Pop and Play

The truth is, we care about our young people, dare we say, even worry about them. But staying connected to their world and all the complexity they navigate can be a challenge. Pop and Play hosts Haeny Yoon and Nathan Holbert introduce this new podcast created and hosted by Pop and Play Producer Joe Riina-Ferrie, and Media Producer Jen Lee. "How's School?" looks at education, health, and psychology–but at the core is young people's well-being, and our ability to face things that impact them without losing heart. Follow "How's School?" wherever you podcast–the series begins Oct 12, 2022.From The Digital Futures Institute: tc.edu/hows-school

Haeny and Nathan are joined by friend of the show and colleague Lalitha Vasudevan, as well as (Re)Search for Solutions host Sonali Rajan for a special crossover episode. This episode covers a more serious topic as it discusses the troubling implications of the "Block 19" - a gun made to be adorned with LEGOs, along with the complex intersection between play and violence.  Visit the episode page for transcripts and to learn more about what was discussed in this episode.Our music is selections from “Leafeaters” by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.Check out (Re)Search for Solutions - hosted by Sonali Rajan

Nathan and Haeny read Choose Your Own Adventure books and discuss them with special guests: kids! (Books: Space and Beyond (Choose Your Own Adventure Series #3) and Choose Your Own Adventure Eighth Grade Witch.) They discuss what the kids thought about the CYOA book, the best reading strategies, and what's poppin' for their four guests.Visit the episode page for transcripts and to learn more about what was discussed in this episode.Our music is selections from “Leafeaters” by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.

Haeny and Nathan discuss Masters of the Universe: Revelation, a recent follow-up to the '80s cartoon He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. They're joined by University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign Professor Anne Haas Dyson to talk children's play, pop culture and representation! How does Pop culture inform children's play, and what is the importance of representation to children? And why do shows keep trying to teach Haeny lessons?Visit the episode page for transcripts and to learn more about what was discussed in this episode.Our music is selections from “Leafeaters” by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.

Haeny and Nathan talk with St. Cloud State University Professor Michael B. Dando about the Marvel series What If...?! They talk about speculative fiction, what playing with remixing the pop culture we love can offer us as people and educators, comics, and how we can learn from Spiderman without translating it into the vocabulary of schooling.Visit the episode page for transcripts and to learn more about what was discussed in this episode.Our music is selections from “Leafeaters” by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.

Haeny and Nathan talk with fellow Teachers College Professor Ioana Literat about reality TV! Haeny assigns Nathan homework: watching Keeping up with the Kardashians, and Ioana Literat guides us deep into the 90 Day Fiancé subreddit community. They discuss reality TV as a pedagogical resource, a center of community formation, and Haeny makes Nathan play "Kardashian quotes."Visit the episode page for transcripts and to learn more about what was discussed in this episode.Our music is selections from “Leafeaters” by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.

Haeny and Nathan are back for another season of Pop and Play! They start it out by playing the role playing game "Lady Blackbird" with Matthew Berland from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Antero Garcia from Stanford University. They discuss how role playing games allow for play with identity, what possibilities different kinds of rules and constraints allow - and more!Visit the episode page for transcripts and to learn more about what was discussed in this episode.Our music is selections from “Leafeaters” by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.

This Star Wars themed live episode (May the 4th be with you) was recorded with a LIVE Zoom audience. Haeny, Nathan, and Lalitha talk with Cassie Brownwell and Chris Moffett about the play during the pandemic, patterns in play, play with pop culture, and what this all might have to do with Star Wars. Plus they play "Would you Bloop or Bleep?," quiz Cassie, and share "what's poppin."Visit the episode page for transcripts and to learn more about what was discussed in this episode.Our music is selections from “Leafeaters” by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.

Haeny and Lalitha talk with Ebony Elizabeth Thomas and Oluwaseun (Olu) Animashaun about speculative fiction, Afrofuturism, African Futurism, and much more. They discuss the political dimensions of play in these and other genres, from children's literature to the big screen, and how these artifacts will stand in the 22nd century. Plus they play "Would you Rather: Speculative Fiction Edition" and share "What's Poppin'."Visit the episode page for transcripts and to learn more about what was discussed in this episode.Our music is selections from “Leafeaters” by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.

Haeny and Nathan talk with Yasmin Kafai about everything from programming to biomaking. Yasmin Discusses what it means to play virtually in Whyville, program on Scratch, stitch E-textiles, and explore biomaterials. Plus they play "Is this toy real or fake?" and share "What's Poppin'." Visit the episode page for transcripts and to learn more about what was discussed in this episode - and find out how to join us for pop and play live!Our music is selections from “Leafeaters” by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.

Haeny and Nathan talk with John Potter and Kate Cowan about their work in the UK on children's play from historical archives through the present day, how the pandemic has affected children's play, and some of their own memories of childhood play.Plus they play "Colleagues Quiz" and share "What's Poppin'."Visit tc.edu/popandplay to learn more and the episode page for links to Kate and John's research, John's music and radio project, and more.Our music is selections from “Leafeaters” by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.

Haeny and Nathan talk with John L. Jackson, Jr., an anthropologist, filmmaker, and the Dean of the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode John talks us through his days as the host of the radio show “Jackson Attraction” and multimodal scholarship. In their conversation, they learn that scholarship is itself an act of play; that at the intersection of play and art and making is a space for disruption and interruption. Plus they play "Which GIF?" and share "What's Poppin'". Our music is selections from “Leafeaters” by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.Visit tc.edu/popandplay and the episode 2 page to learn more and access resources. Nathan on Twitter: @nrholbert. Haeny on Twitter: @haenyyoon.

Professor Lalitha Vasudevan guest hosts and we learn about Haeny and Nathan’s research on play, why they think considering play is important and what they do to play.

Introducing Pop and Play! A new podcast from Teachers College. Professors Haeny Yoon and Nathan Holbert talk to people about why play matters.