The Power of Fun book cover

The Power of Fun by Catherine Price Summary

The Power of Fun
Catherine Price
3.69 (8211 Reviews)
Psychology
Self-growth
Productivity
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of The Power of Fun

In "The Power of Fun," science journalist Catherine Price reveals how "True Fun" - the intersection of playfulness, connection, and flow - can rescue us from screen addiction and languishing. Amazon Editor's Pick that's transforming work-life balance conversations nationwide. What's your fun deficit costing you?

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Key takeaways

1

When Life Became a To-Do List

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A new mother stands in her kitchen, cradling her premature daughter against her chest. The baby is finally home from the hospital, miraculously healthy. This should be pure joy. Yet her thumb keeps moving, scrolling through her phone even as she holds this tiny life. The realization hits like cold water: she's addicted to a device, and it's stealing moments she'll never get back. This wasn't rock bottom, but it was close enough to spark a question that would reshape everything: when did we forget how to have fun? We throw the word "fun" around constantly-"that meeting was fun," "dinner was fun," even "traffic wasn't too bad, kind of fun actually." We've watered down the concept until it means nothing more than "not terrible." Meanwhile, something essential has been leaking out of our lives. Adults struggle to remember the last time they felt truly, wildly, completely alive in a moment. We're not talking about pleasant or nice or fine. We're talking about that electric feeling when time dissolves, when you're so present you forget to check your phone, when you look up grinning and think, "This. This is what being human feels like."

2

The Anatomy of Aliveness and What Steals It

3

Why Fun Isn't Frivolous

4

Designing Your Fun Life

5

Making Room for What Matters

6

The Art of Joyful Defiance and Living It Daily

7

Reclaiming What Makes Us Human

Explore Your Way of Learning
The Power of Fun isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Psychology. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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The Power of Fun Summary in 13 Minutes

Break down key ideas from The Power of Fun into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

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Flash Card Mode - Top 9 Insights from The Power of Fun in a Nutshell

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Top 9 Insights from The Power of Fun in a Nutshell

Distill The Power of Fun into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

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Fun Mode - The Power of Fun Lessons Told Through 25-Min Stories

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The Power of Fun Lessons Told Through 25-Min Stories

Experience The Power of Fun through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.

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@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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star
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star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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@OojasSalunke
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@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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star
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star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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201
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16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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