Shows
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingFrom Eruptions to Emotions: Gaming in Controlled ChaosTim and Mello open the episode with a disclaimer that the channel discusses psychology, design, and culture in modern gaming for educational analysis, not to promote real-money play, then share gratitude and a story about the 2010 Chilean miners surviving 69 days underground by building routines and structure. Using their framework—perception (what you feel), probability (what’s actually happening), and design (what shapes the gap)—they discuss No Limit City’s Fire in the Hole 3 as an example of “controlled chaos” and why modern online games have become darker, louder, and more volatile to fit internet-native audiences and watchable content. They describ...
2026-06-0442 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingResponsible Gaming vs. the Engagement Economy (and Why It’s Really About Tech)Mello and Tim host “Slots and Locks” and frame responsible gamin as part of a broader issue: modern technology is built to optimize and sometimes manipulate attention through frictionless, always-on design (notifications, infinite scroll, streaks, loot boxes, pack openings). They stress the episode is educational, not pro- or anti-gambling, and outline responsible gaming tools, such as deposit limits, cooling-off periods, self-exclusion, reminders, affordability checks, and behavioral monitoring. They describe these tools as “friction” meant to interrupt impulsive play, in contrast to product teams’ push to remove friction for speed and convenience. They discuss the tension between op...
2026-05-2738 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingInternet Culture Clash: Pragmatic Games Big Bass Splash vs Mount Olympus!Tim and Mello break down how internet culture and evaporated attention spans dragged digital reel games out of the smoky casino corner and into the era of the instant, clip-friendly dopamine hit. Before diving into the mechanics, they make one thing perfectly clear: this is an academic dissection of the psychological machinery behind these games, not a promotion of real-money gaming.Using Pragmatic Play as their ultimate case study, they argue that the studio did not just build slot games, they engineered content specifically for streamers and social feeds. The formula is a masterclass in modern digital...
2026-05-2237 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingGame On: Unpacking Modern Gambling in the Digital AgeWhat Even Counts as Gambling Anymore? (Loot Boxes, Sweepstakes, DFS & Prediction Markets)Mello and Tim argue the internet broke the old idea of gambling as a destination (Vegas, slots, sportsbooks) and turned it into a mechanic embedded across games, apps, streaming, crypto, and social platforms.They outline the legal test: prize, chance, and consideration, and explain how modern products dodge classification by weakening one prong (no cash-out prizes, “skill” framing, virtual currencies), even while delivering the same psychological loops: anticipation, near-misses, rarity, and reward chasing.They walk through gray-area categories including social casinos, swee...
2026-05-1439 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingIGT's Cash Eruption: The Hold-and-Spin Near-Miss MachineTim and Mello break down IGT’s Cash Eruption, a surprise land-based hit (launched around 2020) on both land and onlie. It is built on a 5-reel, 3-row, 20-line setup with roughly 96% RTP and a vintage Vegas look/feel (fruits, sevens, and a showgirl-style “Fire Goddess” wild).They contrast crash games’ survival tension with Cash Eruption’s accumulation loop: filling 15 “fireballs/meteors” in a Hold-and-Spin bonus where each new symbol resets the counter, keeping players engaged through progress and near-miss psychology.They also cover the volcano free spins with 3x3 jumbo symbols that create occasional high-variance moments, plus...
2026-05-0618 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingCrypto Games: How breaking the casino code fostered innovationTim and Mello shift from their usual game breakdowns to discuss how the internet reshaped gambling, arguing that trad-casinos lagged behind other industries due to regulation and an older, comfort-focused audience that lacked the need for full scale innovation.They explain how crypto-native gambling adapted to internet behavior with fast deposits/withdrawals, minimal friction, and simple, high-speed games like crash, mines, and Plinko. These games feature mechanics built for short attention spans, time limits, interactivity, and streaming.Using their foundational framework of perception, probability, and design, they show how crash games, in particular, put decision-making...
2026-04-3024 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingHuff N’ More Puff: Pigs, Wolves, and Caffeine-Fueled ChaosIt’s The Three Little Pigs on a caffeine IV drip. They took a gentle bedtime story and decided what it really needed was more construction tools, higher volatility, and enough flashing lights to be visible from space.Tim and Mello open with personal wins: Tim finishing his first marathon and Mello hitting his pre-COVID weight. They then riff on childhood books and fairy tales before landing on The Three Little Pigs as a perfect setup for today’s slot: Light & Wonder’s Huff N’ More Puff (part of the Huff N’ Puff series). They frame the discussion...
