Podcast appearances and mentions of Stuart Brown

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts or check out the fully edited transcript of our interview at the bottom of this post.In this episode of The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, I interviewed Hayden Ahlbrandt, a certified Synergetic Play Therapist. Hayden shares some really helpful thoughts and strategies on both how we can prevent meltdowns and how best to support our child—and ourselves—once we find ourselves with a meltdown on our hands. We focus on connection, co-regulation, mindfulness, and creating safety.Know someone who might appreciate this episode? Share it with them!And if you love the podcast, FREE ways to help us out:1- Rate and review the podcast in your podcast player app2- “Like” this post by tapping the heart icon ♥️3- Share this with a friend. THANK YOU!We talk about:* 00:00 – Sarah introduces Hayden Ahlbrandt, certified Synergetic Play Therapist. Overview of meltdowns, regulation, and co-regulation* 05:25 – Viewing behavior through a nervous system lens* 10:30 – Understanding Meltdowns Through the “Pop Bottle” Analogy* 12:00 – Why some days kids can handle more than others* 1:00 – “Regulation Is Connection to Self” - Helping kids discover what naturally regulates them* 20:00 – Why Regulation Tools Need to be Practiced Outside Meltdowns* 22:00 – Preventing Meltdowns* 24:00 – The Three Rs: Regulate, Relate, Reason* 30:00 – Mindfulness and Co-Regulation* 32:30 – The Parent's Nervous System* 36:00 – Aggression During Meltdowns* 38:30 – Making the Environment Feel Safer* 42:00 – Parenting Advice Hayden Wishes He'd Known EarlierResources mentioned in this episode:* Hayden's website * Hayden's IG @lowtideplaytherapist* Synergetic Play Therapy Institute* Yoto Screen Free Audio Book Player* The Peaceful Parenting Membership* Evelyn & Bobbie brasConnect with Sarah Rosensweet:* Instagram* Facebook Group* YouTube* Website* Join us on Substack* Newsletter* Book a short consult or coaching session callxx Sarah and CoreyYour peaceful parenting team- click here for a free short consult or a coaching sessionVisit our website for free resources, podcast, coaching, membership and more!>> Please support us!!! Please consider becoming a supporter to help support our free content, including The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, our free parenting support Facebook group, and our weekly parenting emails, “Weekend Reflections” and “Weekend Support” - plus our Flourish With Your Complex Child Summit (coming back in the fall for the 3rd year!) All of this free support for you takes a lot of time and energy from me and my team. If it has been helpful or meaningful for you, your support would help us to continue to provide support for free, for you and for others.In addition to knowing you are supporting our mission to support parents and children, you get the podcast ad free and access to a monthly ‘ask me anything' session.Our sponsors:YOTO: YOTO is a screen free audio book player that lets your kids listen to audiobooks, music, podcasts and more without screens, and without being connected to the internet. No one listening or watching and they can't go where you don't want them to go and they aren't watching screens. BUT they are being entertained or kept company with audio that you can buy from YOTO or create yourself on one of their blank cards. Check them out HEREEvelyn & Bobbie bras: If underwires make you want to rip your bra off by noon, Evelyn & Bobbie is for you. These bras are wire-free, ultra-soft, and seriously supportive—designed to hold you comfortably all day without pinching, poking, or constant adjusting. Check them out HERESarah: Hey everyone. Welcome back to another episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast.Today's guest is Hayden Ahlbrandt. Hayden is a certified Synergetic Play Therapist who lights up at any opportunity to teach, educate, and support adults in how they can best support the children in their lives.He specializes in meltdowns, and that's what we're going to be talking about today. Hayden shares some really helpful thoughts and strategies on both how we can prevent meltdowns and how best to support our child—and ourselves—once we find ourselves with a meltdown on our hands.I think you're going to find this episode really useful, no matter how old your child is. One thing I really appreciate is that Hayden sees meltdowns through the lens of the nervous system and in terms of regulation, dysregulation, and co-regulation.I'm definitely going to be thinking about a phrase he shared: “Regulation is connection to self.”If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. Word of mouth is the best way to get more eyes and ears on the podcast.If you're a fan of the podcast, you can help us out not only by sharing it, but by leaving a review and a five-star rating in your podcast player app. While you're there, don't forget to follow the show so you don't miss an episode.If you'd like to support us even more, you can become a supporter on Substack to help us offset the cost of making the show.You can also check out our sponsors: Yoto Audio Players for Kids, a screen-free alternative that makes listening, learning, and entertainment easy with no screens, and Evelyn & Bobbie Bras, the most comfortable and flattering bra I've ever worn.Links are in the show notes.Okay, let's meet Hayden.Sarah: Hi, Hayden. Welcome to the podcast.Hayden: Thank you so much. I'm excited to be here.Sarah: Yeah, I'm excited to have you. I found you on Instagram, and I love all the reels that you make. I love your energy and how you show up for parents so they can show up for their kids. So I'm really glad to have you on the podcast.Hayden: I appreciate that.Sarah: Tell us about who you are and what you do.Hayden: Yeah. Well, obviously, my name's Hayden.I'm a certified Synergetic Play Therapist, and I have my own play therapy practice. Like you mentioned, my Instagram has become something I've had a lot of fun doing. It's really given me an avenue to work with adults and support them in how we support kids.So I kind of have a two-pronged approach right now. I work with kids in my play therapy practice, but I also do a lot of speaking, presenting, workshops, and that kind of thing—giving parents the tools from the training I have so they can better support kids.My specialization has really become focused on big behaviors and meltdowns. I also work with a lot of anxiety.So that's the quick elevator speech.Sarah: Yeah, it makes sense because you have the kids for maybe an hour a week—or whatever your typical amount is—but then they're off with their parents for all of the rest of the days and hours of the week.If parents don't know how to support them during that time, it probably makes your job not work as well, right?Hayden: Yeah, definitely.I always explain it as wraparound support. I think we can do so much in our time together and in our work during sessions, but things are just going to move so much quicker when parents are involved.Ultimately, that's how I view my work as a play therapist. We're not trying to make drastic changes or fix things. We're trying to help the child feel better because, typically, when they're coming in, it's because something in their world feels really big, really hard, or really challenging, and that's coming out as behaviors.Sarah: Right.Hayden: I kind of view it that way. We're trying to help the child feel better, which is going to help the whole family system feel better.Typically, with the kinds of things I mentioned—if a child is having really big, intense meltdowns that are above and beyond what's developmentally appropriate—it can be really hard on the entire family system: siblings, parents, whoever it might be.I talk about it as creating as much wraparound support as possible because it's going to help the child work through whatever feels clogged for them in that moment.Sarah: What's a Synergetic Play Therapist?Hayden: Yeah. Synergetic Play Therapy is a modality, an approach—a specific type of play therapy.The way I typically explain it is that we're really working through the lens of nervous system regulation.That's one of the core tenets of Synergetic Play Therapy: viewing the behaviors we're seeing as symptoms of nervous system activation.So when we're talking about anxiety, meltdowns, or big behaviors, we're viewing those as symptoms that the nervous system is activating.Sarah: Yeah, that's really aligned with the work that I do, too, teaching parents about their kids' big behaviors.You mentioned before we started recording that your oldest child is six. Were you a play therapist before you had kids?Hayden: Yes, briefly.I actually started out in schools. I was working as an elementary school counselor when I finished my graduate program in counseling.The opportunity to explore Synergetic Play Therapy kind of fell into my lap while I was doing that.There's now something called the Synergetic Education Institute, and their whole approach is bringing neuroscience and nervous system understanding into school settings.We were one of what I would call the pilot programs for that. As they were figuring out what worked, what didn't work, and how they wanted to implement it, we started bringing these ideas into our school setting to change the school culture and ask, “How do we support the behaviors we're seeing?”In my school counseling role, I was given the opportunity to start learning more about this.As I did, I thought, This is magic. I love doing this.Sarah: That's so cool.Hayden: Talk about fate.So it was one of those things where I liked working in schools, but doing this in a private practice setting and working one-on-one with a child felt like what I was meant to do.I just loved it.I still enjoy the adult piece. I mentioned that earlier. I like supporting educators, and that's something I bring into my Instagram content sometimes—helping classroom teachers think about how to bring these ideas into the school setting.Ultimately, though, I found that I really enjoy being in the role of working one-on-one with the child.That's what my school opportunity allowed me to do, and it's how I got to where I am now and what I feel I specialize in.I was being called in to support behaviors, so I really learned how to implement this one-on-one while supporting a child.I always say I have the utmost admiration for teachers who are trying to learn this, do this, and implement this with 25 or 30 kids in a classroom.Sarah: Seriously.Hayden: That is a whole different beast than sitting one-on-one with a child and co-regulating.Sarah: It's so needed, though.I find, through the clients I work with, that when kids are having trouble at school, most teachers and administrators are not very aware of the nervous system and how that factors into behavior.So it's great that there are people out there trying to bring that understanding into schools.Just as an aside, do you have any resources for parents who are listening and want their school to be more nervous-system informed? Do you have any resources we could share in the show notes?Hayden: Yeah.My free resources page has some templates and tools that start creating that understanding.Honestly, I think my Instagram is a great place to start because what I try to do there is take these big topics and make them really simple. We're trying to fit them into one-minute videos, so my goal is to give people a little bit of the understanding in a really accessible way.Another resource is the Synergetic Education Institute.Sarah: Great.Hayden: That's their entire focus: bringing this into districts and schools. I'm always happy to share them as a resource because that's exactly what they're doing.Sarah: Perfect. We'll share those in the show notes.Okay, so you've mentioned meltdowns a couple of times and that a lot of your work centers around helping parents and kids when meltdowns and big behaviors are an issue. One of the reels I saw when I was preparing for this interview was the one where you were using the pop bottle analogy. And I think some people may have heard about that, but maybe you could explain the pop bottle analogy and how that relates to meltdowns.Then we'll talk about what we can do preventively. What I always say to parents is that when you have meltdowns, there's what you do in the moment, but there's also everything that was leading up to the moment.You can be preventative about meltdowns, and sometimes that really helps a lot. Other times, you try, but you still find yourself in that meltdown space.What I'd like to get from you today is both the preventative piece and the in-the-moment piece.But back to the pop bottle. Maybe you could explain that analogy and then talk about how it factors into thinking about prevention.Hayden: Yeah, definitely.The one you're referring to, I've previously explained to families I work with as almost like a pressure gauge.Things are building and building, and the pop bottle came to mind because if you're shaking up a bottle of pop and you open it all at once, it's going to explode everywhere.The picture I was trying to create is: can we open it a little bit and close it, then open it a little bit and close it? Can we let a little bit of steam off throughout the course of the day?Going back to the pressure gauge analogy, how do we let a little bit off so it's not ready to explode at any given moment?That's how I think about the preventative side. How do we bring in little bits of regulation throughout the day so we can let off some of that steam?I think there are a couple of ideas that help this make sense. One is the concept of the window of tolerance. The window of tolerance is basically how much stress your nervous system can tolerate before you become dysregulated.It's that same idea: as the pressure builds, that window gets smaller and smaller.Sarah: And if I could just jump in, bringing that back to the pop bottle analogy: if you imagine your child as a bottle of pop, some kids can take 25 shakes of the bottle and not have much pressure build up, while other kids might only take one or two shakes before the pressure starts building.That's the window of tolerance, right? How many stressors can your nervous system deal with before you move outside that window of tolerance?Hayden: Exactly. And the thing I always add when I'm talking to people about this is that our window of tolerance is not static. Some days I might be able to handle 20 shakes. Other days it might be one or two. It's going to depend on things like whether I'm hungry. We've all heard the term hangry, right? You're quicker to frustration if your body is hungry. Or tired. Having little kids, right? The nights I sleep less—Sarah: Yeah.Hayden: —I'm just easier to frustrate.Sarah: Totally.Hayden: So it's this idea that it's not static. It's not like your child operates at one fixed level.They may have a general baseline, but there are things that will widen or narrow that window. Maybe I did something today that I'm really proud of, and that widens my window. I can take on a little bit more because I'm feeling good about myself.Or maybe I skipped breakfast and I'm a little hangry, so I'm quicker to frustration. It's both-and.The other piece I was going to tie in here is the way I've come to think about regulation, which really comes from my training in Synergetic Play Therapy. Lisa Dion, who created this modality, explains regulation as connection to self.The way I like to explain that is this: In adult language, we've all heard people say, “I was so mad I blacked out,” or, “I was so mad I was seeing red.”The idea is that the emotion overwhelmed you and you kind of disconnected from yourself.When we think about regulation, it's not just take a deep breath. Sometimes that might be what I need in the moment, but sometimes it isn't what helps me come back to myself when things feel really big or overwhelming.One of the things I like to do when I'm working with families is figure out how their child naturally regulates already. Do they like proprioceptive input? Do they like deep pressure? Do they like to jump and crash into things?Sarah: Can you explain proprioceptive input?Hayden: Yeah. Really, it's our sensory system's way of figuring out where our body is in space. The examples I just mentioned are ways kids get proprioceptive input. That deep pressure gives the sensation of, My body is right here. Jumping and crashing into things does the same thing.A lot of times, parents describe their kids as being like a bull in a china shop. They're bumping into things and seem to have a hard time figuring out where their body is in space. Whenever I talk about this, I always say that my understanding of it really comes more from the occupational therapy world. I know enough to talk about it, but it's not my primary area of expertise.What I focus on is asking: if we see that's the way our child regulates, how do we intentionally bring more of it in? For adults, when I think about regulating myself, sometimes I feel like I need to give myself a little massage, or rub my head, or apply some pressure. We all do that thing where we go, ugh, or rub our hands against our cheeks when we're overwhelmed.That's proprioceptive input. Sometimes that kind of input is really regulating.Other examples might be movement or heavy work—pushing and pulling activities. If we see our kids doing some of these things instinctively or intuitively, how do we meet that and bring it into those moments so it becomes a regulatory tool? All of that comes back to the idea that if we can give children little bits of regulation throughout the course of the day, it's not a magic fix, but it lets a little steam out of the pop bottle.The goal is to create more capacity and help widen that window of tolerance so they aren't right on the edge of exploding all the time. I always like to add that caveat: it's not the magic fix.Doing these things doesn't mean there will never be another meltdown. What I really try to teach adults is: how do we help children have these experiences and learn how to do these things? Because what we're really doing is laying the groundwork for them to eventually be able to do these things on their own.Above all else, I don't want parents to think they're failing if their child is still having meltdowns. It doesn't mean it's not working. We're helping them discover what helps them in those moments so they build templates they can keep returning to over and over again.Sarah: What are some other things that parents might notice their kids do that, after listening to this conversation, they might think, Ah, that's my child instinctively knowing what regulates them?I'm thinking of my nine-year-old niece. She finds jumping very regulating, so she uses a trampoline and jump rope. My sister eventually realized, “Oh, she seems a lot calmer after she's been doing those things.”What are some other things parents might notice that are instinctively regulating?Hayden: Going back to the idea that regulation is connection to self, I've come to talk about it as something that can almost be anything.What do you notice your child doing that seems to genuinely help them? The examples you mentioned are great ones. Jumping. Spinning. Those are common.As you were talking, I was thinking back to a training I did with Lisa Dion.She talked about these umbrella categories—not necessarily saying they are regulation, but that they can help us generate ideas. One category was stillness. Like you mentioned: lying down, being quiet, reading a book.Another category was movement, which is the opposite end of the spectrum—jumping, spinning, stomping. Then there's the proprioceptive input we talked about before: deep pressure, giving yourself a massage.And the last one was breath. Breathwork can absolutely be a fantastic tool.But I think we often get sucked into this idea that here's a regulation strategy—use it and it'll help.Sarah: Right.Hayden: But when we think about our own experience, I think we often approach it from the mindset of, Here's a strategy to give my kid, and they'll use it and feel better. I think about my own experience. Through this work, I've realized how anxious I was as a kid, so working on my anxiety has been a long process for me. And when I'm feeling anxious, doing a breathing exercise for 10 seconds doesn't make the anxiety disappear. It might not be what I need in that moment. I might need to get up and burn some energy. I might need to go for a run.The real question is: what do I need in that moment to help move that energy and help me come back to myself?Sarah: Right. And as you point out, if regulation is connection to self, it's different for everybody. I think you're right that the thing parents hear most often is, “Just take a deep breath.” There are all these strategies—pretend you're blowing on hot chocolate and all of that. Maybe that works for some kids, but for other kids it won't help at all.Hayden: Definitely. And to build on that, before I learned a lot of this—and what I hear from parents all the time—is: “My kid won't do any of these strategies.”Even if we have a toolbox and say, “Here's 20 ideas, let's figure out which one works,” their child won't do any of them in the moment. Because they're dysregulated.Absolutely. You're right that Part 3 drifted back into a transcript layout with too many short paragraphs.Here's the same section in the publishing-ready style you've asked for: bold speaker names, no content removed, no summarizing, but with natural paragraphs and cleaner flow.Sarah: Yeah.Hayden: And I think we can get into all the science-y reasons why that makes sense, but the bigger picture is this: what I try to do on my Instagram is ask, How can we make this fun and playful? How can we make it something kids actually want to do?You mentioned things like blowing on hot chocolate. One of the things I really try to do is help people build a toolbox of ways to make regulation fun and playful. Thinking about our own adult experience, if I'm frustrated and my partner comes in and tells me, “Calm down,” or, “Take a deep breath,” my response is probably going to be, “Absolutely not.” It just makes me more frustrated.So how do we make it a fun and playful invitation rather than saying, “I'm telling you to do this because I'm noticing you're upset”?Some of those breathing activities can become games. One of the things I talk about is practicing these things in regulated moments so that when your child is dysregulated and you bring them in, they think, Oh, I know what's happening. We play this all the time.Again, none of this means it's going to work every single time, but it gives us—Sarah: I just want to highlight what you said because I think it's really important. If you're only using these strategies when your child is dysregulated, they're going to develop a negative association with them. Partly, I think they'll feel manipulated. They'll think, Oh, my parent is just trying to get me to calm down.And they'll be