The concept of a performance coach for an esports team or player seems somewhat odd. Surely esports players just sit and play games all day? WHY would they need a performance coach? Urszula Klimczak is an esports performance coach currently working with the ENCE Counter-Strike team. In this episode she breaks down the nuances of competitive gaming and how it compares to traditional sports as well as the fundamental differences between competitive play and casual gaming. She dives into the inner ...
Jul 20, 2023•52 min
In the new season of Tech Girl Talks, Sam chats to friends and colleagues in the esports industry about their specific jobs, how they found themselves in esports and what they do. It’s a deep dive into the esports jobs many people don’t know exist and showcases the diverse nature of the industry. In episode 1, Sam decides to explain what it is she does as an esports broadcaster, desk hosting various events, focusing in on Counter-Strike and discussing a bit more about her esports content creatio...
Jul 13, 2023•33 min
Love him or hate him, there is no denying that Duncan “Thorin” Shields has had a global impact on esports both as a content creator and broadcast talent. He has amassed a following across multiple platforms and regularly makes Counter-Strike content that starts conversations (and debates). It seemed only fitting to end Season 3 with an icon of CSGO. Expect some bangers in this one, it is a plethora for soundbites. You can find Thorin on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/thorin You can watch him ...
Nov 16, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 8
The Pro Player - Maikil "golden" Selim Golden is an extremely talented Counter-Strike Global Offensive player who has played for Fnatic, Cloud9 and did a brief stint with Ninjas in Pajamas at a CS Major. He has a wealth of experience and knows what the pressure is like when being part of one of the best CS teams in the world. As an IGL he also has an interesting view on what it takes to lead a team. I wanted to pick his brain to really understand what it takes to be a professional Counter-Strike...
Nov 10, 2022•36 min•Season 3Ep. 7
SapphiRe began as a competitive Counter-Strike player before moving into a host of different roles. The one I desperately wanted to chat to her about was that of Observer. I believe observers are the most important role in any esports broadcast. Without them, the magic of the game can easily be lost. Yet, they’re the unsung heroes of many CSGO events. I wanted to find out what led sapphiRe to carving out a space as an observer and what it takes to work on some of the biggest events in the world,...
Nov 02, 2022•43 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Matthew “Sadokist” Trivett is, in my opinion, one of the best Counter-Strike commentators in the world. His voice is linked to a host of legendary moments in CSGO history. His life has also become somewhat public fodder. I wanted to chat to him to find out what it is like to be at the top of your game - from constantly pushing yourself professionally to dealing with a social media world shrouded in “cancel culture”. You can find Sadokist on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Sadokist You can also f...
Oct 27, 2022•47 min•Season 3Ep. 5
The conversation around female Counter-Strike has been a heated one for some time. I wanted to add to it and thought there was no one better to contribute than Hege “Hedje” Botnen. Hedje is a competitive Norwegian CSGO player who competed at a host of international events in an all women line up. She has since retired from competitive play and now works as an analyst on a host of esports broadcasts. She gave some insight into the women’s leagues currently being run and shared her own experiences...
Oct 19, 2022•33 min•Season 3Ep. 4
What does it take to become a shoutcaster in one of the most popular games in the world? In this episode of Tech Girl Talks, I chat to Adam “Dinko” Hawthorne, a Counter-Strike commentator who has casted a host of S-Tier events. Dinko’s story is an interesting one as he is one of the few shoutcasters on the scene working at high level events who does not have a dedicated casting partner. He explains how that works and how he navigates the CS:GO scene. Follow Dinko on Twitter: https://twitter.com/...
Oct 12, 2022•57 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Bleh has cemented himself as one of the leading analysts in the Counter-Strike broadcast space in recent years. An impressive feat on its own but even more so when you consider that he lives in India, one of the regions not as popular on the global CS map. For this episode of the Tech Girl Talks podcast I chatted to Bleh about how he was able to crack international competition and how he was able to grow in a career that is far tougher than it might look to the rest of the world. Follow Bleh on ...
Oct 05, 2022•40 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In this episode of the Tech Girl Talks Podcast, we chat to Tiaan "Tc" Coertzen. Tc is the head coach of Complexity Gaming's Counter-Strike team. His story is an interesting one - from competing in CS: GO in South Africa, to making history with a South African lineup called Bravado Gaming that moved to America - he has great insight into competing at the top level but also happens to be a qualified medical doctor! He shares how he balanced studying medicine with competitive gaming and how his par...
