Nicholas Rush Smith, Director of the Master’s Program in International Affairs at The City College of New York, discusses the power of luck in shaping our lives. He explores how play-based learning can revolutionize education, especially in political science and international relations. The conversation highlights the role of simulations in understanding complex systems, the crucial lessons learned through losing, and how dopamine enhances the learning experience. Smith also tackles how educational methods must adapt to address global challenges like climate change.