Best Interactive Demos Podcasts (2025)

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Generative AI in the Real World: Jay Alammar on Building AI for the Enterprise

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7d ago

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Jay Alammar, director and Engineering Fellow at Cohere, joins Ben Lorica to talk about building AI applications for the enterprise, using RAG effectively, and the evolution of RAG into agents. Listen in to find out what kinds of metadata you need when you’re onboarding a new model or agent; discover how an emphasis on evaluation […]…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Phillip Carter on Where Generative AI Meets Observability

21d ago

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Phillip Carter, formerly of Honeycomb, and Ben Lorica talk about observability and AI—what observability means, how generative AI causes problems for observability, and how generative AI can be used as a tool to help SREs analyze telemetry data. There’s tremendous potential because AI is great at finding patterns in massive datasets, but it’s still…

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Episode 105 - Fortress of Death 58:55

1M ago58:55

58:55

In this episode of The Offline Gamer, Matt and Karen step into the immersive audio-driven world of Sound Realms for a playthrough of the dark and dramatic Fortress of Death. Guided by narration, sound effects, and a whole lot of dice rolls, they navigate traps, solve puzzles, and fight for survival—all in real time. It’s part dungeon crawl, part ra…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Raiza Martin on Building AI Applications for Audio

1M ago

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Audio is being added to AI everywhere: both in multimodal models that can understand and generate audio and in applications that use audio for input. Now that we can work with spoken language, what does that mean for the applications that we can develop? How do we think about audio interfaces—how will people use them, […]…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 28: Gamify the Aisle: In-Store Retail Gamification That Works 12:33

1M ago12:33

12:33

After a brief hiatus, the PlayAbly Podcast is back — and Angelo’s hitting the road. From LA to New York, he’s meeting with brands IRL to show how retail gamification isn't just for your Shopify store — it works just as powerfully in-store. We dive into PlayAbly's latest interactive retail activation with Central Perk, blending shoppable games and l…

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Episode 104 - UKGE 2025 Wrap-Up – Part Two 2:12:58

2M ago2:12:58

2:12:58

Matt and Karen are back with part two of their UK Games Expo 2025 round-up! This time, they chat about even more games they played and picked up—including relaxing pattern builders, clever two-player showdowns, and some truly unique indie gems. They also reflect on the general atmosphere of the show, the creativity on display, and whether the event…

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Episode 103 - UKGE 2025 Wrap-Up – Part One 1:19:38

2M ago1:19:38

1:19:38

In this episode of The Offline Gamer, Matt and Karen return from UK Games Expo 2025 and dive into part one of their two-part wrap-up! Sadly, Rai couldn't join them this year due to illness, so it's just the two of them sharing first impressions, con highlights, and a few mild grumbles (spoiler: air conditioning is important). They discuss how the n…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Danielle Belgrave on Generative AI in Pharma and Medicine

3M ago

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Join Danielle Belgrave and Ben Lorica for a discussion of AI in healthcare. Danielle is VP of AI and machine learning at GSK (formerly GlaxoSmithKline). She and Ben discuss using AI and machine learning to get better diagnoses that reflect the differences between patients. Listen in to learn about the challenges of working with health […]…

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Episode 102 - UKGE 2025 Preview 1:07:29

3M ago1:07:29

1:07:29

The UK Games Expo 2025 is nearly here, and Matt, Karen, and Rai are back with their annual mega-preview! In this episode, the team covers everything you need to know for UKGE 2025 – from the new hall layout and bring & buy changes, to Chow Street’s food truck lineup and their top tips for surviving the weekend. They also each highlight five games t…

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Episode 101 - A Minor Disaster 1:28:58

3M ago1:28:58

1:28:58

In Episode 101, Matt and Karen return for a slightly shorter show ahead of their big UKGE preview. They share highlights from recent game days with friends, discussing a mix of new and favourite titles, including Rebirth, Restless Spirits, Trio, Castle Combo, Explorers of Navoria, and more. Matt also interviews the team behind Minor Disaster Games,…