resistant because they associate those strategies with negative feelings and experiences. So I love that you're saying to do these regulating things at other times too and make them positive experiences that you can draw on later rather than just tools you pull out to end a meltdown.Hayden: Definitely.And just to tie in some of the science behind it, when we think about this from a nervous system lens, dysregulation is our body sounding the alarm bells and saying, There's something happening here that requires activation.When we're talking about meltdowns, that's typically the nervous system escalating into a fight-or-flight response. If we think about fight-or-flight biologically, its primary goal is to keep us alive. That's why we move into that state.So if we're trying to get our child to do anything in that moment, it makes sense that we'd get an immediate response of, I'm not trusting anything right now because my goal is survival.Sarah: Mm-hmm.Hayden: When we practice these things during regulated moments—when they're not in those big emotional states—it becomes familiar. It's not, I've never tried that before. I don't know if it'll work. It's, Oh, we do that all the time. That's fun. That's familiar. I know that.Again, it doesn't mean they're necessarily going to jump right into it, but it gives us a much better chance than saying, “Hey, here's this thing we've never done before. I know your body is biologically trying to stay alive right now, but trust me and try it.”Because the biological response would be, “Absolutely not.”Sarah: Right. That makes sense.We've drifted a little into what to do in the moment of a meltdown, which is great, but is there anything else you wanted to add about prevention? You mentioned making sure resources are high—things like hunger, tiredness, and those sorts of factors. You talked about opening the pressure valve throughout the day with regulating activities.Is there anything else you've noticed that helps when a child is having a lot of meltdowns?Hayden: Yeah. I think those are some of the biggest things.My whole approach is rooted in connection as well. A lot of times, parents tell me that sometimes they can catch it—they can see the signs that a meltdown is coming—and other times it feels like things go from zero to 100.If we're able to notice those signs that things are building, that our child seems more on edge or more hypervigilant, that becomes a great time to bring in some of these strategies. But tying it back to what we've already talked about, I want to do that from a place of connection.It's, Hey, I'm right here with you. Let's do this together.Not, Here's a strategy. Go do it by yourself.Because connection itself is incredibly regulating.Sarah: So the whole co-regulation piece.Hayden: Exactly. It's kind of a both-and situation. We can use connection before the meltdown, and we can use it as we're moving into one.I wanted to bring that in because connection itself can be a regulatory tool. And it also ties into your next question.Sarah: What about empathy? You were talking a lot about connection, and to me they go hand in hand. Do you find yourself talking about empathy very much with parents?Hayden: Yes. Typically, we talk about it more in the moment, although it fits into both areas.One of the reasons we focus on it during the moment is because I teach parents about Bruce Perry's Three Rs: Regulate, Relate, Reason.I really like this framework because it helps us understand where a child is in their brain and how we should meet them there.If they're operating from their brainstem—the lowest, survival-oriented part of the brain—we meet them with regulation.Sarah: That's the fight-or-flight part.Hayden: Typically, yes.Then the next level up is the limbic system, which is our emotional control center.Sarah: Mm-hmm.Hayden: There we meet them through relating, or what parents often hear called validation.Then, when they're operating from the cortex—the highest part of the brain—we can reason with them.The reason I'm bringing this up is that empathy really lives in that relating stage. That's where we're saying, I'm in this with you. This feels frustrating. This feels overwhelming. This feels scary.That's where empathy naturally fits.So if I'm noticing my child starting to become emotional and I sense that we're moving toward a bigger meltdown, that's a great opportunity to step into that relating and validating stage and connect empathetically.Sarah: Okay, nice. So reason is when they're not really losing it yet? That's when we might explain why they can't climb the bookshelf or something like that?Hayden: Right. Reasoning is when they're logical and rational.Sarah: Thinking clearly.Hayden: Exactly.That's when logical conversations make sense.One question I get a lot is, “How do I know where my child is?” And the truth is, you probably don't always know. It's a bit of feeling out the situation.You might notice that you're trying to be logical and rational, but it's not landing. That's your clue.Sarah: Right.Hayden: At that point, we drop down a level and try validating or relating. Or maybe we're supporting a big meltdown and we're regulating, and then we try saying, I get it. This feels really frustrating, and it only gets bigger.Okay, that didn't land. Let's drop back down and spend more time regulating.Sarah: Right.Hayden: It's an ebb and flow. We're trying things and seeing what works.Sarah: I love that framework. It's really helpful to think about what to do when something isn't landing.I saw you talking about that on Instagram, and it reminded me of Larry Cohen's work. In The Opposite of Worry, he says that if reassurance doesn't work within 20 seconds, it's not going to work. When a child is anxious, they're not operating from the reasoning part of their brain.And I think the same thing probably applies here. If your child is moving into a meltdown and your explanation doesn't work within 20 seconds, it's probably not going to work.Hayden: Definitely. You can talk until you're blue in the face, but if it's not landing, it's not suddenly going to start landing.And it gives us the opposite lesson too. When we're supporting a meltdown, we so often want to fix it. We want to move right into being logical and rational. Or sometimes we jump to consequences. We're giving consequences in the middle of the meltdown.None of that is going to land.Working in schools, I saw this all the time. “You'll have to finish your homework at home,” or taking away recess. The child doesn't care because they're not operating from the part of the brain that cares about those things in that moment.Sarah: Mm-hmm.Hayden: All of those conversations—making amends, talking about what happened, figuring out solutions—can absolutely happen. But they need to happen when the brain is ready for them.Sarah: Right. Not during the meltdown.Hayden: Exactly.Sarah: What else do you want parents to know about those meltdown moments?Hayden: My approach is very co-regulatory. The Three Rs are a great foundation because they help us understand that first step of regulation, then relating, then reasoning.There are lots of things we can do within that framework.One thing I hear from parents all the time is, “So am I just supposed to sit here with my child for an hour while they melt down? I can only keep my cool for so long.”And my response is: I totally get that. That's valid.Co-regulation doesn't mean sitting there forever doing nothing. Yes, a big part of our goal is allowing them to have their emotional experience rather than shutting it down. But another big part of our goal is teaching them how to regulate when things feel overwhelming.So I like to bring in little invitations. They're probably not going to do exactly what I tell them to do, but I can offer invitations back to themselves.One of my favorite ways to do that is mindfulness.And when I say mindfulness, I don't necessarily mean trying to get my child to do something. Instead, I'm having a mindful experience myself and offering it as a gentle invitation.For example, if we're sitting together and I'm regulating myself, I might say, “Oh, there's a squirrel in the tree outside.”It's just an observation. I'm not telling them they have to look.But as they start moving up through the brain and through that Three Rs framework, sometimes they'll suddenly say, “Oh, I want to see the squirrel.”Or I might notice, “The air from the fan feels cool on my face.”It's just an observation. I'm not directing them. I'm simply staying present and offering little invitations back into the present moment.Sometimes they don't care. Sometimes it even escalates them. But I'm making those observations for myself first.As I'm keeping myself regulated, I'm giving them opportunities to join me in the present moment.Going back to regulation as connection to self, they're disconnected from themselves in those moments. They're overwhelmed by emotion.So the goal of mindfulness is to gently invite them back into the present moment with me. If you're in the present moment, you're here. You're noticing what's around you.That's why I like to bring mindfulness into these conversations. Because no, you don't have to sit there doing nothing while waiting for it to end. There are things we can do to help bring our children back to the present moment.First, by keeping ourselves regulated. If I'm staying mindful and present, it keeps me from losing myself.Second, it teaches them what it looks like to come back when things feel overwhelming.Sarah: That makes a lot of sense.What do you find gets in the way of parents being able to do that? Are there common stories they're telling themselves? Fears they have?In my work, I hear things like, If they're like this at five, what are they going to be like at fifteen? Or, Nobody else's kid acts like this.Things like that.Hayden: Absolutely.My answer to both of those is usually the same: our own dysregulation.I talk about this from the theoretical soapbox of Here's the ideal model. But I tell every family I work with: this is the water I swim in every day, and I still don't get it right every time.I'm a human being. I have my own activation.When I hear examples like the ones you mentioned, those are usually signs of dysregulation. If my mind is spiraling into the future, that's a clue that I'm no longer present. I'm worried about something else.So none of this is to say that staying regulated is easy. It's completely natural to become dysregulated when we're around dysregulation.At the same time, the more we practice it, the easier it becomes. It's like yoga. The more we practice, the more accessible it gets.I think one of the biggest challenges is the guilt and shame parents feel. They think, But I get dysregulated. And my response is: that's okay.When we're supporting a meltdown, it might look like staying regulated the whole time. But more often, it looks like a dance. I regulate. I notice I'm getting dysregulated. I come back to myself. Then I regulate again.That cycle happens throughout the experience. It doesn't mean you have to stay perfectly regulated from beginning to end. And honestly, there's benefit in both versions. If I stay regulated, I'm creating a calm space. But if I become dysregulated and then regulate myself again, I'm also modeling something really powerful.I'm showing my child:“I disconnected, and now I'm back.”“I disconnected, and now I'm back.”We so often think we have to teach children by telling them what to do. But there is tremendous power in modeling it. Simply showing them what regulation looks like when things feel really big and overwhelming is teaching them.Here's Part 4 cleaned up in the same publishing-ready style as the revised Part 3: all content preserved, no summarizing, no omissions, bold speaker names, and natural paragraphs rather than one-line transcript formatting.Sarah: Options.Hayden: It might not be that they turn around and do these things immediately, but we are showing them, “Look, I'm right here with you. I get overwhelmed. I get dysregulated.”And one last thought within that: so often I hear this from the kids I work with—“Nobody else is like this. I'm the only one who feels this way. I'm the only one who gets so overwhelmed by my anger.”Sarah: Aw.Hayden: So I think there's so much normalization in naming our own experience. Maybe it's naming our own experience, but maybe it's even just showing them: “Ah, I got really frustrated, and now I'm coming back and regulating myself. I'm making repair. I'm taking accountability for it.”All of those pieces matter. There's power in all of them, I think, and that's something I hope I get across to the families I work with. I think there's often this guilt or shame of, “I'm not doing a good job at this.”And it's like, there's value in all of these things when you can bring some intentionality to them.Sarah: I love that.I'm kind of springing this on you, and I don't know if I've seen you talk about this specifically in your reels, but do you have any specific strategies for aggression that comes with a meltdown?Hayden: Yeah.I think the thing that's really tricky with aggression is that, especially when we're talking on social media, I'm not there. I don't know your kid. So it's really hard for me to tell you exactly how to support them in the moment.I always start with a very generic statement: we have to create safety first.I can't tell you exactly what that's going to look like because every situation is different. But you have to make sure you're safe, your child is safe, their siblings are safe, their friends are safe—whoever is around needs to be safe.We have to create physical safety first and foremost.Then, from there, I think it's helpful to understand that the fight-or-flight response is what's happening. It would make sense that we've reached a level where things have gotten so big that the child is now fighting. That's the response that's happening.In that moment, we're really trying to communicate, “This isn't warranted right now. You don't need to be in a fight response.”The ways we do that include the co-regulation we've already talked about, but also being very aware of how we're presenting ourselves.How are we appearing? Are we cornering them? Are we standing high above them? Can we get down to their level?Those subtle things can send the message: “Everything is activated. The alarm bells are going off. There's this thing hovering over me. I'm cornered in my room, so I have to fight my way out.”Can we bring just a little bit of awareness to those dynamics, as best we're able, once we've created safety?Some of those pieces can be really difficult because we're trying to keep our kids safe. We may need to be in their personal space to prevent them from hurting themselves.But once we get to a place where they're no longer actively hurting themselves, can we begin sending signals that—Sarah: That they're safe and that you're not a threat.Hayden: Exactly.And it's not even necessarily that you are the threat. It's more about asking, What can we do to help simmer things down a little bit?One of the other things that comes to mind is talking less and keeping things really simple.If they're in that level of activation, it's not the time to reason. It's probably not the time to talk about how frustrating the situation is for them.Sarah: Right.Hayden: It might simply be:“I'm right here.”Sarah: Yeah.Hayden: “I'm right here.”Just a steady presence. Keeping it calm, quiet, and simple.“You are safe.”Really short, simple phrases.I think another idea that comes to mind is thinking about the activation in the body. When we're talking about nervous system activation and fight or flight, things are escalating. Things are speeding up. That energy is getting big.It makes sense that it's coming out through the extremities—through hitting, kicking, biting, screaming. The energy is trying to get out of the body.So if our child is hitting, can we find a way for them to move that energy through their hands?Maybe I have a pillow and I'm letting them push against it.Again, this has to be balanced with safety. I can't tell every parent, “This is what you should do every time.” But with some children—especially smaller children—if their arms are flying around, I might be able to create a situation where they can push against a pillow.If they're kicking and their legs are flailing, can we do something similar where their feet are pushing against something?We're giving some proprioceptive input while simultaneously allowing the energy to move through the part of the body that's already showing us where that energy wants to go.Sarah: That makes sense.When you were talking about creating safety through your physical presence when someone's having a meltdown, I was reminded of something.It's funny—I don't know if you find this in your work—but sometimes I use an analogy or example for years and then kind of forget about it.I was reminded that I used to talk to parents about pretending they'd just come across a wild dog that was acting aggressively. I'd ask them, “What would you do to get past this wild dog?”They're always saying things like, “Well, I'd talk softly. I'd get lower. I'd...”Instinctively, we all seem to have a sense of how to demonstrate to another creature that we're not a threat.And then I'd say, “Okay. Do that with your kid. Do that with your kid.”What you were saying reminded me of that.Hayden: Absolutely.I think that visual of a cornered animal is a really powerful one because it makes sense.As you were talking, I was thinking about a book by Dr. Stuart Brown about play. One of the things he talked about was how animals have this moment of uncertainty when they encounter each other.It's almost like they're asking, “Are you a threat or not?”If two dogs are approaching each other, there's this moment where they're feeling each other out. We don't know which direction it's going to go until they determine things are okay. Then their tails start wagging, and they begin jumping around and playing.But first there's that period of interaction where they're assessing the situation.Sarah: Mm-hmm.Hayden: That's the idea we're talking about here.One of the things I discuss is using playfulness as a strategy to support regulation—even sometimes during meltdowns. This is a little different from the aggression question, but it connects.If I come in trying to be playful when a child's brain is trying to figure out what's happening, they may think, “Wait, what is going on? I don't understand this.”It can almost feel like an uncertain threat.Sarah: Or, “Are they making fun of me?”Hayden: Exactly.And so it's the same principle we've been talking about throughout this conversation.We're trying to lay a foundation. When I talk about co-regulation, we're really trying to co-regulate the environment.It's not necessarily about getting our child to do something. It's about decreasing the intensity of the environment.Whether we're talking about aggression or anything else, can we be intentional about helping the environment feel a little less intense?Can we help our child feel safe enough to move out of that fight-or-flight state?Sarah: Fantastic. This has been so helpful, Hayden.Before I let you go, there's one question I ask all my guests. If you could go back in time—and for you it's not that far back because your kids are still little—and tell your younger parent self something, what advice would you give yourself?Hayden: I think—and this may be a controversial one—but I would tell myself to take myself less seriously.There are so many stressors. There are so many things we think we have to do. We have to be on time. We have to present ourselves a certain way. We have to manage all these responsibilities.Just have some fun.Take yourself a little less seriously and bring in more silliness, fun, and playfulness.That's something I really try to communicate now. It's why I bring playful strategies into my work.When I think about the beginning of parenthood and how overwhelming it was—having little kids, trying to balance everything, coming out of COVID when everything felt weird—I wish I had remembered to enjoy it more.And that's not to say it's always fun, enjoyable, or easy.But it also doesn't need to feel stressful all the time.Sarah: I got you.And if that's controversial, it shouldn't be.It reminds me of when I worked in early childhood education before I had kids. I used to go home and say to my husband, “Oh my God, parents are crazy.”I shouldn't use ableist language, but I didn't know another way to describe it at the time. I couldn't understand how parents could get so upset about things.Then I became a parent and thought, “Oh my gosh, I totally get it.”But it's that reminder that things aren't all-or-nothing.When I look back now—and I'm in a very different stage of parenting—I think about things that felt like a huge deal when my kids were little. Things I worried about endlessly.And now I think, “I wish I hadn't taken that so seriously.”I wish I could have remembered that they were all eventually going to sleep through the night.Hayden: Mm-hmm.My partner has brought in this language that I really love:“You are more important than whatever.”Sarah: Mm-hmm.Hayden: So, “You are more important than us being on time to this event.”Or, “You are more important than the glass of milk that got knocked over.”Sarah: That's beautiful.Hayden: It's just a reframe.Yes, that thing happened. But you are more important than that thing.Sarah: That's beautiful. I love that.Hayden: Yeah.Sarah: We'll put links in the show notes, but if you want to give a shout-out to your Instagram account, it sounds like that's probably the best place for people to learn more about you and what you do.Hayden: Yeah, I think that's a great place to start because it gives people a little more of what I do.My Instagram is Low Tide Play Therapist, and that's probably the best landing spot.Then the more business-focused side is lowtidecoaching.com.Sarah: Great.What's the story behind Low Tide?Hayden: It's actually how I named my play therapy practice.At the time, we were living in Wilmington, North Carolina. We only had one child, and I was wrestling with what I wanted to call the practice.Our child was very young, and suddenly the ocean felt a little intimidating. That was a new experience for me because it hadn't felt that way before.One day we went to the beach during low tide. There were little tide pools everywhere, and it felt very safe and non-threatening.And ultimately, I think that's what play is.It's a space where we can explore things that feel big, challenging, or overwhelming in an environment where there aren't huge stakes attached to them.As I watched my child playing in those tide pools—with no giant waves, no threat—I thought:“That's it. That's the name.”Low Tide Play Therapy.Sarah: I'm glad I asked because that's a great story.Hayden: Yeah.Sarah: Well, thank you so much.Hayden: Thank you. I appreciate it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahrosensweet.substack.com/subscribe