Sep 29, 2022•47 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Tech Girl Talks, hosted by Sam Wright, was nominated for the Podcast of the Year in the 2022 DSTV content creator awards, and is back with a bang for Season 3. In this season, Sam chats to well known names in the industry to bring their stories to a new platform. Season 3 streaming soon.
Sep 27, 2022•2 min
In the Season finale of Tech Girl Talks, Narrative Writer for Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, Simon Ducharme, adds development team insight into the discussion around Representation in Video Games - with a focus on how character stories are scripted as well as the process around developing characters for your favourite video games. Rainbow Six Siege is a popular First Person Tactical Shooter published by Ubisoft. Focal points include: Understanding the game development process How character deve...
Dec 15, 2021•19 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In the final episode of Season 2, Sam discusses representation in video games. A somewhat controversial topic but an important one. Robin Gray, founder of Gayming magazine adds insight around the changing landscape of video games as an entertainment medium and artform as well as why conversations around diversity and representation in games have become louder. Dissecting some of the AAA game titles that have incorporated more representation into their story telling in the last few years. Focus p...
Dec 07, 2021•29 min
Nick "Ashes" Ridgeway, Complexity Gaming's Assistant General Manager, joins in on a discussion on what you need to know about Esports Organisations. Adding insight from his time with one of the oldest and most successful gaming organisations in the world. Focal points include: What Esports Organisations offer players, Complexity's unique offering, How Esports Organisations make money, Content Creators and Esports Organisations, What questions to ask when looking to sign to an Esports Organisatio...
Nov 30, 2021•35 min•Season 2Ep. 7
The new dream job is to be a gaming youtuber or Twitch Streamer. But the reality is, it's not about sitting around all day playing video games. For this episode we take a look at what it really takes to make it big as a gaming content creator globally. Special insight is supplied by the incredible Clare Siobhán, and with more than a million subs on YouTube she definitely has knowledge to share. You can find Clare's YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/claresiobhan Focal points incl...
Nov 23, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 6
For the second part of this episode we move from looking at the brand perspective on esports sponsorship to understanding how the best tournament organisers and event producers in the game are able to attract partners and, most importantly, keep them coming back for more. Special Guest, Farrell Sweeney, Director of Partner Management at ESL, adds insight into better understanding the relationship between partners and esports offerings. Focal points include: Esports events and the marketing benef...
Nov 16, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 6
What is the secret sauce to get your esports tournament or team sponsored? Ever wondered what sponsors really expect in return for their products and cash? In this special two part episode I'll chat to one of the most successful tournament organisers in the world AND one of the biggest gaming brands, to figure out what works and what doesn't. Part 1 features insights from Tim Ashton, Global Esports Account Manager at gaming peripheral brand Steel Series. Focal points include: Why would a brand s...
Nov 09, 2021•28 min
It sounds like the dream job - playing video games full time, competitively and winning heaps of cash. You've probably read a glitzzy interview with a multimillionaire esports player and thought, hey I can do that. But there is a lot that isn't discussed or shared. Turning competitive esports into a full time gig is no easy task. In this episode we give you the information you won't find in those PR pieces. Featuring two of the world's top FIFA players, Mohamand "KingCJ" Diop and Julio "Beast" B...
Nov 03, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Producing an esports live broadcast is far more intricate then most realise. In this episode one of the world's best esports producers, Jason Baker, breaks down what happens behind the camera before you see your live games on the screen. Jason Baker has more than 17 years of esports experience and has worked on some of the biggest shows in the world, creating how games are viewed to the rules that govern million dollar tournaments. Focal points include: The real cost of esports production, the t...
Oct 27, 2021•33 min
Sam deep dives into gaming addictions and speaks to experts about some of the misconceptions around it and some practical advice to avoid being addicted to your game. Focal points include: How kids game, why do we get addicted to our screen, and what steps can we take to game healthy.
