Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living
Mike Montague
Get the joke of the week along with ideas, information, and instigation to be a more playful human! If you need a little more fun, flow, and fulfillment in your life, we transform the burned-out and bored into energized and engaged Playful Humans. Rediscover the power of play, find out who is playing for a living, and learn how they pull it off to have the most fun possible in their life and career.
Each week, Mike Montague interviews a professional who is living the life of their dreams and getting paid to play! Get the book featuring 52 Playful Humans and the lessons learned from over 4 years of play research: https://amzn.to/3Zuqv5E
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Top 10 Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Learn How to Love Being Human with Dr. Vivian Carrasco Creative Midwife & Mentor
Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living
06/10/21 • 30 min
Dr, Vivian Carrasco is a mentor and teacher who helps people explore the path of living fully – what she calls Love.Being.HumanTM. She works with people who are learning to let go of their mind’s fears and live from their core. Begin by moving toward what you love instead of away from what you fear. Go play!
Key themes that Vivian addresses in her work include:
- Relationships and fostering our sense of belonging
- How to be present through meditation and other contemplative practices
- Living a spiritual life by unearthing personal truth, insight, and knowing
- The path of self-awareness, integrity, and personal transformation
Join her online learning community, Within (U)niversity, here: https://www.withinuniversity.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Joke of the Week
- How our guest plays for a living and helps others do the same
- How to have the most fun in your life and work
- If our guest can win the Wheel of Weird in a faceoff with Mike
The show is brought to you by Playful Humans. If you need a little more fun, flow, and fulfillment in your life, join our club where we transform the burned out and bored quantity-seekers into energized and engaged playful humans focused on their quality of life.
Take the free playfulness quiz or join the club at https://www.playfulhumans.com.
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube, and leave us a 5-star review!
Theme Music: Chasing the Sunshine by Pink Zebra - Licenced at Envato Elements
Buy the Playful Humans Book on Amazon!
Playful Humans was an Amazon best-seller in the happiness category...
Get your copy now!
Support the Playful Humans mission to help adults rediscover the power of play:
Navigating the Twists and Turns of Stand-Up Comedy with Glen Tickle
Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living
10/24/23 • 43 min
Prepare to be tickled with laughter as we sit down with the hilarious Glen Tickle. Glen is a professional comedian with two specials available on YouTube. His first Dry Bar special has over 1 Million views! He takes us on his journey from a substitute teacher to commanding the stage with his comedy. You won't want to miss how he honed his craft by testing his comedic chops on unsuspecting preschoolers - a humorous, yet enlightening revelation about on-stage material development.
Hold your chuckles as we pivot onto a more serious note, exploring the highs and lows of the comedy industry. I open up about my own experiences, from the adrenaline rush of immediate audience feedback to grappling with the uncertainties of an unpredictable career path. The illuminating discussion will unmask the joy of making people laugh and the reality of inconsistent work in the comedy world.
Finally, we play a game of Two Truths and a Lie while we reminisce about my high school soccer exploits, clownish adventures at children's birthday parties, and a hilarious attempt to go to Space Camp. Also, Glen reveals how he spun his Dr. Mario World Championship and working stint with Bill Nye, the Science Guy, into comedic gold. So, brace yourself for an episode packed with humor, insights, and unexpected twists - all in the name of playfulness!
Find Glen Tickle on YouTube @GlenTickle.
(0:00:14) - Professional Comedian's Journey and Impact
Glen shares his journey from teacher to comedian, discussing play, jokes, teaching preschoolers, and refining material.
(0:11:04) - The Joys and Challenges of Comedy
He shares experiences of working in comedy, the appeal of stand-up, and the satisfaction of making it his full-time job.
(0:22:58) - Advice for Aspiring Stand-Up Comedians
Glen Tickle shares tips for making an audience laugh, incorporating elements of his life into his act, and balancing material for thought and laughter.
(0:32:59) - Soccer Achievements and Falsehoods
Glen shares his clowning, Space Camp, Dr Mario World Championship, and Bill Nye experiences.
Buy the Playful Humans Book on Amazon!
Playful Humans was an Amazon best-seller in the happiness category...
Get your copy now!
