In this episode of the Water the Bamboo podcast, you’ll hear from Cody Goldberg, founder and Executive Director of Harper’s Playground about why he encourages play and what led him to start the non-profit organization, Harper’s Playground.
Don’t miss this incredible and inspirational Water the Bamboo story with Cody Goldberg.
Episode Highlights:
Why Cody encourages play
What was the journey of Harper’s Playground
What were some of the early challenges?
Next phase of Harper’s Playground growth
How Cody deals with self-doubt
Who’s in Cody’s Bamboo Circle
Cody’s Reading recommendations
Advice to Cody’s younger self
Where Cody gets the eye for design
Links Mentioned in the Podcast
Notable Quotes
“It's always better to be in a good mood and to feel good and to enjoy what you're doing.”
“I really had this awesome mantra early on of being thankful for those things when you can be thankful for the obstacles and the challenges, because they truly remind you that you're doing something important, right. If it was too easy, someone else would have done it already.”
“I am a student of what good leadership looks like.”
“I would encourage people to take the leap if they're really thinking about it, because there are so many people out there like yourself, they can count on me, anytime I come across somebody who's already made the leap I can't wait to help them.”
“I do believe that the attitude of gratitude will amplify your altitude far better than your aptitude.”
“if you think you're doing a good job at inclusion, then you know, you're not because it's such a daunting task to become what we call it radically inclusive.”
“I found was that by putting enjoyment in loving what I did ahead of all else, it has really served me so well.”
Transcript
[00:00:00] Greg Bell: Welcome to the Water the Bamboo podcast I'm Greg Bell. In this episode, you'll hear from Cody Goldberg, founder and executive director of Harper's Playground. Hear how Cody took a challenging moment in his life and turned it into a passion project with the creation of Harper's Playground.
[00:00:33] Welcome to Bamboo Nation, Cody.
[00:00:37] I first heard of you at your Ted Talk. And I was so moved by that. It's really interesting, I imagine many people have told you this, when they heard your Ted Talk, they [00:00:45] were inspired or you made them cry.
[00:00:47] You made them think you made them laugh. You did, your talk was really inspiring. But the thing that I thought was interesting about it, like my takeaway was how you focused on play. Like how important play is on our lives. And it took me on my own journey with that, by the way, I just appreciated that because, you know, I can be kind of serious sometimes in my work and in my life, my kids and whatever it's like, oh yeah, that's right.
[00:01:13] You can play your way through this. Can you kick us off a little bit about your Ted Talk? Just a little bit about that, why is your focus on play? We'll start with
[00:01:22] Cody Goldberg: that.
[00:01:23] Well, thanks Greg, by the way, I'm a big fan of yours. So thanks for having me here. When I stumbled into this work of [00:01:30] accidentally designing playgrounds, just because I wanted to design one for my daughter, Harper, one of the first subjects I started reading about was play. It seemed intuitive to me that playgrounds should be designed with some knowledge of how play works or what play's value is and being a real novice in the whole subject. It was so heartwarming to be reminded of what I think we all know as children, which is that play is play, it makes us feel so good for good reason. It's so good for us. And I found all this literature confirming that like early childhood bias that I had, that it's just it's always better to be in a good mood and to feel good and to enjoy what you're doing. And I think it all aligned with my long standing dream of finding work [00:02:15] that truly moved me that was something I loved to do.
[00:02:18] I'm one of those many people, I think, who wanted to find a career that aligned. All my passions and was more like play for me than work. And when all this literature that I came across, Suggested that play is really not only the best way for children to gain skills and to learn, but it's the best way for adults to remain creative and adaptive and capable of working well with others.
[00:02:41] So it's a subject that's so near and dear to my heart and frankly, it's the subject that our TEDx friend and curator, Dave Ray, asked me to speak about. So I didn't have a choice.
[00:02:53] Greg Bell: I love that. That's good to know. Tell us a little bit more about Harper's playground. Tell us your [00:03:00] Water the Bamboo story. As you know, it takes years and years to get where you are. Walk us through that seed that was planted. I love how you married play with what you do in your career, but how you're helping people all around the country, all over the world with this, with Harper's playground.
