Gamers Change Lives

The Role of International Esports Organizations

Today’s guest is Boban Totovski, the Secretary General of the International Esports Federation.
Our conversation includes talking about the role of International Organizations such as the International Esports Federation.
How do they:
Encourage development of national organizations
Provide education and training
Promote youth and development programs
Strengthen the ties among national organizations
Create codes of conduct and statutes, suggested laws and standards
International Esports Federation - IESF
History, mission, and objectives of the organizations.
Events: the World Championships in Bali and Budapest.
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/the-role-of-international-esports-organizations
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Featured in this episode:
Boban Totovski
More than 20 years' extensive and diverse experience in IT sales, management and Esports.
As President of the Macedonian Esports Federation, I have organized more than 10 national finals and participated on more than 10 World Championships. Experience in international relations, negotiations, and global representation.
A unique position in the Esports ecosystem, as Board Member of IESF and now, General Secretary.
 Email: boban.totovski@iesf.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boban-totovski-toto-04654831/
IESF Website: https://iesf.org/
IESF LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-esports-federation/  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IESFederation/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IeSF_Master
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iesf_official/  
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseCqUUcJueSSEF37456gdw  
 
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Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/ to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives 
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gamerschangelives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamerschangelives/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TRl42z9cbMyZMhcpNo0cw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gamerschangelives
Journey of a Gamer: http://journeyofagamer.com
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Three our theme is “Building a Business: Esports 101”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Transforming Education Through Esports

In today’s episode we talk with Gerald Solomon, the Executive Director of the North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) and founder of the Orange County High School Esports League.
Gerald shares how he was inspired to use esports as a way to reach kids who were underserved, disenfranchised, and disengaged from traditional education. NASEF's goal is to reinvigorate classrooms and engage kids in new ways by offering free curriculum that uses esports as a hook to teach kids technology skills and career opportunities. Additionally, NASEF has partnered with libraries, boys and girls clubs, YMCA's, and community centers to reach students in underserved areas. Solomon emphasizes that NASEF is a nonprofit that can focus on its mission to help kids and educators without worrying about making money.
We also talk about how the International Esports Federation (IESF) and NASEF are working together to provide training for players, coaches, and managers in different countries and cultures. They use assessments and teamwork activities to help people create their own clubs and logos, and they encourage students from different countries to share their cultural experiences with one another. Solomon also shares an interesting story about a young surgeon who honed his skills in Halo and Call of Duty, which allowed him to become a skilled surgeon with great dexterity.
We focus the conversation on how NASEF focuses on providing young people with the skills they need to succeed in life, such as leadership, teamwork, and communication. NASEF does this by creating organizations that require members to build a club charter, a code of conduct, a business plan, and a development plan. Solomon notes that these requirements teach young people about capitalism, democracy, and economics, and help them to sustain themselves over the next three to five years.
Overall, the podcast discussion highlights the growing use of esports and gaming for education, leadership development, and cultural exchange. Solomon's work at NASEF and IESF is helping to pave the way for a new era of esports that is more inclusive, diverse, and socially responsible. Additionally, the conversation emphasizes the importance of building a community and a culture around esports that goes beyond just winning competitions, and instead focuses on providing young people with the skills they need to succeed in life.
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/transforming-education-through-esports
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Featured in this episode:
Gerald Solomon
Gerald Solomon served as the Executive Director of the Samueli Foundation for 14 years managing their global philanthropy, providing grants to innovative entrepreneurial programs in excess of $500 Mil worldwide. The focus was on STEM Education, Youth Development, and Integrative Health and Wellness. During his tenure, he designed and launched the STEM Learning Ecosystem which today consists of over 90 cities across the globe (www.stemecosystems.org) redefining STEM learning in and out of schools with a focus on developing workforce skills and economic impact.
In 2018, Mr. Solomon designed and launched the North America Scholastic Esports Federation (www.nasef.org), the nation’s first ever academic approach to esports, whose mission is to provide opportunities for ALL students to use esports as a platform to acquire the STEM skills needed for the workforce of tomorrow. Taking STEM to the next level, NASEF is based upon a credentialed State of California approved high school, CTE and middle school curricula. In 48 short months, NASEF is now in 49 states with over 25,000 students in over 3,000 schools as well as having created NASEF affiliates in 30+ countries around the world, including: Japan, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Israel, UK, India, Nigeria, South Korea, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Coast Rica, Panama, South Africa, Ghana, and growing.
Mr. Solomon serves on the Board of Directors of IESF (www.iesf.org) as well as the Chair of the Esports Education Commission at IESF, the global leader in esports with 139+ member countries. He is Chair Emeritus of the University of Ca, Irvine Esports Advisory Board, and on the board of Calif Dept of Education Foundation. He recently completed service on the boards of the Schools of Engineering at UCLA and UCI, the Teacher Advisory Council at the National Research Council within the National Academies, Southern California Grantmakers Assoc., and was co-founder, co-chair and now chair emeritus of the STEM Funders Network.
Email: gerald@nasef.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerald-solomon-21a91b262/
NASEF Website: https://www.nasef.org/
NASEF LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasef/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nasefedu
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nasefedu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nasefgg/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nasefedu
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nasefedu
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasefedu
 
