Episode 236: Why Adults Need Play Too with Tabitha Dell'Angelo

How to Be More Playful in Midlife

What if the secret to aging well wasn’t about pushing harder… but playing more?

In this week’s episode of the Late Bloomer Living Podcast, I’m joined by Tabitha Dell’Angelo—a professor, TED speaker, and passionate advocate for the power of adult play. This conversation is in celebration of the International Day of Play, and I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect guest to explore what it really means to be playful as a grown-up.

We talk about:

• Why adults have been conditioned to feel guilty for playing (hello, grind culture)

• The science behind laughter and stress relief

• What to do if you’ve forgotten what feels playful—or fear it’s “too late”

Tabitha brings both heart and research to this conversation, and I think you’ll walk away feeling a little more hopeful—and a little more free.

Whether it’s a spontaneous dance break, a walk outside, or trying something new just for the joy of it… play is available to us in ways we often overlook. And no, you don’t have to be “good” at it. 

Learn more about Tabitha and her work at tabithadellangelo.com
🎥 Watch her TED Talk: Act Your Age! How and Why to Play Like an Adult

Mentioned in This Episode:
Looking to dive deeper into the science and power of play? Here are some of the resources and references Tabitha mentioned during our conversation:

• 🧠 The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) – An academic organization dedicated to play research.

• 🌍 International Play Association (IPA) – Advocating for every child’s right to play around the world.

• 🎉 Playposium 2025 – A unique gathering of educators exploring play in higher education.

• 🎥 Do Schools Kill Creativity? by Sir Ken Robinson (TED Talk) – A classic talk about education and imagination.

• 📚 The Power of Fun by Catherine Price – A book exploring the intersection of playfulness, flow, and connection.