In questo episodio, vedremo come il gioco spontaneo e il malessere dei bambini e delle bambine sono correlati, evidenziando la crescente crisi della salute mentale infantile e il legame con la diminuzione del tempo dedicato al gioco libero.Analizzeremo ricerche e studi significativi, inclusi quelli di esperti come Peter Gray e Stuart Brown, per comprendere l'importanza del gioco nella crescita e nella salute mentale. Unisciti a noi per scoprire come il gioco libero possa fare la differenza nel benessere dei più piccoli.PER APPROFONDIRELa piramide dello sviluppo https://www.spreaker.com/episode/la-piramide-dell-apprendimento--60988043 Il gioco autodirettohttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/gioco-e-protagonismo-dei-bambini--63435948Webinar gratuito con Peter Grayhttps://percorsiformativi06.it/prodotto/il-gioco-spontaneo-e-leducazione-auto-diretta-una-conversazione-con-peter-gray/http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Consequences_of_Play_Deprivationhttp://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Definitions_of_Play https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ985541.pdf https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(23)00111-7/abstracthttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/265196016_The_Special_Value_of_Children's_Age-Mixed_Play https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/attachments/1195/play-h-g-social-existence-ajp.pdfhttps://cms.learningthroughplay.com/media/esriqz2x/role-of-play-in-childrens-development-review_web.pdf https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2824286https://news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2025/06/06/youth-anxiety-and-depression-increasing-study-finds/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318922871_Correlates_of_children's_independent_outdoor_play_Crosssectional_analyses_from_the_Millennium_Cohort_Study#:~:text=Independent%20outdoor%20play%20was%20associated,Younger%20children%2C%20those%20from%20ahttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0885200621001411https://mylittlescholars.com.au/the-benefits-of-mixing-ages-together-in-early-learning/https://play.wales/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Play-deprivation-2024v2.pdf https://nifplay.org/ https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/3/e20182058/38649/The-Power-of-Play-A-Pediatric-Role-in-Enhancing?autologincheck=redirected PER CONTINUARE A SEGUIRE PF06SITO www.percorsiformativi06.itINSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/percorsiformativi06/YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/c/SilviaIaccarinoPercorsiformativi06/videosFB https://www.facebook.com/percorsiformativi06GRUPPO FB https://www.facebook.com/groups/177748889440303/TELEGRAM  https://t.me/percorsiformativi06NEWSLETTER https://percorsiformativi06.it/iscrizione-alla-newsletter/RIEPILOGO DEI NOSTRI CONTENUTI https://linktr.ee/pf06DISCLAIMER I contenuti dei podcast sono forniti a solo scopo educativo e informativo. Questi non intendono in alcun modo sostituire consulenze, diagnosi o trattamenti forniti da professionisti del settore medico, psicologico o di altre discipline specialistiche.I contenuti proposti non costituiscono consigli professionali personalizzati né possono essere considerati esaustivi o adattabili a specifiche esigenze individuali. Nulla di quanto offerto qui è inteso per essere utilizzato come strumento diagnostico o terapeutico.Percorsi Formativi 0-6 e i suoi formatori non si assumono alcuna responsabilità per l'uso improprio delle informazioni contenute in questo podcast. Ogni utente è invitato a rivolgersi a professionisti qualificati per consulenze mirate riguardanti la propria salute fisica o mentale. In caso di dubbi su eventuali diagnosi o trattamenti per problemi di salute, raccomandiamo di consultare sempre un medico, uno psicologo o altro operatore sanitario qualificato.

