In this episode I sit down with Fallon Stapleton, a Navy veteran turned therapist and birth worker, to explore how the cozy farming game Stardew Valley became a portal for healing, queerness, and defiance against burnout. What begins as a lighthearted chat about gaming unfolds into a profound reflection on perfectionism, motherhood, and the radical potential of play in a world built on exhaustion.
Fallon shares how tending virtual crops and befriending pixelated villagers helped her confront her own drive to overfunction and discover joy in imperfection — even when her plants died. Together, we unpack how Stardew Valley allows players to experiment with relationships, queerness, and community care in ways that reimagine both therapy and activism.
We wander through topics ranging from queer marriage options in-game to the psychology of rest and the refusal to “100%-life.” With humor and warmth, this episode reminds us that rest, play, and failure can be revolutionary acts.
Perfect for therapists, gamers, and anyone needing permission to slow down, laugh, and plant new seeds of joy in a world that tells us to grind harder.
