Episode 6 - Power of Play: How Creativity & Fun Increases Productivity with Gary Ware
Play might seem childish, but it can also be the secret to overcoming burnout and fostering growth in the workplace and beyond. In this episode, Dr. Payal Beri sits down with Gary Ware, founder of Breakthrough Play, TEDx speaker, and the self-proclaimed "King of Play." Gary shares his powerful journey from burnout to breakthrough, revealing how rediscovering play through improv helped him heal, reconnect with joy, and build resilience.
Together, Payal and Gary explore the science of play, how it dismantles stress, and why playfulness isn't just for kids — it's a tool for personal growth, team connection, and sustainable success. Through the episode, they get into the hidden cost of hustle culture, the importance of vulnerability, and practical ways to incorporate play into your daily life and work.
Ready to get yourself out of survival mode and reconnect with your creative self? This conversation is a reminder that play might be the missing piece you need to thrive!
Listen
In This Episode:
00:00 Introduction and First Impressions
01:06 The Power of Play: Gary's Journey
03:33 Understanding Burnout and Rediscovering Play
05:27 The Role of Improv in Healing
10:45 The Science Behind Play and Creativity
12:29 Overcoming Resistance to Play in the Workplace
16:21 Navigating Vulnerability and Competitiveness
21:23 Creating a Playful Mindset
24:42 Overcoming Introversion Through Guided Play
25:24 The Complexity and Joy of Play
25:50 The Power of Fun: Play, Connection, and Flow
26:26 Incorporating Play in Team Development
26:56 The VUCA World: Training Through Play
27:57 Life Skills Learned Through Play
30:29 The Multitasking Challenge
33:30 A Manager's Realization Through Play
37:08 The Importance of Facilitated Play
39:29 Play as a Tool for Workplace Connection
43:26 The Infinite Game: Avoiding Burnout
46:58 The Healing Power of Play
48:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
This Podcast is Produced by MicMoguls.com
Follow Us:
Instagram - @dr.payalberi
LinkedIn - Dr. Payal Beri
YouTube - @payalberi511
Website - www.rkempathy.com
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