Mike Montague is the Director of Community Engagement at Sandler. He is also a game show host, public speaker, podcaster, and writer at Playful Humans. He has been a radio DJ, karaoke host, virtual game show host, MC, and DJ for live events including opening for Billy Idol, Frankie Valli, and MC-ed at Toby Keith's Bar & Grill. Playful Humans is a community designed to help the burned-out and bored get re-energized and engaged with life. His mission is to help adults discover the power of playing for a living and how to avoid Burnout, quiet quitting, or a midlife crisis. Find out more at https://www.playfulhumans.com.
Recent Content
A heartfelt conversation with Andrew Matthews, a best-selling author and happiness coach known for his unique blend of cartoons and self-help. Andrew's journey to happiness began with the realiza…
A heartfelt conversa…
A heartfelt conversation with Andrew Matthews, a best-selling author and happiness coach known for his unique blend of cartoons and self-help. Andrew's journey to happiness began with the realization that those who overcome life's biggest challenges often find the deepest joy. This insight inspired his first book, "Being Happy," which combines Wisdom and humor to make personal Growth more accessible. Hear how Andrew transformed rejection into worldwide success, with millions of copies sold in 48 languages, and learn how his passion for cartooning has powered his career in public spea…
After years of struggling with the paralyzing fear of public speaking, Linda Ugelow discovered techniques that transformed her Anxiety into joy and confidence. Imagine stepping onto a stage feeling ex…
After years of strug…
After years of struggling with the paralyzing fear of public speaking, Linda Ugelow discovered techniques that transformed her anxiety into joy and confidence. Imagine stepping onto a stage feeling excited rather than terrified; Linda shares the tools and insights that helped her—and can help you—find delight in the limelight. Join us as we explore how even the most daunting fears can be managed, and how understanding your audience and preparation can turn anxiety into your ally.We navigate the murky waters of imposter syndrome and self-criticism, phenomena that even the most accomplished …
Ready to uncover the untold stories behind your favorite personalities? Join us as we sit down with Jonathan Small, the brilliant mind behind the "Write About Now" podcast and book. Jonathan takes us …
Ready to uncover the…
Ready to uncover the untold stories behind your favorite personalities? Join us as we sit down with Jonathan Small, the brilliant mind behind the "Write About Now" podcast and book. Jonathan takes us on his unexpected journey from a temp job at a parenting magazine, where he scored an interview with the legendary George Carlin, to becoming a celebrated writer and podcast host. Gain exclusive insights into the fascinating origins of renowned figures through his compelling new book. This episode promises a unique look at the creative landscape and the serendipity that often propels such careers.…
Unlock the secrets to achieving lasting personal transformation with Dan Storey as he shares insights from his book, "The Personal Transformation Blueprint." Dan, a motivational athlete on the verge o…
Unlock the secrets t…
Unlock the secrets to achieving lasting personal transformation with Dan Storey as he shares insights from his book, "The Personal Transformation Blueprint." Dan, a motivational athlete on the verge of competing in the natural Mr. Olympian competition, reveals how to cultivate a playful mindset to enhance your journey through life. Discover how to find fun, flow, and fulfillment in your life and career along the way.Step into the world of functional fitness and creative cooking with us, where we discuss balancing indulgence and discipline. Get ready for personal anecdotes about overcoming knee…
Prepare to meet Little Ginger, the charismatic co-founder of Culture Puppets, as he shares his delightful journey of using puppets to transform workplace culture. Little Ginger's insights reveal …
Prepare to meet Litt…
Prepare to meet Little Ginger, the charismatic co-founder of Culture Puppets, as he shares his delightful journey of using puppets to transform workplace culture. Little Ginger's insights reveal how puppets can add humor and surprise to mundane Zoom calls, creating engaging and interactive experiences that capture attention. Discover how these charming characters serve as a refreshing alternative to human hosts, minimizing Zoom fatigue and promoting active participation through their playful yet slightly challenging dynamics.David Minze, the other co-founder, joins us as we explore the ev…
What if a chance encounter could completely alter your life's trajectory? Bonnie Garvin's journey from public relations to storytelling in TV and Movies was anything but planned. In this epi…
What if a chance enc…
