Time Stamped Notes:0:00  If your eight year old you 0:01  could walk right up to you and ask you one question. Just one question. What do you think he would say 0:11  to you? 0:28  Come on play for change. Welcome to playing for a change. This is your host Brandi Heather. This podcast is dedicated to navigating life's messiness and unpredictability where we use play 0:41  as a catalyst 0:42  for change and connection. Come on in this playground is for everyone on the playground today, I think we need to talk. 0:53  There are a whole bunch of really frightening things happening in the world right now. And we need to talk about about the importance of staying in play during times of crisis. 1:05  Do you know what happens to inclusion when people feel afraid of what will happen next or something unexpected changes their way of living or they feel vulnerable to loss or massive change. Inclusion does not flourish here. 1:25  Maybe you remember a time in your childhood when someone told you you had to share a toy or a treat or candy or a friend or a parent. I remember one of my first teaching experiences was in an elementary school classroom. 1:42  There was a young man who had just arrived from Ethiopia the week before and he was a student in grade one. It did snow that morning and his eyes. I will never forget the complete stop in your tracks look of awe and wonder this Young men looked at that white cold magic coming down from the sky and was standing in utter amazement of what it was. 2:12  About an hour and a half after an outside break, the students were writing at their desks and I started to see a puddle forming under the desk of this young man. He had not noticed and when I went over to see if there was something I could do, I whispered and brought a paper towel, but he had no idea looking everywhere for a source. And then he reached into his desk and took out what was left of a very small snowball. He just looked up at me and said, This is mine. 2:51  You see he had made a snowball outside and had snuck it into his desk because he was afraid that we would take it away. Make him share this treasure. And this snowball was melting right in front of his eyes and tears started streaming down his face as he felt we had taken it away or made it go away as a punishment for wanting to have it all to himself. 3:18  As children sharing is a learned skill and a practice skill. How many people remember hiding something you didn't want to share in a place you thought no one would find it. You see often if we have something and we believe there is not enough for everyone. We will keep it close. That's where the saying "Did you bring enough for everyone?" came from. 3:44  That includes things like snowballs and the best spot in the theater and a great job and money and cars and our best friend and food and water and toilet paper. When we are worried we will collect all of those Things that are most important. This is called scarcity. And like it sounds, it often makes us feel scared. 4:11  Scarcity also includes social and emotional factors, including connection and respect, time, advice and kind words and yes, inclusive practices like tolerance and flexibility and adaptability and resilience. Taking the time to ask before judging or assuming what someone intends or taking one more minute to explain. scarcity also sometimes leads us into dividing us and then good and bad, sick and well smart and not smart, etc, etc. 4:53  Because when we feel overwhelmed by our needs for physical and social safety, we feel need to divide and box similar things to make sense of them t shirts in one drawer and underwear and another and socks in another that's why we have drawers so instead of taking the time to consider the perspective of others where they're coming from are trying to explain we put people in drawers just like when we fold their clothes and put them away. Why do we do that? So we know where things are. It's predictable and the same with people. 5:34  When we are overwhelmed we go to a drawer system 5:38  Young people are this 5:40  and old people are that 5:41  and sick people here 5:42  and all the people from there and 5:44  all the people I don't know 5:46  and all wheelchair people 5:47  and all gay people 5:48  all men 5:48  all homeless people all front desk people 5:51  administration all nurses 5:52  all doctors, all welders, all plumbers 5:57  Do you see what happens? 6:00  What drawer are you in? 6:02  Let's see, I'm in the white cisgender female straight privilege mom, artists business owner, teacher mentally ill short but sharp dresser drawer. But it depends on the lens you choose to see me with? And at what moment. 