2026-04-2225 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingSlingo: The "2-Drink Minimum" of the Casino Floor or Is Slingo a slot with Better Marketing?Tim and Mello are getting sentimental with a "story time" episode. They kick things off by reminiscing about the gateway games of their youth (Bingo, Risk, Chess, and Solitaire) before using Bingo as a bridge to the main event: Slingo. After a shout-out to the team at Gaming Realms for perfecting the "Slots + Bingo" hybrid, the guys explain how Slingo wraps iconic IP like Rainbow Riches in a bingo-style progression board. This setup creates continuity and actual player choice. Whether you are using Jokers or deciding to buy extra balls, it builds way more anticipation than a...
2026-04-1735 minSlots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingGaming News 2026: The new normal - Layoffs, Prediction Markets vs Sportsbooks, March Madness & Charity BoxingToday we’re launching our first “gaming news” episode of Slots and Locks, where we apply our proprietary perception–probability–design framework to the current industry chaos.We dive into the recent wave of layoffs at companies like IGT and Aristocrat (including the Malta pullout). We argue that these cuts are often driven by margin optimization, organizational flattening, AI implementation, or even sale prep, rather than pure revenue decline. We also get personal, sharing our own experiences on the emotional first 48 hours of being let go, the vital importance of severance negotiation, and the cold, impersonal nature of the mod...
2026-04-0735 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingMustang Money: Riding the Reels of Belief - "Giddy Up or Go Home": The Math of Mustang MoneyDo you believe in the "due" factor? In this episode, Tim and Mello break down Mustang Money, a slot that replaces constant bells and whistles with raw, high-volatility anticipation. From its Australian roots to the "Frontier" theme that captured North American floors, we explore why this game is a favorite for players who prefer a "clean" screen and a massive payoff over frequent, small wins.In this episode, you’ll learn:The Power of Belief: Why Mustang Money convinces players that the big hit is just one spin away.Australian DNA: How manufacturer Ainsworth uses a "ma...
2026-03-2439 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingMarch Madness Bracket Bots & RedHawk & Gator RevelationsIn this high-stakes episode of Slots and Locks, Tim and Mello dive headfirst into the beautiful chaos of March Madness 2026. The duo sets the stage with a "Chatbot Showdown," putting ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to the test to see if artificial intelligence can actually outsmart the 1 in 9.2 quintillion odds of a perfect bracket. While the bots largely "play it safe" by picking favorites like Duke and Arizona, the guys are looking for the "chaos" that defines the tournament.Mello struggles to keep his head in the game, repeatedly drifting into "tennis-centric" tangents, including a $3 bet on Frances...
2026-03-1823 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingRainbow Riches, Airplanes and Pints: The Psychology of the Pub SlotIn this St. Patrick’s Day special, Tim and Melo step away from the spreadsheets to get real about the psychology of luck. Why does a game like Rainbow Riches dominate the charts every March, and why do we feel "luckier" in a crowded pub than a quiet casino?✈️ The Airplane FactorThe episode kicks off with a look at human superstition. Tim reveals his mandatory "airplane touch" for safe flight, while Melo discusses his lifelong avoidance of sidewalk cracks. It’s a hilarious look at how we try to control the uncontrollable—a trait that defin...
2026-03-1729 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingBeyond the Brand: Why Kalamba’s "Tuning" is the New InnovationMalta Milestones & Mid-Tier MasteryTim and Mello kick things off by celebrating a major milestone—cracking the Top 100 business podcasts in Malta. Mello gives a special shout-out to his former teammates on the island, Luke Spiteri and Liam Grech, reminiscing about old sandwich shops and questionable facial hair before diving into the data.The stars of the show? Kalamba Games. Based in Malta, this boutique supplier is currently punching way above its weight class. Tim and Mello can’t stop saying the name ("Ka-lam-ba!") and attribute their recent success to Co-founder and IGT alumnus Alex Cohe...
