Tag: podcasts

War games can be about more than conflict. They can be laboratories for understanding humanity. In this episode, David Kolmer sits down with Eleanor Ross – Creative Director @ExpertTheory to explore a different side of simulations and war gaming—one centered on people, perspective, empathy, and understanding.Eleanor works in simulation and war-game design, creating immersive role-playing experiences that help participants prepare for complex situations. Unlike traditional war games focused on weapons and battlefield movements, much of her work examines the human side of crisis: diplomacy, economics, information, culture, relationships, and decision-making.At the center of Eleanor's philosophy is a simple idea: people need to talk to each other more.A well-designed simulation can put participants inside perspectives they might normally dismiss or misunderstand. Instead of reducing another country, organization, or group to “the enemy,” players encounter people with motivations, histories, pressures, and beliefs of their own.David and Eleanor discuss how that process can challenge bias, encourage critical thinking, and help people understand why others make the choices they do.They also explore the craft behind making simulations feel real—from creative writing and realistic media to role-playing, facilitation, storytelling, and the suspension of disbelief.Eleanor shares stories from simulations involving Taiwan, agricultural warfare, resilience, diplomacy, government, industry, and national security. She explains why bringing people with very different backgrounds into the same room can be one of the most valuable outcomes of the game.The conversation also gets into an unexpected ingredient in serious learning: fun.Eleanor argues for bringing back “whimsy” and creating experiences people actually want to participate in. Creativity, storytelling, and play can be part of what makes learning memorable.In This EpisodeWhat war games and simulations actually areKinetic vs. non-kinetic war gamingWhy writing and storytelling matter in simulation designHow games can challenge assumptions and biasesHumanizing an adversary instead of demonizing themUsing simulations to prepare for diplomacy and negotiationCreating emotional stakes that make scenarios feel realWhat agricultural warfare simulations teach us about local consequencesWhy bringing diverse stakeholders together mattersThe role of AI in modern simulation designWhy realistic media helps create a suspension of disbeliefThe importance of the after-action review and debriefWhy work should include more fun and whimsyHow games might help us rediscover the humanity of “the other”A Central QuestionCan putting ourselves inside another person's decisions—even temporarily—change the way we understand them?For Eleanor, that's one of the most powerful possibilities of simulation.People on opposing sides rarely see themselves as villains. They have histories, incentives, cultural assumptions, fears, responsibilities, and their own ideas about the right decision.A thoughtfully designed game gives participants an opportunity to encounter that complexity.Perhaps the greatest value of a war game isn't learning how to defeat someone.Perhaps it's learning how to understand them.About Eleanor RossEleanor Ross works in simulation and war-game design with Expert Theory, where she helps develop and facilitate role-playing simulations across government, universities, businesses, and other organizations.Her background in languages, writing, theater, facilitation, civic engagement, and international experience informs an approach built around creativity, human behavior, and engagement.