We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ryan Cagle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ryan below.

Hi Ryan , thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Roll for Spirituality exists to cultivate a space for self discovery and spiritual exploration outside the bounds of normative religious institutions and dogma by providing space for individuals to safely explore new worlds, beliefs, ideas, face challenges, learn to solve problems, and explore deep truths about themselves, the world, and the Divine/God through the medium of tabletop role playing games.

We often pray, meditate, do yoga, light candles, participate in liturgies and religious rituals as a way to connect more deeply with ourselves, our community, and our understanding of the divine (God/Spirit/etc/). These practices help us take a “long loving look at the real” by helping us slow down and reflect on the circumstances of our lives. They help us center (and sometimes decenter) ourselves as we navigate life and its many challenges. These practices are designed to help us on our journeys of exploration, and when done with intention can leave us deeply transformed.

Through these practices we gain clarity, learn to let go, find out more about ourselves, and ultimately learn how to reflect rather than react when presented with challenges. This same thing can happen during play, and more specifically in role-playing games where we can explore new worlds, beliefs, and ideas as we face challenges, learn to solve problems and explore deep truths. In role-playing games you take on new personas, try out new beliefs, outlooks, and ideas in a safe and transformative environment.

Sometimes we do not have supportive structures or safe spaces in our lives that allow us to explore our spirituality, beliefs, ideas, and life circumstances. It is difficult to wrestle with our doubts, questions, and curiosities when we feel like we are alone, but this is where spiritual direction comes into play. Regardless of the environment we find ourselves in, spiritual direction shows us that we do not have to go this journey alone. In Spiritual Direction with Roll for Spirituality we use role-playing games as a medium for self discovery and deeper connection in an environment that seeks to cultivate a space of freedom and safety for all those who participate, frequently reminding them that they are not alone on their journey.

This mission was born at the intersections of my own experience with tabletop games and self discovery. As a teenager my local gaming group allowed me to not only have a safe and fun place to experience community, but also to safely have the opportunity to explore ideas that I would have been far to fearful to in “real” life. From allowing me to process my complicated feelings with religion to helping me find my voice, and learn to be bold the space of tabletop roleplaying games became fertile soil for my personal development. I have seen first hand how this can be a transformative space for healing, and self discovery.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

The work I do exits at the intersections of spiritual/pastoral care (religious/faith work) and tabletop roleplaying games. As a person of faith I have worked within religious contexts for my entire adult life, helping those wanting to explore faith in safe and affirming ways in world in which religion can often seem harmful.

I came into designing games several years ago during the COVID pandemic to just give myself a creative outlet. I designed a single game a month in 2020 which let to the launch of my first Kickstarter project and my small indie game design studio, Paradox Press/Games. Since then I have designed over two dozen games, and have ran four successful kickstarters for various tabletop roleplaying games.

The work of Roll for Spirituality exists where these two passions meet.

About me: I am a trained spiritual director, graduate of the Center for Action and Contemplation’s Living School, and current student at United Theological Seminary of the twin Cities where I am pursuing a Masters of Divinity in Social Transformation AND a Masters of Arts in Ecological Justice. I have over a decade of pastoral work experience in a myriad of church contexts across the country, and currently help organize a small rural faith community called Jubilee House where we do anti-capitalist, anti-racist, and LGBTQ+ affirming work in the backwoods of Alabama. I have a passion for helping others navigate the wilderness that is a life of faith/spirituality with special interest in accompanying ex/post-evangelicals, former fundamentalists christians, and LGBTQ+ folks. You can read more about me and all my different projects on my website.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

One goal that drive say work is the desire to see people of all walks of life from a myriad of faith backgrounds find safe and affirming environments for them to explore the deep questions in life. So much of modern religion can be hostile to seekers, doubters, and outsiders and this work give me the opportunity to invite people into the work of self discovery and transformation without all the bounds of religious dogma and doctrine.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

That being a creative is tough, and that means you likely can’t do it all on your own. I am a pretty self-sufficient person and it was hard for me to realize that there was no reason to feel ashamed about sometimes needing to rely on the strengthen and expertise of others. There is no such thing as a self-made person.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rollforspirituality.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ryancagle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanalexandercagle/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/_ryancagle
• Other: https://paradoxpress.games

Image Credits
No applicable credits