2026-03-1024 minSlots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingThe 4,000 Game Problem: Scale vs. Strategy in Online SlotsIs reaching 4,000 games a milestone of success or just a massive headache for the player? In this episode of Slots and Locks, Mello and Tim break down the "4,000 Game Problem" sparked by Hard Rock Digital’s recent catalog expansion in New Jersey.The duo moves past the vanity metrics to introduce their new framework: the Perception Probability Gap™. They explore why more isn't always better, noting that while 4,000 games looks like "infinite choice" to an operator, it often results in "analytical chaos" and "UX clutter" for the player. They dive deep into the math of Pareto Optimality—where...
2026-03-0324 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingThe High-Stakes Stampede: Buffalo Gold, Aristocrat, and the Patience of Australian Style SlotsThis episode of Slots and Locks is a wild ride through the "pain and gain" of Australian-style slot mechanics. Hosts Mello and Tim dive into the high-volatility world of Buffalo Gold by Aristocrat, a game that demands patience, a thick skin, and a healthy bankroll.Game Profile: Buffalo Gold (Aristocrat)Unlike the "smooth ride" of 88 Fortunes, Buffalo Gold is described as the "Bizarro Superman" of slots. It is a North American frontier-themed game that has become a cultural staple in casinos.Key Mechanics & StrategyHigh Volatility: The game is famous for "dead...
2026-02-2427 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingThe Golden Standard: Light and Wonder's 88 Fortunes and the Asian Slot RevolutionIn this episode of Slots and Locks, we dive deep into the mechanics and history of a true industry icon: 88 Fortunes. We spent a solid 30 minutes (and about 200 spins) putting the game to the test, managing to stay in the game with a loss of only $60 thanks to the game’s medium volatility and high hit frequency.We explore why the 2010s saw a massive explosion in Asian-themed slots. It wasn’t just a trend; it was a calculated response to the rise of Asian tourism in Las Vegas and regional markets. We discuss how developers moved away...
2026-02-2040 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingHot Machines & Cold Math: 5 Casino Myths Put to the TestIn this episode of Slots and Locks, Tim and Mello go head-to-head on the psychological traps of the casino floor. Using a "Pro vs. Con" debate format, they dismantle the superstitions that keep players pulling the lever and reveal the cold, hard math behind the curtain.5 Casino Myths Put to the TestThe guys break down the "Big Five" myths that every gambler has heard (and probably believed):The "Due" Machine: Why a long losing streak doesn't guarantee a win.New Game "Juice": The truth about whether casinos bribe new players with early wins...
2026-02-1037 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingNet Ent's Gonzo's Quest and IGT's Da Vinci Diamonds are exploredIn this episode of Slots and Locks, Mello and Tim explore the evolution of slot mechanics by contrasting two legendary titles. They begin with NetEnt's 2010 classic Gonzo's Quest, which introduced European players to cascading reels where stone blocks fall rather than spin. The conversation then shifts to High 5 Games and their 2008 hit Da Vinci Diamonds, now owned by IGT, which trademarked the tumbling reels feature. This mechanic created the illusion of an infinite spin, allowing symbols to disappear and be replaced by new ones within a single wager. The hosts find humor in the comedy of perceived value, noting...
2026-02-0319 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingWhen Opinions Get Priced: Inside Prediction MarketsIn this episode of Slots and Locks, Tim and Mello dive into the fast-growing world of prediction markets where probabilities trade like assets and real money turns opinions into live forecasts. Sitting at the intersection of sports, politics, economics, and culture, prediction markets act as a real-time probability engine, often moving faster (and more honestly) than polls or traditional media.The hosts break down how prediction markets work, why they differ from sports betting, and how platforms approach pricing and liquidity differently. They compare the speed and volatility of Polymarket, the structured and data-driven nature of Kalshi...
2026-01-2629 min
Slots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingIGT's Iconic Slot CleopatraIn the debut episode of Slots and Locks, industry veterans Tim and Mellow pull back the curtain on the math and psychology of gambling, focusing specifically on the legendary IGT slot Cleopatra. They review it as an "evergreen" title that succeeds through its simple, 95% RTP math model and iconic Egyptian theme, noting how it remains a top performer decades after its original land-based release. Beyond the review, they explain critical industry concepts like volatility—comparing it to a rollercoaster ride—and the rigorous regulatory testing games must pass to ensure fairness. The hosts conclude by emphasizing that while the game...