In Part 2 of her conversation with Dr Jodi Richardson on Well, Hello Anxiety, Australia’s leading play-at-work expert Dara Simkin dives deeper into how play can transform the way we think, work, and connect.Dara breaks down Dr Stuart Brown’s play personalities—including the creator, competitor, explorer, joker, kinesthetic, collector, storyteller and director—and explores how understanding your dominant styles can help you bring more play into everyday life (even in small, “mundane” moments like changing your coffee order or talking to a stranger).The conversation also unpacks why most of our days are actually improvised, yet we’ve never been taught how to do it well. Dara introduces the powerful “Yes, and” vs “Yes, but” exercise, revealing how a single word shift can completely change collaboration, energy, and creativity in conversations and workplaces.They also explore:Why play is essential for mental health, creativity, and resilienceHow workplace “play” often fails when it becomes performative instead of meaningfulThe importance of permission, space, and spark in creating playful work environmentsWhy seriousness does NOT equal successHow energy, bandwidth, and burnout are connected to how we live and workThe idea of “vitamin C” (connection) and intelligent optimism in navigating modern lifeDara also reflects on how play isn’t optional—it’s fundamental. As she shares, when we lose play, we lose access to creativity, hope, and flexible thinking.

Enjoy this DND exercise led by Laine — let's play together! Most of us stopped playing long before we realized it — and it turns out, that might be costing us more than we know. In this episode, we're diving into the neuroscience of play: what it actually is (hint: it's not about the activity), why it's as fundamental to our biology as sleep and food, and what happens to our brains — and our lives — when we don't get enough of it. From dopamine and neuroplasticity to why boredom might actually be good for your kids, we're making the case that play isn't just for children. It's one of the most powerful tools we have for resilience, joy, and mental wellness — at any age.>> ⁠⁠⁠Support the Brain Blown on Patreon⁠⁠⁠>> Have questions, stories, or topics you want us to cover? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠info@brainblownpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠.>> Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠www.brainblownpodcast.com⁠Resources:The Importance of Pleasure in Play — Bruce PerrySelected Principles of Pankseppian Affective Neuroscience — Kenneth L. Davis & Christian MontagYes, We Need a Neuroscience of Play — Phillip Stevens Jr.Neuroscience and the Magic of Play Therapy — Anne L. Stewart, Thomas A. Field & Lennis G. EchterlingNeuroscience, Early Childhood Education and Play: We Are Doing It Right! — Stephen RushtonNeuroscience and Learning Through Play: A Review of the Evidence — Liu, Solis, Jensen, Hopkins, Neale, Zosh, Pasek & WhitebreadAdult Play: A Neuroscientific and Psychoanalytic Perspective — Ellen Park Psy.D.In Search of the Neurobiological Substrates for Social Playfulness in Mammalian Brains — Stephen M. Siviy & Jaak PankseppThe Playful Mediator, Moderator, or Outcome? — Shen & MasekRisky Play in Children's Emotion Regulation, Social Functioning, and Physical Health — Sandseter, Kleppe & KennairNational Institute for Play — Dr. Stuart Brown

West40's Dr. Mark Klaisner shares what he learned during a global education exchange in China—where ancient traditions meet cutting-edge innovation. If you are interested in learning more about West40's Global Connections program, please contact Stuart Brown at stuartbrown@west40.org

Dr. Mariana Brussoni is Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership at the University of British Columbia, professor in the UBC Department of Pediatrics and School of Population and Public Health, Investigator at British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute and lead of the Outside Play Lab. Her award-winning research investigates children's outdoor and risky play, focusing on shifting parents' and educators' perceptions of risk, designing play-friendly environments, and changing systems to ensure children have the time, space and freedom to play outside every day. Mariana's new book, Embracing Risky Play at School, co-authored with Megan Zeni, provides simple, actionable strategies for teachers and schools.  Dr. Mariana Brussoni is Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership at the University of British Columbia, professor in the UBC Department of Pediatrics and School of Population and Public Health, Investigator at British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute and lead of the Outside Play Lab. Her award-winning research investigates children's outdoor and risky play, focusing on shifting parents' and educators' perceptions of risk, designing play-friendly environments, and changing systems to ensure children have the time, space and freedom to play outside every day. Mariana's new book, Embracing Risky Play at School, co-authored with Megan Zeni, provides simple, actionable strategies for teachers and schools.  https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Embracing-Risky-Play-at-School-by-Megan-Zeni-Mariana-Brussoni/9780807783993?srsltid=AfmBOorD7mPo0kZ2_s2XXk8EVtwpTx24uOYOnp4TcWrWgPnyAsJydoL1  summary This conversation explores the importance of risky outdoor play for children's development, the societal shifts that have reduced play opportunities, and how rethinking our approach can benefit children's mental and physical health.  keywords risky play, childhood development, outdoor play, societal change, mental health, play safety, childhood devaluation  key  topics Definition and importance of risky play Evolutionary and developmental benefits of risky play Societal changes reducing outdoor play Impact of reduced play on mental health Strategies to promote safe risky play  sound bites "Children need micro doses of uncertainty to thrive" "Urbanization and screens have reduced outdoor play" "Society undervalues childhood and play" Chapters (timings approx) 00:00 The Importance of Play in Child Development 02:44 Defining Risky Play and Its Benefits 05:34 Gender Differences in Risky Play 07:51 The Evolutionary Need for Risky Play 10:33 The Impact of Overprotective Parenting 13:18 Societal Changes and Fear of Risky Play 16:07 Structured Activities vs. Free Play 18:39 Access to Play for Lower-Income Families 21:27 The Value of Play in Education 23:48 Reimagining Play in Schools 26:29 Addressing ADHD and Learning Challenges 29:17 The Role of Adults in Managing Play 31:44 Finding Joy and Fun in Play 34:40 Encouraging Adult Playfulness  resources Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) program - https://www.opalexplorenature.org/ Stuart Brown's work on play - https://www.amazon.com/Play-How-It-Makes-Us-Human/dp/031236553X Ellen Sandsetter's research on risky play - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ellen-Sandseter British Columbia's Children's Hospital - https://www.bcchildrens.ca/  guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariana-brussoni/  

Dr. Mariana Brussoni is Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership at the University of British Columbia, professor in the UBC Department of Pediatrics and School of Population and Public Health, Investigator at British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute and lead of the Outside Play Lab. Her award-winning research investigates children's outdoor and risky play, focusing on shifting parents' and educators' perceptions of risk, designing play-friendly environments, and changing systems to ensure children have the time, space and freedom to play outside every day. Mariana's new book, Embracing Risky Play at School, co-authored with Megan Zeni, provides simple, actionable strategies for teachers and schools.  Dr. Mariana Brussoni is Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership at the University of British Columbia, professor in the UBC Department of Pediatrics and School of Population and Public Health, Investigator at British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute and lead of the Outside Play Lab. Her award-winning research investigates children's outdoor and risky play, focusing on shifting parents' and educators' perceptions of risk, designing play-friendly environments, and changing systems to ensure children have the time, space and freedom to play outside every day. Mariana's new book, Embracing Risky Play at School, co-authored with Megan Zeni, provides simple, actionable strategies for teachers and schools.  https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Embracing-Risky-Play-at-School-by-Megan-Zeni-Mariana-Brussoni/9780807783993?srsltid=AfmBOorD7mPo0kZ2_s2XXk8EVtwpTx24uOYOnp4TcWrWgPnyAsJydoL1  summary This conversation explores the importance of risky outdoor play for children's development, the societal shifts that have reduced play opportunities, and how rethinking our approach can benefit children's mental and physical health.  keywords risky play, childhood development, outdoor play, societal change, mental health, play safety, childhood devaluation  key  topics Definition and importance of risky play Evolutionary and developmental benefits of risky play Societal changes reducing outdoor play Impact of reduced play on mental health Strategies to promote safe risky play  sound bites "Children need micro doses of uncertainty to thrive" "Urbanization and screens have reduced outdoor play" "Society undervalues childhood and play" Chapters (timings approx) 00:00 The Importance of Play in Child Development 02:44 Defining Risky Play and Its Benefits 05:34 Gender Differences in Risky Play 07:51 The Evolutionary Need for Risky Play 10:33 The Impact of Overprotective Parenting 13:18 Societal Changes and Fear of Risky Play 16:07 Structured Activities vs. Free Play 18:39 Access to Play for Lower-Income Families 21:27 The Value of Play in Education 23:48 Reimagining Play in Schools 26:29 Addressing ADHD and Learning Challenges 29:17 The Role of Adults in Managing Play 31:44 Finding Joy and Fun in Play 34:40 Encouraging Adult Playfulness  resources Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) program - https://www.opalexplorenature.org/ Stuart Brown's work on play - https://www.amazon.com/Play-How-It-Makes-Us-Human/dp/031236553X Ellen Sandsetter's research on risky play - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ellen-Sandseter British Columbia's Children's Hospital - https://www.bcchildrens.ca/  guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariana-brussoni/

