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The Summoning Hour is an everything-gaming podcast and live show hosted by Joe “Rakaul” Belousek, a veteran game producer exploring games and the people who make, play, study, and love them.
From developer interviews and roundtables to gameplay streams, solo development sessions, and live whiteboard breakdowns, the show looks at games from every angle. Sometimes that means talking with industry guests. Sometimes it means breaking down a feature, reviewing an indie game, designing something from scratch, or thinking out loud about how games actually get made.
The Summoning Hour is analytical and educational, but still cozy, conversational, and approachable. It is for aspiring developers, curious players, indie creators, and anyone who wants deeper conversations about games without losing the joy of why we play in the first place.
At its heart, this show is for the love of the game, whatever your game is.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and Deezer. Watch live streams on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
Join the conversation on Discord!
Recurring Shows:
Ready Check - Developer interviews, roundtables, and industry conversations.
Draft & Craft - Whiteboard sessions where you design, break down, or rebuild ideas live, with or without guests.
Ship Happens - Production, project management, live service, feature delivery, and “how games actually get made” breakdowns.
Patch Notes Pending - Game reviews, indie spotlights, gameplay impressions, and technical/design breakdowns.
Solo Queue Dev - Solo development in Godot with AI support
LFG Spotlight - Short 10–15 minute conversations highlighting developers, producers, artists, designers, QA folks, and other game workers looking for their first or next opportunity.
The Game Table - Casual gameplay sessions, multiplayer hangs, and “just for the love of the game” streams.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
|
How I Find Indie Games Nobody Is Talking About Yet.
|
Sep 22, 2026 |
|
Why Your First Indie Game Should Be Smaller Than You Think | Gllama Games
|
Aug 18, 2026 |
|
Fighting Games Are Easier to Play and Harder to Enter | Cameron Fraser
|
Aug 11, 2026 |
|
The Truth About Game Dev Hiring | Christeen Mackey
|
Aug 04, 2026 |
|
Game Dev Is a Team Sport: Trust, Collaboration & Career Growth | Joey Kalitovic
|
Jul 28, 2026 |
|
Can Worldbuilding Evolve Beyond the Hero’s Journey? | Zhenya Zerkolenkov
|
Jul 21, 2026 |
|
What Does 20 Years in Games Design Teach You? | Nellie Hughes
|
Jul 13, 2026 |
|
Episode 4 - What Makes a Fantasy World Feel Authentic? | Dmitry Ryabchuk
|
Jul 06, 2026 |
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Episode 3 - Can You Monetize Games Without Losing Player Trust? | Tamerlane Barak
|
Jun 29, 2026 |
|
Episode 2 - Tyler La Belle
|
Jun 22, 2026 |
|
Episode 1 - Reintroduction
|
Jun 15, 2026 |
|
The Summoning Hour - Garvey the Director of Student and Education Programs at Twitch
|
Dec 14, 2020 |
|
The Summoning Hour - AFK Live Stream
|
Aug 10, 2020 |
|
Summoning Hour - Revisiting Mark McCready Connections to Queen Maragaret Esports and the BEA!
|
Jul 20, 2020 |
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The Summoning Hour - NYIT CyBears' Duran Talks Shop!
|
Jul 06, 2020 |
|
The Summoning Hour - Back with Christian Gross of AVGL
|
Jun 29, 2020 |
|
The Summoning Hour - My CEX 2020 Talk!
|
Jun 22, 2020 |
|
Black Lives Matter
|
Jun 15, 2020 |
|
The Summoning Hour - Kaitlin Teniente of St. Mary's Esports
|
May 18, 2020 |
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The Summoning Hour - Ashley Denktas of UCLA Esports
|
May 11, 2020 |
|
The Summoning Hour - Kaylan Duncan, Esports Director for Norwich University
|
Apr 20, 2020 |
|
The Summoning Hour - Covid-19 & What Clubs Are Doing
|
Apr 13, 2020 |
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The Summoning Hour - Olin Hayes - Esports and Sports Caster
|
Apr 06, 2020 |
|
Man, Myth and Legend, the Brains behind College Esports Expo - Kevin Mitchell
|
Mar 30, 2020 |
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The Summoning Hour - Students of College Esports Expo
|
Mar 23, 2020 |
|
The Summoning Hour - AFK Segment - Education High Ground and COVID-19's Impact
|
Mar 16, 2020 |
|
The Summoning Hour - Revisiting Northeastern University with Rick and Tyler
|
Mar 09, 2020 |
|
The Summoning Hour - AFK Segment - Player Conduct, Trash Talk and Esports
|
Feb 17, 2020 |
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The Summoning Hour - AFK Segment - 02 - PlayVS and Epic Games Strike a Deal
|
Feb 06, 2020 |
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The Summoning Hour - AFK Segment - 03 - PlayVS and Epic Games Strike a Deal Part 2
|
Feb 03, 2020 |
|
Episode 076 - Back Where it All Started: Mississippi State University Esports
|
Jan 24, 2020 |
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The Summoning Hour - AFK Segment - 01
|
Jan 22, 2020 |
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Episode "077" - Introducing Summoning Hour AFK, Open for Business, EGF Power 5 Invitational
|
Jan 20, 2020 |
|
Episode 75 - Wesley Peck, University of San Diego's Esports Pilot Lead
|
Dec 09, 2019 |
|
The Summoning Hour (Trailer)
|
Dec 04, 2019 |
|
Episode 074 - Shaun Byrne , Esports Prof & Director for St. Clair College
|
Nov 25, 2019 |
|
Episode 073 - Ohio Northern University
|
Nov 19, 2019 |
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Episode 072 - Collegiate Esports and NCAA Paying Players - What Does It Mean
|
Nov 11, 2019 |
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Episode 071 - My Schools to Watch and Honorable Mentions
|
Oct 28, 2019 |
|
Episode 070 - Quack Quack! University of Oregon Ducks
|
Oct 21, 2019 |
|
Episode 069 - Alfred State University Esports Returns!
