Episodes

  • The Frontier of Haptics and Human Embodiment with Ivan Isakov
    Jul 29 2026
    In this episode of the ⁨Amata World Podcast⁩ , hosts Ana and Bryan dive into the cutting-edge frontier of spatial computing and haptic technology with Ivan Isakov, the CEO and co-founder of Valkyrie Industries. Ivan has a PhD in Nanoelectronics from UCL, 14-years' experience in research, electronics, haptics and XR (24 academic papers, patents, commercial VR titles), as well he is an XR consultant, community builder, creative coder and international speaker.The conversation explores how Valkyrie Industries tackled the fundamental challenge of replicating "weight" and resistance in virtual reality using Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). Ivan details their exciting transition into healthcare, highlighting their v-health platform and clinical work focused on neuro-rehabilitation for stroke survivors. The episode concludes with a fascinating look into how wearable "eir bands" are breaking down boundaries by shifting intensive physical therapy from the clinic straight into patients' homes.Key Takeaways:- Pioneering Muscle Haptics: Valkyrie Industries leverages targeted Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) to trigger muscle contractions from the outside, recreating realistic physical resistance, impact, and weight within digital environments.- Gamifying Neuro-Rehabilitation: By syncing wireless EMS wearables with immersive VR experiences (the v-health platform), the technology actively stimulates weak motor pathways, making the repetitive, intensive movements required for stroke recovery engaging and measurable.- Decentralising Upper-Limb Therapy: Instead of relying entirely on massive, expensive clinical robotics, the company's "eir bands" allow patients to independently conduct vital daily therapy in the community or from home.- Active vs. Passive Touch: While basic vibration haptics are commonplace, creating true force feedback sits at a highly complex engineering crossroads between high-end medical devices and consumer tech.Links to connect to Ivan:Website: ivascht.comLinkedIn: @Ivan IsakovInstagram: @ivascht Links to connect to Valkyrie Industries:Website: https://www.valkyrie-vr.com/ Code for 15% discount: "EIR15"Meta Quest App: "EIR Training" LinkedIn: @Valkyrie Industries Instagram: @valkyrie.industries Bonus Deep-Dive Links (External Interviews & Features):Audio Podcast Feature: Listen to Ivan Isakov's deep dive on advanced touch receptors on the Internet of Senses Podcast (Touch Feature).Video Interview: Watch Ivan discuss human-computer interaction and motion tracking architectures with Yulia Sion on YouTube.Clinical Insights: Read the full medical philosophy breakdown with Advanced Neuro-Physiotherapist Lucy Redman on the Valkyrie Neuro-Rehab Blog.Follow us:LinkedInInstagramTikTokXSpotifyYoutube
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    36 mins
  • Creating Animated Stories with AI Assisted Workflows
    Jul 15 2026
    In this episode of the ⁨Amata World Podcast⁩ , hosts Ana Domina and Bryan Yap sit down with Peabody-nominated and Emmy Award-winning director Michaela Ternasky-Holland, the founder of MTH Studio. Michaela pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to direct in the age of artificial intelligence, drawing from her history-making work as one of the first filmmakers commissioned by OpenAI to debut a Sora-generated film, Thank you, mom, at the Tribeca Festival. Her first original animated series garnered over 2.2 million views on YouTube within a month of release. More of her prolific work in animation has been recognised as Best Directing in XR by The Collision Awards, VR Film of Year Finalist by the International VR Awards, and Grand Prize Winner at The Philippine Animation Festival. As a nominee for the Producers Guild of America’s Innovation Award, she is also a consultant, speaker, and thought leader, who has been recognised as one of the 100 Original Voices of XR and listed as one of Blooloop’s 50 Immersive Influencers. The conversation dives deep into the unglamorous realities of AI filmmaking: from wrestling with character design variations across scenes to navigating severe industry pushback when trying to recruit human voice actors for AI-assisted indie productions. Michaela explains why she views AI generation as a process akin to composing classical music rather than live-action "jazz," emphasising how independent creators can leverage these tools to scale their vision without compromising their ethical boundaries or replacing human artistry.Key Takeaways:- The "Viability Testing" Pipeline: Instead of traditional pre-production, modern AI filmmakers must run systematic tests to prove that character designs, distinct environment angles, and visual aesthetics remain fully repeatable before entering full production.- The Script Supervisor Bottleneck: The biggest hidden challenge in AI animation is continuity. Because generative models struggle with frame-by-frame stability, directors must essentially act as hyper-vigilant script supervisors to police character morphing and environmental drift.- The Voice Acting Casting Crisis: One of the most unexpected hurdles in the generative space is systemic resistance from voice talent. Standard casting platforms regularly pull down postings for AI-assisted projects, highlighting a massive cultural and professional friction that indie creators must navigate ethically.- AI as Classical Music Composition: Unlike the spontaneous, "jazz-like" nature of live-action filmmaking, AI animation mirrors classical composition. It demands intense, upfront planning, structural perfection, and calculated pipeline fluidity to execute a cohesive vision.Links to Connect with Michaela:Website: ⁠https://michaelaternaskyholland.com/⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelaaternaskyholland/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/michaelaternaskyholland/⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/ImMichaelaTH⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@mthstudiollc⁠IMDb: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10878252/⁠Michaela’s projects, additional links:- Echoes of Legend feature: ⁠https://michaelaternaskyholland.com/echoes-of-legend-screen⁠- Sora Short Film Trailer: Watch the official look at Thank you, mom ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3aZg7R29tA⁠- Masterclass Framework: Explore her approach to team workflows via Sundance Collab ⁠https://collab.sundance.org/catalog/Master-Class-Harnessing-AI-as-a-Tool-in-Animated-Storytelling⁠Follow us:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/amata-world-podcast/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/amataworldpodcast/⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@amataworldpodcast/⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/amataworldpod⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1CCqoUSDSeHgOnuagMFnSe?si=6fc71be233914496⁠Youtube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@amataworldpodcast?si=wRpVZMBe_NgeQdGy⁠
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    35 mins
  • Navigating the change: Building Trust and Rules in Web3 with James Burnie
    Jul 8 2026

