In this episode of Game Jam, Max sits down with Vanessa Lane, founder of BetterPlay Studios, to unpack how cozy games are reshaping the way we think about mental health, emotional regulation, and community connection.
Vanessa brings a rare perspective — part game developer, part educator, and full-time mom — on why play is a vital part of adult well-being, how BetterPlay curates therapeutic games, and why the label “gamer” means more than ever in 2025.
They dive into:
Whether you’re a gamer, a parent, a developer, or just curious how games can support mental health, this episode will change how you see the controller in your hand.
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What do Duolingo, Roblox, and Ray-Ban Meta glasses have in common?
They’re all proof that brands are being built in places most marketers aren’t even looking.
In this episode, Max sits down with Michael Miraflor — independent brand strategist, former CMO, and trusted advisor to VC firms, startups, and Fortune 500s — for an unfiltered conversation on where modern marketing is headed.
They cover:
If you care about marketing, brand, or reaching the next generation of consumers, this is a masterclass.
🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Game Jam for weekly interviews on gaming, attention, and the future of interactive media.
Moody Mattan, Founder and CEO of BrandXR, joins Max Albert to break down where augmented reality is actually working—and where it’s just hype.
From activating 3-minute ad experiences in Miami to building military-grade training tools and retail tech for tattoo parlors, Moody walks through real-world AR use cases that are solving real business problems today.
This isn’t a conversation about the metaverse. It’s a tactical, on-the-ground look at:
We even play AR Shark Tank, pitching Moody wild concepts like memory-enhancing glasses and virtual wardrobe filters.
If you’re a founder, investor, or operator building in the gaming, spatial tech, or adtech ecosystem—this is required listening.
Is the future of game publishing being built in the Midwest?
In this episode, Game Jam host Max Albert sits down with Ben Kvalo, founder of Midwest Games and former Netflix Games executive, for one of the most honest, insightful, and eye-opening conversations about the state of game publishing today.
Ben is not just building a new publisher. He’s rebuilding the entire model—with a developer-first approach, a new monetization structure, and a commitment to supporting talent in underrepresented regions like the Midwest.
This episode covers it all:
Whether you’re an indie dev, investor, publisher, or just someone who cares about the future of gaming—you do not want to miss this conversation.
Topics Covered:
00:00 – GDC, VIP sightings, and post-conference chaos
03:00 – Why the games industry still exploits developers
06:00 – How game publishing is becoming more like indie film
09:00 – Ben’s process for evaluating games at Midwest
14:00 – What makes a game commercially viable
17:00 – Shocking revenue stats: publishers vs. everyone else
20:00 – Inside Netflix Games: retention, IP strategy, and churn
26:00 – Why gaming needs better curation platforms
33:00 – The rise of Shadow Publishing
40:00 – Building a sustainable publishing model for 2025
44:00 – Overrated vs. underrated: AI art, live service, UGC
50:00 – Publishing in the Midwest and funding overlooked talent
Is the gaming industry broken—or just evolving?
In this wide-ranging episode, Max Albert sits down with Justin Berenbaum, VP Strategic Planning at Xsolla & GM Xsolla Funding Club, to unpack the massive shifts happening across game development, funding, publishing, and player behavior.
Whether you’re building your first indie game, fundraising for your studio, or just trying to make sense of this weird post-pandemic gaming economy—this episode is your founder’s field guide.
Justin has nearly 30 years of strategic development experience in the video game industry. As part of his role at Xsolla, Justin travels the globe, speaking at events on topics such as funding, investment, strategic partnerships, and the broader video game industry. Justin has worked with thousands of developers and publishers across the globe, and brings an unfiltered perspective of someone who’s actually read the pitch decks, fielded the builds, and seen what works (and what definitely doesn’t).
🎯 We dive deep into:
From Steam oversupply to building community before building hype—this conversation is the realest talk on game development and publishing you’ll hear all year.
In this episode, Max Albert sits down with Sean Hall, the founder of wellious, a wellness-focused protein powder brand that went from a $3,000 side hustle to a multi-million dollar business—without raising a dollar of venture capital (yet).
Sean shares the full behind-the-scenes of building Wellious:
🏋️♂️ How he developed the product in just 3 months
💡 Why taste & brand matter more than hype
📈 What’s working (and what’s not) when it comes to content, influencers, and awareness
🧠 The mindset and discipline that helped him stay consistent—both in the gym and as a founder
💸 What he’s learned as he enters his first fundraise after building a profitable foundation
Whether you’re in CPG, bootstrapping a business, or trying to build a brand people actually care about—this episode is a masterclass in focus, consistency, and building something real.
Gaming is evolving. It’s no longer just about entertainment—it’s becoming a powerful tool for personal growth, wellness, and community building.In this episode, Max Albert sits down with Alina Matson, CEO & Founder of Glossbird, to discuss how gaming is shifting from escapism to empowerment. From launching Fitment, an exercise game inspired by Animal Crossing, to developing Nudes, a desktop tool that fights distractions (yes, we talk about those Nudes), Alina is redefining what games can do for players beyond just fun.🔥 In this episode, we cover:✔️ The VC vs. publisher debate—how should indie studios raise money?✔️ How games are being designed to improve mental & physical wellness✔️ The biggest mistakes indie founders make when pitching their games✔️ Where gaming is headed in 2025 & beyond—new trends in funding, community, and retention✔️ Why the next big thing in gaming isn’t just about graphics—it’s about growth🎮 If you’re an indie developer, game marketer, or just obsessed with how gaming is changing the world, this episode is for you.📌 Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:00 - VC vs. Publishers: What Indie Studios Need to Know10:30 - Why Games Are the Next Frontier for Wellness & Self-Improvement18:45 - The Story Behind “Nudes” (Yes, That’s the Actual Game Name)26:00 - Monetization & Retention Strategies for Indie Developers34:15 - The Future of Gaming: Where the Industry is Headed42:00 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Alina🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into the gaming industry & how it’s transforming culture, business, and creativity.