Episodes

  • Alex Hirbe

    Alex Hirbe
    Dec 11 2025
    Alex Hirbe is a trailblazing educator and esports innovator from St. Louis, MO, with a lifelong passion for discovery learning, leadership, and video games. After pivoting from architecture studies at Kansas State University to high school social studies—and later industrial technology—he spent over a decade in the classroom, presenting at state and national conferences on meaningful tech integration. Armed with a master’s in educational technology from the University of Central Missouri, Alex served as a Technology Integration Specialist at Basehor-Linwood School District before diving into esports. He helped build online learning solutions for Generation Esports' Gaming Concepts curriculum, and now as Education Manager at PlayVS, he designs and implements impactful online curricula to foster esports education. In this live episode from Phase 25, Alex joins James to explore his dynamic career shift into esports, the power of tech in education, and how gaming is revolutionizing learning and competition.
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Bubba Gaeddert

    Bubba Gaeddert
    Dec 1 2025
    Bubba is a broadcaster, host, consultant, entrepreneur, professor, and esports veteran with over 25 years in non-profits and sports, plus 11 years in gaming and esports. As President & Co-Founder of the Videogames and Esports Foundation (VEF)—the first STEM-accredited non-profit in the space—he champions education and career pathways in gaming. He currently serves as Head of Events and Senior Lecturer at the University Campus of Esports in London, UK, and hosts popular shows such as Invite Sent and The rAVe Esports Show. In this live episode from Phase 25, Bubba joins James to discuss his remarkable career journey, the evolution of competitive gaming, and the importance of neurodiversity in esports.
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Gavin Ferry

    Gavin Ferry
    Nov 21 2025
    Gavin Ferry is a passionate esports educator and event specialist from the UK, with a career dedicated to blending gaming, technology, and learning. Starting his journey in sports management, he transitioned into esports coordination, organizing tournaments and coaching student teams at institutions like Confetti Institute. Holding a BSc in Sports Management from Nottingham Trent University, Gavin has presented at industry conferences on esports integration in education. Currently, as Senior Lecturer in Esports at the University Campus of Esports in London, he teaches on business, marketing, and event management in the competitive gaming space, inspiring the next generation of industry pros. In this live episode from Phase 25, Gavin joins James to discuss his esports career, the evolution of gaming education, and strategies for building successful competitive programs. 🔗 Find Gavin Online 🌐 Website: https://www.nufoundation.org.uk/ 🐦 X: https://x.com/GavFerry 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-ferry-2b4ba220b/ 🎮 Find Ctrl + Alt + Compete Here 📸 Instagram: @ctrlaltcompetepodcast I https://www.instagram.com/ctrlaltcompetepodcast 🐦 X: @CTRLALTCOMPOD I https://x.com/CTRLALTCOMPOD 🎵 TikTok: @erenasports I https://www.tiktok.com/@erenasports
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Breach Cammy

    Breach Cammy
    Nov 11 2025
    Cameron "Cammy" McKilligan, aka Breach Cammy, is a Scottish professional Call of Duty player hailing from Edinburgh, born October 10, 1999. With over $584,000 in career earnings from 44 tournaments, he's a standout in the esports scene, currently competing for Boston Breach in the Call of Duty League—where he's earned accolades like NA Stage 3 Elite MVP. A veteran competitor, Cammy streams on Twitch (twitch.tv/Cammy) and shares insights on high stakes matches, team dynamics, and the grind of pro gaming. In this live episode from Phase 25, Cammy joins James to break down his journey in competitive CoD, the evolution of esports, and what it takes to thrive in the fast-paced world of professional gaming.


