Why our kids can’t handle boredom | ft. Cas Holman HTS w/ DrG #428
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Episode Description:
Kids today can’t sit still without a screen. Their days are packed from morning to night, every game has rules, every moment has a goal, and the second boredom hits, the phone swoops in.
Here’s what that’s creating: anxious teens who become adults afraid to fail, constantly waiting to be told what to do.
In this episode, Dr. G sits down with Cas Holman, the world-famous toy designer whose play systems are transforming classrooms worldwide. Cas doesn’t make toys that entertain kids, she builds tools that awaken creativity and imagination.
Together, they explore how modern parenting, performance culture, and screen addiction have stripped us (and our children) of something vital: unstructured play.
In This Episode:
• Why kids have lost the ability to entertain themselves
• How constant stimulation leads to anxiety, perfectionism, and fear of failure
• Why boredom is essential for creativity and nervous system regulation
• How to design your home and habits to invite more play — without turning your kitchen into a jungle gym
• The difference between toys that entertain and toys that teach imagination
• How rigid upbringings or lack of play can block self-expression as adults
• Why play strengthens relationships, community, and emotional connection
• One simple way to bring more play into your day — starting right now
Key Takeaways:
✅ When play disappears, so does curiosity, creativity, and confidence
✅ Adults who suppress play often feel disconnected, anxious, or creatively blocked
✅ Play isn’t childish — it’s medicine for your nervous system
✅ You can rewire your stress response through small, daily moments of joy and play
✅ The most powerful form of healing sometimes looks like laughter, movement, and imagination
Find Cas Holman here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casholman/?hl=en
Website: https://casholman.com/
Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction
2:53 – What Kids Did That Adults Need to Rediscover
6:30 – Free Play vs Structured Play
12:10 – Why Unstructured Play is Critical for Child Development
17:13 – How Adults Suppress Play & the "Play Voice" vs "Adult Voice"
23:18 – Three Steps to Reconnect with Play as an Adult
34:01 – Simple Shifts: How to Make Daily Life More Playful
45:20 – How Play Strengthens Relationships & Partnerships
51:17 – One Playful Practice to Try This Week
54:29 – About the Book: "Playful" – Science, Stories & Solutions
USA