Finding Fulfillment in Teaching: Overcoming Burnout and Embracing Indie Game Development with Travis Linden Reid

In this insightful episode of One Thousand Gurus, host J.R. Yonocruz welcomes back Travis Linden Reid, a former game industry programmer turned educator. Travis shares their journey from experiencing burnout in the game industry to finding fulfillment in teaching game development at UCI. Highlights include insights into Travis's teaching methods, the benefits of active learning, and their personal journey as a trans man. They also delve into the creation of their indie game studio, Tilia, and discuss the challenges and joys of indie game development. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in game development, teaching, or overcoming professional burnout.

00:00 Hitting a Wall: The Struggles of Overworking
01:00 Welcome Back to One Thousand Gurus
02:06 Travis Linden Reid: A Journey of Identity
05:22 Teaching at UCI: A Year in Review
08:53 Active Learning: Revolutionizing the Classroom
22:07 Balancing Careers: The Adjunct Professor's Path
33:47 Burnout and Recovery: A Personal Story
35:43 Struggling with Career and Burnout
36:43 Rediscovering Passion for Teaching
38:05 Understanding Burnout and Fulfillment
40:12 Creating Art for Personal Fulfillment
42:47 Challenges and Rewards of Indie Game Development
44:52 Advice for Aspiring Indie Game Developers
48:39 The Journey of Making an Indie Game
54:58 Building a Team and Overcoming Challenges
01:08:06 Final Thoughts and Advice

Guest bio:
Travis is a former Blizzard/EA video game programmer turned professor and indie game developer. He's currently an Adjunct Professor teaching game development classes at UC-Irvine, and in his free time, is building a Netflix-grant-funded boyband stalker sim. He used to take kpop dance classes with J.R., so you know the boyband obsession is authentic.

• Twitter / X: @outofmanna_ / https://x.com/outofmanna_
• IG: @outofmanna_ / https://www.instagram.com/outofmanna_/
• Website portfolio: https://www.lindenreid.com/
• Website: https://www.studiotiliagames.com/

Links/resources:

• OTG #6: Linden Reid - Working at Blizzard, Pursuing Community and Artistry, and Embracing Change (podcast episode)

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One Thousand Gurus Podcast:
Everyone has a compelling story to tell with insights we can all be inspired by. J.R. Yonocruz is a self-improvement blogger, relationship coach, and serial hobbyist with a passion for learning. He interviews unique guests from various fields to distill the strategies, habits, and mindsets we can use in our own lives. Each “guru” has a chance to give the audience a peek into a new world.

• 💻 Website: www.onethousandgurus.com
• 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus
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