[00:03:16] Can you give us that journey a little bit?
[00:03:19] Cody Goldberg: Yeah. The very first kernel of the journey goes back to early childhood for myself, when I set out to find a life's path, a career that was not a career, that was a passion. So it really does go back to childhood. And that's the first kernel, but fast forward, many years later when my daughter, Harper, was in recovery from surgery at home, we had just been [00:03:45] told that she had a rare genetic difference called Emmanuel syndrome and she would never walk or talk in her lifetime. And really time stood still in that moment. I was very conscious of sort of being at a crossroads in my life really and how I could deal with this news, how I would accept it and move forward.
[00:04:07] And I had a moment of clarity in which I put it out there too. I believe in God. So I had prayer, and I prayed for a way forward in which I could change the world for Harper rather than focusing on trying to change her and who she was. It was very clear that I would commit the rest of my life to whatever that looked like.
[00:04:28] And it was four years [00:04:30] later when we took a walk in our neighborhood park it was Harper's maiden voyage and a little Walker, this little yellow Walker with wheels, having been told she would never walk. She was now walking, but while it was aided with this apparatus, she was walking and we walked in the neighborhood park and we ended up at the playground in that park.
[00:04:47] And she became stuck in the woodchips. That surround the typical structure. As most people know of playgrounds, there they're usually structures surrounded by woodchips and my wife said, quote, "that sucks." And then she said, we should do something about that. Like, that's wrong. There's obviously something wrong with this.
[00:05:04] And we should do something about it. And my wife not only had the idea, but she was the one who pushed me to do something. And she put on a to-do list, call someone at parks and rec [00:05:15] and get this project moving forward. Let's do something about it.
[00:05:18] Greg Bell: You're kidding. This is a honeydew list item?
[00:05:20] Cody Goldberg: Yeah, it was on a list of other things like, yeah. Yeah. I tended to be up until that point anyway, to this day, the dreamer, the person with a million ideas of my own that, that I didn't necessarily always follow through on forever, really. But I mean, you know, some, but my wife is a doer, an action oriented person and she pushed this.
[00:05:42] And I don't remember when the light bulb went off that this was definitely it, but it was early. That this was it for me, this would be that way I could change the world. The first project was three years. We raised $1.2 million by starting with a bake sale in front of our house, founded our own [00:06:00] nonprofit, came up with a really revolutionary design.
[00:06:03] And I think of the things I'm passionate about. It might be designed the most Designing a space for play and inclusion for all people it combines all of my passions, my new found passion for play. Like I think most human beings to my longstanding passion for social justice. I really believe all humans are born with these same passions, passions for play passions for social justice. I think we're all born designers, too. We all design our lives. We design our homes. We're all designers. People feel like to be a designer. You have to get some accreditation or something, but I've come to realize we're all designers. So I get to work in this conglomeration, this Venn diagram of [00:06:45] design, social justice, and play that just fuels my whole passion. And you layer on that, that I'm convinced on changing the world for the better for my daughter. The passion levels pretty next level.
[00:06:59] Greg Bell: Yeah. I can just hear it in your voice. I love that idea that you're talking about where all designers, I think about that. Like I always say that we all have bamboo to water, but I think it's very interesting when you talk about that though there are obstacles. There are things that get in the way of a play. There are things that get in the way of design. And one way I described that it's messy in the garden. I mean, just imagine you and your wife and Harper. Oh, we're going to play at the playground and whoa.
[00:07:27] A lot of people honestly would just kinda go home. [00:07:30] But it's interesting that you guys decide to remove this obstacle. And that, that part, but what I want you to talk to us about a little bit is the messiness of that. Cause I always say it's messy in the garden when you start something it's not always smooth it's not always easy. But talk to us a little bit about that journey. You know, I think on this side of it, we can say that Harper's playgrounds been super successful. You've got a long ways to go. I know you're still growing and building, but take us back to some of those, I can just sort of imagine Harper being stuck in the wood chips, if you will, how have you been stuck and talk to some of the challenges you had.
