Better Games, Better Gamers

Captain Stephen Machuga is the founder and CEO of Stack Up, a non-profit organization that supports veterans' mental health by bringing people together around a shared love of gaming. In this episode, we explore the therapeutic power of gaming for veterans transitioning back to civilian life, and the meandering path that eventually led him to create a nonprofit. Stephen also discusses Stack Up's charity programs, including recreational supply crates for soldiers, peer support groups, suicide

Zachary Rozga is a Senior Executive at Twin Galaxies, a legendary name in gaming history that built its legacy by recognizing high scores and world records. Today, the organization is evolving into a modern competitive platform where individual achievements across all games can be celebrated, powered by a no-code system that enables creators, developers, and brands to launch their own custom challenges. In this episode, Zachary shares his journey from international development to the gaming

Lyn Dang is the Senior Social Media & Community Manager at Noodle Cat Games, a remote-first indie studio. Noodle Cat Games was named one of the Top 25 Game Changers of 2025 by Lightspeed, GamesBeat, and Nasdaq, and they recently announced their first title, Cloudheim, a multiplayer action RPG. Lyn has a background in community management for game IPs like Summoners War and Palia, and is passionate about helping the next generation of community managers break into the game industry. In this episode,

Charmaine Duff is the founder and Director of Women-Led Games, an organization dedicated to recognizing the contributions of innovative women in gaming by creating spaces to showcase their work at events like the Game Awards and Summer Games Fest. In this episode, we discuss the challenges and sexism women face in the gaming industry, including the uphill battle women must navigate when fundraising. Charmaine reflects on the importance of finding characters we identify with, sharing a powerful

Amaresh Shukla is an automation engineer at Ghost Story Games and the director of an indie action platforming game called Penn & Paige. In this episode, we discuss Amar's journey to becoming a professional game developer, his favorite childhood video game, and his hopes for the future of the industry.  ========== Join us on a challenging quest to discover how we can make the industry a better place for everyone who loves to play. In each episode, we’ll speak with industry professionals to learn how

Vanessa Lane is the CEO and Cofounder of BetterPlay Studios, a video game studio that works with psychologists to create a gaming platform that is fun and good for mental wellness. Kozee is a subscription-based gaming app that offers a curated selection of games that have a positive effect on your mental health, with tools to help users track the impacts and understand the theraputic benefits. In this episode, Vanessa shares her journey from teaching into running a video game company dedicated to

Eve Crevoshay is the Executive Director of Take This, a non-profit mental health organization providing comprehensive resources and support tailored for the unique needs and diverse cultures and issues of the game community. They combine clinical best practice with a love of all things gamer to provide a safe, accepting space for gamers and developers. Eve Crevoshay has over 20 years of experience with nonprofits and also serves as an advisor to the GDC Advocacy track and the Fair Play Alliance. She

Amaresh Shukla is an automation engineer at Ghost Story Games and the director of an indie action platforming game called Penn & Paige. In this episode, we discuss Amar's journey to becoming a professional game developer, his favorite childhood video game, and his hopes for the future of the industry.    ========== Join us on a challenging quest to discover how we can make the industry a better place for everyone who loves to play. In each episode, we’ll speak with industry professionals to learn