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Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/ to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives 
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gamerschangelives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamerschangelives/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TRl42z9cbMyZMhcpNo0cw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gamerschangelives
Journey of a Gamer: http://journeyofagamer.com
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Three our theme is “Building a Business: Esports 101”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Esports and the Law

Welcome to Season 3 of the Gamers Change Lives Podcast: Building a Business, Esports 101.
In Season One we talked about jobs. In Season Two we talked about sources of funding for esports ‘Follow the Money’. And now in Season Three we will be talking about Building an Esports Business.
Season 3 is all about building a thriving esports business, and we've got some special features to help you along the way.
In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard talks with André de Oliveira Schenini Moreira, a Brazilian lawyer with expertise in IT, games, esports, and intellectual property. The focus of their conversation is on the importance of understanding legal issues when building an esports business, and how entrepreneurs can approach these issues.
The conversation begins with an introduction to André's background and his interest in gaming and esports, followed by an overview of the esports landscape in Brazil. They then move on to discuss the legal aspects of building an esports business, including the importance of seeking legal advice, the types of contracts that should be reviewed by an attorney, and the legal implications of hiring employees and receiving investment.
Finally, they delve into the topic of intellectual property and the importance of protecting it in the esports industry. They also touch on the legal implications of promoting on social media and provide some online resources for those seeking more information about esports and the law. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of obtaining legal advice and finding an attorney who is familiar with the esports industry.
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/esports-and-the-law
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Featured in this episode:
André Schenini Moreira
Lawyer, LLM in International Law, and Managing Partner at FMA.legal, where he assists clients on transactions and litigation matters related to Games and Esports industries. André has a distinguished background in Intellectual Property, Corporate and Entertainment Law, while he also dedicates his time as a member of organizations connected to such markets (IGDA, EBA, IAAIL) and as a mentor on entrepreneurship programs and accelerators (ACE, MIT Hack Brazil, Global Games).
Email: andre@feoliemoreira.com.br
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-schenini-moreira/
Website: https://www.fma.legal
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/andre_de_os
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/ to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives 
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gamerschangelives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamerschangelives/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TRl42z9cbMyZMhcpNo0cw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gamerschangelives
Journey of a Gamer: http://journeyofagamer.com
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Three our theme is “Building a Business: Esports 101”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Leading a Strong Esports Team: Lessons from West Point