6:21  So how can we afford to play in a time of scarcity and dividing and drawers and hiding our most precious things and protecting ourselves physically and socially and emotionally. I would argue this is why we need to find it and hold on to it. Because play is where we can be authentic and make connections and laugh and be vulnerable to something new and different. And try and fall down and get back up. We find resilience here. in play. 6:57  We find determination and relaxation. And we do things that soothe the drawers and dividers. Research indicates that play deprivation can contribute to a reduced sense of personal control, reduced ability to control emotions, increased social isolation and reduced happiness, all of which are associated with anxiety and or depression. In a time when we are reducing social contact and increasing social isolation. Let's consider what we need to survive. It's not just food and water. Without play and playfulness we will struggle to come up with the creative and innovative ideas, resilience and persistence The world needs. And the world needs answers and I believe the solutions are always in play. 7:50  They are there but we need to provide a space for them to grow. I know you may be worried about what is next, and what tomorrow looks like or What is happening in this moment? What I'm asking you to do is to hold on to the things that give you that moment to smile across the room at someone having a difficulty. to pop a bubble with your gum and giggle that you did it in a place you probably shouldn't have to disconnect from the pace and notice something small you are grateful for. And to build a fort out of cushions and have a picnic with your kids or someone you love. We can't afford not to play. 8:35  That's all from the playground today. Thanks for playing. Remember, this playground is for everyone. Thanks for playing today. If you want to hear more about how finding your play is connected to mental health, business, and education, subscribe on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcast play for a change AMPED2PLAY was founded on the belief that everyone has active movement potential. That's an AMP, in which movement encompasses our ability to move ourselves physically, mentally, socially, or emotionally. Movement is change and whether in community health or education or corporate sectors, our goal is to deliver education of active movement potential. Find your AMP today. 8:35  AMPED2PLAY INC. www,amped2play.comBrandi Heather brandi@amped2play.comTranscribed by https://otter.aiFind your play and remind yourself and others that finding it is a gift…In the show notes I have included phone numbers and text lines that connect you to International mental health resources and crisis lines.Resources in CanadaI'm in crisisFind a crisis centre in your province or territory.ementalhealth.ca to find mental health services, and support in your community.Canadian Mental Health Association - find your local CMHA office to access support and resources.Kids Help Phone - visit online or call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellorI need to talk to someone (if you are not in crisis)ConnexOntario to find services for drug and alcohol, gambling or mental health issues.Canadian Mental Health Association to find your local CMHA to access mental health help, support and resources.Kids Help Phone - visit them online or call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellor.Transgender Crisis Line: 1-877-330-6366.Find a therapist in your local area.How to find a psychologist.If you are in high school, speak to a counsellor, public health nurse or other relevant staff at your Student Health Services.Most Canadian colleges and universities provide free counselling to their students.Resources in the United States of AmericaI'm in crisisLocal crisis centre.National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to be directed to a crisis centre closest to you.National Hopeline - call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to speak to a crisis counsellor.The Trevor Project - provides crisis and suicide support for LGBTQ youth, 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386).I need to talk to someone (if you are not in crisis)If you are in high school, you can also speak to a counsellor, public health nurse or other relevant staff at Student Health Services for additional support.Suicide Survivor Support Group Directory if you've lost somebody to suicide, locate a support group in your area.Talk to your family doctorLook in your local phonebook to locate a counsellor, therapist or local helpline near you.Resources outside Canada and the United StatesInternational Association for Suicide PreventionInternational Suicide HotlinesSocial Media ResourcesIf you have seen suicidal content on social media, you should contact law enforcement and (if applicable) officials on Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr directly.The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also assists users on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. 