    In this episode of the Amata World Podcast, we step into the fast-evolving arena of digital asset law with James Burnie, a Tier 1-ranked Web3 lawyer and Partner at gunnercooke. James pulls back the curtain on the intense, non-traditional day-to-day reality of managing legal frameworks for over 300 Web3 projects, spanning from AI algorithmic trading funds to tokenising physical, real-world assets. Sitting uniquely on both sides of the table, he shares how he transitions from advising cutting-edge startups to working directly with global financial authorities to craft 2% to 3% of the world's actual crypto legislation, including milestones with the Mauritius FSC and Kazakhstan's AFSA. James delivers a fascinating masterclass on building "initial trust" with skeptical regulators, using regulatory sandboxes to let innovation breathe, and steering founders away from devastating structural traps before their launch.

    Key takeaways:

    - Web3 law is active business architecture, not textbook study: Top-tier Web3 legal work involves actively managing massive, diverse pipelines—handling everything from complex AI algorithmic trading funds to tokenising real-world physical assets.

    - Building regulatory trust requires a common language: Bridging the gap with cautious global regulators requires moving past hype and fear, finding common ground, and educating authorities using traditional, proven regulatory principles.

    - The "Regulatory Sandbox" is the ultimate proving ground: Frameworks like sandboxes allow Web3 founders to safely test innovative protocols in a controlled environment, protecting consumers without choking industrial growth.

    - Early legal structure prevents terminal engineering traps: Web3 founders often run into major structural compliance errors early on. Bringing a legal perspective to the table pre-launch protects the project's architecture before protocols are permanently deployed on-chain.


    To find more about James:

    Partner Profile (gunnercooke): https://gunnercooke.com/people/james-burnie/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-burnie-frsa-889b09a5/

    Twitter/X: https://x.com/JamesBurnieFRSA


    To find more about gunnercooke:

    Website: https://gunnercooke.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gunnercookellp/

    Twitter/X: https://x.com/gunnercooke

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gunnercooke-llp/

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtZbZh0z4pDOWvvsHrZV5XQ


    Additional links:

    Crypto & FinTech Practice @gunnercookellpglobal - https://gunnercooke.com/core-services/crypto-and-fintech/Mauritius Financial Services Commission (FSC) - https://www.fscmauritius.org/

    Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA - Kazakhstan) - https://afsa.aifc.kz/

