431. The Psychology of Play and Why it Matters

The New Evangelicals Podcast

Tim Whitaker

News, Religion & Spirituality, Politics, Christianity

4.7 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 25 May 2026

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, Tim Whitaker engages in an insightful interview with Paul Hoard. Together they explore the profound importance of play for adults, its psychological roots, and how it fosters joy, creativity, and community. This conversation challenges societal norms about maturity and highlights play as a vital tool for mental health and resistance. Chapters 03:09 Understanding Play: A Psychological Perspective 08:54 Societal Views on Play and Adult Engagement 14:54 The Chase: Motivation and Meaning in Play 17:48 Subjective vs. Objective Value in Games 30:46 The Power of Joy in Community 46:39 Joy as a Path to Thriving ____________________________________________________ TNE Podcast hosts thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of faith, politics, and justice. We’re part of the New Evangelical’s 501c3 nonprofit that rejects Christian Nationalism and builds a better path forward, rooted in Jesus and centered on justice. If ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work or get involved, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thenewevangelicals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to the New Evangelicals podcast.
0:19.9	Okay, friends, hi, welcome back to the podcast.
0:22.5	Look, I'm going to be honest with you.
0:24.0	I'm throwing you a curveball today.
0:25.4	I really am.
0:26.1	This is the last episode for mental health awareness.
0:29.7	And I've been thinking about this conversation for a while.
0:31.9	I brought on my friend Paul Borg, who is a psychologist.
0:35.3	He teaches psychology.
0:36.9	And we talked about play and the importance
0:40.1	of play as human beings. I know that sounds weird and you're like, what are you talking about?
0:45.6	I'm telling you, give this conversation a chance. It is very different, admittedly,
0:49.8	but I wanted to bring Paul on intentionally to introduce to you this way of thinking and kind of go a layer beneath the surface of how human beings operate and why the importance of having fun and joy and play and games are really important to our well-being as not just children, but as adults.
1:10.7	So I think you're really going to enjoy the conversation. We'd love to hear your thoughts. As always, friends, thank you so much for being here. Make sure to check out T&E Connect, our free online space with tons of free resources, a community hub, the whole nine. It's totally free. You can download it on the Apple store, app store or on Google Play.
1:28.0	Or you can go to the new evangelicals.com slash connect to join.
1:31.5	Enjoy the conversation.
1:33.7	Have a great day.
1:34.6	Talk to all later.
1:43.8	All right, everyone. I'm pumped for this conversation.
1:47.8	Paul Horde, good to see you.
1:49.2	You are Billy Horde's brother.
1:50.8	Billy is not only a big friend of the show and a personal friend, but also on the board of TNE.
	...

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