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Generative AI in the Real World: The Startup Opportunity with Gabriela de Queiroz

3M ago

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Ben Lorica and Gabriela de Queiroz, director of AI at Microsoft, talk about startups: specifically, AI startups. How do you get noticed? How do you generate real traction? What are startups doing with agents and with protocols like MCP and A2A? And which security issues should startups watch for, especially if they’re using open weights […]…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Securing AI with Steve Wilson

3M ago

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Join Steve Wilson and Ben Lorica for a discussion of AI security. We all know that AI brings new vulnerabilities into the software landscape. Steve and Ben talk about what makes AI different, what the big risks are, and how you can use AI safely. Find out how agents introduce their own vulnerabilities, and learn […]…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 27: How Gamification Boosts Conversions: Behind the Psychology 22:11

4M ago22:11

22:11

Is your ecommerce store blending into the Shopify sea of sameness? In this episode of The PlayAbly Podcast, we’re joined by PlayAbly CEO and founder John Cheng to uncover the science, psychology, and serious ROI behind ecommerce gamification. From his early days at Unity to the founding of PlayAbly during the COVID-era ecommerce shakeup, John share…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Shreya Shankar on AI for Corporate Data Processing

4M ago

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Businesses have a lot of data—but most of that data is unstructured textual data: reports, catalogs, emails, notes, and much more. Without structure, business analysts can’t make sense of the data; there is value in the data, but it can’t be put to use. AI can be a tool for finding and extracting the structure […]…

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Episode 100 - Quiz Time at AireCon 2025 1:14:06

4M ago1:14:06

1:14:06

To celebrate 100 episodes and 10 years of The Offline Gamer, we brought together a fantastic group of board game creators, friends, and fellow enthusiasts for a chaotic, laughter-filled quiz live at AireCon 2025! Hosted by Matt, this special episode features guest teams including Adam from Die Rollin’, Will the Board Game Wizard, Chris from Unfring…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 26: Why Brand Ads Flop in Games—and What Actually Works 22:59

4M ago22:59

22:59

DOWNLOAD THE PLAYABLY SHOPIFY APP Brand ads in games? They’ve been called the Holy Grail of digital marketing… and yet, most have failed spectacularly. In this episode of the Playably Podcast, our host Kajal Ford sits down with Playably CEO and founder John Chang to unpack why traditional in-game brand advertising never took off—and why the solutio…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Vibe Coding with Steve Yegge

4M ago

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Ever since Andrej Karpathy first tweeted it, “vibe coding” has been on every software developer’s mind. Join Ben Lorica and Steve Yegge to find out what vibe coding means, especially in a professional context. Going beyond the current memes, what will the future of software development look like when we have multiple agents? And how […]…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 25: From App Stores to Shopify: What DTC Brands Can Learn from the Mobile Gaming Boom 14:57

5M ago14:57

14:57

In this episode of the Playably Podcast, co-founder Angelo joins to break down a major parallel between two digital revolutions: the mobile gaming explosion of the 2010s and today’s Shopify store boom. What does Flappy Bird have in common with high-fiber candy brands? More than you think. We explore how platforms like Unity and Shopify democratized…

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Episode 99 - AireCon 2025 Chronicles: Dice, Ducks & Demos 1:08:19

5M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

In Episode 99, Matt and Karen recount their jam-packed weekend at AireCon 2025 in Harrogate. From the ups and downs of the Bring & Buy to an epic quest for food through the convention’s labyrinthine layout, they dive into the highlights, including games played, exhibitors visited, and surprise finds. They also preview exciting upcoming releases, sh…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Interactions Between Humans and AI with Rajeshwari Ganesan

5M ago

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In this edition of Generative AI in the Real World, Ben Lorica and Rajeshwari Ganesan talk about how to put generative AI in closer touch with human needs and requirements. AI isn’t all about building bigger models and benchmarks. To use it effectively, we need better interfaces; we need contexts that support groups rather than […]…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 24: Revolutionizing Rainy Days: How Brella Shoppe is Disrupting the Umbrella Market 26:00

