The PlayfuLife Podcast: Recent Episodes
Anthony Trahair
Discovering a more Playful Life with your host Anthony Trahair. Raising the quality of our lives through play. Anthony Trahair has conversations with authors, educators, artists and people from all walks of life across the world that have stepped onto the playful path! Each person brings their unique reflections, insights and points of view on inviting more playfulness into our lives. Listening to this podcast we start to understand that it’s not just “another thing” that we have “to do” but rather an opening towards life. Playfulness is a mindset and attitude to life and is something we can consciously cultivate. Playfulness isn’t just kids play (though it’s becoming an endangered species for them too), when it’s lacking in our lives things can get heavy. The consequences of play deprivation are serious. Find out week after week about how to live a more playful life at work, at home and with friends.
Title: “Philosophy of Play: Overcoming Perfectionism with Shelly Johnson”
Introduction:
- Join us for a profound episode of The Playfulife Podcast featuring Shelly Johnson, a philosopher in play, sharing her journey from perfectionism to rediscovering the joy of play.
- Shelly reflects on her early shift from playfulness to perfectionism, leading to anxiety and discouragement in her pursuit of flawlessness.
Episode Highlights:
- Early Struggles with Perfectionism:
- Shelly recalls her early experiences with perfectionism during piano lessons and academic pressures, impacting her joy of learning and self-image.
- The negative impact of perfectionism on her relationship with herself and the transformation it brought in her life.
- Rediscovering Playfulness:
- Embracing fencing as an outlet and learning to detach from life’s seriousness, allowing curiosity and joy to reemerge.
- Pursuing a philosophy Ph.D., adopting a playful attitude of detachment and curiosity, leading to her successful graduation.
- Philosophy of Play:
- Shelly delves into the philosophy of play, drawing from Aristotle’s notion of Eutrapelia and the balance between taking life too seriously and not seriously enough.
- Exploring the primal drive for play and its role in human life and societal health.
- Playfulness and Mindfulness:
- Connecting playfulness with mindfulness, observing life gently and walking as a meditative practice.
- Embracing self-compassion and recognizing worthiness as crucial elements in overcoming perfectionism.
- Being Our Own Best Friend:
- Shelly emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, recognizing and nurturing the seeds of goodness within us.
- Encouraging a compassionate approach, filled with wonder, curiosity, and joy towards oneself.
Resource Links:
- Website: ShellypJohnson.com
- Instagram: @shelly.p.johnson
- Article: How I Overcame the Stress of Perfectionism by Learning to Play Again
Keywords:
- Philosophy of play, perfectionism, rediscovering joy, mindfulness, self-compassion, human worthiness, overcoming anxiety, societal health.
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PLAY YOUR WAY SANE!
Introduction:
- Welcome to Season 4, Episode 3 (No. 31) of The Playfulife Podcast!
- In this episode, we delve into the world of playfulness in relationships with educator and author Clay Drinko.
- Clay is the author of “Play Your Way Sane” and “Theatrical Improvisation, Consciousness, and Cognition,” exploring the intersection of improv, science, and daily life.
Episode Highlights:
- Playfulness in Couples:
- Exploring the concept of “bids for attention” in relationships, inspired by the Gottman Institute’s work.
- Recognizing bids as calls for connection and understanding in relationships.
- The significance of accepting bids for long-term relationship success.
- Using improvisation techniques to understand and respond to bids in real-life situations.
- Applying Improv Principles:
- Embracing the “Yes, and” approach to acknowledge and build upon ideas instead of ignoring or rejecting them.
- Cultivating curiosity through open-ended questions and being receptive to understanding rather than fixing issues.
- Translating improvisation principles into real-life interactions at work and home.
- Teaching and Learning:
- Clay’s approach to teaching, focusing on student-centered, inquiry-based, and uninhibited learning experiences.
- The importance of listening in teaching and engaging students by sparking curiosity.
- Rejecting scripted lesson plans in favor of adapting to students’ needs and questions.
- Play Your Way Sane:
- Exploring Clay’s book and its approach to feeling grounded, less anxious, and more present through simple fun exercises.
- Embracing mindfulness through playful activities to access calmness and shift away from a critical mindset.
- Practicing acceptance, listening, and owning mistakes to enhance well-being and relationships.
