Gamers Change Lives
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives. The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face. 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?
Episodes

Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
Season Two Trailer: ”Follow the Money”
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
The Gamers Change Lives Podcast Season Two: “Follow the Money”
Do you have big goals for your esports team, or tournament, or enterprise? I’ll bet the answer is a big “YES!” We are gamers, right? We know what thinking big and winning feels like.
But the one thing holding us back from reaching our goals is money. There is never enough investment to start out or grow our business. We don’t have enough money to send our team across the world, or even across town. And there is never enough to be able to pay for that spectacular venue we see in our dreams for our next tournament. Or sometimes to pay out the tournament prizes.
Why does this happen more often than not?
In Season One of the Gamers Change Lives Podcast we spoke with so many successful esports entrepreneurs and others and the one common theme we learned from them all is that it takes money to make things happen. It takes money to create jobs. And to change lives.
But let’s face it money can be hard to find, especially in some parts of the world, maybe in your part of the world.
Season Two of the Gamers Change Lives Podcast is titled “Follow the Money”.
We know that there are plenty of sources of money out there. They exist in every part of the world, including yours. Trust me on this. Many of the people controlling investments and sponsorship don’t know about esports. They think of esports as their son or daughter playing Fortnite, or FIFA, or COD. They don’t think of esports as an opportunity for smart business deals. Not yet anyway.
Who is going to tell them? You are. And in Season Two we are going to help you do just that.
No, we are not going to be handing out money in Season Two. Instead, we are offering something much more valuable, the stories of others who have done exactly what you want to do.
“Finding funding in esports is not rocket science. It is learning where to look, what to say, and how to close deals all from people who have done it before.”
Join Us
Join us on our journey in Season Two of the Gamers Change Lives Podcast: “Follow the Money”. Subscribe today and be the first to hear of our new season and to hit the ground running on changing your esports adventure forever.
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/season-two-trailer-follow-the-money
* * *
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: Reginal Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.
The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
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!

Saturday Aug 13, 2022
Women in Games: Creating a Pipeline
Saturday Aug 13, 2022
Saturday Aug 13, 2022
Today’s guests are Chantal-Denise Ortega, the Brand Partnerships Manager at Galaxy Racer North America, and HER Galaxy speaking from Mexico City. And Xinmiao Zhang who manages game pipelines and projects at Tencent speaking from Shanghai, China.
Our discussion included:
How our guests became involved with esports and gaming plus with Women in Games
Women in Games:
The goals of the organization: “to encourage, empower, and inspire women to join the games industry”
The “Mothership” in the UK
The two messages: encouraging women to join the industry as well as to help them reach leadership positions
The Asia Chapter of Women in Games
What led to the founding of the chapter in Asia?
The organization structure and the regions covered by the chapter
What are the cultural differences between the west and Asia?
How does language impacts the work of the organization?
What games that are most popular with the female demographic?
The Ambassador Program
What is the Ambassador Program at Women in Games and what role does it play?
How have awards and events helped to promote the program?
Jobs
The status of women in the gaming industry in 2022 and the lack of role models
Creating a pipeline of women to reach leadership roles in the gaming industry
What is the Investment and Entrepreneurship Forum?
Olympics
Should the Olympics include esports in their official program?
Mobile:
Is mobile the future of esports in Asia or has that already been decided?
The future of Women in Games
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/15-women-in-games-creating-a-pipeline
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FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Chantal-Denise Ortega is the Brand Partnerships Manager at Galaxy Racer North America and HER Galaxy. She also does consultancy for business development and partnerships in the area of gaming and esports. In 2019, she helped establish FIGHT Esports in Southeast Asia - running esports tournaments in the region both offline and online and establishing partnerships with game publishers and online platforms. Chantal joined W Coffee in 2020 and was appointed as a Women in Games WIGJ ambassador in 2021.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantaldeniseo/
Website: https://chantalortega.com/
Miao Zhang is currently managing game pipelines and projects at Tencent, based in Shanghai. She is devoted to promoting women’s leadership at companies and in society. Studied in China, US, and Italy, Xinmiao developed a strong interest in exploring the impact of cultures on different social groups and contributing to helping more women establish global minds. Besides, she also had experience in luxury fashion and management consulting.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xinmiao-zhang/
Website: https://www.womeningamesasia.org/about-1
* * *
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.
The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
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!