    Industry Context: gunnercooke becomes the first major UK law firm to accept crypto payments - https://gunnercooke.com/gunnercooke-becomes-first-major-uk-law-firm-to-accept-payment-in-cryptoassets/

    gunnercooke advises on Tokenised GBP on tGBP, the first GBP stablecoin launched by a cryptoasset firm registered with the FCA - https://gunnercooke.com/gunnercooke-advises-on-tokenised-gbp-on-tgbp-the-first-gbp-stablecoin-launched-by-a-cryptoasset-firm-registered-with-the-fca/

    gunnercooke advises on world’s first tokenized robo-farm, deployed on peaq - https://gunnercooke.com/gunnercooke-advises-on-worlds-first-tokenized-robo-farm-deployed-on-peaq/

    gunnercooke advises Bitwise Asset Management on BSOL, the number 1 ETF launch of 2025 by volume - https://gunnercooke.com/gunnercooke-advises-bitwise-asset-management-on-bsol-the-number-1-etf-launch-of-2025-by-volume/


    Follow us:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amata-world-podcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amataworldpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amataworldpodcast/

    X: https://x.com/amataworldpod

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1CCqoUSDSeHgOnuagMFnSe?si=6fc71be233914496

    Youtube: https://youtube.com/@amataworldpodcast?si=wRpVZMBe_NgeQdGy

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    32 mins
  • The Emotion of Play: How Board Games Build Safe Spaces and Defy the Screen with Alan Wallat
    Jun 7 2026

    In this episode of the Amata World Podcast, we dive into the enchanting world of analog gaming with London-based board game designer Alan Wallet. Blending creativity, emotional impact, and innovative tech, Alan shares his incredible journey from mechanical engineering to crafting immersive tabletop experiences. He discusses the creative process behind his upcoming games, 'War of the Toads' and 'Posers,' and explores how board games serve as a powerful antidote to screen fatigue by fostering authentic human connections. The conversation takes a fascinating turn into the intersection of technology and tabletop gaming, revealing how AI is being utilized not to replace human artistry, but as an advanced algorithmic playtesting tool to balance complex game mechanics. Alan also highlights the profound social impact of board games, noting their ability to create structured, safe spaces for neurodivergent players and his ambition to design games that evoke deep, complex emotions.


    Key Takeaways

    • Analog gaming offers a vital human remedy in the AI era: Tabletop games are rising in popularity as an authentic, screen-free way to forge real human connections.

    • AI serves as a powerful analytical ally, not a creative replacement: While the board game community resists generative AI for art, algorithmic AI agents are revolutionizing playtesting by running data-driven simulations to balance game mechanics.

    • Board games provide structured social sanctuaries: The clear rule sets of tabletop games create accessible environments for social interaction, offering profound benefits for neurodivergent and autistic individuals.

    • The future of tabletop gaming lies in emotional depth: The medium has the unique potential to explore profound human experiences, such as integrating the real mental toll of conflict into war game mechanics.


    To find more about Allan:

    Portfolio: https://aw-designs.myportfolio.com/

    https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/164676/alan-wallat


    AAAR GAMES

    Website: https://aaargames.co.uk/

    This is where you can sign-up for the WAR OF THE TOADS newsletter.

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaar.games/


    War of the Toads

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aaargames/war-of-the-toads-a-pocket-sized-18-card-game

    https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/467275/war-of-the-toads


    POSERS

    https://www.boardcubator.com/games/posers/

    https://poserslaunchparty.rsvpify.com/

    https://guesstheposer.netlify.app/


    Additional links:

    Resources: Ellie Dix's blog for new designers.

    https://www.thedarkimp.com/blog/

    Testing boardgames with AI

    https://www.whatifgames.co.uk/using-ai-in-board-games-design-a-conversation-with-alan/

    https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/02/26/how-artificial-intelligence-can-make-board-games-better


    Follow us:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amata-world-podcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amataworldpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amataworldpodcast
    X: https://x.com/amataworldpod

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    38 mins
  • Filming VR in a War Zone: Inside the Chernobyl Reactor
    Mar 11 2026

    In this episode of the Amata World podcast, Henry Stuart, Co-founder of Visualise and Meta Camera, shares his incredible journey through the evolving landscape of XR technology. Exploring the evolution of immersive media from early 360-degree photography to high-stakes virtual reality filmmaking, the conversation traces his path from a biology graduate to an industry leader. He discusses capturing monumental events like the 2011 Royal Wedding and the 2012 Olympics, highlighting how the advent of Oculus headsets transformed his agency, Visualise, into a powerhouse for VR and AR innovation.


