The PlayFull Podcast with Kristine Michie: Bringing Fun to the Serious Work of Changing the World

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie speaks with spiritual leader, author, and Unity San Francisco Senior Minister Ken Daigle about how play, faith, vulnerability, and imagination drive personal transformation and social change. Drawing from Ken’s journey through Catholicism, queerness, theater, HIV diagnosis, recovery, and ministry, the conversation explores play as a sacred p...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie sits down with activist and strategist Scot Nakagawa and organizer Zev Mishell to explore how joy, play, faith, and resistance sustain movements and nourish people in long struggles for justice. They examine how exhaustion threatens organizers, why joy and ritual are essential parts of resistance, and how symbols, embodiment, and community p...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie sits down with poet, lawyer, and advocate Reginald Dwayne Betts to explore how joy, words, and access to stories fuel liberation and resilience in social justice work. Through conversations about his books, MacArthur Fellowship, and Freedom Reads (the nonprofit he started that brings brand new “Freedom Edition” books and custom bookcases int...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie talks with Jenan Mohajir, Vice President of External Affairs at Interfaith America, exploring the beauty and power of pluralism, which moves beyond diversity into active, committed cooperation. They discuss how local communities become powerful sites for healing and how faith-based service shapes civically engaged leadership. Jenan shares pe...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie talks with Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, a Black queer preacher, teacher, and justice advocate, about integrating faith, politics, and joy into social change. They discuss how voting and engagement can be acts of faith, how reclaiming spiritual language and imagination fuels action, and how play and creativity sustain resilience in challe...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie talks with Rev. Jennifer Butler, founder of Faith in Democracy, about bringing joy, faith, and community into social change. They discuss how reclaiming spiritual language sparks action, why humor and play strengthen movements, and how faith can bridge divided communities. Jennifer shares lessons on resilience, well-being, and compassionate...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie talks with filmmaker Nicholas Ma about growing up in a creative family (his dad is cellist Yo Yo Ma) and using storytelling to navigate difficult conversations and approach division with courage and curiosity. They explore how his documentary film featuring pastors in Grand Rapids sparked deeper dialogue around faith, identity, and belonging...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie talks with Michelle Sobel and Harry Gottlieb—co-founders of Unify America—about reducing polarization, rebuilding civic trust, and helping people collaborate across differences with curiosity and play. They explore how civic skills grow through structured dialogue, why diverse groups often generate stronger solutions than solitary experts, a...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, host Kristine Michie talks with Shantel Suárez Ávila and Claire Groebner about centering lived experience, embracing rhythms of play, and taking an abundance-minded approach to equity. They explore how shared leadership and joyful, purpose-driven work can strengthen resilience, build trust, and create authentic community impact. Shantel and Claire are also...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, host Kristine Michie speaks with Samra Haider of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation about reimagining philanthropy, deepening community engagement, and advancing economic justice. They explore how local leadership and innovative solutions can close the racial wealth gap in New Jersey, where the foundation is based, and where median household wealth for white...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, host Kristine Michie speaks with Bob Dalton about the power of neighbor-to-neighbor connections, community building, and mission-driven entrepreneurship in the digital age. They explore how fragmented local digital spaces can be transformed into meaningful micro-communities rooted in real-world interaction. Bob shares his journey creating LOCL, a social net...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, host Kristine Michie talks with Don Howard, CEO of the James Irvine Foundation, about the future of work, economic empowerment, and the role of philanthropy in an AI-driven world. Together, they explore how technology and trust-based giving can shape more inclusive opportunities for low-income workers. Through Don’s personal journey—from consulting to phila...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, host Kristine Michie talks with Lorna Olivia McCormack, founder of Wool in School and a former Irish presidential candidate. Together, they explore how creativity, sustainability, and empathy can transform leadership and learning. Through stories of grassroots innovation and personal courage, Lorna reveals how meaningful change begins with compassion, curio...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast , host Kristine Michie welcomes Kat Guillaume, CEO of the Center for Community Progress, for an inspiring conversation about finding courage, laughter, and purpose in the work of justice. Through her powerful story—from generational poverty to public leadership—Kat shows how play, joy, and an eye for what’s holy can fuel transformation, both personal and sys...

