Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In Episode 15, Susan chats with Amanda Asofsky, a senior digital product manager at Wizards of the Coast who helps steer Magic the Gathering Arena, about what it means to lead with care in a live game that never sleeps. We explore how her Dungeons and Dragons roots, a gamer family and an early game design class shaped her sense of responsibility to both players and teammates, how she navigated survivor’s guilt after layoffs by creating “Tea Time Chats” to rebuild connection at work, why she pushed for tiny joyful touches like letting players say “howdy” in game, and how she is learning to step into a bolder, more visible version of herself while still protecting her own boundaries online.
🎮 Guest Bio: Amanda Asofsky is a game developer who thrives on creating new experiences. She considers herself a storyteller at heart, tracing her passion for art and games back to when she was a child. She has worked professionally on three games (DomiNations, Arcane Showdown, and Magic: The Gathering Arena) across two studios (Big Huge Games and Wizards of the Coast), and was listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 for her work in Games for 2026. Additionally, she periodically gives lectures on using Game Mechanics to enhance a narrative at Dartmouth College. Her career spans Quality Assurance, Product Management, and Narrative Design/Writing. She currently works on Magic: The Gathering Arena as a Senior Digital Product Manager, living in the Baltimore area with her husband and dog.
Join our Substack - tinyurl.com/GGJPodcastSubstack
In Episode 15, Susan chats with Amanda Asofsky, a senior digital product manager at Wizards of the Coast who helps steer Magic the Gathering Arena, about what it means to lead with care in a live game that never sleeps. We explore how her Dungeons and Dragons roots, a gamer family and an early game design class shaped her sense of responsibility to both players and teammates, how she navigated survivor’s guilt after layoffs by creating “Tea Time Chats” to rebuild connection at work, why she pushed for tiny joyful touches like letting players say “howdy” in game, and how she is learning to step into a bolder, more visible version of herself while still protecting her own boundaries online.
🎮 Guest Bio: Amanda Asofsky is a game developer who thrives on creating new experiences. She considers herself a storyteller at heart, tracing her passion for art and games back to when she was a child. She has worked professionally on three games (DomiNations, Arcane Showdown, and Magic: The Gathering Arena) across two studios (Big Huge Games and Wizards of the Coast), and was listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 for her work in Games for 2026. Additionally, she periodically gives lectures on using Game Mechanics to enhance a narrative at Dartmouth College. Her career spans Quality Assurance, Product Management, and Narrative Design/Writing. She currently works on Magic: The Gathering Arena as a Senior Digital Product Manager, living in the Baltimore area with her husband and dog.
Join our Substack - tinyurl.com/GGJPodcastSubstack