In this Squiggly Shortcut, Sarah shares how to bring small, low-pressure moments of play into team days, without falling into the trap of forced fun. She shares why play matters for learning, connection, and wellbeing, and offers simple, practical ideas that teams can try in just a few minutes.Episode 546

Most of us stopped playing long before we realized it — and it turns out, that might be costing us more than we know. In this episode, we're diving into the neuroscience of play: what it actually is (hint: it's not about the activity), why it's as fundamental to our biology as sleep and food, and what happens to our brains — and our lives — when we don't get enough of it. From dopamine and neuroplasticity to why boredom might actually be good for your kids, we're making the case that play isn't just for children. It's one of the most powerful tools we have for resilience, joy, and mental wellness — at any age.>> ⁠⁠Support the Brain Blown on Patreon⁠⁠>> Have questions, stories, or topics you want us to cover? Email us at ⁠⁠info@brainblownpodcast.com⁠⁠.>> Learn more at ⁠⁠www.brainblownpodcast.comResources:The Importance of Pleasure in Play — Bruce PerrySelected Principles of Pankseppian Affective Neuroscience — Kenneth L. Davis & Christian MontagYes, We Need a Neuroscience of Play — Phillip Stevens Jr.Neuroscience and the Magic of Play Therapy — Anne L. Stewart, Thomas A. Field & Lennis G. EchterlingNeuroscience, Early Childhood Education and Play: We Are Doing It Right! — Stephen RushtonNeuroscience and Learning Through Play: A Review of the Evidence — Liu, Solis, Jensen, Hopkins, Neale, Zosh, Pasek & WhitebreadAdult Play: A Neuroscientific and Psychoanalytic Perspective — Ellen Park Psy.D.In Search of the Neurobiological Substrates for Social Playfulness in Mammalian Brains — Stephen M. Siviy & Jaak PankseppThe Playful Mediator, Moderator, or Outcome? — Shen & MasekRisky Play in Children's Emotion Regulation, Social Functioning, and Physical Health — Sandseter, Kleppe & KennairNational Institute for Play — Dr. Stuart Brown

Play isn't a break from learning — it is learning. In this powerful conversation with Lauren and Mia Sundstrom — daughter and granddaughter of renowned play researcher Dr. Stuart Brown — we explore why play is practice for the future in a world that feels increasingly uncertain. From rough-and-tumble childhood experiences to teenage burnout, adult loneliness, brain health, and even leadership, this episode makes a compelling case that unstructured, self-directed play builds resilience, creativity, emotional regulation, and adaptability — the exact skills our kids (and we) will need in an AI-shaped world. If you've ever wondered whether play is “productive,” this conversation will change how you see your afternoons, your marriage, your parenting, and your own sense of joy. Learn more at nifplay.org and connect with Mia at miasundstrom.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us on the latest Whisper in the Wings from Stage Whisper, as we welcome back on the creator/producer Stuart Brown. He joined us once again to talk bout his amazing radio station/platform Sounds of Broadway. This is the perfect place for any musical lover or would be musical lover to hear some of the greatest songs ever to grace the stage, as well as some rarer and lesser known shows. So make sure you tune in to both this conversation and the station!Sounds of BroadwayTo listen or get more information visit soundsofbroadway.com And be sure to follow Stuart to stay up to date on all his upcoming projects and productions: soundsofbroadway.comstuart@soundsofbroadway.com@soundsofbrodway

In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy sits down with Mia Sundstrom, CEO of the National Institute for Play and granddaughter of renowned play researcher Dr. Stuart Brown, for a powerful conversation about why play is not childish, frivolous, or optional, but essential to human health, creativity, resilience, and fulfillment.They explore the science of play, the cultural myths that have stripped play from adult life, and why so many people feel burned out, disconnected, and exhausted in a world that treats play as a waste of time. Mia shares her personal journey growing up in a play-based learning environment, how her grandfather's research shaped her life, and why play is now being reframed as a public health necessity.This conversation challenges the idea that productivity and play are opposites, and instead shows how play fuels better work, deeper relationships, creativity, and emotional health. They unpack the difference between real play and modern forms of escapism, why social media often masquerades as play, and how adults can reconnect with the playful part of themselves they've forgotten.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 22:30:00 GMT http://relay.fm/rd/277 http://relay.fm/rd/277 A Comma for Christmas 277 Merlin Mann and John Siracusa John's new art piece leads to a discussion of accuracy and build quality in toys for grown men and sometimes children. John's new art piece leads to a discussion of accuracy and build quality in toys for grown men and sometimes children. clean 4889 John's new art piece leads to a discussion of accuracy and build quality in toys for grown men and sometimes children. Links and Show Notes: John's new art piece leads to a discussion of accuracy and build quality in toys for grown men and sometimes children. Credits Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Merlin's toot: "I may have figured out why my phone keeps dimming." Maclock on Ali Express Hatsune Miku figurine at Walmart Frieren figurine Hand-painted model kit of Nausicaä riding Kai - Reddit Stellar Blade's Eve figurine Calico Critters LEGO Friends LEGO Creator 3in1 LEGO Duplo LEGO Quatro Four-Byte Burger recreation story - YouTubeFour-Byte Burger pixel art, by Jack Haegar (1985) re-digitized by Stuart Brown, Four-Byte Burger recreation (PNG) Cheltenham (typeface) - WikipediaIn 2003, The New York Times introduced a more unified Cheltenham typographic palette for its headline use in the print edition. Elmo's World: Jackets (DVD Rip) - YouTube James Bond's Aston Martin D.B.5

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 22:30:00 GMT http://relay.fm/rd/277 http://relay.fm/rd/277 Merlin Mann and John Siracusa John's new art piece leads to a discussion of accuracy and build quality in toys for grown men and sometimes children. John's new art piece leads to a discussion of accuracy and build quality in toys for grown men and sometimes children. clean 4889 John's new art piece leads to a discussion of accuracy and build quality in toys for grown men and sometimes children. Links and Show Notes: John's new art piece leads to a discussion of accuracy and build quality in toys for grown men and sometimes children. Credits Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Merlin's toot: "I may have figured out why my phone keeps dimming." Maclock on Ali Express Hatsune Miku figurine at Walmart Frieren figurine Hand-painted model kit of Nausicaä riding Kai - Reddit Stellar Blade's Eve figurine Calico Critters LEGO Friends LEGO Creator 3in1 LEGO Duplo LEGO Quatro Four-Byte Burger recreation story - YouTubeFour-Byte Burger pixel art, by Jack Haegar (1985) re-digitized by Stuart Brown, Four-Byte Burger recreation (PNG) Cheltenham (typeface) - WikipediaIn 2003, The New York Times introduced a more unified Cheltenham typographic palette for its headline use in the print edition. Elmo's World: Jackets (DVD Rip) - YouTube James B

Mark Towhey in for Jim Richards, this hour featured whisky expert Stuart Brown on what bottles pair with hope or heartbreak, how U.S. liquor bans are reshaping the market, and what whisky lovers can expect in 2026, followed by Matt Cauz on Canada’s surprising new struggle to stay competitive in junior hockey. Economist Moshe Lander then unpacked whether Star Trek’s philosophy can actually teach us how to “live long and prosper,” before a behind‑the‑scenes chat with 1010’s David Hunter about life in radio.

Play isn't just fun—it's essential. In this episode, Ginger and Julie unpack the science, healing power, and everyday possibilities of play. From brain development to emotional regulation, play shapes resilience, fosters connection, and repairs the impact of trauma. You'll hear how movement amplifies the benefits, how barriers like technology and busy schedules can be addressed, and why play matters just as much for adults as it does for kids.Along the way, we highlight the insights of Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, Dr. Dan Hughes, Dr. Dave Ziegler, and Dr. Stuart Brown, plus practical strategies for both parents and educators to make play a daily part of life—even in middle and high school classrooms.Whether you're parenting, teaching, or healing alongside children, this episode will inspire you to see play not as a reward or an afterthought, but as a biological imperative and a vital tool for growth, recovery, and joy.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why play is a “biological imperative” and a cornerstone of healthy brain development.How play supports emotional regulation, resilience, and relationship-building—especially for children impacted by trauma.The connection between movement, nervous system regulation, and healing.Common barriers to play (like technology, safety concerns, and adult exhaustion) and how to overcome them.How a playful stance from adults—rooted in curiosity and delight—reduces defensiveness and fosters openness.Practical ways parents can integrate more play into daily life.Classroom-friendly ideas for incorporating play at all grade levels, including middle and high school.Why adults also need play for creativity, flexibility, and emotional health.“When we prioritize play, we're not just making memories—we're shaping brains.” — Dr. Tina Payne BrysonResources & References:Bryson, T. P. (2024). The Way of Play https://a.co/d/hmyINYlBrown, S. (2009). Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-17682-000Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation https://a.co/d/ahbaGPQHughes, D. A. (2009). Attachment-Focused Parenting https://a.co/d/5lfYF1pBongiorno, L. (NAEYC). “10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play” https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-things-every-parent-playBYU Arts Playbook — Nurturing Developmental Skills Through Arts-Integrated Education

Send us a textWhen was the last time you laughed so hard you lost control?Not the polite workplace chuckle. Not the “ha-ha-that's-funny” text response.I mean full-body, shoulders-shaking, snort-laughing, tears-in-your-eyes, I-might-pee-a-little laughter.…Yeah.If you can't remember, you are exactly who this week is for.In Week 5 of the 10-Week Recharge Challenge, we're talking about one of the most overlooked, most physiologic, and most delightfully human tools we have against burnout and cellular stress:

Who would have thought play would be a transformative tool to de-stress and build resilience? Turns out the act, which is different for everyone, is biologically hardwired in our brains. “Everyone has a sense of joyfulness,” says Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play. He began studying play science after discovering the perpetrator of a 1960s mass shooting lacked play from the time he was born. Play deprivation can have grave consequences, he found, but joyful engagement fuels happiness and intelligence. He joins a panel of play experts including Cj Hendry, an artist whose large-scale installations often lead people to play, and Heidi Erwin, senior game designer at the New York Times. Sam Sanders, former NPR reporter and producer and host of the podcast, “The Sam Sanders Show,” moderates the conversation.

In this message, Pastor Stu Brown continues the series Let the River Flow with a challenge to let God do a deep work in our hearts. He reminds us that true community begins with honesty before God and one another, not hiding behind busyness or surface-level connection.Drawing from Psalm 139, Stu encourages us to pray, “Search me, God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Like tidying a messy house, we need to bring everything into the light resentments, pride, addictions, hidden struggles and allow God to show us what needs to be surrendered.This is not about shame or endless self-criticism but about freedom. When we confess specifically and honestly, God's grace meets us with healing, and His Spirit flows through us to others. If you've ever felt stuck, weighed down, or far from God, this message will help you take courageous steps toward honesty, surrender, and the fullness of life Jesus promises.

