PEOPLE WHO PLAY

Parents and mid-40s couple Emma and Ben discuss their playful approach to life. Emma is an expert in play, Gen Alpha researcher and mermaid and Ben manages the family home, is an unpaid uber driver for 3 children and a lover of nostalgic pop-culture. Weekly episodes will inspire you to #liveplayfully and wake up your inner-kid. <br/><br/><a href="https://peoplewhoplay.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">peoplewhoplay.substack.com</a>

TOPLESS PADEL, MASH POTATO LIES AND THE ART OF ASKING FOR HELP

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comWhat to expect from this weeks show! * Ben’s gone full Halloween — house decked out in ghosts and a giant skeleton that’s scaring the dog.* Challenge of the week: ask strangers what they’re dressing up as for Halloween — guaranteed weird energy.* Rumours are swirling in the Bournemouth padel scene about the topless man in neon shorts with a headband. Confirme…

10-08
06:54

CONKERS, HORROR AND PLANNING A TRIP TO SALEM

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comIn this weeks show! 🎃 Autumn Fever* Ben goes full throttle into October — from jumpers and conkers to Stranger Things vibes — declaring it the best month on Earth.👻 Horror Season* Ben’s annual horror movie marathon plan: starting soft (Poltergeist), building up through 80s slashers (Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream), with Monster House as a safe…

10-01
05:02

JAWS, PICK N MIX AND CANDLE DRAMAS

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comThis week on People Who Play, we hit the reset button with September energy: back-to-school chaos, new goals, and a nostalgic dive into the sweet shops and seasonal rituals of our youth. We relive a very questionable date night involving Jaws (and a near-miss night swim), debate scented candles and art collecting, and share the latest Boushh saga (unsol…

09-03
08:58

CLUELESS SIMPLICITY AND PAMMIE'S PIVOT

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.com✨ This week on People Who Play…* End of summer chaos: birthdays, tradesmen, and that overcooked-meat energy 🍖* Ben reveals his “secret” football fandom (and the marital false advertising that came with it ⚽😂)* Emma’s London trip with Indy for her 12th: Clueless: The Musical → why it hit her with a tidal wave of 90s nostalgia 💿* A debate on “theatre vs. show”…

08-27
07:49

PLUTO STATUS, CRISP FLAVOURS AND A CELEB ENCOUNTER

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comOn this weeks hot mess of a pod:* 🎭 Identity, Imposters & Online Handles:Someone is impersonating Emma on social media* 🥔 Crisp Packet Chaos & Retro Branding:A nostalgic dive into the salt & vinegar / cheese & onion packet color swap by Walkers in the 90s * 💒 Wedding guesting and a celeb encounter: Have you ever been a “fringe player” at a wedding? This in…

08-20
09:00

YOLO! (as far as we know)

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comThis week on People Who Play, Emma and Ben cover everything from overpaying teens for car washes to redefining midlife “crises” as awakenings.* The £30 Car Wash Debate – Is Emma’s payment a fair wage or suburban madness?* Glamping vs Camping – Ben refuses to call it camping; Emma leans in with fairy lights and compost toilets.* YOLO Era Expansions – Trading t…

08-13
11:19

COMPLIMENT BOMBING, GEEK SHAMING & ASMR EYE TESTING

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.com* 🎧 Live (ish!) energy: This week’s episode was recorded the morning of release—bringing fresh, flustered, near-radio vibes.* 📚 Five books, no booze: Emma shares the secret to reading five books in 10 days on holiday: no alcohol, no social media… and a husband entertaining the kids like a poolside clown.* 🤓 Geek vs. Boff: The duo reminisce about playground…

08-06
10:04

HOLIDAYS, HOTELS AND HYPE COLLECTING

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.com✈️ Holiday Mode Activated* Broadcasting from Miami. Ben and Emma share their love for the pastel, Art Deco energy of South Beach.* Hilarious reflections on how holidays trick you into thinking “this is the new me.”* Ben fantasizes about a movie-style pivot: “Let’s just pick a random destination from the departures board.”🧒 Family Travel & Hotel Life* Joys and …

07-30
06:21

BALLS, FRISBEES AND AN EMPTY SOCIAL BATTERY

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.com* Summer Survival Kit: Ben is on about his minimalist beach strategy again and reveals his favourite balls* Frisbee: A deep dive into the world of frisbee complete with surprising facts, passionate opinions on disc quality, and a mini TED Talk on aerodynamics.* Cinema Comeback: Emma brings five uplifting facts about cinema's resurgence, from horror genre boom…

