Rolling For Change

As we started our social distancing and lockdown experience, Tim Grant, Brennan Jordan, Brian Quinones, and myself (Woody Harris) started a game of Kids on Bikes both as a way of helping me get used to Gming, and as a way of passing our indoor time. We had the notion that this story would play out as a podcast. This is the first episode of that strange adventure. We are going on 16 weeks of this story now. It has been an immense learning curve for me as GM, but mostly it has just been an incredible joy to participate in story collaboration with these guys. Although this may eventually find a different home than Rolling For Change, I wanted anyone who is interested to get a listen to this crazy story. As a new GM, I think what is amazing is how the improvisation and worldbuilding played out. There are certainly some logical inconsistencies, and we may mess names up here and there, but as a tool for understanding the potentials in an RPG, I think it was a rather amazing event. I don’t think I would have made it through our social isolation with much sanity left were it not for spending time with these guys. I hope you all enjoy it and I look forward to feedback and input.

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That title is a very simplistic picture of the discussion Brian, Josué, and Woody had with Sarah Lynne Bowman. In this interview with Sarah, we discussed how role-playing can have transformational potential. We discussed creating games and environments with intentionality and the benefits of using a game as a container for vulnerability and personal growth. Bringing her vast experience of role-playing, her background in psychology, and her understanding of the games we play, Sarah shows us a depth hidden in the games we play that we are rarely aware of. It was truly an honor to be able to have this discussion, and it will likely send ripples into the future of RFC and my own trajectory through gaming. It will do that for you as well.

However, what is offered here is just the tip of a very deep iceberg. Be sure and visit sarahlynnebowman.com for more details about Sarah’s work. 

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Role playing has been a pretty common area of discussion for Rolling for Change in recent times. The fact is role playing is one of the most open ended mechanics in gaming, allowing for exploration of self, group dynamics and processing of conflict. It really is one of the most malleable tools we have in terms of formalized play. Our guest in this episode, Rabbi Menachem Cohen discusses how we can further extend that malleability to spiritual development. You can find out more about his work at http://whatmakesyoucomealive.net/ But before you go there, go ahead and listen to our discussion. Menachem offers some really amazing insights with regard to personal growth and spiritual progress through gaming.

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In this episode, Woody and Josué discuss using games for educational purposes with Erica Sanders from FunAgain games https://funagain.com/pages/ashland-retail. We discuss how the pandemic has impacted the board game industry and also how we can still find ways to have fun in the midst of a global crisis. Be sure and visit the Ashland FunAgain Games Facebook page as well: https://www.facebook.com/funagainashland/

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One thing I really enjoy about Rolling for Change is getting the opportunity to talk with so many amazing gamers and therapists. Every person offers a new doorway and perspective on how games make a difference in our lives. I reached out to Sophie Berkley because she was featured in a new article that spoke of using games in therapy. The discussion that came from this, opened up a new way of seeing games, thanks to the lens of synergetic play therapy. In our discussion here, Sophie, Josue and myself (Woody) discussed so many aspects of play therapy and how games have a role in therapeutic process. It was a thoroughly enjoyable discussion and I hope that it opens you to yet another understanding on the impact of gaming. 

Here is the website for Growing potential: https://www.growingpotentialnow.com/

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In this episode of Rolling for Change, Woody chats with Jonathan Gilmour, Doug Levandowski, and Spenser Starke about the newest iteration of the Kids on Bikes series, “Kids on Brooms”. We are excited to get this opportunity to talk about Kids on Brooms and find out more about the makers of this promising new addition to your game library. We also spend some time discussing other impactful RPGs and we never mention Monopoly……………………………………………………………………….. (Drink!)

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In this episode of Rolling for Change, Josue and Woody talk with game designer Mads Floe about his print an play game Vaccine. Mads made this game available to others as a free print and play to help us have something to do during our social isolation and quarantining. Mads talks about how the game was created, the impact that social isolation is having on him, and his understanding of viruses and how they impact his game. Click the link below to get your copy and find out more.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/304865/vaccine

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Today on Rolling for Change, Brian and I get a chance to talk with Hawke Robinson, founder of RPG Research and RPG Therapeutics. Admittedly, we had some sound issues about 1/4 way in, but it takes nothing away from the interview. Hawke talks with us about the history of his research and company, and how RPGs can be used as therapeutic tools. Hawke also takes us on a short ride through his history with role playing. Hawke calls it a firehose of information. We agree, prepare to get blasted.

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In this episode Brian interviews Adelle about her first time playing a role playing game. This is a discussion about Adelle’s experience with Kids on Bikes. Brian discusses the benefits of role playing and explores its impact on Adelle. Its a great discussion and perhaps it will give you insight into how role playing games allow us to roll for change.

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Afterlife: Wandering Souls is a role playing game set after death. The game offers 2 key characteristics that caused it to be brought to our attention: 1) It deals with the discovery of lost memories as well as spiritual discovery of your character, and 2)It offers a great sand box for creating stories and allows for multiple worlds in one system. Woody had a discussion with creator Elizabeth Chaipruditkul about the inspiration for the game, and the potential uses of such a game in teaching us about ourselves. We feel certain that you will want to go out and buy this game following this discussion. https://www.angryhamsterpublishing.com/product/afterlife-wandering-souls/

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