5M ago26:00

26:00

Turning Rainy Days into Runway Moments: How Brella Shoppe is Redefining an Untapped Market with Shauna Cowit In this episode of the Playably Podcast, we sit down with Shauna Cowit, founder of Brella Shoppe, to explore how she’s transforming umbrellas from boring afterthoughts into must-have fashion accessories. Shauna shares how her "toxically opti…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Getting Beyond the Demo with Hamel Husain

5M ago

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Submit a proposal for a talk at our new virtual conference, Coding with AI: The End of Software Development as We Know It. Proposals must be submitted by March 12; the conference will take place May 8, 2025, from 11am to 3pm EDT. Just want to attend? Register for free here. In this episode, Ben Lorica […]…

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Episode 98 - Airecon 2025 Preview 1:08:58

6M ago1:08:58

1:08:58

Join Matt and Karen in Episode 98 of The Offline Gamer as they dive into all things Airecon 2025! They discuss what makes this Harrogate-based board game convention a must-visit, covering the exhibitor lineup, open gaming spaces, event highlights, and even a sneak peek at upcoming releases. Whether you're a seasoned attendee or a first-timer, get r…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Agents—The Next Step in AI with Shelby Heinecke

6M ago

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On May 8, O’Reilly Media will be hosting Coding with AI: The End of Software Development as We Know It—a live virtual tech conference spotlighting how AI is already supercharging developers, boosting productivity, and providing real value to their organizations. If you’re in the trenches building tomorrow’s development practices today and intereste…

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PlayAbly Episode 23: Better Customer Journeys and Better SEO with Easy On-site Engagement 14:43

6M ago14:43

14:43

Gamification isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the future of e-commerce engagement and SEO strategy. In this episode of the Playably Podcast, we explore how incorporating interactive experiences can transform your online store into a high-performing powerhouse. Our Account Director, Gabi, joins us to break down how gamification enhances user engagement, r…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 22: How Tariffs Are Reshaping E-Commerce: Strategies for Staying Competitive 25:05

6M ago25:05

25:05

Tariffs are back in the spotlight, and e-commerce brands are feeling the impact. In this episode of the PlayAbly Podcast, we break down what tariffs really mean, who pays the price, and how they’re shaking up global trade. Join our host and PlayAbly CEO, John, as we explore how brands can navigate rising costs, diversify supply chains, and leverage…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 21: Gamifying Growth – How Playfield Created a Viral DTC Brand with Engagement & Community 21:06

6M ago21:06

21:06

In this episode of the Playably Podcast, we sit down with Ivana, founder of Playfield, the pet accessories brand behind the viral Bailey Kit. We dive into her journey from Google to launching a DTC brand, the challenges of bootstrapping, and how she’s building a community-driven brand with playful, engaging experiences. We also discuss the Playfiel…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Measuring Skills with Kian Katanforoosh

6M ago

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How do we measure skills in an age of AI? That question has an effect on everything from hiring to productive teamwork. Join Kian Katanforoosh, founder and CEO of Workera, and Ben Lorica for a discussion of how we can use AI to assess skills more effectively. How do we get beyond pass/fail exams to […]…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 20: Designing Play: Why Every Brand Needs a Game Designer (and What Makes a Game Great!) 22:17

7M ago22:17

22:17

What does a game designer really do, and why does it matter for your brand? In this episode, we sit down with Seema, our Head of UX and Game Design, to uncover the psychology behind great game design and its impact on customer engagement. From building shoppable games that drive conversions to creating immersive ecommerce gamification strategies an…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 19: NRF 2025 Recap: How Playably Stood Out and What’s Next for Retail 22:10

7M ago22:10

22:10

In this episode, we dive into the excitement of the NRF conference, where over 6,200 global brands gathered in New York City to explore the future of retail. Join us as the Playably team reflects on their experience, including: Insights from showcasing shoppable games and engaging with industry leaders. Behind-the-scenes moments, from assembling ou…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Chloé Messdaghi on AI Security, Policy, and Regulation

