MetaRick Podcast

#45: Evan Sitler-Bates, CEO & Co-Founder at XpertVR

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2125947/open_sms] Evan Sitler-Bates, CEO & Co-Founder @ XpertVR The Co-Founder and CEO of XpertVR, where we focus on building immersive virtual reality training tools for first responders, educators, and industry. Over the past eight years, I’ve led projects that blend simulation, learning science, and data to make training safer, more accessible, and far more realistic than traditional methods. Our team collaborates with fire departments, colleges, and industrial organizations across North America to build VR scenarios that strengthen decision-making, leadership, and operational readiness. I’m driven by how XR can accelerate skill development and open new pathways for training the next generation of professionals. XpertVR Website: https://xpertvr.ca/ Evan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evansitlerbates/ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2125947/support]

#44: Luke De, XR Consultant

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2125947/open_sms] Luke De is an award-winning educator, scientist, and innovator who thrives at the intersection of emerging technology, neuroscience, and education. With over 20 years of experience designing transformative learning experiences, Luke leverages cutting-edge AI technologies and mixed reality to create deeply engaging educational content that empowers learners and drives measurable impact. Follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-de/ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2125947/support]

#43: Devin Marble, Director of Marketing & Channel Partnerships at VR Patients

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2125947/open_sms] Devin specializes in accelerating growth through strategic partnerships, brand leadership, and AI-powered immersive solutions in the XR (VR/MR) education and healthcare SaaS space. His background spans healthcare, research, education, immersive tech, storytelling, and growth marketing—giving him a rare vantage point to build teams, products, and relationships that scale. His career began in entertainment—hosting and producing for NBC/Universal Syfy—where he mastered the art of storytelling and audience engagement. He later pivoted to healthcare, serving as a hospital paramedic, NIH clinical researcher, and faculty program coordinator. That path eventually led him to immersive technology, where he found the intersection of his skills and passion: helping people learn faster, better, and with more equity. At VRpatients®, he's helped position them as a category leader—leading brand strategy, launching the AI-powered PhysioLogicAI™ platform, and building partnerships with Meta, HTC, and global resellers. He's driven community engagement as a thought leader and podcast host, growing an audience of 36K+ through The Immersive Medical Podcast and LinkedIn. His approach blends strategic marketing, storytelling, and partnerships to amplify trust and drive adoption. Driven by one mission: make immersive training the gold standard in healthcare and workforce education—empowering educators, reducing burnout, and improving patient outcomes. ____ Devin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinmarble/ The Immersive Medical Podcast: https://immersivemedicalpodcast.com/ VR Patients: https://vrpatients.com/ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2125947/support]

#42: Ben Widdowson, Head of Marketing Immersive Engineering at Siemens

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2125947/open_sms] 🚀 Bridging the Gap Between XR Innovation & Market Success 🚀 As an XR marketing leader, Ben specializes in launching and scaling immersive technologies that redefine how professionals and consumers interact with the digital world. Currently, as Head of Marketing for Immersive Engineering at Siemens, he led the strategic launch of an industry-first XR solution in partnership with Sony—a game-changing XR platform designed for engineers and designers to create 3D in 3D. Follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwiddowson/ NX Immersive Designer: https://www.sw.siemens.com/en-US/digital-transformation/sony-head-mounted-display-vr/ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2125947/support]

#41: Jonathan Beals, Solutions Consultant at Adobe | ex-Nike

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2125947/open_sms] Jonathan Beals is a Solutions Consultant at Adobe, helping Fortune 500 companies optimize creative workflows through AI, automation, and content scaling.  His expertise helps enterprises streamline digital production, improve efficiency, and unlock new creative possibilities. Previously, as Director of Virtual Materials at Nike, he built and led the Virtual Materials Studio into a globally recognized team, pioneering 3D visualization and AI-driven design. His innovations improved product design, reduced costs, and enhanced sustainability, generating over $50M annually. Follow Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebeals/ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2125947/support]