What if a chance encounter could completely alter your life's trajectory? Bonnie Garvin's journey from public relations to storytelling in TV and Movies was anything but planned. In this episode, she shares how a playwriting class she nearly skipped transformed her career. Bonnie, a remarkable storyteller and educator at USC's School of Cinema Arts, opens up about embracing unexpected turns and the incredible power of storytelling to change lives.Hear firsthand about the hurdles and triumphs of venturing into the film and television industry. This story covers everything from th…
Colin A. Borden brings his infectious enthusiasm and creative insights to our latest episode, sharing his unique journey through the Entertainment world. From his spontaneous introduction to acting at…
Colin A. Borden brin…
Colin A. Borden brings his infectious enthusiasm and creative insights to our latest episode, sharing his unique journey through the entertainment world. From his spontaneous introduction to acting at a childhood play audition to gracing screens with his dynamic performances, Colin's story is a testament to the power of following one's passion. As a seasoned actor and director, he offers a lighthearted look at balancing a career in Hollywood while maintaining an unyielding sense of playfulness and creativity.The conversation takes an intriguing turn as we chat about Colin's unco…
Are you ready to be inspired by a story of resilience and boundless creativity? This week, we’re thrilled to have Aisha Makara, an extraordinary artist and world traveler, join us on the Playful Hum…
Are you ready to be …
Are you ready to be inspired by a story of resilience and boundless creativity? This week, we’re thrilled to have Aisha Makara, an extraordinary artist and world traveler, join us on the Playful Humans podcast. Aisha’s transformative journey from being an orphan in Russia to becoming a global artist is nothing short of remarkable. Her experiences navigating an unsupportive environment, moving to America, and daring to send her art to space icons like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson will leave you in awe.We dive into Aisha's "Joyful Living Guidebook," a unique blend of art a…
Ever wonder what it’s like to be fired via telegram or how you could possibly win your wife in a radio station contest? Join my conversation with Randy Miller, the iconic radio personality who influ…
Ever wonder what itâ…
Ever wonder what it’s like to be fired via telegram or how you could possibly win your wife in a radio station contest? Join my conversation with Randy Miller, the iconic radio personality who influenced my early career and became a cornerstone of Kansas City's airwaves. We reminisce about my debut during the "Last DJ on the Planet" contest, and Randy opens up about his initial spark for radio, ignited by Frank Murphy in Knoxville, Tennessee. With a career that began at just 15, Randy never looked back, choosing entertainment as a career and creating dynamic morning shows that left a la…
Join us for a heartwarming and insightful conversation with Sarah Walkenbach from Freckle Face Foodie, where we reminisce about our school days together and uncover Sarah's journey into the world…
Join us for a heartw…
Join us for a heartwarming and insightful conversation with Sarah Walkenbach from Freckle Face Foodie, where we reminisce about our school days together and uncover Sarah's journey into the world of food blogging. Starting with her early experiences in a bakery deli at 15, Sarah's passion for food quickly blossomed. Discover how she transitioned from making indulgent treats to crafting healthier recipes still bursting with flavor. Using methods like air frying and incorporating fresh herbs and aged kinds of vinegar, Sarah emphasizes a balanced approach to Diet, focusing on moderation…
Ever wondered how to jump from a Target warehouse job to a full-time a creative career? This week, we sit down with R.Y. Givens, the innovative founder of Metamauic Entertainment, who shares his fasci…
Ever wondered how to…
Ever wondered how to jump from a Target warehouse job to a full-time a creative career? This week, we sit down with R.Y. Givens, the innovative founder of Metamauic Entertainment, who shares his fascinating journey from the freedom and camaraderie of warehouse work to the structured confines of corporate life—and how it all led to his passion for video editing and storytelling. We reminisce about early career experiences, sprinkle in a laugh with a Tyrannosaurus Rex joke, and highlight how those pivotal moments shaped R.Y.'s path to success.The conversation takes an inspiring turn as we…
What happens when you mix Lego, business strategies, and playful creativity? Join us as we uncover the secrets with Tim Kroll, a seasoned business strategist and team-building expert who gained fame f…
What happens when yo…
What happens when you mix Lego, business strategies, and playful creativity? Join us as we uncover the secrets with Tim Kroll, a seasoned business strategist and team-building expert who gained fame from season two of Lego Masters. Tim recounts his unique journey to the show, highlighting the special bond and collaborative spirit he shared with his son. Discover how Tim masterfully incorporates Lego into his workshops to break down barriers and nurture creativity, and learn how he teaches vital business concepts through engaging hands-on activities.Ever felt like you don't fit into the co…