In the first episode of our Civic Actors series, host Kristine Michie sits down with Emma Bloomberg, Founder/CEO of Murmuration (and daughter of the former Mayor), to explore the heart of local civic engagement. Through personal stories (reading the Declaration of Independence each 4th of July with her Dad), practical lessons, and powerful examples, the conversation reveals how real change begins...

While every PFP guest is PlayFull, we occasionally get the chance to talk to someone who plays full-time! And in the case of Peter Williamson, this has been true since he made a living swinging a club. Now, as a philanthropist, game designer, and play coach, he’s putting these skills to use making the world a better place. In this provocative episode about how fun and games can be used for serious...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast , host Kristine Michie welcomes Aisha Benson, CEO of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, as part of the Brave Voices series. Aisha shares her journey from Harlem to national leadership, where she champions nonprofits as essential drivers of community well-being and economic power. Alongside the serious realities of inequitable funding, she brings a spirit of play, j...

In this episode, Kristine Michie sits down with Micah Parzen, CEO of the Museum of Us, for an honest conversation about what it takes to transform an institution. Running a museum that no longer speaks of “artifacts” and “collections” and instead embraces “belongings” and “ancestors,” Micah talks about the journey of repair and repatriation. In it all, listeners are invited to reflect on leadershi...

In this episode, Kristine Michie sits down with Jess Tomlin for an inspiring conversation about reimagining what it takes to drive lasting change. She shares how play, imagination, and boldness drive, sustainable movements and organizations like hers, which has invested $100 MILLION to 1,500 human rights groups in over 100 countries. You’ll come away with a fresh perspective on resources, l...

In this episode, Kristine Michie welcomes the Racial Equity Advancement and Defense Initiative (READI) Group—represented by Jazmin Chavez, E. Bomani Johnson, Lyle Matthew Kan, and Erik Stegman—for a powerful discussion on defending racial equity in philanthropy. They explore how foundations and nonprofits can navigate legal, financial, and reputational risks while continuing to prioritize race-exp...

On this episode of The PlayFull Podcast , Kristine Michie is joined by Shige Sakurai and Emily Rasmussen, for a rich conversation on community, courage, and creative philanthropy. Together, they explore how giving circles can fuel and sustain grassroots change. In this moment when civil society is under attack, giving circles provide a counter-offensive based on love, with money to back it up! Fro...

In this inspiring Brave Voices episode of The PlayFull Podcast , host Kristine Michie reunites with civic leaders Julia Roig and Merle McGee for a deep, moving exploration of what it means to be brave in today’s fractured world. This isn’t just a conversation about activism—it’s a masterclass in navigating complexity, showing up authentically, and leading with radical imagination. With stories ran...

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, host Kristine Michie welcomes back longtime friend and PlayFull alum Eric K. Ward for another powerful conversation in the Brave Voices series. Together, they explore how play, art, and creativity are indispensable tools for confronting authoritarianism and political division. Eric’s stories span from music festivals to historic liberation celebrations, and...

Host Kristine Michie gathers three powerhouse alumnae—Lisha Bell, Latanya Mapp, and Jeanine Abrams McLean—for a joy-filled, soul-nourishing reunion on The PlayFull Podcast . This rich conversation navigates the balance between bravery and burnout, and why joy, imagination, and even well-timed pranks are essential tools for resilience in the social impact sector. Whether you're feeling stretched th...

In this continuing installment of the Brave Voices, Kristine Michie welcomes Rusty Stahl of Fund the People for a conversation that meets the moment. With the nonprofit sector facing historic pressure, Rusty brings both urgency and grounded hope as he unpacks what it takes to protect civil society and the people who hold it together. This episode offers clarity, action, and inspiration—a reminder...