This podcast is an not a government production. The views expressed do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Military Academy, United States Army, Department of Defense or the US Government.
Today’s guest is Victor Castro, the US. Director of @Army West Point Esports and Deputy Director of the West Point Simulation Center.
In the Gamer's Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard interviews Victor Castro, US Director of Army Esports at West Point. They discuss Victor's background and the unique esports program at West Point, focusing on the importance of recognizing military sacrifices and commitment. West Point aims to train leaders who will commit to long-term careers in the Army, using gaming and esports as tools for leadership development.
Victor explains the inception and growth of the esports program at West Point, as well as its importance in developing leadership skills among cadets. He emphasizes the need for a long-term plan and alignment with the institution's core values. Esports can help develop character and teach students how to manage toxicity in communication, creating a realistic learning environment that fosters growth.
The conversation covers the program's structure, gender inclusion, and decentralized approach to training, which mirrors aspects of the army. The focus on academics, physical fitness, and military training limits practice time compared to other universities. Victor also touches on international cooperation, funding sources, and the potential for collegiate level esports events.
Victor highlights the importance of transparency, open dialogue, and social media in promoting the West Point esports program. He recommends following their social media accounts and learning from others in the field to improve one's own program. West Point offers a visitors’ program for those interested in learning more about the academy and its unique esports initiatives.
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/leading-a-strong-esports-team-lessons-from-west-point
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Featured in this episode:
Victor is the Director of Army West Point Esports and currently serves as a Department of Defense civilian at the United States Military Academy. Victor specializes and Game Art and Design and Instructional Design and is an Analysis, Modeling and Simulations professional.
Email: victor.castro@westpoint.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-l-castro-85764737/
Website: https://www.westpoint.edu/military/department-of-military-instruction/simulation-center/esports
Twitter: https://twitter.com/armywpesports
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armywpesports/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG5wjt7As3sEpAj3q4rOBKg
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/armywestpointesports
 
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/ to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives  
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gamerschangelives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamerschangelives/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TRl42z9cbMyZMhcpNo0cw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gamerschangelives
Journey of a Gamer: http://journeyofagamer.com
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Three our theme is “Building a Business: Esports 101”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Season 3 Introduction: Building a Thriving Esports Business

Welcome to Season 3 of the Gamers Change Lives Podcast: Building a Business, Esports 101.
In Season One we talked about jobs. In Season Two we talked about sources of funding for esports ‘Follow the Money’. And now in Season Three we will be talking about Building an Esports Business.
Season 3 is all about building a thriving esports business, and we've got some special features to help you along the way.
Key Points and Factors for Building a Thriving Esports Business:
Identify a niche to stand out in a crowded market and build a loyal following.
Develop a strong brand identity to differentiate yourself from the competition.
Build a strong team of dedicated and talented individuals who can bring different skills and perspectives to the table.
Understand the rapidly evolving industry landscape and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments.
Develop a clear and effective monetization strategy to build a sustainable business.
Embrace innovation and experimentation to stay ahead of the curve.
Foster a strong and engaged community of passionate fans and supporters.
Prioritize the well-being and health of your players and team members.
Special Features of Season 3:
Join our exclusive Facebook support group to connect with other esports entrepreneurs and get advice and support. Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/gamerschangelives to sign up now.
Download our free worksheets to help you implement the key points and strategies for building a thriving esports business.
Call to Actions:
Subscribe to our podcast to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and strategies for building a successful esports business.
Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more aspiring esports entrepreneurs.
Follow us on social media to stay connected and engaged with our community.
Conclusion:
Thanks for tuning in to the first episode of Gamers Change Lives Season 3, where we'll be diving deep into the key factors and strategies for building a successful esports business.
Stay tuned for more episodes, where we'll be featuring interviews with successful esports entrepreneurs, sharing case studies and success stories, and providing actionable tips and advice to help you build a thriving esports business.
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/season-3-introduction-building-a-thriving-esports-business
 
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/ to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gamerschangelives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamerschangelives/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TRl42z9cbMyZMhcpNo0cw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gamerschangelives
Journey of a Gamer: http://journeyofagamer.com
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Three our theme is “Building a Business: Esports 101”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Bonus Episode! Team Ghana Goes to Bali

