Podcasts about VR

The countdown to Sacha Robotti's full-length album release continues with the "Whistleman" himself Eric D. Clark, a pioneer in painting dance music with avant-garde brush strokes. The Berlin-based artist, producer, DJ, stylist, gallerist and educator invites Dirtybird Radio to share in a debaucherous night out with a live recorded set from the club. VR warm-up set:John Tejada - "Nightshift" [Palette Recordings]Blu:sh - "Trick Speech" [Kalahari Oyster Cult]Sadro - "Sound" [Top Board]Julian Sacheli & Mike Kerrigan - "Inhibitions" [Dirtybird Records]Eric D. Clark guest set:WhiSTlE MAN - S. R0b0TTi/FEliX/E.D.C.“WhiTE lAbEl” 12”0UT 0F ThE RAiN - MJ bY €DCDj ENRIQUE - WhiTE lAbElWE bEl0NG T0GEThER - MC/€DC??? - JER0ME SYdENhAMfR0M hERE T0 ETERNiTY - AMANdA LEER/€DC/M0R0dERJANG0 01 - JER0ME SYDENhAM

Newt talks with Chris Brickler, co-founder and CEO of Mynd Immersive. He discusses the innovative use of virtual reality (VR) to address challenges faced by an aging population, such as mobility, isolation, and loneliness. Mynd Immersive's VR technology aims to transport seniors out of their mundane environments into engaging experiences, such as concerts and museum tours, enhancing their mental and emotional well-being. Mynd collaborates with universities and researchers to explore the health benefits of VR for older adults. The company has developed partnerships with organizations like the VA and CTA Foundation to expand access to underserved communities and veterans. Research studies, including collaborations with the VA and Stanford, have demonstrated significant reductions in isolation among seniors using Mynd Immersive’s VR technology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Mary Beard dons her VR set to experience a Roman cataclysm; and Mary Hitchman on the history of humanity's fascination with the moon.'The Last Days of Pompeii: The immersive exhibition', Immerse LDN, Excel, London, until March 15'The Medieval Moon', by Ayoush LazikaniProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Prison Officer Podcast, host Mike Cantrell speaks with Joe Willis, the Deputy Executive Director of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA). They discuss the importance of instructor development in law enforcement, the unique offerings of the ILEETA conference, and the value of networking and community among trainers. The conversation highlights the diverse classes available, including certifications, and the significance of emotional intelligence and decision-making in corrections. They also touch on the future of training, including innovations in technology and the importance of collaboration across different sectors of law enforcement.The nights matter as much as the days. Emerson Hour hits hard with nine-minute talks that spark laughter and tears. Tuesday stacks an author meet-up, whiskey night, and a competitive cornhole tournament. Wednesday shifts to a relaxed lounge and cigar night, and Thursday's Symbols of Service brings a patch and coin exchange plus trivia to honor identity and build bonds. It's deliberate by design: connect, learn, reflect, repeat.We bridge a divide that should not exist: patrol, corrections, and community supervision share core skills. Decision-making under pressure, emotional intelligence, defensive tactics, less lethal judgment, and investigative thinking belong to the entire justice ecosystem. Add the future-ready edge—VR, synthetic training environments, and panels led by researchers and seasoned trainers—and you get practical tools you can apply on day one.Ready to join a world-class community that raises the bar for training? Subscribe, share this episode with a fellow instructor, and leave a review with the one skill you think trainers overlook most. Send a text PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.OMNIOMNI is cutting-edge software designed to track inmates and assets within your prison or jail. Command PresenceBringing prisons and jails the training they deserve!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5 See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.com Support the show ======================= Contact me: mike@theprisonofficer.com Buy Me a Cup of Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mikeml Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer https://amzn.to/4g0mSLw Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career https://amzn.to/3HV4dUG Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcast Contact us: mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

NEVILLE SPITERI is founder and CEO of WEVR, a creative development and production studio, pioneering the field of immersive interactive experiences. Signature projects include “Harry Potter VR” with Warner Brothers, “Gnomes & Goblins” created with Jon Favreau, an Emmy finalist for Outstanding Innovation in Interactive Media, and the immersive underwater VR experience “The Blu,” discovered at Sundance and presented at the LA County Natural History Museum. WEVR was named one of the “Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in AR/VR” by Fast Company.  Host Jason E. Squire is Professor Emeritus, USC School of Cinematic Arts, and Editor of The Movie Business Book. Music: “The Day it All Began and it All Ended” by Pawel Feszczuk (License: CC by 4.0)

Vrátili sme sa do sveta, v ktorom platí už len hrubá sila, v hre sa tak môže ocitnúť i samotná existencia Slovenska. Už za našich životov sa môže stať, že Slovensko fakticky prestane existovať ako suverénný štát, tvrdí publicista a komentátor Arpád Soltész. O čo všetko dnes na Slovensku hráme, prečo sme moci ochotní tolerovať to, čoho sme svedkami a máme šancu na reparát?Svetový poriadok sa dnes rozpadá ako hrad z piesku. Náš - kedysi najbližší spojenec, ktorému sme poctivo roky držali chrbát sa nám bezostyšne vysmieva do tváre a bývalá bašta slobody sa dnes mení na fašizujúce pseudokráľovstvo. Euroatlantická civilizácia tak kolabuje sama do seba a Putin - ktorý už štyri roky brutálne nivočí susednú Ukrajinu, sa tak na tom všetkom môže iba a len smiať. Pozorovať to, živiť to a - čakať.No a čo ten náš - na všetky štyri strany rozkročený, kormidelník z Úradu vlády? Ako sám deklaroval, sedí si na tom svojom bielom koni, cvála na ňom bohvie kam, úpadok - či skôr kolaps, štátu pod jeho vedením sa už prakticky nedá nijako zamaskovať ani prekryť.O čom je teda táto dnešná doba, kam sa to vlastne rútime a koľko toho slovenský volič od svojej vedome a dobrovoľne zvolenej vrchnosti ešte znesie?Nemáme azda na viac, než toto, čo sa tu deje a ak áno, ako z toho von? No a napokon, vieme si vôbec zadefinovať kto sme a čo naozaj - pre nás, a naše deti, ozaj chceme?A - sme zápecníci? ,,Chýba nám nejaký jednotiaci mýtus, ktorý by odpovedal na otázku, prečo chceme byť Slováci a prečo chceme mať Slovenskú republiku - až tak, že by sme za ňu boli ochotní aj umierať,” tvrdí Soltész a dodáva.,,Až keď príde na lámanie chleba a otvorí sa pred nami otázka: Budem riskovať život v zákopoch alebo sa naučím napr. po maďarsky, tak podľa mňa veľká väčšina Slovákov si rýchlo pôjde kúpiť učebnicu maďarčiny pre samoukov,” hovorí Soltész.Ráno Nahlas s publicistom, spisovateľom a novinárom Arpádom Soltészom. Pekný deň a pokoj v duši praje Braňo Dobšinský.

Ostrava pomalu hoří!

Our guest this week, Alvin Wang Graylin spent 35 years in senior leadership roles across HTC, IBM, and other major tech companies. He ran HTC's VR division, came out of the famous HIT Lab, now teaches at MIT, holds a fellowship at Stanford, and just published a paper called "Beyond Rivalry" proposing a seven-point plan for deescalating US-China AI tensions and building a global safety net before the economy breaks. His thesis: America is the fastest in the AI race and the least prepared for what it's creating—a cliff where human labor theory of value collapses, capital concentration accelerates, and 40% of the population living month to month faces chaos.The conversation becomes a wide-ranging debate between Alvin, Charlie, and Rony about whether AGI will be benevolent by default (Alvin's position: research shows smarter AI seeks global coherence and becomes less controllable by individual humans, which may actually make it safer) or whether benevolence must be designed in from scratchAI XR News You Should Know: Elon Musk merges SpaceX, xAI, and X into a single entity—Alvin dismantles the space data center concept with physics (vacuum cooling is a myth, micro-meteorite collisions would destroy hardware daily, and energy is only 10% of data center costs). Amazon invests $50 billion in OpenAI that round-trips back to AWS. Alphabet breaks revenue records at $400 billion but spooks investors by disclosing $90 billion in AI spending. ElevenLabs raises $500 million at $11 billion valuation. Rony's SynthBee hits unicorn status with $100 million raised at a multi-billion dollar valuation. Alvin warns the AI bubble dwarfs the dot-com era (298 companies raised $24 billion total during dot-com; OpenAI alone is raising that in a single private round) and predicts OpenAI may implode before going public.Key Moments Timestamps:[00:04:47] SpaceX/xAI/X merger: Rony calls it Elon's "return to Tony Stark form"[00:06:41] Alvin dismantles space data centers with physics: vacuum cooling myth, micro-meteorites, $7K/kg launch costs[00:10:04] Amazon's $50B investment in OpenAI as a round-trip to AWS; the scam economy[00:11:26] Alvin predicts OpenAI may implode before going public[00:14:23] Alvin on 35 years in AI: the technology is transformational but everyone's making a commodity product[00:17:04] The AI bubble dwarfs dot-com: $24B total vs. single private rounds today[00:19:04] Rony's contrarian: the $110 trillion global economy is what's being bet against[00:21:06] Labor theory of value collapses: what happens when humans exit the production cycle[00:23:00] America is fastest in the AI race and least prepared; 40% live month to month[00:24:00] Alvin's Stanford paper "Beyond Rivalry": a CERN for AI and global data pool[00:28:00] Davos reflections: the rest of the world is more rational than America[00:34:00] Chinese vs. American culture: reverence for teachers, respect for elders[00:42:00] Alvin's "Abundant" framework: valuing human dignity over production after AGI[00:44:22] The great debate: will AGI find benevolence naturally (Alvin) or must it be designed in (Rony)?[00:47:00] Rony on risk: AGI systems are unverifiable, untestable, and we cannot take the chanceListen to the full episode and subscribe to the AI XR Podcast for weekly conversations at the intersection of AI, XR, and the future of humanity.This episode is brought to you by Zappar, creators of Mattercraft—the leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences for mobile headsets and desktop. Build smarter at mattercraft.io.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meta cut several studios and fired over a thousand people who were working on Virtual Reality and now we're wondering if VR will EVER catch on. What are the biggest obstacles to VR finally catching on, or will it just never be something the majority of people feel comfortable with? Join us and Keith Comito of Lifespan.io to discuss THE FUTURE. Thanks for watching and support us on Patreon if you like what we do! https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc **We're Now On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3 **Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc **Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837 **Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ 01. Intro (0:00) 02. Is VR In Trouble? (1:15) 03. Is The Gaming Industry In Trouble? (33:07) Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc

ILP# 433 2/8/2026https://lordsofgaming.net/LORDS AFTER DARK on Insider Game App! ANDROID: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidergaming.appIOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/insider-gaming/id67539846481) ADVANCEDGG Use Code "IRONLORD" for 10% off https://advanced.gg/pages/partner-ironlords?_pos=12) VALARI PILLOW Use Code "ILP15" valari.gg/?ref=ironlordspodcastroundtable3)  ILP MERCH: https://ironlordspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/allsofgaming.net/4) NZXT & IRON LORDS PC Use Affiliate LINK: https://nzxt.co/Lords5) HAWORTH Gaming Chairs & ILP Use Affiliate LINK: https://haworth.pxf.io/4PKj7M*********************************************************00:00 - ILP#433 Pre-Show18:21 - ILP#433 Intro57:55 - ADVANCED.GG PROMO1:00:17 - Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Impressions1:28:18 - AMD Confirms Xbox Magnus 2027 Launch2:48:32 - PlayStation Financials & Horizon Hunters Gathering3:21:57 - Steam Machine Delayed3:45:40 - ILP FACTOR MEALS Promo3:49:49 - ILP#433 Outro*********************************************************Welcome to The Iron Lords Podcast!Be sure to visit www.LordsOfGaming.net for all your gaming news!ILP Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6XRMnu8Tf1fgIdGlTIpzsKILP Google Play:play.google.com/music/m/Iz2esvyqe…ron_Lords_PodcastILP SoundCloud: @user-780168349ILP Itunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/iron-…uiR-IgF6cE9EQicIILP on Twitter: twitter.cm/IronLordPodcastILP on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ironlordspodcast/ILP DESTINY CLAN:www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Detail/178626The Iron Lords and the Lords of Gaming have an official group on Facebook! Join the Lords at:www.facebook.com/groups/194793427842267www.facebook.com/groups/lordsofgamingnetwork/Lord COGNITO--- twitter.com/LordCognitoLord KING--- twitter.com/kingdavidotwLord ADDICT--- twitter.com/LordAddictILPLord SOVEREIGN--- twitter.com/LordSovILPLord GAMING FORTE---twitter.com/Gaming_ForteILP YouTube Channel for ILP, Addict Show & all ILP related content: www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiUhEbYWiuwRuWXzKZMBxQXbox Frontline with King David: www.youtube.com/@xboxfrontlineFollow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content.

On this week's episode the guys talk about 1992's "The Lawnmower Man 2" and what ever subtitle they want to use. Brad opens the show promising not to kill MTD off in this episode and he talks about MTD'S love for only 10s. Which leads them to talking about how MTD mows 3 yards a week and Brad wonders if thats going to kill him one day. They guys also wonder who this movie was made for and why it was even made. They talk about how this is the future but everything looks old. Jacob then reminds us of the most bonkers line every uttered on Movie Torture, "Incest, the game the whole family can play" Plus, Brad and MTD agree if they entered a VR world it would have chics in it.Follow Movie Torture here:https://www.instagram.com/movietorturepod/Buy Merch here:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-hopecast-network-swag/This show is brought to you by The Hopecast Networkhttps://www.instagram.com/hopecastnetwork/

On this episode of the Ruff Talk VR podcast we are back talking all the altest VR news! including news on the Steam Frame, some more moves from GOLF+ and sim golf, news on a TMNT VR demo and new gameplay trailer, newly announced games like Spymaster, a Glassbreakers $1000 tournament, Beat Saber x Bad Bunny Shock Drop, and more!0:00 - Episode Start3:30 - Steam Frame price and date update9:05 Beat Saber x Bad Bunny Shock Drop14:30 - TMNT VR Steam Next Fest Demo16:35 - Golf+ MR Golf Sim24:30 - Orcs Must Die new release date28:00 - Spymaster30:45 - New Joint Venture For Free to Play Games32:40 - Glassbreakers $1000 Prize Tournament35:30 - TMNT VR New Gameplay VideoUse code RUFFTALKVR at checkout to save on any game or hardware on the Meta Quest store and help support the show!Big thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Become a supporter of the show today at https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrDiscord: https://discord.gg/9JTdCccucSPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrIf you enjoy the podcast be sure to rate us 5 stars and subscribe! Join our official subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/RuffTalkVR/Support the show

Paul gets left out of a campus visit. Drew is still enjoying Meshtastic and is constantly finding new nodes. Drew gives an update on his home heating (or lack thereof) situation. Paul wants to start a business. Drew tries out a new VR headset. Recorded 02/06/2026 Show Links: OU - Little Sibs Duct Aerosealing How to start an LLC in Ohio LLC FinCEN BOI Update Pimax Crystal Super Dynamic Foveated Rendering

Von antiken Gnadengaben über Max Webers Führungsbegriff bis zu „Rizz“: Ist Charisma wirklich eine magische Gabe – oder eher eine raffinierte Inszenierung? Warum wirkt Charisma wie ein UFO-Phänomen? Kann man es lernen? Und wieso lassen wir uns davon selbst dann beeindrucken, wenn es gefährlich wird? Leon und Atze sprechen über soziale Signale, Authentizität, Macht und moralische Fallstricke – und darüber, ob Charisma am Ende vielleicht viel weniger Magie ist, als wir gerne glauben. Fühlt euch gut betreut Leon & Atze Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leonwindscheid/ https://www.instagram.com/atzeschroeder_offiziell/ Mehr zu unseren Werbepartnern findet ihr hier: https://linktr.ee/betreutesfuehlen Tickets: Atze: https://www.atzeschroeder.de/#termine Leon: https://leonwindscheid.de/tour/ Vorverkauf 2026: https://betreutes-fuehlen.ticket.io/ Quellen Pinsof, D. (2023). Charisma Is Bullshit. Everything Is Bullshit Blog. https://www.everythingisbullshit.blog/p/charisma-is-bullshit Antonakis, J., Bastardoz, N., Jacquart, P., & Shamir, B. (2016). Charisma: An ill-defined and ill-measured gift. Annual review of organizational psychology and organizational behavior, 3(1), 293-319. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-041015-062305 Banks, G. C., Engemann, K. N., Williams, C. E., Gooty, J., McCauley, K. D., & Medaugh, M. R. (2017). A meta-analytic review and future research agenda of charismatic leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 28(4), 508-529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2016.12.003 New York Times - Artikel zu “Rizz”: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/03/arts/rizz-oxford-word-year.html Shavit, R., Katz-Navon, T., & Delegach, M. (2025). ‘The Charismulator'–charisma simulator: A study of a new VR intervention to improve charisma. Journal of Management & Organization, 31(2), 479-494. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2024.61 Redaktion: Julia Ditzer & Leon Windscheid Produktion: Murmel Productions

Photo by Mihai

Use code RUFFTALKVR at checkout to save on any game or hardware on the Meta Quest store and help support the show!This is a bonus episode on the podcast feed of our YouTube Live community hangout from Saturday! Come hangout with us during the live which is usually Sunday at 3pm ET (Exact details weekly are on our Discord). Listen as we hangout and talk VR with some of our community!Big thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Become a supporter of the show today at  https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrDiscord: https://discord.gg/9JTdCccucSPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrIf you enjoy the podcast be sure to rate us 5 stars and subscribe! Join our official subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/RuffTalkSupport the show

In our latest episode, we sit down with Dipali Mathur, Chief Business Officer at Keystone Utsav, for an insightful conversation on how Indian weddings are rapidly evolving. Today, weddings are no longer just family-funded celebrations — they are becoming collaborative, conscious, and deeply personal milestones.With 88% of 2026 couples contributing financially to their own weddings, Gen Z and Millennials are reshaping traditions with a fresh focus on personalization, transparency, and meaningful experiences. Research shows that 31% of couples now reject the outdated norm of the bride's family bearing the full cost, signaling a shift toward equality, partnership, and women-led decision-making.From destination weddings to digital storytelling, from emotional vulnerability to financial independence — this episode explores how love, culture, and commerce are intersecting in modern India.In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, we unpack:Why venues and hospitality consume 40–50% of wedding budgetsThe booming trend of destination weddings in India and abroadHow women's financial independence is redefining wedding dynamicsThe emotional complexities behind “picture-perfect” weddingsWhy today's couples prioritize experience over extravaganceBeauty standards, aging, and identity in the wedding narrativeThe role of technology, photography, and even VR in modern celebrationsWith the Indian wedding industry now valued at over $30 billion, this episode offers a deep look into the cultural shifts, unspoken truths, and future trends shaping one of the most important rituals of our lives. Whether you're planning a wedding, building a career in the wedding industry, or simply curious about how relationships and traditions are changing in modern India — this conversation is one you don't want to miss.

I didn't know but apparently, in some other timeline we should have been talking about the release and pricing of the Steam Machine and all those other gadgets Valve had planned to release. And while they are still planned to be released, seemingly, this year, we don't know when or what they'll cost. Because Valve doesn't know. The reason for this takes us back to what we talked about last week and likely what we'll be talking about in the weeks to come: AI. When announced last year the Steam Machine was really something to look forward to. Valve seems to be of the mind that they sort of want everyone to experience PC gaming. The Steam Deck was the first attempt at this and it's done wonderfully. People who had a PC now had something portable and people without a gaming PC of any kind now had something to experience PC gaming with. The Steam Machine was set to follow suit. Something, likely, affordable that wasn't overly powerful but had decent specs and could run games at mid to upper settings. The speculation on price was the biggest factor of anything about the device itself. And we're still left waiting on that. Because of RAM. This is, sadly, going to be a running theme for us this year I'm afraid. The whole RAM thing is a result of AI, as we've stated before and that's just going to lead to a whole world of hurt as far as…well, probably everything. I'm really hoping next week I'll have something else to write and talk about. Maybe a Splinter Cell game, but probably not. Ubisoft, it has been 4,556 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released. Also, there's been 1100 job losses in the gaming industry since January 1, 2026.

