Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living

Scott Edwards started his first company at age 17, and at 24—in 1980—opened Laughs Unlimited, just the 12th full-time comedy club in the entire United States. Scott was fortunate to fall in with comedy greats like Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, Garry Shandling, and many others who helped him develop an extremely successful chain of comedy clubs in Northern California. In turn, he helped develop talents...

Joseph Corella is a Choreographer, Broadway performer, dance teacher, and fitness instructor, but at his core, Joseph is a teacher. Using his dance, theatre, and fitness background, he has traveled the globe, spreading this love and understanding of the importance of movement.  Joseph’s connection to movement started in his early childhood with extensive training in jazz, tap, contemporary, and ba...

Jill Vialet is the founder of Playworks, the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day. Playworks creates a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills. Playworks partners with schools, districts, and after-school programs to provide a service or mix of services including...

Jordan Ousley is the Director of Esports Media at Maryville University. He is an experienced videographer and editor with 3 years of experience in the esports field with the country's leading esports program at Maryville and works with eUnited in professional esports. Maryville University has been national champions three times, including 2019, as well as winning 18 other major tournament tit...

Allen is a commercial and advertising photographer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is consistently rated one of the best photographers in the country. His work can be seen on music packaging, magazines, and countless celebrity and Fortune 500 company websites. With over 25 years of experience in photography, Allen has traveled the world doing what he has described as his dream job, with a side o...

Mss Francois, MHRM, MBA, is a dynamic entertainer, speaker, producer, writer, author and game-changing trendsetter that aims to inspire. She migrated from Trinidad and Tobago in her late teens to establish a new legacy for her life. She’s the host of The Mss Francois Show —a talk show that encompasses candid conversations with a variety of entertainment and uses humor to help others with their dys...

Billy is an author, speaker, and Now-ist, teaching people to become more aware of the gifts in the present moment. His hit book, The Now-ist is full of wisdom from his own journey. The inspiration and truth Billy Mandarino presents in his new book, The Now-ist is a life-changing creation. Billy dives deep into the essence of us all and breaks down present moment living in a very unique way. Find B...

David Page changed the world of food television by creating, developing, and executive-producing the groundbreaking show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives . Now from this two-time Emmy winner comes Food Americana , an entertaining mix of food culture, pop culture, nostalgia, and everything new on the American plate. Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Food-Americana-Remarkable-Incredible-Entertainment/...

Rachel Druckenmiller lives for watching other people come alive. That’s why she works with leaders and their teams to build resilience and better relationships, so they can be more connected and collaborative and have more influence and impact at work and at home. Through experiential workshops, trainings, keynotes, and retreats, she helps organizations, associations, and their leaders become more...

How does understanding psychology give you a drastic advantage with business and personal relationships? Jonathan Pritchard is a professional mind reader, speaker, author of 4 books, and trainer who applies his mentalist skills in sales and negotiation training for organizations around the world. He plays with Wing Chun kung fu, NFTs, and domain names for fun. He has worked as a professional mind...

How do you have fun and give back with the expertise and skills you have honed in your life and career? Deborah Heiser, Ph. D., is an Applied Developmental Psychologist, a TEDx speaker, consultant, Founder of The Mentor Project, and an Adjunct Professor in the Psychology Department at SUNY Old Westbury. The Mentor Project changes lives for both mentors and mentees by passing the torch of knowledge...

Can you imagine going from being a professional accountant to becoming a full-time TikTok personality and performer in less than a year? Bizarrist Mercer Blackwell presents one of the most exotic and thrilling acts in the world. Audiences are transfixed while they watch (and help!) Mercer drive spikes into his face, devour a flaming torch for a light snack, and paint portraits within his stomach!...

What's it like to be a stand-up comedian and Mayor of a tiny small town? We'll ask Jeremy Nunes. Jeremy's Dry Bar Comedy Special, Neighborhood Sasq-Watch, is one of the highest-rated episodes. Nunes also released an Amazon Prime special titled Who's With Me?! He has appeared in The Layover, The Break-Up, Last Comic Standing, Final Witness, 2 PBS mini-series, Comcast on Demand,...

