People Who Play: Recent Episodes
Playful Den
People who Play is a podcast designed to inspire you to #liveplayfully. Each week Emma and ‘producer husband’ Ben discuss their playful approach to life and parenting and welcome a guest who has play at the heart of their life to learn how they found their play and the impact it’s had on them.
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/playful_den/?hl=en
Support Playful Den on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/playfulden
We're back!! Ben and Ems are back and they're pumped for it! People Who Play have returned with a bang and they get stuck in - Are hobbies that take a lot of time selfish?- Do men expect more play time than women?- Is nostalgia good for us? - The joy of taking a creative pause- Money might you happy afterall if it gives you time to create The first week of every month of this podcast is freeeee! If you want weekly episodes hop along and join Emma's substack and you'll get an ad free ep EVERY WEEK! https://theplayfulden.substack.com/
Emma speaks to Canada based Kara Latta aka the Playful Warrior who works with groups, individuals and businesses to help heal perfectionism and self-doubt through play. Kara supports people in their return to play - something that can be a lot more difficult than it sounds - and shares tips for how to reconnect with your inner joyful child through play based activities. Follow Kara @theplayfulwarrior
Ben and Ems are back and this week Ben has decided he would like to be Batman. Emma has had meltdown after a change in routine meant she had to do morning school runs and the couple discuss wether to 'burn all social media to the ground'. follow @playful_den and @benflyingretro Email the show hellopeoplewhoplay@gmail.com
Ems and Ben are back catching up on their old segments: Retro rewind - Ben sneaks Phoenix into the cinema to watch Aliens Overheard at home - Emma discusses how older siblings means he can now fart on demand Stumbled across some research - Emma shares what science has been saying about the 'runners high' and how to get it Listener question - how to keep dreaming and using your imagination when your head is full of life admin Read about research into the runners high discussed here:https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/apr/09/chasing-the-runners-high-the-elusive-buzz-scientists-are-still-figuring-outFollow Emma @playful_den Follow Ben @benflyingretro Email the show hello@peoplewhoplay.com
Emma and Ben are back and excited to have their first proper conversation since the Easter holidays. Discussed in this episode: - Climbing up Snowdon - Free movement play and building physical agility - Utopia and dystopia - how to parent in an uncertain world and future - The Witch Trials of JK Rowling podcast - Rewriting the curriculum for the current world and why is everyone so obsessed with maths? - Deep rest and privacy as a mental health need Follow Emma @playful_den Follow Ben @benflyingretro
Ben and Ems are back and catching up and reflecting on Emma being away for work. Emma wants to know why Ben seems to like it when she goes when she goes away which leads to a conversation comparing full control versus blurred responsibilities. Ben has also responded to a recent 'badgering' resulting in buying a teenagers desk planner. He hasn't written on it yet but Emma remains hopeful. Follow Emma @playful_den Follow Ben @benflyingretro
On a mission to change the narrative of Special Educational Needs by going right to the top of Government and legislative level; Jo supports children with additional needs, their Parents and Professionals to navigate the health and education systems. Self advocacy and acceptance lie right at the heart of it.Jo is an award winning Consultant Children’s Physiotherapist, Author of number 1 best seller, Equipping SEN Children for Life, and SEN Advocate. She has seen and experienced the barriers to support for SEN children first hand as Mum to Autistic, ADHD children. She runs a hugely successful and pioneering non profit organisation that provides fun, back to nature opportunities for therapy, play and learning. These take place in the great outdoors with a team of gorgeous therapy ponies to enrich children's experiences and enhance development.Jo is a seasoned public speaker featured on stage at national events such as EPOP Early Years Festival, Nursery World Exhibition, the global Bee Inspired event and through national charities such as the Riding For Disabled Association. Her book has supported hundreds of families and professionals to change their approach to the Special Educational Needs Narrative.Instagram: @jo_mc_sen_physio Get a free SEN Parent Toolkit here: https://www.senstorycic.com/opt-in-SEN-toolkitBuy the book: Equipping SEN Children for Life: Changing the Neurodiversity SENStory®️ : McMeechan, Jo: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Ben and Emma are back and catching up on eachother's playtime. Ben has been deep diving into RPG and spending part of his life on an alien ship. Emma is thinking about role modelling healthy relationships as the tween and teen are discovering romantic feelings and relationships. In this episode: - Kids and reading - Imagination in adulthood - Toddlers and letting go - Parenting mindset - Role play and empathy Follow Emma @playful_den Follow Ben @benflyingretro
