Role-Playing for Real Learning with Anthony Kurza | Episode 390

Professor Game Podcast

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From clueless to collaborative in one session? That’s the power of a well-designed Tabletop RPG. Rob Alvarez sits down with Anthony Kurza, creator of the SAN model and higher ed coach, to explore how role-playing games can unlock retention, connection, and deep learning—both inside and outside the classroom.

Anthony Kurza is a game designer specializing in tabletop role-playing games and an educator in higher education. His work bridges storytelling, game mechanics, and immersive learning, creating experiences that foster social-emotional learning and critical thinking. As an adjunct professor and College Life Coach and Florida State University, he helps students explore the power of collaborative storytelling, while his research focuses on how TTRPGs can be used as educational tools. He has also developed his own TTRPG system and is eager to share it with the world—whether through publishing, workshops, or partnerships that bring games into new spaces. His goal is to make storytelling and role-playing more accessible, engaging, and transformative for players and educators alike.

Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.

Guest Links and Info

• Website: kurzplaysgames.itch.io
• LinkedIn: Anthony Kurza

Links to episode mentions:

• Proposed guests:
  • Joe Lasley
  • Garrett Munro and Maryanne Cullinan
  • Sarah Lynne Bowman
  • Corbin Nall
  • Delaney Sills
  • Ali Watts
• Recommended books:
  • Transformational Role-playing Game Design by Sarah Bowman (and its free!)
  • Monsters, Aliens and Holes in the Ground by Stu Horvath

• Favorite games:
  • Dread
  • Alice is Missing

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