Rolling for Change - Geek Therapy's Transformative Gaming Podcast

Exploring How Games Can Be Transformational

Play therapy and therapeutic gaming with Dr. Brian Quinones and Tim Grant

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In this episode we discuss the challenges of adapting play therapy and game therapy to the social milieu of evidence based practice. We also discuss games that are easily usable in building a therapeutic gaming practice. In all honesty, there is a lot to digest in this discussion. Even with our 90 minute discussion, we only barely scratched the surface of the conversation that is possible. Nevertheless I believe, dear listeners, that this discussion will help you on your trek to unravel some of the underlying mechanisms at play in gaming, and you may walk away with more awareness of how games can be used as therapeutic tools.

Best wishes and happy listening!

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Talking with Jack Berkenstock of the Bodhana Group

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In this episode we get the opportunity to hear from Jack Berkenstock about his work in the Bodhana group. Together we talk about the therapeutic use of all sorts of games, the state of gaming as a tool for therapeutic growth, and many other areas. This episode is for gamers as well as therapists who use games as part of their practice. Its also the interview that made me go and purchase tickets for a trip to Harrisburg Pennsylvania to go to the convention that Bodhana is running: Save Against Fear. Listen to this podcast and then come join us in October.

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Gaming, Identity, and Loss

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In 100 years, none of this will matter. At Geek Therapy we are fond of saying media matters, and it does, but it is perhaps a temporary state of being that finds meaning in those things we consume. We self identify often with what we own. We say; This is me! This is who I am! But then when we discard those self identifying consumables; ‘the things’ we are easily thrown back on the question of who am I if not my clothes, my musical taste, my games, etc. In Hindu texts they talk of neti neti which means ‘not this, not that’. The direction is to ask yourself the question ‘who am I?’ over and over again in a sort of spiral towards identification of the true self as we strip off the layers of things and identities that we have taken on. There is really no end to the progression as we keep coming to the conclusion that I am not this, and I am not that.

Moving has placed me in a very visceral Neti Neti experience. This podcast is a direct expression of that. I doubt that we answer any burning questions herein. More likely its about a spiral of identity loss that I was feeling as I began to discard stuff and reset my life in a new home. I hope that the discussion has some resonance for you, or at least that we provide some momentary entertainment.

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One Child’s Heart: An interview w/ Camdon Wright

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The game One Child’s Heart is a role playing game in which players take on the role of community professionals attempting to provide support to traumatized children. While this may not sound like a fun RPG to engage with, I am convinced that the world needs more like it. Games that teach empathy in a supportive setting are few and far between. In this episode I interview Camdon Wright and we discuss this amazing game. Even if you think the game is not for you, at least recognize that this is an innovation in RPGs and it can be a good infection for our gaming spheres.

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Self talk and self esteem in gaming

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In this episode of Rolling for Change, Brian, Ginger, Suzi and Woody discuss the nature of self talk in gaming and the role it can play in sapping our energy and bringing down our gaming experience. They also suggest ways to mitigate this experience, and ways to combat negative self talk, both at the table and in your daily life.

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