Adam Lewis is a social entrepreneur and changemaker focused on using play and sport to drive social justice and build equitable communities around the United States. Adam is currently serving a 3-year term as an Appointed Advisor to the Portland, OR Parks and Recreation Bureau Board. Prior to that he founded and served as the Managing Director of Street Soccer USA-Portland, oversaw strategy at the USA’s largest athletic club, led the social impact legacy strategy for INEOS at the World Athletics Championships OR22 and was selected as a Fellow with the New Leaders Council. As an advocate for the power of play, Adam has ‘talked’ about play and empathy at TEDx, delivered a Keynote Address at the 2022 NLC Convention, was the Major League Soccer Portland Timbers Community MVP Award winner, the Multnomah Athletic Foundation Impact Award winner, and has been featured in the Washington Post, USA Today and the Oregonian.Website: https://www.adam-lewis.co/ Insta: @adamisador
Emma and Ben are recovering from the kids having a stomach bug and reflect on their craving to be silly which emma has hunch is a new type of self-care that must be released! Ben accuses emma of using his ‘man conditioner’ and gets curious about Emma’s extensive and layered bedtime routine. Email Emma and Ben - hello@peoplewhoplay.comFollow @playful_denFollow @benflyingretro
Sydney Piercey is a mother of three who worked as an au pair and a nanny in Parisbefore having her own children. A passionate advocate for living a slower, moresustainable life, she set about creating toys for her children from the abundance ofcardboard that modern living provides. The joy of exploring and creating with herchildren - and her growing online community - bloomed into her first book, publishedin May 2022: ‘Sustainable Play: 60+ crafts and games for an Earth-kind home.’Sydney’s creative cardboard art, and sustainable but stylish approach to life, has seen her garner a dedicated online following. She writes for the well-known parenting blogBabyccino and has been interviewed and featured in Domino Magazine, My ModernMet magazine, and Bored Panda.Online, Sydney’s content is a window into a world of slow living. She emigrated torural southern France with her husband and children in 2020, and often talks abouthow a change of pace - and a leap of faith - can be just what we all need.Follow Sydney on IG @sydney.pierceyCheck out Sydney's book here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sustainable-Play-cardboard-crafts-earth-kind/dp/1529416647/ref=asc_df_1529416647/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=570430330025&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17700237108063973659&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045715&hvtargid=pla-1636311200333&psc=1&th=1&psc=1
This week Ben and Ems are recording from Miami where they are celebrating Emma's 40th birthday! Ben asks Emma about feeling feelings about turning 40 and Ben reminisces on watching Miami Vice. Follow @playful_denFollow @benflyingretro Follow @emmaworrollo
GUEST EPISODE Emma chats to LA based professional toy photographer Mitchel Wu. Mitchel pivoted his career multiple times before landing on toy photography where he has carved out a dreamy creative profession working for global brands. Using photography as his medium, he uses toys and special effects and create his art and tell stories. Emma and Mitchel chat about finding work that fires you up creatively, how to pivot and why toy photography is so joyful and imaginative. They also explore themes of scale and why it makes us curious and why it it feels so satisfying to observe characters we know and love doing something completely unexpected. Find Mitchel on IG @mitchelwuphotography and on his website https://www.mitchelwutoyphotography.com/Follow Emma @playful_den and @emmaworrollo
In this weeks instalment Emma and Ben face up to the fact that ‘slow weekend mornings’ with a 3 year old are an illusion. They discuss a new action plan for trying to have a weekend that doesn’t end in tears and fears for the next one. Covered in this episode: Retro Rewind - middle school discos! Stumbled upon some research - what will be the things we cringe about in the future? Overheard at home - Scout gets told off for ‘not passing Daddy his pants’ Email Emma and Ben - hello@peoplewhoplay.comFollow @playful_denFollow @benflyingretro Article discussed: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/30/learning/what-do-we-do-today-that-will-make-us-cringe-in-the-future.html
Emma and Ben sit down for another weekly catch up and to discuss their playful approach to family life. This weeks episode covers:- Emma's up to date career advice for generation Alpha kids - Ben's return to the world of Transformers - Some data on how going to museums and art galleries makes you less stressed - Listener questions: can you have too many toys? Follow @playful_denFollow @BenflyingretroFollow @emmaworrolloResearch mentioned in this episode https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-mind-collector/202206/can-visiting-art-museum-help-reduce-stress
Emma and Ben are back and are committed to putting 'Blue January' in the bin. They share what they've been playing this month - Ben has rediscovered snowboarding on the dry slope and Emma can't stop reading. They also talk about why younger generations love friends and a fringe movement of teens who are taking flip phones to parties.