Play For A Change

Why You Can’t Afford NOT to PLAY

 Thanks for playing today, if you want hear more about how finding your play is connected to mental health, business, and education, for more Play For a Change, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. If you would like more information on Brandi's Play Talks and Workshops follow us atBrandi HeatherProfessional Keynote Speaking and WorkshopsInspirational, world-class educator and speaker who utilizes the power of play to help organizations navigate diversity, inclusion, communication, self-care and mental health.What does that mean to you?It means that she has spent her entire career building solutions to the challenges of meeting the physical, cognitive and social needs of every person. She will teach you how to recognize your potential and unique skills and the potential of others without shame and judgement. Her presentation style moves the entire audience through play even if they never leave their seat! She brings laughter and profound "ah ha" moments to every keynote, workshop and training. If you are struggling to find your organization's common ground, this is the presenter you NEED. You can expect the unexpected ... every time!She speaks from the heart about her journey through mental illness and building strength in adversity and finding our creative potential through play. You will wonder where the time went when she is presenting!Keynotes Include:Play For A Change(40-60 minute talk followed by Q&A) It's time to Play For A Change! Find your play strength and use it to develop critical skills for self-care, leadership, and change management in diverse and inclusive settings.Brandi utilizes a unique combination of Applied Play Experiences and Strategies, backed by the science of play,  that ignites the audience's appreciation for difference, and the unique gifts every person.This keynote will open the conversation about the physical, cognitive, and social/emotional effect that diverse and inclusive practice, workplace environments and expectations are having on personal and professional wellbeing. Brandi shares her insights and research on play, inclusion and vulnerability as a professional businesswoman and educator living and thriving with mental illness who will change the way you see yourself and your professional practice. Focus: Play, mental illness, mental health, rehabilitation, healthcare, self-care, work-life balance, practice -practitioner balance, diversity and inclusion Playgrounded(40-60 minute talk followed by Q&A) PLAY is POWERFUL! Are you Play “grounded”? Play is a common ground for building skills, connection and engagement. Play is one of the bravest choices we can make in a world full of structure and FOE (Fear of Engagement). Let's learn to fall down and get messy again, ask someone new to play and ignite innovation into our organizations! This keynote defines and ignites the power of play as a catalyst for organizational performance and engagement. Explore how we can grow our capacity for change, diversity, and health equity by including play in our environment. Remodel your philosophy for self-care, inclusive practice and customer service. Discover that when we recognize and value our own diverse needs, knowledge, and experience that we are more open to understanding the unique needs of others. Engage in honest dialogue about how inclusion is both successful and challenging in our spaces. Discover your play style and discover how to use it to improve engagement, personal and professional health. Focus: Personal and Professional Engagement, Performance, Innovation, Inclusion, Customer service, Collaboration, Value of Play in Workplace Health Participant Feedback: "This PD changed the way I see myself first, how to value what I know and then how to apply that to connect to all the clients we see everyday" "I will use this Monday, its real for me." "No ordinary talk gets to the heart of what we deal with every day." “Your energy is contagious; I lost all track of time!” Brandi is available for travel in Canada and internationally. For more background of speaking samples do not hesitate to connect on our website or to Brandi’s Podcast Play for A Change that can be found on your favorite podcast channel. https://play-for-a-change.simplecast.com/episodes/committed-2-playFor more information on Play Services and Programs I offer see me at www.amped2play.com see details in the show notes

Let's Not Talk About It!

My hope for the next few episodes is to open the conversation and connect to people living with mental illness and those who love, support, counsel, parent, care, teach, and know people … because some of you will never know, we become exceptional navigators of systems and places, and people we want to protect. Many people who love and know me, will not have heard this side of the story…there are so many reasons that our mental health does not become dinner talk, or shared… people still worry that if people know they WILL see them and treat them differently, and less than.My hope is that by telling the story, people will realise the incredible struggle met with incredible strength that it takes to share something that has been hidden in family closets, tucked away and not spoken of, laughed off at work, and is still hidden in more places than I can consider. I will start this story with a spoiler… I found my strength and my drive to play in my darkest spaces. It took me a long time to realise where it was, but now I get to share how important it is to find the things that give you your play when you have nothing left. I will continue to share my personal journey and insights on mental illness and creating more space for both self care and awareness, What is vital to me is that people know their story matters, people matter, and the key to better mental health is to value that the journey has many different paths, lived by many different people. People you cant imagine, and people you can. Our stories matter… My next episode in the Patient Lens Bonus Series will look at how I climbed out from that dark place and back to my life, and the importance of building new foundations to support a different way of existing and living. Find your play and remind yourself and others that finding it is a gift…In the show notes I have included phone numbers and text lines that connect you to International mental health resources and crisis lines.Resources in CanadaI'm in crisisFind a crisis centre in your province or territory.ementalhealth.ca to find mental health services, and support in your community.Canadian Mental Health Association - find your local CMHA office to access support and resources.Kids Help Phone - visit online or call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellorI need to talk to someone (if you are not in crisis)ConnexOntario to find services for drug and alcohol, gambling or mental health issues.Canadian Mental Health Association to find your local CMHA to access mental health help, support and resources.Kids Help Phone - visit them online or call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellor.Transgender Crisis Line: 1-877-330-6366.Find a therapist in your local area.How to find a psychologist.If you are in high school, speak to a counsellor, public health nurse or other relevant staff at your Student Health Services.Most Canadian colleges and universities provide free counselling to their students.Resources in the United States of AmericaI'm in crisisLocal crisis centre.National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to be directed to a crisis centre closest to you.National Hopeline - call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to speak to a crisis counsellor.The Trevor Project - provides crisis and suicide support for LGBTQ youth, 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386).I need to talk to someone (if you are not in crisis)If you are in high school, you can also speak to a counsellor, public health nurse or other relevant staff at Student Health Services for additional support.Suicide Survivor Support Group Directory if you've lost somebody to suicide, locate a support group in your area.Talk to your family doctorLook in your local phonebook to locate a counsellor, therapist or local helpline near you.Resources outside Canada and the United StatesInternational Association for Suicide PreventionInternational Suicide HotlinesSocial Media ResourcesIf you have seen suicidal content on social media, you should contact law enforcement and (if applicable) officials on Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr directly.The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also assists users on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