- Personal Favorites:
- Clay’s current favorite book, “Pure Color” by Sheila Heti, and the film “Dancer in the Dark.”
- Encouraging a balanced approach to self-improvement, emphasizing progress over perfection.
Resource Links:
- Instagram: @Playyourwaysane
- Website: Playyourwaysane.com
- LinkedIn: Clay Drinko
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Title: Unlocking Human Potential Through Play and Learning
Introduction:
- Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Playfulife Podcast!
- Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Josette Luvmour, a lifelong advocate for human development, transformative learning, and the power of play.
- Josette and Ba Luvmour have been exploring life together since 1979, and Josette specializes in various fields, including family relationships, consciousness studies, and nurturing the growth of both adults and children.In addition to her consulting practice at Luvmour Consulting, LLC, Josette has authored numerous journal articles, five eBooks, and book chapters as well as co-authored six print books with a focus on building relationships with children that promote optimal well-being. Josette teaches graduate courses at Antioch University in the Individualized Master of Arts (IMA) Program and has been educating adults since 1992. Her work pioneers how adult and child grow together.Josette Luvmour is honored that her book, Grow Together, Parenting as a Path to Well-Being, Wisdom, and Joy, has earned the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award®.
Episode Highlights:
A Journey of Growth:
- Josette’s remarkable journey alongside Ba Luvmour for over four decades.
- Her expertise in human development, transformative learning, and sustainable family relationships.
The Importance of Play in Early Education:
- Josette’s focus on natural learning for children and the vital role of play.
- The brain development that occurs through play, even in higher education.
- Encouraging children to explore relationships and their imaginative worlds.
Guiding Children’s Play:
- Understanding that until age 7 or 8, children aren’t interested in strict rules; they create their world imaginatively.
- How children naturally transition to more structured play with rules and boundaries as they grow.
- The importance of adults actively engaging in play and learning from children.
Benefits of Play:
- Different types of play, including dramatic play and profound play, and how they shape thinking abilities.
- Exploring the principles of win-win games and co-creating games.
Adults and Play:
- Reflecting on how adults who played in their childhood develop a strong sense of self and trust in relationships.
- Being open to challenge and growth, not overly invested in fixed identities.
Play and Learning Integration:
- Bridging academic knowledge with real-life experiences and human needs.
- Understanding the connection between play, mental health, and overall well-being.
Debunking Play Myths:
- Challenging myths like “children should be seen and not heard.”
- Embracing mistakes as opportunities for creative exploration.
Resource Links:
- Josette Luvmour’s Website
- Transformational Learning Foundation
- Josette’s award-winning book: [Grow Together, Parenting as a Path to Well-Being, Wisdom, and Joy]
Keywords:
- Human development, transformative learning, family relationships, consciousness studies, brain development, imaginative play, structured play, win-win games, mental health, play myths, child development, well-being.
Additional Information:
- Explore more about Josette Luvmour’s work and resources on her website.
- Continue your journey of transformative learning and play with the Transformational Learning Foundation.
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Welcome back to The Playfulife Podcast after a two-year pause!
The Playfulife Podcast explores inspiring conversations around play to infuse more joy into your life and relationships, allowing you to savour life fully.
Today’s guest is Krystal Quagliara, I was googling my podcast and found she had one with the same name! I reached out and here we are together talking about play.
Krystal is a playfulness expert in the health and wellness coaching industry. She’s able to help her clients feel ALIVE (Actively Living in Vitality Everyday) and live a life of freedom. She meets them where they are because she understands that none of this comes easy, as her personal health is a choice she has to make daily.
Krystal is also the author of The Playful Journal and the host of her own: The Playful Life podcast. Krystal’s coaching is more than just nutritional plans and exercise. It’s life coaching that incorporates stoic virtues of wisdom, courage, moderation, and social justice with all components working symbiotically.
We delve into the concept of play and its transformative power in our lives.
Episode Highlights:
- Ingredients of a Playfulife:
- Exploring play as a way of life.
- Embracing mistakes and learning through play, much like children do.
- The Joy of Being a New Mom:
- Discussing the pure joy and innocence of parenthood.
- Transitioning from seriousness to fully embodied playfulness.