Ben & Ems are back! Emma is stepping up and into some family leadership and Ben is trying to keep up. The two parents discuss the trappings of english schooling and discuss how they will support kids' options and choices and dig into some research which suggests 'respectful parenting' is the answer to helping kids follow their dreams. Emma also tries to help Ben with his Christmas Cherry Cola addiction.
Emma and Ben discuss the Christmas build up and recall that time when they did a real life Home Alone and left a child at home
Well it's a weird and loud one. Strap in folks. If Emma ever manages to get a word in, this weeks episode the co-parents / 90s kids discuss all of the below: - Elf on the Shelf and why Ben doesn't know about trends - Ben asks Emma if he can quit work - Ben has tracked down a walkman and is listening to Now 08 - but will his shorts fall down? - Ben guesses Emma's favourite wrestler - Emma has been working on her small talk and it's not going well - CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Follow Emma @playful_den Follow Ben @benflyingretro
Emma chats to Lu - a '52 year old accidental influencer who is ageing disgracefully'. Lu is in the middle of her tour in her RV Susie travelling the US giving talks to women about self love and masturbation. Emma asks for a heads up on the 40s and Lu discusses her divorce and middle aged rebellion. Follow Lu @luinlulandFollow Emma @playful_den
In this episode Ben and Ems dig deep into the differences of growing up in a digital world and how they crave analogue experiences. They also discuss how being a hungover parent is the worst punishment imaginable.
In this episode Emma chats to Kirstie Beaven founder and editor of Sonshine magazine, a publication which focusses on raising boys for a more equal world, by raising a generation of boys who feel able to express their emotions and explore new versions of masculinity. Follow Emma @playful_denFollow Kirstie @sonshinemagazine
In this episode Ben tries to understand Emma's feelings and why she has so many. Emma confronts Ben on his inability to put together a complete meal and what his obsession with a spotless kitchen says about his ability to relax. Emma speaks about the invisible labour of magic and memory making and why for her running will never be play time. Follow Emma @playful_den and @emmaworrollo Follow Ben @benflyingretro
Emma chats to Marcus Veerman founder of Playground Ideas, a not for profit organisation supporting communities around the world to build playgrounds with local resources, about a variety of play-based topics including adventure and creativity, playground design and loose parts play. Marcus shares his journey with his invention of the Nüdel Kart - a stimulating and inclusive loose-parts play resource used by Schools, early childhood centres and Allied health professionals around the world.Find out more about Nüdel Kart - https://www.nudelkart.com/Learn about Playground Ideas - https://playgroundideas.org/?gclid=CjwKCAjw5P2aBhAlEiwAAdY7dBtpf7WeB_HJJsEkkutqjxm4a12IldasZRHUxjoyLiyRFkNpM8aYBBoCzLcQAvD_BwEFollow Emma on IG @playful_den
In this episode Ben presents Emma with a list of marital grievances as they discuss their difference approaches to being in the present and planning for the future. Ben introduces Emma to some thoughts from his philosophical role model - Yoda. Follow Emma on IG @playful_denFollow Ben on IG @benflyingretro
Emma chats to Sophia Hilton, Founder of Not Another, self-made entrepreneur and Queen of Colour! Sophia talks about how she built her hugely successful, international businesses, and the role of creativity and risk taking in making them happen. She also talks about the role of colour in being able to express yourself and the wonders of a hairstyle that reflects YOU! Emma and Sophia also talk about raising boys with a freedom to express themselves however feels true to them and the role of art and play in this. You can find Sophia on Instagram @notanothersalon @notanotheracademy @hiltonsophia Follow Emma @playful_den Find out more about Playful Den services www.playfulden.com
Emma and Ben are back and they have a lot to catch up on! Ben digs deep and confronts Emma’s ability to read a book even when chaos is erupting around her and Emma answers a listeners’ question about how to help her serious, to-do list loving husband live a bit more playfully. For more insights on living playfully follow @playful_den Follow Emma @emmaworrolloFollow Ben @benflyingretroSubscribe to emma's patreon https://patreon.com/emmaworrollo?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator
Emma chats to Laura Walsh, Head of Play, from Starlight a charity organisation which facilitates play for children suffering serious illnesses. Laura talks about the magic of play and its power to transform difficult medical interventions which can be scary experiences for young people receiving medial treatment. Laura also explains why it’s so important to facilitate play for families who are going through challenging health circumstances and why escapism and connection through play is such an important part of their journey. Support Starlight and find out more about the amazing work they do https://www.starlight.org.ukFollow Starlight on social media @starlight_ukFollow Emma @playful_den Find out more about Playful Den services www.playfulden.com