    The conversation turns to one of Henry’s most challenging projects: a high-stakes VR production for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development inside the Chernobyl exclusion zone. He recounts the intense logistical and physical challenges of filming in a heavily militarized, radioactive environment during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. They also explore how Henry leverages VR for profound social impact, detailing his work with Mission Rabies in Malawi to build donor empathy, and with St. John Ambulance's Young Responders program, which uses choice-driven VR scenarios to teach disengaged youths life-saving first-aid skills for knife wounds. Transitioning to practical advice, Henry shares actionable tips for aspiring creators, noting that modern, affordable 360 cameras and standard non-linear editors like Adobe Premiere make immersive storytelling more accessible than ever.


    Finally, Henry offers a contrarian take on the trajectory of immersive technology, arguing that the true future of the XR industry lies not in bulky, isolating VR headsets, but in lightweight, contextually aware AR smart glasses. For anyone interested in the intersection of technology, storytelling, and social impact, this episode provides a thrilling and deeply knowledgeable glimpse into where immersive media has been and exactly where it is heading.


    You can connect to Henry on:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrystuart


    Learn more about Meta Camera:Website: https://meta-camera.io

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meta_camera


    Learn more about Visualise:

    Website: https://visualise.com


    Other projects mentioned:

    Mission Rabies: https://www.missionrabies.com

    St John Ambulance’s Young Responders Program: https://www.sja.org.uk/get-involved/young-people/young-responders


    Each week we release an episode in the field of either Metaverse/Gaming, Web3/Crypto/Blockchain, AI or XR and if we have an extra week, we are posting an episode with a guest from Creative industries. Tune in, there are more amazing guests and stories to come up in the future.


    Follow us:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amata-world-podcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amataworldpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amataworldpodcast
    X: https://x.com/amataworldpod

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    35 mins
  • The AI Revolution in Film: Balancing Creativity and Cost Efficiency with Chris White
    Mar 6 2026

    In this episode of the Amata World podcast, producer and creative technologist Chris White joins us to demystify the intersection of artificial intelligence and modern filmmaking. With nearly two decades of genre storytelling experience, from launching MTV's cult horror franchise My Super Psycho Sweet 16, to executive producing V/H/S: Viral, to creating the interconnected sci-fi worlds of Portals and DOORS, Chris has built a career around scalable, character-driven narratives. Now, as an executive producer on Backrooms (alongside A24, Atomic Monster, 21 Laps Entertainment, and Chernin Entertainment) and producer on the upcoming The Heretiks, he offers a pragmatic look at how creators can leverage emerging technology to tell bigger stories on tighter budgets. He shares his journey from initial experimentation with generative tools to integrating them into the professional pipeline of high-stakes productions.


    The conversation navigates the complexities of the hybrid production model, where traditional live-action is augmented by AI post-production. White breaks down how tools like Runway are being used to handle dangerous stunts, manipulate environmental visuals, and create high-fidelity pre-visualizations that secure investor funding where traditional pitch decks fail. He also addresses the elephant in the room: the ethics of AI, likeness licensing, and the pushback from traditionalist circles. White challenges the "lack of soul" critique, arguing that AI is merely an evolution of the creative toolkit, comparable to the industry's shift toward CGI in the 1990s. As an instructor at Arcana Academy, where he teaches AI filmmaking with a strong emphasis on classical narrative craft, he brings both the practitioner's and the educator's perspective to the debate.


    Looking ahead, White envisions a future where audiences prioritise narrative immersion over the specific technical processes behind the curtain. Whether you are a skeptical traditionalist or a tech-forward creative, this episode provides a realistic roadmap for how the industry is quietly embracing AI to bypass the gatekeepers and unlock new levels of production quality.


    You can connect to Chris on:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwcreatorproducer/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xmister_whitex

    IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1184214


    Each week we release an episode in the field of either Metaverse/Gaming, Web3/Crypto/Blockchain, AI or XR and if we have an extra week, we are posting an episode with a guest from Creative industries. Tune in, there are more amazing guests and stories to come up in the future.


    Follow us:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amata-world-podcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amataworldpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amataworldpodcast

    X: https://x.com/amataworldpod

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    42 mins
  • Traceport: Revolutionizing Data Integrity with Blockchain with Bridget Doran
    Jan 19 2026

    In this episode of the Amata World podcast, we speak with Bridget Doran, founder and CEO of Traceport. Traceport is a blockchain-based infrastructure platform that provides an API enabling any organization to prove their data externally — think of it as a digital public notary that uses cryptographic verification to ensure data has never been altered. Bridget shares her journey from database administration and nonprofit tech into Web3, discovering BitcoinSV in 2019 after becoming disillusioned with the scalability limitations of other blockchain platforms.