[00:08:06] Cody Goldberg: What I think drove me also early on was not just my passion for the work, but the fact that a lot of gatekeepers popped up [00:08:15] often actually telling us no. And I think that's really it. For those of us who are really committed to, for lack of a better word, a really cool vision.
[00:08:23] I mean, I think it was a really cool vision we had. When something like a gatekeeper, you know, I think in the Joseph Campbell language, a petty tyrant, or what have you, steps in, I really had this awesome mantra early on of being thankful for those things, you know, when you can be thankful for the obstacles and the challenges, because they truly remind you that you're doing something important, right.
[00:08:45] If it was too easy, someone else would have done it already. Or you know, it wouldn't be worth doing, if it's easy why do it and I've always been a little bit of a contrarian and stand up to authority kind of guy, so this was my chance. This was this was my chance to do something [00:09:00] that was a fight, like a good fight.
[00:09:02] The obstacles I think that you're talking about too, that I really appreciate you're going to, especially since the first project opened and now fast forward a little bit to like launching my own nonprofit and trying to replicate the model, that battle captain is not necessarily required, but not nearly as often anymore.
[00:09:19] Greg Bell: On the ready though, I bet.
[00:09:20] Cody Goldberg: It's not on the ready, but it's important to shift into that good leader. You know, I'm fascinated. I never wanted to be called a leader or accept the title or the, you know, the word. I have an aversion to it still, but I am a student of what good leadership looks like.
[00:09:35] And I'm recognizing that it often looks like doing nothing, getting out of the way of other people, like, you know, being a mentor to people or, but often it means actually [00:09:45] getting out of the way. My passion sometimes has me doing things that I'm supposed to let others do. And that stomps on their authority, their agency. And so I'm now becoming really fascinated with leadership qualities that are not just leading the charge on one big fight, right? It's now leading a movement that requires pulling back and being more conscious. And I think this is what aligns with what you talk about a lot and watering the bamboo for other people.
[00:10:13] I think the first project I would just watered my own bamboo. I was like, you're very clear, singular vision, and now I'm trying to mentor people and grow a movement and it's really stretching me. So outside of my comfort zone.
[00:10:27] Greg Bell: Absolutely. A lot of times in [00:10:30] situations you describe the leader is actually behind, you know, a leader is measured, not by their own growth, but by the growth of the ones around them.
[00:10:38] And I just appreciate you touching on that and this idea of leadership, top down leadership is probably the one you have an aversion to, but really servant leadership is what you're talking about. How do you serve others as you grow? I just remember many talks with you talking about how do I grow this?
[00:10:53] And you talk about, it's an interesting concept too, because you're talking about like a movement versus, oh, I got this Harper's playground and we just did this one project. In fact, my girls and I, we all went and played around and goofed around at that at your first project. I remember you talking about this idea of a movement and growth.
[00:11:10] What are the next things you're working on in terms of that? I know the [00:11:15] mentorship is there, but are there some other things that are going on for you?
[00:11:18] Cody Goldberg: Well, I really feel like we're at the early stages of our third phase of growth right now. The first phase was the first project really.
[00:11:25] That's especially where we were able to establish proof of concept. The proof of concept to me is maybe even more exciting in the fact that by removing any and all barriers for people like Harper, who used wheels to get around, we created a space that's truly better for people of all abilities.
[00:11:42] And that unstructured environment is just an idea whose time has come. So disrupted an entire industry or we're in the process of it, of course disrupting an entire industry. And we've also now in the second phase, proven to some degree, at least, [00:12:00] an ability to replicate and we have three tiers of replication model. We inspire and empower others through some free online tools that we have and our storytelling. We do consultant work. I think our most exciting project to date really is a partnership with Nike. And we did a project in Tokyo, Japan for the Olympics, and that's really exciting.
[00:12:25] And we still do full blown, partnership projects. We're currently funded raising for our largest ever project in Vancouver, Washington it's at a park called Marshall park. And we have $1.5 million to raise in the next year. And so that's a really a hands-on full ownership of the project. One of the [00:12:45] challenges with these other projects is for lack of a better word, control, like final design control Is not always in place.