|
Oct 14, 2019 |
|
Episode 068 - David Willis, Head Coach for St. Edwards University Esports
|
Oct 07, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 - Season 3 Week 1 & Pro League Recap
|
Oct 06, 2019 |
|
Episode 067 - James 'Hops' Hoplin - Washington State Uni's Esports Coordinator
|
Oct 01, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 - Season 3 Kick-Off & Pro League Update
|
Sep 28, 2019 |
|
Episode 066 - York Esports with Robert and Moe
|
Sep 23, 2019 |
|
Episode 065 - Glenn Cravens - Author and Esports Analyst
|
Sep 16, 2019 |
|
Episode 064 - Gary Gonzalez of Convoke
|
Sep 09, 2019 |
|
Episode 063 - President Mark of Queen Margaret University's Esports Society
|
Sep 02, 2019 |
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Episode 062 - Michael Policar, 15 Minute Financial Advisor Podcast Host
|
Aug 26, 2019 |
|
Episode 059 - Part 2 - Creative Solutions
|
Aug 19, 2019 |
|
Episode 061 - Four Members of University of British Columbia
|
Aug 12, 2019 |
|
Episode 060 - John and Marco of CollegeCOD
|
Aug 05, 2019 |
|
Episode 059 - Part 1 - Longevity & Challenges
|
Jul 29, 2019 |
|
Episode 058 - Boise State Esports - NACE Convention & Overwatch
|
Jul 18, 2019 |
|
Episode 057 - Will Hershey of Roundhill Investments
|
Jul 08, 2019 |
|
Episode 056 - Richard Huggan, Managing Director of Hitmarker
|
Jul 01, 2019 |
|
Episode 055 - Eugene Frier, Director of Esports & Gaming of Texas Wesleyan University
|
Jun 24, 2019 |
|
Episode 054 - Greg Adler Director/Coach of University of Texas at Dallas Esports
|
Jun 17, 2019 |
|
Episode 053 - Mike 'xpR' Pipher of Collegiate R6
|
Jun 10, 2019 |
|
Episode 052 - Cristian Guerra, Analyst for Dark Zero Esports
|
Jun 03, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 - Collegiate Rainbow6 Finals Introduction
|
May 24, 2019 |
|
Episode 051 - Scott Zackman - Esports is not Always Smiles
|
May 20, 2019 |
|
Episode 050 - East Coast Polytechnic Institute with Mike & JJ
|
May 13, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 #9 - Heading Into the Round of 8
|
May 10, 2019 |
|
Episode 049 - WSU FGC Spring Revisit
|
May 06, 2019 |
|
Episode 048 (49th recorded!) - Me. Myself and ESI
|
Apr 29, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 #8 - Regional Playoffs!
|
Apr 19, 2019 |
|
Episode 047 - Catching Up with Alfred State University Esports
|
Apr 16, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 #7 - Week 8 Recap & Playoff Picture Heading into Week 9
|
Apr 12, 2019 |
|
Episode 046 - Leeds Beckett University's Esports Society
|
Apr 08, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 #6 - Week 7 Recap, Week 8 Match-ups and the current Playoffs Picture
|
Apr 06, 2019 |
|
Episode 045 - Trio of Leadership from Alfred State Esports
|
Apr 04, 2019 |
|
Summoning Hour Update
|
Apr 03, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 #4 - Week 5 Recap, Week 6 Match-ups to Watch and CSULB R6 Interview
|
Mar 27, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 #5 - Week 6 Recap & Week 7 Match-ups to Watch
|
Mar 27, 2019 |
|
Episode 044 - Anthony & Andrew of CSULB
|
Mar 25, 2019 |
|
Episode 043 - Iain, former President of Glasgow University's Esports Society
|
Mar 18, 2019 |
|
Episode 042 - Summoning Hour 042 - Cole Ricke of GCU Hearthstone and Kyoto Esports
|
Mar 11, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 - Approaching Week 5 of Collegiate Rainbow 6 Siege
|
Mar 07, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 - Heading into Week 4 and Interview with TAMU R6
|
Mar 02, 2019 |
|
Episode 041 - University of Oklahoma - Measuring More Than Winning
|
Feb 26, 2019 |
|
Episode 040 - Northeastern University Esports
|
Feb 18, 2019 |
|
Check Your 6 - University of North Carolina of Chapel Hill
|
Feb 15, 2019 |
|
Episode 039 - Chris Haskell, Director of Boise State Esports - Building Your Moonshot Rocket
|
Feb 11, 2019 |
|
Episode 038 - Evan Hirsh - RIT Esports President and Founder - LF Challenge
|
Feb 04, 2019 |
|
Episode 037 - Marco of RIT - Perpetual State of Loving Esports
|
Jan 28, 2019 |
|
Episode 036 - Ben Hosford from LSU - Know Your Worth
|
Jan 21, 2019 |
|
Episode 035 - Del of St. Ambrose University - Underdogs from the Start
|
Jan 14, 2019 |
|
Episode 034 - Allie Murdock - Communities, Esports and VR Oh My
|
Jan 07, 2019 |
|
WSU Extra Life "Fight All Night" 24-Hour Charity Stream
|
Jan 03, 2019 |
|
Episode 033 - Kathy Chiang of UCI - Collegiate Esports Frontrunners
|
Dec 24, 2018 |
|
Episode 032 - Cray Gage & Sergio of Ole Miss Esports - Rivalries Run Deep
|
Dec 17, 2018 |
|
Episode 031 - Tim and Michael of WSU FGC - That Fighting Spirit
|
Dec 10, 2018 |
|
Episode 030 - Will and Tanner of UW - Finding the Only Way Forward
|
Dec 03, 2018 |
|
Episode 028 - Bobby Belter of WSU - Go Cougs!
