Life Kit Podcast Summary: "How to Bring More Play Into Your Life"

Release Date: July 7, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "How to Bring More Play Into Your Life," NPR's Life Kit host Marielle Segarra delves into the essential role of play in adult life. Through engaging conversations with experts and personal stories, the episode explores why play matters, how to rediscover it, and practical strategies to integrate more playfulness into daily routines.

1. The Importance of Play

Marielle Segarra opens the discussion by highlighting that play is not solely a childhood activity. She introduces Whitney Bay, who reminisces about her imaginative play during childhood in Illinois, emphasizing how play fostered creativity and a sense of identity.

Whitney Bay [00:33]:

"Play for us was going outside, climbing trees. It was making mud pies. We used to, like, reenact a lot of, like, current events, like the Olympics."

Marielle references the 1996 Olympics, a pivotal moment inspiring young girls and fueling their imagination through the achievements of female gymnasts.

Whitney Bay [01:03]:

"So just, like, use our imagination. And it was fun. It really felt. I mean, of course, it wasn't real, but it just. It felt like I was somebody."

She underscores that play helps individuals immerse themselves fully in the moment, fostering joy and personal growth.

2. Expert Insights on the Necessity of Play

Marielle introduces Jeff Harry, a play coach, who offers a concise definition of play:

Jeff Harry [01:29]:

"I define play as any joyful act where you forget about time. It's where you're, like, fully immersed in the moment. It's when you're your you est you."

Jeff emphasizes that play varies per individual—from whitewater rafting to cooking—and highlights the widespread neglect of play in adult life.

She also brings in Dr. Stuart Brown, a renowned play researcher and psychiatrist, who affirms play's fundamental role:

Dr. Stuart Brown [02:15]:

"It's as basic as sleep and nutrition. It just doesn't necessarily produce the same outcome as hunger or fatigue. But the need to play is there in all of us, and we all have deficits when we don't experience it sufficiently."

Dr. Brown explains that play serves evolutionary purposes, aiding in skill development, problem-solving, and social collaboration.

3. Personal Journey: Whitney Bay's Rediscovery of Play

Whitney Bay shares her transition from a playful childhood to a more restrained adult life in a corporate engineering environment in Seoul.

Whitney Bay [07:10]:

"They were like, kind of pushing me, hey, you need to be more serious. Like, don't be so funny, goofy. Like, this is a serious workplace. Be more serious."

Feeling pressured to suppress her playful nature, Whitney describes the emotional toll it took:

Whitney Bay [07:20]:

"I feel like I'm losing myself."

This narrative sets the stage for the episode's core message: reclaiming playfulness as adults.

4. The Five Takeaways for Integrating Play

Marielle Segarra outlines five practical strategies to incorporate more play into adult lives, each supported by expert advice and personal anecdotes.

Takeaway 1: Figure Out Your Play Style by Connecting with Your Inner Child

Jeff Harry encourages listeners to reflect on their favorite childhood activities to identify their unique play personalities.

Jeff Harry [08:21]:

"What were your favorite ways to play as a kid? Were you super into Legos or erector sets? Finger painting? Make believe?"

Marielle relates this to her own experience with Barbies, recognizing her affinity for creative and storytelling play.

Takeaway 2: Follow the Whispers

Jeff suggests that moments of boredom can be gateways to rediscovering play.

Jeff Harry [10:50]:

"When you get bored, all of a sudden that inner child starts to whisper all these needsided ideas, these ideas that make you nervous."

Whitney Bay illustrates this by starting her YouTube channel and pursuing improv, leading her to a fulfilling career in comedy.

Takeaway 3: Engage with Your Inner Critic

Acknowledging the internal voices that discourage play is crucial. Jeff Harry provides a technique to combat negative self-talk:

Jeff Harry [13:20]:

"You're, like, feeling crappy or binge watching Netflix... you were like, oh, there's my inner critic."

He advises naming the inner critic and countering its negative statements with positive affirmations.

Takeaway 4: Liberate Yourself

Dr. Stuart Brown emphasizes the connection between play and freedom, encouraging listeners to identify and remove barriers that inhibit playful expression.

Dr. Stuart Brown [14:52]:

"Was there a moment, was there a circumstance, was there a situation that allowed you to really feel like you were yourself?"

Marielle and Dr. Brown discuss how societal pressures and personal circumstances can stifle the freedom essential for playful experiences.

Takeaway 5: Find Your Moments

Incorporating small, playful activities into daily routines can significantly enhance one's sense of joy.

Whitney Bay shares a delightful memory of turning a mundane restaurant visit into a playful game with her parents, fostering lasting connections.

Whitney Bay [16:46]:

"I taught them how to play this game where the first person says who they are, the second person says where they are, and the third person says what they're doing."

Marielle echoes this by suggesting simple actions like petting a puppy or engaging with strangers in playful ways.

Dr. Stuart Brown [17:56]:

"That little bird is really glad to be alive... I'm still glad to be alive."

He illustrates how brief moments of interaction with nature or others can rekindle a sense of playfulness.

5. Recap and Final Thoughts

Marielle succinctly summarizes the five takeaways:

1. Identify Your Play Style: Reflect on childhood play to understand your current preferences.
2. Listen to Your Inner Whispers: Allow boredom to spark creative and playful endeavors.
3. Address Your Inner Critic: Recognize and counter negative self-talk to embrace play.
4. Seek Freedom: Remove barriers that prevent you from expressing your playful side.
5. Integrate Playful Moments: Find opportunities for play in everyday activities.

Marielle shares a lighthearted personal anecdote about singing a playful variation of a song, reinforcing the episode's message that play can uplift and enhance well-being.

Marielle Segarra [19:45]:

"I was like, we got the beets... I was alone in my life... but I was like, we got the beets."

Dr. Stuart Brown [20:12]:

"See, that's part of the magic of play itself. All of a sudden you feel better."

Conclusion

The episode of Life Kit effectively communicates the significance of play in adult life, providing actionable strategies and inspiring stories to help listeners rediscover and embrace their playful nature. By understanding personal play styles, listening to inner desires, confronting negative self-perceptions, seeking freedom, and seizing playful moments, adults can enhance their well-being and foster deeper connections with themselves and others.

For more insights and practical advice, explore other episodes of Life Kit, including topics on rest as a form of resistance and the power of fun. Subscribe to the newsletter at npr.org/lifekitnewsletter to stay updated on the latest episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff Harry [01:29]: "I define play as any joyful act where you forget about time. It's where you're, like, fully immersed in the moment."

• Dr. Stuart Brown [02:15]: "It's as basic as sleep and nutrition... the need to play is there in all of us."

• Whitney Bay [07:20]: "I feel like I'm losing myself."

• Jeff Harry [10:50]: "When you get bored, all of a sudden that inner child starts to whisper all these needsided ideas."

• Dr. Stuart Brown [17:56]: "That little bird is really glad to be alive... I'm still glad to be alive."

Credits:

This episode was produced by Margaret Serino, with visuals by Beck Harlan and digital editing by Malika Garib. Senior Supervising Editor Megan Keane and Executive Producer Beth Donovan led the production team, supported by Andy Tagle, Claire Marie Schneider, and Sylvie Douglas. Engineering was handled by Simon Laszlo Jansen.