Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living

Have you ever considered how the world of the circus can have lessons for your productivity? Join us as we welcome the playful force of nature, Caelan Huntress, to take us on a whimsical journey, sharing his insights from acrobat to sales and marketing maverick. We explore how incorporating play into work, from virtual meetings to daily tasks, can not only strengthen relationships but also boost p...

Ever been on a long flight and stumbled upon a passion that would redefine your life? That's exactly what happened to our guest, Jamie Chalmers, also known as MrXStitch. He discovered the craft of cross-stitching mid-flight, finding it meditative and calming. He turned his craft into a career, becoming a celebrated figure in the world of needlework. His unique, tangible designs offer an alter...

Imagine stepping onto a stage, microphone in hand, ready to make a room full of people laugh. Sounds thrilling, right? In this episode, we're getting the inside scoop from Alfie Noakes, head honcho at the We Are Funny Project, to guide us through the exciting world of stand-up comedy. Alfie reveals how the 'comedy bug' can spark a passion for performing and discusses how comedy can...

Could the key to healing and recovery be as simple and profound as rediscovering the power of play and creativity? Join us for a heartwarming conversation with Richard Wilmore from Heart Needs Art and Vocab, a poet and singer, as we explore the transformative role of playful activities, like painting and playing the ukulele, in dealing with stress, pain, and burnout. Drawing from the impactful wor...

Prepare to be tickled with laughter as we sit down with the hilarious Glen Tickle. Glen is a professional comedian with two specials available on YouTube. His first Dry Bar special has over 1 Million views! He takes us on his journey from a substitute teacher to commanding the stage with his comedy. You won't want to miss how he honed his craft by testing his comedic chops on unsuspecting pre...

Embracing the Unpredictable Life: A Conversation with Dave Letterfly Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and prepare to be dazzled by our guest, David Letterfly Knoderer, the undisputed guru of fun. This playful soul has taken the road less traveled, turning his life into a grand spectacle of joy, creativity, and endless play. From the drumbeat's rhythm to the painter's palette, and fro...

Why should play be a vital aspect of both children's and adults' lives? Laura Haver, a champion of play and author of the book Play Together, discusses her passion for integrating play into daily life and the transformative effects it can bring. Join us as we uncover the power of play, a tool that can decrease stress, enhance relationships, boost communication, and ignite creativity. Lau...

Don't you just love when play and work meld seamlessly? That's exactly what Marlene Sharp, our vivacious guest and the dynamo behind Pink Poodle Productions, gets to do every day! Join us as we venture into the fascinating world of stand-up comedy and merchandise-driven entertainment in LA, illuminating the highs, lows, and a few hilarious anecdotes along the way. Ever pondered how toys,...

Have you ever wondered how to host an unforgettable cocktail party? Well, you're in luck. Our guest, Nick Gray, author and creator of Museum Hacks, is here to spill the beans on creating an experience that leaves a lasting impact on your relationships. We dive into the world of two-hour cocktail parties and unravel how they can be a perfect avenue for networking and building new friendships....

What if you could boost your information retention by up to 29%? Buckle up as we chat with our guest, Ashton Rodenhiser, professional doodler and sketchnoter, and delve into the fascinating world of doodling. We discuss how doodling, often dismissed as a mindless activity, is actually a powerful tool for enhancing learning and memory retention. Ashton also offers tips to get started with sketchnot...

Struggling with the paradox of feeling lonely despite being surrounded by people? You're not alone. We're tackling the alarming 'friendship recession' and emphasizing the need for genuine connections beyond the digital realm. We dissect intriguing studies and surveys on social connection and even delve into the US Surgeon General's prioritization of this issue. Buckle up a...

Ever feel like you're running on empty with no gas station in sight? We've all been there, and that's why we invited Dr. Sharon Grossman and Heather Tollyy-Bauer to help us uncover the secrets of decoding burnout. With their own tales of burnout and recovery, Sharon and Heather explain how they manage their workloads, emphasizing the importance of self-care, and even bringing humor...

