Playing Games You Can Win | Ep 78

Playing Games You Can Win | Ep 78

From Real Occult by Tristan Garrett Mueller

April 30, 2026 · 15 min · Season 2 · Episode 17

About this episode

The episode discusses the dynamics of hierarchy among children in a before-school and after-school program and the impact on participation in games.

If you didn’t know, I’ve been running a 150+ kid before-school and after-school program. When we have 80+ kids running around and playing, a hierarchy ALWAYS forms! The cool thing is it’s structured differently based on the activities/games we’re playing that day. The issues come when the kids at the top of the hierarchy absolutely dominate the game to the point the kids that aren’t as good no longer want to participate. Once this happens, their focus generally shifts to ruining the game ...

People in this episode

Host: Tristan Garrett Mueller

Topics covered

  • child development
  • hierarchy in play
  • group dynamics
  • education
  • after-school programs

Keywords

  • children
  • games
  • participation
  • hierarchy
  • after-school program

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