For more than a decade, ClassicallyTrained.net has been exploring the intersection of video games, leadership, and personal growth. Today, I’m beyond excited to share something that’s been years in the making: my new book, If Video Games Have Taught Me Anything, is officially available (on 10/15/2025 – see what I did there? Pick it up at 5pm for maximum numbering harmony).
This book is a love letter to the lessons that games quietly teach us—about resilience, courage, teamwork, creativity, and even failure. If you’ve ever replayed a boss fight 27 times, negotiated with a stubborn teammate, or built a strategy from scratch only to see it fall apart and start again, you already know that games are preparing us for real life.
I bet you’re wondering who has actually learned a life lesson from a video game.
Here are just a few of the names you’ll find in this book — many sharing exclusive stories with me:
- Henry Cavill (Superman, The Witcher)
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Black Adam, WWE legend)
- Lady Gaga (Grammy & Oscar-winning artist)
- Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park, The Fly)
- Conan O’Brien (Late-night icon)
- Michael Phelps (Olympic gold medalist)
- Jack Black (School of Rock, Tenacious D)
- Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker, the voice of the Joker)
- Charles Martinet (the voice of Mario)
- Shirley Curry (the beloved “Skyrim Grandma”)
- Wolfgang Van Halen (musician)
- Cory Barlog (director of God of War)
…plus many more voices: actors, athletes, musicians, directors, game developers, leaders, and even everyday heroes…all reflecting on the lessons games have taught them.
This isn’t a book about video games.
It’s a book about life, purpose, and the unexpected teachers that shape us.
Why This Book Matters
If Video Games Have Taught Me Anything isn’t just a collection of stories or metaphors. It’s a practical guide for anyone who wants to see games as a source of growth:
- Gamers will recognize themselves in the stories and discover how to carry those skills beyond the screen.
- Leaders will find insights on teamwork, persistence, and innovation hidden in the games we grew up playing.
- Parents and educators will gain a fresh perspective on why games matter and how to talk about them in a positive way.
Early Praise
I’ve been honored to receive advance praise from leaders, creators, and thinkers who see the same power in games that I do:
“The best games bring people together, and in the process, they teach us skills that last. ‘If Video Games Have Taught Me Anything’ captures how play fuels connection, creativity, and growth, both on and off the screen.”
Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese, Co-founder of ExoDexa, Co-Author of Shaping The Future of Education
“More than 3 billion people around the world now play video games. With each game, players adopt a gameful mindset that unlocks powerful psychological strengths. ‘If Video Games Have Taught Me Anything’ is a heartfelt and empowering celebration of how games — and the mindset they inspire — can help us achieve life’s epic wins with creativity, courage, and resilience. Jonathan Harrison has crafted a book that’s full of wisdom, inspiration, and side quests, reinforcing that living gamefully isn’t just possible, it’s powerful.”– Keith Wakeman, CEO of SuperBetter
“This book joyfully celebrates what games teach us: resilience, compassion, and how to restart when life gives you boss battles.”
– Dr. Karen (Kat) Schrier, Full Professor and the Director of the Games & Emerging Media program at Marist University, Author of “We The Gamers: How Games Teach Ethics & Civics”
“‘If Video Games Have Taught Me Anything’ is a deeply meaningful and thoroughly entertaining read on the philosophies of life. Presented from the viewpoint of people who have an appreciation for video games, I finished reading it with one lingering question: who knew that video games have so many lessons? Gamers and non-gamers alike will benefit from Harrison’s work.”
– David S. Kahn, Ph.D., author of “Cape, Spandex, Briefcase: Leadership Lessons from Superheroes” and “Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid! Recovering from Workplace CULTures”
“This book is more than entertainment; it’s an invitation. An invitation to look at the games you’ve played, the challenges you’ve faced, and the connections you’ve made, and see them with fresh perspective. Whether you’re a lifelong gamer or someone who has only dabbled, Harrison’s work reminds us that the real achievement unlocked while gaming is understanding ourselves a little better.”
– Tor Constantino, MBA, Forbes/ Inc./ Benzinga Contributing Columnist
“‘If Video Games Have Taught Me Anything’ is like a well-crafted side quest: surprising, heartfelt, and full of real XP. As someone who’s spent years building LiveOps, scaling teams, and diving deep into the player mindset, this book felt like a chat with old friends who get it. It’s not about game dev theory or industry trends – it’s about the why behind what we do. The stuff that sticks.”
– Sergei Vasiuk, Product Director of Wargaming.net Platform, Author, Speaker, and Educator
Their encouragement confirms what I’ve long believed: video games are more than a pastime—they’re a classroom for life.
Where to Get It
The book is available starting today (10/15/2025):
👉 eBook edition: Here
👉 Paperback/print edition: Here
If you’ve been part of the ClassicallyTrained community, I’d love your support in spreading the word. Pick up a copy, leave a review, or share this post with a friend who knows that Contra or The Legend of Zelda taught them more than they realized.
Thank you and keep leveling up!
