Droptalk Money: Rethinking our relationship with money through play

Horla Natsagdorj, Communications Officer, Global Alliance for Banking on Values

Money is one of the most influential forces in our lives, yet we rarely stop to reflect on what it truly means to us. Droptalk Money is a new card game that changes that. Supported by ethical German bank GLS Bank, the game invites players to explore their personal relationship with money through bold questions, surprising conversations, and playful experiments.

A game about real value

Droptalk Money is designed for individuals aged 16 and above who want to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others. The vision is ambitious: a more conscious and peaceful approach to money worldwide. Instead of money flowing into industries that harm people and the planet, the founders want it to strengthen love, community, and things of true value.

“Money touches every part of our lives, but we often avoid talking about it,” says co-creator Zoran von Waldenfels. “We wanted to create a space where those conversations can happen naturally — with curiosity, humour, and openness.”

This vision evolved from years of workshops with people from diverse backgrounds — rich and poor, young and old, academic experts and everyday individuals. Again and again, the team noticed the same patterns: money is still a taboo subject, tied to shame, fear, and pressure. Even in financial institutions, where money is central, people often avoid talking about it — and there is little support for exploring one’s personal relationship with money. The founders realised that a conscious money mindset is urgently needed, especially within organisations working directly with finance. Droptalk Money was designed as a response: a playful tool to open dialogue, experiment with patterns and roles, and practice authentic communication around money.

The game builds upon the broader Droptalk concept, which has been developed and tested since 2021. Droptalk Money has been sold more than 1,500 times and played by more than 5,000 people, sparking curiosity and conversations they had never had before. Unlike other money-themed card games that can feel repetitive, Droptalk Money remains fresh and meaningful every time you play.

Why it matters

The team behind the project believes that exploring money doesn’t have to be dry or intimidating. “We urgently need a breath of fresh air in the way we handle money,” explains co-creator Michael Schoett. “Droptalk Money helps uncover unconscious habits and behaviours, and it does so in a way that is both fun and transformative.”

Meet the creators

Droptalk Money was created by Michael Schoett and Zoran von Waldenfels, who bring diverse experiences to the table.

• Michael is the founder and developer of Droptalk. With six years of community-building experience, as well as a background as a professional musician and trained chef, he has a knack for building bridges between different people and perspectives.

• Zoran holds a masters degree in sustainability economics and works at GLS Bank in the strategy department. His training as a Gestalt therapist and experiential educator gives him deep insight into human relationships. He is also no stranger to unconventional experiments — after his bachelor’s degree, he lived without money for four weeks to explore what truly matters.

Both share a longing for unvarnished truth and a commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence. Their collaboration on Droptalk Money, supported by GLS Bank and a vibrant community, has deepened into both a project and a friendship.

In conversation with the founders

To better understand the vision behind Droptalk Money, we asked co-creator Zoran von Waldenfels a few questions. In this conversation, he shares the inspiration for the game, why play matters when exploring money, and what’s next for the project.

1. What inspired you to create Droptalk Money, and how did the idea first come about?

We live in a world that deals with money every day. People grow up with money; we start spending our first euros, dollars or whatever currency we use when we are just a couple of years old. But: There are only very few spaces within our everyday life where we actually get the chance to reflect on our relationship with money. And, subconsciously, it is most often connected to fear. To scarcity. To a bothered look into the future.

Also, the way we spend our money and the way it flows through global economic networks is often linked to the destruction of socio-economic systems. This also often stays unreflected.

My friend Michael Schoett, founder of Droptalk, and I wanted to change this. Two years ago, the two of us sat together at a bonfire, and the idea popped up: Let’s combine our professions.

I studied economics and philosophy and work at GLS Bank. Michael has developed Droptalk, a card game that opens up a space, using bold questions, to discuss topics in relationships that are rarely addressed. For example, you play with a group of friends and draw a card that asks you to identify the uncertainties you have about another person within the group. You may answer this question if you wish. And all of a sudden, you talked about your uncertainties. It revolutionises relationships.

Our idea was to create great questions that revolutionise one’s relationship with money – to be played with friends, family, or strangers in a group setting. That was the starting point of Droptalk Money.

2. Why do you think it’s important to explore our relationship with money in a playful way?

Michael and I run many workshops for people of all backgrounds, including the rich and the poor, the old and the young, to answer this question, and here is what we found: Many people want to reflect on how they deal with money. Also, they want to change their behavioural patterns and internalised beliefs. Some people feel like money separates them from their families, friends and the world.

“Instead, people would like to strengthen and improve their relationships with themselves and the world through better financial management.”

3. Can you share a memorable reaction or story from someone who has played the game?

I played the game with a person who had lost about 20k euros in shares. That was pretty much all he had had in savings. He said he had never really talked about it, and that this experience had in many ways shaped his life afterwards. He had become more afraid of the future, less trusting in his instincts and less open to giving things away because of fear of not having enough in the long run. This was the first time he talked about the topic openly –

basically in front of a group of strangers. When i met him again half a year later, he said, that he felt different about the loss of shares now. He had become calmer about it. It bothered him less. And he told me that he held the gameplay in fond memory.

4. How do you see this project contributing to broader conversations about money, values, and sustainability?

Droptalk Money creates a safe space for discussing values, money, and possessions. It invites people to listen to each other without judgment and to share honestly what they feel inside. Be it guilt, envy, joy or hope. By doing so, we can overcome the often-growing separation within our societies, firms, and sometimes even families or peer groups, and begin to understand and respect one another despite our different opinions and experiences. From there, change begins.”

5. What’s next for Droptalk? Are there future editions or projects you’re excited about?

We translated Droptalk Money into English and printed a limited edition. Now, it is being played in various countries in Europe, mainly within banks with socio-ecological background. Our vision for the game is to go global – for it to be played in various groups and firm settings all around the Earth.

Also, we developed another edition: Droptalk Team Culture. A card game that asks bold and important questions to bring the topics to the surface that teams rarely talk about – but that are necessary for every team member to enjoy their work and be successful. We’ve developed a workshop for that. I am excited to use the game and see teams grow.

More than a game

Droptalk Money is more than entertainment. It’s part of a larger vision to build a movement that breaks taboos and opens up new ways of connecting — whether about money, relationships, or community life.

As the creators put it: “We all need to find new answers to the crises of our time. Droptalk Money is our playful contribution.”