We have five guests today: Kwesi Hayford President of the Esports Association, Ghana with the team he took to the IESF World Championship in Bali in December 2022: Emmanuel Manu-Gyamfi (NELLmvp), Edmond Addo Mensah (shyBOY), Daniel Sungna Iddi (SPAMA), Boris Osisiadan-Nimpong (Atunaye). Micdad Morgan Agbotui (MUFASA) also went to Bali but was not able to appear on this episode.
Hear the amazing stories that lead to this team’s life-changing adventure of going to Bali, how it was made possible, what it was like to meet players in person they have looked up to for years online, their take on food in Indonesia, and much, much more. One of our best episodes and definitely the liveliest.
Our discussion included:
How the entire adventure started out, from the qualifications to Kwesi’s determination to make it happen.
The training that allowed them to compete on the world stage, sometimes under challenging conditions that they were able to overcome.
Hear about the reaction from everyone on the journey. From disbelief that people actually traveled half-way around the world to play video games, to the official in Jakarta who gave the team the VIP treatment because he was PUBG gamer himself.
Each team member talks about the challenge of raising funds needed for visas with the majority of travel and accommodation covered by the IESF.
“Travel opens the players’ eyes. Gives them bigger horizons.”
The real highlight of the conversation is to hear from each player what it meant to be able to meet players – some from professional teams – that they have been learning from for years online. These pros were humble, and very willing to help the team in any way they could showing the camaraderie among all players that esports enjoys.
Kwesi asks the gang to talk about the food and the fun, and the team responds with some wonderful stories.
Kwesi sums it up by saying:
“Bali was life-transforming for us. First time we have sent out an entire team. Bali is a pivot point for Ghana Esports. It is a talking point to go out to brands. But it is also a talking point to go out to families that this is real work.  Everyone’s family now knows that esports is a big deal.”
And finally, hear about their future plans now that they have had the journey of a lifetime.
One great conversation. Check out their links below and go support them!
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/team-ghana-goes-to-bali
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
Kwesi Hayford
Kwesi Hayford is an Esports Evangelist, Creative Designer, and a Digital Media enthusiast with a passion for the youth culture, technology, and education.  He inspires and empowers young people to create opportunities for themselves via Esports. He is the President of Esports Association, Ghana, and Founder of PlayArena, KiddieEsports and Ruutz Esports.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekwesihayford/
Email:  qkwecy@gmail.com
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thekwesihayford
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLl9uEkVPuhtYOZcS5M2tHg
 
Boris Osisiadan-Nimpong
Boris Osisiadan-Nimpong known in the gaming space as Atunaye. An Efootball esports athlete and Ghana’s representative at International eSports Federation (IeSF) world championships in Bali.
Email: officialatunaye@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/atunayeGH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/atunayegh
YouTube: https://youtube.com/atunayegaming
Discord: https://discord.com/officialatunaye
Twitch: https://twitch.com/atunayegh
 
Daniel Iddi
Pubg Mobile player, Role: Fragger, Age: 22
Email: danieliddi11@gmail.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/pg.spama?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
 
Emmanuel Manu-Gyamfi
I’m NELLmvp, in-game leader for Team Ghana at IESF World Championship.
Email: gyamfi_22@yahoo.com
Esports Athlete
Twitter: https://twitter.com/egmanv
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nell_pubg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nell2584
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-manu-gyamfi-0b07a9155
Discord: https://discord.com/NELL#8487
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nellmvp
Twitch: https://twitch.com/NELLmvpGaming
Wikipedia: https://liquipedia.net/pubgmobile/IESF/World_Esports_Championships/2022
 
Edmond Addo Mensah
28 years, PUBG mobile esports athlete/player, represented Ghana in the 14th World Esports Championship in Indonesia, Bali.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EShybwoy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eddieshybwoy.mensah
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmond-mensah-9b0313229
 
 
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Divergent Thinking, Eliminating Judgement, and the Value of a Bad Idea