Support the Playful Humans mission to help adults rediscover the power of play:
Embracing Adventure and Entrepreneurship with Eric Farewell
Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living
12/20/24 • 35 min
What if you could transform your life by simply changing the way you see challenges? Join us for an episode bursting with humor and insights as we chat with Eric Farewell, the bold author of "Farewell to Normal." We kick things off with a playful exchange and dive into Eric's intriguing journey from feeling like an imposter to becoming a confident writer and adventurer. Discover how Eric's teenage escapades in aviation and motorcycle journeys paved the way for a life filled with excitement and personal growth. Explore the intersection of passion and entrepreneurship with Eric's tale of growing up in a family of entrepreneurs.
Eric opens up about living with pain and the conscious decision not to let it define you, transforming adversity into triumph. As we chat, Eric shares his journey of discovering passion and purpose, encouraging listeners to focus on how they want to live rather than just what they want to do. Get inspired by Eric's insights on personal growth and his work in coaching entrepreneurs towards creating personal freedom.
And don't miss the celebration of the success of the new book "Playful Humans," a testament to the support and love of our listeners!
(00:07) Introducing Eric Farewell
(04:57) Finding Joy in Flying and Play
(16:02) The Gift of Gratitude and Growth
(25:53) Discovering Your Passion and Purpose
(34:12) Personal Growth and Entrepreneurship Coaching
(00:07) Introducing Eric Farewell
Eric Farewell shares his journey and insights on adventure, writing, and entrepreneurship, inspired by his experiences in aviation and beyond.
(04:57) Finding Joy in Flying and Play
Entrepreneurial journey, passion for restaurant and aviation industries, identity, monetizing hobbies, writing and storytelling, family man, consulting and coaching.
(16:02) The Gift of Gratitude and Growth
Embracing pain leads to gratitude and resilience, processing emotions, pursuing passions, and understanding purpose.
(25:53) Discovering Your Passion and Purpose
Discovering passion through life experiences, mentors, and embracing dualities leads to fulfillment and success.
(34:12) Personal Growth and Entrepreneurship Coaching
Eric Fairwell's coaching helps entrepreneurs find personal freedom and healing, while discussing his book and YouTube show.
Buy the Playful Humans Book on Amazon!
Playful Humans was an Amazon best-seller in the happiness category...
Get your copy now!
Support the Playful Humans mission to help adults rediscover the power of play:
True Crime, Toys, and Stand-up: A Chat with Marlene Sharp
Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living
10/03/23 • 29 min
Don't you just love when play and work meld seamlessly? That's exactly what Marlene Sharp, our vivacious guest and the dynamo behind Pink Poodle Productions, gets to do every day! Join us as we venture into the fascinating world of stand-up comedy and merchandise-driven entertainment in LA, illuminating the highs, lows, and a few hilarious anecdotes along the way.
Ever pondered how toys, movies, and life in Hollywood blend? Well, it's not all glitz and glamour, as Marlene candidly shares. She spills the beans on her experience with a toy consultancy, revealing the stark reality compared to the childlike wonder we often associate with toys. From her exciting trip to the UK for Postman Pat the movie to the challenge of finding that perfect toy and toy movie, Marlene gives us an insider's tour of the toy industry.
What does the power of play look like for adults, and how vital is humor in our lives? Marlene, a true crime podcast enthusiast, explores these questions and shares her dreams of producing her own podcast. She also salutes the courage of investigative journalists, whose relentless pursuit of truth often leads them into perilous paths. As we wrap up, we touch upon the importance of self-care for entrepreneurs and the magic of a well-earned five-star review. Be ready for an episode packed with laughter, lessons, and a few surprises!
(0:00:17) - Playful Humans Podcast With Marlene Sharp
Marlene Sharp shares her experience of standup comedy and merchandise-driven entertainment and the importance of finding the right audience for humor.
(0:12:39) - Imagination, Toys, and True Crime Podcasts
Marlene Sharp discusses the importance of play for adults, the qualities of a good toy movie, and the power of true crime podcasts.
(0:19:32) - Humor and Playfulness in Adulthood
Marlene and I discuss humor, risk, toxic positivity, and play as an adult.
