Gamers Change Lives

About Gamers Change Lives

Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives. The Gamers Change Lives Podcast is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of an inspiring esports entrepreneur and learn how they solved one particular problem that everyone will ultimately face. I am your host, Tom Leonard. I have a background in entertainment marketing. After working with many amazing esports entrepreneurs from emerging markets, they inspired me to create a show to tell their stories so that others can be motivated to create their own esports business. Gaming and esports can create jobs tackling the problem of global youth unemployment. Creating jobs from playing games. What could be better than that?

Publisher

Tom Leonard

Category

business · leisure · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Feb 2022

Latest episode

22 Nov 2025

Latest episodes

18 of 91 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   22 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Unlock Learning: Gaming is the Secret Weapon for Students

   Season 6: New Voices, New Perspectives Over the past five seasons of The Gamers Change Lives Podcast, we’ve shared the stories of over 100 guests from across the globe, each one showcasing how esports is transforming lives by creating new jobs and opportunities. From entrepreneurs to players, to industry leaders, we've seen firsthand how gaming is more than just a pastime, it’s a powerful force for change. In Season 6, we’re doing something exciting: we’re handing over the mic to a diverse group of guest hosts. Each of these hosts will bring their own unique perspective and tell stories from their personal worlds, offering fresh insights into how esports is creating jobs, changing lives, and shaping the future of work in ways we might not have imagined. This season is all about exploring new angles, broadening our reach, and bringing more voices into the conversation. Get ready for stories that are different, yet aligned with our core message: Play Games, Create Jobs, Change Lives! Guest host: Calino Calebson, CEO of Ace Gamers Esports in Ghana. Meet Caleb Agbenyega, he is our first guest host of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, who also goes by his media personality name ‘Calino Calebson’,  and is from Ghana. He is the CEO and founder of Ace Gamers Esports and the president of the Africa Champions League. We were fortunate to have him as a guest in Season 5, and soon realized he has more stories to tell. We are very excited to have him on board. Season 6, Episode 10 Summary In this episode, Skyler Scarlett, founder of GameClass, discusses his journey from cryotherapy to the world of educational technology through gaming. He emphasizes the importance of using eSports as a tool for learning, highlighting how video games can teach essential skills such as communication, strategy, and decision-making. Skyler shares insights on the positive reception of educational gaming in schools, the potential for monetization in the eSports industry, and his vision for expanding Game Class into new markets, including Ghana. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced in promoting educational gaming and the transformative power of engaging students through their interests in gaming. Takeaways Skyler Scarlett has been an entrepreneur for 15 years, focusing on education through gaming. GameClass transforms any video game into educational content. Esports can teach valuable skills like communication and strategy. Skyler's experience on Shark Tank helped shape his entrepreneurial journey. The importance of engaging students in learning through their interests. Game Class is expanding its reach to 12 countries, including South Africa. Educational gaming can improve participation and learning outcomes in schools. Skyler encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to strive for excellence in their fields. Networking and AI are crucial tools for success in the eSports industry. Skyler is committed to making educational gaming accessible in Ghana. *  *  * Featured in this episode: Skyler Scarlett Skyler Scarlett is the Founder and CEO of GameClass, a global education technology company transforming the world’s most popular video games into interactive classroom lessons and student projects. After founding and exiting his first wellness business and appearing twice on Shark Tank, Skyler turned his lifelong passion for gaming into a movement for learning. GameClass is now active in over a dozen countries and used by thousands of educators to teach core subjects like math, science, social studies, and financial literacy, all through games students already love. The platform’s patent-pending system converts recorded gameplay clips into interactive, standards-aligned lessons enhanced by AI overlays and analytics. Skyler’s mission is simple yet powerful: to prove that video games can be one of the most effective learning tools in history. His work bridges the gap between education and entertainment, empowering teachers, students, and creators

2. 

   15 Nov 2025

   Uplifting Voices: Diversity, Representation and Resilience in Gaming

   Season 6: New Voices, New Perspectives Over the past five seasons of The Gamers Change Lives Podcast, we’ve shared the stories of over 100 guests from across the globe, each one showcasing how esports is transforming lives by creating new jobs and opportunities. From entrepreneurs to players, to industry leaders, we've seen firsthand how gaming is more than just a pastime, it’s a powerful force for change. In Season 6, we’re doing something exciting: we’re handing over the mic to a diverse group of guest hosts. Each of these hosts will bring their own unique perspective and tell stories from their personal worlds, offering fresh insights into how esports is creating jobs, changing lives, and shaping the future of work in ways we might not have imagined. This season is all about exploring new angles, broadening our reach, and bringing more voices into the conversation. Get ready for stories that are different, yet aligned with our core message: Play Games, Create Jobs, Change Lives! Guest host: Calino Calebson, CEO of Ace Gamers Esports in Ghana. Meet Caleb Agbenyega, he is our first guest host of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, who also goes by his media personality name ‘Calino Calebson’,  and is from Ghana. He is the CEO and founder of Ace Gamers Esports and the president of the Africa Champions League. We were fortunate to have him as a guest in Season 5, and soon realized he has more stories to tell. We are very excited to have him on board. Season 6, Episode 8 Summary In this conversation, Annabel, the founder of Melanin Gamers, discusses her journey in the gaming industry, the importance of diversity and inclusion, and the challenges faced by gamers of color. She shares insights on the impact of gaming on her life, particularly in relation to her health condition, sickle cell anemia. Annabel emphasizes the need for authentic representation in games and the role of networking in building a successful career in the gaming industry. The discussion also touches on the importance of advocacy, community building, and the challenges of cyberbullying in gaming. Takeaways Melanin Gamers aims to uplift people of color in the gaming industry. Gaming can provide a sense of community and belonging. Authentic representation in games is crucial for relatability. Networking is essential for success in the gaming industry. Sickle cell awareness can be raised through gaming initiatives. The gaming industry has a perception problem that needs addressing. Consulting for game studios helps improve diversity in character representation. Esports can provide viable career paths for young gamers. Introverts can thrive in networking by preparing and being intentional. Gaming can be a powerful tool for advocacy and awareness. *  *  * Featured in this episode: Anabel Ashalley-Anthony Founder at Melanin Gamers | Award Winning Writer | Sickle-cell Superhero | D&I Consultant| Public Speaker Annabel Ashalley-Anthony is an award-winning writer. Her novel ‘A Thousand natural shocks’ was Long-listed for the Lucy Cavendish Prize 2020. She is currently working on - a manga inspired children's book about a young boy with Sickle-cell Anaemia. Annabel is a Women in Games Ambassador and the founder of award-winning gaming community: Melanin Gamers, a gaming community that promotes inclusion and diversity in the video games industry. Melanin Gamers were the recipients of Barnet's Big Idea Entrepreneurial prize 2020.Alongside her passion for writing and gaming; she is also an avid fundraiser and regularly works with the Bloodfund an Imperial Health Charity to raise awareness and funds for Sickle-Cell Anaemia. Featured in BBC Xtra Radio, Newsround. The Voice. Gamesindustry.biz. Middlesex University Press. teneightymagazine.com.Public speaker and advocate for diversity and Inclusion. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabel-ashalley-anthony-276947183/ Website: https://www.themelaningamers.com/ *  *  * Please subscribe to our podcast wherev