She's baaaaaack! The treasured princess of the Dirtybird flock makes an appearance packed with a punch as the one and only J.Phlip turns up the heat on a set full of dirty bass, funked up beats and spicy footwork breaks. Enjoy! VR warm-up set:David Tort, Markem - "Let Me Love U" [HoTL Records]Artsychoke, Emuh - "Flowers On Your Birthday (Jey Kurmis Remix)" [Quack Squawk Honk]Gettoblaster feat. Devon Devonn - "Computer" [ihearttechno Records]J.Phlip guest set:amadeezy - slim thug in the vip type beatOttonian - let it bumpFootclan - Cut_Da_F_Raw Takes - GATE313Leshutler - Keep Your Pussy TightFootclan - Beat FreekRAW TAKES - BEING WITH UD'Cure - Settle ItSBSTRD - In LoveBoxwork - BossySpeed Gonzales - felt gangsta, might delete l8rDJ Takyon - Yo FakeFrenquency - Neva BeenGhostwhip - L'amour ToujousAmadeezy - Beat Them Hoes DownMoodrich - Sun DazeDJ SOUNDCLOUT - HibernationOttonian - THE FUNKisaiah rashad - hb2u (footclan edit)Samba - BBgayphextwin - Spz1 (Pépe's Hyperoxygenation Remix)Mezer - Come to Take a Ride (Mezer Rejuked)Amadeezy - I Need

What happens when AI moves off the screen and into your field of view?Recorded live at Web Summit Qatar, this TechFirst episode dives deep into the real future of XR ... beyond the hype cycles of VR headsets and toward smart glasses, physical AI, and contextual computing.Host John Koetsier sits down with Amy Peck, founder of EndeavorXR, to unpack what's actually working in AR, VR, and mixed reality, and why the most important XR breakthroughs may not be for humans at all.They explore:• Why VR was never “dead” but always a destination technology• How physical AI and robotics rely heavily on AR and spatial understanding• Why smart glasses are emerging as the next AI-native device• What Meta, Apple, Google, and NVIDIA are really signaling with their hardware bets• The hidden risks of eye tracking, biometric data, and always-on augmentation• How digital twins, virtual training, and simulation are reshaping manufacturing and robotics• The uncomfortable truth: we're about to let Big Tech into our most private spacesThis is a candid, funny, and deeply informed conversation about where XR is going, who will control the data, and why augmentation, not immersion, is likely the future.⸻

Alexander Landa is the Co-founder and CEO of Akiva, an AI-driven immersive learning platform that helps neurodivergent individuals build skills through engaging virtual reality lessons. Driven by his experience as a father navigating special education challenges, he founded Akiva to help families, clinicians, and educators foster meaningful progress. With over 25 years of leadership in software and tech startups, Alexander brings deep expertise in building and scaling innovative products. Under his leadership, Akiva continues expanding access to inclusive, science-backed learning experiences that empower users to thrive.  In this episode… Immersive technology is changing the way people learn, connect, and grow — especially for those who experience the world differently. From virtual reality classrooms to AI-powered skill development, new tools are opening doors for more inclusive education. Could immersive learning be the key to helping neurodivergent learners thrive with greater confidence and independence? Alexander Landa, a longtime enterprise software leader and immersive learning innovator, believes it can. He explains that combining virtual reality with artificial intelligence creates a more supportive and engaging environment for individuals with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent conditions. He highlights how Akiva's platform personalizes learning through recommendation models and progress prediction, giving families and educators clearer insight into development. This approach helps learners build essential life and communication skills in a way that feels natural and empowering. He also shares why accessibility and dignity are central to the mission. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz speaks with Alexander Landa, Co-founder and CEO of Akiva, to discuss immersive learning for neurodivergent learners. They explore how VR and AI support autism education, why Meta Quest is a powerful delivery tool, and the SPACE framework behind Akiva's approach. Alexander also shares his favorite resources and business-building lessons.

Melanie Wise, a former model and actress, discusses her transition to producing due to height-related challenges in acting. She produced the horror action film "Hannah's Gift," which she also starred in, and faced issues with lost masters and ineffective editors.Wise co-founded the Artemis Film Festival to showcase women in action roles, highlighting historical female contributions and contemporary achievements. The festival, fan-backed and media-partnered, aims to prove the marketability of women in action films. Wise also discusses the potential of VR technology and its impact on storytelling.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.

This week, Elle and Vee play Whoreible Life with sexologist, relationship coach, and host of In Bed with Alexa podcast, Alexa Andre. As usual, a few cards turn into larger conversations about being a unicorn, OnlyFans, orgies, the best kind of dildo, latex fantasies, receiving pleasure, and why couple privilege can make or break group sex. Messy, honest, hilarious, and very on-brand.What is Whoreible Life? Whoreible Life is a sex-positive card game designed to spark honest, funny, and sometimes unhinged conversations about sex and kink. Each card presents a prompt, scenario, or choice, and players can use the deck as an icebreaker, a storytelling tool, or, as in this episode, a Fuck/Marry/Kill framework that opens the door to deep discussion, personal revelations, and unexpected wisdom.Fuck/Marry/Kill: Full Body Latex, Sex Website Profile, Be a UnicornLatex: the pros and cons. (5:50)Sex Website Profile: should Vee make an OnlyFans? (8:08)OnlyFans, taking sexy pics of yourself, and how to do it. (12:27)Elle's Technique for a Sexy Selfie Video. (20:06)Being a Unicorn: couple privilege, and how to treat a unicorn. (21:13)Naughty Stories: Favorite Memories of Being a Third. (27:21)Learning to Receive: worshipping pussy. (34:53)Fuck/Marry/Kill: Orgy of 8+, Be Bound with Rope, Watch VR Porn (38:56)Apple Vision Pro: why Elle would kill VR porn. (43:01)Orgy stories: what makes a good orgy flow? (44:41) Inserting Toys: Dildos vs dicks vs hands vs Njoy. (52:29)Final Nuggets: “fuck first”, “eat pussy”, and “sex ends when you're satisfied”. (55:39)Support the showWhere to Find Us & How to Support the Show:

From CES 2026 and Showstoppers, Matthew Boyer, Global Sales Director for SwipeVideo, demonstrated their immersive reality video player that works on standard devices without VR. The technology synchronizes multiple camera shots from 2 to 30 cameras, allowing viewers to swipe between perspectives during live events like sports, concerts, and education. Using iPhones or professional cameras streaming in 1080p or 4K, the system maintains high resolution without buffering. A revenue-sharing model requires no upfront costs for live events with 100+ viewers.  Show Notes: Support: Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon      http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect: Web:      http://macvoices.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner      http://www.twitter.com/macvoices Mastodon:      https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner MacVoices Page on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/ MacVoices Group on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/ Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes      Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher: Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

From CES 2026 and Showstoppers, Matthew Boyer, Global Sales Director for SwipeVideo, demonstrated their immersive reality video player that works on standard devices without VR. The technology synchronizes multiple camera shots from 2 to 30 cameras, allowing viewers to swipe between perspectives during live events like sports, concerts, and education. Using iPhones or professional cameras streaming in 1080p or 4K, the system maintains high resolution without buffering. A revenue-sharing model requires no upfront costs for live events with 100+ viewers.  Show Notes: Support:      Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon      http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect:      Web:      http://macvoices.com      Twitter:      http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner      http://www.twitter.com/macvoices      Mastodon:      https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner      Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner      MacVoices Page on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/      MacVoices Group on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice      LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/      Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes      Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:      Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

Lors de mon plus récent passage à Las Vegas, j'ai vécu Interstellar Arc, une expérience immersive en réalité virtuelle signée Félix & Paul Studios, présentée à Area 15. Équipé d'un casque VR et guidé par un parcours physique synchronisé, il se déplace librement à l'intérieur d'un vaste vaisseau interstellaire, sans perte de repères ni inconfort. L'expérience mise sur la narration, la présence corporelle et la dimension collective, avec communication entre participants et souvenirs visuels envoyés après la visite. Plus qu'un simple spectacle, Interstellar Arc propose un monde à explorer, à son rythme, et offre un aperçu très concret de ce que pourrait devenir le divertissement immersif dans un avenir proche.

