Cheat Codes: A Podcast Powered by WIGI

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Sep 2026

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Level Up your career with these Cheat Codes powered by Women In Games International. Cheat Codes change the way a game is played by unlocking features, skipping levels, gaining valuable resources, and more. We built our Cheat Codes podcast around the same concept. Each episode of Cheat Codes features interviews with games industry experts, insights to power listeners to the next level of their careers, and an in-depth understanding of the global tabletop, video game, and esports industries. New episodes every third Wednesday of the month.

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52 recent

October 21, 202640 min

Building for Kids: Safety, Imagination, and the Future of Social Play

TaSh Elzie sits down with Karin Johnson, Chief Product Officer at Magic Potion Games and one of the builders behind Imagine Island, a social gaming world designed for kids under 13. Karin's path winds through Disney's Club Penguin, Epic Games, and Fortnite before landing her at Magic Potion, where she's putting everything she's learned about community, safety, and joyful design into building something new for the next generation of players. They talk about what it looks like to build safety into a product from the ground up rather than add it later, how care becomes the foundation for community, and what it means to create a space where kids can imagine freely and feel genuinely protected at the same time. If you're building community in games, thinking about safety by design, or curious about what it takes to build something that truly puts young players first, this one is for you. Karin Johnson is the Founder and Chief Product Officer at Magic Potion Games, where she leads product strategy, strategic partnerships, and child safety initiatives for Imagine Island. With 18 years of experience across games, entertainment, and interactive media, she has held product leadership roles at Disney, where she worked on Club Penguin; Epic Games, where she helped expand Fortnite; and Industrial Light & Magic, where she supported productions including films in the Marvel franchise. At Magic Potion Games, she leads with a focus on creating safe, social online experiences for children that earn the trust of parents. Karin will be speaking at the Boss Mode breakfast at GamesBeat NEXT in San Francisco on November 3, 2026. Links & Resources • Magic Potion Games: https://magicpotiongames.com/ • Imagine Island: imagineisland.game • GamesBeat NEXT — Boss Mode Breakfast (Nov 3, SF): gamesbeatnext.com • Women in Games International: getwigi.com • WIGI Social: @getWIGI 00:00 Introduction and guest background 01:00 Karin Johnson's career journey from Disney to Epic Games 02:06 Lessons learned from Club Penguin and visual effects work 02:58 Transition to building kid-friendly online worlds 06:55 The motivation behind creating Imagine Island 07:54 The impact of childhood experiences on game design 08:58 Incorporating storytelling and community in Imagine Island 10:08 Community engagement and user-generated content 11:56 Safety as a core principle from day one 17:02 Technical and compliance strategies for child safety 22:02 Advice for developers creating kid-safe games 23:59 Encouragement for new developers in the space 29:06 Designing inclusive and representative character creation 30:53 Fostering positive community and role models 35:47 The power of community and positive social norms 37:59 Upcoming features and seasonal events in Imagine Island 38:50 Closing remarks and how to connect with the team

September 23, 202645 min

From 115 to The Source: Worldbuilding Through Music

In this episode, TaSh Elzie sits down with Elena Siegman, the metal vocalist and game developer whose work helped define a generation of gaming music. Best known as the voice behind some of the most iconic songs in Call of Duty Zombies, including the gold-certified anthem "115" which has surpassed 100 million Spotify streams, Elena's work spans major franchises including Guitar Hero, BioShock, and Destiny. TaSh and Elena dig into how music functions as worldbuilding in games, what it meant to be part of something that continues to resonate with players years later, and what the path looks like for someone trying to find their place at the intersection of music and game development. They also talk about Elena's new single "The Source" via her own label Dollbreath Records, a powerful, emotionally charged track about radical acceptance and reclaimed power, mixed by Pete Adams (Kendrick Lamar, Call of Duty). For gamers, music lovers, and anyone building a creative career where games and art meet, this one is for you. ABOUT ELENA SIEGMAN Elena Siegman is a singer, songwriter, and game developer whose work spans major franchises including Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, BioShock, and Destiny. Known for her powerful and emotionally dynamic vocal performances, she has built a global following that bridges gaming and alternative music. Her solo work explores a dark, cinematic sound that moves fluidly across genres, blending industrial, rock, and singer-songwriter influences. She released her debut solo EP, The Mighty, in 2011. Her current series of releases marks a new phase of independent, self-directed work through her label Dollbreath. Find Elena Music video: youtu.be/IPxLvJX2BFE Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/6BlZkvGwQyo011poQEhQ1J Dollbreath Records: dollbreath.com Stay Connected with Women in Games International Website: getwigi.com Social: @getWIGI

July 22, 202619 min

Cozy and Culturally Specific: Building Raahi

In this episode, TaSh Elzie sits down with Mannat Jain, Co-Founder of Kalp Studio, where she leads business, operations, and narrative. A lifelong gamer with a background in Data Science from IIT Madras, Mannat combines business acumen, storytelling, and creative strategy to build culturally rooted games with global appeal. She previously launched a mobile game called Kai and has grown a creator community of 120K+ followers. Together, TaSh and Mannat explore the creative process behind Raahi, a cozy narrative driving game set in the fictional coastal town of Majili, inspired by 1990s Goa. They dig into why the cozy genre is such a natural home for culturally specific storytelling, how authenticity and specificity work together rather than against each other, and what it takes to build a game where the journey rather than the objectives is the point. As Mannat puts it: "Cultural specificity is never a problem if the story is authentic." For anyone building narrative games, thinking about representation in their work, or just curious about what it looks like to create something this personal and have it travel globally — this one is for you. Mannat Jain is the Co-Founder of Kalp Studio, where she leads business, operations, and narrative. A lifelong gamer inspired by Quantum of Solace, she believes games are the most immersive way to experience stories and perspectives. With a background in Data Science from IIT Madras, experience in marketing at SCRIBBLES, internships at EY, a 120K+ creator community, and the launch of her first mobile game Kai, she combines business, storytelling, and creative strategy to build culturally rooted games with global appeal. Find Mannat & Kalp Studio Raahi on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/4203810/Raahi Instagram: instagram.com/kalp.play Discord: discord.gg/UqMnxKHuM LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mannatjain Stay Connected with Women in Games International Website: getwigi.com Social: @getWIGI

