In this Inside Personal Growth conversation, Greg Voisen interviews Ben Swire, award-winning designer, co-founder of Make Believe Works, and former IDEO design lead, about his upcoming book Safe Danger: An Unexpected Method for Sparking Connection, Finding Purpose, and Inspiring Innovation (Hardcover – October 14, 2025).

Swire introduces the concept of “safe danger,” a sweet spot between comfort and risk where trust, belonging, and creativity thrive. Drawing from his own journey—transitioning from corporate marketing into design and culture-building—he shares how playful, low-stakes activities help individuals open up, teams bond, and organizations foster innovation.

This episode is filled with stories, strategies, and real-world examples that show how Safe Danger can change not only the way teams work but also how people connect in their everyday lives.

🎧 What Listeners Can Learn
-How the idea of safe danger helps people embrace vulnerability and creative risk-taking.
-Why competition, passivity, and “old news” undermine team-building—and how to overcome them.
-The role of generosity and small gestures in shaping workplace culture.
-How to design activities that engage skeptics, introverts, and reluctant participants.
-Practical methods for combating workplace loneliness and fostering belonging.

Our Guest, Ben Swire:
➥ Book: Safe Danger: An Unexpected Method for Sparking Connection, Finding Purpose, and Inspiring Innovation
➥ Buy Now: https://a.co/d/4MaDKSp
➥https://www.benjaminswire.com/
➡️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/now.and
➡️Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benjaminswire
➡️LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benswire

Learn more about your Inside Personal Growth host, Greg Voisen:
➥ https://gregvoisen.com
➡️Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/insidepersonalgrowth/  
➡️Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/InsidePersonalGrowth/
➡️LinkedIn:     https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregvoisen/ 
➡️Twitter/ X:  https://twitter.com/lvoisen/

Podcast 1254: Safe Danger: An Unexpected Method for Sparking Connection, Finding Purpose, and Inspiring Innovation

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Podcast 1254: Safe Danger: An Unexpected Method for Sparking Connection, Finding Purpose, and Inspiring Innovation

Inside Personal Growth with Greg Voisen