The Happiness Playbook

I just returned from a 2 week trip to hike in the Dolomite mountains of Italy. For part of our travel we rented a car.  Even though they drive on the same side of the road as here in the USA, driving in Europe can be stressful not knowing what some of the road signs […]

Right now someone is in agony. So how can we be happy? Navigating life on this big spinning orb can be tricky. Using the PLAY THEORY principles can help us sort out some tough things, like how to help others who are suffering by being present with our needs so we are in a better […]

The berries are ripe on the vine and the freezer is full of popsicles. I love the feel of hot pavement under my feet and the cool splash of hose water pouring over my toes. I love the long evenings and refreshing mornings. Summer brings changes, growth in the garden, advancements in school grades, and […]

Sometimes inspiration comes as a hopeful invitation leading to desired outcomes. And other times it comes as a warning of what not to do in order to avoid an undesirable outcome. This episode has turned into more of the latter. Looking Outward is essential if you want to feel connection, community and purpose. Not seeing other's service […]

Is there anything in your life you want to stop doing? For me in Pickleball it's missing put away shots that I keep putting into the net instead of past my opponents. Maybe it's stopping eating junk food or stopping being sarcastic or dismissive when you talk to your parents, spouse or siblings. In this […]

How have the PLAY THEORY principles helped the NBA superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, develop into the MVP player that he is today? Today we talk about Giannis' early life, his rise to fame and his ability to Let Go and Play in the NBA and in life. There are some inspiring life lessons form this amazing […]

Researchers have found that 95% of those polled think they're self aware but when tested only 10-15% actually are. And that's tricky cause it's hard to change something that you don't think needs fixing. Improving our self awareness is worth it though because when we do, we are more in tune with our feelings, thoughts, […]

It's May 4th and for STAR WARS fans that means "May the fourth be with you!" Given, it's just a multimillion, let's call it billion dollar movie franchise that not everybody cares about. I however have been changed in profound ways by the characters and storyline of this beloved epic. So I'm gonna roll with […]

Maybe in life we're all like waterskiers; some are in the proverbial boat with friends watching the action, some are driving the boat and offering support and suggestions for success. And some of us are in the water. And just like being in the water- some things in life are harder for some than for […]

Have you ever tried to erase that part of yourself that you perceive as unattractive or unacceptable. Now don't get me wrong, I don't wanna be anyone's joy kill when it comes to improving our self image with a new outfit, a workout routine or even some plastic surgery. To each his or her own. […]

In this episode we're talking about a happiness power play that can lift you out of depression and alleviate the suffocating force of grief if only long enough to catch your breath for another deep dive into the abyss of despair. Such gasps of air are life saving if you're in the throes of a […]

The long lasting effects of trauma are real. We don't do ourselves any favors by trying to ignore them or take a short cut on dealing with them. We need to Be Present with the uncomfortable emotions which will allow us to eventually Let Go and move past them into a place of greater awareness, […]

In this episode you may be tempted to call me a liar because what I'm going to share may seem unbelievable to some of you. But I swear on a stack of bibles and my mother's grave- it's true. And by the way that's not a typo in the title. Play of the Week: EVERY […]

If you've you ever thought you heard one thing but ended up being wrong you'll enjoy this episode. Communication can be tricky. Misunderstandings happen despite having more ways of communication available than ever in the history of the world. We all still see things from our own perspective which makes effective communication and understanding challenging. […]

Acceptance is necessary before we can build anything. But acceptance can be hard. There are some things we really struggle to accept, like other's opinions and perceptions. What if there was a script to help you develop more acceptance in relationships and conversations? You're in luck cause Tony Overbay, a certified Marriage Family Therapist and […]

Everybody has regrets- some are harmless while others can haunt us for the rest of our lives if we let them. In this episode I'll be sharing some of my regrets and hopefully helping you better manage yours by using the PLAY THEORY principle, Let Go and Play. Play of the Week: Listen to Taylor […]

According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 1 in 3  of all adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder, and these numbers are steadily rising. Adults are no better off. How can Play Theory help turn this trend around? Being in the now dissolves anxiety and regret. In this episode we […]

How many of you brush your teeth? Do you do it more than once in awhle? More than once a week? Daily? Twice a day? What would happen if you didn't? That depends on what you consume. Is your life saturated in empty, societal sugars devoid of nourishing nutrients that instead of fueling you fuels the […]

In this episode we're sharing another Japanese secret to living a long and happy life. Ikigai is having something that makes you want to get up in the morning, work hard and makes you happy. The centurions of Okinawa all have ikigai. In Japan people never really retire, there isn't even a word for retirement […]

How are dinosaurs and Imagine Dragons related to PLAY THEORY? Tune in to learn this surprising secret to gaining longevity and happiness.

Did you know breathing in a focused way has huge health benefits?

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.

8 foundational Principles for a NEW START.

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 and discouraged. So how do we navigate a season with so many expectations riding on […]

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 hands over and over was so soothing. Clay is an amazing medium. Our brain is […]

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 of kindness. Her Peace Dots Project invites others through out the world to track random […]

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 feelings of well being. Others may turn to drug use, illegal or medically prescribed medications. […]

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 build the emotional strength needed to face our fears.  Play of the Week: If Halloween […]

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, people who were paralyzed from an accident had more hopeful outlooks than people who'd won […]

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 the song, hang in there for the chorus. Things will get better and you can […]

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 listened to Episode 103 do yourself a solid and wait to listen to this one […]

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. You don't want to miss this. I promise I'll either royally tick you off or […]

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 course you are! Who wouldn't want more of these powerful attributes that contribute to our overall […]

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 how important it is to not wait till we have all the information to take […]

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 the four principles of Play Theory. You'll feel more centered, calm and happy. We promise, […]

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 group then this episode is for you. We'll cover how to use the four Play […]

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 you're really at is like getting directions on your map app and listing your location […]

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 we can't manage to keep our cool when the stakes are low, how will we […]

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 and their time on the beautiful Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit trek in Peru. Videos and photos of […]

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 that focus on the power of our belief have tapped into this superpower. There are […]

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 to happen at the expense of meeting our own needs. It may mean making some […]

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 we accept and build on the circumstances we are in can we truly bloom where […]

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 by turning tasks into quests, setting up rewards and creating stimulating experiences that keep us […]

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 and downs of everyday life and helps us savor the precious passing moments. With an […]

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 a powerful tool to help us deepen our understanding of ideas and practices we value […]

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. In our conversation we cover the impetus behind the creation of Play Theory and how […]