Define Play

Use the code PLAY15 to get 15% off any order of $30+: https://www.deepfieldaromatics.com

Subscribe to Michael's new Substack: https://substack.com/@defineplay

Camp Rewind* convened on August 22-25, 2025, at the Oregon Outdoor Education Center, near Salem. Learn more about Camp Rewind: https://www.summercamprewind.com*Not to be confused with another event with the same name, that happened the same weekend, and had a similar focus, in British Columbia.Camp Rewind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summercamprewind

Phasha Spencer is the Executive Director of Playworks Illinois, which is part of the national Playworks organization that "helps schools and youth programs create recess and play environments where every child can join in." The company is built around play because... “play teaches us to be human. In fact, societies depend on our ability to ‘play well together.’ Through play, children discover the joy of physical activity. They learn the social and emotional skills they will use in the classroom, in the workplace, and in life.” Read more about Playworks’ philosophy: https://www.playworks.org/about/why-playDONATE to support Playworks: https://donate.playworks.orgFollow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/iamphashahttps://www.instagram.com/playworksilhttps://www.instagram.com/playworksrecesshttps://www.instagram.com/defineplayHosted and filmed by Michael Mirza, with mobile gear contributed by Austin Corbett. Edited by Roberto Flores.

White Lucy is a Chicago-based band that blends RnB, soul, jazz, indie rock, and hip-hop. Chase Carson, co-owner of Black Cat Scaffolding, plays guitar and writes melodies, and Micah Boyce, a senior manager at Magnit, writes lyrics and sings. "The Paradise" was released on August 15, 2025 by Shuga Records. Learn more about the album and buy a copy of the vinyl record: https://whitelucymusic.bandcamp.com/merch Follow White Lucy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitelucymusic Hosted and filmed by Michael Mirza, with mobile gear contributed by Austin Corbett. Edited by Roberto Flores. Learn more about Define Play: https://www.defineplay.com https://www.instagram.com/defineplay https://www.tiktok.com/@defineplay.pod https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574922688823 https://www.linkedin.com/company/define-play #podcast #howitsmade #behindthescenes #makingmusic #musicproduction #selfreleased #creativityhacks #creativitytips #playfulness #playfulpeople #workandplay #philosophy #aperspectiveofjoy #intentionalliving #liveauthentic

Josh & Dana Penley are international teachers and travel bloggers currently living in Kuwait. In their own words: "We’re Josh and Dana Penley, a couple from the Midwest USA. We lived and worked in Chicago for 10 years. Dana was an accountant, a recruiter, and then worked at a tech startup. Josh was a teacher in Chicago Public Schools. We were tired of only being able to travel for two weeks a year, so we started looking for opportunities to travel more. That’s when we found International Teaching! Now, we teach internationally and live as expats. We lived in Beijing for three years, and are now living in Kuwait. We love to immerse ourselves in different cultures and explore the world one adventure at a time."Learn more about Josh, Dana, and their travels: https://penleyperspective.comListen to Josh and Dana's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GBvxtdCOZSbMhI7TEBlBY?si=22e2b7a42bef461cFollow Josh and Dana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penleyperspective

Buy your own copy of Punishment-Free Parenting: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/751238/punishment-free-parenting-by-jon-fogel Follow Jon on your favorite social media platforms: https://www.instagram.com/wholeparent https://www.tiktok.com/@wholeparent https://www.facebook.com/wholeparentacademy https://www.youtube.com/@wholeparentIf something seemed a little "off" about this interview... you're very astute! Unfortunately, during post-production, we had a tech issue and lost the video file from the camera that filmed Michael (Jon's was still intact). After concluding that lab-based data recovery services were way out of our budget, we re-shot some of Michael's speaking parts and did some digital surgery. A bit of the magic of the original conversation was inevitably lost as a result, but we wanted to preserve Jon's authentic wisdom, so we did our best. Thanks for bearing with us.