- Keyword: Parenting
- The Scale of Playfulness:
- Examining the spectrum of playfulness, from rigid and perfectionist to joyful, open, and curious.
- Keyword: Self-Improvement
- Awakening to Play:
- Krystal’s personal journey from a “Zombie Life” to a vibrant, playful existence.
- Letting go of expectations and recovering from codependency.
- Keywords: Codependency, Personal Transformation
- Steps to a Playful Life:
- Introducing the “Perfection Game” emphasizing progress over perfection.
- Incorporating play into a healthy lifestyle to boost vitality and overall well-being.
- Keywords: Healthy Lifestyle Choices, Wellness Coaching
- Discovering Joy:
- Exploring the sources of joy and the role they play in our lives.
- Krystal’s favorite book and film recommendations.
- Keywords: Happiness, Book Recommendations, Film Recommendations
Resource Links:
- Link to the full podcast episode
- Krystal Quagliara’s website: alivein2023.com
- Krystal Quagliara on Instagram: instagram.com/krystal.quagliara
- Anthony’s website: anthonytrahair.com
- Anthony on Instagram: instagram.com/theplayfulnesscatalyst
- Giocosamente Festival: giocosamentefestival.eu
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes on The Playfulife Podcast.
Connect with us on social media and share your own playful experiences!
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Cathy Salit on Play, Sports and Life. Bring Play Back into Elite Sports Podcast Show Notes [55mins] This podcast is absolute gold! Learn how to reach your goals through play and fun. We are all performers suggests Cathy. It’s great to have directions to do something new. Cathy Salit is a performance activist, social entrepreneur, […]
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Writing Playfully with Bradley Charbonneau [36mins] Very happy to have Bradley Charbonneau on the show today! Bradley is author of 31 books, is a writing coach and author of many programs for authors such as Write Your Worst Book Ever! I met Bradley at the Playful Creative Summit and liked his approach so much I […]
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The Science of Humour and Laughter Today’s guest is Stephanie Davies, founder and CEO of Laughology based in the UK. Stephanie is one of the UK’s leading voices in the psychology of laughter and humour. She has applied her work in a wide variety of settings, from dealing with complex public and mental health issues […]
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What Play Persona are you? Inspiring Philosophical Conversation on Play with Ben Ross. Ben Ross writes novels, coaches and helps adults to play, guided by his spirit animal, the flying raccoon. He lives beside a forest on the edge of London. Ben’s definition of Play: “An attitude of Serious Attention applied to something that others […]
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Playful Design with Alyea Sandovar Dr. Alyea Sandovar is a gamification and play consultant at Tint Hue. She helps established business owners create deeper engagement for their online programs and turn clients into raving fans through gamification. She is also the co-founder of the Playful Creative Summit. A free summit dedicated to adding more play […]
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Very happy to Have Leif Hansen on the podcast. Leif is a playful soul. He knows the transformative power of play and has found a clear way of expressing this to a more general public. (That, as we know, puts play to the end of the day if at all) Leif is a playful facilitator, […]
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Today let’s meet AnnMarie Thomas, who I’ve called The Playful Engineering Professor! AnnMarie has been doing some brilliant work with The Playful Learning Lab at The University of St. Thomas Minnesota, USA. The Quest: How to make Learning more Engaging? Dr. AnnMarie Thomas is the director of the Playful Learning Lab at the University of […]
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Laughter is… The Best Medicine and this is the name of the project that Katie Rose White is fully engaged in right now. Katie went to Art school and got a BA with a dissertation about “moments of play and how it informs creativity in performance art”. How to spread moments of rapturous joy and […]
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Peter Duncan, one of the founders of Circus Eruption in 1992, Peter is a playful soul, works all sorts and particularly loves working with 5 year olds and over 65 bringing fun and joy through Circus activities and games. He is now trainer of social circus trainers and makes a case for play. Peter noticed […]
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Beautiful conversation with Holly Stoppit from Bristol, UK (34’32”) Clown-o-therapy Holly Stoppit is a facilitator, clowning and fooling teacher, theatre director and dramatherapist, specialising in live, interactive, improvised and devised performance. At the heart of all of Holly’s work is a desire to promote creative discovery and connection through play. Holly Stoppit was a weird kid from a […]
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