Play Saves the World

The meaning of play for human flourishing

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.

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Episodes

  • Episode 5: Board Games and Islam

    May 15th, 2022  |  1 hr 1 min
    board games, dice, gambling, islam, religion, saudi arabia, spirituality

    Our very first guest! Ali Karar (@karar2k) joins us to discuss hobby board gaming as a Muslim in Saudi Arabia. We discuss board games as a catalyst for socializing, religious limits to board games, and the role of board games in families. Come learn with us.

  • Episode 4: Book Club! The Grasshopper by Bernard Suits ch. 1

    May 1st, 2022  |  52 mins 49 secs
    bernard suits, game theory, grasshopper, sabbath

    Are $5K board gaming tables worth it? And what do we make of Bernard Suits' book The Grasshopper ch. 1, where the Grasshopper gladly dies in the winter for having played too many games?

  • Episode 3: Is Play Essential to the Human Experience?

    April 17th, 2022  |  55 mins
    board games, community, play, religion, spirituality

    After naming some recently revisited games, Daniel discusses some lessons learned at a recent conference on play. Is play essential to the human experience? The discussion moves into play as a means of grace.

  • Episode 2: Six reasons board games are spiritual

    April 3rd, 2022  |  58 mins 13 secs
    board games, community, religion, spirituality

    Daniel & Kevin have … a list show! What are our top 3 ways that board games can be spiritual and authentically human? The lists are different, but not completely, and then there's a bonus round.

  • Episode 1: Initial Thoughts

    March 10th, 2022  |  46 mins 10 secs
    board games, religion, theology

    Daniel recommends books on board games and human identity, does his Bene Gesserit voice, and points to the role of divination in the Bible. Kevin makes fun of John Wesley, professes his love for legacy games. They conspire to make lots of money off of Biblical board games that are just drawing lots and casting dice.