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By Neal Hooper and LaRee Florence
We help people practice happiness through the four principles of Play Theory; Be Present, Let Go & Play, Accept & Build and Look Outward.
LAST EPISODE
Adapt or Die
02.02.2023
How are dinosaurs and Imagine Dragons related to PLAY THEORY? Tune in to learn this surprising secret to gaining longevity and happiness.
This week I sit down with one of my favorite people, Jaydee Sheppard. Tune in to learn how PLAY THEORY helped this mom of 8 launch a successful career in a very competitive real estate market, rising to the top ...
Did you know breathing in a focused way has huge health benefits?
It takes regular and committed practice to develop and maintain a healthy mental mindset.
Dreams really do come true. So be careful what you wish for.
Good bye 2022! Anyone thinking about their New Year’s Resolutions? New Years’ used to be all about out with the old, in with the new, a chance to start anew; A NEW START. And that’s exactly what I’m super excited ...
4 timeless tips to make the most of your holidays.
When is an apology needed, and when is it not a positive thing. Not sure? Tune in for some great ideas on when and how to say you're sorry.
in this podcast we share some ideas on how to offer support and care for those experiencing a heartbreaking loss.
Feel less stress and more connection during the holidays. If you’re listening in real time it's Thanksgiving week. That means lots of food, family and expectations. And we all know what happens when our expectations aren't met. We're disappointed, frustrated ...
How long has it been since you’ve indulged in some good old time playing with play dough? Remember the wonderful squishy texture that is so pliant without being sticky? Rolling it out into snakes or just squishing it in your ...
What if instead of focusing on the negative aspects of our society we looked for the good? One artist, Saira Siddiqui wants to help people see their world in a more positive light by inviting them to look for acts ...
When we’re feeling something awful it’s natural to want to escape and try to buffer from uncomfortable feelings. Some people escape into mind numbing social media or screen time. Some people drink alcohol that can numb negative feelings and increase ...
Theres nothing like a stroll through a graveyard to remind us to stop wasting our time on things that lack real meaning in our lives. The light heartedness of Halloween helps us accept a heavy subject and can help us ...
Who do you think is happier? Someone who was suddenly paralyzed in an accident or people who’d just won the lottery? Seems obvious right? You may be surprised to learn that according to a study by the University of Massachusetts, ...
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag? Maybe that's why Katy Perry's hit song, Firework, resonates with so many of us. Life can feel overwhelming, like nothing we do matters and frankly, leave us feeling hopeless. Just like in ...
Here's part two of our discussion on anxiety and how accepting and building on our anxious feelings is the best way to manage those pesky negative emotions that are so common in today's social media saturated world. If you haven’t ...
Today we’re talking about anxiety. If you haven’t experienced this challenging emotion or don’t know anyone else in your friend group or family then feel free to skip this and we’ll catch you on the next one. Otherwise stay tuned. ...
What if I told you there was a simple, FUN, enjoyable way you could reduce stress, boost your immunity, decrease pain, improve your connection to others, increase endorphins, improve your mood and enhance your sleep? Would you be interested? Of ...
How do these three words relate to happiness? It’s a bit of a listening puzzle but sorting out how being wholly present can create holiness and peace in our lives is valuable intel. Add holey, the last word, to understand ...
Upgrade your attitude with this quick happiness workout. In honor of our 100th episode of The Happiness Playbook we’d like to do a Play Theory workshop in real time with our listeners. Come along and experience the transformational power of ...
What are you more afraid of... Ghosts, Zombies or Clowns? For three fourths of Americans the answer is none of the above. If you can relate to clammy hands and the knee knocking terror of speaking in front of a ...
What part of your life is a struggle? A barking dog, a bank account in the red, poor health? If you want to make a change then you'll need to accept where you are and build from there. Denying where ...
Have you ever played a game with someone who despite losing is still able to laugh and smile? This means they are at peace with themselves and aren’t defining their worth on circumstances that are out of their control. If ...
Flight cancelations? Lost Luggage? No Problem. In this special video episode (watch here on Play Theory's Youtube Channel) LaRee and Adeline Florence sit down together to share how Play Theory improved the outcome of their recent trip to Machu Picchu ...
Wanna learn more about your super power? Listen up. Science has proven that just by thinking we can cure stress-related insomnia, and lessen the side effects of cancer treatment, like fatigue and nausea. The many faith practices and wisdom traditions ...
