Is money really the root of all evil? Can it buy everything? This month, Avery and Drew set out to examine how we sometimes play above our means! Whether cosplaying as millionaire playboys, striking it rich in Monopoly or Acquire, earning along stone by stone and crop by crop in Stardew Valley, or imagining a bougie life in the roaring 20s or the Regency period: How does playing wealth prepare us for a lifetime of climbing the ladder to financial success?

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History is full of monsters: from Ancient Greece, China, and Scandinavia to Europe’s Gothic Horror and even Sesame Street. But what are these monsters, and how do we play with and through them? What are the Kaiju, gelatinous cubes, and Muppets we invite onto our screens and gaming tables? And what are the monsters inside ourselves? This month, Avery and Drew face their fears and name the monsters that make us all who we are!

Can you imagine yourself as a rock star playing air guitar? Or as the next Monet as you paint and sip? What’s the line between playing Artist and being an Artist? This month Drew and Avery put on their berets and their salsa dancing shoes, and play imaginary trombones as they explore the ways we playfully engage with art, performance, and design. Come join us as we think through how that play might bring us closer to the sublime… or at least to some scattered applause in a karaoke booth!

Collections! All over the world, people of all ages collect all sorts of things by seeking, displaying, and maintaining items they personally find interesting, beautiful, or meaningful. Whether it involves coins or tarot decks or board games, collecting is a form of play. This month, Avery and Drew are here to investigate why it matters. 

Ever feel like breaking the rules? Putting on a costume and pretending to be naughty? Join Avery and Drew as they discover when and where playful misbehavior is accepted, maybe even expected. From Mardi Gras to drag shows, when do players get to color outside the lines? When are small acts of rebellion enough, and when do they lead to larger movements? Demand candy, throw tea in the water, and draw a lipstick V on your friend’s head as we make like Firefly and aim to misbehave!

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We all need a little bit of care sometimes! This month, Avery and Drew explore the ways we play to feel better, healthier, and calmer. We visit cat cafes and listen to soothing ASMR videos. We explore cozy games and appreciate cleaning and refreshing footage. Come and take a relaxing and playful break with us!

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State fairs, monster trucks, and fantasy football! What does it mean to play as Americans? Who are we as a nation and how does it define the ways we play? How does our play reflect both a coherent national identity and regional or community identities? What is our history with play and how does it relate to the American Dream–or the American reality?

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In the first episode, Drew and Avery discuss the definition of play and what makes something "playful." What divides play and the rest of life? What games did we grow up playing, and which ones do we play now? 

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