07. CLAY ROUTLEDGE: NOSTALGIA IS GOOD FOR US

07. CLAY ROUTLEDGE: NOSTALGIA IS GOOD FOR US

Author: Exploring the power of play in contemporary culture January 8, 2025 Duration: 1:04:39

Emma dives headlong into some playful chat, this week focusing on something that the whole world seems to have gone crazy for right now.…nostalgia!

In a bid to understand more about this fascinating topic, Emma talks to Clay Routledge, PhD, who is the Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute. Clay is also the co-editor of Profectus (a periodic magazine on human progress and flourishing), and the co-host of The Profectus Podcast. Clay shares insights from his new book Past Forward which explores compelling science and valuable practices for mindfully using nostalgia to live a more grounded, connected, and purposeful life

In this episode, Emma and Clay discuss (with timestamps):

00:00 - Introductions

03:05 - Being a ‘latch key’ kid

07.35 - The free range parenting movement

12:35 - Are some generations more infatuated with nostalgia?

18:43 - What do we get from nostalgia?

20:50 - The use of nostalgia as a way to make you feel younger

24:40 - The difference between memory and nostalgia

28:35 - Portals for nostalgia (attaching meaning)

35:19 - Aesthetic nostalgia (is the world too sterile now?)

39:21 - Historial nostalgia vs personal nostalgia

43:42 - Savouring moments

47:04 - Stimuli that encourage nostalgia

53:15 - Looking to the past for ideas

55:14 - How does nostalgia help us to live a meaningful life?

You can find more of Clay’s work by checking out the following links:

www.archbridgeinstitute.org

www.clayroutledge.com

X - @clayroutledge



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit playfulden.substack.com

The Playful Den Podcast digs into the serious business of having fun. It’s a space where curiosity meets conversation, examining how a playful approach influences everything from scientific innovation and educational methods to personal growth and social bonds. Each episode unpacks a different facet of this core idea, moving beyond theory to find the practical applications in our daily lives. You’ll hear from researchers, artists, parents, and community organizers who are actively integrating play into their work and homes, sharing stories that reveal its profound impact on creativity, resilience, and connection. This isn’t about nostalgia for childhood games, but rather an investigation into a fundamental human drive and how we can harness it. The discussions are thoughtful yet accessible, blending evidence from various fields with relatable anecdotes. Whether the topic is designing better learning environments, fostering mental well-being through imaginative practices, or understanding how play shapes cultural trends, the aim is to offer tangible insights. The goal of this podcast is to provide a consistent, engaging exploration that encourages listeners to reconsider their own routines and perspectives, finding opportunities for lightness and invention where they might not expect them. Tune in for a regular dose of inspiration that makes the case for incorporating more spontaneity and joy into the fabric of contemporary life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 27

The Playful Den Podcast
Podcast Episodes
26. TALKING TELETUBBIES WITH NIKKI SMEDLY (Laa-Laa) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:27
In this week’s episode, Emma sits down with author, performance artist, and original Laa-Laa, Nikki Smedley (@realtubbylaa). Episode notes: * The Role of Play in Childhood and Beyond* Nikki shares her childhood experienc…
25. THE LINK BETWEEN PLAY AND PARENTING WITH DR MARTHA DEIROS COLLADO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:04
In this week’s episode, Emma sits down with Dr. Martha Deiros Collado (@dr.marthapsychologist), a clinical psychologist specializing in parenting and child development. Episode notes: Guest Introduction:* Meet Marta, a c…
24. HOW TOYS GET MADE WITH AZHELLE WADE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:15
This episode is all about toys! What's the latest in the toy industry? Are today's toys increasing imagination or fuelling more and more mindless consumerism? Emma dives into these questions and more with Azhelle Wade ak…
23. LIFE IS TOO SHORT NOT TO DISCOVER COLOUR WITH RACHEAL JACKSON [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:17
In this episode Emma and Ben discuss a variety of pointlessly playful topics such as - is Nesquik still relevant? Is Stranger Things the best thing our eyes have ever seen? And Ben's hardest life challenge so far - build…
22. PROTECTING THE FREEDOM TO PLAY WITH DR PETER GREY [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:21
On this guest episode, Emma is joined by Dr Peter Grey, a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College and author of internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook- Psychology, Worth Pu…
21. WHY SCHOOLS NEED MORE PLAY WITH GREG BOTTRILL [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:55
In this episode Emma chats to Greg Botrill, teacher, educational thought leader and early years expert. Greg explains how education is so deeply entrenched in politics and the gaps between where we’re at with education t…
20. RAISING BOYS FOR A MORE EQUAL WORLD WITH KIRSTIE BEAVEN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:13
In this episode Emma chats to Kirstie Beaven founder and editor of Sonshine magazine, a publication which focusses on raising boys for a more equal world, by raising a generation of boys who feel able to express their em…
19. PLAY AND NEURODIVERSITY WITH JO McMEECHAN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:57
On a mission to change the narrative of Special Educational Needs by going right to the top of Government and legislative level; Jo supports children with additional needs, their Parents and Professionals to navigate the…
18. THE PLAYFUL WARRIOR WITH KARA LATTA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:30
Emma speaks to Canada based Kara Latta aka the Playful Warrior who works with groups, individuals and businesses to help heal perfectionism and self-doubt through play. Kara supports people in their return to play - some…
17. ISOBEL WOLFF: PROTECTING PLAY IN CHALLENGING TIMES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:02
Emma talks to Isobel Wolff, National Director at The Flying Seagulls, who for 15 years have been spreading laughter, play and silliness as far and wide as their net will cast.Isobel is an actor-musician and trained singe…