In a world where adults avoid risk, children grow up on screens instead of playgrounds, and workplaces drift toward loneliness, Ben Swire argues that what we’re really missing is experiential connection. In this conversation with Ginny, Ben—an introvert who once dreaded team-building—shares how “safe danger” transformed both his life and his work. From IDEO’s culture of curiosity to biweekly “creative play dates,” he explains why people blossom when they’re given space to try, fail, try again, and be seen.

Together, Ben and Ginny explore how joy, optimism, vulnerability, and play aren’t personality traits but skills that grow only through experience. They talk about the crush of conformity, the epidemic of loneliness, and why pessimism is really fear in disguise. You’ll walk away with practical ideas for your home, workplace, or classroom. This is an episode that gently reminds us: people don’t just want fun, or comfort, or entertainment. They want to grow. They want to belong. Most of all, they want connection.

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