Join us as we embark on an exhilarating journey with our guest, Frank Wiegers. From the heights of the sky as a fighter pilot to the depths of intimate relationships as a sex and relationship expert, Frank brings a unique perspective to our conversation. He regales us with thrilling tales of his past and how his experiences in the cockpit have influenced his current career as a best-selling author...

Are you prepared for a masterclass in competition, entrepreneurship, and professional basketball? Today, we're honored to be joined by Dre, a professional basketball player, successful entrepreneur and author, whose life mantra is to play to win. We delve into the captivating world of sports and business, as Dre shares his unique approach on how he turns his passion for sports into a competit...

Tired of the monotony in your 9-5 job? Yearning to make a leap into the thrilling world of public speaking? Join us as we embark on a riveting journey with Grant Baldwin, the brains behind The Speaker Lab. This episode is a mix of humor, inspiration, and knowledge as we exchange tales of how we transitioned from unfulfilling careers to become successful public keynote speakers. You'll learn a...

Comedy As Armor: Bullseye's Fight Against Bullying How can humor be a powerful tool against bullying? This question drives our conversation with the incomparable Bullseye the Clown, who shares his inspiring transition from stand-up comedian to clown. Bullseye unveils a gripping tale laced with a surprise inheritance and a spontaneous journey to Russia that led him to the world of clowning. Bu...

Ever wondered how to ignite that much-needed spark of innovation in a large, established company? Want to learn how to navigate resistance to new ideas and create an environment that fosters creativity and innovation? Join us as we delve into these fascinating topics with our guest, Alma Derricks from Korn Ferry Consulting. We discuss the importance of stepping outside the comfort zone and embraci...

How much power does play hold in our careers? Can it serve as a catalyst for success? Get ready to explore these intriguing questions with the vivacious musician and entertainer, Lady Redneck. Strap in for a spirited conversation that traverses the boundary between work and play, and underlines the importance of joy, authenticity, and resilience in our journey. Listen as Lady Redneck, AKA Stephani...

What if the key to a fulfilling life doesn't lie in chasing the 'right' path but finding joy and satisfaction where you are? In an enlightening conversation with our guest, Lauren St George, we dissect the concept of purpose and explore the liberating perspective that there may not be a single 'right answer' to life's big questions. Instead, embracing purpose as a mut...

Embracing Playfulness and Authenticity: A Conversation with Psychologist Rachel Awes Imagine wearing your brightest colors and stepping into the world with your authentic self. Is it terrifying or exhilarating? For Rachel Awes, our guest and psychologist, it's a mixture of both. We start by discussing how she found her true self, stopped conforming to professional norms, and embraced her colo...

Ever wondered how creativity and play can help boost your business? Join us as we explore the fascinating world of melding imagination and entrepreneurship with our guest, Melissa Dinwitty from Creative Sandbox Solutions. Melissa shares her journey from professional artist to running her own consultancy and how she unlocked the power of play to unleash creativity. We dive into the importance of gi...

Ready to unleash your inner child and discover the fascinating world of toy invention? Join us for an exciting conversation with Matt Nuccio, a talented inventor and toy designer, who shares his secrets to navigating the complex and playful toy industry. From balancing work and play to discussing his family business and favorite projects, we dive into the joy of invention and the power of play, al...

Discovering the Creative Magic in Crayons: A Chat with Shannon Bennett Unleash your inner artist and rekindle your love for crayons as we chat with Shannon Bennett, founder of Creative Crayons Workshop! Embark on a playful and inspiring journey with us as we discover how Shannon transformed her children's love for crayons into a flourishing business, creating unique crayon shapes and art proj...

In this playful episode of the Playful Humans podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Peter Williamson, a professional golfer turned game genius. We explored the power of play, using games to engage communities, fundraise, and maintain a sense of fun in sports. We also discussed the different types of games and work, their applications, and the importance of understanding these distinctions w...

Are you ready to turn your passion for photography and travel into an adventure of a lifetime? Join Ralph Velasco, the Continental Director, as he shares his journey from owning restaurants and working as a financial advisor to becoming a travel photographer and tour organizer. Ralph's passion led him to create walking tours that teach people how to use digital cameras, starting in the early...