In this episode, we're answering questions from organizations about voter registration, which is, of course, timely given the upcoming midterm election season. Since these activities occur within an electoral framework, it's crucial to keep various legal aspects in mind while crafting and executing your voter registration campaigns. We'll discuss the key considerations related to nonprofit tax law, federal election law, and state law.  Attorneys for this episode Sarah Efthymiou  Susan Finkle Sourlis   Monika Graham   Voter Registration   501(c)(3) nonprofits are effective voter registration advocates because they are trusted, nonpartisan organizations with deep ties to their communities, especially populations that are often underrepresented in the electoral process. By conducting voter registration drives, they remove practical barriers to voting, help people navigate confusing rules and deadlines, and expand equitable access to civic participation. This work strengthens democracy without endorsing candidates or parties and aligns with nonprofit missions by empowering communities to have a voice in the policies that affect their lives.  Why are c3s effective voter registration advocates?   Deep trust and credibility.   Direct access to underrepresented voters.   Nonpartisan by law.   Education + assistance.   Long-term relationship building.   Why host voter registration programs?   Registration is the biggest barrier to voting.   They increase participation and equity.   They normalize civic engagement.   They strengthen democracy (without being partisan).   They align with many nonprofit missions.   Federal Tax Law:   Federal tax law allows 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to engage in voter registration and education activities, as long as those efforts are conducted in a strictly nonpartisan manner. Understanding these rules is essential to ensure compliance while encouraging civic participation and protecting the organization's tax-exempt status.  I'm a 501(c)(3) public charity. How can I engage in VR without jeopardizing my status?  501(c)(3) public charities must conduct all voter registration activities in a strictly nonpartisan manner.   Voter registration activities should be designed to encourage participation by all eligible individuals.   Any targeting of voter registration efforts must be based on neutral, nonpartisan criteria.   Organizations should exercise caution when connecting issue advocacy with voter registration activities.     I've heard that there are bad actors out there trying to "catch" c3's doing something wrong. What can we do to protect ourselves?  Prepare for challenging questions by having a trusted partner ("buddy system") during voter engagement.   Consider having a point person designated to handle tricky situations and/or suspicious questions.   Invest in thorough training for all staff and volunteers involved in voter registration efforts.   Federal Election Law  Under federal election law and the rules governing 501(c)(3) organizations, charities and other tax-exempt nonprofits may engage in voter registration and other civic engagement activities as long as they remain strictly nonpartisan and do not support or oppose any candidate or political party. This limitation stems from the Johnson Amendment and IRS regulations, which prohibit political campaign intervention but explicitly allow educational and voter registration efforts that help people participate in the electoral process withneutrality.   What are some FEC rules we should be aware of to stay in compliance?   Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations strictly prohibit coordination of voter registration activities with candidates, political parties, or campaigns.   Since the Citizens United decision, independent expenditures related to voter registration and partisan targeting are allowed for 501(c)(4) organizations but remain prohibited for 501(c)(3)s.   Under no circumstances can 501(c)(3) organizations offer payments or anything of value—including food, gifts, or incentives like pizza—in exchange for voter registration.   State Regulations  State laws play an important role in shaping how 501(c)(3) organizations conduct voter registration activities. While federal law allows nonprofits to engage in nonpartisan voter registration, each state sets its own rules around registration procedures, deadlines, training requirements, and handling of voter information. Understanding and complying withapplicable state laws is essential for 501(c)(3)s to conduct voter registration safely, legally, and effectively.  Do we need to watch out for anything on the state level?  Yes, potentially. Voter registration rules and requirements can vary widely by state, so it's essential to consult your state elections office for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.   States often have specific legal requirements for organizations conducting voter registration drives.   Proper submission of completed voter registration forms is critical for validating registrations and maintaining compliance.   Are there any state developments to be aware of?  There is a growing divide among states between those actively expanding voter access and those implementing increasingly restrictive voting laws.   Several states are pursuing more restrictive policies that risk disenfranchising eligible voters by imposing stricter identification requirements or limiting mail-in voting access.   Funding Sources  Funding sources can affect how 501(c)(3) organizations conduct voter registration activities. While nonprofits may use private or foundation funds for nonpartisan voter registration, certain funding sources—such as government grants or restricted donations—may impose additional conditions or limitations. Understanding these funding rules helps ensure voter registration efforts remain compliant, nonpartisan, and consistent with both legal requirements and funder expectations.    What funds can 501(c)(3) organizations use to fund VR efforts?   Both public and private foundations can provide vital funding to 501(c)(3) organizations conducting voter registration drives, supporting nonpartisan civic engagement and expanding democratic participation.   Under IRS rules, private foundations cannot earmark grants exclusively for voter registration drives unless they comply with the detailed requirements of 26 CFR 4945(f):  The organization sponsoring or conducting the voter registration drive (the sponsoring organization) must be a 501(c)(3) organization  The registration activities of the sponsoring organization must be nonpartisan, conducted in five or more states, and occur over more than one election cycle  A contribution for such activities may not be subject to conditions requiring use in a specific state (or political subdivision) or in a specific election cycle  At least 85 percent of the sponsoring organization's income must be directly spent on activities relating to the purpose for which it was organized and operated, and  At least 85 percent of the sponsoring organization's support, other than gross investment income, must be contributed by exempt organizations, the general public, or government units; no more than 25 percent of its support may come from any one exempt organization; and no more than 50 percent of its support may come from gross investment income (interest, dividends, or other investment-related income)    Resources  Want to Conduct or Fund a Voter Registration Drive?  The Rules of the Game: A Guide to Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3) Organizations  Voter Registration Rules for Private Foundations  Practical Guidance: Nonprofit Voter Assistance Series  Nonprofits, Elections, & the Fine Art of Remaining Nonpartisan  United States Election Assistance Commission  Vote 411   

When ideas meet machines and many hands shape one work, where does creativity begin? In episode 3 of Art in Focus series 2, Investec's Tristanne Farrell invites curator Antonia Strauss, artist Aaron Philander and gallerist Brett Bellairs to unpack how technology is transforming not just into how art is made and sold, but how it's experienced and valued. From AI to VR, African artists are engaging with tech and repurposing in new ways, challenging traditional notions of originality and artistic value. KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Meet the Guests: Antonia, Aaron, and Brett 01:27 Personal journeys into the art world 06:37 Artistic voice, collectors and emerging practice 09:58 Challenges and opportunities for young artists 11:40 The Role of AI and technology in contemporary art 13:11 What makes an artwork an original? 16:25 The Ship of Theseus and art restoration 18:05 Conceptual art and temporal nature 19:24 The Lost Leonardo and authorship 21:30 Found objects and personal narratives 23:47 The future of digital and AI art 25:20 Protecting artists' intellectual property 26:08 Trends and movements in the art market 28:15 Encouraging young collectors 30:28 Dream art collections 32:30 Conclusion Investec Focus Radio SA

Recorded live at our Founders Summit, a16z general partner Chris Dixon speaks with Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril and Oculus VR. They talk about what it takes to build hardware at scale, where the biggest technological bottlenecks are today, and why optimism is still warranted despite geopolitical turmoil and regulatory constraints. They also cover crypto, stablecoins, modern warfare, the U.S.–China technology race, AI and manufacturing, and frontiers like fusion and quantum computing—plus lessons from Oculus, the founding of Anduril, and how to build mission-driven teams. Resources:Follow Palmer Luckey on X: https://twitter.com/PalmerLuckeyFollow Chris Dixon on X: https://twitter.com/cdixon Stay Updated:If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends!Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zListen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYXListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures. Stay Updated:Find a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Show on SpotifyListen to the a16z Show on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we FUDGE out to chat'n'prov about Tim's foot health, Dan's VR obsession and Damian being Mandela effected by Avatar. Minnesota Ways to Help⁠Join our Patreon ⁠for $5 a month for bonus eps, back log eps, and exclusive premium content!Hosts:Hosts: ⁠Damian Anaya⁠, ⁠Tim Lyons⁠, and ⁠Dan White⁠

Phil talks about the importance of building authentic brands, connecting with consumers, leveraging storytelling in marketing, as well as his latest book, 'The Why Behind the Buy'. He also shares his thoughts on the role of websites, social media, and various technological advancements like AR, VR, and AI in modern marketing! Phil Masiello is a 4x exit entrepreneur, 3x Best Selling Author and visionary leader with over two decades of experience in e-commerce, marketing, and startups. As the founder of CrunchGrowth, he has significantly impacted business strategy and digital commerce through innovation and strategic insight.

Virtual reality can remove the biggest barriers to evidence-based mental health treatment by making exposure therapy affordable, scalable, and accessible anywhere. In this episode, Adam Hutchinson, founder of oVRcome, discusses how lived experience with social anxiety and a background in technology led him to build a VR platform that expands access to exposure therapy worldwide. He explains why traditional exposure therapy is difficult, costly, and impractical for many conditions, and how VR “tricks the brain” to safely replicate real-world triggers without physical constraints. Adam explores the clinical value of immersive, filmed VR environments, the emerging role of generative AI in personalizing treatment, and the importance of maintaining realism for effective outcomes. He also shares insights from scaling a global startup from New Zealand, highlights use cases across self-help, clinicians, schools, payers, and health systems, and emphasizes the role of caregivers in successful treatment journeys. Tune in and discover how immersive technology is revolutionizing anxiety care, lowering costs, and increasing access to proven mental health treatments worldwide! Resources: Connect with and follow Adam Hutchinson on ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Follow oVRcome on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and explore their ⁠website⁠. 

Edward Saatchi has been building at the frontier of AI storytelling for a decade—from Oculus Story Studios to Fable (where his AI character Lucy made her own films at Sundance) to his current venture, Amazon-backed Showrunner. His thesis is provocative: AI-generated content is stuck in a four-year rut of short-form experiments with no commercial marketplace, no monetization path, and no artistic value. Creators are working solo, making 10-second clips that can't compete with Rick and Morty or Netflix originals. The solution? Band together, make features and TV shows, and build platforms where creators get paid every time someone remixes their work.Edward's most audacious project proves the point: reconstructing Orson Welles' lost masterpiece, The Magnificent Ambersons (44 minutes destroyed by studio cuts in 1942), using motion-capture actors and AI to seamlessly restore what was erased. The irony is intentional—it's a film about technology destroying beauty, restored by technology. Edward's approach isn't text-to-video slop. It's human performance driving AI synthesis: hire stage actors, capture their performances, use the original cutting continuity as a blueprint, and let AI fill the gaps. The result is cinema-quality work that would cost $100 million traditionally but costs $10 million with AI assistance.In AI XR News This Week: Amazon announces 16,000 layoffs (mostly middle management) while ramping robotics—replacing humans with machines in warehouses. Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores close after years of investment; the self-checkout convenience experiment dies. Snap spins off Spectacles AR glasses into a separate business, signaling lack of cash or confidence. Apple and OpenAI both developing AI wearables to launch in 2027, powered by Gemini and Google AI. Google launches Project Genie, a generative AI model that creates fully interactive 3D game worlds you can navigate and remix in real time. Walkabout Mini Golf (one of the 10 most popular Quest apps) lays off half its staff. Atlas V, the acclaimed French VR studio behind Spheres and Battle Scar, pivots to location-based entertainment. Darren Aronofsky launches an AI animated series on YouTube called On This Day.Key Moments Timestamps:[00:05:00] Amazon's 16,000 layoffs paired with robotics expansion; the canary in the coal mine for white-collar work[00:06:00] Amazon Go/Fresh failure: humans reject automated futures when given the choice[00:07:14] Snap spinning off Spectacles; Ted's thesis on AR glasses remaining "exotic," not mainstream[00:10:00] Apple wearables running Gemini + Google AI; the winning formula for wearable AI domination[00:12:48] Walkabout Mini Golf layoffs and Atlas V's pivot; VR right-sizing continues[00:15:25] Google Genie: generative 3D worlds, playable and remixable in real time; Epic should be scared[00:19:11] Edward Saatchi joins: the state of AI video and why there's no marketplace after 4 years[00:22:00] Edward's concern: AI content is "derivative but worse" with no commercial value[00:28:00] The marketplace problem: no buyers, no revenue, no sustainability for creators[00:34:00] Ted's thesis: AI is quietly disrupting VFX and screenwriting behind the scenes[00:44:00] Critters: the proof-of-concept for AI-assisted theatrical animation ($10M vs. $100M traditionally)[00:49:00] Showrunner's business model: creators earn money every time someone remixes their show[00:52:00] The Magnificent Ambersons project: restoring Orson Welles' lost masterpiece with AIEdward makes a case that reads like a manifesto: AI's killer app isn't making derivative work faster or cheaper. It's remix, interactivity, and personalization at scale—letting audiences co-create with AI while creators get paid. His challenge to the industry: hold yourself to "derivative but better" (can you make a better Simpsons episode than the last 15 seasons?) or "original and good" (something from a non-human intelligence's perspective). Until creators band together to make features and TV shows with commercial value, AI video will remain stuck in the trough of disillusionment.This episode is brought to you by Zappar, creators of Mattercraft—the leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences for mobile headsets and desktop. Mattercraft combines the power of a game engine with the flexibility of the web, and now features an AI assistant that helps you design, code, and debug in real time, right in your browser. Build smarter at mattercraft.io.Listen to the full episode and subscribe to the AI XR Podcast for weekly conversations at the intersection of AI, entertainment, and the future of interactive media. Watch on YouTube.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Active Reload! This week, James, Grant, and Steven, discuss video game reviews! Who they like to listen to when it comes to reviews, as well as their opinion on numbered reviews and non-numbered reviews. That leads them into a conversation about what their exact middle of the road games are, their five out of tens that they use as a base point for other games.It's also a big week in releases with a new pilot dog fighting VR game that looks incredible. Quietly Nioh 3 is out this week, and a new Grant and Odin game!Remember to rate, follow, like, and subscribe!