|
Nov 26, 2018 |
|
Episode 27 - Ohio State University - Leading the Way
|
Nov 19, 2018 |
|
Episode 026 - Mississippi State's Esports Eggbowl Experience
|
Nov 05, 2018 |
|
Episode 025 - Jules Scott - Podcasting a Spell on You!
|
Oct 29, 2018 |
|
Ep 24 - Downtime with WarlockRakaul - Highlight 2
|
Oct 26, 2018 |
|
Ep 24 - Downtime with WarlockRakaul - Highlight 1
|
Oct 25, 2018 |
|
Episode 024 - Downtime Retrospective with Me, Warlock Rakaul
|
Oct 22, 2018 |
|
Episode 023 - Andre & William of Western Michigan University - Up and Comers
|
Oct 15, 2018 |
|
Ep 022 Highlight - Lucas Selman, Executive Director of ASU Esports - Student Support
|
Oct 12, 2018 |
|
Ep 021 Highlight - Albert Lee & GCU - 50,000 Leagues Under Esports
|
Oct 09, 2018 |
|
Episode 022 - Lucas Selman of ASU - Driving a Vision Forward
|
Oct 08, 2018 |
|
Ep 021 Highlight - Albert Lee & GCU - Booming Community
|
Oct 06, 2018 |
|
Episode 21 - Albert Lee - Community Community Community
|
Oct 01, 2018 |
|
020 Highlight - Skill, Luck and Knowing People
|
Sep 26, 2018 |
|
Episode 20 - Chuck Jackman & Da-Hee Im Explain it All
|
Sep 24, 2018 |
|
Ep 001 Highlight - Andrew B and the Pervasiveness of Coding
|
Sep 20, 2018 |
|
Episode 19 - MSU Esports - Rivalry and Sheer Grit
|
Sep 17, 2018 |
|
Episode 18 - Timmon Pham - Underrated
|
Jul 31, 2018 |
|
Episode 17 - Roundtable with Chris Pounder and Cody Sargent
|
Jul 16, 2018 |
|
Episode 16 - Marty "Lazerchickenzzz" Strenczewilk of Splyce
|
Jun 30, 2018 |
|
Episode 15 - Kevin Katona - A Prototype in Time Saves Nine
|
Jun 19, 2018 |
|
Episode 14 - Mike Primiano - It's About the People
|
Jun 12, 2018 |
|
Episode 13 - Hugh Norfolk - Don't #!$% It Up
|
Jun 05, 2018 |
|
Co-hosting with C-Baaz about Video Games
|
Jun 01, 2018 |
|
Episode 12 - Janson Smalling - You Don't Really Know
|
May 20, 2018 |
|
Episode 11 - Byron Miller
|
May 16, 2018 |
|
Episode 10 - Crystal "Caulle" Reid
|
May 09, 2018 |
|
Episode 09 - Paul Zimmer
|
Apr 22, 2018 |
|
Episode 08 - J3ns0y
|
Apr 17, 2018 |
|
Episode - 07 - Mae
|
Apr 08, 2018 |
|
Episode 06 - Lindsay Peck
|
Apr 02, 2018 |
|
Episode 05 - Pontus Rundqvist
|
Mar 26, 2018 |
|
Episode 04 - Shawn Sharp
|
Mar 12, 2018 |
|
Episode 03 - Evan Teicheira
|
Mar 04, 2018 |
|
Management Tip - Giving Feedback
|
Feb 28, 2018 |
|
Episode 02 - Rob Thody
|
Feb 24, 2018 |
|
Episode 001 - Andrew Belousek
|
Feb 18, 2018 |
|
Episode 0 - My Mission
|
Feb 13, 2018 |