The Hidden Psychology of Retirement: Why Purpose Matters More Than Your Pension
Picture this: after decades of working life, you’re standing in your office for the last time. The farewell cards are
Chris Marshall is an entrepreneur and neurodivergent polymath, founder of The Playfulness Institute and Beyond Here, aiming to change the world through research and insights into playfulness and human thriving.
As a behavioural scientist, I explore how our minds work when we make decisions, particularly in the complex world of financial markets. My journey began with groundbreaking research during my MSc in 2016, where I investigated how mental toughness and resilience shape the way investors view their gains and losses. This research challenged traditional economic thinking by examining how these psychological traits influence our reference points—the mental markers we use to judge whether an investment outcome feels like a success or failure.
Building on prospect theory, a foundational framework in behavioural economics, my work has expanded to explore the fascinating role that emotions play in our decision-making processes. I’ve delved into how characteristics like vulnerability and playfulness affect our choices, bringing fresh perspectives to our understanding of human behaviour in financial contexts.
Since late 2022, I’ve been putting these insights into practice as a consulting behavioural scientist at The Wisdom Council in London. Here, I help transform complex behavioural research into practical solutions for the financial industry. A particularly exciting aspect of my work involves developing CitizenIQ, an innovative AI model that incorporates deep behavioural understanding into its framework.
My passion for applying behavioural science extends beyond finance. As the behavioural scientist at Icy Bear Cubs, I’m heavily involved in creating an engaging app that helps children develop good oral health habits. Working alongside renowned dentist Hanna Kinsella, I’ve helped shape the app’s gamification strategy, using behavioural insights to make dental care fun and habitual for young users.
Picture this: after decades of working life, you’re standing in your office for the last time. The farewell cards are
“As our world grows more complex and interconnected, we need thinkers who can navigate across boundaries“ In an age where
The Playfulness Institute serves a specific and essential purpose in our modern world: to help leaders and organisations understand that playfulness—far from being a frivolous pastime—is, in fact, the key to building flourishing, productive, and engaged teams and businesses that thrive in times of disruption.
Playfulness, as Chris defines it, is a blend of creativity, curiosity, and connectedness. He suggests that side projects can be a powerful way to unleash these creative and curious aspects, and he has pursued several of his own—including founding and building one of the UK’s most awarded craft distilleries, whose spirits are now sold across Europe and making inroads into the US market.
Some thoughts and post on my own experience of being neurodivergent, in the hope it helps other with their own journey. I was diagnosed with Aspergers (now placed on the ASD spectrum) and dyslexia when I was 14 years old. However it was only in my last 30’s I discovered I also had ADHD too.
It’s no secret that Chris loves an audience, and over the years Chris has been invited to speak to a wide range of teams, organisations and conferences. Find out where Chris is speaking, or book him for your next event.
In 2016, Chris completed his MSc by research, diving into behavioural science and the fascinating area of investor decision-making and evaluation in relation to mental toughness and resilience—two concepts he had developed first-hand expertise in through his experience as a junior athlete and his work with performance psychologists. Chris now applies his insights from research on playfulness in his role as a consultant behavioural scientist with The Wisdom Council, helping to better understand financial decision-making, resilience, and risk.
Playfulness, as Chris defines it, is a blend of creativity, curiosity, and connectedness. He suggests that side projects can be a powerful way to unleash these creative and curious aspects, and he has pursued several of his own—including founding and building one of the UK’s most awarded craft distilleries, whose spirits are now sold across Europe and making inroads into the US market.
The Being Playful Podcast explores how playfulness can help leaders and teams thrive in today’s fast-changing world. Whether you want to boost creativity, build resilience, or foster a more engaged workplace, this podcast offers fresh insights and practical strategies. Hosted Chris, it features thought-provoking conversations with diverse guests on the power of curiosity, creativity, and connection in high-performance environments.
Chris Marshall is an experienced trainee psychotherapist, specialising in outcome-oriented psychotherapy. He currently works with a UK-based charity, supporting survivors of sexual and domestic abuse. His work in trauma recovery deepens his understanding of the vital role human connection, playfulness, and strong working alliances play in healing and rebuilding lives. His approach is rooted in evidence-based techniques, focusing on resilience, recovery, and meaningful change.
Chris Marshall entered the financial industry in early 2007, joining one of the major global banks just before the Great Financial Crisis. This experience gave him a front-row seat to one of the most turbulent periods in modern financial history, shaping his understanding of markets, risk, and investor behaviour.
He went on to become a Certified and Chartered Financial Planner, spending nearly a decade as an investment manager and strategist, overseeing asset allocation and risk for a boutique fund manager. Bringing his expertise in behavioural science to the financial world, he developed a behavioural macro approach—helping to interpret market dynamics through the lens of human behaviour.
During his time as an investment strategist, Chris authored Decoding Change: Understanding What the Heck Is Going On and Why We Should Be Optimistic About the Future. The book explores the forces shaping our world, the key drivers of change, and how we can improve our ability to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
How can playfulness help individuals and organisations thrive in disruptive times? This is the central question driving Chris Marshall’s PhD research at the University of Northampton. His work explores the impact of playfulness on organisational culture and outcomes, particularly in fostering resilience, adaptability, and innovation. By bridging behavioural science with real-world applications, his research aims to uncover how playfulness can be a powerful tool for navigating uncertainty and shaping the future of work.