Ever notice how players stay stuck when the game doesn’t tell them where they’re going? Turns out… we do the same in real life. In the latest episode of the Professor Game Podcast, Glen Lubbert shared a powerful idea: 🚕 Your brain is a cab driver. If you don’t give it a destination, it just stays parked. It hit me hard because it applies directly to how we design experiences, communities, and products. Clear goals = clearer paths = more motivated players. So let’s turn this into a practical discussion for our community: 👉 What’s one goal in your current project or product that feels too fuzzy… and how could you turn it into a “clear destination” for your users? It can be big or small, the point is to sharpen it together. Drop your thoughts below. I’ll be replying to every comment and helping refine ideas so they become more actionable (and more gamifiable). Let’s level this up together!

I just released a new episode diving into something we’ve all run into: confirm shaming. Those guilt-driven prompts apps use to push us into the choice they want. Sure, these dark patterns can boost quick numbers… but they absolutely destroy long-term trust, retention, and community. In the episode, I unpack real examples (some wild ones), the psychology behind them, and how ethical, game-inspired design can motivate users without manipulating them. If your product or community relies on behavior change, this episode will give you a clearer path to ethical motivation that actually works. 👉 Watch the episode and let me know in the comments: Have you ever been “confirm shamed” by an app? What did it say?

What if your biggest failure ended up being your biggest breakthrough? 💡 That’s what happened to Matt Dalio, founder of Endless Studios. He joined me on the latest episode of the Professor Game Podcast to share how a failed “hackable game” project became the foundation for a new way of learning — where students build games to master coding, design, and collaboration. We talked about testing assumptions cheaply, balancing vision with pragmatism, and finding sustainable ways to grow without losing your north star. 👉 Now I’d love to hear from you: Have you ever had a “favorite fail” — one that taught you something essential or changed your approach completely? Share your story below! Let’s turn our collective lessons into inspiration for the community. 🎯

Hey hey! 💜 We just hit a huge milestone: 8 years and 420 episodes of the Professor Game Podcast! 🥳 From recording in a hospital room to becoming the #1 gamification podcast in the world, this journey has been powered by one thing above all: consistency. Your support, feedback, and energy have made this community what it is today: curious, creative, and unstoppable. 🙌 I’d love to hear from you 👇 ➡️ What’s one lesson you’ve taken from the podcast or this community that’s helped you level up your own engagement strategy? Let’s keep playing, learning, and growing together. 💪

Welcome to The Game of Skool The best place for: 💬 Building a Community Around Your Content or Coaching Program 🎮 Using Game Mechanics to Turn Engagement into Real Value 💰 Monetizing Your Expertise Through a Thriving Membership Community 🎉 You’re officially in — and we’ve got something fun waiting for you. To get started, complete this short 3-step journey. It takes less than 5 minutes and will unlock your Mystery Gift. 🎁 Comment START below and 👉 click here to begin