About the show
Daniel and Kevin explore the meaning of play for human flourishing – what it is, what it means, and how people create and maintain playful lives. We explore books, people, places, and ideas committed to engendering play in the midst of busy, working lives.
Play Saves the World on social media
Episodes
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Episode 46: The Enneagram and Board Games part 2
January 14th, 2024 | 1 hr 1 min
game recommendations, game theory
What does the Enneagram reveal about you as a board gamer, and what does it reveal about others? Are you an investigator, loyalist, enthusiast, or challenger? We discuss types 5-8, with some game recommendations.
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Episode 45: Holidays and Games!
December 17th, 2023 | 47 mins 28 secs
game recommendations
Holidays and games are great together – they provide an opportunity for social interaction and enjoyment. Board games can be a great addition to holiday celebrations, offering a break from work and a chance to connect with loved ones. Games can also serve as a reminder of the grace and unnecessary gifts in life. We discuss some recommended games for the holidays.
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BONUS: Christmas Funsongtime
December 17th, 2023 | 5 mins 53 secs
We have a bit of parody fun by singing a fun song written by Daniel, just to say, thanks to you!
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Episode 44: The Enneagram, for Board Gamers!
December 3rd, 2023 | 1 hr 4 mins
enneagram, spirituality
We trek to new frontiers as we connect up the Enneagram (a typology of personalities) to game types and mechanics. What do your game interests say about you as a person? What motivates you, and what repels you, in life and in games?
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Episode 43: Moltmann's A Theology of Play (part 3) – Christ the New Creation
November 19th, 2023 | 1 hr 5 mins
book club, moltmann, resurrection, theology
We continue to discuss the seminal work A Theology of Play by Moltmann, who argues that play and games celebrate Christ's resurrection and God's new promised reality. Play is therefore not a distraction from suffering or a trivializing of life but a living out of our true identity.
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Episode 42: Faith, religion and board game design with Shem Phillips
November 5th, 2023 | 46 mins 13 secs
design, garphill, guest
Shem Phillips of Garphill Games discusses his use of trilogies in game design, the place of music and lyrics, facing personal tragedies, game design, and his religious faith.
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Episode 41: Board Game Rulebooks, with Jordan Ault
October 22nd, 2023 | 1 hr 10 mins
board games, rules, special guest
BGF contest winner Jordan Ault joins us for this special episode to discuss game rulebooks and rules in general, and how rules in games and religion can enlighten one another. Jordan brings his lawyerly acumen to the conversation. Plus … the return of the skit??
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Episode 40: Personal Growth through Solo Board Games, with Liz Davidson
October 8th, 2023 | 1 hr 7 mins
historical games, history, solo gaming
Liz Davidson of @BeyondSolitaire joins us to discuss the joys of solo gaming, historical games, and teaching.
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Episode 39: The 7 Deadly Sins of Board Gaming
September 24th, 2023 | 1 hr 1 min
game theory, gaming, lists, theology
The 7 deadly sins (or vices) in the Christian tradition are pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth. How do they relate to board gaming?
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Episode 38: Imitating God By Playing Games (Moltmann part 2)
September 10th, 2023 | 59 mins 52 secs
authentic humanity, game theory, moltmann, work
How can we imitate God? By realizing that the world is meaningful but not necessary because God created it that way, and intends us to live lives of beauty, enjoyment, meaning, and not always productive. "We are to glorify God and enjoy God forever" in the Westminster Catechism of 1647; “To put it simply, the birds are singing more than Darwin permits” (Buytendijk). Games and play allow us to be fully and authentically ourselves, from achievement to being. These are topics we explore in our Book Club episode on Moltmann's A Theology of Play (pp. 15-25).
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Episode 37: A Theology of Play Retreat
August 20th, 2023 | 59 mins 44 secs
game theory, mcgonigal, suits, teaching
Daniel led sessions on the theology of play at a recent religious retreat, and he shares his thoughts on the sessions, his outlines, his hopes and expectations, and participant feedback.
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Episode 36: Our Top 10 Games of All Time – But With Bible Verses!
August 6th, 2023 | 1 hr 5 mins
bible, contest winners, games, list
We plunge into the world of top 10 lists, offering up our own along with spiritual lessons and scripture references, while making fun of lists in general. But first, the winners of our first ever action-packed giveaway contest!