[00:12:52] And so that's part of the leadership model too, is to get more and more clear about what is acceptable from the design standpoint and, you know, to some degree, to allow some things to go. This won't be the first time I've compared myself to Steve jobs, but I do so just to make a point, like, I understand that passion for your product, what you produced, that he had.
[00:13:13] And so to see a copycat project, maybe not, you know, it's like seeing an iPad that's not like it's sort of, not quite right,
[00:13:20] Greg Bell: But I like that comparison though.
[00:13:21] Cody Goldberg: You know what, I've always believed that shoot high.
[00:13:24] Greg Bell: People are listening to this and honestly, right away, you're inspiring people. Wait a minute. [00:13:30] I should play. Wait a minute. There are obstacles. Wait a minute. There are people who are going to say no to me. It's going to be messy. You're inspiring a lot of people to move on and get on with their lives. But what about that listener right now that has some doubts. Doubt is wicked. I believe that a lot of really good bamboo projects or really great ideas, they actually die with the person because they have too much doubt. How do you deal with your own doubts? I mean, thinking about somebody might be listening right now, how do you inspire people who may have doubt around even their passion.
[00:14:03] Cody Goldberg: One of the things I found early on when I took that leap of faith to start this project I found like an inordinate number of people actually offering to help. And those were almost always people who had done their [00:14:15] own thing, you know, successful entrepreneurs.
[00:14:18] I've I feel like there's this vast community of people who have achieved something pretty special. And they're still very hungry to achieve more special things, but they're at the ready to help those of us who make that leap. I don't believe in encouraging anyone to make the leap. I believe in standing at the ready to help people once they do.
[00:14:38] Because I think that it really has to come from inside. People have got to decide. I would encourage people to take the leap if they're really thinking about it, because there are so many people out there like yourself, they can count on me, anytime I come across somebody who's already made the leap I can't wait to help them. I never want to push anyone to make the leap and I don't think anyone. I don't ever [00:15:00] should, and nobody has ever done it, I think wants to, because they know it is messy. It is brutal. I have self doubt all day long. I do. I think it comes with the territory a little bit.
[00:15:12] Greg Bell: You're a human.
[00:15:13] Cody Goldberg: Right, and it comes with the challenges and trying to really grow something. Right.
[00:15:18] Greg Bell: Get out of your comfort zone creates self doubt for sure. One of the things you just alluded to is a question I was going to ask, and I talk about this in Water the Bamboo is who's in your Bamboo Circle, like, I mean, you've already mentioned your wife and some other folks, but it's very interesting because I think without a Bamboo Circle, not gonna work. You know, I always tell people one stock of bamboo growing straight up is okay. But man, it takes a grow because the deep [00:15:45] roots are really what, keep the structure together. Talk a little bit about your Bamboo Circle and how you built it.
[00:15:50] Cody Goldberg: Well it runs the gamut. I believe that great ideas can come from anywhere. And so I've been focused for several years now on trying to really cue in, on being the best listener I could possibly be at all times of the day. I believe in trying to listen intently Because I think the answer you're looking for will come from a book you pick up or from the gas station attendant, if you really are listening. Now that this sounds maybe so esoteric, but I really think it's true. But I also have actively been curating a group of mentors for many years. Well before I started Harper's Playground and I've [00:16:30] always believed in mentorship and in seeking out advisors in my earlier career before that.
[00:16:37] And just as I think a life philosophy I've been collecting them for many years and when I say collecting, that sounds a little wrong, but I'm such a firm believer in relationships and that mentorships go both ways. Right, the student becomes the teacher often. And so I have just a vast array of people I look to. I also do look to books all the time. I look at great authors and honestly, for me, it's primarily nonfiction books about play about design. I get inspired by great authors all the time. I think that is great advice.
[00:17:11] Greg Bell: Right. Besides Water the Bamboo would you recommend?
[00:17:14] Cody Goldberg: Some [00:17:15] books that I would recommend?
[00:17:16] Greg Bell: Yeah. Like just off the top of of your head.