(0:28:10) - Pink Poodle Productions
We discussed the play's importance, creating a true crime podcast, and encouraged listeners to take our quiz and leave a review.
Buy the Playful Humans Book on Amazon!
Playful Humans was an Amazon best-seller in the happiness category...
Get your copy now!
Support the Playful Humans mission to help adults rediscover the power of play:
From Orphan to Artist: Aisha Makara's Joyful Life Story
Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living
10/02/24 • 34 min
Are you ready to be inspired by a story of resilience and boundless creativity? This week, we’re thrilled to have Aisha Makara, an extraordinary artist and world traveler, join us on the Playful Humans podcast. Aisha’s transformative journey from being an orphan in Russia to becoming a global artist is nothing short of remarkable. Her experiences navigating an unsupportive environment, moving to America, and daring to send her art to space icons like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson will leave you in awe.
We dive into Aisha's "Joyful Living Guidebook," a unique blend of art and reflective questions designed to inspire a life filled with joy. She shares her background in engineering and how her entrepreneurial spirit and relentless curiosity have fueled her numerous adventures. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Aisha’s dedication to her art and connecting with children led her to achieve the unimaginable—sending her artwork to the stars.
This heartfelt conversation also explores the importance of embracing struggles as a means to create freedom and pursue one's dreams. Aisha's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the simple, caring gestures that can make a world of difference. To wrap things up on a playful note, we encourage our listeners to embrace a playful and fulfilling lifestyle. Tune in, get motivated, and find out how you, too, can live joyfully and playfully. Namaste and go play for a living!
(00:13) Trailblazing Artist on Joyful Living
(13:55) Artistic Journey to Space Dreams
(23:13) Embracing Struggles to Create Freedom
(33:20) Playful Living and Embracing Difference
Buy the Playful Humans Book on Amazon!
Playful Humans was an Amazon best-seller in the happiness category...
Get your copy now!
Support the Playful Humans mission to help adults rediscover the power of play:
Culture Puppets: Bring Playfulness to Work with Little Ginger & David Mizne
Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living
10/14/24 • 32 min
Prepare to meet Little Ginger, the charismatic co-founder of Culture Puppets, as he shares his delightful journey of using puppets to transform workplace culture. Little Ginger's insights reveal how puppets can add humor and surprise to mundane Zoom calls, creating engaging and interactive experiences that capture attention. Discover how these charming characters serve as a refreshing alternative to human hosts, minimizing Zoom fatigue and promoting active participation through their playful yet slightly challenging dynamics.
David Minze, the other co-founder, joins us as we explore the evolution of puppetry and comedy, uncovering how a simple gift of meeting Little Ginger turned into an essential part of corporate meetings and initiatives. Our conversation includes anecdotes about stand-up comedy backgrounds and personal connections, highlighting how creative passions can blossom into professional success. This narrative underscores the power of playfulness and creativity, illustrating how these elements can enhance both personal fulfillment and workplace environments.
We cap off our exploration of playfulness with a whimsical dive into voice impressions and the joys they bring. Discover the magic of keeping playfulness alive through celebrity impersonations and entertaining young audiences. Alongside Little Ginger's lively antics, we encourage listeners to embrace their playful side and incorporate fun into their professional lives. Be inspired to explore emotional resilience through humor and play, and don't miss out on our playful survey question about parking lot etiquette, featuring Little Ginger's lively dance moves.
(00:12) Culture Puppets
(12:40) Evolution of Puppetry and Comedy
(17:46) Embracing Emotional Resilience Through Play
(22:20) Playful Puppetry and Voice Impersonations
(31:14) Playful Encouragement and Funadvice
(00:12) Culture Puppets
Puppets in workplace culture and meetings can reduce Zoom fatigue and spark curiosity, creating a fun and effective environment.
(12:40) Evolution of Puppetry and Comedy
Little Ginger, a puppet, became a beloved character in meetings and events, showcasing the host's background in comedy and turning creativity into a career.
(17:46) Embracing Emotional Resilience Through Play
Embracing all emotions, resilience in challenging environments, humor and play, and fostering resilience in children.
(22:20) Playful Puppetry and Voice Impersonations
Puppetry, voice impressions, and turning passions into careers are discussed, along with a playful game segment and parking lot etiquette.