ILP# 432 2/1/2026https://lordsofgaming.net/LORDS AFTER DARK on Insider Game App! ANDROID: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidergaming.appIOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/insider-gaming/id67539846481) ADVANCEDGG Use Code "IRONLORD" for 10% off https://advanced.gg/pages/partner-ironlords?_pos=12) VALARI PILLOW Use Code "ILP15" valari.gg/?ref=ironlordspodcastroundtable3)  ILP MERCH: https://ironlordspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/allsofgaming.net/4) NZXT & IRON LORDS PC Use Affiliate LINK: https://nzxt.co/Lords5) HAWORTH Gaming Chairs & ILP Use Affiliate LINK: https://haworth.pxf.io/4PKj7M*********************************************************00:00 - ILP#432 Pre-show20:45 - ILP #432 Intro1:14:40 - Xbox Revenue Decline2:05:24 - GTA 6 Digital Only Rumors?2:49:52 - ILP Factor Meals2:54:55 - Highguard Launch Impressions4:02:13 - PlayStation Portal OLED4:19:29 - ILP#432 Outro*********************************************************Welcome to The Iron Lords Podcast!Be sure to visit www.LordsOfGaming.net for all your gaming news!ILP Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6XRMnu8Tf1fgIdGlTIpzsKILP Google Play:play.google.com/music/m/Iz2esvyqe…ron_Lords_PodcastILP SoundCloud: @user-780168349ILP Itunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/iron-…uiR-IgF6cE9EQicIILP on Twitter: twitter.cm/IronLordPodcastILP on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ironlordspodcast/ILP DESTINY CLAN:www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Detail/178626The Iron Lords and the Lords of Gaming have an official group on Facebook! Join the Lords at:www.facebook.com/groups/194793427842267www.facebook.com/groups/lordsofgamingnetwork/Lord COGNITO--- twitter.com/LordCognitoLord KING--- twitter.com/kingdavidotwLord ADDICT--- twitter.com/LordAddictILPLord SOVEREIGN--- twitter.com/LordSovILPLord GAMING FORTE---twitter.com/Gaming_ForteILP YouTube Channel for ILP, Addict Show & all ILP related content: www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiUhEbYWiuwRuWXzKZMBxQXbox Frontline with King David: www.youtube.com/@xboxfrontlineFollow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content.

On this episode of the Ruff Talk VR podcast we are back at it talking all the latest VR news! Including Virtual Hunter coming to Meta Quest and PS VR2 this March, GOLF+ hitting PCVR and flatscreen, a new Synth Riders Queen song drop, The Magician VR, a Jolly Match 3 MR update, Quest v85, the newly announced Lynx-R2, and more!0:00 - Episode start2:20 - Virtual Hunter PS VR2 and Meta Quest9:20 - GOLF+ PCVR and PC Flatscreen17:20 - Synth Riders Queen "We Are The Champions" 21:00 - The Magician VR 26:20 - Jolly Match 3 MR Player Profiles & Competitive Leaderboards 29:25 - Quest 3 v85 PTC Virtual Keyboard34:45 - Lynx-R240:45 - Quest v85Use code RUFFTALKVR at checkout to save on any game or hardware on the Meta Quest store and help support the show!Big thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Become a supporter of the show today at https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrDiscord: https://discord.gg/9JTdCccucSPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrIf you enjoy the podcast be sure to rate us 5 stars and subscribe! Join our official subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/RuffTalkVR/Support the show

It's been really cold here in Ohio, and Drew's mental illnesses are causing him to make "logical" purchases. Paul's water heater breaks. Paul talks about his latest AI obsession: Claude Code. Drew flirts with the idea of a new VR headset. Drew explores classic Macintosh emulation. Recorded 01/30/2026 Show Links: Flir One - Thermal Imaging Camera for iOS Smartphones (iPhone 15 and Newer w/USB-C), 240x180 Super Resolution (80x60 Native IR) Claude Code OpenClaw Pimax Crystal Super SheepShaver Macintosh Garden MyAbandonWare Infinite Mac