3. 

   8 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT

   From Player to Pioneer: Michael Rüsz's Two-Decade Esports Journey

   Over the past five seasons of The Gamers Change Lives Podcast, we’ve shared the stories of over 100 guests from across the globe, each one showcasing how esports is transforming lives by creating new jobs and opportunities. From entrepreneurs to players, to industry leaders, we've seen firsthand how gaming is more than just a pastime, it’s a powerful force for change. In Season 6, we’re doing something exciting: we’re handing over the mic to a diverse group of guest hosts. Each of these hosts will bring their own unique perspective and tell stories from their personal worlds, offering fresh insights into how esports is creating jobs, changing lives, and shaping the future of work in ways we might not have imagined. This season is all about exploring new angles, broadening our reach, and bringing more voices into the conversation. Get ready for stories that are different, yet aligned with our core message: Play Games, Create Jobs, Change Lives! Guest host: Calino Calebson, CEO of Ace Gamers Esports in Ghana. Meet Caleb Agbenyega, he is our first guest host of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, who also goes by his media personality name ‘Calino Calebson’,  and is from Ghana. He is the CEO and founder of Ace Gamers Esports and the president of the Africa Champions League. We were fortunate to have him as a guest in Season 5, and soon realized he has more stories to tell. We are very excited to have him on board. Season 6, Episode 8 Summary In this episode, Michael Rüsz shares his extensive journey in esports, spanning over two decades. He discusses his transition from a professional player to various roles in management, education, and event organization. Michael emphasizes the importance of passion, sacrifices, and community building in the esports industry. He also highlights the challenges and successes of monetizing esports education and organizing events, while sharing memorable experiences from major esports events. The conversation concludes with personal insights on balancing family life with a demanding career in esports. Takeaways Michael has been in esports for 23 years, starting as a player. Passion is the key to recognizing a professional journey in esports. Sacrifices are necessary to achieve success in esports. Transitioning from player to management requires setting new goals. Esports education has grown significantly, with many schools involved. Monetizing esports education can be achieved through government support. Building communities is essential for the growth of esports. Event organizations present challenges but can ignite interest in esports. Navigating the esports business requires understanding player dynamics. Memorable experiences at LAN events shape the esports culture. *  *  * Featured in this episode: Michael Rüsz Former Danish national team captain in COD2 from 2005 until 2008, professional esports athlete (2004-2008). Former owner of eXplicit Gaming (2004-2010), Former chairman for Viborg eSport(2008-2011). Former chairman for TPNG(2017-2018). Former CEO at Esport Service IVS(2016-2019) Former Head of esport for AGF Esport(2018), Former Chief Gaming Officer Prosapia Esport(2022-2023), Former Academy Director NASR Esports(2023-2024) Former Partner at Esport Service IVS(2015-2025). CEO LGND Talent Agency 2024-?. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rusz-esports/ Website: https://lgnd.ae/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/DjangoESPORT *  *  * Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode. Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing. And tell your friends! CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE: Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/ to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamerschangelives/

Inside a recent episode

Unlock Learning: Gaming is the Secret Weapon for Students

Published 22 Nov 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] If you're going to do a startup, because you have to get your product out there. And our product is so impactful, like we do a lot of work in South Africa. I think I told you this. I worked in South Africa. Amazing. The students love it. They actually want to go to class because they like, I get to learn what's the thing I like. It's not poor. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. I mean, gamifications and then the edtech side of gaming, mostly everyone is trying to look out forward to the fact that a kid will want to go to school. Just because he knows he knows that once he plays a game, you'll be able to, no, once he learns, you'll be able to play the game. […]

Who has been a guest on Gamers Change Lives

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Brodie Lyon
• Mfon Enoh Grace
• Guille Venturini
• Prince Twumasi Osei
• Kunmi Adenipebi

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

30,980

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 73 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

69

Social presence

100

YouTube

72

Engagement

68

Contact Gamers Change Lives

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Gamers Change Lives