Episode #9 The Freedom Frog

My hope for the next few episodes is to open the conversation and connect to people living with mental illness and those who love, support, counsel, parent, care, teach, and know people … because some of you will never know, we become exceptional navigators of systems and places, and people we want to protect.  Many people who love and know me, will not have heard this side of the story…there are so many reasons that our mental health does not become dinner talk, or shared… people still worry that if people know they WILL see them and treat them differently, and less than.My hope is that by telling the story, people will realise the incredible struggle met with incredible strength that it takes to share something that has been hidden in family closets, tucked away and not spoken of, laughed off at work, and is still hidden in more places than I can consider. I will start this story with a spoiler… I found my strength and my drive to play in my darkest spaces. It took me a long time to realise where it was, but now I get to share how important it is to find the things that give you your play when you have nothing left. I will continue to share my personal journey and insights on mental illness and creating more space for both self care and awareness,  What is vital to me is that people know their story matters, people matter, and the key to better mental health is to value that the journey has many different paths, lived by many different people. People you cant imagine, and people you can. Our stories matter… My next episode in the Patient Lens Bonus Series will look at how I climbed out from that dark place and back to my life, and the importance of building new foundations to support a different way of existing and living. Find your play and remind yourself and others that finding it is a gift…In the show notes I have included phone numbers and text lines that connect you to International mental health resources and crisis lines.Resources in CanadaI'm in crisisFind a crisis centre in your province or territory.ementalhealth.ca to find mental health services, and support in your community.Canadian Mental Health Association - find your local CMHA office to access support and resources. Kids Help Phone - visit online or call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellorI need to talk to someone (if you are not in crisis)ConnexOntario to find services for drug and alcohol, gambling or mental health issues.Canadian Mental Health Association to find your local CMHA to access mental health help, support and resources.Kids Help Phone - visit them online or call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellor. Transgender Crisis Line: 1-877-330-6366.Find a therapist in your local area.How to find a psychologist.If you are in high school, speak to a counsellor, public health nurse or other relevant staff at your Student Health Services.Most Canadian colleges and universities provide free counselling to their students.Resources in the United States of AmericaI'm in crisisLocal crisis centre.National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to be directed to a crisis centre closest to you. National Hopeline - call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to speak to a crisis counsellor. The Trevor Project - provides crisis and suicide support for LGBTQ youth, 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386).I need to talk to someone (if you are not in crisis)If you are in high school, you can also speak to a counsellor, public health nurse or other relevant staff at Student Health Services for additional support.Suicide Survivor Support Group Directory if you've lost somebody to suicide, locate a support group in your area.Talk to your family doctorLook in your local phonebook to locate a counsellor, therapist or local helpline near you.Resources outside Canada and the United StatesInternational Association for Suicide PreventionInternational Suicide HotlinesSocial Media ResourcesIf you have seen suicidal content on social media, you should contact law enforcement and (if applicable) officials on Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr directly.The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also assists users on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.   