Today's wisdom comes from Play by Stuart Brown.   If you're loving Heroic Wisdom Daily, be sure to subscribe to the emails at heroic.us/wisdom-daily.   And… Imagine unlocking access to the distilled wisdom form 700+ of the greatest books ever written.   That's what Heroic Premium offers: Unlimited access to every Philosopher's Note. Daily inspiration and actionable tools to optimize your energy, work, and love. Personalized coaching features to help you stay consistent and focused   Upgrade to Heroic Premium →   Know someone who'd love this? Share Heroic Wisdom Daily with them, and let's grow together in 2025!   Share Heroic Wisdom Daily →

Send us a textPlaywright Stuart Brown streamed into Playwright's Spotlight for a second time after technical difficulties with sound, but I hope delved a little deeper this time around. We discuss the Connecticut Theatre Market, being a critic and a playwright and how the former affected the latter, honesty as a critic, and advice to theatre companies on getting critics in seats. We also explore how being a critic helped his writing when he began to pursue playwriting, keeping your audience engaged, implementing twists and what makes a good one, and what makes a three dimensional character. We wrap things up learning curves and openness to making improvements, the success of the Questions game in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, his approach to Murder Mystery and keeping it simple, and writing a red herring and whether or not there are rules. We close it up discussing his online Broadway radio station - SoundsofBroadway.com. It's a question filled conversation with a plethora of information. Enjoy!Stuart Brown is an award-winning Connecticut playwright whose 10-Minute works have been staged in his home state as well as California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Texas and via the British podcast, Theatrical Shenanigans. He is a theater critic with the Outer Critics Circle and the Connecticut Critics Circle and also runs the 24/7 online Broadway radio station, SoundsofBroadway.com, featuring the best from Off-Broadway, Broadway, and London stages. Plays included The Suitcase, House Hunted, and his newest play Lady Jigsaw received a staged reading at the Square One Theatre in Stratford, CT on July 10 and will lead the Chestnut Playhouse Theater's 5th annual Playwriting Festival on September 5th. For tickets to Lady Jigsaw at the Chestnut Street Playhouse on Sept. 5, visit -https://www.chestnutstreetplayhouse.org/For tickets to an evening of Stu's nine 10-minute plays at The Arts at Angeloria's on Sept. 12, visit, https://www.theartsatangelorias.com/To watch the video format of this episode, visit - https://youtu.be/R5wJb0RrRO0Websites and Socials for Stuart Brown -http://stuartjbrown.com/IG: @stuartjbrown_authorWebsites and socials for James Elden, Punk Monkey Productions and Playwright's SpotlightPunk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through LACPFest - www.lacpfest.comSupport the show

In this powerful and joy-sparking episode, I'm joined by Kari Esmail—also known as Kari the Fun Coach and bestselling author of Fun Because: How to Succeed Without the Hustle. Together, we dive into what it really means to dismantle hustle culture, recalibrate what's possible, and reclaim joy as a core tool for success. Kari shares her signature framework—the Pyramid of Fun—and breaks down how connection, play, and creativity can literally rewire your nervous system, collapse timelines, and unlock wildly aligned growth in your life and business.Whether you're a high-achieving woman navigating burnout, an entrepreneur craving more flow, or someone who's tired of saving joy for “someday,” this episode is your permission slip. We explore how small shifts in how we dress, interact, and approach our daily routines can radically change the energy we carry—and the opportunities we attract. Kari's science-backed insights and vibrant storytelling make it clear: your joy isn't frivolous—it's foundational.Tune in to learn how to fun-ify your life, shift your default patterns, and start creating from overflow instead of obligation. It's time to stop waiting to enjoy your life and start living like your wildest dreams are already unfolding—because when you lead with joy, they are.In this episode, we explore:Kari's journey from burnout and hustle to joy-driven entrepreneurshipThe hidden cost of hustle culture—and how to break free from itThe science behind joy as a powerful productivity toolKari's Pyramid of Fun framework for lasting success and fulfillmentThe 3 Elements of Fun: connection, play, and creativity—and how to integrate them dailyThe 8 Play Personality Types (based on research by Dr. Stuart Brown) and how to identify your personal play styleHow high-achieving women can recalibrate their nervous systems for more energy and easeThe mindset shift from “earning joy” to living in joyTangible practices to infuse more play, presence, and color into your everyday lifeBe sure to hit subscribe so you never miss the latest episode!Connect with Kari:Website: karithefuncoach.comInstagram: @karithefuncoachBuy Kari's book, Fun BecauseDownload the free “Fun as a Strategy” Breeze GuideJoin the International Fun Side CommunityConnect with Emily:Instagram: @emilyreuschelFacebook: Emily ReuschelLinkedIn: Emily ReuschelEmail List: join hereWebsite: www.EmilyReuschel.comResources and Links:Sign up here to get the inside scoop to my book writing journey!Book me as a speaker for your next event - email inquiries to emilyreuschel@gmail.com or

What if the secret to unlocking your salon team's innovation, energy, and connection was... play? In this powerful episode, Kati welcomes Mia Sundstrom, Director of Play Transformation at the National Institute for Play, who shares how understanding and embracing your unique "play personality" can lead to peak creativity and workplace culture breakthroughs. Drawing from her background as a Division I athlete, coach, and the legacy of her grandfather Dr. Stuart Brown's groundbreaking research, Mia explains how play isn't a distraction from work, it's a competitive advantage. If you're a salon owner or leader ready to energize your team and rethink productivity, this is a conversation you can't afford to miss. WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/29ASyjiqu4k   GET MY BOOK! From First Date to Forever; How to Market Like A Matchmaker: https://joinmya.com/from-first-date-to-forever-book    POWERED BY:  JOIN mya! joinmya.com   FOLLOW MIA SUNDSTROM Website: https://nifplay.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-sundstrom1/    LET'S CONNECT! BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique MYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/join_mya/    SPONSORS Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/    Join the ‘Smarter Room' Mastermind with Jay Williams! Click Here to Learn More: https://thejwco.com/a-smarter-room/

We ain't playing games here... things get serious when it comes to play. But don't worry, despite the attention-grabbing title I've lured you in with this is a pretty light-hearted and fun chat! I sat down with three generations of play experts from the same fam to unpack how play shapes our brains, our relationships, and even our careers. Dr. Stuart Brown kicks things off with a wild origin story that links a lack of play to violent behavior - mass murder, in fact!! His daughter Lauren and granddaughter Mia bring it full circle with how they’ve lived and breathed this work. We dig into the science, the 8 play personalities, why adults stop having fun, and how that’s messing with our mental health. This chat is fun (as expected), real, and maybe the reminder you didn’t know you needed: play ain't just for kids. It’s fuel for being human. SPONSORED BY TESTART FAMILY LAWYERS Website: testartfamilylawyers.com.au NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR PLAY Website: nifplay.org/ TIFFANEE COOK Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches/ Website: tiffcook.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/ Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/ Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/ Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this enlightening episode of the Child Psych Podcast, co-host Tammy Schamuhn sits down with the pioneering voice in play science—Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play and author of the groundbreaking book Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul.Together, they explore why play is not a luxury but a biological necessity for children and adults alike. Dr. Brown shares compelling research and surprising insights on how play is essential for healthy brain development, emotional regulation, creativity, empathy, and resilience. He also discusses the dangers of a play-deprived childhood and what parents, educators, and clinicians can do to foster playful experiences in a structured, screen-saturated world.Whether you're a parent, mental health professional, or educator, this episode will leave you rethinking the true value of play—and how we can reclaim it in our homes, schools, and communities.To purchase Dr. Brown's book please visit https://a.co/d/dAI9xijTo learn more about his work go to:Website: https://nifplay.org/Instagram: @playinstituteLinkedIn: @thenationalinstituteforplayWanting more from ICP? Get 50 % off our annual membership with the coupon code: PODCAST5090+ courses on parenting and children's mental healthPrivate community where you can feel supportedWorkbooks, parenting scripts, and printablesMember-only Webinars Course Certificates for Continuing EducationAccess to our Certification ProgramLive Q & A Sessions for Parents & ProfesssionalsBi-Annual Parenting & Mental Health ConferencesDownloadable Social Media CollectionRobust Resource LibraryClick here for more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Clark '25, Sid Cheemakoti, Stuart Brown '25 and Colin Sanders '25 make up the Dock Party Band are all day students at McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm, to water a land where no one lives, an uninhabited desert (Job 38:25-26)Most people didn't view the Great Depression as the best time to launch a toy company. But that's exactly when LEGO, the most successful toy brand of all time, was born.The company's founder, a devout Christian aptly named Ole Kirk Christiansen, had spent years building a traditional carpentry business. But by the early 1930s, business was slumping while his debts were soaring. So he pivoted to making toys like yo-yos, toy cars, and eventually LEGO bricks.And everyone told him he was out of his mind.“I think you're much too good for that, Christiansen,” one friend said. “Why don't you find something more useful to do!” The world was in crisis after all. People needed food, not toys. But Christiansen disagreed. In his own playful life and the life of the business he created to help others play well, Christiansen demonstrated a deep understanding of this truth: We mere Christians can glorify God by embracing fun, beauty, play, and “useless” work because our heavenly Father does the same.That's what we see in today's passage. God says that he sends “torrents of rain...to water a land where no one lives.” Why would God make it rain in an uninhabited desert? Apparently just for the fun of it!Commenting on this verse, theologian Dr. R. Paul Stevens says that God's playful nature should produce in his people a “freedom from the tyranny of utility.” In other words, godly play—not just productivity—pleases God.I'll be the first to admit that I am glacially slow to learning this. But by God's grace I am coming to see that play is productive for my soul and my goals. As Dr. Stuart Brown says, “In the long run, work does not work without play.”If you, like me, are not used to playing, let me encourage you to adopt this practice I recently found very helpful: Take stock of your play history. Ask yourself what you did as a kid or as an adult that felt like play. Based on my study of the work of Dr. Brown and others, I define play as any activity that has these 5 characteristics:I would say I “get” to do it rather than “have” to do itI lose track of time while I'm doing itI can't wait to do it againI can't stop talking about it with othersI have no deadline to complete the activityOnce you've made a list of things that have historically felt like play, schedule 30-90 minutes this week to engage in one of those activities knowing that you, like LEGO's founder, can glorify God as you do!

Bongani Bingwa chats with Stuart Brown, the talented actor behind the title character in the hit musical 'Dear Evan Hansen'. They discuss the show's thought-provoking themes and heartwarming story, currently captivating audiences at Johannesburg's Montecasino's Teatro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Play isn't just for children! It's a secret weapon for creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. But somewhere along the way, many of us started treating it like a luxury rather than a necessity. In this episode, we're flipping that narrative. We'll explore why play matters in leadership and life, uncover the science behind it, and dive into Stuart Brown's play personalities, because yes, you have one! And if you've ever Googled ‘adult play'… well, you might have found more than you bargained for!! So, let's get into it, because what if play wasn't something tomake time for, but something that made time better?Stuart Brown: Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul | Amazon.co.ukStuart Brown: Play is more than just fun | TED TalkThe Importance of Play for Adults - National Institute for PlayThe 8 Play Personalities that illustrate how we have funDr Stuart Brown on The 7 Properties of Play | Human PerformanceCan We Actually Develop Leadership Through Play? | Psychology TodayWhat is LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®? | Official LEGO® Shop CC |Official LEGO® Shop US

Dr. Stuart Brown, researcher and founder of the National Institute for Play, has identified eight “play personalities” to help adults identify the type of play that feels most natural and provides incredible benefits. We look at all eight—you will be surprised to find out how much playing you are actually doing in your life! A fun way to rethink ‘rest'. National Institute for Play! (https://nifplay.org/what-is-play/play-personalities/)

This ep, we take a walk down memory lane to the first major peak of #machinima with a documentary produced by  @ProducerStuartBrown , released in 2003. The film is a fly on the wall documentary of the creative practice of the legendary Hugh Hancock (founder of #Machinima.com) and his @strangecompany 0:39 Introduction to the film; shock and awe: Hugh's bravado, character, energy and enthusiasm shines through 3:09 Foundations of Machinima.com, the Strange Company, the ILL Clan and others – the first peak of machinima 6:54 Stuart Brown's YouTube channel 7:50 Minority report: “This may be the future of filmmaking” (2003)! 8:14 Positioning machinima as previs, preproduction, and the role of remote directing 10:40 Technical challenges to filmmaking back in 2003 13:58 What happened next to Machinima.com 15:35 Fond memories 19:32 Boom and bust: the poison of the profit motive? 22:40 The hard ask of the  @roosterteethanimation #rvb model 23:41 Money as a means to an end 25:52 The team and the decisions 27:29 Frank Dellario's humour!  @ILLClan @frankdellario7401 29:05 Remembering Peter Rasmussen Show notes & links: includes Tracy's notes and an interview with Hugh - see links below Credits - Speakers: Phil Rice, Ricky Grove, Damien Valentine Producer/Editor: Phil Rice Music: Animo Domini Beats

