The Happiness of Play – Zander Phelps

September 25, 2026 The Happiness of Play – Zander Phelps Explore CreativityMove the Body YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Listen to the Audio Version Show Notes Play isn’t a break from a happy life, rather, it’s one of the best ways to build one. In this episode of the Podcast, Jim talks with Zander Phelps, the zPlayCoach, about footbags, juggling, origami, and why play is one of the simplest ways to raise your Baseline of Happiness. Zander shares how burning out at a 100-hour-a-week job led him to sell everything and travel the world with a backpack and a footbag in his pocket. A three-hour game in an airport terminal became the start of a lifelong mission to spread play around the world, one hand-sewn HackiDo at a time. Throughout the conversation, Zander explains why he calls juggling the ultimate brain exercise, how play lowers stress and shifts the brain into what he calls the Play Flow State, and how simple tools like the HackiDo and Craniogami can keep the mind and body active at any age. He and Jim also talk about the four play archetypes (the Warrior, the Wizard, the Bard, and the Druid) and why putting down the phone to connect with the people around us matters now more than ever. You don’t have to be a juggler or a footbag player to benefit from Zander’s wisdom. Happiness can come from just remembering that we were born to play. In This Episode Zander defines Happiness as a state of being and a higher vibration The HackiDo: why he hand-sews them from hemp and gives them away Why juggling is the ultimate brain exercise and a fast way to de-stress Craniogami: folding your brain into shape with dollar bill origami Phones, disconnection, and why play is fundamentally human Why play fuels productivity and creativity at work Resources & Links The Happiness Collection on Amazon zPlayCoach Featured Guest Zander Phelps Guest Alexander “Zander” Phelps, known as the zPlayCoach, is a PlayFlowState coach and the founder of HACKiDO and the Path of Play. For more than 30 years he has traveled the world sharing juggling, footbag, and creative movement as tools for joy, connection, and a healthier brain. Based in Ventura, California, Zander blends evidence-based behavior change with playful movement to help people overcome burnout, reconnect with their inner child, and rediscover the power of play. His new book is The Path of Play. Ready to Raise Your Baseline of Happiness? Take the free quiz to discover where you are today and get a personalized plan for where to go next. Take the FREE Happiness Quiz