The Being Playful Podcast

The Being Playful Podcast

Whether you’re a CEO, team leader, or aspiring manager, The Being Playful Podcast offers valuable insights to help you and your team flourish amidst today’s complex business landscape. Perhaps you’re wanting to increase employee engagement? Boost creativity, or develop a more inclusive learning culture? Maybe you want to ensure your company or team remains relevant in a fast-changing, disruptive world? Or perhaps you’re feeling the stress and strain of modern life and simply want to find a way to thrive? The Being Playful Podcast offers a fresh perspective on these pressing challenges we all face today - not just as leaders - but as members of a society in flux. Hosted by Chris Marshall, behavioural scientist, futurist, and founder of both the Playfulness Institute and the Refuel Clinic (a coaching and psychotherapy practice), this podcast explores how playfulness can be a powerful antidote to modern workplace struggles. Each episode delves into practical strategies for creating thriving, resilient environments in the face of uncertainty and pressure. Chris invites diverse guests to share their experiences of incorporating playfulness into professional settings and daily routines. Through these insightful conversations, listeners gain actionable takeaways for fostering innovation, building stronger teams, and enhancing personal well-being. Chris often relates these discussions to his Three Pillars Playfulness Scale, demonstrating how curiosity, creativity, and connectedness contribute to high performance and adaptability in dynamic business environments.

Episodes

March 6, 2025 37 mins

Ever wondered how playfulness emerges in the creative process and strategic thinking? In this episode, Chris talks with Stephen Matini, a multifaceted professional who wears many hats as a business coach, podcast host, professor, and aspiring fiction writer. Stephen shares how his approach to leadership development and personal creativity is deeply intertwined with playfulness and cognitiv...

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Mark as Played

Ever wondered how intellectual playfulness shapes high-stakes decision making? In this episode, Chris talks with Adam Rackley, a fund manager whose unique approach to investment combines rigorous analysis with the ability to embrace uncertainty. From rowing across the Atlantic to managing investment portfolios, Adam's experiences offer fascinating insights into how playfulness emerges in s...

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Mark as Played
December 11, 2024 47 mins

Ever wondered how playfulness and authentic communication could revolutionise workplace culture and transform leadership? In this episode, Chris talks with Lisa Lloyd, a psychologist whose journey from traditional corporate environments to pioneering human-centred approaches offers fascinating insights into how creating the right environment enables both people and businesses to flourish.

...

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Mark as Played

Ever wondered how our values and playfulness intertwine to shape authentic leadership and organisational culture? In this episode, Chris talks with Erika Clegg, a values consultant whose journey from creative agency founder to transformational leadership expert offers fascinating insights into how embracing our authentic selves can revolutionise both personal growth and business success.

<...

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Mark as Played
November 14, 2024 41 mins

Ever wondered how playfulness can transform our approach to organizational change and personal growth? In this episode, Chris talks with Minola Jac, a self-described "change enthusiast" whose journey offers fascinating insights into the power of playfulness in driving meaningful transformation.

Minola shares her compelling story of growing up in a...

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Mark as Played

Ever wondered how playfulness can transform business narratives and foster deeper connections? In this episode, Chris chats with Tobin Trevarthen, a strategic narrative expert who reveals how his journey from nightclub DJ to corporate storyteller has shaped his unique approach to helping businesses and executives find their voice.

Tobin shares his...

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Mark as Played

Ever wondered how successful investors navigate market uncertainty? In this episode, Chris chats with Mike Clements, a European equity portfolio manager at Downing Fund Managers, who reveals how embracing uncertainty through playful thinking and emotional awareness can lead to unique investment opportunities!

Mike takes us through his journey in i...

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Mark as Played

Ever wondered how vulnerability and playfulness can transform leadership and foster innovation? In this episode, Chris chats with Dona Amelia, co-founder of Executive Global Network (EGN) in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, who's on a mission to create safe spaces for leaders to share knowledge and grow together!

Dona takes us on a journey thro...

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Mark as Played

Ever wondered how emotions and playfulness can transform our approach to work and leadership? In this episode, Chris chats with Susan Nechriathan, author of "Leading Beyond the Numbers," who's on a mission to bring emotions back into the workplace!

Susan takes us on a journey through her career, revealing how her background in accounting led her t...

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Mark as Played

Ever wondered how humanizing the workplace and embracing playfulness can transform our work experience? In this episode, Chris chats with Stela Lupushor, who's on a mission to bring humanity back to the workplace!

Stela takes us on a journey through her career, revealing how her background in math and computer science led her to recognize the impo...

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Mark as Played

Ever wondered how psychological safety and playfulness can revolutionize your workplace? In this episode, Chris chats with Minette Norman, a former tech executive turned consultant and author who's on a mission to make workplaces more inclusive and psychologically safe!

Minette takes us on a journey through her 30-year career in Silicon Valley, re...

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Mark as Played

Ever wondered how to keep your creative spark alive for decades? In this episode, Chris chats with Bill O'Hanlon, a man who's worn many hats - from psychotherapist to bestselling author to prolific songwriter!

Bill takes us on a journey through his career, showing how playfulness has been the secret sauce in his professional longevity. He shares h...

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Mark as Played

Ever wondered what it's like to ditch the 9-to-5 and embrace a life of adventure? In this episode, Chris chats with Rachel Franklin-Heys, who's done just that!

Rachel takes us on a journey from her office days to her current nomadic lifestyle, living and working from a converted police van (how cool is that?). She shares how this massive change has sparked her curiosity and creativity, proving that somet...

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Mark as Played

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