Saturday Jul 30, 2022
Esports Sponsorship and Investment with Dimitris Farmakis from Greece
Saturday Jul 30, 2022
Saturday Jul 30, 2022
Today’s guest is Dimitris Farmakis. He is the Head of Esports at Yieldly and Yesports.
Our discussion included:
An overview of esports in Greece.
Yesports:
What is the mission of Yesports?
How do you recruit teams and streamers?
Is language an issue in esports?
Investment in esports (and no, this is not financial advice – you need a qualified financial advisor for that):
What types of esports organization are looking for investment?
What are some of the different investment formats?
Importance of talking the language of the investor
What are investors looking for in esports?
Are there alternatives to investment that can help esports entrepreneurs?
Sponsorship:
Finding sponsors in unusual places – think outside the box
The value of non-endemic sponsorship
Is esports seen as a worthwhile industry to sponsors and investors?
Who is a content creator in the world of esports?
Mobile:
Is mobile the future of esports in Greece?
Platforms for Streaming Games in Greece:
What are the most common streaming platforms?
Government
Is the government supportive of the esports industry?
What more can be done?
Olympics
Should the Olympics include esports in their official program?
Networking
The value of networking in esports
How to use LinkedIn
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/14-esports-sponsorship-and-investment-with-dimitris-farmakis-from-greece
* * *
FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Dimitris Farmakis – Head of Esports at Yieldly and Yesports
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimfarmakis/
Yesports: https://www.yesports.gg/
Yieldly: https://yieldly.finance/
* * *
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.
The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
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!

Saturday Jul 23, 2022
Esports Content Creation and Branding in India with Dhiman Kashyap
Saturday Jul 23, 2022
Saturday Jul 23, 2022
Today’s guest is Dhiman Kashyap, Co - Founder, CEO of Resilience Esports & ex-Head of Operations at Esports Federation of India (ESFI).
Our discussion included:
Establishing and building a team to create a successful esports organization
The importance of having the right people in place
The ability to use the team to build for the future
Content Creators
Who is a content creator in the world of esports?
What does the talent team at Resilience Esports look for when recruiting content creators?
Training to become a successful content creator
Jobs
What are some of the jobs that have been created at Resilience Esports?
Brands
Why are brands increasingly interested in esports?
How are non-endemic brands sold on the idea of investing in the esports industry?
Mobile
Is mobile the future of esports in India?
Projected growth of the PC market in India
Platforms for Streaming in India
What are the most common streaming platforms?
Do the platforms support the esports industry in India?
Language and Culture in Esports
Is language a barrier to success in esports?
How does culture impact esports and content creators?
Olympics
Should the Olympics include esports in their official program?
Will qualifying events add to jobs in the esports industry?
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/13-esports-content-creation-and-branding-in-india-with-dhiman-kashyap
* * *
FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Dhiman Kashyap – Resilience Esports, Delhi, India
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhiman-kashyap-98296714b/
Resilience Esports: https://resilienceesports.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.
The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
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!

Saturday Jul 16, 2022
The Institutional Esports Movement with Ido Brosh from Israel
Saturday Jul 16, 2022
Saturday Jul 16, 2022
Today’s guest is Ido Brosh, “The Esports Guy from Israel.” Ido is the VP Europe of the International Esports Federation. He is also the President of Esports Europe and Founder and CEO of Winzard.
Ido's esports accomplishments demonstrate that working through the many esports organizations on a local, national, and international level, can result in greater accomplishments.
Our discussion included:
How the Israeli Esports Association began his esports career.What role do esports organizations play in the esports world? What is the “Institutional Esports Movement”?
Government• How the growth and maturity of the esports industry has led to more and more interaction with the government; and why that is a good thing.• Why can’t esports be treated like traditional sports, with the same resources?• The higher importance of government in smaller countries.
NGO funding sources – always follow the money.
The International Esports Federation (IESF)• What it the mission of the IESF?• How does it fit into the esports ecosystem?
Hosting events in Israel. Where does politics fit in?• Having more events will bring a greater awareness of players as individuals, and not as someone only wrapped in a flag.• Gaming truly is its own language
Winzard
What is Winzard? And how does it work to create multiple streams of income?
Mobile• Is mobile the future of esports in Israel and MENA?
Olympics• Should the Olympics include esports in their program?
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/12-the-institutional-esports-movement-with-ido-brosh-from-israel* * *FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:Ido Brosh: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winzard/Twitter: https://twitter.com/winzard7The International Esports Federation: https://iesf.org/ Esports Europe: https://esportseurope.org/ Winzard Twitter: https://twitter.com/WinzardEsportsWinzard: https://winzard.net/* * *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.The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
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!