Our guest today on the podcast is Jeremy Utley, the Director of Executive Education at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. The Stanford d.school.
Our discussion included:
Jeremy talks about ideas. Where they come from, and how to develop skills to generate more. This is the concept that he describes in his book, written with Perry Klebahn, called “Ideaflow”.
There really isn’t such a thing as a new idea. Our ideas come from a combination of existing thoughts and experiences. Therefore we need more of those which Jeremy likens to Lego blocks.
One way to have more Legos is to intentionally create a network of divergent voices, ones from outside your industry and company.
Jeremy talks about who an esports entrepreneur should be listening to in order to broaden their perspective. He mentions the work of Beau Lotto (his content links are below) who talks about how one of the only areas where human beings seek out uncertainty is play.
Jeremy reviews how he approaches learning himself, and how that can fuel his passion. He wanted to talk with women founders as an example to do just that.
“That was a pretty large inflection point for myself. I have to take responsibility for my own learning.”
How can you get more ideas?
Hear his examples from Malcolm Gladwell and others. To think out of the box, you need to get out of the box.
Being an idea generator is key to your success and Jeremy describes how you can create a team around you of who become an idea-generating machine.
The four stages of creativity are discussed, with the realization that they are often taken out of sequence and that incubation is often given less attention than needed.
Learn why efficiency should not be the goal, but instead entrepreneurs should focus on effectiveness. And how sometimes being productive doesn’t actually look like being productive.
The key cultural orientations have to shift:
From efficiency to effectiveness
From a solution orientation to a problem orientation
From a fixation on answers to the approach of discovering problems
And the discussion leads to judgement: how self-judgement and the judgement of others can hinder the idea generating process. 
“There is an orientation towards I am willing to share bad ideas. Bad ideas that see daylight have the potential to trigger something, trigger creativity in someone else. And it’s worth the risk.”
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/divergent-thinking-eliminating-judgement-and-the-value-of-a-bad-idea
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
Jeremy Utley
Jeremy Utley is one of the world's leading experts in innovation. As the Director of Executive Education at Stanford's renowned Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (aka "the d.school"), his courses have been experienced by nearly a million students of innovation worldwide. He advises corporate leaders on how to imbed the methods and mindsets of design thinking into their organizations, and works with professionals to cultivate a robust personal creative practice.
As co-host of "Stanford's Masters of Creativity," Jeremy shines the spotlight on exemplars of creative practice across disciplinary boundaries, from entrepreneurs like Randy Hetrick (TRX) to authors like Kim Scott (Radical Candor) and Daniel Pink (Drive, To Sell Is Human) to corporate innovation leaders like Astro Teller (Google X).
A self-proclaimed “recovering MBA, spreadsheet junkie, and management consultant,” he now studies innovation in large enterprises and startups. He advises CEOs and senior leadership teams in the United States, Europe, and Asia on growth and innovation strategy, and has led scores of capacity-building initiatives worldwide.
He's a prolific blogger and podcaster, and is co-author (alongside Perry Klebahn) of “Ideaflow: The Only Business Metric That Matters,” published by Penguin Portfolio Oct 25th, 2022.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley/
Email:  jeremyutley@gmail.com
Website: https://www.jeremyutley.design/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyutley
Also mentioned in this discussion:
Beau Lotto - Prof of Neuroscience | Author | CEO & Founder at Lab of Misfits | CEO & Founder at Ripple Inc. | TED Speaker | Advisor at Clarion CannabisThe Lab of Misfits https://www.labofmisfits.com/ Check out the fun exercises there.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beaulotto/
 
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Going Global: Navigating Media Strategies and Attending International Esports Events