What happens when workforce innovation stops focusing on individuals alone—and starts supporting entire families? In this episode of Manager Minute, Carol Pankow sits down with Lucas Halverson and Kathy Davis of ServiceSource to explore Families Achieving Self-Sufficiency Together (FASST)—a Disability Innovation Fund initiative that's connecting VR, TANF, employers, and community partners in a powerful new way. You'll hear how FASST: ·       Tackles generational poverty through a family-centered employment model ·       Supports disconnected youth and adults with disabilities across multiple states ·       Complements VR services without duplicating them ·       Uses AI-powered job matching and strong employer partnerships ·       Creates real solutions during Order of Selection and funding constraints This conversation is a must-listen for VR leaders, program managers, and partners looking for scalable, practical models that expand impact without expanding cost.   Listen Here   Full Transcript:   {Music} Lucas: The big goal is to break the cycle of poverty. We want to create lasting self-sufficiency, reduce the need for benefits and things of that nature.   Kathy: The beauty of this project is that it was originally designed for six sites across multiple states.   Lucas: We don't intend as a program to supplant programs that already exist, but we do intend to supplement or fill the gaps that exist.   Kathy: We are one as part of this project, and you would not have to pay fee for service or contract us. We're already being paid through the grant.   Intro Voice: Manager Minute, brought to you by the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center. Conversations powered by VR. One manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your host, Carol Pankow.   Carol: Welcome to the manager minute. In today's episode, we're diving into one of the exciting initiatives funded through the Rehab Services Administration's Disability Innovation Fund 21st Century Workforce Grants. And these grants were designed to spark new ideas and scalable strategies that help youth and adults with disabilities prepare for and succeed in today's rapidly changing world of work. From artificial intelligence and virtual reality to cross-system partnerships and new ways of engaging employers. These projects are testing innovative models that could reshape how we think about disability employment for the 21st century. And one of those projects, launched just this past year, is led by ServiceSource, and it's taking a unique approach to helping families move toward self-sufficiency and employment. And joining me today to talk about it are Lucas Halverson, project director, and Kathy Davis, one of the key leaders behind this groundbreaking effort. So how goes it, Lucas?   Lucas: Hey, good morning Carol. Everything's going very well. Thank you so much for inviting us to talk about our project today. We're extremely excited to be here to talk about our project Families Achieving Self-sufficiency Together. We also call it fasst with two S's. So thanks again for having us.   Carol: You bet. How about you, Kathy? How are you doing?   Kathy: I'm doing great, Carol, thanks so much for having us. We are definitely excited to speak with you about our grant, which is short for that Disability Innovation Fund.   Carol: Excellent. Yeah, I've had a lot of experience talking with other DIF grantees in like the C.D.E.F. We always give them the little alphabet soup label, but there have been different focuses each year that RSA had released the Disability Innovation Fund grant. So it's been really fun to catch up and see what things are happening. So let's dig in. So before we get into the details of your project, Lucas, could you tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to be involved in this work?   Lucas: Yeah, absolutely. So my entire professional career is related to helping others. That started as an employment development specialist right after my bachelor's degree, focusing on all things employment placement, support services, community based, competitive, integrated employment. I transitioned from that into helping individuals with more significant disabilities prepare for employment. I've done a little bit of group and individual substance abuse counseling, but largely the last 15 years or so, I've been in the world of vocational rehabilitation in a variety of roles, both on the public side and the private sector side, and was happy through those wonderful years to get my master's degree in rehab counseling and my certified rehabilitation counselor credential. So to present day, I've been with ServiceSorce for over ten years, and when the grant was awarded, I looked at it as an opportunity to still stay in the world that I love of helping people, but knew it would expand my skills and really looked at it as an opportunity to bring a pretty large proposal to life. And so here we are, fresh into the second year of our project and seeing all of that happen. So very exciting.   Carol: It's very cool. I love finding people's stories, like how you found your way into this world of work, because we all came in a long and winding road different ways, but make it in. And then once you're in, you're kind of hooked. It's hard to leave. So, Kathy, how about you? How did you come to be involved in this work?   Kathy: Well, same. I love people's stories about how they find their vocation. And I have also been serving individuals with disabilities for a very long time, well over 20 years. I started as a volunteer in high school with Easter Seals, and from there, I did volunteer work with therapeutic horseback riding. I eventually also went back to school and got my master's in rehab counseling and became a nonprofit community mental health counselor and a traumatic brain injury program manager. And because of my background in counseling and also a previous master's degree in economics, when the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act was being discussed,  and the emphasis changed to or included employers. My econ background and my master's rehab counseling background made me a little bit of a unicorn, and I was hired by a Blind services agency around 2012. And then I also did business relations for them. And then I was hired to start the first business relations program at one of the VR agencies. And really, my golden thread throughout all of my career has been starting new programs. No matter what role I've been in. I love new things, I love innovation, and so DIF has been a perfect fit for me. I'm also working on my doctorate degree, almost finished with that and doing a Pre-ETS dissertation. So I have a really strong interest in evaluation. And so evaluation actually brought me to this project. And I serve as an internal evaluator for it.   Carol: Wow, you are a unicorn. Let me say that is exciting. Very fun. Thanks for sharing that. So when you two first saw the grant announcement, what caught your attention and made you want to apply?   Lucas: Yeah. So this DIF grant cycle the F grant cycle was the first time nonprofit organizations were eligible to apply. So it was a unique opportunity for ServiceSource. And so our program development team recognized that our agency had the capacity to try to take this on, and also the expertise to successfully apply with a strong proposal, but then also administer and monitor the program successfully. So our organization, ServiceSource, is a leading service provider and employer for individuals with disabilities. So it made us well positioned to deliver impactful outcomes under this project. The DIF grant in general definitely aligns very closely with our mission and our vision and our values. And we have affiliated organizational model that we felt would provide a strategic advantage with this project. So it's allowing us to have a fairly large geographic reach. We have several teams across the country all working together on this project, and it also allows us to leverage partnerships and resources that have already been in existence across these teams and these affiliates to have the greatest impact that we can. And so really, the alignment and the capacity gave us confidence that we could do what this grant needed us to do. And so we're in that second year and really getting rocking and rolling now.   Carol: Yeah, I hadn't realized that ServiceSource had such a big footprint because I was familiar with the work ServiceSource did in Florida, and Tina down in Florida and working with the Florida General Agency. In fact, we did a podcast about that and that particular model, and I knew there were little fingers of that kind of had spread out, I believe, into a few different states, but I hadn't realized, like, really how expansive ServiceSource was. So that is an excellent point that it really positioned you well for this. Now your project family is achieving self-sufficiency together. As you said FASST with the two S's. So no, we don't have a typo. If they read the transcript later, we didn't have a spelling error. It is the FASST you really launched at the end of June. I know that first year is always a very big planning year and getting things ready. Can you give us a quick overview of what the initiative is about, and really what motivated your focus on families?   Lucas: Yeah, absolutely. Really the high level focus aims to help disconnected youth and disconnected adults with disabilities achieve competitive, integrated employment. In addition, you know, using early intervention workforce reintegration strategies to support long term success. That's where the whole self-sufficiency piece comes in, uniquely for our project. But overall, FASST is, as I mentioned, a multi-state initiative, and we want to empower disconnected adults and youth with disabilities. Our core focus is individuals that are eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF. So that's part of our eligibility requirement. And the ultimate focus is to remove barriers to employment and to independence. And so we do that by connecting families to community partners such as vocational rehabilitation, training providers, employers. But we also have staff that assist the individuals we're serving, build those critical skills such as job readiness, financial capability. And we have a case manager component to the team. Each team has a case manager to help with that kind of wraparound, holistic approach, to try to knock down as many barriers as possible. The big goal is to break the cycle of poverty, looking at kind of that two generational approach. We want to create lasting self-sufficiency, reduce the need for benefits and things of that nature. So pretty big goals. But we have a solid team that I'm confident can hit those goals with us.   Kathy: So and related to goals, we really our project has three overall goals. And as Lucas mentioned, it is to connect disconnected adults to find and retain that competitive integrated employment. But I'll also add that we want to have at least one high quality indicator as part of that employment, and we're helping to support them to retain their employment for at least 90 days. But we're also tracking beyond 90 days. And that's one of the really exciting and fun parts of this project. Unlike vocational rehabilitation, where you'd see a closure at 90 days, we're able to support individuals for the remainder of the project if that's what it takes to help them maintain their employment. The second overarching goal that we have is for the youth, disconnected youth ages 14 to 24. Our goal is to help them gain work skills and then either enter employment or enter education and or complete education. And then finally, the third goal would be to build the system's capacity with all of our partners to sustain our model and be able to serve more TANF recipients.   Carol: I like your holistic approach that you guys have brought up. I know back in the day, as customers would come in the door, and I was working at State Services for the Blind in Minnesota. You're looking at employment, but it's hard to just talk employment right off the get go. If people don't have food or your housing is unstable or you have all the other issues, so you've got to kind of connect all the pieces together. Employment obviously is a very important piece of this, but it isn't the only piece. You got to have it all work together.   Lucas: You make a great point, because I realized I didn't touch on the motivation to focus on families as part of this, and it's largely what you just described. You know, we recognize that families are key support systems for the individuals that we're serving. Families strongly influence decisions about anything but including employment and training, career paths. And so our whole focus is trying to have an alignment to that. And again, with our case management, part of our staffing, looking at the barriers, making sure they're addressed to increase those chances of success, because just as you said, there's not transportation, there's not a job. If there's not a house over your head, there's not a job if you don't have food. So all caregiver responsibilities and so the family tie in is really looking at barriers that affect the family. So could be the parent could be a child. But we know how it impacts the household. It creates kind of that ripple effect. And so not addressing it holistically could be a key piece missing. And so kind of the core motivation I guess to capitalize on that is to increase skills, of course, relating to employment, but also to again try to reduce the reliance on benefits as part of that. So knocking down barriers, helping go to work, reducing that need. And one of the key points with our project is as things are evolving, it does align with some of the current different federal agency initiatives. So, for example, children and families is emphasizing employment as a pathway to self-sufficiency. So that's very close to what we're looking at. And another example is Health and Human Services. They're looking at employment and family as the foundation of economic and social well-being. So our project really kind of just fits and plugs into that, because that is what our goal is with the larger focus. But I do think the holistic piece is extremely valuable for this project and will continue to be.   Carol: Yeah, you guys are definitely ahead of the curve because when I saw that that you guys had picked TANF, you know, at first I'm like, well that's interesting. Like how did you come to that? You know, to decide you were going to focus on those folks eligible for TANF and kind of make that the centerpiece?   Lucas: Yeah. So the program development folks that really dug into the proposal, part of the application process did a lot of research and found that largely there was a disconnect. There are a lot of folks that are eligible for TANF or receiving TANF that were appropriate for other agencies, such as vocational rehab, just as one example. But the tie in often wasn't there. It wasn't happening. And so, as Kathy mentioned, one of our goals is to hopefully have some better pipelines for that. So for folks and entities that are naturally working with individuals with TANF to understanding no important programs such as vocational rehab exist and what that looks like and what the scope is and what they can help with. So it just kind of was a noticed need and kind of became one of the key parts of, of this proposal when it was getting all put together.   Carol: I think that's brilliant because you always look at kind of VR can be the best kept secret. People say that all the time, and even though it seems like it would be apparent, like, why wouldn't you, you know, get connected with VR and you're in this program. People don't know that. And it's not necessary that the staff may be working in TANF, even know about VR or what's going on. We don't always do the best job at connecting with all the different partners and other folk out there.   Lucas: Another part of that decision to again, ServiceSource operating many programs across the country. There are a couple TANF specific programs that ServiceSource operated for many years, one being in Virginia that partners with the Virginia Department of Social Services, and then another unrelated program in Denver in Colorado. So there's already some knowledge base of that in addition to the research they all did. So it helped us kind of align with one of our corporate strategic goals of expansion and wanting to increase our support to individuals that are eligible for TANF. And so it kind of checked a, checked a lot of mini boxes, both there being a need and interest from our company with our goal of expanding and serving, you know, additional individuals. So it kind of presented just almost a natural opportunity, I guess, as it was all coming together. And I think it gives, you know, a pretty solid opportunity to try to interrupt the generational poverty that exists within families.   Carol: Well, that's where the magic happens. There's nothing better than having a project that fits with your own corporate mission. You know, the stars are aligned, things all sync up. It's not like you're having to kind of fit round, peg in a square hole or whatever, the square peg in a round hole, because it's all aligned really well. Now, I understand you recently received approval to expand your focus to include disconnected youth such as those in foster care, the justice system. How does that change the picture of your work going forward?   Lucas: Yeah, so kind of a really cool example. So with the DIF grants, one of the key focuses on being innovative and being flexible in changing with what you're finding during your project. And so very early on, not long after we launched the project and began some large increased efforts with outreach almost immediately, there were a handful of situations that involve youth that met the larger definition of disconnected, but didn't quite meet our project eligibility of being in a household that had a parent or guardian eligible for TANF benefits. And so we originally had intended to focus on those youth later in the project. But we talked about it and we did not want to exclude individuals. We knew we had the expertise and interest to serve, and we certainly did not want to risk coming back in the months or years ahead trying to find them. You know, it's kind of like the hot potato. If you have youth that are interested, now is the time. And so we worked with our project officer from RSA and they were very supportive of us expanding our focus to the broader definition of disconnected youth a little bit sooner than we originally planned, of course, but so that expansion includes youth now that are in foster care, the justice system that are low income or don't have stable housing. And so they don't have to have that TANF tie in for, for that kind of subgroup, but still relates very directly to our mission of serving the disconnected youth and adults within the project.   Carol: Yeah, I like that. You recognize that, you know, and take advantage of that as you're seeing that. And that's kind of the beauty of these projects, because they do ebb and flow based on how things are rolling and what you write in a proposal. As everything comes to fruition, you realize different things and you're like, oh, you know, maybe we get to pivot or do something a little differently or whatever that may be, or make this addition and it just makes the project better. I love the flexibility that RSA has with the projects to allow that kind of expansion and changes as you're going along. So I understand you've got six teams working across six states under this shared framework. How does that structure work, and what have you learned so far about coordinating across all these different regions?   