On this episode Dr. Rachel Kowert busts myths about gaming. If you are skeptical about what games can offer us, give this conversation some time. Meet this week's special guest: ➡️ Rachel Kowert, Ph.D is a research psychologist and the Research Director of Take This. She is a world-renowned researcher on the uses and effects of digital games, including their impact on physical, social, and psychological well-being. In her current work, she serves as one of the primary investigators on the first grant-funded project from the Department of Homeland Security about games and extremism. She has spoken about her work to thousands of people across the globe, including the United States Congress, United Nations, and Department of Homeland Security. An award-winning author, she has published a variety of books and scientific articles relating to the psychology of games and, more recently, the relationship between games and mental health specifically. She also serves as the editor of the Routledge Debates in Media Studies series and the upcoming ETC press series Psychology of Pop Culture. Recently, she founded her YouTube channel Psychgeist, which serves to bridge the gap between moral panic and scientific knowledge on a variety of psychology and game-related topics.  In 2021, Dr. Kowert was chosen as a member of The Game Awards Future Class, representing the best and brightest of the future of video games. Dr. Kowert has been featured in various media outlets, including NPR, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, New York Times, and Wired Magazine. To learn more about Rachel and her work, visit www.rkowert.com.  ? Ready to connect with Dr. Kowert?  www.rkowert.com  www.twitter.com/drkowert  www.takethis.org   ?Learn more about Dr. Kowert's research: https://rkowert.com/books/   ? Connect with our sponsors ?   Daigon and X-Sense Unlock the potential of Esports for your school with DAIGON's platform, solutions, and expertise guiding your International School to success in the world of esports. X-Sense is an innovative company providing home safety products, including cutting-edge smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and other smart home security systems designed to keep you and your loved ones safe 24/7. With easy-to-install devices and smart technology,  you’ll have peace of mind knowing that X-Sense is always on guard. Protect what matters most with X-Sense. Check out the great X-Sense deals for Amazon Prime Day. Ready to continue your learning with Shifting Schools? Connect with our pathways and continue your journey of learning. Reach out to us with your questions and comments, we LOVE hearing from listeners: info(at) shiftingschools (dot com)