In this episode Emma chats to Greg Botrill, teacher, educational thought leader and early years expert. Greg explains how education is so deeply entrenched in politics and the gaps between where we’re at with education today and where kids are going. Greg is passionate about imagination and creativity and shares some of his approaches and introduces Emma to the ‘magic mustard tin’. Greg is the author of three books: Can I Go and Play now? The Magic of Children Love Letters to Play Follow Greg on IG and Twitter - @canigoandplaynow
In this episode Emma speaks to Olga Thompson aka Big Fat Greek Mother a comedienne who brings to life characters and tells stories to make us laugh - a creative process sparked from a difficult time which has led to a transformational personal growth and alignment. Follow Olga on IG: @big_fat_greekmotherSee Olga's show: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/el-greco-of-hornsey-tickets-392341683537?aff=ebdssbonlinesearchFollow Emma on IG: @emmaworrolloLearn more about living playfully: @playful_den Follow Ben on IG: @benflyingretro
This is a glorious chat with Anna Mathur about the contemporary culture of motherhood and how it makes it difficult to accept ourselves and move towards our own needs. Anna Mathur is a mum of three, author, podcaster and psychotherapist. She's also the founder of The MotherMind Way (www.themothermindway.com) a platform of low cost, resources to support the emotional and mental health of all mums.You can buy Anna's third book, TheLittle Book of Calm for New Mums here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Book-Calm-New-Mums/dp/0241559812/ref=sr_1_1?crid=34AQIRHXFA9GR&keywords=little+book+of+calm&qid=1655980699&sprefix=little%2Caps%2C780&sr=8-1 You can also listen to twice weekly episodes of Anna podcast, The Therapy Edit, here https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-therapy-edit/id1505968557Follow Anna on IG: @annamathurFollow Emma on IG: @emmaworrolloLearn more about living playfully: @playful_den Follow Ben on IG: @benflyingretro
In today's episodes Emma tells Ben she's on a creative high and shares how she's been asking her community to set her dares to help with boldness and braveness. Ben doesn't really know what to say, it's been a quiet time for his thoughts this week. Lol.
On this guest episode, Emma is joined by Dr Peter Grey, a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College and author of internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook- Psychology, Worth Publishers, which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. His recent research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier,More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life (Basic Books). Dr Grey also authors a regular blog called Freedom to Learn, for Psychology Today magazine and is one of the founders of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-Directed Education and of the nonprofit Let Grow, the mission of which is to renew children’s freedom to play and explore independently of adult control.Read Dr Grey's blog discussed in this episode Play Out, Don't Work Out: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/202108/play-out-don-t-work-out
In this episode a very jetlagged Ben catches up with a very toddler tired Ems! Topics discussed:- Ben's father son skate trip experience to LA - Raising kids to be comfy in their own skin - Solo parenting and the challenges of managing toddler craziness - The 'good bits' of American culture and what we awkward, deprecating Brits can take away from it
In this episode Emma and Ben discuss a variety of pointlessly playful topics such as - is Nesquik still relevant? Is Stranger Things the best thing our eyes have ever seen? And Ben's hardest life challenge so far - building a playhouse. Emma talks to Racheal Jackson aka Banyan Bridges who shares her story of how her creativity came from a difficult period of post-natal depression and blossomed into something colourfully wonderful, literally spreading joy with her paintbrushes and ideas. https://shop.banyanbridges.com/Follow Racheal on IG @banyanbridgesFollow Playful Den on IG @playful_denFollow Emma on IG @emmaworrolloFollow Ben in IG @BenFlyingRetroFor more podcasts you can join Emma's Patreon and get her personal pod - Emma Plays for £5 month and support the show - your support is really appreciated - we love you! https://www.patreon.com/playfuldenEmail Emma and Ben: hellopeoplewhoplay@gmail.com
Emma and Ben are back! Kicking off a new season of People Who Play with a good old life catch up covering an array of topics from Ben's career crisis, the Platty Jubes, why Ben hates voice technology and Emma's hayfever woes. Emma interviews author and photographer Kate T Parker discussing her cult followed books Strong is the New Pretty and Heart of Boy. They discuss photography and the benefits of sport and team play in childhood. Follow Kate on IG @katetparkerFollow Emma on IG @playful_denFollow Ben in IG @BenFlyingRetroSupport Playful Den on Patreon for more contenthttps://www.patreon.com/playfuldenEmail Emma and Ben: hellopeoplewhoplay@gmail.com
In this sponsored episode of the podcast Emma chats to Andrew Tanner, Design Manager from Habitat about the inspiration behind the launch of Habitat Kids. Emma and Andrew mull over how our relationship with our spaces have changed post pandemic and both share their tips on making spaces ready to spark creative.
