ABOUT THIS EPISODEThis week I am joined by Adele Cleaver, a playworker of 16 years and PhD researcher exploring playfulness as a state of mind. We talk about what happens when adults stop waiting for permission to play, and start accepting that play belongs everywhere.Adele shares how she creates spaces for unstructured play in settings from hospitals to asylum seeker hotels, what the play cycle involves, and why mischief might be one of the most direct routes to joy. We also talk about her research into Nottingham's growing intolerance to children's play, and the invitation to playfulness she is building for her 40th year.LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTRecorded between the UK and Lisbon, Portugal. We acknowledge the colonial histories connected to both places, and honour the diverse communities whose lands and labour built these cities.FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERSFree Joy Hour resource: www.goddxxpath.com/joyhourgiftIN THIS EPISODE16 years creating and protecting play spaces, hospitals to asylum seeker hotelsHer PhD, Reimagining Practices of Play, and Nottingham's inclusive programmeResearching the UK's growing intolerance to children's playPlayfulness as a state of mind versus play as an actionThe play cycle: environment, play cue, flow and annihilationWhy adult play exists wherever capitalism doesn't interruptMum and Bass, the One O'Clock Club, and playground hackingLoose parts play, and the magic of a colander or a fencing chainPermission versus acceptance, and the power dynamic between themA recent joy: Grandmaster Flash and a living room dance40 Plus Playful, her invitation to play this winterTIMESTAMPS00:38 - Adele's background across 16 years of playwork02:23 - The PhD title, Reimagining Practices of Play05:51 - What playwork actually involves07:16 - Playfulness as a state of mind, play as an action09:09 - Her own childhood, and where her relationship with play began11:11 - The play cycle: environment, cue, flow, annihilation14:08 - The genius zone, and play for adults17:52 - Mum and Bass, the One O'Clock Club, playground hacking20:32 - Loose parts play, and the light bulb moments23:06 - A recent joy: Grandmaster Flash and a living room dance27:44 - Permission versus acceptance of play29:09 - 40 Plus Playful, her winter invitation to playABOUT THE GUESTAdele Cleaver trained as a playworker in 2009. Over 16 years she has created and protected spaces for unstructured play across community centres, a museum on the move, public parks, a community allotment, Great Ormond Street Hospital, an asylum seeker hotel, schools of every kind, urban woodland, empty shops and residential streets closed for play. Most recently in Nottingham, she worked as a primary school play coordinator and freelanced for Ignite, delivering therapeutic play for asylum seeker children.She is now in the first year of a PhD, Reimagining Practices of Play, researching child voice and the growing intolerance to children's play at a neighbourhood level in Nottingham.RESOURCES & MENTIONSReimagining Practices of Play, Adele's PhDIgnite, therapeutic play for asylum seeker childrenGrandmaster Flash and the Furious FiveThe Goddxx Path coaching programmeThe Playful Path, a book referenced by Adele40 Plus Playful, Adele's forthcoming winter invitationCONNECTElla MesmaWebsite: www.goddxxpath.comBook: www.goddxxpath.com/journal-to-joy/Current offers: www.goddxxpath.com/links/Instagram: instagram.com/ellamesmaAdele CleaverInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/adeleplayworker/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelecleaver/LISTEN & SUBSCRIBEApple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzrYouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8M

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSMusic: LamRock. Brought to you by Ella and guests.