10 Lessons from 100 Episodes of Think Like a Game Designer

What I’ve learned about creativity, craft, and building things that matter

Feb 5 • Justin Gary

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4

1

January 2026

Theresa Duringer — UI as Game Design, Onboarding Without Friction, and the Ethics of AI (#99)

Think Like A Game Designer Podcast

Jan 29 • Justin Gary

3

3

1:19:10

Jaimie Wolanski — Tough Truths, Retail Realities, and How Games Create Connection (#98)

Think Like A Game Designer Podcast

Jan 15 • Justin Gary

3

1

1:00:04

Upstream Art in the Age of AI

The ethical case for hybrid human–AI tools

Jan 6 • Justin Gary

13

10

2

December 2025

Vlaada Chvátil — Designing for Joy, Building Great Games, and Letting Quality Do the Marketing (#97)

Think Like A Game Designer Podcast

Dec 18, 2025 • Justin Gary

1

1

1:10:42

The Energy Audit

Find what drains you—and fix it.

Dec 11, 2025 • Justin Gary

7

2

3

Carly McGinnis — Startup Scrappiness, Trusting Your Team, and the Rhythm of Leadership (#96)

Think Like A Game Designer Podcast

Dec 4, 2025 • Justin Gary

2

2

1:22:42

November 2025

Every Game Needs a Solid Foundation

The five phases of design that keep your game from collapsing

Nov 25, 2025 • Justin Gary

19

6

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Kyle Thiermann — Deadlines, Mentors, Curiosity, and the Craft of Connection (#95)

Think Like A Game Designer Podcast

Nov 18, 2025 • Justin Gary

5

2

1

1:17:10

Touko Tahkokallio — Curiosity, Physics, and the Power of Mental Playtesting (#94)

Think Like A Game Designer Podcast

Nov 6, 2025 • Justin Gary

5

1:14:01

October 2025

Deadlines Are Magic

Why the Best Designers Embrace Constraints

Oct 30, 2025 • Justin Gary

20

10

2

What We Earn by Struggling

Finding Joy, Purpose, and Flow in the Work That Tests You

Oct 23, 2025 • Justin Gary

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4

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