Free Game of Skool Community YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Ask a question