Big questions for a deep thinker! What is the meaning of life and how did we all get here? Life is a little bit ironic, don't you think? And, what's up with assholes? Jeremy Sherman is a doctor of philosophy, which means he studies wild, hot questions with a cool, careful, and playful neutrality. He's the author of several books including Negotiate With Yourself And Win and What&apo...

How do you shift your perspective to shift the direction of your life? Maybe just have a fun break!?! Haden Starbuck is a creatrix, visionary, and coach. She shares stories on and about creativity! She helps people awaken their inner artist with play dates, and she believes it just takes a willingness, an awareness, and a desire to live a life custom made for your great brilliance. Find Haden at h...

Want to learn the most powerful, inspirational, and hope-filled lessons from today's biggest leaders? Brian Covey has distilled his top lessons from his popular Conversations with Covey podcast into a new book. Brian is a former professional soccer player and is currently a VP at LoanDepot in the wealth advisory space. He's a family man, speaker, and creative disrupter, and he shares his...

Did you know that laughter increases your energy and strengthens your immune system? Cathy Nesbitt is a laughter ambassador and founder of Cathy's Chuckle Club, a laughter yoga group! Laughter Yoga is simple and profound. An exercise routine and complete well-being workout. Developed by a medical doctor from India Dr. Madan Kataria (1995).  Laughter yoga is not about fancy pants or poses. It...

How do you find the unshakable confidence you need to be yourself? Ask Justin Guarini! He was runner-up on the first American Idol season to Kelly Clarkson. He released several successful musical albums. He is Lil' Sweet in the Diet Dr. Pepper commercial, has starred in 6 Broadway shows, appeared on Oprah, and so much more! We explore the power of play and the role of confidence in a successf...

How to you use play to create better results, especially at work? Steve E Rix is the founder of Imagine That and the Fun Frequency Group on Facebook. He teaches leaders, influencers, owners, and managers how to use play in every aspect of their life to create better results and have better relationships.  With almost 30 years of experience in start-ups and emerging companies, Steve possesses infec...

Want to learn how to break free from a soul-sucking job and reignite your inner flame? Patricia Lindner is a soul advocate and creative guide who helps high-performers release, reenergize, and recreate their career. As a passionate motivating mindset magician and creative consultant, she guides open-minded high-performers on their journey to break free from the trappings of a profession that is le...

How do you know when you are famous? What about feeling successful, happy, or that you have "made it?" Funkboy, aka Ivan Bodley, is a bass player and music director for the stars, and author of Am I Famous Yet? - Memoir of a Working-Class Rock Star.  He has performed with 50 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and counting. He has been musical director for Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), Ma...

What is the single most important human skill of the future? Creativity. David Chislett is a published author, poet, musician, and artist. The link that joins everything in his life together is creativity, and it has lead him to over 25 years as a successful and playful entrepreneur! He believes we are all creative and that making creativity a skill in your armory of tools will empower you to obse...

Do you want to learn how to rock a talk and move an audience? It is the focus of his book, "The Power to Speak Naked", and it’s what truly makes him feel alive. As a performer, speaker, and general seeker of attention, he knows how hard it can be to get in front of an audience. Sean Tyler Foley is a published author, keynote speaker, speaker trainer, and international business advisor wh...

How can Lego lead to learning, laughing, and innovation? Kirsten Anderson is a public speaker, coach, and Lego Serious Play Facilitator. After 25 years of selling, building, and purchasing Lego in the toy industry, she transitioned to consulting. Through speaking, writing, and facilitation, she is spreading the message of the importance of play in all that we do. Kirsten is an expert in the bottom...

Learn how playing in the classroom led to Mr. Dearybury being named GQ Magazine's Male Leader of the Year and meeting President Obama as the winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Mr. Dearybury has become a playful education thought leader and continues to provide quality, hands-on, engaging learning experiences for students and teacher across the countr...