[00:17:18] Cody Goldberg: Well, the Alchemist is the book I pick up like once a year to read, to be inspired, to be reminded that we are all capable of like creating entire universes with our thoughts. And so to mind those thoughts to be positive. So I read that almost once a year. Another one that I actually go back to a lot is the The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Similarly. That one inspires me to get my mindset right. Because I do believe that the attitude of gratitude will amplify your altitude far better than your aptitude.
[00:17:51] Greg Bell: Wow. Wow. Well said. I'm gonna Tweet that one. That was good.
[00:17:57] I think that what you're saying though, is so important. [00:18:00] I always tell people that everyone's going to be the same, but for you know, three things: what you eat, what you have feed yourself, like in terms of food, but also what you feed your mind, and who you hang out with.
[00:18:12] I mean, we're going to be the same, but for those three things the next three years, and you know, if you if you eat poorly and read poorly or don't read at all and have bad friends, the outcome is going to be there. So I appreciate you sort of even talking about that idea. You can get ideas almost anywhere, right?
[00:18:29] Ideas and inspiration. Super important. One of the questions I wanted to ask you though what piece of advice would you give your, say, younger self, your 14 year old self? All the stuff, you know now, [00:18:45] and if you could go back and give yourself, at 14, words of wisdom, what would you tell yourself.
[00:18:50] Cody Goldberg: Oh, my gosh, this is such a stumper. I would probably tell myself at that age, I would say you definitely don't actually know everything you do. There's a good chance. I did know everything at 14. I've forgotten I think a lot of it is the trick. I probably would tell myself to read more and honestly, I really didn't fall in love with reading until I launched Harper's playground.
[00:19:15] And I think that's a beautiful reminder that anyone can become a reader even late in life. I launched our Harper's Playground when I was forty. But I wasn't a voracious reader until I had subject matter that I cared so deeply about that I just had to read about it. And so I definitely [00:19:30] wish I had picked up more books at a younger age, but and I think that listening thing, so I'm giving you more answers, but I cannot stress enough what I believe the value of being an active really maybe even an inactive listener, like being a good listener, like really listening. Anytime I catch myself not being a good listener, I get frustrated with myself and I recognize I haven't achieved it yet. I'm not there yet because listening is everything.
[00:19:57] Greg Bell: It's hilarious that you ever talk about when talking about listening. Cause I do a lot of keynote speeches at conferences and one of the topics I love is this idea of talking about listening, how important it is, the way you say just the irony of that. Like I'm talking about listening and I'm a member of the National Speakers A ssociation.
[00:20:14] And [00:20:15] we know we need the national listeners association and no one's ever listened them selves out of a job. No one's ever listened themselves out of a marriage. No one's ever listened themselves out of you know, economic growth, but man people have talked themselves out of all of those.
[00:20:29] It's a fascinating thing.
[00:20:32] One of the things I was just texting a friend just this morning is about this idea of listening, but also observing and listening and observing are something two things that aren't taught very well. Like to be a good designer you actually have to be a good observer like those two skills are so super important and being able to look and be able to listen.
[00:20:53] Where do you think you get your, I dunno, your design eye? Like, I [00:21:00] just think it's an interesting thing. I know you have training in it, you know, I get that, but where do you think that comes from you? I'm just, I'm personally curious about it.
[00:21:07] Cody Goldberg: Well, I do think that people are somewhat born with a little bit more of an idea like kind of aesthetic kind of thing like that does serve design. But, and I think I've always had some of that or I've an interest in it let's say, but really what has made me a half decent designer in this work that I get to do, is 100% has to do with empathizing with Harper's reality and being empathetic is the number one component of being a good designer. You certainly need to observe how people use the things that exist that you're trying to redesign or, [00:21:45] you know, so for me, I went to playgrounds. I observed how kids play there, or don't often play there especially, but really it was sitting down at the piece of paper with the team and thinking about Harper's reality.
[00:21:56] Could she get there? If she got there, could she do something? And Harper's Playground the magic of it really is those are the two questions that I asked at every phase of the project or sometimes brought up, well, wait a second. It looks like Harper couldn't get there. If somebody was proposing something, that's unacceptable.
[00:22:12] And it was just empathizing with her reality. That drove the entire design of the first park, which now serves as the model for all the rest of them. And it's that simple really? Wow.