In this episode we're talking about looking outward instead of inward. Looking at another’s need and seeking to fulfill it instead of our own is counter intuitive. We all have needs and being hangry is real. Looking outward doesn’t have ...
There will always be problems to focus on. We find happiness when instead of resenting them, we accept them and recognize them for what they are, opportunities for growth and development. There is no happiness without acceptance. And only when ...
Games are created to have fun while pursuing a goal. Video games have set pathways to accomplish the game’s mission. There are rewards built in to keep us engaged. We can let go and play and apply these same tactics ...
Do you have intentional practices that improve your feelings of happiness and joy? In life we can't control everything that comes our way but we can control how we react. Being mindful and developing equanimity helps us manage the ups ...
In this episode we continue our conversation with Janna Hargadon, the co-founder of Take Note Troupe, about how Play Theory began. We'll even learn a little Latin: Homines Dum docent, discunt. This idea, that when we teach we learn, is ...
Ever wonder how Play Theory got started? I sit down with Janna Hargadon and talk about the origins of Take Note Troupe, the theater program where Play Theory was conceived. Without Janna, Take Note Troupe nor Play Theory would exist. ...
To find ourselves we have to look past our reflection and see the others in our sphere of influence. As we do this we’ll develop deeper connection and more satisfying relationships. In this episode we take a look at how ...
Pain is a very real part of our lives. It’s unavoidable. It's even essential for our well being. But what about suffering? All suffering is pain without acceptance. This is where the PLAY THEORY principle, Accept and Build, comes in. ...
Has this ever happened to you? You’re enjoying an evening of cards with friends and someone gets unlucky one time too many and suddenly everyone is walking on eggshells cause they know that person is about to lose it. What ...
In this episode we’re focusing on the PLAY THEORY principle, Be Present and the power of focus. Another word for focus is attention. The longer our attention span the greater our ability to focus. So who do you think has ...
Part 2 of our conversation with Ryann Bailey Wawro about her journey through eating disorders.
This convo with Ryann Bailey Wawro about creativity, crossing into adulthood from adolescence and her journey with eating disorders is not to be missed. We reminisce about some choice memories and address the elephant in the room, Ryann's battle with ...
In this episode we learn about Kigatsuku (Key gots cuh) a Japanese word meaning “an inner spirit to act without being told what to do. The ability to focus is at the root of this principle cause that’s where it ...
Do you have a happiness practice? Practice is the act of rehearsing a behavior repeatedly in order to master a skill. In today's episode we talk about why you need to practise happiness regularly (yes I used an "s"). We ...
Can stress be a good thing, even a necessary thing? We're exploring the idea of Antifragility and how it relates to the Play Theory principles, Accept and Build and Let Go and Play. Play of the Week: When you're feeling ...
Can listening and acknowledging another's pain defuse a tense confrontation? You bet. Letting go of expectations and leaning in with curiosity rather than judgement can make all the difference. In this episode we'll share how Play Theory can make all ...
Find your metaphorical rowboat in the pond of calm. In this episode we dive deep into the power of focus. We talk about depression and how focus can be the first step to overcoming it. We also cover some of ...
Today is such a special episode and you get to hear from our team, captain, LaRee Florence, and one of our major MVPs, Sandee Clark. Sandee is a powerhouse in so many ways and you're going to get to know ...
Self awareness. It's one of those things that we hear about all the time, but what is it really? And more importantly, how can it change our lives for the better? In today’s episode we’re really exploring a powerful element ...
We are going to keep REAL today, I'm talking with my wife Aubrea about play theory and just going big in life. I feel like we're just going for it right now in life and we have been relying on ...
As I was thinking what to share with you today. I could not help remembering a part of a conversation with Bryce pool, who you heard from a few months ago. We got a lot of feedback that you all ...
Alright team, it’s time…let’s Talk About Bruno! Disney’s Encanto has taken the world by storm and delighted millions of people across the globe. Today we are going to do a deep dive into the magical lessons of Encanto and how ...
Whether it’s a final exam, public performance, or just leaving your house and socializing with others, these can all be nerve-wracking experiences requiring pressure to perform. Today we’re doing a deep dive into PLAY THEORY to find ways to ease ...
Happy Thursday Team happiness! With so much turbulence, uncertainty, and distraction grounding in the moment seems harder than ever. Today we are going to revisit some tactical aspects of be present and how we can be where our feet are! ...
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