    Bridget discusses how building Traceport for Charities (a SaaS application demonstrating the platform) led to a bigger vision: abstracting blockchain complexity so any sector - compliance, IoT, pharmaceuticals, or beyond - can use immutable data attestation without understanding the underlying technology. She explains the revolutionary concept of "applications logging into you" rather than vice versa, and why Bitcoin SV's scalability (1-2 million transactions per second) makes enterprise-grade blockchain verification finally practical.


    Key takeaways

    • Traceport's API acts as a digital notary with cryptographic verification—organizations can prove their data hasn't changed, and the public can verify it independently (not just trust Traceport's word)

    • The pivot from charity-focused SaaS to infrastructure API came through the iterative process of building—founders shouldn't get locked into their initial vision

    • Each organization using Traceport gets its own cryptographically isolated space for data attestation, making it plug-and-play ready for any sector

    • The "apps log into you" paradigm shift: cryptographic keys enable zero-knowledge proof of identity without handing over personal data

    • IoT and compliance are promising sectors where organizations are required to prove data integrity

    • Micropayments on scalable blockchain could transform developing economies by removing middlemen

    • Bitcoin SV's new node software handles 1-2 million transactions per second, enabling enterprise use cases that weren't previously practical

    Bio:

    Bridget Doran is the founder and CEO of Traceport, a blockchain infrastructure platform providing cryptographic data verification. With 20+ years in technology and financial systems across Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits, she co-founded the Minnesota Blockchain Initiative and has been teaching and building on Bitcoin SV since 2019.


    You can connect to Bridget on:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bcdoran

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bridgetdoran

    Website (Bitcoin teaching app – Gaming lesson): https://bitcoin-teaching-tool.vercel.app/lessons/blockchain-gaming


    Learn more about Traceport:

    Website: https://traceport.io

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/traceport-io

    Website (Traceport for charities): https://traceport.io/charities/


    Each week we release an episode in the field of either Metaverse/Gaming, Web3/Crypto/Blockchain, AI or XR and if we have an extra week, we are posting an episode with a guest from Creative industries. Tune in, there are more amazing guests and stories to come up in the future.


    Follow us:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amata-world-podcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amataworldpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amataworldpodcast
    X: https://x.com/amataworldpod

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    31 mins
  • Tower Crawl: Exploring the Frontiers of AI-Powered Gaming with Daniel Clothiaux
    Dec 17 2025

    In this episode of the Amata World podcast, we speak with Daniel Clothiaux, an AI researcher and co-creator of Tower Crawl and the Wyrd platform. Daniel shares his background in AI and his current indie game project, Tower Crawl, and an experimental platform called Wyrd. He discusses the inspiration behind Tower Crawl, which emerged from experimenting with AI tooling and structuring a chat loop into a game engine. Daniel highlights the unique user freedom that AI unlocks in gaming, allowing players to do crazy things and explore possibilities beyond traditional game constraints. He also touches on the challenges of developing AI-driven games, including maintaining coherence, managing costs, and adapting to language model updates. Daniel expresses his hopes and fears for the future of the gaming industry, emphasising the importance of meaningful and creative experiences over addictive but shallow AI-driven content. He envisions a future where the community can craft their own game worlds and collaborate with brands to shape their favourite media.


    Key takeaways

    • Generative AI unlocks unprecedented user freedom in gaming, allowing players to explore creative possibilities beyond traditional game constraints.

    • Developing AI-driven games presents unique challenges, including maintaining coherence, managing costs, and adapting to language model updates.

    • Community involvement is crucial in shaping the future of AI-driven games, with players actively contributing to world-building and game design.

    • The future of the gaming industry holds both promise and potential pitfalls, with the need to prioritize meaningful and creative experiences over addictive but shallow AI-driven content.


    You can connect to Daniel on:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-clothiaux-7748b727b


    Find out more about Tower Crawl:Website: https://tower-crawl.fun

    Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TowerCrawl


    Find out more about Wyrd:

    Website: https://wyrd.gg


    Each week we release an episode in the field of either Metaverse/Gaming, Web3/Crypto/Blockchain, AI or XR and if we have an extra week, we are posting an episode with a guest from Creative industries. Tune in, there are more amazing guests and stories to come up in the future.


    Follow us:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amata-world-podcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amataworldpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amataworldpodcast
    X: https://x.com/amataworldpod

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    28 mins