Lucas: Yeah, I'm proud and very happy to report that it's been working incredibly well so far. It's kind of a new experience for our organization as well because it's bringing together multiple affiliated teams, but working collectively on the same project at the same time with shared goals. So from the start, when Kathy and I were putting this all together, one of the elements that really wasn't negotiable was building a sense of community within our team. Since we're all working on the same grant, have the same expectations. We knew if everybody was working in their own silo, it would be, you know, highly unnecessary and really counterproductive to what we're wanting to do. So we spent a lot of time in the earlier stages and continue to with emphasizing cross team collaboration. It's really kind of the key driver to our success and our continued success. And so some of the efforts to make this team that's spread across the country feel like we're all sitting in the same office space together, is having weekly meetings. So Kathy and I lead a weekly meeting with all the grant funded staff, their supervisors, the executive directors for the different affiliates, other subject matter experts from our organization, and then different contractors as necessary that are on the project. And we focus on anything and everything relating to the project, so it could be updates, progress, best practices, things that seem to be going well, maybe things that we need to work a little better on any process reviews we need to do. So we go through just anything that's relevant each week, keeps that engagement there, keeps everybody, you know, interacting. And beyond that, we also knew that with having some external contractors on the project that we really needed that to be bought in from the staff as well. And so we had kick off meetings with each contractor, both with our large group and then with each individual team, really just to build rapport, clarify roles, responsibilities, expectations, how it was going to work, what the goals were, and just start those relationships strong as well. You know, there's so much going on when you launch a project that we didn't want our external folks not to feel a partner like our internal folks. And so that's been going remarkably well. And then lastly, the last comment I'll make on this is that we also recognize that because we have really three position types that are working directly with the individuals we're serving, again, spread out across the country. We really wanted them to feel together and not, again, not separate. And so each position has its own community of practice. They meet monthly, they share best practices. They discuss challenges, Brainstorm ideas. For example, case manager in Florida found a gem of a resource that's national. There's no reason our case manager in Utah should have to spend time finding that as well. They talk about it. They you know, hey, I found this. This is great. It might help each other. And so those meetings we've had a lot of positive response on and Kathy and I hop on, if they have a topic they want us to discuss or, you know, problem solve with them. And so we've really felt that's helped bridge that large geographic distance across the teams. And we're hoping that, you know, turns into high quality and impactful services for the folks we're serving efficiently, serving our individuals and not having multiple people having to spend the same time on the same need.   Kathy: Yeah, I'll add something here, too, from an evaluation perspective. You might be familiar that when you start a new program and it develops into a fully developed, successful project and program, and then you start sharing it nationally. Inevitably, someone will, from another state or another agency outside of your region will say, well, that could never work for us because we're, you know, we have these resources or we're serving this population. The beauty of this project is that it was originally designed for six sites across multiple states. And so our implementation really is across varying populations and community resources. And so this project has such strong potential for successful implementation across multiple states and contexts. So we're very excited that we're really documenting everything that we're doing. We'll have a toolkit when we complete the project, and we're really looking forward to sharing what we're doing and how to do it with others.   Carol: And that's a really important piece to RSA. It's one of the things you write to in the project, like how is this going to be sustained past the project ending? Like how can you then, you know, transfer this information to other folks and they can implement it. So I can see where that was very appealing to them as they're looking at evaluating the different proposals that shoot. Here's a group looking at six states. So you mentioned, Lucas, Utah and Florida. What are the other four states that you're in?   Lucas: Yeah. So we're  in Delaware, North Carolina and Virginia. And we're right now in the process of bringing on a team in Colorado. We have the approval. We're just doing the logistics of what it takes to bring them on. That's one of the ServiceSource teams that has an experienced TANF program. And so we looked at that as another opportunity to be able to already leverage existing relationships and expertise to just tie right into what we were already planning to do in the Colorado team was just a little bit newer to ServiceSource, so they weren't part of the original proposal because they weren't here quite yet, but they now are. So we're extremely excited to have some additional folks joining the team and fitting right into what we're doing.   Carol: That's very cool. I know one of your partners. Our Ability, brings some cutting edge tech into the mix with AI powered job matching and training. How is that partnership helping you engage employers and job seekers in new ways?   Lucas: Yeah, so I think as we all know, the workforce development is just kind of an ever evolving landscape. So bringing Our Ability in, I'm extremely excited. John Robinson, the CEO from Our Ability, is part of our project. And at the core of our partnership is the innovative use of technology. They have a portal that's called Jobs Ability, that uses generative AI to connect job seekers to employment based on their interests, their skills, their expertise. So the system helps focus on the challenge of both unemployment but also underemployment among folks with disabilities. And their platform reaches 15,000 people with disabilities each month, which to me is pretty remarkable. That's a lot of folks consistently visiting and using their resources. And so the job matching will assist with better connections between the individuals were serving and getting into the work world, or trying to help upgrade or increase their employment in a system that's already proven, which, you know, helps with efficiency. They already know it works. And so by us leveraging their extensive employer network within the system, you know, we're really focused on fostering the employment opportunities that encourage and again, increase self-sufficiency.   Kathy: Just kind of expanding on what the Jobs Ability portal will mean for our customers. We'll be able to assist our job seekers with creating quality resumes that are keyed in on skills and experience, and there is an AI matching protocol that really matches their preferences and experiences and skills with job descriptions. It's a proprietary AI system, and so we're really excited about how participants are going to be able to be matched with jobs that actually match their skills. These are real jobs, competitive wages. As we said, we have high quality indicators for our outcomes, including wages. And if you think about it, this is a win for our participants as well as our employers, because they are going to be able to actually tap into qualified individuals with disabilities who meet the skills and experience that they are seeking.   Carol: I love AI. I know there's people I've done different podcasts around, different AI initiatives, and some people have different feelings about AI. I know there's kind of the you have the dark side of it, but this sounds super cool. I had not heard of this company. And about this proprietary software. I think that's very interesting and super smart of you to leverage something already out there, proven tested, can be used right away. Instead of you trying to like, go down the road of creating something and doing all of that, you don't need to waste, you know, time and energy in that when you've got something already done. Now, I know no large project like this starts without a few hurdles. What have been some of your biggest challenges so far, and how are you navigating maybe any kind of overlap with other services or agencies?   Kathy: As you said, VR is a well-kept secret. Many times that's what we hear. And so being experienced with that, when we started the project, we knew the outreach was going to be key. And so we did not wait to start our outreach. And Lucas and I developed a very thorough support system and toolkit for our staff to help them really be purposeful about their outreach. And as soon as people were hired, one of the first things they were told to do after they were up and running with knowledge about the project was to start outreach. And honestly, I think we've become an outreach machine and we're really keeping track of hundreds, hundreds of contacts across our six locations that we've made and also just really analyzing which of those resources are turning into pipelines of referrals. And so I think we're going to be learning a lot about that. One of the things that we also knew from the beginning is that we needed to tailor our outreach to the audience. So we have a library of outreach materials for students, for VR, for employers, for schools and parents. So there's many ways that we have. We also are created outreach in other languages. So we're definitely doing our best to reach as many people as we can about this project, and also equipping our staff to be able to speak about it, to really understand it and to be able to keep track of what we're doing to reach the populations that and stakeholders that we're going to serve.   Carol: Very cool.   Lucas: I was going to talk about the overlap with other agencies. It's been a very real discussion with our teams because, you know, how does FASST fit in with other programs that might do similar types of work. And so, you know, it's an ongoing discussion, teaching staff the significance of a comparable benefit, a very familiar term for our friends that have been in the VR world before. We don't intend as a program to supplant programs that already exist, but we do intend to supplement or fill the gaps that exist. Maybe we can move faster within a process to help somebody now that while they'll go through a process that takes a little bit longer, or maybe we can support someone a little bit longer, like Kathy said before, you know, if someone has a VR counselor and at 90 days, VR is comfortable with closing them, but maybe they might need a little bit more support. That might be a gap we can fill or a little bit more job coaching or financial literacy or something like that. And so we really focused on the design of our project to try to rapidly engage individuals as much as we can. We can serve someone start to finish on our own as a project. We don't have to have a built in external component, but we recognize the significance of resource connection, obviously. So both now and down the road for folks, if they're not receiving our support, knowing what resources exist, who can help with different things. And so it's still an ongoing process. So part of that outreach, Kathy mentioned hundreds and hundreds of outreach. We have to hit folks with the right info that makes sense to them. And so for as long as this project's going, I think it will always be a focal point for us to make sure that, you know, it's just clear what we do and what we don't do and what we can do to just try to support agencies and programs that do exist already, but then also knowing we can do a pretty good job on our own if we had to, so.   Carol: So let's hone in a little bit. You've talked a lot about outreach and have mentioned VR, but let's talk about those VR partnerships. How are your teams building relationships at the state and local level, and what can VR agencies gain from working with your project?   Lucas: Yeah, so the teams have done a really good job focusing on building relationships with vocational rehab. Again, trying to listen to what the needs are, what they're seeing as needs, and then versus, you know, collaboration of what we can offer teams that are working on having regular check ins set up. As with any agency, you know, some relationships have been a little more natural than others. But continuing to work together to try to establish those pipelines and that knowledge base of our existence, and then also that need for the individuals that are eligible for TANF. And so I always kind of say, you know, what's in it for VR agencies? And from my perspective, at least, our project can increase access to services and resources that could make service delivery easier or more efficient or more effective, which should then lead to increase or better outcomes. That's the goal. One of our objectives, as Kathy touched on, is to establish a system that connects. Connects the folks eligible for TANF and other entities such as vocational rehab. And so we're really continuing to focus on that and going to continue to ramp that up throughout the project. As the more, you know, line level relationships exist with the different offices and the different staff. And we've learned that adults with disabilities receiving TANF benefits are often best served by VR. As I mentioned, you know, programs can be complex sometimes, and so trying to smooth that out a little bit might be helpful for them. So we kind of see an additional potential to have connect VR teams with employers. We just talked about our ability and John and his team. They have very robust employer connections across the country. And so that'll be a regular interaction. So we might be able to connect some employers. Some of our interest is connecting educational partners as well. So looking at programs that can help foster people to get into good jobs and, you know, and other stakeholders of course, as well. So we kind of see it as a very big collaboration opportunity for our teams. And I really think at the end of the day, it really just to me looks at shared impact. So we work together. How can we all show that the good work everybody's doing is impactful and supporting the individuals that are coming to us that are needing that support?   Carol: It takes a village. It really does.   Lucas: It does. It takes a village. And we have one team, the state they're in recently. Just last month went on order of selection. And so we're using that as another opportunity to be a support because at least I know us in this podcast know when going on Order of Selection, the most significant disabilities have to be focused first. And so those individuals with less significant disabilities are typically the ones that have to wait. And we can serve them. So that team is working with their VR agency to make sure that's known, so that if they have folks going on the waiting list, that it might be a great opportunity to shift them to us and we can support them while they're on the waiting list. And whenever the time would come for that release, we can just catch up together and see where we're at.   Carol: That's a perfect example of really great collaboration, I love that. That I'm glad you mentioned that.   Kathy: Yeah, I just want to mention too, it's kind of tied into that. The reason we're seeing agencies start to use Order of Selection is because of increasing costs. This project would not cost BR to use our services because we're funded through the grant. So if you need an employment service provider, we are one as part of this project and you would not have to pay fee for service or contract us. We're already being paid through the grant, so it really helps with cost.   Carol: Yeah that's perfect. So as you guys look at the year ahead, what are your priorities and what does success look like for FASST as you continue to grow and refine your model?   Lucas: Many things, but I think largely continuing to strengthen the project. You know, we're still relatively new in implementation. And so we've learned a lot and will continue to learn a lot. And so we just really want to make sure we're maximizing the positive impact of the individuals we're serving. First of all, strengthen develop clear pathways. The end goal would be for this to be replicable at the end to scale our model effectively. And so I really think this second year, now that the team's together, everybody's getting comfortable with our process. This year is really where the car starts driving full speed, is how I feel. And I know Kathy, you have some ideas on quality and partnerships too, right?   Kathy: Definitely. As an internal evaluator, I'm looking at quality of this project. I want to make sure that we're ensuring fidelity to our model and the key components of our model and project, and we're going to be making adjustments throughout the next year, especially based on the needs of our participants and even our staff. And we're going to be capitalizing on our successes and sharing best practices across our teams through those communities of practice that Lucas talked about. We want to be consistent in implementing our project across the teams and our locations. So again, we have process documents and we're making sure that we're doing things similarly across our locations. And then we're definitely going to be collecting data. We've already started that process, and we want to make sure that we can demonstrate our outcomes so that we can inform our improvements and just really develop that replicable model in the end. And then as far as collaborations and partnerships go, we're working with our local partners to strengthen our connections and expand resources for our disconnected youth and adults with disabilities. So really looking forward to the next year being strengthening of our program and proving our model.   Carol: Well spoken like a true evaluator indeed, I love that. Oh, that is good stuff. So how could our listeners learn more about your work or connect with the FASST team? Do you have a website or something you could share with us.   Lucas: Yeah, so there's a few ways. So if someone's wanting to get connected to Kathy and I quick, we have an email. It's FASST, which is FASST@ServiceSource.org. Comes directly to Kathy and I, and we can answer questions if it's specific to a team, a referral, something like that. We get it out to the appropriate folks across the different teams. We do have a website. There's a lot of hyphens in it, but so largely it's ServiceSource.org/families-achieving-sufficiency-together. The hyphens had to be in there. So it's a little much if someone's trying to write it down. So I don't know if there's a way to have that posted somehow.   Carol: Yeah, we'll definitely put that in when we post the podcast. We can put that in the transcript too, to have the website linked right there.   Lucas: And then, also always like to put a plug in for the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials, or NCRTM. They have a website for all DIF grantees that provides information about the project so you can see any of the grant cycles, what they're doing, where they're located, and of course, ours being one of them. So it has information and also ties folks back to our project site as well.   Carol: Well, Heather Servais will sure appreciate that shout out to them. They have great stuff. I sure appreciate you both very much. This is interesting. It'll be fun to catch up with you in a year or so and see, like now that you said you're kind of going full speed ahead to see where things land, I appreciate you.   Kathy: Thank you.   Lucas: Thank you so much.   {Music} Outro Voice: Conversations powered by VR. One manager at a time. One minute at a time. Brought to you by the VRTAC. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening.   Lucas: The contents of this discussion were developed under Grant H421F240144 from the US Department of Education Department. The Department does not mandate or prescribe practices, models or other activities described or discussed in this discussion. The contents of this discussion may contain examples of adaptations of, and links to, resources created and maintained by another public or private organization. The. The department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of this outside information. The content of this discussion does not necessarily represent the policy of the department. This publication is not intended to represent the views or policy, or be an endorsement of any views expressed or materials provided by any federal agency. Edgar. 75.620.   Carol: Well, thank you both. I really appreciate you. Good job.   Kathy: Thanks Carol.   Lucas: Thank you so much.   Music} Outro Voice: Conversations powered by VR. One manager at a time. One minute at a time. Brought to you by the VRTAC. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening.