7M ago

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Chloé Messdaghi and Ben Lorica discuss AI security—a subject of increasing importance as AI-driven applications roll out into the real world. There’s a knowledge gap: Security workers don’t understand AI, and AI developers don’t understand security. Be aware of all the resources that are available; we expect to see AI security certifications and tr…

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PlayAbly Podcast 18: Breaking the Bounce- More Sales Through Engagement 26:00

7M ago26:00

26:00

Bounce rates have been a persistent pain point for websites, but why do so many visitors leave before engaging? In this episode of the Playably Podcast, our CEO John Cheng dives deep into the psychology behind bounce rates and what makes websites "sticky." We explore: 🎯 Why bounce rates remain high despite advancements in eCommerce. 🧠 The psycholog…

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Episode 97 - 2024s Best Plays and 2025s Next Moves 2:05:28

7M ago2:05:28

2:05:28

In this episode, Matt, Karen, and Rai take a deep dive into their gaming highlights of 2024, reflecting on favourite titles, standout events, and exciting moments shared with friends and listeners. They also discuss their gaming plans for 2025, including conventions and anticipated releases. Rai returns as a guest co-host. The team shares updates o…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 17: From Monopoly to McDonald’s: What Board Games Teach Us About Customer Engagement 24:37

7M ago24:37

24:37

What do Monopoly, UNO, and McDonald's Monopoly all have in common? They’ve mastered the art of engagement by tapping into human behavior, nostalgia, and fun. In this episode, we’re joined by Seema, PlayAbly’s Head of UX and Design, to explore the timeless principles behind the games we grew up loving. From competitive moments (hello, UNO reverse ca…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 16: Stop Putting Spinners on Your Website 15:51

7M ago15:51

15:51

Ever felt personally victimized by a discount spinner? You know, those flashy wheels of disappointment promising 50% off but always landing on a measly 10%? Seema, our UX and game design guru, is here to spill the tea on why spinners are the awkward middle child of eCommerce gimmicks. In this episode, we unpack: 🎡 Why spinners are the digital equiv…

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Episode 96 - Christmas 2024 1:10:40

8M ago1:10:40

1:10:40

In this festive episode of The Offline Gamer, Matt and Karen share their Christmas gaming plans, discuss family-friendly titles like Wuzzled and Rolling Ranch, and reflect on recent plays, including Balatro, Tape to Tape, and The Spill. They recount highlights from the Meeple People Weekender, featuring games like Century: Golem Edition and Yukon S…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Tom Smoker on Getting Started with GraphRAG

8M ago

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Join Ben Lorica and Tom Smoker for a discussion of GraphRAG, one of the hottest topics of the last few months. GraphRAG goes a step beyond RAG to make the output of language models more consistent, accurate, and explainable. But what is a graph? A graph is a way of structuring data. In the end, […]By Radar

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 15: Gamification, Taylor Swift, and the Eras of E-Commerce: How to Build a Brand Fans Love 16:28

8M ago16:28

16:28

What do Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and ecommerce gamification have in common? Turns out, everything. In this episode of the Playably Podcast, we dive into how Taylor Swift has mastered gamification to build unmatched fan loyalty, from surprise songs to Easter eggs and fan-driven experiences. We explore: 🎤 The gamified strategies behind the Eras Tour’…

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PlayAbly Podcast 14 - Gamification Everywhere: Lessons from Temu and Beyond 17:10

8M ago17:10

17:10

In this episode of the Playably Podcast, we sit down with CEO and founder John Cheng to deconstruct how gamification has become a cornerstone for global success stories like Temu. From interactive spinners and loyalty programs to personalized engagement strategies, we explore how brands are using gamification to hook customers, drive loyalty, and g…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 13: Crafting the Perfect Interactive Experience with PlayAbly’s Head of UX 18:27

9M ago18:27

18:27

In this episode of the PlayAbly podcast, we’re joined by Seema, PlayAbly’s Head of UX and Game Design. Seema works directly with customers to help them shape the games and interactive experiences that boost engagement. Today, she shares insights into balancing client ideas with best UX practices, designing games that work for different customer per…