Ready to hear how being playful can supercharge your creativity? Our latest episode features the incredibly versatile Juan Punchy Gonzalez, an artist, musician, and producer, who shares his unique tak…
Ready to hear how be…
Ready to hear how being playful can supercharge your creativity? Our latest episode features the incredibly versatile Juan Punchy Gonzalez, an artist, musician, and producer, who shares his unique take on living a creatively playful life. We warm things up with some light-hearted jokes before Punchy dives into his solo musical project, "Cosmic Punch," and the intricate production process behind the standout track "Woke." Expect a deep dive into the magical blend of voices and a nostalgic nod to Meatloaf's style, which makes this track a hit.Ever wondered how to juggle paid studio work and…
Get ready to explore the world of stand up and improv with the multifaceted Steven Morgan! You'll be hooked from the get-go with our password-themed dad joke, before diving into the delightful ju…
Get ready to explore…
Get ready to explore the world of stand up and improv with the multifaceted Steven Morgan! You'll be hooked from the get-go with our password-themed dad joke, before diving into the delightful juggle that Steven masters daily—balancing a conventional day job with his night-time escapades in stand-up comedy and improv. His financial stability doesn't chain down his creative charisma, allowing him to handpick only those projects that dance to the beat of his heart.Steven recounts his adventurous leap into a new country and the new world of making others laugh. Eavesdrop on our chat a…
Could the secret to peak performance lie in embracing imperfection and playfulness? Find out as I join forces with Jordana Confino in a revelatory discussion that promises to dismantle your drive for …
Could the secret to …
Could the secret to peak performance lie in embracing imperfection and playfulness? Find out as I join forces with Jordana Confino in a revelatory discussion that promises to dismantle your drive for perfection and rewire your approach to success. Jordana, a former type A legal eagle turned positive psychology guru, shares her personal awakening to a life beyond the relentless pursuit of flawlessness. Her insights shed light on the often misunderstood relationship between play, productivity, and well-being. This episode is a treasure trove of strategies for anyone looking to infuse their life …
Ever wondered how a symphony of ideas can emerge from the chaos of creativity? Angus Clark from SongDivision joins me to share the melody of Innovation that resonates through improvisational music and…
Ever wondered how a …
Ever wondered how a symphony of ideas can emerge from the chaos of creativity? Angus Clark from SongDivision joins me to share the melody of innovation that resonates through improvisational music and playful songwriting. Tune in as we strike a chord with musician humor, discuss the true worth of a performance, and unveil how songwriting can be a powerful tool for problem-solving and team building, even for those without a musical bone in their body.As we riff with Angus, you'll learn how music is an inclusive language that invites all personality types to the creative process. Our discus…
How can laughter be the secret ingredient to a life of fulfillment and success? That's exactly what Connor Canine of Irishman Speaks brings to the table as he joins us to share his remarkable shi…
How can laughter be …
How can laughter be the secret ingredient to a life of fulfillment and success? That's exactly what Connor Canine of Irishman Speaks brings to the table as he joins us to share his remarkable shift from corporate executive to motivational speaker. With the vibrancy of the Emerald Isle, Connor weaves tales of joy and the art of humor that have the power to transform our daily grind into a more playful and productive journey. As we erupt into laughter and a few good-natured jokes, you'll learn firsthand how an Irishman's charm is not just for captivating an audience, but also for …
Have you ever wondered what could happen if a stockbroker traded in their spreadsheets for sheet music? That's exactly what Rebecca Sue Fegan did, and the harmonious results speak—or rather, si…
Have you ever wonder…
Have you ever wondered what could happen if a stockbroker traded in their spreadsheets for sheet music? That's exactly what Rebecca Sue Fegan did, and the harmonious results speak—or rather, sing—for themselves. We're joined by the multitalented Education professional, certified coach, and passionate musician, who shares her extraordinary journey from the bustling floor of the stock exchange to the rhythmic world of music education. Rebecca's story is a symphony of playful anecdotes, teaching triumphs, and the undeniable proof that it's never too late to chase a crescen…