The Engagement Architect Podcast

Welcome to The Engagement Architect podcast, where we find connections between many diverse subjects to understand what really drives human motivation and engagement.I am your host, Chris Bennett, and I bring years of experience in game design along with research into behavior design and neuroscience along with an insatiable curiosity to learn more about how people and systems work.

The Engagement Architect Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Chris Bennett, with 5 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Chris Bennett hosts The Engagement Architect Podcast, a education show with 5 episodes published.

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  Episode #5

  Playing the Long Game with Jon Harrison

  Dec 19, 202525 minS1

  <p>In this episode of The Engagement Architect Podcast, host Chris Bennett speaks with Jon Harrison, organizational development expert, author, and TEDx speaker, about what video games quietly teach us about learning, motivation, and human skill development, and why those lessons matter more than ever in an age of AI.</p><p>Jon shares why the most valuable skills games develop aren’t technical, but human: persistence, adaptability, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and the ability to learn through failure. We explore why these skills often don’t transfer automatically to work or school, and what it actually takes to make that transfe...

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  Episode #5

  Playing the Long Game with Jon Harrison

  Dec 19, 202525 minS1

  In this episode of The Engagement Architect Podcast , host Chris Bennett speaks with Jon Harrison, organizational development expert, author, and TEDx speaker, about what video games quietly teach us about learning, motivation, and human skill development, and why those lessons matter more than ever in an age of AI. Jon shares why the most valuable skills games develop aren’t technical, but human: persistence, adaptability, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and the ability to learn through failure. We explore why these skills often don’t transfer automatically to work or school, and what it actually takes to make that transfer happen. The conversation digs into why games are such powerful learning environments, how good challenge design sustains motivation, and what parents, educators, and leaders often misunderstand about play. We also examine the limits of gamification, the difference between engagement and manipulation, and why AI tools amplify—not replace—human skills. This episode is not about becoming a gamer. It’s about understanding how people learn best, why practice beats instruction, and how to design environments—at work, at school, and in life—where learning actually sticks. Purchase Jon's new book here: https://a.co/d/6PJcYGZ Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

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  Episode #4

  The Ambiguity Advantage with Tessa Forshaw

  Nov 13, 202528 minS1

  <p>In this episode of The Engagement Architect Podcast, host Chris Bennett talks with Tessa Forshaw, a cognitive scientist learning how we work, learn, and innovate. </p><p>Tessa shares why innovation isn’t a lightning bolt—it’s a practiced, cognitive discipline—and how embracing ambiguity can actually make us more creative, not less. We talk about the neuroscience behind divergent and convergent thinking, the underrated role of executive function, and why metacognition may be the single most powerful tool for navigating uncertainty.</p><p>Tessa’s work bridges cognitive science, design, and adult learning. After teaching innovation at Stanford’s...

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  Episode #4

  The Ambiguity Advantage with Tessa Forshaw

  Nov 13, 202528 minS1

  In this episode of The Engagement Architect Podcast, host Chris Bennett talks with Tessa Forshaw, a cognitive scientist learning how we work, learn, and innovate. Tessa shares why innovation isn’t a lightning bolt—it’s a practiced, cognitive discipline—and how embracing ambiguity can actually make us more creative, not less. We talk about the neuroscience behind divergent and convergent thinking, the underrated role of executive function, and why metacognition may be the single most powerful tool for navigating uncertainty. Tessa’s work bridges cognitive science, design, and adult learning. After teaching innovation at Stanford’s d.school and co-founding the Next Level Lab at Harvard, she’s spent years studying how people think, adapt, and create in complex environments. Her new book, Innovation-ish, reframes creativity as a set of mindsets every adult can cultivate. Join us as we explore how to build an innovation practice, why diverse teams generate richer ideas, and what it really takes to think more boldly in a rapidly changing world. Purchase Tessa's book Innovation-ish at Amazon: https://a.co/d/3Ngz4bV Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

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  Episode #3

  Design for Action with Sparky Witte

  Oct 9, 202521 minS1

  <p>In this episode of The Engagement Architect Podcast, host Chris Bennett talks with Sparky Witte, a behavior designer at Live Neuron Labs, where he helps organizations create products and experiences that drive real-world action.</p><p>Sparky shares why engagement alone isn’t enough , and how designers can move from keeping people’s attention to inspiring meaningful behavior change. We talk about breaking down hidden barriers, reducing overwhelm with “next best actions,” and why lowering friction often matters more than trying to boost motivation.</p><p>Sparky began his career in advertising before discovering behavioral design through work with the American...

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