Grab your backpack, sharpen your pencils, and do not forget your sense of humor, because you’re going back to school! But this is not your average lecture hall with squeaky chairs and bad coffee. Nope. This time, it’s Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center, and your professor is none other than Dr. Drew Davidson.

Dr. Drew had our Biz-Souls hosts, Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler, so giddy with enthusiasm about play that they nearly turned the studio into a giant ball pit. (We’re still waiting for the invoice on the clean-up.)

So, who is this Drew Davidson wizard of play?

He’s a professor, producer, and player of interactive media. He doesn’t just talk games — he lives them. From comics to games to transformational experiences, Dr. Drew is out here showing us how play isn’t just fun and games… it’s a tool for collaboration, creativity, healthier lifestyles, and maybe — just maybe — saving the world.

And yes, we can all thank the classic CD-ROM game Myst for sparking Drew’s obsession with the deep power of play. (Raise your hand if you spent hours trapped in that world and loved every second!)

Tune in, laugh a little, learn plenty, and discover why play just might be the most serious business strategy of all.

Warning: Listening to this episode may result in spontaneous bursts of joy, increased collaboration, and uncontrollable urges to gamify your next staff meeting.

And subscribing may result in a longer and happier life.

Find out more about Dr. Drew Davidson at:

https://playstorypress.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewdavidson/

What do change, leadership, and storytelling have in common? Patti Sanchez, that’s what!

In this unforgettable episode, co-hosts Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler welcome the consummate and articulate storyteller herself, Patti Sanchez. Known for her clarity, empathy, and transformative insight, Patti delivered a master class in business storytelling—with soul.

A fantastic guest with a gracious presence, Patti shared wisdom with warmth and intellect, leaving us (and our listeners) inspired and energized.

Together, we explore:

• Why storytelling is the essential tool for today’s business leaders and developers

• How stories reduce resistance, foster connection, and rally people behind bold ideas

• Patti’s entrepreneurial journey—what she’s learning 18 months into solopreneurship

From boardrooms at Apple and Salesforce to executive workshops at VMware and GE, Patti has helped visionary leaders turn complex ideas into compelling narratives that move people—and organizations—forward.

Whether you're leading a team, building a brand, or just trying to get your cat to listen (good luck with that, Jeffrey), this episode will reshape the way you think about influence, communication, and change.

Patti is the award-winning author of:

• Presenting Virtually: Communicate and Connect with Online Audiences

• Illuminate: Ignite Change Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies, and Symbols

Learn more about her work: https://pattisan.com

Connect with her: linkedin.com/in/pattisanchez

Related Episodes You Might Love

• Episode 164: Words Matter – Communicating Like a Human

• Episode 152: Building Bridges with Story: The Core of Connection

• Episode 139: Play for Better Living! Why Play Makes Every Life Better

Set your story free and let it soar.

Rona Lewis is done. Jeffrey Hansler is just getting started. And AI? It's not even in the same emotional zip code.

Jeffrey needs to get something off his chest – and it’s not just one of his cats. Rona on the other hand is done for the day and wants Jeffrey to be quick about it.

Hmmm, I see changes coming to Biz-Souls sometime in the future.

In this soulfully absurd episode of Biz-Souls, Jeffrey decides to spill his digital guts—right after shooing a cat off his chest—and delivers three stories (Delta Airlines, Milgard, and Learning and Development hypocrisy) about how humans can stay ahead of AI by doing what AI can’t: bring heart, soul, and genuine humanity into everything we do.

But wait, there's more! Mid-rant, Jeffrey insists he already explained who Milgard is. Rona calls him out.

Spoiler: She’s right. Again. (P.S. Milgard makes windows and doors. You're welcome.)

So, what does a misremembered brand and an emotionally intelligent podcast host have to do with beating the bots? EVERYTHING, says Jeffrey. If AI is logic and speed, then humans are nuance, creativity, and, well... the occasional podcast derailment.

Tune in for:

• A peek into the coming changes to Biz-Souls (we said it…)

• The soul-powered secret sauce AI just can’t replicate

• A masterclass in how not to win an argument with Rona

Subscribe. Share. Save this episode before the robots do.

Craving more episodes that bring soul to the biz? Check these out:

• Episode 125: How To Retrain Your Brain – Because AI isn’t the only one that can upgrade its programming.

• Episode 127: Tickled About Piccles! A Unique Way of Connecting Communities – Imagination meets doodles meets innovation.

• Episode 139: Play for Better Living! Why Play Makes Every Life Better – Learn how fun beats function in a world full of algorithms.

• Episode 143: Mature Gnome With Ego: Building a Strong Defense With Humor – Ego, AI, and why humor is the ultimate firewall.

Tell your friends. Tell your AI overlords. Just don’t tell Jeffrey he forgot something—again.