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The Science of Play with TJ Matton

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

Release Date: 09/18/2024

Ep 40 - Beyond Soundbites: From Case Studies To Client Stories show art Ep 40 - Beyond Soundbites: From Case Studies To Client Stories

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

Self-promotion can feel uncomfortable—especially for introverted, thoughtful, or reserved Thinkydoers. But what if sharing your impact didn’t have to feel like bragging? In this episode, client experience copywriter and founder of The Content Witches, Nailah King, joins host Sara Lobkovich to explore how to craft authentic client stories that go beyond traditional case studies. Nailah shares practical strategies for telling compelling stories that showcase your work—even when your impact isn’t easily measured in revenue or metrics. Learn some tips for managing rejection sensitivity and...

info_outline Ep 39 - Generative AI: Practical Strategies for Thinkydoers with Guest Dvorah Graeser show art Ep 39 - Generative AI: Practical Strategies for Thinkydoers with Guest Dvorah Graeser

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

AI is transforming the way we work—but how can Thinkydoers use generative AI responsively and productively—as a tool, not a time-suck? In part two of our conversation with AI ethicist and strategist Dvorah Graeser, we get practical about leveraging AI tools, particularly for deep specialists and strategic thinkers. Building on our discussion of ethics and implications from Episode 38, Dvorah shares specific ways to move from anxiety to agency with AI while maintaining your ethics and humanity. Learn how to use AI tools to organize your thoughts, improve communication with different...

info_outline Ep 38 - Generative AI and the Future of Work for Thinkydoers show art Ep 38 - Generative AI and the Future of Work for Thinkydoers

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

Are you wrestling with ethical questions about AI while also feeling curious about its potential? In this thought-provoking episode, Sara welcomes Dvorah Graeser, an "old internet" technologist who brings a unique perspective on AI democratization. From programming for the Human Genome Project to founding RocketSmart, Dvorah shares insights on how we can approach AI with both skepticism and agency. Discover why those who shy away from AI might be surrendering power to tech giants, and learn practical considerations for responsibly engaging with generative AI tools in your work. Episode...

info_outline Ep 37 - OKR Forecast 2025: Insights From The Experts show art Ep 37 - OKR Forecast 2025: Insights From The Experts

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

What’s next for OKRs in 2025? As goal-setting evolves, organizations are rethinking their approach to strategy, execution, and performance. In this episode, Sara sits down with OKR experts Natalie Webb and Maria Rowcliffe to unpack the latest trends—from the role of generative AI to the shifting landscape of OKR localization and performance management. Whether you’re an OKR veteran or just getting started, these insights will help you stay ahead of the curve. Episode Highlights: How generative AI is reshaping OKR creation and workshop efficiency The shift away from rigid OKR...

info_outline Ep 36 - Can EOS and OKRs Work Together? Bridging Vision and Execution With Expert Jessica Lee show art Ep 36 - Can EOS and OKRs Work Together? Bridging Vision and Execution With Expert Jessica Lee

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

What happens when two powerhouse frameworks collide? In this episode, Sara dives into a fascinating conversation with Jessica Lee, exploring the dynamic intersection of EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System®) and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) in business management. As both an EOS integrator and an OKR coach, Jessica shares her unique expertise, offering actionable insights into how these two frameworks can work in harmony to help organizations not just survive but truly thrive. Episode Highlights: The complementary relationship between EOS and OKRs in business management ...

info_outline Ep 35 - SMART Goals vs. KPIs vs. OKRs: What's the Difference? show art Ep 35 - SMART Goals vs. KPIs vs. OKRs: What's the Difference?

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

Ever feel lost in the alphabet soup of goal-setting frameworks? Whether you're a leader, a coach, or a goal-setting enthusiast, navigating between SMART goals, KPIs, OKRs, and other frameworks can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Sara Lobkovich – strategist, OKR coach, and nationally board-certified health and wellness coach (with “another life” in professional motorcycle road racing) – gives you the inside scoop on the most popular frameworks. Through easy-to-understand examples from the worlds of health and sports, Sara breaks down when and how to use each framework to drive...

info_outline Ep 34: Why You Shouldn't Start with an OKR Tool (Yet) show art Ep 34: Why You Shouldn't Start with an OKR Tool (Yet)

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

Thinking about implementing OKRs? Your first instinct might be to shop for an OKR tool - but that could be setting yourself up for failure. In this candid Thinkydoers Short, strategy coach Sara Lobkovich explains why starting with software often backfires, and shares a proven alternative with a methodology-focused approach that will set your organization up for long-term OKR success. Episode Highlights: Common pitfalls of taking a tool-first approach to OKR implementation Why methodology must come before software How to track OKRs effectively without specialized tools A practical timeline for...

info_outline Ep 33 - Sneak Peek of My Upcoming Book: You Are A Strategist (not just an OKRs book) show art Ep 33 - Sneak Peek of My Upcoming Book: You Are A Strategist (not just an OKRs book)