May 20, 202631 min

From Builder to Product Leader: Career Moves, Safer Online Experiences, and What Indie Devs Need to Hear

In this episode, TaSh Elzie sits down with Rupali Sharma, Group PM at k-ID and product leader with over a decade of experience building safe, ethical, family-focused digital experiences across EA, Take-Two Interactive, and beyond.This conversation covers two things that belong together: what the product career path actually looks like and how to navigate it, and why trust and safety has to be a core product decision from day one rather than something you solve at the end. They also dig into what indie developers can do right now, without a dedicated safety team, to start building more responsibly from the start.For PMs, designers, engineers, and founders who want to build responsibly and find their right seat at the table, this one is for you.

April 22, 202633 min

Safe Spaces, Smart Business

In this episode, TaSh Elzie sits down with Claire Rozain — CEO of Rzain, founder of SisterSoundFR, and the community architect behind a 900+ member network of gaming leaders spanning 40+ countries. Claire has scaled user acquisition past $1M/month for top gaming and AI companies, held leadership roles at Rovio, Match Group, and Mappy, and launched her own business before turning 30. Through SisterSoundFR, Claire has built a portfolio of over ten apps — from cycle-adapted fitness to feminist educational quizzes — designed to empower women and educate everyone. In this conversation, she and TaSh explore what it actually means to build safe, inclusive spaces in gaming and tech, why the industry can't afford to keep treating gender equality as optional, and how values-aligned work translates into real business performance. This one is for the builders, the community managers, and anyone who has ever had to make the case that inclusion is strategy. Find Claire: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/claire-rozain Rzain Community Events: https://lu.ma/jsdopqgp Stay connected with Women in Games International: getwigi.com | @getWIGI

March 26, 202617 min

The Space of Care

We took the Women in Games International Power Leveling series offline for our very first in-person session at GDC. Joined by co-host Mike Knox and an incredible group of individuals, we skip the standard networking advice and discuss the reality of navigating this industry. We break down the mechanics of advocacy, the power of authentic storytelling, and exactly how to move past transactional networking to build a true foundation of care in gaming spaces. Co-Host & Guests Mike Knox (Co-Host) Ariana Katana Ioana Preda Alissa Brodsky Nathaly Setareh Kalantar Cuellar Key Takeaways & Action Items Practice curiosity in networking events to foster real relationships. Share your authentic story to build genuine connections rather than relying on job titles. Actively advocate for diversity and inclusion in the spaces where you hold access. Key Topics Advocacy and Curiosity in Gaming Spaces The Role of Storytelling in Diversity and Inclusion Challenges of Representation and Bias in Gaming Building Community and Safe Spaces for Marginalized Groups

January 22, 202641 min

The Crowdfunding Reality — Strategy, PR, and Burnout

In this episode of Cheat Codes, TaSh Elzie sits down with PR and marketing veteran Elizabeth Olson to discuss the reality of crowdfunding. Elizabeth brings her years of industry experience to a conversation that moves past the hype and into the actual work required to run a campaign. Having worked together on two separate projects, TaSh and Elizabeth explore the strategic friction between satisfying a community of backers and managing press relations. This is a look at the mental toll, the necessity of pre-campaign planning, and tips on when to launch. Guest: Elizabeth Olson www.linkedin.com/in/ebetho/ Host: TaSh Elzie

October 22, 202529 min

More Than Story: The Art of Game Writing

In this conversation, TaSh Elzie and Mayanna Berrin explore the intricacies of game writing, discussing the transition from animation to video games, the importance of improvisation, and the collaborative nature of game development. Mayanna shares insights on writing for games, tips for solo developers, and the unique aspects of storytelling in the gaming medium. They also touch on the role of games in uniting people and the importance of finding one's voice in writing.

August 20, 202528 min

The Heart of Your Game: Community & Connection with Victoria Tran

Join host TaSh as she chats with Victoria Tran, a renowned voice in the gaming world, known for her incredible work in community and marketing, and author of a new book. This episode dives into the power of efficient community management for marketing your game, how we can foster truly supportive and kind spaces online, and how community managers can feel empowered and effective.

July 17, 202533 min

The Witchcraft of Game Dev: From Idea to Game Release

Join host TaSh as she dives into the world of game creation with Renee Gittins, CEO and Creative Director of Stumbling Cat. This episode is for the curious and anyone looking for a place to begin their own game-making adventure. Renee shares insights on sparking game ideas, building your essential development "squad," navigating the challenges from concept to release, and the power of transparency when sharing your creative process with the world. In this episode, we chat about: The Genesis of an Idea: How Potions: A Curious Tale came to be, and how to nurture that initial spark into a full-fledged game idea. Building Your Squad: The art of assembling the right team for your game project and finding your development "squad." Navigating the Development Journey: Overcoming the challenges that arise from ideation to getting your game released. The Power of Transparency: Renee's unique approach to sharing the game development process openly and what she's learned from it. The Role of Kindness: Why fostering a kind and supportive environment is crucial in game development and beyond. First Steps for Aspiring Creators: Practical advice for those looking to begin their own game-making adventure. Guest: Renee Gittins, CEO & Creative Director, Stumbling Cat Check out Renee's game: Learn more about Potions: A Curious Tale at https://potionsacurioustale.com/