Browse the Habitat Kids range at https://www.habitat.co.uk/shop-by-room/kids
Follow Habitat on IG @habitatuk Follow Emma on IG @playful_den
Support Playful Den on Patreon for more content https://www.patreon.com/playfulden
Email Emma and Ben: hellopeoplewhoplay@gmail.com
Emma and Ben are back discussing their new domestic dilemma - fridge stink.
This weeks guest is Hannah Saunders founder of Big Fish Little Fish - a family rave experience. Hannah describes her personal experience of being in the 'playground' of the rave scene and how she's switched career to bring the magic and freedom of rave culture into the family space.
Emma and Ben also answer some new faxes and discuss why dad's do/don't make play dates and go deep on how their parenting style has changed with a 10 year age gap.
Go to a Big Fish Little Fish rave - https://www.bigfishlittlefishevents.com/
Support Playful Den on Patreon for more content https://www.patreon.com/playfulden
Email Emma and Ben: hellopeoplewhoplay@gmail.com
Strap in for a silly-fuelled episode as Ben and Ems spiral into madness as they work through their 'domestic dilemmas'. How will Emma win her war on ants? Will Ben be able to cope with the new bleach-free cleaning products?
To continue the lols and laughter Emma interviews social media comedian Chris Hall as they unpick when and why he started to put comedic pieces online and how social media has made comedy more democratic.
And finally the fax machine beeps again as Emma and Ben discuss a listener question about kids and super hero play.
Christopher Hall TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@chrxstopherhall?
Christopher Hall Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chrxstopher.hall/?hl=en
Support Playful Den on Patreon for more content https://www.patreon.com/playfulden
Email Emma and Ben: hellopeoplewhoplay@gmail.com
This episode is all about toys! What's the latest in the toy industry? Are today's toys increasing imagination or fuelling more and more mindless consumerism? Emma dives into these questions and more with Azhelle Wade aka the Toy Coach, a toy industry veteran who now helps inventors take their new ideas to market.
This episode is sponsored by Whirli toys the UK's revolutionary toy swap service that challenges the way we purchase toys and sustainable consumerism. Listeners can get 30% of their subscription at whirli.com by using code PEOPLEWHOPLAY at the checkout (plus an extra 20% off if you sign up for a full year in advance)
Azhelle Wade Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetoycoach/?hl=en
Support Playful Den on Patreon for more content https://www.patreon.com/playfulden
Email Emma and Ben: hellopeoplewhoplay@gmail.com
Emma and Ben share their joy of the Olympics, talk about Ben's immersion into Jabba's Palace and try and work out if Emma is a mouth-breather.
Today's guest is Jeff Harry, a positive psychology coach and an expert in helping businesses use play to solve problems and improve corporate culture. Jeff shares why playing at work isn't what people assume and how it really help organisations retain staff and achieve growth.
Jeff Harry Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jeffharryplays/?hl=en
Support Playful Den on Patreon for more content https://www.patreon.com/playfulden
Email Emma and Ben: hellopeoplewhoplay@gmail.com
Emma and Ben share their opposing strategies to coping with the common cold and why they don't get on when they're ill.
Interview with artist Murugiah who discusses the importance of creative freedom in childhood and how to maintain a passion for something that is your play when it becomes your career.
Murugiah Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_murugiah/?hl=en
Support Playful Den on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/playfulden
In this episode Emma and Ben go deep on their woes with domestic appliances. Emma has invented a new drink suitable for WWE wrestlers. Amy from The Adventure Project joins the pod to talk about 'adult recess' and how she uses laughter yoga as a tool of self discovery and learning.
In this episode Emma interviews Ellie Gibson, video game journalist and one half of the comedy duo Scummy Mummies. They discuss why so many parents are fearful of gaming and how having some hands on experience of gaming can help parents understand their kids' gaming habits in more depth. Emma and #producerhusband Ben also discuss Ben's big purchase of a leaf blower and consider starting 'couples gaming' evenings.
Emma welcomes Dr Kyl Myers author of Raising Them to learn about Kyl’s journey from Mormon upbringing to her Queer identity and commitment to gender creative parenting.