What does it mean to take play seriously?

In the joyful season finale of Family Book Club, hosts Alex Kirby and Emily Blue sit down with Mike Montague—author of Playful Humans—to explore why fun isn’t just a childhood phase but a lifelong necessity. With a career spanning entertainment, content creation, and coaching, Mike brings a fresh and energizing lens to what it means to live fully, avoid burnout, and reconnect with joy.

Together, they reflect on how play evolves with age, why adults often forget its value, and how we can bring more intentional lightness into our homes, relationships, and work. From redefining success to deepening communication with loved ones, this episode is an invitation to laugh more, stress less, and keep the game going.

Whether you're craving more fun in your daily life or just curious about what’s possible when we prioritize play, this conversation is the permission slip you didn’t know you needed.

Episode 6 Highlights: Playful Humans with Mike Montague

"Kids know how to have fun. Adults have forgotten." (8:01)
Mike introduces one of the episode’s core insights: play comes naturally to kids—but somewhere along the way, adults are taught to suppress it.

"Everyone's got their thing. You do you!" (11:04)
Rather than chase trends or fit in, Mike encourages listeners to find joy in their kind of play—whatever that may look like.

"It depends on what your goals are..." (17:09)
Not all play is created equal. Mike unpacks how different games serve different purposes—connection, competition, creativity—and why intention matters.

"As parents, we have been conditioned..." (27:17)
Mike reflects on how grown-ups often expect kids to play their way—and why letting go of rules can open the door to real, meaningful fun.

"Fighting through the initial reaction..." (46:28)
The resistance adults feel toward play—and how just a few minutes of saying “yes” can shift the entire mood of a group.

For more from Mike Montague, visit playfulhumans.com or check out the Playful Humans Podcast for weekly inspiration on finding fun, fighting burnout, and rediscovering your spark.

Thank you for listening to Family Book Club. If this episode brought a smile, a shift, or a new perspective, please subscribe, share it with someone you love, and remember:

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• Download the discussion guides and other free resources at totalfamily.io/family-book-club.
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• Check out the Playful Humans Podcast to rediscover the power of play as an adult!