Episode #8 The Patient Lens

When people feel that they can try, and experiment and risk without fear they will play and persist until they find that perfect recipe for success.What has to happen or be in place before we can be in a playful space? Fore Play! Unlike children we don't jump into play as easily as adults. Even under the most terrible conditions children play.In post War Bomb sites and mass poverty children find play, it is a natural escape from reality and a way to make sense of senselessness. It is also practice for navigating reality, physically exploring and thinking your way around and between, having to rely on others and create your own path forward. Have you ever watched children as they create a game or fantasy play in the space where there seems to be no set up for play? Hardware stores and junkyards, your office and a restaurant. Just the other day as I was watching a hockey game in a local arena.I came across a large A frame sign that said "No playing, parents please keep your children under control in this area."I had to laugh as this space was a beautiful wide-open arena viewing area with incredible checkers on the floors as tiles. There were benches to hide under and the sign itself was the perfect tent for building. So, it was like someone had said… We set up this great space for your imagination please refrain from using it! As I thought about this week's podcast I giggled and thought we set up the foreplay …. and then said no play allowed. You see children don't need foreplay they can find it anywhere but adults we need some foreplay we need to think about what happens before people can be in a space where they can think freely, be themselves, remove the filters that keep us stifled, So how do you set up adult foreplay for play ?What does your perfect play environment look like, what needs to be in place so that you can feel free to experiment, risk, think outside the parameters, with new lenses and ingredients, imagine something different, get lost in a moment or many moments…Peter Grey’s research says :Adults can test the degree to which their work is play by asking themselves this: “If I could receive the same pay, the same prospects for future pay, the same amount of approval from other people, and the same sense of doing good for the world for not doing this job would I quit?” If the person would eagerly quit, the job is not play. To the degree that the person would quit reluctantly, or not quit, the job is play. It is something that the person enjoys independently of the extrinsic rewards received for doing it.(P. Grey, ) https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/freedom-learn/200811/the-value-play-i-the-definition-play-gives-insightsThis week let's consider the foreplay; what we do that sets people up to imagine, to not filter their response to speak from a place of genuine connection, and strength, without the fear of failure or judgement, let’s return to play and start to create lasting change…Music Creditshttps://soundcloud.com/adsummitph/come-out-and-playWords: Abi Aquino of MullenLowe PhilppinesMusic: Jasper PerezArtist: QuestRecorded, Mixed and Mastered at Soundesign Manila, with special thanks to Raul Blay.

Episode #7 Fore Play

Music Creditshttps://soundcloud.com/adsummitph/come-out-and-playWords: Abi Aquino of MullenLowe PhilppinesMusic: Jasper PerezArtist: QuestRecorded, Mixed and Mastered at Soundesign Manila, with special thanks to Raul Blay.Overview:Plays also voluntary, we cannot be forced into it… and we are in charge of ending it.Although many times we have many great examples of how much people would like us to be having fun doing something or fully engaged when we are not.Defining play is like defining joy… or love or hope and so many other things that are personal.. and universal all at the same time… I work with definitions from research to 5 year old’s, evidence and science to the wisdom of people who have lived long enough and deep enough to remind us of its importance.As parents or example we often are called into play by our kids, and although having us be a part of the game of hide and seek is play for them… It is not play for us, in fact for many of us including myself we are guilty of spending unconscious time… “pretending to play”…Or being in the moment but being somewhere else. When we are really in play with our kids we are present, and together we are doing something that is playful for both of us not just for one of us. and when we are not or cannot be “in play” we are often left feeling heavy with the guilt of “good parents play!”We can’t always be in play, to expect that of ourselves is not only overwhelming but impractical. But what we can do is when it happens, or when we are more mindful of these moments then we will take time to live in them and lean into them.You cannot be in play if you are not there by choice – like changing attitudes and behaviors – forced compliance will not change the way people feel or engage with something differently.We can however be moved to play by being invited into a space and learning that we can find play within it.How is play making a difference in your world? Want to share a story on Play For A Change?Connect with me at brandi@amped2play.comVisit our website at www.amped.play.com for more information on:Play Training, Workshops, and ProgramsDiversity and Inclusion Programs for Education, Business and Heath Care that use Applied Play as a catalyst for change. Play Brave 

Episode #6 All Work And No Play

Music Creditshttps://soundcloud.com/adsummitph/come-out-and-playWords: Abi Aquino of MullenLowe PhilppinesMusic: Jasper PerezArtist: QuestRecorded, Mixed and Mastered at Soundesign Manila, with special thanks to Raul Blay.

