Hey, before we dive in, I want to share something a little more personal. We are a small team. We've been pouring our hearts into the show for more than a dozen years now. And through all the ups and downs in the podcast world, every single one of you who follows a show helps sustain this work. And I'll be honest, creating from behind a microphone can feel a little lonely at times. But when we see you hit that follow

button, it's this beautiful reminder that you're out there listening, growing, and connected to

this mission of bringing conversations and ideas that add more ease, meaning, and joy to your life.

So if you haven't yet, it would mean the world to us. If you take just a moment and tap follow. Truly, thank you.

Now, let's get to today's episode.

So what would happen if you gave yourself permission to play again? Not just structured

activities or competitive sports, but genuine, free-spirited, play. The kind that makes time disappear

and fills you with that lightness of being we so often leave behind in childhood. Turns out

as adults, most of us have kind of pushed play so far to the margins of our lives. We've forgotten

how transformative and essential it can be, not just for joy and connection, but for our resilience, our creativity,

and the ability to navigate uncertainty. My guest today is Cass Holman, founder of toy company

Heroes Will Rise, and former professor of industrial design at RISD. She spent decades designing

toys and play experiences for organizations like the High Line, Liberty Science Center,

and companies including Google, Nike, and the Lego Foundation.

And her new book, Playful, How Play shifts our thinking, inspires connection, and sparks creativity,

challenges everything we think we know about adult play.

What fascinated me about this conversation, it's how Cass reveals play not just as

some sort of nice to have addition to life, but as this vital force for resilience, especially

in uncertain times. And she shares stories of bringing eight-year-olds and 80-year-olds together

and play, breaking down barriers that words alone couldn't touch and offers this completely

different fresh take on how we might reconnect with our natural capacity for play, why it

really matters, even in the most serious moments in life. So excited to share this conversation

...