Play Saves the World

We explore Afrofuturism and the mission of the House of Afros, Capes, and Curls with its founder Jade Rogers.The organization exists to create a community for Black nerds, the concept of Afrofuturism…

In this episode of "Play Saves the World," hosts Daniel Hilty and Kevin Taylor dive into the captivating world of solo tabletop games. Discover the unique joys and challenges of playing games designe…

In this episode of Play Saves the World, hosts Daniel and Kevin discuss their experiences at Geekway 2025, a board game convention in St. Louis, Missouri. They explore the significance of play in hum…

In this episode we explore the transformative practice of bullet journaling. We discuss its purpose as a tool for self-reflection, mental clarity, and personal growth. The conversation delves into th…

We dive into Steven Johnson's book 'Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World,' which shows how play has been a catalyst for invention, the interconnectedness of ideas, and the impact of play on tec…

Daniel Hilty and Kevin Taylor welcome Caleb Cabiness, an actor and theater practitioner, to discuss the joy of theater and its significance in human flourishing. They explore Caleb's journey in theat…

In this episode of Play Saves the World, hosts Daniel and Kevin celebrate the third anniversary of their podcast while discussing the significance of play in human flourishing. Daniel shares his expe…

Takeaways

Casual gaming should be accessible to all skill levels.
Games should have a low barrier to entry and quick setup.
Replayability is important for maintaining interest in games.
A mix of coo…

In this episode of 'Play Saves the World', Daniel Hilty interviews Julian Davis Reed, an artist theologian who explores the intersection of black music and spirituality through his project 'Notes of …

Takeaways

• Animals exhibit playful behaviors that may not align with human definitions of play.
• The evolutionary purpose of play is debated, with some arguing it serves no clear function.
• Play can b…

In this episode of Play Saves the World, hosts Daniel and Kevin explore the significance of play in human flourishing through the lens of the book 'It's All a Game' by Tristan Donovan. They discuss t…

In this episode of 'Play Saves the World', Daniel and Kevin engage with Dr. Rachel Kowert, a research psychologist specializing in the intersection of digital games and mental health. They explore th…

In this episode of Play Saves the World, the hosts Daniel and Kevin are joined by Thomas Jones, also known as the Birdman, to discuss the love of homing pigeons. They talk about the different types o…

In this episode, Daniel and Kevin discuss the necessary and unnecessary aspects of play. They explore how play helps us focus on the present moment and be more present to the realities in front of us…

Previously, We Discussed How Play is Non-Instrumental, Voluntary, and Unnecessary. And yet, as will discover this episode, it is a necessity for human flourishing. It is the "necessary unnecessity."

In this episode, Daniel and Kevin explore the concept of play and its distinction from work. They discuss how play is fundamentally non-instrumental, meaning it is not a means to an end. Play can gen…

To define what play is, we have to define what work is.
(This isn’t all that unusual – scholars do it with secular vs. religious, or prose vs. poetry.)

Work or labor is intentional human activity t…

Daniel and Kevin attended Geekway to the West in St. Charles, Missouri, and bring you this special episode filmed live with their 3,500 best friends. Some special guests join us, and then we share so…

Sam Macdonald of Garphill Games discusses his religious journey and board game philosophy. Sam explores the connections between board game design and religious faith, especially in the areas of commu…