Episode #5 A Play On Words : Building Bridges NOT Barricades

https://soundcloud.com/adsummitph/come-out-and-playWords: Abi Aquino of MullenLowe PhilppinesMusic: Jasper PerezArtist: QuestRecorded, Mixed and Mastered at Soundesign Manila, with special thanks to Raul Blay.Today on the playground we are going to talk about playing to your strengths … and how finding your strength and the strength of your team can change your performance and profit.Many, many times people question how it is possible to even start this conversation with businesses and organizations whose core values are centered on production, shareholders and profit.Ask someone you know to describe the parts of their work that feels like play? As a reminder, this is when we feel capable, free to decide, change directions, most open to new ideas, authentic.The answer … work is not for PLAYPlay is that kind of risk and hard work for many people, as they have to climb over a whole mountain of guilt, judgement, shame and long held beliefs about productivity and the seriousness of work in order to even imagine it as a driver for change.But what if we considered the “soft skills” that drive innovation, productivity, and what if we said that play is the catalyst to not only igniting these skills but developing and growing them?Play moves us to change, and one of the ways we can use play is to ignite change in the way that we consider the perspective of others and how we see our own strengths, and abilities and opportunities.This is where I believe we need to go backwards to go forwards, we are often talking about the ways in which we progress, move forward and advance without considering that there are skills left uncovered every time we move forward without consideration of where people have been or where they are coming from.Research from Deloitte sayshttps://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/deloitte-review/issue-16/employee-engagement-strategies.html#endnote-42“that teams that operate in an inclusive culture outperform their peers by a staggering 80 percent.”inclusion and employee engagement does have a direct impact on the most concrete element of all. Business results. Why? Because inclusive cultures are what lay down the smooth and solid foundation for innovation.But how do we get from play to inclusion to performance?Through trust…The answer lies in creating psychological safety. In a Google-led study called Project Aristotle,https://rework.withgoogle.com/print/guides/5721312655835136/The internet giant found that psychological safety—the ability for “team members to feel safe and vulnerable in front of each other”—was the number one factor that drove the success of its most effective teams.Go back to the playground for a moment…Fort building… how many did it?My favorite was couch cushions and blankets… my grandparents had the best sectional orange ... and picky like it was made from wool – nonfunctional for sitting on but the BEST FOR FORTS! The key was that this awful material didn’t slip …so you could put the cushions just so and they would hold.The other great thing was that this couch was in the basement – so no adults could watch – so I would create these forts with everything in the basement I could find – my grandfather’s shoe horn that looked like a horse and blankets and sheets from the spare room and things would collapse and I would prop them up with stand up ashtrays and the broom from the laundry room…and then the best – once it was all done – just to lay on your back inside – freedom – mine – hidden – escape –The next step to great fort building was touring someone else through the fort – showing off what you had built and all the nuances of the space. Sharing your creation with someone who could see or connect with your vision…here is my bedroom, the kitchen, this is where the sun comes in and this is the secret exit in case of intruders …don’t gout that one unless its an emergency …it is not well tested!I could often be found at the end of the night asleep inside my “cave” …The next day the phone would ring, and it would be my grandfather wondering where his shoehorn was because he was late for work, or wondering where his plastic flamingos had gone to from the yard…I don’t think it was play for him…But these forts – they come in all shapes and sizes… and they provided this safety net …people still build them all the time…they just don’t realize it…And it is what good companies create for their workers – a place to feel safe, heard and included. To build spaces where everyone is allowed to build, create, and fail, to bring all of their different materials (life experiences, beliefs , values and skills) to space and to build in a way that is for them and others. People are driven to belong and be a part of something but building empathic connections to the different way that we build our forts comes first in seeing that every fort is great – because fort building is personal.When we can help and organizations to see that in play we have great strength, ideas and purpose then we can dig into the reasons why and how your organization deals with:Change ManagementPerformance EvaluationCommunicationProductivityEngagementMental and Physical HealthInclusionLoyaltyRetentionOnce we can recognize and reconstruct those foundational pieces then we can construct a business that grows and thrives sustainably.Play disrupts our standardized way of looking at the world – it invites us to change without shamingA business that can play in both challenging times and success will succeed because they have built and learned fundamentally that new solutions, ways of doing and engaging come from a fundamental trust and vulnerability to be wrong, do it in a way no one has considered, build with materials no one has brought to the table.You see without a diversity of people, perspectives and skills we stay relatively stagnant; we manage change instead of breaking out of set traditions and patterns…We start by building trust because without trust there is not safety and without safety there is not play and without play there is not creativity and innovationIf we don’t have that we will build all kinds of forts to protect ourselves – and keep others out, and hide vs being so excited to invite others in to play.We need to find out about the people we work with and for so that we know their “forts building” stories, because that is where we will find some of their greatest strengths and skills.Bréné Brown“You can’t ever do anything brave if you’re wearing the straitjacket of ‘What will people think?!”Daring greatly : how the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead (New York: Gotham Books2012)“There’s no team without trust,” says Paul Santagata, Head of Industry at Google. He knows the results of the tech giant’s massive two-yearstudy on team performance, Which revealed that the highest-performing teams have one thing in common: psychological safety, the belief that you won’t be punished when you make a mistake.Studies show that psychological safety allows for moderate risk-taking, speaking your mind, creativity, and sticking your neck out without fear of having it cut off — just the types of behavior that lead to market breakthroughs.” https://rework.withgoogle.com/blog/five-keys-to-a-successful-google-team/But this does not come naturally, there is a process for learning how to use play as a path to performance.We move people from “why would you build a fort like that!???? To “why would you build a fort like that”?In play we can move from shame and blame to curiosity and discovery.So, let’s look at an example in business… company has 50 employees and has every employee complete a mandatory diversity and inclusion training module and in person training. Employees are paid for the time and return to work the following day… nothing changes… 2 weeks later…no measurable change in engagement, connection, no one talks about what they learned or can apply it to their job – but they have now “been trained” but trained for what?How many people have done this?Ever taken a training course and returned to work on Monday with no new skills, thoughts, ways of knowing, doing, or leading?If you want to lead an organization where employees feel engaged and included, motivated and driven to use their unique skills and talents to drive performance then you need to learn how they play. There is no Fast Food fix, 4 step process that will get you there, it is not just a check box on an application for funding or government approval. A diverse workforce that connects in play will include and perform.After play they will engage differently, look at their work from a different perspective and be curious about ways to make change from the inside of your organization to your customers and consumers.If you want to change direction – put down the walls and find the unique and often hidden strengths of your organization.Business is NOT predictable and consistent …PLAY is PRACTISE for risk and reality.Someone said to me today – Im always thinking I should be doing something else when I am in play …and I said…then you are not IN play…you are doing something that is captivating your time but not your heart – you see when we play …we are enraptured by it, even if it just for a second we are lost in what we are doing…If you are a fort builder…share it, if you are a collector, tell people how much you enjoy it, if you are a painter, show the world…Ken Robinson said you are in your element when you combine something you love to do with something you are good at.https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2013/06/19/sir-ken-robinsonTake the time to find these…now play is powerful beyond measure.Play will reveal both your companies underlying challenges ( the unspoken and unwritten rules) and the talents of the people you work with and for…how you use it to improve performance and profit, that is a skill.Real creativity comes about through hard work and through application, but not the sort of application that kills the imagination but the kind of work that encourages it. It’s a mixture of those two things, of bringing it together — it’s a skilled process.Ken Robinson.https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2013/06/19/sir-ken-robinsonThat’s me from the playground today, thanks for playing…. this playground is for everyone.