(31:14) Playful Encouragement and Funadvice
Embrace your playful side, take the Playful Humans quiz, and share the joyful message with others.
Buy the Playful Humans Book on Amazon!
Playful Humans was an Amazon best-seller in the happiness category...
Get your copy now!
Support the Playful Humans mission to help adults rediscover the power of play:
Lessons Learned from a 5,775 Mile Bicycle Trip Across North America with John Schwenck
Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living
05/23/23 • 28 min
What happens when you push yourself beyond your perceived limits and embrace the world in its raw, unfiltered state? Join Mike Montague as he chats with John Schwink about his incredible 5,775-mile bike ride across the continent, from Central Park, New York City, to Seward, Alaska - all on a 30-year-old bicycle and with little experience.
Listen in as they discuss the importance of challenging oneself and the potential benefits and pitfalls of data collection in our everyday lives. Find the right balance, especially when it comes to health and well-being, and enjoy a fun-filled and inspiring episode filled with jokes, dance breaks, and stories of adventure and self-discovery. Engage with us at playfulhumans.com to discover your playful personality and join a community of like-minded individuals.
Find John Schwenck at: https://www.adventures-less-traveled.com/
Chapters:
(0:00:21) - Biking Across the Continent
(0:13:37) - Data Analysis and Philosophy of Measurement
(0:27:28) - Promoting Playful Adventures
Chapter Summaries:
(0:00:21) - Biking Across the Continent (13 Minutes)
John Schwink's incredible 5,775-mile bike ride from Central Park, New York City, to Seward, Alaska, was inspired by a heart condition and a desire to stand out in his grad school application. The importance of pushing oneself beyond perceived limits and embracing the world in its raw, unfiltered state is discussed through inspiring stories of adventure and self-discovery.
(0:13:37) - Data Analysis and Philosophy of Measurement (14 Minutes)
Celebrating the Fourth of July and encountering not-so-nice Canadians are explored, as well as the physical transformation during a 95-day bike trip, including weight loss and injuries. The benefits and potential pitfalls of data collection in everyday life are discussed, emphasizing the importance of finding balance and understanding individual needs when it comes to health, well-being, and self-tracking.
(0:27:28) - Promoting Playful Adventures (1 Minute)
Explore adventures less traveled, the importance of feedback, and the love for data and insights. Engage with others, discover your playful personality, and experience the power of play and adventure in life.
Buy the Playful Humans Book on Amazon!
Playful Humans was an Amazon best-seller in the happiness category...
Get your copy now!
Support the Playful Humans mission to help adults rediscover the power of play:
Sparking Playfulness and Innovation in Existing Companies with Alma Derricks
Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living
07/25/23 • 35 min
Ever wondered how to ignite that much-needed spark of innovation in a large, established company? Want to learn how to navigate resistance to new ideas and create an environment that fosters creativity and innovation? Join us as we delve into these fascinating topics with our guest, Alma Derricks from Korn Ferry Consulting. We discuss the importance of stepping outside the comfort zone and embracing change, drawing from Alma's early internet days of creating websites and helping cool clients like Peanuts, Star Trek, and Blue Man Group transition to online.
How do we push past traditional boundaries to create something truly groundbreaking? Alma shares powerful insights on managing existing budgets and gaining stakeholder buy-in, while also highlighting the importance of taking responsibility for creative ideas and embracing side hustles as a means of experimentation. We'll explore how she pushed back against traditional industries to reclaim online rights, a bold move that made waves in the corporate world.
Finally, we challenge the traditional work script, debating whether hard work is really a prerequisite for meaningful work. Alma and I discuss the potential of valuing instinct and talent over sheer hard work, and how flipping the 80-20 rule to prioritize interesting work can yield far better results. We'll also share an example of how a seemingly simple solution solved a complex problem, emphasizing the importance of looking at situations from different perspectives. So, if you're ready to shake up your work routine, find personal fulfillment, and explore new opportunities within your company, this episode is packed with insights and stories that are sure to inspire.
(0:00:21) - Spark Innovation in Large Companies
Alma Derricks discusses sparking playfulness and innovation in large companies, taking risks, embracing change, and creating something new.