Saturday Jul 09, 2022
Saturday Jul 09, 2022
Today’s guest is Brad Kirby from Cape Town South Africa. Pioneer in African gaming and esports. Seasoned Project Manager with Business Development and Digital Marketing Management experience. Deep understanding of the gaming and esports industry and experience in planning, developing, streamlining, and implementing multiple successful skill-based gaming strategies which include influencing gaming strategy and direction for media titans like Naspers, Multichoice, and Econet Media, across the African continent.
Our discussion focused on infrastructure (servers, always the servers) and how to bring gaming to non-gaming companies.
The benefits of gaming that he noticed in himself and for others.
Being a gaming/esports evangelist:
How to demonstrate to media and tech companies the value of the gaming audience
How to talk to the “suits”
The value of perseverance
Show them the money
Servers
Servers 101: why is location so important to gamers and esports professionals
How gaming drove down the cost of connectivity in South Africa
Publishers vs. private servers
Media Companies
Are media companies interested in esports?
How can esports can use broadcast TV?
Do sponsors understand esports?
Mobile
Is mobile the future of esports in Africa?
Olympics
Should the Olympics include esports in their program?
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/11-servers-plus-how-to-introduce-gaming-to-non-gaming-companies-with-brad-kirby-in-south-africa
* * *
FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Brad Kirby:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-kirby-0562922/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShotgunSchmoe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shotgunschmoe
Discord: https://www.discordapp.com/users/Shotgun%20Schmoe#2428
The African Cyber Gaming League (ACGL): https://acgl.co.za/
* * *
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.
The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
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!

Saturday Jul 02, 2022
Esports in Africa with Michael Akintaju in Atlanta
Saturday Jul 02, 2022
Saturday Jul 02, 2022
Today’s guest is Michael Akintaju. He lives in Atlanta, GA in the US, and is from Lagos, Nigeria. He is a writer at the AfroGamer where you may have heard him on the AfroGamer Podcast. He is also a project manager Lagos Esports Forum (LESF) and Co-Founder of Mobiele.
Michael demonstrates that it is possible to support esports around the world from anywhere in the world.
Our discussion included:
What is it like to work on esports in Africa and Nigeria while living in the US?
The Lagos Esports Forum (LESF)
What is the LEST and how did it come about?
What was it like to start a project in the middle of the COVID pandemic?
How LESF began returning to in person events in a big way with Mortal Kombat on a cinema screen
Mobile
Is mobile the future of esports in Africa?
The three reasons it will dominate in the future
Mobile events
Mobiele – what is this new platform and how did it come about?
Future plans for Mobiele
The Afro Gamer
Michael talks about the podcast and some of his favorite moments
Other Afro Gamer projects and how it got started
Investment in Esports
The investment climate in esports
International funding for Africa esports
The difference between gaming and esports
Olympics
Should the Olympics include esports in their program?
The Commonwealth Games
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/10-esports-in-africa-with-michael-akintaju-in-atlanta
* * *
FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Michael Akintaju:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelakintaju/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ifeakintaju
Lagos Esports Forum: https://thelesf.com/
The AfroGamer: https://theafrogamer.com/
The AfroGamer Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-afrogamer/id1492919060
Mobiele - https://themobiele.com/Home
* * *
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.
The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
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!

Saturday Jun 25, 2022
Sponsorship and Marketing with Nick Holden from South Africa
Saturday Jun 25, 2022
Saturday Jun 25, 2022
Today’s guest is Nicholas Holden. He is an industry-respected esports and gaming specialist in South Africa. He is the managing director of African Cyber Gaming League (ACGL.co.za) and works with Entravision 365 Digital as their Gaming Solution Specialist.
With over 11 years of work experience in gaming and esports, Nick and his team have played a pivotal role in growing competitive gaming in the school, university, and public sector in South Africa. With a strong belief in building a sustainable future for esport, ACGL provides a pillar via their award-winning platform from which to grow gaming not only in South Africa but also for the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa too.
Our discussion included:
The African Cyber Gaming League - a South African eSports company specializing in online and LAN tournament administration, management, and broadcasting.
What is ACGL and how did it come about?
Sponsorship
How to identify and recruit the right sponsors for your esports program
Figure out what your value is first
Does “no” really mean “no”?
Metrics a sponsor may be looking for to be successful
Challenges of sponsorship in the African esports world
Marketing
Where can you find your audience?
The importance of community
Structure is key to success
Social Media
How should an esports enterprise approach the use of social media
Think of the platforms as “rooms”
Unpaid Media
What is unpaid media and how can it be used
“Shoot for the stars”
Content strategy
Mobile
Is mobile the future of esports in Africa?
Olympics
Should the Olympics include esports in their program?
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/9-sponsorship-and-marketing-with-nick-holden-from-south-africa
* * *
FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Nicholas “Nick” Holden:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holdenza/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HoldenZA
African Cyber Gaming League - ACGL: https://acgl.co.za/
* * *
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.
The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
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!