    🔗 Find Cammy Online 🌐 twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/Cammy 🐦 X: https://x.com/CammyMVP 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cammy_mckilligan/


    🎮 Find Ctrl + Alt + Compete Here 📸 Instagram: @ctrlaltcompetepodcast I https://www.instagram.com/ctrlaltcompetepodcast 🐦 X: @CTRLALTCOMPOD I https://x.com/CTRLALTCOMPOD 🎵 TikTok: @erenasports I https://www.tiktok.com/@erenasports
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Drew Spark

    Drew Spark
    Nov 1 2025
    In this episode of the Ctrl Alt Compete Podcast, we sit down with Drew Spark-Whitworth at PHASE25, the esteemed Head Coach of G2 VALORANT, for an insightful conversation on leadership, strategy, and competitive excellence in esports. Since taking the helm in 2022, Drew has guided his teams to an International Championship and two Regional Championships, solidifying his reputation as one of the top coaching minds in VALORANT.
    With a career spanning role as an analyst for XSET, assistant coach for Sentinels, and foundational experience in Rainbow Six Siege, Drew brings a deep understanding of team dynamics and performance at the highest level of play.
    Tune in for an interview that delves into his coaching philosophy, the evolution of esports, and what it takes to build and sustain success on the global stage.
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Shoubna Naika-Taylor

    Shoubna Naika-Taylor
    Oct 22 2025
    Shoubna Naika-Taylor has 14 years of educational experience, lecturing in media, games, and esports and has built the esports provisions in 2 FE colleges. She works hard to create an inclusive and safe space for young people to participate in esports roles. Her involvement with Esports started in 2019 when she led a team for a 3v3 tournament to the finals, and since then, as the provision grew, naturally, so did her involvement with British Esports Federation, where she sits on the Advisory Board representing UK education in esports. She sees herself as an advocate for Women in Esports and inclusive gaming across the globe and uses her online platform to share awareness and celebrate the work of women and marginalised genders in the industry. She believes in fair opportunities for all and works with young people to ensure they have the chance to shine regardless of background.
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Nik Turner

    Nik Turner
    Oct 13 2025
    Nik Turner serves as the Managing Director of Ntesports, a company committed to fostering grassroots esports, providing educational consultancy, and running the largest online shop for esports teaching resources. With over a decade of experience in the esports industry, Nik previously held the position of Head of Department at an Ofsted Outstanding College for ten years before shifting his focus to Ntesports. In this role, he has expanded the company's influence through team sponsorships, educational initiatives, and strategic industry partnerships. Passionate about nurturing the next generation of esports professionals, Nik collaborates with students, educators, and industry leaders to develop meaningful career pathways in the field. He also serves as the Chair of the Education Committee at the Esports Trade Association and partners with Yoyotech, the UK's leading provider of esports facilities in education.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Graham Carroll

    Graham Carroll
    Oct 2 2025
    Graham Carroll is a distinguished racing driver turned sim-racing legend, currently representing Scuderia Ferrari HP Esports.
    His motorsport journey began at just eight years old, where he quickly claimed success in karting, including a Scottish championship in 2003. He later transitioned to car racing with distinction, winning the Scottish Formula Ford Championship and the Jackie Stewart Trophy in 2008, before lifting the Walter Hayes Trophy in 2015 among other accolades.
    In 2016, Graham embraced the world of sim-racing, competing across platforms like Gran Turismo and rFactor. His talent earned him a spot in the 2017 F1 Esports draft, where Red Bull signed him for two seasons. Over the years, he continued to race at the highest level in diverse championships — from Assetto Corsa’s V10R to iRacing — and joined the Mercedes Esports team in 2023.
    In June 2024, Graham elevated his esports career further by joining the Scuderia Ferrari HP Esports Team, aligning his real-world racing pedigree with Ferrari’s storied brand in the digital arena.
    On this episode of Ctrl Alt Compete, filmed live at Phase25, we dive into Graham’s unique dual perspective — as a seasoned track racer and a leading force in competitive sim-racing — exploring topics like performance crossover, mindset in motorsport vs. esports, the future of digital racing, and his goals riding with Ferrari.

    Enjoy!
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins