You know I love playing RPGs and I hinted at something in the works yesterday. Today, I also used Gemini Notebook to help create this short explainer of how the narrative engine works in RPGs and how you can adapt them for almost any age in your family. Get ready - the quest launches tomorrow.

One year. It's wild to say that out loud. When I started Connected Through Play, I had a simple belief: that play real, genuine, joyful play is how we actually connect. Not through perfect moments or polished highlight reels, but through showing up, trying things, laughing at the mess, and doing it all together. This past year, you've proven that belief right a thousand times over. You've shared your wins and your learning curves. You've cheered each other on. You've built something that actually *feels* like community not because we forced it, but because you chose to be here and to be real. We've learned that connection isn't complicated. It's a game night. It's a question asked without hesitation. It's someone saying "me too" when it matters. You've given that to each other, and we're grateful for it. To everyone who's been part of this, whether you've been here since day one or you just found us, thank you. This space exists because of you. Here's to another year of play, growth, and showing up together. Stick around. Bring a friend. Let's see what we build next.

This month's leaderboard is 🔥 and we're thrilled to celebrate the incredible humans who've been showing up and making waves: 🥇 @Paulette Ng — #1 this month AND the undisputed all-time champion. Your creative energy is contagious, Paulette. 🥈 @Andrew Brooks — #2 this month, bringing that passion for metabolic transformation every single day. 🥉 @Tosca Fasso — #3 this month, leading the charge on AI delegation and CEO elevation. Also climbing strong: @Sandy Chong (#4, and a consistent top-3 all-time legend), @Chanie Twersky (#5), @Jen Staniforth (#6, sitting at #2 all time—consistency personified), @Auli Takala (#7), @Dan Mowinski (#8), @Henry Hunter (#9), and @Anna Murrietta (#10). Ready to make your mark? Jump in, share your wins, and show us what you've got—the leaderboard is wide open.

My apologies, a scammer snuck in. He has been removed from group.

When I get bored, watch out. You never know what I’ll come up with. I’m sitting in the airport, people watching and waiting for my flight and started thinking how could I combine some of the odds and ends in the airport into something fun. I’m flying solo for work but many times I had youngsters to entertain. Take a peek at today’s build and let me know if you try. Here’s the best part, you don’t need a kid for this one. Some problems need brilliant inventions. Other problems probably shouldn’t be problems at all. What could you invent to keep stuffed animals entertained? Detect nearby bananas? Translate what the cat is complaining about? Find a ridiculous problem and build an equally ridiculous solution. Gather Your Gear: Raid the Parts Department Don’t make a shopping list. Go hunting. Check the recycling bin, craft supplies, junk drawer or wherever interesting odds and ends collect. Each inventor can grab 3–5 things that make them wonder, “What could I do with this?” Keep tape, string or other ways to connect things nearby if you want them. Then bring your strange assortment back to the invention table. Steps 1. Find a problem worth not solving. Maybe socks need bedtime stories. Maybe the couch needs protection from invisible elephants. Invent a ridiculous problem of your own. 2. Imagine an impossible solution. Look at the pieces you gathered. Turn them around. Put them together. Steal an idea from one person and mix it with another. There is no need to know exactly what you’re making before you start. 3. Build your invention. Connect things, stack them, arrange them or hold them together while you try out ideas. It can be tiny, strange, unfinished-looking or completely baffling to everyone else. 4. Put it to work. Pretend to use your invention. Push imaginary buttons. Make the noises yourself. Have another person operate part of it. Discover what happens when your invention meets the ridiculous problem it was made to solve. 5. Keep playing. Your invention might solve another problem, develop a strange side effect or inspire somebody else’s invention. Follow the fun rather than worrying about finishing it.