(0:11:59) - Navigating Resistance to New Ideas
Alma shares her experience of reclaiming online rights and taking responsibility for creative ideas, discussing playfulness, innovation, budgets, and buy-in in larger companies.
(0:19:24) - Creating Work You Love, Finding Environment
Alma and I discuss how hard work isn't necessary for meaningful work, flipping the script of hard work to interesting work, and an example of a simple solution.
(0:26:24) - Exploring New Opportunities Within Your Company
We discussed side hustles, gamifying work, and personal responsibility for financial security and fulfillment.
Buy the Playful Humans Book on Amazon!
Playful Humans was an Amazon best-seller in the happiness category...
Get your copy now!
Support the Playful Humans mission to help adults rediscover the power of play:
Playtime for Adults: How Hafiz Mitha's PlayCity App is Bringing Back the Fun in Real Life
Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living
06/17/21 • 32 min
When you're a kid, finding others to play with is pretty easy: just head outside and join the nearest pick-up game. As an adult, it's a bit more complicated with the distractions of modern life. Hafiz Mitha is a social entrepreneur and visionary determined to connect people through play OFFLINE in the real world through is PlayCity app. The PlayCity app connects playful humans of similar interests and abilities for fun and fitness. An added bonus includes special perks at participating facilities, organizations, and events in your hometown!
Find Hafiz and PlayCity at: https://www.playcityapp.com/
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Joke of the Week
- How our guest plays for a living and helps others do the same
- How to have the most fun in your life and work
- If our guest can win the Wheel of Weird in a faceoff with Mike
The show is brought to you by Playful Humans. If you need a little more fun, flow, and fulfillment in your life, join our club where we transform the burned out and bored quantity-seekers into energized and engaged playful humans focused on their quality of life.
Take the free playfulness quiz or join the club at https://www.playfulhumans.com.
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube, and leave us a 5-star review!
Theme Music: Chasing the Sunshine by Pink Zebra - Licenced at Envato Elements
Support the show (https://paypal.me/mikedmontague)
Buy the Playful Humans Book on Amazon!
Playful Humans was an Amazon best-seller in the happiness category...
Get your copy now!
Support the Playful Humans mission to help adults rediscover the power of play:
Mind Reader, Jonathan Pritchard Unlocks the Power of Psychology for Business and Relationships
Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living
10/26/21 • 35 min
How does understanding psychology give you a drastic advantage with business and personal relationships? Jonathan Pritchard is a professional mind reader, speaker, author of 4 books, and trainer who applies his mentalist skills in sales and negotiation training for organizations around the world. He plays with Wing Chun kung fu, NFTs, and domain names for fun. He has worked as a professional mind reader for his whole career including on national TV, Vegas, and a 3-week overseas tour to entertain the US troops.
Find him at https://www.jonathanpritchard.me/ and his podcast and community at http://elite.university/.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Joke of the Week
- How our guest plays for a living and helps others do the same
- How to have the most fun in your life and work
- If our guest can win the Wheel of Weird in a faceoff with Mike
The show is brought to you by Playful Humans. If you need a little more fun, flow, and fulfillment in your life, join our club where we transform the burned out and bored quantity-seekers into energized and engaged playful humans focused on their quality of life.
Take the free playfulness quiz or join the club at https://www.playfulhumans.com.
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube, and leave us a 5-star review!
Theme Music: Chasing the Sunshine by Pink Zebra - Licenced at Envato Elements
Buy the Playful Humans Book on Amazon!
Playful Humans was an Amazon best-seller in the happiness category...
Get your copy now!
Support the Playful Humans mission to help adults rediscover the power of play:
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FAQ
How many episodes does Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living have?
Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living currently has 198 episodes available.
What topics does Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living cover?
The podcast is about Leisure, Games, Creativity, Play, Fun, Improv, Comedy, Entertainment, Podcasts, Inspiration, Self-Improvement and Education.
What is the most popular episode on Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living?
The episode title 'From "Curb" to Curtain Calls, Ray Buffer Talks About His Acting and Singing Career' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living?
The average episode length on Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living is 32 minutes.
How often are episodes of Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living released?
Episodes of Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living?
The first episode of Playful Humans - People Who Play for a Living was released on Jan 1, 2021.
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