Episode #4 Playing To Your Strengths - The Business of Play

https://soundcloud.com/adsummitph/come-out-and-playWords: Abi Aquino of MullenLowe PhilppinesMusic: Jasper PerezArtist: QuestRecorded, Mixed and Mastered at Soundesign Manila, with special thanks to Raul Blay.I believe that we are all capable of leveling the playing field, but we are often pushed to make the teams uneven because we are afraid there isn’t enough for everyone. And This model of scarcity keeps us from balance. But just like hockey we need to practice – and play is ground for practicing these skills – new people, new ways of doing things, new ice, new skates, new neighbors, And when we play we fall down, we make mistakes, we say things wrong, we grab the wrong stick , we forget a puck ( although I’m told that never happened), we get home late, we freeze our feet, we get in fights, we negotiate, we find our way…. But we don’t practice enough, and when we haven’t practiced change and coping and navigating newness then the bar for tolerance, gets very low… So that everything new, new people, new ways, different moves, new languages, new faces, new noises, new workspace, new colleuges, new ways of doing, new process… Our bodies and are minds are not prepared for it, and so we react like we would to anything we might perceive as dangerous… we freeze, fight or flee… We become very sensitive to newness and this sensitivity comes from of lack of practice in adversity. Play is practice for adversity and difference. Play is where we learned to play with who was on the team because that is where your stick was, and to bend a little when things weren’t perfect. And we learned to create the playing field for everyone…not just to level it. What if we practiced changing direction, and falling down, and navigating new, un standardized , unknown and uncertain a little more? Just a thought from the playground today but consider Can play through our lifetime change the fierceness of our reactions to people , experiences and places different from who we are and where we have been? Come on in this playground is for everyoneWith greatest thank to my incredible husband...

Episode #3 Leveling The Playing Field

https://soundcloud.com/adsummitph/come-out-and-playWords: Abi Aquino of MullenLowe PhilppinesMusic: Jasper PerezArtist: QuestRecorded, Mixed and Mastered at Soundesign Manila, with special thanks to Raul Blay.Today on playing for a change we are going to discuss the aversion to talking about P-L-A-YThat four letter word that scares many people..BUT:Is it possible that play is actually the answer to some of our greatest most complex social challenges and that our fear of it comes out of what it has become in our mindpurposeless, silly, boundless, undirected, volatile, unpredictable, risky,…Supported by research:According to the WHO Every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide.https://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/ According to research teacher burnout is actually an international epidemic.https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/much-more-common-core/201611/the-teacher-burnout-epidemic-part-1-2 The Creativity Crisis: It’s Getting Worsehttps://www.ideatovalue.com/crea/khkim/2017/04/creativity-crisis-getting-worse/ Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life - Peter Grey Lack of Social Connectedness and Its Consequenceshttps://academic.oup.com/ppar/article/27/4/121/4807305 

Episode #2 DON'T SAY PLAY!!!!

https://soundcloud.com/adsummitph/come-out-and-playWords: Abi Aquino of MullenLowe PhilppinesMusic: Jasper PerezArtist: QuestRecorded, Mixed and Mastered at Soundesign Manila, with special thanks to Raul Blay.

Episode #1 Committed 2 Play

When was the last time you did something with so much joy, that you lost all track of time? This “thing” makes you feel alive, authentic, it is a pure expression of who you are when no one is watching. Consider that for just a moment… That’s your play… it is powerful physically, cognitively and socially and emotionally This podcast is dedicated to finding and igniting the power of play as a catalyst for change. I see play as a common ground for our struggle with difference, change, stress, transitions, wellness, health, and happiness, to name a few. Go back to the sandbox, the puddles, the playground, the swing… you will know it is playing when you feel it, you will know it is playing when you see it or hear it. It is personal, and different for everyone, and yet everyone has it. This podcast will leave you “lighter” as it highlights how play is changing and has changed our social interactions, our physical and mental health, our innovative and creative potential, our drive to risk to fall and get up again. I am your host Brandi Heather, and, using OUR stories, yours and mine, we will build bridges between where we have been, where we are and where we want to be. When we play, we try new things, we improvise and imagine new possibilities. This podcast is a lifeline for the busy, and the tired, for the ready and the resilient, and for everyone who can remember how play made them feel…maybe a long time ago, and maybe yesterday. We will use play as a way to navigate the messy moments and celebrate jumping puddles without hesitation. Find your play, and find out how finding yours and igniting others can change the landscape for personal and professional health, productivity and performance. Come on in … this playground is for everyone.

Trailer - Play For A Change

PLAY is POWERFUL! Lets fall down and get messy again ... Play is practice for life. This podcast is dedicated to finding and igniting the power of play as a catalyst for change. Find your play, and find out how finding yours and igniting others can change the landscape for personal and professional health, productivity and performance. Come on in … this playground is for everyone.

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Play For A Change

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