Our guest today on the podcast is Ronny Lusigi, the CEO of IndexG Esports in Nairobi, Kenya. Plus for the first time our podcast Executive Producer, Reginald Nsowah, is joining the conversation from Ghana.
Our discussion included:
Ronny’s talks about his journey into esports, with a start in traditional sports in Kenya. He received a sports scholarship to attend Chavakali High School in the western part of the country.
Ronny founded IndexG Esports which is organized around four major areas:
Tournaments and tournament organizers
Help build ‘capacity’ in esports in Kenya: coaches, players, branding, etc.
Content – storytelling about esports, attracted sponsors to create short films
Esports for social good – a powerful tool of social development
Mentorship, both internally at IndexG Esports and externally in the esports world, have been an important part of Ronny’s approach to improving esports locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
A key program has been to connect esports players with traditional A-level athletes such as Ferdinand Omanyala. Players learn about how to approach esports with the proper mind-set.
”Many gamers do not grow up thinking they will be a live performer. They think their skill alone will be enough. But when you go and speak to an elite athlete you now realize that your skill is just one aspect. You need the discipline; you need the resilience.”
International Events
Ronny recently returned from taking his teams to Istanbul to a Global Esports Federation event. You can hear how he packed the event to attract sponsor and the training plus media strategy that made it successful.
“Ronny talks about what he learned from the trip, and what others can expect. Even if the primary objective is the competition, you find out it is much more than that.”
International events can also help train esports entrepreneurs on things such as media training. For example, the IOC provides information for journalists on how to report on the events. The link to their guidelines is below.
Media Strategy
Ronny’s approach to bringing esports to mainstream media highlights the importance of finding emerging journalists who more flexible and willing to write about something new. Each connection in the media is created with a purpose in mind, with an audience in mind, whether it is government officials, policy makers, corporations, universities, and even parents.
His strategy is based on the objective of having the story of the impact of esports on individuals and society told to as large of an audience as possible.
“The top 3 media houses had less than 5 stories about esports. We have pushed that number to 30.”
Curiosity
Both Ronny and Reginald demonstrate their level of curiosity which leads them to seek information from a large and diverse set of sources.
For Ronny he listens to:
Steven Bartlett:  The Diary of the CEO for resilience https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/id1291423644
Audiobooks from Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKEUKTxFomE
Ricardo Fort Unofficial Partner Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unofficial-partner-podcast/id1459630823
Reginald’s favorites include:
Masters of scale by Reid Hoffman https://mastersofscale.com/episodes/
Grit and Growth – talks about entrepreneurs from Africa and Southeast Asia https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/grit-growth
Always in Pursuit https://www.alwaysinpursuit.org/
Deciding to Win – his own podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deciding-to-win/id1535231372
Reginald talks about
‘One of the things I have learned from this project is that it is good to have people from other countries, developed countries, coming into your country and try to solve problems. But it is at a different level when it is people from that country take on the challenge. Ronny, you are part of the 20% making a difference.”
Mobile Gaming
Ronny describes how mobile games fit into the esports ecosystem in Africa today.
Olympics
He also believes that the Olympics should include esports.
The Olympics should include esports because international competition really helps the growth of esports in every country. The level of football in Saudi Arabia has benefited because of their participation in the World Cup. We couldn’t have gotten the Minister of Youth and Sport’s attention if we were going to a private competition. Because it is about the flag, he pays attention.”
He also gives a shout-out to every organization that is currently creating international esports events including GAMRX in Nigeria.
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/going-global-navigating-media-strategies-and-attending-international-esports-events
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
Ronny Lusigi
Ronny Lusigi is the CEO of IndexG Esports and the competitions manager at the Esports Federation of Kenya.
Before venturing fully into esports, he has previously worked as the Digital Media Manager for Football Kenya Federation and before that, Kariobangi Sharks FC, a football club in the Kenya Premier League.
He is committed to taking esports to the mainstream in his country and the East African region and use it for social good.
Ronny studied Physical Education and Sports at the University of Nairobi.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronny-lusigi-2448b7100
Email:  ronny@indexgesports.com
IndexG Esports: https://indexgesports.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RAyumba
Instagram: https://instagram.com/indexg_
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@index-gesports464
Chavakali High School: https://chavakalischool.sc.ke/
The IOC Media Regulations https://olympics.com/ioc/gender-equality/portrayal-guidelines
 
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Pitching to Brands, the Power of Mentorship, plus Women in Esports

