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
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…
Join us as we kick off the new year with a little laughter and the vibrant energy of Leanne Linksy, a comic genius with two decades in the game, who has innovatively tackled the world of online comedy…
Join us as we kick o…
Join us as we kick off the new year with a little laughter and the vibrant energy of Leanne Linksy, a comic genius with two decades in the game, who has innovatively tackled the world of online comedy. Discover the nuances of virtual laughter with Plauzzable, her bespoke live comedy platform designed to eliminate the dreaded audio lag and elevate audience interaction. This chat is a deep exploration into the craft of comedy in the digital age, where timing is everything, and a live reaction can make or break a performance.Listen in as we unwrap virtual shows' incredible impact on making c…
We kick off year 4 with Ryan Ripken, former baseball player turned broadcaster and host of the Offscript with Rip podcast and the Ryan Ripken Show on YouTube. Ryan shares his unique experience growing…
We kick off year 4 w…
We kick off year 4 with Ryan Ripken, former baseball player turned broadcaster and host of the Offscript with Rip podcast and the Ryan Ripken Show on YouTube. Ryan shares his unique experience growing up in a legendary baseball family and carving out his own path in the shadow of his Hall of Fame father, Cal Ripken Jr. He opens up about the realities of the minor leagues, the evolution of a professional baseball career, and how his family's Legacy has influenced his journey.The conversation also takes a swing at the mental game of baseball and how it prepares you for life's curveball…
Experience a rejuvenating take on conquering burnout as Jennifer Tibidow joins us to share her expertise on this year-round challenge. Our conversation kicks off with humor and wit, yet quickly delves…
Experience a rejuven…
Experience a rejuvenating take on conquering burnout as Jennifer Tibidow joins us to share her expertise on this year-round challenge. Our conversation kicks off with humor and wit, yet quickly delves into the serious impacts of burnout and how embracing playfulness can be your secret weapon against stress. Jennifer, a seasoned attorney, opens up about her personal battle with burnout and how she discovered that integrating fun into the daily grind not only fuels recovery but also drives productivity. This episode promises to shift your perspective on the connection between mind, body, and spi…
Have you ever considered how the world of the circus can have lessons for your productivity? Join us as we welcome the playful force of nature, Caelan Huntress, to take us on a whimsical journey, shar…
Have you ever consid…
Have you ever considered how the world of the circus can have lessons for your productivity? Join us as we welcome the playful force of nature, Caelan Huntress, to take us on a whimsical journey, sharing his insights from acrobat to sales and marketing maverick. We explore how incorporating play into work, from virtual meetings to daily tasks, can not only strengthen Relationships but also boost productivity and foster creativity. Caelan's riveting stories and insights will make you rethink your approach to work and productivity.Work doesn't have to be a drag! With our guest, Caelan,…
Ever been on a long flight and stumbled upon a passion that would redefine your life? That's exactly what happened to our guest, Jamie Chalmers, also known as MrXStitch. He discovered the craft o…
Ever been on a long …
Ever been on a long flight and stumbled upon a passion that would redefine your life? That's exactly what happened to our guest, Jamie Chalmers, also known as MrXStitch. He discovered the craft of cross-stitching mid-flight, finding it meditative and calming. He turned his craft into a career, becoming a celebrated figure in the world of needlework. His unique, tangible designs offer an alternative to the fleeting nature of social media scrolling, proving that crafting can bring immense satisfaction and joy.Cross stitching is often stereotyped as an 'old lady' hobby, but Jamie, …
Imagine stepping onto a stage, microphone in hand, ready to make a room full of people laugh. Sounds thrilling, right? In this episode, we're getting the inside scoop from Alfie Noakes, head honc…
Imagine stepping ont…
Imagine stepping onto a stage, microphone in hand, ready to make a room full of people laugh. Sounds thrilling, right? In this episode, we're getting the inside scoop from Alfie Noakes, head honcho at the We Are Funny Project, to guide us through the exciting world of stand-up comedy. Alfie reveals how the 'comedy bug' can spark a passion for performing and discusses how comedy can help combat stage fright and enhance skills like public speaking and creative thinking. The spotlight doesn't stop there - we're also delving into the art of crafting a unique comedic style…
Could the key to healing and recovery be as simple and profound as rediscovering the power of play and creativity? Join us for a heartwarming conversation with Richard Wilmore from Heart Needs Art and…
Could the key to hea…
Could the key to healing and recovery be as simple and profound as rediscovering the power of play and creativity? Join us for a heartwarming conversation with Richard Wilmore from Heart Needs Art and Vocab, a poet and singer, as we explore the transformative role of playful activities, like painting and playing the ukulele, in dealing with stress, pain, and burnout.Drawing from the impactful work of Heart Needs Art in hospitals, Richard and Vocab share inspiring stories of how this non-profit has grown from one hospital floor to ten hospitals since its inception in 2016. Delve into the world …
Prepare to be tickled with laughter as we sit down with the hilarious Glen Tickle. Glen is a professional comedian with two specials available on YouTube. His first Dry Bar special has over 1 Million …
Prepare to be tickle…
Prepare to be tickled with laughter as we sit down with the hilarious Glen Tickle. Glen is a professional comedian with two specials available on YouTube. His first Dry Bar special has over 1 Million views! He takes us on his journey from a substitute teacher to commanding the stage with his comedy. You won't want to miss how he honed his craft by testing his comedic chops on unsuspecting preschoolers - a humorous, yet enlightening revelation about on-stage material development.Hold your chuckles as we pivot onto a more serious note, exploring the highs and lows of the comedy industry. I …
Embracing the Unpredictable Life: A Conversation with Dave LetterflyStep right up, ladies and gentlemen, and prepare to be dazzled by our guest, David Letterfly Knoderer, the undisputed guru of fun. T…
Embracing the Unpred…
Embracing the Unpredictable Life: A Conversation with Dave LetterflyStep right up, ladies and gentlemen, and prepare to be dazzled by our guest, David Letterfly Knoderer, the undisputed guru of fun. This playful soul has taken the road less traveled, turning his life into a grand spectacle of joy, creativity, and endless play. From the drumbeat's rhythm to the painter's palette, and from the circus ring to the open road, Letterfly's journey is a masterclass in embracing the thrill of the unknown and celebrating life's extraordinary moments.A true circus man at heart, Letter…