Pippa speaks to director Greg Karvellas as well as Stuart Brown who plays the lead role in a new musical at the Artscape Dear Evan Hansen. The Tony-award winning show opens for the first time in South Africa next week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Burnout rates among leaders range from 40% to a staggering 83%. So it's likely that you are feeling that crispy edge of overwhelm, exhaustion, or cycle of stuck, too. Nobody wants it, and yet we're all living like this. The truth is we don't have to, but the solution isn't work harder or even maximize your time. One surprising part of the solution? Play. In this episode of The Joyosity™ Podcast, we're unpacking the surprising AND science-backed solution that will boost your productivity, creativity, and resilience. Listen for the real-life stories from leaders struggling, my own moment of brain fog before a keynote, and why play isn't just for kids. I'm telling you, it's your secret leadership advantage. Plus, I introduce the eight Play Personalities, what they look like as expertise in your work, and how to discover yours so you can transform the way you work. Grab the quiz and the cheat codes for all the types: https://jennwhitmer.com/play-quiz Dr. Stuart Brown reminds us all, "The opposite of play isn't work. It's depression." So let's play and create more productivity and joy at work. Listen now, and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe! Here's what we talked about: 2:40 Why working harder won't fix burnout 4:43 How much of a problem is burnout for leaders and how to stop feeling overwhelmed 7:38 What neuroscience tells us about play and productivity 12:14 Forced fun doesn't work 15:30 How play styles help you understand your hidden expertise 16:10 The Eight Play Personalities and their leadership strengths 26:22 How to Find Your Play Personality that Powers Productivity for you and your team Take the Quiz https://jennwhitmer.com/play-quiz! Links/ Resources: The Free 99 Step: Play Personality Quiz https://jennwhitmer.com/play-quiz There are eight play personalities. Find your main play style and discover how to use your style to be a better leader, collaborate more efficiently, and have more joy at work. Ready to Make a Plan: Joyosity Jumpstart https://jennwhitmer.com/jumpstart If you're ready to stop leading from survival mode and lead with connection and joy, the Joyosity™ Jumpstart Session https://jennwhitmer.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3TxtmrUFUqPUT55qA3P3hOdr~a-jjAT0w-xlk5HEIFnKDXV8y_xGh.ae3HVViwBfx1K2Z5UWKXOd954KzNLKUr is for you. Clarify what you want, where you are, and what's getting in the way so you can make a real plan. Starting the Journey: Enneagram Navigator http://jennwhitmer.com/enneagram-typing Walk through the process to identify your Enneagram type — accurately! But then also know what does that mean in your every day life. Ready to Dive In: 1:1 Joyosity Leadership Intensive https://jennwhitmer.com/intensive Work on your leadership stories, mindset, values, and alignment with Jenn 1:1 when it fits your schedule. Five spots available in November and December 2024. Book Jenn to Speak - Check Availability and Topics https://jennwhitmer.com/speaking Let's bring this to help your team collaborate and engage (and bring the joy!) Let's talk about a customized event for your organization.

In this heartfelt episode, Ps Stu Brown reflects on the challenges of waiting and how God works through seasons of uncertainty to transform our thinking and deepen our faith. Drawing from personal experiences and powerful scripture, we explore what it means to trust in God's higher plans, even in moments of loss and frustration. Through insights on renewing the mind, embracing hope, and finding beauty in the waiting, this episode encourages listeners to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and perspective. If you're seeking encouragement to navigate life's storms, this episode offers profound hope and inspiration.

Magsamen and Ross emphasize the transformative power of art, in all its forms. It impacts neural circuitry, physiology, and behavior, enhancing physical and mental well-being, reducing stress, improving cognitive function, and fostering social connections. They highlight the importance of integrating the arts in healthcare, education, and community building. Susan Magsamen is the founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, Center for Applied Neuroaesthethics (known as the IAM Lab) at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she's a faculty member in the Department of Neurology. Ivy Ross is Chief Design Officer of Consumer Devices at Google and has led teams that have won hundreds of design awards. She's a National Endowment for the Arts grant recipient and was ninth on Fast Company's list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business in 2019. Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross are Co-authors of Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. (Random House 2023)Interview Date: 10/14/2024 Tags: Susan Magsamen, Ivy Ross, doodling, E.O. Wilson, salience, neuro arts, neuroaesthetics, improv, endocrine system, James Pennebaker, Stuart Brown, play, neurosynapses, John Krakauer, Art & Creativity, Health & Healing, Personal Transformation

I'm honoured to welcome Dara Simkin to The Debra Shepherd Podcast this week. Dara is Australia's leading Playful Work Design specialist, and is the founder and Chief Play Officer of learning experience design consultancy, Culture Hero. She has worked with organisations like The LEGO Foundation, McKinsey & Co, Silicon Valley's IDEO Play Lab and world-renowned play researcher Dr Stuart Brown and has presented to brands like IKEA, AGL, Royal Canin, MYOB and Google. As an expert facilitator and passionate advocate for the potential of play in the workplace, Dara believes play has the power to transform the way we live, work and lead. In 2024 Dara is undertaking a major research project exploring the impact of play in business in partnership with RMIT University. In this episode, Dara shares her story. We talk about connection, engagement, culture, creativity, innovation and incorporating play into business and the way we work. HIGHLIGHTS How play changes the way we live, work and lead.  The impact of new technology on business and why businesses must be adaptable and flexible to survive.  Dara explains why play is important in business and shares examples of what play is and isn't.  How Dara and her team at Culture Hero incorporate play into the way they work.  Giving your people an opportunity to play in business.  Dara shares the benefits of integrating play into business as well as tips and advice to businesses that may be hesitant about incorporating play into the workplace.   Why we can't be at our best creatively or effectively drive innovation without play.  The importance of imagination breaks during the day.  Why a psychologically safe and trusting workplace is essential for integrating play into business.   Dara shares tips for business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders wanting to incorporate play into business.  Plus, more! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS If you enjoy the podcast, leave a 5 star review. Let me know your favourite episode, interview, biggest takeaway or most inspiring moment. Follow or subscribe to the show to be notified when new episodes are released.    SHOW NOTES   Get all episode show notes here:   www.debrashepherd.com.au/debra-shepherd-podcast   CONNECT WITH DARA www.culturehero.co www.darasimkin.com CONNECT WITH DEBRA  www.debrashepherd.com.au Instagram @_DebraShepherd   Get my FREE audio: The Power of Simplicity. 9 powerful reasons why simplicity will transform your life and business. www.debrashepherd.com.au/the-power-of-simplicity

How do you create a practical plan for taking a career break? We talk a lot on this podcast about high achievers, burnout, and work/life balance because we're driven professionals striving to live our most fulfilling lives while also leveling up our careers. Chances are, the thought of taking a lengthy break from work has crossed your mind, but you might have been as skeptical as I was until I spoke with Laura Nguyen.The author of Career Break Compass, Laura is an executive coach who transitioned from a high-performance, high-stress marketing career to guiding high-achievers like herself in planning and pursuing career breaks that let them come back better than ever. She shares what brought her to this field and her four-step framework for making the most of your time off.Uncover her strategic process for making a career break a reality, including:How to strike a balance between career advancement and rest;The time off options available to American workers;Building a logical framework to guide your career break;How intentional time off can create holistic and long-lasting shifts in your career and life.Related Links:Laura's book, Career Break Compass: Navigating Your Path to a Balanced Life Through Intentional Time Off - https://www.lauranguyen.co/career-break-compassLearn more about Laura's work - https://www.lauranguyen.coConnect with Laura on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauran546/Episode 136, Is Job-Sharing the Secret to True Work/Life Balance - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode136   Episode 456, How Connection Can Cure What Ails Us - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode456A Better Balance, workers' legal advocacy organization - https://www.abetterbalance.org/The Effects of Decision Fatigue on Judicial Behavior - https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-law-and-courts/article/abs/effects-of-decision-fatigue-on-judicial-behavior-a-study-of-arkansas-traffic-court-outcomes/8B7EB8735C10F7730FB402D6F2E80D70Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Dr. Stuart Brown - https://bookshop.org/p/books/play-how-it-shapes-the-brain-opens-the-imagination-and-invigorates-the-soul-stuart-brown/577397Take my LinkedIn course, Managing Career Burnout - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/managing-career-burnout/today-s-burnout-work-cultureBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

How can we make reading more enjoyable and exciting for children?  In honor of National Book Month, SONIC Drive-In is partnering with DonorsChoose and Little Free Library to take action. Tune in as we are joined by Stuart Brown from the SONIC Foundation and Shavawn Simmons from Family Literacy of Georgia, representing Little Free Library, to share ways we can all make a difference.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate!Stuart Brown serves as the Executive Director for the Inspire Brands Foundation, the charitable arm of Inspire Brands. The foundation works on behalf of Inspire and its brands to ignite and nourish change for good in the communities we serve. Before joining the Foundation in 2014, Stuart developed a passion for leveraging innovation to promote community impact while working for Fortune 500 companies, industry-leading non-profits and a West African start-up.  He is an alumnus of Auburn University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering as well as the Kellogg School of Management where he earned his MBA with a focus on Finance and Economics.  www.LimeadesForLearning.comShavawn P. Simmons is the Founder and Executive Director of Family Literacy of Georgia. Simmons founded the organization with the desire to increase enthusiasm for reading within communities lacking easy access to books and book diversity.  An avid reader, writer and artist, Simmons is a retired 30-year public school educator. A native of Miami (Opa-Locka) Florida, Simmons directs Family Literacy of Georgia from metro Atlanta in Clayton County, Georgia. https://littlefreelibrary.orgFor more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com#book #newbook #bookclub #mustread 

“The Suitcase involves a married couple coming to a major decision about their life together. It has a serious theme with a surprise ending that no one sees coming.”Miranda Stewart directs actors Anne Cooper and David Purdham.Stuart Brown is the playwright. A prolific author of short plays, his works have been presented in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Texas, and Connecticut. He is the President of the Connecticut Critics Circle. He runs the online 24/7 Broadway radio station SoundsofBroadway.com, featuring the best from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and London stages.Support the showFounded by playwright and filmmaker Bernadette Armstrong, Open-Door Playhouse is a Theater Podcast- like the radio dramas of the 1940s and 1950s. The Playhouse launched on September 15, 2020. At the time, Open-Door Playhouse provided Playwrights, Actors and Directors a creative outlet during the shutdown. Since its inception. Open-Door Playhouse has presented Short and One-Act plays from Playwrights across the country and internationally. In 2021 Open-Door Playhouse received a Communicator Award for Content for the Play Custody and in 2023 the play What's Prison Like was nominated for a Webby Award in the Crime & Justice Category.Plays are produced by Bernadette Armstrong, Sound Engineer is David Peters, sound effects are provided by Audio Jungle, and music from Karaoke Version. All plays are recorded at The Oak House Studio in Altadena, CA. There's no paywall at the Open-Door Playhouse site, so you could listen to everything for free. Open-Door Playhouse is a 501c3 non-profit organization, and if you would like to support performances of works by new and emerging playwrights, your donation will be gratefully accepted. Your tax-deductible donations help keep our plays on the Podcast Stage. We strive to bring our listeners thoughtful and surprising one-act plays and ten-minute shorts that showcase insightful and new perspectives of the world we share with others. To listen or to donate (or both), go to https://opend...