[00:22:23] Greg Bell: I just got major goosebumps. That is crazy, I mean, [00:22:30] just to think about that, like, okay how, you know, talk about really getting in somebody's shoes or getting where they are, that kind of empathy completely required for leadership as well. I mean, it's not just the playground and we want Harper to get around the playground, but I imagine as you lead your team, as you lead your board, you getting in people's sort of walking their path is super helpful from a leadership perspective. Speak to that a little bit.
[00:22:58] Cody Goldberg: Yeah, I think it is. I think. And that for me, that's another part of the real challenge, right? Being a leader in a, in an organization that has inclusion as a key component of its work. How well am I doing that for other groups, other types of disabilities besides Harpers? I have a [00:23:15] new mantra that says, if you think you're doing a good job at inclusion, then you know, you're not because it's such a daunting task to become what we call radically inclusive. That's our mindset. So I think humility is also a critical component of being a good leader or the type of leaders that we need. Right. There's, you know, different facets of what people think are good leaders or what have you, but empathy and humility and listening.
[00:23:43] These are what I'm striving for. And I think that ties to design too, like design can be such an ego-driven space and to be a really good designer, I believe you have to remove the ego, put the user, the end user at the front of everything you're doing and thinking about what will [00:24:00] make their lives better.
[00:24:01] Greg Bell: but not radical inclusion in that then, you know, it's like, there's no finish line, right?
[00:24:06] Cody Goldberg: Correct. That's what I mean really the finish line. It's a journey, not a destination, cause you're never there, but if you're striving for it, you're definitely gonna keep getting better.
[00:24:15] Greg Bell: Yeah, I think that one of the ways I think about it is we pursue perfection knowing that we can't arrive there. Pursuing excellence is important. But perfection is probably not there, but we're in pursuit of it.
[00:24:29] One of the things I would just, I was just curious about is what are you most proud of in your career so far?
[00:24:34] Cody Goldberg: I think it's pretty, it's simple. It is the first, the very first Harper's Playground that we've created that physical space.
[00:24:41] But I'm more proud of all the interactions that happened within it. [00:24:45] You know, ultimately we're a community building organization that is, I think the real fabric of creating a better world. Is healthier communities, neighbors, knowing neighbors, caring for one another, you know, full-blown I'm the child of 1960s hippies.
[00:25:02] I believe they were right. I believe they were onto something when they thought there was a better way than like the suburban just, you know, focus on financial wealth and even the folly of the nuclear family, you know, I believe that's such a silly concept. We need healthy communities and that's way beyond the nuclear family, you know?
[00:25:22] And so, I believe the space that we created that is really working, you know, neighbors are knowing neighbors, people are [00:25:30] caring for one another. Human bonds are being forged in that space. So I'm really proud of that. And it serves as a model for others. And so when I'm gone, I know that not every outdoor play space in the entire globe will be a Harper's playground yet, but we'll be well on our way because you really can't, you just can't fight an idea whose time has come.
[00:25:50] Greg Bell: I like that idea of sort of building this community piece. You know, and it sort of ties into all the things you've said about listening and observing and being humble and empathy. All those are qualities. I believe of a great leader. And it's really interesting how you shy away from the term cause like, I think this is leaderships, you know, I think it's sneaks up on you though. I know you like Einstein [00:26:15] quotes, but Einstein, he had the best quote I think, he said that the fish is the last to know about water.
[00:26:22] Cody Goldberg: I like that.
[00:26:23] Greg Bell: I think you're the last to know that you're a leader.
[00:26:26] Cody Goldberg: Yeah. I guess the leaders I want don't want to be called leaders. But all we have to understand, we have to do. And everybody's a leader too. Everybody's a designer. You lead in different ways in different groups. So I think I get that too. I mean, I really do. It's a fascinating subject, I think for somebody who has had a lot time being in the public eye lately, or, you know, for these last 10 years. And it's honestly a little bit shy of it. So that, that part of it is also hard to reconcile and figure out.
[00:26:57] Greg Bell: Yeah, I think the public eye or [00:27:00] not now it's different, just social media and all those things. Plus I don't think a lot of the best leaders you never see them.