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

Ever feel like you're speaking a different language than your colleagues when presenting your ideas? Or, like a square peg in your work? Do you feel like you're trying to read minds to understand what's expected of you, while your co-workers are just humming along doing their work?  Or, do you lead people who that describes well? In this powerful episode, Sara Lobkovich reveals why the very qualities that might make some people feel like an outsider at work—being "too analytical" or "too detail-oriented"—could actually be their greatest strategic strengths (and a tremendous asset to...

info_outline Ep 32 - Executing Under Pressure: High Stakes, High Performance, With Pro Racer and Firefighter Jayson Uribe show art Ep 32 - Executing Under Pressure: High Stakes, High Performance, With Pro Racer and Firefighter Jayson Uribe

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

What does it take to perform at the absolute limit, every time you show up to work? How do you navigate your own chemisty, and both objective and perceived risk when lives are actually on the line? Find out in this conversation with professional motorcycle road racer, firefighter, and business owner, Jayson Uribe.  Jay and I work together in our moto lives -- he's one of the pro riders that I really enjoy working with in my capacity as a team principal for . In addition to being a very skilled, highly capable and accomplished rider in a sport where the rider is ultimately the one who...

info_outline Ep 31 - Speed, Strategy, and Staying Unblocked: Leadership Lessons from Pro Motorsports & Beyond show art Ep 31 - Speed, Strategy, and Staying Unblocked: Leadership Lessons from Pro Motorsports & Beyond

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

What can business leaders learn from the high-stakes world of professional motorsports? Find out, in this conversation between Thinkydoers host Sara Lobkovich (whose "other life" is in professional motorcycle road racing) and organizational change expert Jurriaan Kamer, co-author of " and his new release, "." We cover a lot of ground here -- from how pro racing teams approaches to goal clarity, mistake recovery, and rhythmic learning can transform your leadership practice, to creating blame-free cultures, and mastering the art of strategic alignment. In this lively and engaging...

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More Episodes

Are you ready to rethink everything you think you know about play? Want to learn more about the science of play as a powerful tool for personal growth and well-being?

This week’s guest, TJ Matton, founder and chief play officer of the Playful Revolution, joins me to dive deep into the science and practice of play (especially for those of us for whom "play" may not feel like it comes naturally.

TJ shares her insights as a trauma therapist and play advocate, exploring some foundational science (and neuroscience) about play, including play as a "primal drive" and essential part of learning. This episode is part one in a two part series: today, we lay the foundation of why play is important. In next week's episode, we'll continue our conversation with practical guidance for how to incorporate play into your mindfulness practices (even if you want to run the other direction when I say "play" or "mindfulness").

For complete show notes and transcript, visit http://saralobkovich.com/thinkydoers-pod.

Episode Highlights

  • Introduction to TJ Matton: TJ’s background as a trauma therapist and her journey into the world of play.
  • The Primal Drive of Play: Understanding play as a biological necessity, akin to hunger or thirst.
  • Neurology of Play: How play helps develop new neural pathways and its importance across the lifespan.
  • Types and Modes of Play: Exploring different play styles, including solo play, parallel play, and collaborative play.
  • Balancing Novelty and Repetition: The delicate balance needed to keep play engaging and beneficial.
  • Play and Neurodivergence: How play can be particularly beneficial for neurodivergent individuals.
  • Play as a Social Activity: The importance of finding compatible play partners and creating safe play environments.
  • Conflict as Play: Viewing conflict as a form of play and its role in building better relationships and systems.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Thinkydoers Podcast

00:40 Quick Promo and Upcoming Events

02:10 Exciting Episode with TJ: Play and Mindfulness

03:48 TJ's Background and Passion for Play

06:04 The Importance of Play in Our Lives

09:47 Balancing Novelty and Repetition in Play

17:44 Exploring Different Play Styles

21:19 Play as a Social and Solo Activity

29:06 Play and Vulnerability

34:37 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Common Questions

  • What is the primal drive of play?: Play is a biological necessity that helps us learn and develop new neural pathways.
  • How does play benefit neurodivergent individuals?: Play can help neurodivergent individuals engage in a way that feels authentic and liberating.
  • What are the different types of play?: Play can be solo, parallel, or collaborative, and can involve different styles such as intellectual, kinesthetic, or storytelling play.
  • How can play be balanced between novelty and repetition?: Play needs to be novel enough to stay engaging but repetitive enough to allow learning and mastery.

Notable Quotes from TJ Matton

  • “Play is a primal drive in the body, regulated the same way as sleep, hunger, and thirst.”
  • “Play is how we learn everything neurologically, and that never changes.”
  • “Conflict is a form of play and is essential for building better relationships and systems.”
  • “Play always starts with choice and is an embodied experience of engagement and enjoyment.”

TJ’s Links and Resources

Sara's Links and Resources