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Generative AI in the Real World: Robert Nishihara on AI and the Future of Data

9M ago

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Robert Nishihara is one of the creators of Ray and cofounder of Anyscale, a platform for high-performance distributed data analysis and artificial intelligence. Ben Lorica and Robert discuss the need for data for the next generation of AI, which will be multimodal. What kinds of data will we need to develop models for video and […]…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 12: How AI and Personalization are Transforming E-commerce: Insights from Playably CEO John Cheng 14:42

9M ago14:42

14:42

In this episode of the PlayAbly podcast, I’m joined by Playably CEO and founder John Chaeg to dive into the transformative power of AI and personalization in the e-commerce industry. John shares insights from his extensive experience building companies focused on personalization, discusses how AI is being used to enhance the customer journey, and e…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 11: Black Friday Strategy Part 3 12:58

9M ago12:58

12:58

In the latest episode of the Playably Podcast, Kajal and Gabi dive into a key Black Friday Cyber Monday strategy: maximizing engagement with playable ads. With BFCM season fast approaching, brands are vying for shoppers’ attention in a shorter-than-usual holiday window. Gabi explains why ecommerce gamification is critical for driving meaningful con…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 10: Black Friday Strategy Part 2 18:53

9M ago18:53

18:53

In this second episode of our Black Friday series, CEO and Founder John Cheng breaks down how advent calendars can drive customer engagement and boost holiday sales. Discover the psychology behind these calendars and why they’re an effective tool for capturing customer attention in a high-competition season. John shares examples of how brands can l…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 9: Black Friday Strategy Part 1 11:08

9M ago11:08

11:08

Black Friday Episode 1 of a 3 Part Series In this episode, Angelo and Kajal dive into practical ways brands can harness gamification to boost holiday sales and engagement. From advent calendars to streaks, learn how interactive experiences and themed content keep customers returning. Discover how ecommerce gamification can help your brand stand out…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 8: Landing Pages, Turning Clicks into Conversions 13:50

10M ago13:50

13:50

In this episode, we're unlocking the secrets behind landing pages—those crucial first impressions that can make or break your conversions. We'll dive into everything from design and messaging to optimization tips, transforming your landing page into a true conversion powerhouse. For eCommerce brands, we'll also discuss how ecommerce gamification, s…

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Episode 95 - Halloween Special 2024 (The Lost Ship) 3:03:10

10M ago3:03:10

3:03:10

In this special Halloween episode, Adam from the Die Rollin' YouTube channel helms a thrilling three-hour journey through The Lost Ship, a bone-chilling adventure from the SHIVER RPG. Set in the icy Arctic Circle, this story follows a military team investigating a lost vessel, only to discover terrifying secrets lurking below deck. With SHIVER’s un…

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Episode 94 - ACWest 2024 1:11:30

10M ago1:11:30

1:11:30

In this episode of The Offline Gamer, Matt and Karen are live from ACWest at the Telford International Center, sharing their experiences at this vibrant convention. From exploring the exhibitor hall and checking out unique accessories to trying out new board games, they’ve packed in plenty of gaming action. Tune in for their thoughts on games like …

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 7: ShopTalk Fall Recap 17:06

10M ago17:06

17:06

In PlayAbly Podcast 7: ShopTalk Fall 2024 Recap, we chat with Seema and Angelo from PlayAbly, fresh from their ShopTalk Fall experience. They share key highlights, including engaging conversations about gamification, exciting trends, and unique insights from their meetings with top brands. Seema discusses the growing demand for gamified shopping ex…

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PlayAbly Podcast Episode 6: Boosting Paid Media with SEO: How Strategic Blogging Can Transform Your eCommerce ROI 11:34

10M ago11:34

11:34

In this episode of the PlayAbly podcast, we sit down with Gabi, the main point of contact for our major accounts, to explore how aligning your blog content with paid media strategies can significantly impact your eCommerce performance. Discover why relying solely on ad spend can limit your growth and how a strategic SEO approach using blog posts ca…