[00:27:08] I mean, yeah. I think you're just, nobody knows who they are. Because Water the Bamboo for me, it's not about the bamboo it's actually about the watering and that's what you're talking about. The process, the really putting people together and having people enjoy the parks or the playgrounds. And that's really what it's about.
[00:27:25] The status or whatever. So it really doesn't matter. I always think about that. I tell people, just worry about the watering and the bamboo will take care of itself. But one of the things I have to ask about those, there's always a pandas, you know, pandas are wicked, you know, they're going to eat your bamboo.
[00:27:40] I hate pandas. And a Panda for me is is fear, uncertainty and doubt, you [00:27:45] know, those things like how do people deal with those things? I know we talked about a little bit earlier, but man pandas, come up in ways and a lot of it you've talked about this in your talk.
[00:27:55] And one of the things you talked about in your Ted Talk that struck me as really profound was how you asked the audience to be in their heart and not in their head. Because thinking is the thing that gets us in trouble. Like, you know, can you just speak to that a little bit? Cause I think the podcast audience would love to hear just your thoughts about that because I thought it was just a brilliant comment.
[00:28:17] Cody Goldberg: My thoughts on thinking. Yeah. Well, I was really quoting a mentor of mine, back to mentors, one of the most profound mentorships I ever found was with a native American shaman by the name of king Fisher. [00:28:30] And I told him at one point in our relationship that I was thinking of doing something and he looked at me very stern and he said very directly, don't think so much.
[00:28:42] And it really stopped me in my tracks and I understood fully what he meant. On a deep level, right? I think it is well known and in the philosophy and the world of philosophy, that our thoughts really tend to betray us more than serve us. But our heart never will. Right. And so Harper's playground for me has been a very heart driven exercise.
[00:29:04] And anytime I find myself overthinking anything, I just, I go back to reminding myself about king Fisher's words. And I think what I look to [00:29:15] when I want to get out of my head, is my relationships and connecting with other people. That's usually when I'm in, in my happy place often one-on-one I really I like a good group party, you know, I'm a social butterfly for sure.
[00:29:29] But one-on-one connections like this conversation with you. One-on-one conversations are where I can get out of my head usually because I really want to be with that person, from the heart space, connecting. And that's really where I feel like I can hit that flow state. Right. And so to take it, even back to play, one of the, one of the many things I love about play is like, you know, you think about Michael Jordan or any of these other athletes that have ascended to the very highest level. They actually practice mind games and Wharf, mind warfare with their [00:30:00] opponents to put their opponent in their head while they stay in their flow state. Right. They talk about, when they're in play, they're just, they're not thinking, right.
[00:30:09] They're just playing. And I get in my flow state when I'm with other people, especially one-on-one. And that's one of the best ways I do it. You alluded to how we care for ourselves. I can't claim to have the greatest diet or exercise routine in the world, but when I get those things right, I also think it's easier to stay in touch with my intuition and stay out of my head. I think we get drawn into our heads when we're out of shape a little bit or eating wrong. So I think there's a lot of ways to stay out of our heads and it's usually physical fitness. Good exercise outdoors a lot.
[00:30:44] I mean, I [00:30:45] think the best way is to go outside sometimes. . Just, you know, being outside is critical. It's a constant battle for us humans, staff stay out of our heads.
[00:30:55] Greg Bell: Yeah. I think that everything needs maintenance for sure. You know, if you love it or like it, it needs maintenance, you know? So for me, it's not like, there's no finish there too.
[00:31:03] It's like, You just got to keep working at it. And part of that is actually getting one's head your mind, aligned with your heart. And I just loved how you talked about that. I was such a powerful moment for the audience, sort of just kind of pause and go, wow. Get in my heart. Hey, that's a good idea.
[00:31:25] That's a good idea. I've been in my head all this time. Oh yeah. [00:31:30] I always tell people their longest journey is only 18 inches and that's from their head to their heart. And once you're there, golden, right.
[00:31:35] One of the questions I just want to ask an open-ended one and that is. What else do you want to tell bamboo nation, any sort of words of wisdom?
