Level Up with Wondr

In honor of Pride Month, we're speaking to Brooke Thomas & Matt Heenan, founders of LGBTQ+ in Gaming on how they are building a community for LGBTQ+ professionals and allies to connect, share experiences, and support inclusivity year-round. They provide advice for leaders looking to create and maintain safe workplaces, while discussing what it means to be a good ally, and how allyship can lead...

LaRenda Morgan is a leading advocate in Indigenous policy, transforming the fight against the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis through groundbreaking legislation and grassroots efforts. She joins the podcast to discuss how tribal communities are using education, awareness, advocacy to address the MMIP crisis, prevent violence, and honor those lost.

The Wondr Nation Professional Services team joins the podcast to share the ways in which they are helping gaming operators grow through digital strategy, platform partnerships, and activations. They discuss the additive advantage of social products for brick-and-mortar loyalty and how Wondr Nation Professional Services is uniquely positioned to address challenges and opportunities in the constantl...

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month and we are highlighting the work of Ivory Kelly, founder and CEO of the Tribal Council for Responsible Gaming and 2025 Indian Gaming Association Regulator of the Year. Ivory joins the podcast to share her best practices for those looking to level up their responsible gaming initiatives and strategy, emphasizing the importance of cultural pride, technologic...

It’s time for another African Americans in Gaming (AAG) Black History Month Takeover as guest hosts Jeff Gray and Ashley Kougher interview executive coach Tanisha Parrish. With over 20 years of experience helping leaders and organizations perform at their best, Tanisha shares valuable insights and strategies for high performing professionals looking to lead with confidence, clarity, and authentici...

Level Up with Wondr is entering it’s third year! Rotating hosts Anika Howard, Dyani Marvel, and Jordyn Mihok discuss their favorite conversations from Season 2 and reflect on lessons learned while sharing their own tips for leveling up personally and professionally. 

To close out Native American Heritage Month, Wondr Nation President & CEO Anika Howard speaks with Rodney Butler, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation on his career journey and experiences in tribal government. Their conversation highlights the importance of perseverance and community engagement while exploring current challenges and opportunities for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe...

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Rebecca Naragon joins the podcast to discuss her role as Economic Development Director for United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET). Her conversation with Wondr Nation VP of Marketing Strategy and Operations Dyani Marvel highlights the power of economic storytelling and growth and innovation in tribal industries. Rebecca provides valuable insights on...

To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we're featuring Elaine Gómez, game designer, co-founder and current president of Latinx in Gaming. Elaine joins the podcast to share the story of her career journey, finding inspiration, and the importance of a player-centric approach to game design. She discusses the potential for social impact in game design, the importance of community, and provides advice for...

September is Responsible Gaming Education Month and we're featuring Melodie Keen, a behavioral health veteran with over 40 years of experience and a recognized expert in gambling addiction. In her conversation with Wondr Nation VP Marketing & Strategy Dyani Marvel, Melodie dives into the specifics of gambling addiction treatment and how her own career path has shaped her approach. She provides...

Nia Grace, restaurateur, entrepreneur, and owner of Grace by Nia, joins the podcast to discuss her career journey, from her start in marketing and hospitality, to building successful businesses for herself and others. She provides insights on overcoming challenges, the importance of community, and the power of flexibility. Her conversation with Wondr Nation VP of Marketing and Operations Dyani Mar...

Emra Arkansas joins the podcast to discuss her 18 year long journey in the gaming industry, from her start as a table games dealer to her current role as the Executive Director for the Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission. Her discussion with Wondr Nation VP Professional Services & Sales Megan Nation covers the importance of flexibility, innovation, and talent development. Emra provides insights...

In honor of Pride Month, we’re highlighting the groundbreaking work of Stefy Bau, former motocross champion turned Founder & CEO of Init Esports. In her conversation with Wondr Nation President & CEO Anika Howard, Stefy talks about her career journey from her time as a professional athlete to her current role at the world’s first woman-led sim racing company. Stefy shares her passion for S...

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Level Up with Wondr welcomes Manjit Gombra Singh to the podcast to discuss his extensive career spanning three decades in tech and gaming. Manjit details his path from software engineering to his current work as CEO & Founder of DruvStar, providing cybersecurity solutions in gaming and healthcare. He shares insights on the importa...

Melanie Gross joins the podcast to discuss what she's learned in her two decades of experience in the iGaming industry, from her start in engineering to her current role as Senior Vice President and Head of Product at Golden Hearts Games. She shares stories about some pivotal moments and projects throughout her career as well as her love of start-up environments and her passion for building and ma...

This Problem Gambling Awareness Month, we are highlighting the work our partners at the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) are doing to address gambling related harm in the state of Connecticut. Shebrikea Warburton, Program Manager for the Multicultural Problem Gambling Prevention Program joins the podcast to share more about the CCPG’s efforts to better understand the culturally based...

In honor of Black History Month, Level Up with Wondr is collaborating with our partners at African Americans in Gaming to bring you two conversations with black leaders that are making an impact. Guest host Jeff Gray speaks with Darnell Johnson, VP of Product Management at IGT, and Rose Hudson, President & CEO of the Louisiana Lottery Corporation about their career paths, challenges they've fa...

To celebrate the first year of Level Up with Wondr, the team is taking a look back on some of the most impactful conversations from the show. From recurring trends, to our favorite episodes, we’re reflecting on all we’ve accomplished and giving a peek into what listeners can expect in the new year.

Anthony Gaud shares the story of his journey through the entertainment industry, his start in toy design eventually leading him to his current role as co-founder and CEO of GaudHammer Gaming Group. He shares insights on the evolving intersection of video games, iGaming, and casino gaming, the impact of AI in creative fields, and the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in the current...

Jeannie Hovland, Vice Chairwoman of the National Indian Gaming Commission and member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe joins the podcast to share the story of her career journey, the importance of tribal self-sufficiency and the NIGC’s efforts in addressing issues like human trafficking and missing and murdered indigenous persons. With over 20 years of experience in tribal gaming, Jeannie shares...

To kick off Native American Heritage Month, Josh Carter, Executive Director of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, joins the podcast to share the story of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and his dedication to preserving and promoting Northeastern Woodland culture. Josh shares insights on the role of cultural intelligence in fostering relationships with Native communities and...

To close out Hispanic Heritage Month, Martha Morales shares the story of her journey in the casino industry and how her start in hospitality led her to her current role as Assistant General Manager at Boyd Gaming. Martha opens up about the importance of representation, building supportive networks, and her own role in advocating for her community, including her involvement with the Hospitality Adv...

As Responsible Gaming Education Month comes to an end, Juan Baez joins the podcast to share the story of his career journey, from his start in community mental health and addiction counseling to his current role as Responsible Gaming Program Manager with Rush Street Interactive. Juan shares valuable insights on the importance of responsible gaming, sustainable play, and the future of the industry.

Frances Alvarez tells the story of her 23 year journey in the tribal gaming industry, from her start with the San Francisco Tribal Gaming Commission to founding Rezonate LLC. As a current leader in organizations like the National Native American Hall of Game and the Tribal Gaming Protection Network, Frances shares valuable insights on her dedication to indigenous communities, overcoming fear in ca...

Vik Shrestha joins us to share the story of his 10+ year journey in the gaming industry, from compliance and management at companies like GLI and IGT to co-founding SB22. He provides valuable insights on the challenges of being an entrepreneur in gaming, staying on top of an ever-evolving tech landscape, and the impact of AI and VR on future innovations.