2026-01-2130 minSlots & Locks – The Business, Math & Psychology of GamblingIntroducing Slots & LocksWelcome to Slots & Locks, a podcast exploring how gambling and games are really built and why players behave the way they do.In this short intro, we explain who we are, what the show will cover, and what listeners can expect in future episodes.New episodes will dive into game design, player engagement, data, and the business decisions behind high-stakes gaming.
2026-01-0701 min
beyond ArtLessMidwest 2024 Compilation 1: Smith, VanderLoop, Nickelson, Collins-Dowden, Freeman, Cogswell, Joosten, Baumann & JaRod HallSend us Fan MailThis Beyond ArtLess Short was captured during our live recording sessions at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. A heartfelt thank you to Eric Songer and John Stewart for stepping in as guest hosts for several episodes. We’re especially grateful to everyone who willingly stopped by to participate in an interview—and to those who accidentally wandered down the wrong aisle and found themselves part of the action, our sincere apologies!ORDER BEYOND ARTLESS SHIRTS HERE!https://bit.ly/ArtLessShirtShow Notes:Learn more abou...
2025-01-2151 min
SaltWire TodaySaltWire Today - Wednesday, August 17th 2022Tim Houston elected N.S. Premier one year ago todayCogswell District Project forces permanent closure of downtown rampNova Scotia Health issues drug alert over counterfeit PercocetHealth-support unions strike tentative deal with Nova Scotia Health, IWK
2022-08-1808 min
Binnall of AmericaBoA Winter of Weirdness - Chris Cogswell & Marie MayhewChris Cogswell and Marie Mayhew talk about science and paranormal podcasting, the Unabomber, time travel, dinosaurs, and the Mandela Effect.
2022-03-072h 12Binnall of AmericaBoA Summer of Strangeness - Chris CogswellScientist and podcaster Chris Cogswell joins BoA to discuss UFOs, 'alien alloys,' disclosure, and nanotechnology.
2020-07-132h 28
Spooky SouthcoastEpisode 528: Chris Coggswell of MUFONWe are joined by Chris Cogswell (@ChrisFCogswell), the new Director of Research for the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON). Chris shares with us his vision for how MUFON should approach UFO investigation in the 21st century, taking an approach that looks at both the physical and the metaphysical as possibilities. He also talks with us about his own show, "The Mad Scientist Podcast" (@madscientistpod).
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spookysouthcoast/support
2018-02-251h 34
Trance & Progressive Podcast - Deluxe Accommodations with Dj Cogswell - KSYM 90.1 FM San Antonio,TexasDrop 15 - Live with Dj Cogswell - April 30th 2016oza & t4l - remember that (shingo nakamura remix)avsr pres. ailuronyx ft. bayana - so far away (beat on board remix)alan morris & daniel garrick - jet stream (las salinas remix)pet shop boys - the pop kids (rng club mix)nikhil prakash - chakra (original mix)leftfield - song of life (tim davison mix)konstantin kolyada - open gatepaul vinitsky ft. kate walsh - me and you (aknael & abebe bakeela remix)d'carlo - ivy (original mix)jes - dreamweaver (roger shah club mix)essonita ft. irina...
2016-05-102h 06
Trance & Progressive Podcast - Deluxe Accommodations with Dj Cogswell - KSYM 90.1 FM San Antonio,TexasDrop 15 - Live with Dj Cogswell - April 30th 2016oza & t4l - remember that (shingo nakamura remix)
avsr pres. ailuronyx ft. bayana - so far away (beat on board remix)
alan morris & daniel garrick - jet stream (las salinas remix)
pet shop boys - the pop kids (rng club mix)
nikhil prakash - chakra (original mix)
leftfield - song of life (tim davison mix)
konstantin kolyada - open gate
paul vinitsky ft. kate walsh - me and you (aknael & abebe bakeela remix)
d'carlo - ivy (original mix)
jes - dreamweaver (roger shah club mix)
essonita ft. irina makosh - don't try to love me (sunlight project remix)
oliver...