Previously, We Discussed How Play is Non-Instrumental, Voluntary, and Unnecessary. And yet, as will discover this episode, it is a necessity for human flourishing. It is the "necessary unnecessity." Playfulness is ubiquitous for animal life Playfulness in Ubiquitous to Human Experience Since the Beginning - For Adults Too * Royal Game of Ur (2500 BC) * Barbara Ehrenreich - Dancing in the Streets - A History of Collective Joy * Herodotus - Games invented in Lydia (450 BC) * Chess, Go, Backgammon, Mancala - Africa, Asia, Middle East * Alfonso's Book of Games (1283) Playfulness is Behind Creativity and Cultural Advancement * Steven Johnson - Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World * Banu Musa Brothers (9th century Baghdad) * Merlin's Magical Museum (Thomas Denton, 18-19th century England) * Punchcards lead to looms lead to computer programming Play is Essential for Human Development * Dr. Stuart Brown has written and taught extensively on this topic, discovering that play is essential for emotional, physical, and mental development and health--and that the absence of play can lead to social and emotional challenges later on in life. * Jonothan Haidt has recently also argued for the importance of free play for human development Play is Therefore a Basic Human Right * J. Drew Lanham - People have fought and died for the right of others to play * It is not a luxury; it is an essential part of being human * Dave Bindewald - In the face of suffering, our task is not to marginalize play, but to double-down on its importance. Jane McGonigal - Given that We are Wired for Play, How Can We Gamify Life? * Would probably still define work and play a little differently than she does (she says play is work we enjoy), but she is great at exploring ways to bring elements of play (voluntary, unnecessary obstacles) to work * What are some examples? * Quests to do chores * Tombstone Hold-Em * Crowdsourcing Research - Three Body Problem * However, they are still a means to an end. So What's Going On Here? If Play is Unnecessary, Why is it Such a Necessity? * On our next episode, the spiritual necessity of play Takeaways Play is a universal and essential part of the human experience, not just for children but also for adults. Playfulness and play have been present throughout history and across cultures, from ancient games to modern-day fashion and coding. Animals also engage in play, demonstrating the innate nature of playfulness. Play is a catalyst for human creativity and cultural achievements, shaping our society and civilization. Play allows for experimentation, exploration, and the development of new ideas and concepts. Play is a universal and essential part of the human experience. Bringing elements of play into other areas of life can lead to increased creativity, team building, and enjoyment. Games can be used to crowdsource solutions to complex problems. Sound Bites "Play is a universal and essential part of the human experience" "Animals play on various levels, demonstrating the innate nature of playfulness" "Playfulness is a major part of human culture and has shaped our creative and cultural achievements" "Energy and capitalism and growth, you know, these new areas and fields inventions come about really through play" "You know, can bypass our normal systems" "Play is not a luxury. It's an essential part of what it means to be human. It's a human right." CALL TO ACTION Subscribe to our newsletter (https://buttondown.email/BoardGameFaith) Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/boardgamefaith/) Interact with us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/boardgamefaith/) Discord us Discord (https://discord.gg/MRqDXEJZ)

There is a secret ingredient, that if you add to your dancing, will uplevel it in ways you never imagined. Plus, it's just more fun that way. That ingredient is PLAY. In this episode, share with you the 4 main reasons dancers say they want mental strength coaching and how I think play is an underutilized tool. Taking cues from the book, Play, How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, but Stuart Brown, MD, we share how play can enhance those 4 areas, plus as a bonus, share his 8 play personalities. Maybe you think you just aren't a playful person or that play means we aren't working hard enough. Well I'd like to change your mind about that. Listen in! Book a Dance Strategy Call ⁠HERE⁠ Books referenced in the podcast: Play, How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, but Stuart Brown, MD  

Playing is one of the biggest stress relievers in adults just as much as kids. It can help us look at life differently, have a break from life, be creative and lift your mood. In this episode Janine mentions a book called Play by Stuart Brown and Christopher Vaughan and some of the areas of play which are helpful tips and reminders. In this episode Janine discusses:How play removes stress for adults as well as kidsThe importance of taking a ‘play break'How to integrate play in your day as an adult What a playful attitude can look like Thinking about what you enjoy and incorporating these back into life now.Coping Skills for Adults: https://copingskillsforkids.com/coping-skills-for-adultsAnd remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!—About The Host - Janine HalloranJanine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play' which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletterIf you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hubIf you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkidsConnect with Janine on Social MediaInstagram: @copingskillsforkidsFacebook: facebook.com/copingskillsforkids and facebook.com/encourageplayYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JanineHalloranEncouragePlay

In this episode I continue to unpack the five criterias of play. The five are as follows:1 - Play is fun. It's intensely pleasurable and enjoyable. So when we play we don't want it to stop.2 - Play is self motivated, which means it has to be entered into voluntarily.3 - Play is apparently purposeless. We play for the sake of playing not to achieve some further goal.4 - Play has rules.5 - Play is imaginative and improvisational.Links:The Norwegian book called Lek og Læring i et Nevro perspektiv  (play and learning in a neuro perspective) Here are some links, One, two, three. The third one is a link to a podcast with an interview with one of the two authors. BE WARNED the links are all in Norwegian, but with the help of google and our AI overlords you'll be reading it in no time, in a language more suitable to your horizon of understanding.the Kingdom of Childhood episode of the Way of the ShowmanPeter Gray's Aeon.co article on Play DeficitFor your selfstudy: Henri Bergson on the possible and the actual.Finite and infinite games by James CarseThis is a link to a talk by Doctor Stuart Brown who's the author of “Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul” (2010) by Stuart BrownSupport the Show....Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.auIf you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

Today's guests, Kathy Escobar and Phyllis Mathis, have been soul friends for almost two decades and are the hosts of the Soul + Practice podcast dedicated to raw conversations and real practices. Their work is centered on healthier human-ing and making it in this weird world. Phyllis did this as a therapist for many years and now is a life coach and author of The Subversive Soul: The Gentle Revolution Everyone Needs. And Kathy is a non-profit leader and community cultivator and author of several books, including Practicing: Changing Yourself to Change the World. More at kathyescobar.com and phyllismathis.com. In our conversation we talk about play - how play is about motivation more than behaviour - and what that looks like for each of us as an Enneagram 2 (Kathy), 9 (Phyllis), and 1 (me). I invited each of them to take a short quiz to discover their "play personality"' which is based on the work of Dr. Stuart Brown. You can take the quiz here: Understanding your Play Style - LindsayBraman.com.We also talk about what it means to each of us to "live on purpose" midlife and beyond. In the summer session of the Brave + Beautiful Community, members will be invited to explore their own sense of purpose, how to thrive and feel alive, and we'll do some dreaming/visioning for our lives. Learn more here: Join the Brave + Beautiful Community For Midlife Women | A Life In ProgressSign up for the Monday Morning Hope Map:Connect with Krista on IGConnect on FB: A Life in Progress and/or Rebranding Middle Age

In this episode I unpack the five criterias of play. The five are as follows:1 - Play is fun. It's intensely pleasurable and enjoyable. So when we play we don't want it to stop.2 - Play is self motivated, which means it has to be entered into voluntarily.3 - Play is apparently purposeless. We play for the sake of playing not to achieve some further goal.4 - Play has rules.5 - Play is imaginative and improvisational.Links:The Norwegian book called Lek og Læring i et Nevro perspektiv  (play and learning in a neuro perspective) Here are some links, One, two, three. The third one is a link to a podcast with an interview with one of the two authors. BE WARNED the links are all in Norwegian, but with the help of google and our AI overlords you'll be reading it in no time, in a language more suitable to your horizon of understanding.the Kingdom of Childhood episode of the Way of the ShowmanPeter Gray's Aeon.co article on Play DeficitFor your selfstudy: Henri Bergson on the possible and the actual.Finite and infinite games by James CarseThis is a link to a talk by Doctor Stuart Brown who's the author of “Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul” (2010) by Stuart BrownSupport the Show....Now you can get t-shirts and hoodies with our wonderful logo. This is the best new way to suport the podcast project. Become a proud parader of your passion for Showmanship and our glorious Craft whilst simultanously helping to gather more followers for the Way.You'll find the store here: https://thewayoftheshowman.printdrop.com.auIf you want to help support this podcast it would be tremendous if you wrote a glowing review on iTunes or Spotify.If you want to contact me about anything, including wanting me to collaborate on one of your projects you can reach me on thewayoftheshowman@gmail.comor find out more on the Way of the Showman website.you can follow the Way of Instagram where it is, not surprisingly thewayoftheshowman.If you find it in you and you have the means to do so, you can suport the podcast financially at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/captainfrodo

Try as we might to fill up our day with productive work, oftentimes that business results in never having any quiet time. Even quiet, seemingly unproductive bored times. But boredom is just the beginning, a blank space, for our imaginations to begin playing. So how can you be bored again?  John Cleese's speech Creativity in Managment Learn more about Dr. Stuart Brown, his book "Play: How it Shapes the Brian, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul," and the National Institute for Play herehttps://www.playcore.com/drstuartbrown  Check out more of Sam's LEGO and toy videos at www.youtube.com/@samsuksiri

How do we teach our children social and emotional awareness in a fun and play filled way? Eventually our children will become adults so when they walk out into the world, we want them to step into their lives as aware and in control of their emotions as possible. In this episode we discuss:The resources Yara has put together to support social and emotional learningThe importance of playing and therefore learning how to self regulate Crafts which help engage children in social awarenessHow kids cope with anger and the tools to help them while learning this emotionDifferent discipline options during transitional points How to manage your own emotions as a parent Communication points in your child's day so you can check inHow Yara relaxesAbout The Guest - Yara HabanbouYara Habanbou has experience in the field of education, and is deeply passionate about nurturing social-emotional skills in children, helping them grow not only as students but as kind, compassionate, and resilient individuals. She is the creator of seaofknowledge.org, where she shares tons of printables, ideas and activities to nurture kids' social skills as well as their academic skills.Website www.seaofknowledge.orgFacebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolineM Instagram @seaofknowledgeyara—Resources mentioned in the podcast episode:Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Stuart Brown and Christopher VaughanThe Power of Play - learning what comes naturally by David ElkindFree to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for LifePlay=Learning: How Play Motivates and Enhances Children's Cognitive and Social-Emotional Growth Edited by Dorothy G. Singer, Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, and Kathy Hirsh-PasekCalm and Connected Ep 154: Ways to Connect with Kids and Teenshttps://www.janinehalloran.com/podcast/calm-and-connected-episode-154About The Host - Janine HalloranJanine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play' which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play! If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletterIf you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hubIf you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkidsConnect with Janine on Social Media Instagram: @copingskillsforkids Facebook: facebook.com/copingskillsforkids and facebook.com/encourageplayYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JanineHalloranEncouragePlay

Presented by TwinSpires Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey looks ahead to Saturday's Florida Derby. Jockey Flavien Prat talks about Arkansas Derby contender Timberlake and looks back on his wins in the Louisiana Derby and Fair Grounds Oaks. Dr. Stuart Brown shares an update on the safety initiatives taking place at Keeneland. Plus, we preview Dubai World Cup, Vance Hanson provides this week's TwinSpires Triple Play, Kurt Becker takes you on his weekly Stroll Through Racing History, and Dale Romans & Tim Wilkin tackle the sport's hottest topics on 'I Ask, They Answer' presented by the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program

Dr. Stuart Brown has quantified what every young child already knows—play makes life more enjoyable. While most adults tend to age out of play, Dr. Brown believes it's the key to lives that are fulfilling, fun, and flourishing, no matter the age. Play re-creates us physically, leads to breakthroughs mentally, and builds healthy relationships. From his early research, in the aftermath of a shocking school shooting, to studying felony inmates and animals in the wild, Dr. Brown is the world's foremost expert on the importance of play. As the founder of the National Institute for Play, Dr. Brown's aim is to make play understood as a public health necessity. Having had a profound impact on Brian, this aggressive conversation has the power to point you toward a better (and more play-filled) future.

Can you recall the last time you made time to play? Carving out time to intentionally play and be curious is not only necessary but mandatory! If you're ready to release the idea of nonstop work and instead embrace creativity & joy, today's episode is for you!  In this episode we discuss:  The importance of understanding your play personality and what type of activities you'll enjoy Why people of all ages require play to live healthy lives How to balance your full schedule and still make time for play  And much more  This week's gem:  Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul by Stuart Brown with Christopher Vaughan  Hit our Homegirl Hotline…we'd love to hear from you!  Call or Text us at (310) 363-0167 for advice, to share the things you're proud of, or any gems you think we'd enjoy.  Support us on Patreon | Get Bravado bonus content + special discounts! Shop our Merch here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-black-girl-bravado1502/donations