Meet Harold Mckinney of Esports Drift Association

Meet Ben Traub of ggCircuit

Welcome to the Esports Connected Podcast, hosted by Megan Van Petten! In this episode, we sit down with Ben Traub, Director of Sales at ggCircuit. With nearly 30 years in software sales, nonprofit development, and event production, Ben brings a unique perspective to the esports industry. He shares his journey from early gaming with siblings to leading sales at ggCircuit, where he supports LAN centers and schools with tools that simplify esports operations. We talk about the growth of scholastic esports, the impact of the “Esports Winter,” and why building well-rounded players matters. Ben’s passion for service, community, and keeping gaming fun makes this a conversation worth tuning into.

Meet Robert Powell of BGG Foundation

Welcome to the Esports Connected Podcast! Today, we have Robert Powell, Founder & CEO of the BGG Foundation. Based in St. Louis, BGG empowers youth by transforming their passion for gaming into rewarding careers. With partnerships with industry giants like PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox, Robert has created opportunities for underserved youth through tournaments and programs supported by local libraries, universities, and school districts. As a former pro player and Sony PlayStation Marketing Manager, Robert uses his industry connections to break down barriers and provide resources for young gamers. Join us as we explore his journey and vision for inclusivity in esports.

Meet Joanne Loton of Tourism Kingston

Welcome to the Esports Connected Podcast! Today, we are thrilled to have Joanne Loton, Film and Media Officer at Tourism Kingston. Joanne brings a wealth of experience from traditional media, immersive, digital, and XR, making her platform agnostic in her approach to storytelling. Now entering the world of esports from a tourism perspective, she is developing an esports strategy for Kingston, Ontario, aiming to position it as a premier destination for esports in the region. Join us as Joanne shares her journey, her passion for community building in esports, and her vision for how Canada can compete with the best in this dynamic industry.

Meet Ron Kerbs of Kidas

Welcome to the Esports Connected Podcast! In this episode, we chat with Ron Kerbs, Founder and CEO of Kidas, about his groundbreaking AI-powered software, ProtectMe Bot. Despite Discord's efforts to enhance moderation, toxicity still infiltrates voice chats. Ron's innovative solution addresses this gap by monitoring both voice and text communications to safeguard young users from predators, scammers, and cyberbullies. We'll explore how Kidas' technology empowers server administrators with actionable insights and the importance of creating safer online gaming environments. Tune in to hear Ron's journey from Israeli military service to leading Kidas and his vision for a more secure and inclusive esports community.

Meet Harold Mckinney of Esports Drift Association

Welcome to the Esports Connected Podcast, where we explore the dynamic world of competitive sim drifting with our special guest, a passionate tournament organizer deeply involved in the sim racing scene. In this episode, we uncover the origins of the Esports Drifting Association (ESDA) and its strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Next-Level Racing, MOZA Racing, and Firman. Our guest shares insights into the challenges and nuances of competitive sim drifting, ESDA's experiences at Dreamhack, and their mission to expand sim drifting in the esports world. From their entry point into esports through fighting games to being a member of ESTA for networking, discover the journey of our guest in shaping the esports industry. Join us for an engaging conversation at the intersection of esports, sim racing, and drifting on the Esports Connected Podcast!