2016-05-102h 06Trance & Progressive Podcast - Deluxe Accommodations with Dj Cogswell - KSYM 90.1 FM San Antonio,TexasDrop 15 - Live with Dj Cogswell - April 30th 2016oza & t4l - remember that (shingo nakamura remix)avsr pres. ailuronyx ft. bayana - so far away (beat on board remix)alan morris & daniel garrick - jet stream (las salinas remix)pet shop boys - the pop kids (rng club mix)nikhil prakash - chakra (original mix)leftfield - song of life (tim davison mix)konstantin kolyada - open gatepaul vinitsky ft. kate walsh - me and you (aknael & abebe bakeela remix)d'carlo - ivy (original mix)jes - dreamweaver (roger shah club mix)essonita ft. irina...
2016-05-102h 06Trance & Progressive Podcast - Deluxe Accommodations with Dj Cogswell - KSYM 90.1 FM San Antonio,TexasDrop 15 - Live with Dj Cogswell - April 30th 2016oza & t4l - remember that (shingo nakamura remix)
avsr pres. ailuronyx ft. bayana - so far away (beat on board remix)
alan morris & daniel garrick - jet stream (las salinas remix)
pet shop boys - the pop kids (rng club mix)
nikhil prakash - chakra (original mix)
leftfield - song of life (tim davison mix)
konstantin kolyada - open gate
paul vinitsky ft. kate walsh - me and you (aknael & abebe bakeela remix)
d'carlo - ivy (original mix)
jes - dreamweaver (roger shah club mix)
essonita ft. irina makosh - don't try to love me (sunlight project remix)
oliver...
2016-05-102h 06
Trance & Progressive Podcast - Deluxe Accommodations with Dj Cogswell - KSYM 90.1 FM San Antonio,TexasJune 13th, 2015 - Hour 1 - Dj Cogswellalpha bit - #atlantic (original mix)dmitriy bulakov - come back (original mix)soul & senses - natural symbiosis (original mix)biotones & nazca - haku (nkoder remix)delalune - dorei (tim verkruissen remix)dimension - origami (edu remix)hamza khammessi - intertwined (original mix)anske - little dreamer (ariel & danilo remix)aly & fila with aruna - the other shore (aruna vs steve kaetzel remix)ian source ft. vivian - you (original mix)
2015-06-1659 min
Trance & Progressive Podcast - Deluxe Accommodations with Dj Cogswell - KSYM 90.1 FM San Antonio,TexasJune 13th, 2015 - Hour 1 - Dj Cogswellalpha bit - #atlantic (original mix)
dmitriy bulakov - come back (original mix)
soul & senses - natural symbiosis (original mix)
biotones & nazca - haku (nkoder remix)
delalune - dorei (tim verkruissen remix)
dimension - origami (edu remix)
hamza khammessi - intertwined (original mix)
anske - little dreamer (ariel & danilo remix)
aly & fila with aruna - the other shore (aruna vs steve kaetzel remix)
ian source ft. vivian - you (original mix)
2015-06-1659 minTrance & Progressive Podcast - Deluxe Accommodations with Dj Cogswell - KSYM 90.1 FM San Antonio,TexasJune 13th, 2015 - Hour 2 - Dj Cogswellandy elliass & arczi - subcarpathia (original mix)
ilya soloviev & rishi franklin - shores of light (original mix)
aly & fila with aruna - the other shore (solarstone pure mix)
mike shiver ft. susana - give me faith (matias lehtola remix)
andy elliass - the last stand (strings melodies remix)
blueye - rusted key (steven force remix)
cj arthur - ascendences (original mix)
david forbes - tapa (original mix)
tim verkruissen & bryan de lacosta - coastline (tristian armes remix)
2015-06-1658 minTrance & Progressive Podcast - Deluxe Accommodations with Dj Cogswell - KSYM 90.1 FM San Antonio,TexasJune 13th, 2015 - Hour 2 - Dj Cogswellandy elliass & arczi - subcarpathia (original mix)ilya soloviev & rishi franklin - shores of light (original mix)aly & fila with aruna - the other shore (solarstone pure mix)mike shiver ft. susana - give me faith (matias lehtola remix)andy elliass - the last stand (strings melodies remix)blueye - rusted key (steven force remix)cj arthur - ascendences (original mix)david forbes - tapa (original mix)tim verkruissen & bryan de lacosta - coastline (tristian armes remix)
2015-06-1658 min