From Pixels to Pride: Stef Sanjati’s Journey Through Games and Identity

Airyn De Niro: Finding Identity and Escape Through Gaming

Voice actress, model, and proud transwoman Airyn De Niro joins Chris to share how gaming has been both an escape and a source of empowerment. From childhood memories on the Nintendo 64 to the transformative magic of Kingdom Hearts, Airyn opens up about identity, chosen family, and representation in gaming. This episode dives into topics like Pokémon, League of Legends, Genshin Impact, Hoyoverse titles, and Hogwarts Legacy, exploring how games can heal, connect, and inspire. (0:00) Intro – Gaming as connection, escape, and healing (0:27) Meet Airyn De Niro – voice actress, model, proud transwoman (1:14) Why Airyn reached out – gaming as a hidden passion beyond acting & modeling (2:34) Childhood gaming memories – Nintendo 64, Pokémon, Banjo-Kazooie, Spider-Man, Kirby (3:44) Discovering Kingdom Hearts – Disney nostalgia meets Final Fantasy storytelling (5:35) Playing with siblings – Smash Bros. Melee and Pokémon battles (6:51) Gaming as a safe space – coping with family stress and identity struggles (9:04) Comfort games – Pokémon community and Kingdom Hearts escapism (12:26) Character customization. Exploring identity through female avatars and MMOs (14:53) Finding chosen family - Discord, League of Legends, and online tribes(16:07) Strong female characters – Zelda, Aqua, Ahri, Evelynn, Yae Miko (Genshin Impact) (17:28) Hoyoverse games – art style, addiction, and dream of voicing a character (19:36) Dream voice acting roles – League of Legends, Hoyoverse titles, Pokémon, World of Warcraft (21:40) Gaming prescriptions – Kingdom Hearts for mood, roguelikes for collaborative fun (22:56) Long‑distance friendships – connecting with scattered communities through gaming (25:46) Meeting online friends IRL – trust, vulnerability, and lasting bonds (27:17) Chris’s story – World of Warcraft community during tough times (29:04) Representation in games – Hogwarts Legacy’s trans character and inclusivity hopes (32:11) Broader representation – indie games, community feedback, visibility in mainstream titles (35:00) Future of gaming – diverse stories, strong female leads, trans representation (38:00) Building a career in VO – Erin’s aspirations and advice for newcomers (41:00) Chosen family revisited – how gaming communities sustain us through life changes (43:00) Closing thoughts – courage, creativity, and how gaming continues to save lives Referenced in this episode:https://youtu.be/aG9U8cgnR3o?si=6FMJjA6UZ-qAp4gWhttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL34aCeJQEMUMLMDXL_j2yKvf5tTVjzYDT&si=7Nfn0fQrC2ABfsVR Saved by Gaming Podcast Spotify https://bit.ly/3FITNq4 Apple https://bit.ly/45GIA3Qhttps://www.youtube.com/@SavedByGamingPod Airyn De Niro https://www.instagram.com/airyndeniro ziggychris https://www.twitch.tv/ziggychristoffhttp://youtube.com/ziggychrishttps://www.instagram.com/ziggychristoffBlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/ziggychris.bsky.social Music creditSong: Convex - 4U (feat. Jex Jordyn) [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/4UWatch: http://youtu.be/dMnWZ8tAUkU

Gaming Without Sight: SightlessKombat on Accessibility, Agency, and Community

In this episode of Saved by Gaming, Ziggychris sits down with Sightless Kombat. A gamer, streamer, and award‑winning accessibility consultant who plays without sight. From his first experiences with audio games to consulting on blockbuster titles like God of War Ragnarok and Sea of Thieves, SK shares how gaming has shaped his life, career, and community. We explore the challenges of accessibility, the joy of agency in gameplay, and the camaraderie that makes multiplayer experiences unforgettable. Whether you’re a developer, gamer, or simply curious about how games can break barriers, this conversation will open your eyes to the transformative power of play. (0:00) Opening, introductions, and SightlessKombat’s background (1:30) Early gaming experiences: PC titles, audio‑only games, and discovering interactive soundscapes (5:20) Transition to PlayStation classics, fighting games, and the challenges of inaccessible move lists (8:30) Genres that felt out of reach, modern accessibility struggles, and finally playing The Last of Us (11:30) Spoilers vs. agency, God of War Ragnarok, and why choice matters in gameplay (15:30) Multiplayer joy: Sea of Thieves, Gears 5, teamwork, and camaraderie (18:30) How gaming shaped SK’s career, travel, and community connections (22:00) Inside accessibility consultancy: feedback, reviews, conferences, and industry impact (26:00) Tools, setups, screen readers, and making hardware/software accessible (33:00) Audio description, AI mods, and hopes for future accessibility innovations (40:00) Emotional impact of games, co‑op memories, and tabletop roleplay (47:00) Ripple effects, gaming prescriptions, comfort titles, and most‑played games (55:00) Industry changes, closing thoughts, and how to support SightlessKombat Saved by Gaming Podcast Spotify https://bit.ly/3FITNq4 Apple https://bit.ly/45GIA3Q https://www.youtube.com/@SavedByGamingPod ziggychris https://www.twitch.tv/ziggychristoff http://youtube.com/ziggychris https://www.instagram.com/ziggychristoff Music credit Song: Convex - 4U (feat. Jex Jordyn) [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/4UWatch: http://youtu.be/dMnWZ8tAUkU

The Positive Power of Play: How Games Heal and Connect Us, with Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer

In this episode of Saved by Gaming, ziggychris welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer, a clinical psychologist and expert in using games for mental health.Dr. Kilmer also works with  @TakeThisOrg  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCcV_E82kIWkaB5gxQZcBWJA] and co-authored "Therapeutically Applied Role Playing Games.”, so they are the perfect person to discuss the power of positive play with! (00:00) Intro (00:44) Meet Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer, clinical psychologist and games-in-therapy expert. (01:56) How games like D&D and Animal Crossing support mental health. (04:14) Real therapy stories using video games. (08:14) The power of gaming communities and connection. (15:31) Dr. Kilmer’s work with Take This. (20:44) Tackling online toxicity and building positive spaces. (24:36) Healthy gaming vs. avoidance. (30:46) Game recommendations for growth and connection. (36:52) The future of games in therapy and a key takeaway for listeners. Saved by Gaming PodcastSpotify https://bit.ly/3FITNq4 Apple https://bit.ly/45GIA3Qhttps://www.youtube.com/@SavedByGamingPod https://www.tiktok.com/@savedbygamingpod https://discord.gg/4hRctCGJua Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer Website elizabethkilmer.com Take This https://www.takethis.org/ ziggychris https://www.twitch.tv/ziggychristoff http://youtube.com/ziggychris https://www.instagram.com/ziggychristoff Music creditSong: Convex - 4U (feat. Jex Jordyn) [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/4UWatch: http://youtu.be/dMnWZ8tAUkU

From Pixels to Pride: Stef Sanjati’s Journey Through Games and Identity

🎮 Welcome to another episode of Saved by Gaming! Today, we sit down with the incredible Stef Sanjati, gaming and beauty creator, transgender advocacy expert, and World of Warcraft veteran. Together we discuss her journey of self-discovery, the power of gaming as a safe space, and how gaming and creativity have shaped her life. From early gaming memories to building inclusive online communities, this episode is packed with inspiration, honesty, and a celebration of gaming’s impact.  (00:00) Intro & Welcome  (00:26) Stef’s Early Gaming Memories  (02:00) Gaming and Gender Identity  (03:59) Growing Up in Rural Canada  (05:27) The Power of Safe Spaces in Gaming  (06:47) World of Warcraft’s Impact  (11:45) Building Online Communities  (17:20) Shifting from Beauty to Gaming Content  (23:18) Embracing Competitive Gaming & Overcoming Anxiety  (27:31) Community Growth and Leadership  (32:38) Tabletop Gaming & Life Lessons  (36:38) Stef’s Gaming Prescription  (38:14) Quickfire Questions: Warm Hug Game, Games That Made You Cry, and More  (42:00) The Power of Gaming for Self-Discovery  (45:57) Final Thoughts & Where to Find Stef Chris explained how #worldofwarcraft saved him in this episode https://youtu.be/aG9U8cgnR3o?si=NoDMQmIaVf4WxfGh And for a nostalgic flashback to ziggy's #wow days, here is an old guild run https://youtu.be/v2bJkdBZZKs?si=VAWwy3F80royV7b0 Stef Sanjatihttps://youtube.com/@stefsanjatiofficial?si=z5v75KcGJBFf69CMhttps://www.twitch.tv/stefsanjati https://twitter.com/StefSanjati https://www.tiktok.com/@stefsanjati ziggychrishttps://www.twitch.tv/ziggychristoffhttp://youtube.com/ziggychrishttps://www.instagram.com/ziggychristoffhttps://discord.gg/4hRctCGJua Music creditSong: Convex - 4U (feat. Jex Jordyn) [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/4UWatch: http://youtu.be/dMnWZ8tAUkU If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share. Plus we'd love to hear which game or gaming moments impacted you the most on your life journey x

From consoles to community: How Gaming Powers Charity with Games Aid

GamesAid Operations Coorindator, Mikey Walsh met with me to explore the power of gaming to create positive change! In this episode, Mikey shares his journey from gamer to Games Aid operations coordinator, reveals how the gaming community provides so much support and discusses the personal and communal impact of games. From heartwarming stories to practical ways you can get involved, this episode is a celebration of how gaming can truly save. (0:00) Introduction & Meet Mikey(0:54) What is Games Aid?(2:08) How gaming helps charity fundraising(3:54) Mikey’s path into Games Aid(5:14) Proud moments: Steam sale & bowling event(6:07) Where the money goes & charity impact(8:52) How gaming helps through tough times(11:03) Upcoming projects & streamer partnerships(12:40) How anyone can get involved(14:09) Stand Up for Games Aid & celebrity support(16:29) Dream collaborations & gaming influencers(18:00) Games as therapy: Mikey’s recommendations(20:39) Online friendships & the power of community(23:51) Challenging gaming stereotypes(26:31) Quickfire questions: favorite games & stories(30:56) Final thoughts: Why gaming matters Like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories on the healing power of games :)Saved by Gaming PodcastSpotify https://bit.ly/3FITNq4Apple https://bit.ly/45GIA3Qhttps://www.youtube.com/@SavedByGamingPodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@savedbygamingpod https://discord.gg/4hRctCGJuaGames Aid & Mikey Walshhttps://www.gamesaid.org/https://www.youtube.com/@UCU_RX_X20H0kaL6p5aVldCQ https://www.linkedin.com/company/gamesaidhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwalsh93/ziggychrishttps://www.twitch.tv/ziggychristoffhttp://youtube.com/ziggychrishttps://www.instagram.com/ziggychristoffBlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/ziggychris.bsky.socialMusic creditSong: Convex - 4U (feat. Jex Jordyn) [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/4UWatch: http://youtu.be/dMnWZ8tAUkU