Play Saves the World

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.

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!

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?

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.

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.

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??

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.

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?

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).

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.

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!

Episode 35: Spirituality and Board Game Design, with Jamey Stegmaier

July 23rd, 2023  |  26 mins 56 secs

game design, inclusivity, spirituality

Daniel interviews Jamey Stegmaier of Stegmaier Games (Wingspan, Scythe, and Viticulture) about his journey into board game design and his religious background, and how he sees his religious background informing his design ethic and work today.