[00:31:44] The people that are listening are business leaders. They're entrepreneurs like you who have nonprofits they're they're executives. They're, you know, all walks of life. They'd probably love to hear some words of wisdom from Cody Goldberg.
[00:31:56] Cody Goldberg: Oh my gosh. Well, I appreciate the opportunity, Greg. Thank you. I fall back to my big three.
[00:32:03] I would encourage all the listeners to take a look, maybe not a little, take a big dive into the subject of play and to make their lives more playful, their organization's more playful. I [00:32:15] think play is inherently more inclusive. To me, that's a rule of play.
[00:32:19] Good play is inclusive. But then, so of course, to also be more inclusive and everything they do it's the, it's sort of a buzzword of today when we started Harper's Playground 11 years ago, I feel like consistently people were saying inclusive playground. What does that mean? What is, you know, and now there's not only a better awareness for what an inclusive playground is, but I'm hearing the word inclusive everywhere, and that's great.
[00:32:43] I think we could never be really too inclusive. So playful, inclusive, and then I guess I'll just wrap with yours you know, follow your heart, especially, you talked about those people that are thinking about taking the journey. I would never say take the jump but follow your heart, you know, you can never go wrong.
[00:32:59] And I've been, [00:33:00] I have been following my heart for many years. I had the most enjoyable career before Harper's playground really in sports marketing and then doing things I loved working with people I love. And what I found was that by putting enjoyment in loving what I did ahead of all else, it has really served me so well.
[00:33:17] It's, it seems that I have just continued to stumble forward into work that I love doing.
[00:33:24] Greg Bell: I like that, stumbling forward.
[00:33:28] Awesome. How do people get ahold of you and, you know, I'm sure you've inspired people to even donate to Harper's Playground. How do we get ahold of you and learn more about Harper's or seeing that some of the things that, that you're up to. Yeah,
[00:33:42] Cody Goldberg: Our first playground has a really nice [00:33:45] website, www.harpersplayground.org.
[00:33:49] Important. We are a nonprofit and I'm Cody @ all of those things. I'm active in LinkedIn and I love connecting with new people when I do a podcast like this. I appreciate that. Usually there's just one connection that comes from it. And I'm big on one at a time. I really believe in quality over quantity, especially when it comes to relationships and connections.
[00:34:13] But I think people, if they decided to support our work, I believe people get more out of it then they give usually that's what makes me comfortable inviting people to join the movement because when you see one of the spaces in action it's it's a great benefit. It helps [00:34:30] me feel comfortable in accepting a lot of help.
[00:34:33] Greg Bell: Right. Right. What you're doing is absolutely remarkable and, you know, I love you and I love what you're doing. And one of the things I really appreciate about you. Is, you know, not only your following your passion, you know, but you're helping people that you don'teven t. I mean, that's, I love that idea.
[00:34:51] Like, wow, that's true Bamboo Farming, you know, that's like, that's it. I think that is the true essence of a Bamboo Farmer, because you know, when a bamboo grows, it grows crazy and the harvest is huge and you can't eat it all, you can't save at all. Like, it's good that you're spreading that way.
[00:35:07] And you're talking about mentorship and I just so appreciate where you're up to. So, in honor of being a Bamboo Farmer, you're going to have to do the [00:35:15] Water the Bamboo oath though. Okay. So raise your right hand and repeat after me.
[00:35:21] No matter what challenges come my way.
[00:35:24] Cody Goldberg: No matter what challenges come my way.
[00:35:26] Greg Bell: I will.
[00:35:28] Cody Goldberg: I will.
[00:35:29] Greg Bell: Continue,
[00:35:30] Cody Goldberg: continue
[00:35:31] Greg Bell: to water the bamboo
[00:35:33] Cody Goldberg: to water the bamboo.
[00:35:34] Greg Bell: Thanks for tuning in to today's episode of the Water the Bamboo podcast. I hope you enjoyed my discussion with Cody Goldberg and found inspiration in his Water the Bamboo story. If you enjoyed this podcast, make sure you subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.
[00:35:51] And please leave a review and a rating.
[00:35:54] I'm Greg Bell. Keep watering.