07-23
09:28

90s cartoons, car decompression & festivals

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comEPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: * Work-life jokes: Ben’s “office” is the laundry room * 80s/90s cartoon nostalgia: SuperTed, Danger Mouse, Skeletor, He-Man, She-Ra, Thundercats — revisiting characters, storylines, and toy collecting memories * Modern kids’ shows vs old ones: Playful lament about how “excessive” and campy kids’ shows used to be, compared to now.* Race Aroun…

07-09
09:57

ACTION MOVIE DADS, TOY STORY 5 AND MAKING A PAVLOVA

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.com* Pavlovas* Ben and Emma banter over desserts, sharing an obsession with pavlova and Emma’s interpetation - Emma’s Mess.* Top Gun Tears* Ben shares how Top Gun: Maverick unexpectedly made him cry during foam rolling.* Cinema as Surrogate Father Figures* A reflective, vulnerable exploration of Ben’s connection to male movie heroes (Cruise, Ford, Stallone).* Emma casua…

06-25
05:13

MURDER MYSTERY, MEMORIES AND MILK

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.com* Ben and Ems have had a 24 hour reset in a bougie London hotel where a woman shouted at Ben for being an attractive man * Feeling at home whilst being away - Ems talks about how travel unlocks her inner kid for Ems, but one aged around 19 * A trip down memory lane as the parents talk through 3 children all born with tongue-tie * Reflection on taking part in a …

06-18
08:24

A POEM, A QUIZ AND A SLICED TOE

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comThis week Emma is back and true to her word she’s bringing you another movie quiz, reciting poetry and giving Ben absolutely no sympathy for his cut toe.

06-04
04:30

BEN AND INDY ON BALLET, BABIES AND LOCKDOWN MEMORIES

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comA bit of a change to your usual scheduling this week. Due to conflicting half term schedules Indy is filling in for Ems today so you get a fun ‘ask me anything’ with Indy and her Dad Ben. Enjoy!

05-28
06:59

NON-STOP PWP-POP!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comThis is a special radio style episode, enjoy the sounds. Back to normal next week. * Going to the beach. It sounds fun but why does everyone hate each other before you’ve left the house? * Let’s all write poems. Ben and Emma revisit poetry and decide it’s time to put pen to paper. * E-bikes or roller skates? Ben isn’t satisfied that his local beach doesn’t lo…

05-21
06:38

BOWLING, BRAVERY STICKS AND MAKING FRIENDS WITH 20-SOMETHINGS

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comBen’s Bowling Obsession: Ben introduces his new hobby…bowling! He deep dives into the world of bowling, describing the different styles and techniques people use, from the classic leg flick to spin bowling. Strap in. Bravery Sticks:Emma shares how she introduced “bravery sticks” to Scout after the idea was shared with her by another parent. She’s using …

05-14
08:31

CAN WE GROW OLD TOGETHER? AND A QUIZ ATTEMPT

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comHiking Adventures (Finally!)After months of planning, Emma and Ben share their first hike together this year. Can You Grow Old Together?Can Ben and Emma share do it? They discuss. Work vs. Fun: The Adult DilemmaEmma talks about how adults tend to cancel fun plans first when things get busy. She shares her personal experience of pushing through that temp…

05-07
07:34

KNIGHTMARE, CHICKEN AND BLOCKY PIGS

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.com🎙️ Episode Highlights* Dirty Dancing Time Travel: Is Dirty Dancing is set in the 60s or 80s?* Minecraft Movie Review: Zombie attacks, blocky pigs, and 3D cinema * New York with a Teen: Emma shares her trip with Phoenix to NYC — a special one-on-one moment before full teenhood, with 20k steps a day, escape room, and a LOT of chicken.* Knightmare: remembering th…

04-09
08:24

Manic multitasking, dinosaurs and the relentless life juggle

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comPEOPLE WHO PLAY publishes a new podcast every wednesday, to get all episodes become a subscriber and join the play squad! Frustrated actor Conversations about am-dram bedtime stories and who has the best Transformer voices roll on. Domestic Fun:As Emma prepares for a week without Ben they discuss balancing work, chores, school pick ups and where fun fit…

03-19
08:36

THE CLUMSY CURSE AND A TOWER OF LUBE

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.comEmma is back from New York * Toy Fair reports * London versus New York * Rats Nostalgic for the payphone * Are texts ruining the fun of meeting up? * Yellow pages and reverse call charges Clumsy Curse* Emma is infecting people with her clumsiness * An incident in boots The Play Commission Inquiry: Kids Are Playing Less* Emma shares key findings from the Raising the Nat…

03-12
06:23

Carol Goovaerts

I loved this interview! I have listened to A LOT of interviews of Dr Kyle Myers interviews (cause I'm a huge fan) but this was soooo insightful! thank you!

03-18 Reply

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