Learn more about Lightward and Abe's many other projects: https://lightward.incListen to Abe's playlist of songs that inspire him to play: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1palMBTitmv2qlTS1RDqcS?si=ed6d71e570df419aFollow Abe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abelopezHosting and creative direction by Michael Mirza. Video, lighting, sound, and editing by Roberto Flores. Learn more about them and the show: https://www.defineplay.com

Sarah Corley is a Chicago-based Guinness World Record holder, baker, actress, and water fitness instructor, as well as Senior Integrated Marketing Campaign Strategist at Sprout Social. Follow Sarah on social:- https://www.instagram.com/sarahrcorley- https://www.tiktok.com/@thesweetandpetite- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahrcorleyHosting and creative direction by Michael Mirza. Video, lighting, sound, and editing by Roberto Flores. Learn more about them and the show: https://www.defineplay.com#bakinglove #sayyes #doitscared #aquafit #wateraerobics #emotionalintelligence #marketingtips #travelbug #playfulpeople #workandplay #philosophy #interview #podcast

Allie Szczecinski, M. Ed., is an author, special education teacher, social and emotional learning coach, and content creator as Miss Behavior. Her brand new book, "Their Best Behavior: Practical Strategies for 10 Common Classroom Challenges," offers field-tested wisdom about kid behavior for teachers and parents alike. Allie is also the author of "Roaring Mad Riley," a children's story that teaches kids how to articulate their emotions and regulate their anger safely. On top of creating and coaching, Allie is an artist, mother, and big fan of figure skating. Allie's husband, Brad, needs a new kidney! Would you consider donating a kidney to potentially save someone's life? Sign up for a non-committal assessment to see if you're a fit to donate: https://www.nmlivingdonor.org/ When it asks for a "Named Recipient," please list Brad Szczecinski. You could be a true hero! Explore all of Allie's social media and links here: https://campsite.bio/missbehavior Hosting and creative direction by Michael Mirza. Video, lighting, sound, and editing by Roberto Flores. Learn more about them and the show: https://www.defineplay.com #emotionalintelligence #restorativepractices #montessori #teachingtips #specialeducation #classroomtips #neurodiversity #socialemotionallearning #education #workandplay #philosophy #interview #podcast

Note: in the second half of the conversation, Michael asks Terence about play in the "Black community." We want to acknowledge that the somewhat sloppy wording of Michael's question could imply an assumption of a monolithic and universal expression of Black play, when there are an endless myriad of ways play takes shape in diverse Black, African-American, and African cultures and sub-cultures across the world.

What makes you feel alive? What makes you feel like a kid again? For David, the answer to both is "stoke," the secret ingredient to adventure. David embodies "work hard, play hard" in every area of his life, and invites others into the surprising joys of challenging play. His definition of play will motivate and mobilize you regardless of experience level.David Hardin is the Co-Founder and COO of Lendrose, as well as a small business consultant and exit advisor with Cultivate Advisors, and a TACFIT personal trainer. He also juggles multiple extreme sports as an Arc’teryx athlete and trainer, including ice climbing and surfing. David is based in Chicago, his lifelong home.Listen to David's playlist of songs that inspire him to play: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19I1Pw8UZ1ksynZjRnwWtS?si=300beda087134891David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidhardinfitDavid on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhardSee the climbing video referenced: https://youtu.be/yMAqxEodxh0?si=IhUA7Wp7RVIy40zwHosting and creative direction by Michael Mirza. Video, lighting, sound, and editing by Roberto Flores. Learn more about them and the show: https://www.defineplay.com#iceclimbing #coldwatersurfing #hikingcommunity #smallbusinessideas #smallbusinessgrowth #disneyworld #arcteryx #chicagobusiness #consultingservices #consultinglife #extremesports #getuncomfortable #coldweatherfun #getoutside #adventureawaits #onewheel #onewheelnation #dogdad #chicagolife #fintechstartup #tacfit #workhardprayhard #inspiration #grindset #workandplay #adventureready

Rev. Meghan DeJong is a Chicago-born athlete, activist, and mother, as well as the Executive Pastor of Adult Discipleship at Highrock Church in the Greater Boston Area.Hosting and creative direction by Michael Mirza. Video, lighting, sound, and editing by Roberto Flores (except for the outro, which Michael sloppily did himself).Learn more: https://www.defineplay.com

Timm Bloem is Principal at TB, a creative strategy studio: https://timmbloem.com Timm on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmbloem Books mentioned:- "The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles" by Steven Pressfield- "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin

"Play our way into meaning" is an idea coined by Dan Dowman: https://www.anthem.oooSources for comment on children receiving toys in the war in Ukraine: - https://www.unicef.org.au/stories/where-do-children-play-in-a-war-zone- https://plan-international.org/blog/2024/06/11/power-play-building-resilience-children-affected-war-ukraine/