Oct 20, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Despite the flashy numbers bandied about in PowerPoints selling esports, many broadcasts and esports-focused content are just not seeing the eyeballs expected. But why? Sam deep dives into esports content and some of the fibs being told by esports experts. Esports Hall of Fame inductee and an icon in the global space, Richard Lewis, join in on the discussion to add his own insight. Focal points include: Esports content, creating value, measuring successfully, and reaching the casual gamer....
Oct 13, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 1
The success of season one saw us reaching over 50 countries and spanning over 10K downloads and an active listenership weekly. Sam Wright is back with new topics, discussions, and Q&As. We will no longer be premiering the episodes on Youtube so this season is exclusive and will feature fresh new content never heard before.
Sep 29, 2021•2 min
When recorded no executives had stepped down from Activision Blizzard following the allegations the state of California leveled against them. That has since changed. The conversation focuses on how sexism continues to run rampant in the industry and how we address it. I'm partnered with Logitech G - we play to win!
Sep 08, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In this special episode, we are rewinding the clock to revisit the first-ever episode that brought Tech Girl Talks to life. Sam shares personal stories about how she led down the path of shoutcaster and gives you practical advice to apply in your life. If you have topics you want me to discuss or would like to join the conversation then feel free to comment on this video OR you can join my discord to chat directly with me here: https://discord.gg/SKvCd82nv4 I'm partnered with Logitech G - we pla...
Sep 01, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This is the VOD of the talk show and podcast where we discuss topical issues relating to gaming and esports. For Episode 6 of Tech Girl Talks we focus on the death of the gaming journalist - looking at how smaller regional gaming publications (traditional and digital) are closing their doors or losing staff... and we ask why? I'm an international esports shoutcaster and gaming/tech content creator based in South Africa. I'm partnered with Logitech G - we play to win!...
Aug 25, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 6
From the Hot Tub Meta to ASMR "ear" licking in suggestive poses. In Episode 5 of Tech Girl Talks we discuss how Twitch dealt with streamers pushing the lines of terms and service and, if the Hot Tub Meta and ASMR ear licking should be allowed. I'm an international esports shoutcaster and gaming/tech content creator based in South Africa. I'm partnered with Logitech G - we play to win!
Aug 18, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 5
This is episode 5 of the Tech Girl Talks series, where I do a live esports discussion on my Twitch channel every Wednesday at 1 pm SAST. Why do we experience so much toxicity in gaming? I asked for insight from studying psychologist, gamer, and mental coach for Goliath Gaming, Stephen Vermaas. 08:07 Why is there so much toxicity in gaming? 22:56 Are you toxic? 36:19 support for victims of toxicity I'm an international esports shoutcaster and gaming/tech content creator based in South Africa. I'm...
Aug 11, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 4
For Episode 3, because it was Pride Month, we discussed the LGBTQ Community in Esports. A huge thank you to Marco, the editor of GLITCHED for sharing his story. You can visit GLITCHED at www.glitched.online Demonik for contributing. Follow in on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/demoniksa Finally thank you to @nicholasvanj for spending so much time chatting to me and helping me with this live talk. 16:13 Sonic Fox acceptance speech at the Game Awards 26:41 Demonik's experience in esports 33:18 Marco's per...
Aug 04, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this episode, I was asked to investigate the divide in the Fighting Games Community. A nice broad topic which I tried to do justice too. I hope you enjoy the show! Also if you have any comments I love feedback. 04:52 @sigmaG19 gives a history on South African fighting games https://youtu.be/BRQMnY0GOM4 12:07 introducing you to UGCZA https://youtu.be/hglwYesDsqw 13:09 JabhiM at Red Bull Kumite https://www.redbull.com/za-en/videos/... 23:51 More on Red Bull Hit the Streets courtesy of @HobbyGam...
Jul 30, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In this episode, I speak about good and bad sponsorships in esports as well as how to spot a scam sponsorship opportunity. I break the conversation down into sponsorships for esports teams, esports events, and then esports players. Any feedback is always welcome! 06:00 Team Sponsorships 06:24 Bravado Gaming & Alienware example 18:06 Event Sponsorship 18:29 Toyota Esports Challenge 31:26 Player Sponsorship 32:00 Red Bull x Thabo "YvngSavage" Moloi 39:11 Bad Sponsorships 46:10 Questions and An...
Jul 30, 2021•54 min
