Play on
"Maybe love is the noun and play is the verb."
Ben Crowe
Maybe the Beatles were only half right.
As human-beings, all we need is love. But as human-doings?
All we need is play.
The next instalment of our documentary series drops today, and is all about Crowey's favourite perspective shift in Where the Light Gets In.
Episode 3 explores the powerful shift from fear to play, and why understanding the relationship between love and play has been so life-changing for the many athletes, artists and leaders we’ve worked with over the years.
It all started when Crowey noticed a pattern with clients. Ask someone what they loved to do as a kid, and you'll find that they're almost always describing play. And if you ask how they felt in that early memory, variations on 5 distinct territories or themes tend to emerge.
Joyful. Excited. Safe. Connected. Loved.
Ben Crowe
Along with a behind-the-scenes peek at the Where the Light Gets In audiobook recording, our favourite moment of this episode is getting to watch play enter the chat, so to speak! Here, Crowey joins Georgie and Libby Trickett on The Sportish Podcast for some live coaching and reflection.
Dipping a toe into her play history and early play memories, Georgie finds herself back in her childhood backyard with her siblings, running football scenarios through chairs for hours.
For Libby, it's the memory of being in the pool by herself, feeling calm and playful whilst pretending to be a mermaid. Little did that little girl know she'd go on to become an Olympic swimmer - a career forged through play!
The 5 emotional territories show up here again for both Georgie and Libby, clear as day. And we'd bet the same will be true for you, as you reflect back on your own early experiences of play.
"Why do these 5 states keep appearing when someone finds their Early Play Memory?" a psychiatrist once asked us at a conference in London.
Well, Crowey's answer might just change how you see yourself. But we won't spoil the a-ha moment here 😉
Check out the full episode below to learn more about the connection between play and love, why play needs a rebrand, and the power of using 2 simple, playful questions to start your day 👇
Just In Case You Missed It
It's official... We're taking Where the Light Gets In on the road! 📚 🚙
Three cities, three evenings of great conversation, three* opportunities to come together as a community.
Here's where we'll be with Crowey throughout January and February:
Wednesday January 28, 6pm at Melbourne Town Hall
In conversation with Ash Barty, hosted by Hamish McLachlan.
👉 Get tickets here
Wednesday February 4, 6:30pm at Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
In conversation with Melissa Doyle.
👉 Get tickets here
Tuesday February 10, 7:30pm at Brisbane Powerhouse
In conversation with Katherine Feeney.
👉 Get tickets here
*More on this to come — watch this space!
We can't wait to see you there.