Here is your Daily Disney News for Monday, February 2, 2026 - Walt Disney World announces a new "Frozen" themed land in Magic Kingdom with an enchanting ride through Arendelle opening later this year. - Disneyland Tokyo prepares for a spring festival with cherry blossom displays and Disney characters in kimono. - Disney+ introduces "Mickey & Minnie's Mystical Adventures," a new series featuring enchanting journeys with the duo. - Disney develops a VR experience that brings Disneyland thrills to your living room, including rides like Space Mountain and the teacups. Have a magical day and tune in again tomorrow for more updates.

Use code RUFFTALKVR at checkout to save on any game or hardware on the Meta Quest store and help support the show!This is a bonus episode on the podcast feed of our YouTube Live community hangout from Saturday! Come hangout with us during the live which is usually Sunday at 3pm ET (Exact details weekly are on our Discord). Listen as we hangout and talk VR with some of our community!Showcase form: https://forms.gle/HxwkK9zuwydwbkKM8Big thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Become a supporter of the show today at  https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrDiscord: https://discord.gg/9JTdCccucSPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrIf you enjoy the podcast be sure to rate us 5 stars and subscribe! Join our official subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/RuffTalkSupport the show

The gaming industry is estimated to be over $200 billion, bigger than music and movies combined. Our guest is game designer Jordan Weisman who has had four exits including one to Microsoft and one to Disney. In this episode we talk about why we're seeing so many studios closing, how designers approach structuring games with monetization models in mind, and why VR is always almost the next best thing. All of this and your top news stories!Top Stories:1. Seattle gaming software company buys market research group2. Layoffs: Meta, Amazon, Eddie Bauer, Expedia3. Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores to closeAbout host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The gaming industry is kind of in a bit of dire straits at the moment. It's odd that in the same show we talk about how many billions of dollars Steam made in only two weeks and then we end by talking about Ubisoft restructuring, Paradox losing 162% of profits, and Microsoft having pretty abysmal hardware sales. And just as I was writing this the night before posting, Intrepid studios have closed their doors and laid off all 250 odd employees. Then there's the whole RAM and AI issue that's just screwing up pretty much everything when it comes to this hobby and industry. The AI situation is affecting the price of RAM and now hard drives, solid state drives, and just drive space altogether. Prices have skyrocketed. AI is also affecting jobs in the industry as it is everywhere else. I'm not saying games are going to start drying up but advancement will hit a wall. Because in order to keep moving forward better computers will be needed and RAM is a part of that. As is, apparently, AI, sadly. Console generations are going to stretch beyond what we've previously known, as will PC upgrades. It's all a bit gloomy really. And it's probably going to get worse and worse before it even slightly gets what you might call “better”. So what do you do? Well, there's very little you can do. Stop using AI is a small solution but it won't change anything. Maybe if we all could on a global scale, sure, but that's just wishful thinking. We're all just going to have to ride this train to whatever station it's taking us to and then decide if we want to stop there or keep going. Eventually, things will change. But I can't even begin to predict when it might. All I can do is just dig into my backlog, find the indies, and pick up games or hardware on sale when it hits a price I can afford. Some of that, however, also feels like wishful thinking. Speaking of wishful thinking, Ubisoft it has been 4,549 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released. Also, there's been 1006 job losses in the gaming industry since January 1, 2026.

Dice and Diversions, a tabletop/board gaming convention in Atlanta, has been postponed to February due to the ice storm. Forza Horizon 6 was shown off on the Xbox Developer Direct, but no, you will not be flying a Gundam. I got the PlayStation VR2 PC Adapter, and getting the controllers to work over Bluetooth was a multi-day struggle. A VR mod for Cyberpunk 2077 was removed due to CD Projekt Red not allowing the modder to charge money for it. Ubisoft cancels six games and delays seven others in order to concentrate on what they think players want. Then we talk to OLR about the Cyberpunk 2077 mod and about launching the second season of the long running podcast.

Fresh off the release of "Spiraling" -- his latest funked up stomper with Ardalan, Black V Neck and Shaded -- the ever-prolific Life On Planets returns to Dirtybird Radio with a handful of timeless beats and a few more tasty jams from the Dirtybird Camp sessions. VR warm-up set:Nala - "Feels Good To Move" [Mi Domina]ProOne79 - "About Me (MAGNVM! Remix)" [Area Music]Bryan Kessler - "Hey Wupp" [Do The Taboo]DJ Glen & Tiago Black - "Redliner" [Discotech]Life On Planets guest set:Spiraling - Black V Neck x Ardalan x Life On Planets x ShadedItalian Spiderman (Original Mix) NAPTYou're Nasty (Original Mix) Duck SauceLights (G's Out Dub) Mr. GIs It All Over My Face (Cajmere Underground Goodie Mix) DajaeGonna Set Ya Free - Jail House Mix Armand van Helden / Wizzard Of WaxChin Chin Boom Ben GomoriTonight NV South Jersey Dub MusclecarsBang - Harry & Erick Bang In Your Face Mix Harry RomeroShout-N-Out (The DJ Dub) Lood; Donell RushDance 4 Me [Extended] Wet Velvet, Life On PlanetsQuiet Storm Remix (TMB Edit) Martinez BrothersIDAnother Dae Blaze