An Interview With Fotis Georgiadis
Make sure you have a great marketing plan. Do your RESEARCH. It’s expensive and most times you’re promised things that don’t come to fruition.
As a part of my series about “Big Ideas That Might Change The World In The Next Few Years” I had the pleasure of interviewing Debra Artt.
Debra Artt, the creator of children’s video game, The Guardians of Peace. Artt is a mother and grandmother that is committed to her family and supporting causes she believes in. Having never previously been involved in the video game industry, Artt took her passion and commitment to love and kindness and channeled that into the idea that took shape as The Guardians of Peace video game for children.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you please tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
About 3 years ago, I was tired of all the violence in this world, particularly the growing number of children using guns in school shootings, and the drug epidemic. Prior to that time, my daughter Jenna had suffered from the depression; I took her to many conventional doctors, and nothing helped. After not seeing progress with overcoming her depression, Jenna turned to meditation and learning about energy healing, and I was able to see firsthand how powerful and effective it could be. She taught our family about Qigong and energy healing so we could use it in our lives as well.
Seeing that change in her was transformative, and I knew I wanted to get this knowledge out into the world. I believed, and still do, that if we teach children how to calm their minds and learn about the energy they possess, they can harness it to grow their inner strength and use those tools to divert behavior that hurts themselves or others. This was how The Guardians of Peace was born.
I felt that video games were a great way to spread that message and get it in front of as many children as possible. I had never been involved in creating video games or the industry, but I jumped in headfirst and worked with other talented individuals to make that dream a reality.
Can you please share with us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
We have been so blessed to have the involvement and support from many people, including many celebrities asking how they can help. I would say the most interesting experience I’ve had since starting on this journey was co-hosting with Dr. Oz on his show in 2021. My daughter Jenna got to be there with me to talk about our journey creating the game, and we were able to share it with Dr. Oz’s audience.
Which principles or philosophies have guided your life? Your career?
I’m always trying to show gratitude for everything in my life. If you’re giving thanks for everything, how can you be angry or upset? I truly believe we are here to learn lessons, to make us better spiritually. I also am sure that we can manifest anything. If you TRULY believe and it’s for the greater good, it will always work.
Ok thank you for that. Let’s now move to the main focus of our interview. Can you tell us about your “Big Idea That Might Change The World”?
My big idea is more than just the game itself, it’s about the idea that we can shift the culture of violence that is impacting our youth and communities, and channel it into something positive. By reaching children through video games and other popular media, we can instill lessons and teach them simple meditations and coping techniques that I believe will change the amount of violence in the world. I also want to teach them about how we are all connected energetically. And with that being the case, how can there be any prejudice when we’re all a big family?
Having that diversity represented in the game was another important element for me that I think stands out. I want the characters in The Guardians of Peace to be mentors and the new superheroes, so children can see that people who look just like them can be leaders and work together to save the world.
How do you think this will change the world?
If I can get the children to start doing these meditation and mindfulness practices at an early age, they’ll be more equipped to handle challenges throughout their lives. And if they’re able to better handle challenges, they won’t need to resort to drugs or violence, or struggle with depression.
Keeping “Black Mirror” and the “Law of Unintended Consequences” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks about this idea that people should think more deeply about?
NONE. I’m never negative. That is why what I manifest is always successful. It’s going to work. Period!
Was there a “tipping point” that led you to this idea? Can you tell us that story?
No. It was just a story that I couldn’t get out of my head. God definitely had his hand in this. It was a message that needed to get out into the world and for some reason I was chosen to make that happen.
What do you need to lead this idea to widespread adoption?
Visibility. If we can get the game in front of children and their families, I know that the game will change lives.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why.
There’s only one. Make sure you have a great marketing plan. Do your RESEARCH. It’s expensive and most times you’re promised things that don’t come to fruition.
Can you share with our readers what you think are the most important “success habits” or “success mindsets”?
Don’t live in fear. If you truly believe, I mean with everything you have it will happen.
Some very well known VCs read this column. If you had 60 seconds to make a pitch to a VC, what would you say? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
Our children are born with all the spiritual knowledge they need, inherently inside them. We make them forget a lot of those natural lessons when they get to school age. We just need them to remember. If we can do that, and they have the skills they need to cope and manage their emotions, there will be a less violence, depression, and drug use. That’s my goal.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
We’re on all the major platforms — Facebook, Instagram. The game can be downloaded through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and Xbox platform.
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.
The Guardians of Peace: Debra Artt’s Big Idea That Might Change The World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