Saturday Jun 18, 2022
Creating Esports Jobs Around the World from Chile with Ulises Fahnert
Saturday Jun 18, 2022
Saturday Jun 18, 2022
Today’s guest is Ulises Fahnert from Santiago, Chile. He is the Founder of NowPlayNoGames and has many years of experience in a wide variety of esports ventures.
NOTE: The most important message that was brought home in this discussion was that creating esports jobs can be done from anywhere in the world with planning and persistence.
Our discussion included:
Esports in South and Latin America
What is the current landscape of esports in South America
How different countries stack up – Mexico and Brazil for example
Servers, always servers
Government impact on esports – history and hopeful future
Esports across cultures
Is gaming an international language on its own?
Game and platform preferences
Interesting note: Ulises got into gaming not only from playing at a young age, but by the opportunity for international travel.
The Vision
100 million concurrent viewers of esports
Is the future of media esports?
How can esports truly become mainstream?
India
The road to India goes through Brazil
Changing peoples’ lives through esports
Sponsorship
A new form of sponsorship
What is a sponsor actually looking for?
Gamers are smart
Mobile
Is mobile the future of esports in South America?
Is PS and XBOX in their last iteration?
Mobile live events – lower cost and higher impact
Olympics
Should the Olympics in esports?
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/8-creating-esports-jobs-around-the-world-from-chile-with-ulises-fahnert
* * *
FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
Ulises Fahnert
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulises-c%C3%A1rcamo-fahnert-546a1286/
Today’s guest is Ulises Fahnert from Santiago, Chile. He is the Founder of NowPlayNoGames and has many years of experience in a wide variety of esports ventures.
Email: ulises@noplaynohgames.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ulisescf/
Festigame: https://festigame.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.
The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
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!

Saturday Jun 11, 2022
Creating a University Esports Program with John Cash
Saturday Jun 11, 2022
Saturday Jun 11, 2022
Today’s guest is John Cash, the Founder & Global Professor JCSU Gaming & Esports Initiative at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States. In addition, he is the Chief Development & Education Officer and Investor at Cxmmunity in Atlanta, Georgia.
NOTE: The most important message that was brought home in this discussion was that creating esports programs at the university level is important to develop job skills for all of esports.
Our discussion included:
HBCU Institutions in the US
What are HBCU’s and how do they fit into the higher education in the US.
What challenges are there in creating an esports program at HBCU institutions.
John C. Smith University
Details on John C. Smith University
Esports Trifecta at JCSU
Establishing an Esports Program
Teamwork needed to get a program approved
What brought the administration over the finish line in the approval process
Describing what is in it for the university
Bootstrapping an esports trifecta program
Partnerships that made it happen
Esports Program Trifecta
What makes up the three components of an esports program
What classes are needed
What types of jobs will graduates be qualified to take including those in multi-media
Costs of a university education in the US
Diversity
Why diversity is an important part of higher education
Veterans Esports Programs
What are esports programs geared for veterans in the US
Cxmmunity
What is Cxmmunity
How was it established
Sponsorship opportunities made available through Cxmmunity
Episode Webpage: https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/7-creating-a-university-esports-program-with-john-cash
7-creating-a-university-esports-program-with-john-cash
* * *
FEATURED IN THIS EPISDOE:
John Cash
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlcash/
Today, I am honored to have John Cash, the Founder & Global Professor JCSU Gaming & Esports Initiative at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States. In addition, he is the Chief Development & Education Officer l Investor at Cxmmunity in Atlanta, Georgia.
John C. Smith University - https://www.jcsu.edu/
Historically Black Colleges and Universities - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historically_black_colleges_and_universities
How Esports Increases Enrollment and Funding for HBCUs - https://edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2021/01/how-esports-increases-enrollment-and-funding-hbcus
Cxmmunity - https://www.cxmmunity.co/
Bunker Labs - https://bunkerlabs.org/
* * *
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.
The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.
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!

Tom Leonard
Host
Now I definitely don’t have all the answers. Or even all the questions. But I do know that if we join forces, team up on a quest, we can figure it out together. Every gamer knows that this is a winning strategy.