Career Contessa How to Fight Brain Rot: Why Adults Need Play to Thrive at Work
Oct 28, 2025
Cas Holman, a renowned play designer and author, dives into the crucial role of play in adult creativity and resilience. She highlights how curiosity can spark innovation at work and shares her journey into play design. Holman discusses the mindset shift needed to embrace adult play, emphasizing judgment release and success reframing. She also provides practical tips for leaders to incorporate playfulness into meetings and offers easy ways to integrate playful activities into daily routines, enhancing productivity and well-being.
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Playful Breakfast Experiment
- Cass Holman described making a spontaneous breakfast from soon-to-spoil fridge items as playful experimentation.
- She reframed success as avoiding waste and nourishing herself rather than producing a perfect meal.
Three Mindset Shifts For Play
- Holman defines three mindsets adults need: release judgment, embrace possibility, and reframe success.
- These shifts make people more agile, creative, and resilient in work and life.
Play Enhances Whole-Person Productivity
- Play supports wellbeing and makes people feel more like whole humans at work, not just cogs.
- Feeling better while working improves presence and can increase effectiveness over time.
