s01e02: Worldbuilding

Cadre

Amy and Kevin dive into the first topic in the Playful Connections theme for 2024 ... Worldbuilding: Co-creating Context.

We use worldbuilding to connect in many ways, from our pretend play as kids or adults to conversations with friends in which we imagine our futures together and apart. Worldbuilding is a symbolic creation for healing and growth.

The scope and process of constructing an imaginary world varies greatly and often includes consideration of how we might be impacted by geographies, lore, sociopolitical structures, cultures, and technology. It's a fundamental aspect of many creative endeavors such as literature, film, video games, and tabletop role-playing games. It is also a crucial part of play that allows people to co-create imaginary and possible worlds together.

Some resources on this topic include:

Imaginary Worlds (podcast)
https://www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org/
Sand Tray Therapy (article)
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/sand-tray-sand-play-therapy (1590 words)
Build stronger D&D parties with The Session Zero System, a novel tarot-based game (article)
https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/23399310/dnd-session-zero-system-gabe-hicks-ttrpg-kickstarter-release-date-price (850 words)
How Afrofuturism Can Help the World Mend (article)
https://www.wired.com/story/how-afrofuturism-can-help-the-world-mend/ (2975 words)
Surprising benefits of worldbuilding, for your brain and your pocket! (article)
https://blog.worldanvil.com/worldbuilding/surprising-benefits-of-worldbuilding-for-your-brain-and-your-pocket/ (1450 words)

Cadre is a podcast that explores concepts from Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), a psychological theory that started with Jean Baker Miller, and grew through collaboration and connection in places like the Stone Center at Wellesley College. RCT is built on the idea that people grow through and towards relationships, and that those relationships shape and are shaped by the cultures we co-create. Culture often creates challenges to connection through inequity and hierarchies.

Each year, the Bloomington Center for Connection selects a guiding theme for monthly small-group discussions of RCT concepts.

Amy Makice is the founder of Bloomington Center for Connection and a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Amy offers individual therapy and parent support for people in the Bloomington area, workshops for parents and caregivers, and training on Relational Cultural theory.

Kevin Makice is a user experience designer and enthusiastic gamer who has been steeping in RCT for three decades.

Theme music created by Vlad Gluschenko ("Positive Thinking" and "Serpantine") and downloaded from Soundcloud through Creative Commons Attribution 3.0.

https://soundcloud.com/vgl9/positive-thinking
https://soundcloud.com/vgl9/serpantine
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en