Today’s guest is Rebecca Longawa. Highly regarded as a maven in the esports industry, she a global speaker and founder of the esports consultancy firm, Happy Warrior.
Our discussion included monetization in esports, mentorship and networking, plus women in esports today.
Rebecca is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota which has a robust esports community in the upper mid-west part of the United States.
Rebecca’s experience began in promoting traditional sports with many major teams. Her work at Stadia Ventures, which also began in the world of traditional sports, introduced her to esports and she fell in love with the space.
There are both similarities and differences between traditional sports and esports. Rebecca is in a unique position to describe both from her extensive experience.
“Demographics are different: in esports the audience is younger but also they were born digital. They don’t like to be marketed to; they want to build relationships. With a traditional sports fan, they are okay with being marketed to.  That’s the way it has always been done – product endorsement.”
She describes the learning curve when it comes to working with non-endemic brands in the esports world.
Storytelling is a central part of creating marketing success in esports. Rebecca works with both endemic and non-endemic brands to craft the right stories to tell.
‘If you consider what makes a streamer very successful, it is their ability to entertain and tell stories while they are playing video games.”
Rebecca describes in detail what an esports organization needs to do to present themselves to brands and agencies. It has to be more than just playing games. She describes the value, and difficulties, of creating authentic communities in esports. Her list of three things to consider are worth remembering.
In addition to her consulting work, Rebecca works on building the strategy for *gameHERs, a social media community that works with women and those who identify as women to connect and grow. She talks about the current status of women in esports and where she think things need to go in both the short-term and long-term future.
” *gameHERs connects women to jobs. Storytelling about women in this space so they can see someone who looks like them, doing something that they maybe didn’t even know it was a job. Giving women permission to go after these jobs.”
As an advisor at Stadia Ventures, you can sense Rebecca’s passion for working with founders in an accelerator program to create successful esports enterprises.
In closing, Rebecca describes the value of networking and how it has led to her own podcast.
“I always liked people. And solving problems. I can help people find their gaps.”
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/pitching-to-brands-the-power-of-mentorship-plus-women-in-esports
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
Rebecca Longawa
With over 20 years of experience in sports marketing and innovation, Rebecca is a master connector and networker. Highly regarded as a maven in the esports industry, she a global speaker and founder of the esports consultancy firm, Happy Warrior. Her client work includes helping pro esports teams monetize their organizations through brand partnerships and growth strategies and working with advertising and media agencies to bring their brand accounts into the esports ecosystem with authenticity and credibility.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccalongawa/
Email:  rebecca@happywarrior.us
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RLongawa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_longawa
*gameHERs: https://thegamehers.com/
Stadia Ventures: https://stadiaventures.com/
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!

Review and Gratitude for 2022

What a year we have had in 2022! Our first episode on February 15 started our journey talking about how esports can create jobs around the world.
We have been fortunate to have had so many guests who generously gave us their time and their stories. Over 30 episodes – yes 30! – we have hosted 32 guests from 19 countries from every part of the world.
We have learned so many things, about teams, tournaments, community building, sponsorship, investment, and so much more. But the most important topic has been to discover how esports can create jobs. Jobs that can make a huge difference to the person getting it.
The Gamers Change Lives is also starting to make an impact by connecting people for potential sponsorship and investment. We have also sponsored teams traveling half-way around the world to step out on the world stage. Our conversations have also brought the message of global esports to many top executives. Our message is that no one should be left behind.
The podcast would not have been possible without an outstanding team that have joined us:
Reginald, who has been able to find outstanding guests even when we were brand new. His positive attitude and tireless efforts have made us a success. Thanks Reginald.
Wendy, who has created a social media program that which lets us tell our stories, and the stories of our guests, to a growing audience. Thanks Wendy.
Winky, our designer who makes us look good. Just check out our outstanding logo and you will see that we are a professional organization. Thanks Winky.
Richard, our audio engineer who has been able to take our recorded episodes and always make us sound great. Thanks Richard.
Cholwe, in Zambia, who was a podcast supporter even before there was a podcast. She was so generous with her ideas and network. Thanks Cholwe.
Where will we go in 2023 to build on our efforts. We want to hear from you. Go to social media (you know where we live) and tell us. Facebook, IG, YouTube, Twitter, and even create a video on TikTok. What are the stories that would help you on your esports journey?
You can also send us email at info@gamerschangelivespodcast.com
Thanks to every one of our guest, fans, and members of our community. We are just getting started!
 
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/review-and-gratitude-for-2022
 
*  *  *
Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode.
Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing.
And tell your friends!
CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:
Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/  to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast
PRODUCTION:
Creator and host: Tom Leonard (USA) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/
Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ 
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
In Season Two our theme is “Follow the Money”.
I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?
Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!