The Playful Den Podcast

Exploring the power of play in contemporary culture
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From exploring the role of play in creativity, parenting, and mental well-being to discovering how it shapes our culture and communities, this podcast is your guide to making life more playful, imaginative, and meaningful. playfulden.substack.com

  1. 01/10/2025

    26. TALKING TELETUBBIES WITH NIKKI SMEDLY (Laa-Laa)

    In this week’s episode, Emma sits down with author, performance artist, and original Laa-Laa, Nikki Smedley (@realtubbylaa). Episode notes: * The Role of Play in Childhood and Beyond * Nikki shares her childhood experiences of imaginative play and independence. * The connection between her early leadership in play and her later career in creating stories for performance. * From Dancer to Teletubby * Nikki's journey from running her own dance company to auditioning for Teletubbies. * Insight into how dance discipline and humor influenced her comedic approach to performance. * Creating the Magic of Teletubbies * Behind-the-scenes details on the intentional design of Teletubbyland and the characters. * The importance of consistency, safety, and playfulness in connecting with young audiences. * Challenges of Fame and the Media Frenzy * Nikki’s experience with intense media scrutiny and how the press targeted the cast. * The emotional toll and unexpected challenges of being part of a cultural phenomenon. * Impact on Children, Including Neurodivergent Audiences * How Teletubbies became a safe and calming presence for autistic children. * Nikki’s reflections on the long-term positive effects of the show. * The Importance of Storytelling and Play * A broader discussion on how storytelling and play are essential for human connection and creativity. * Nikki’s views on the decline of live-action children’s entertainment and the cultural impact of storytelling. * Confessions of a Teletubby * Nikki’s one-woman show and how it brings humor and humanity to her Teletubby experience. * Encouragement to support the arts and reflect on the role of stories in our lives. * Follow Nikki Smedley here to stay up to date with upcoming shows: https://www.instagram.com/realtubbylaa/?hl=en This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit playfulden.substack.com

    46 min

  2. 01/10/2025

    25. THE LINK BETWEEN PLAY AND PARENTING WITH DR MARTHA DEIROS COLLADO

    In this week’s episode, Emma sits down with Dr. Martha Deiros Collado (@dr.marthapsychologist), a clinical psychologist specializing in parenting and child development. Episode notes: Guest Introduction: * Meet Marta, a clinical psychologist, author, and Instagram creator known for her practical, compassionate advice for parents. * Marta shares her journey from working in the NHS to becoming a trusted voice in the parenting community. Key Topics Discussed: * Childhood Play and Its Influence on Adulthood: * Marta reflects on her favourite types of play as a child, including imaginary role play, building, and scientific exploration. * How these forms of play shaped her career and approach to life as a clinical psychologist and mother. * The Importance of Play in Parenting: * Why play isn’t just for kids—it’s a tool for connection, understanding, and empathy. * How Marta uses play therapeutically in her practice to build trust with children. * Lessons from Parenting: * Exploring the nuances of guilt vs. shame as a working parent. * Why parenting has grown Marta as a person and deepened her relationship with herself. * Siblings and Individuality: * The challenges and joys of parenting multiple children with different personalities. * How focusing on individuality instead of fairness fosters stronger family bonds. * Adolescence and Letting Go: * The importance of trust and communication during the teen years. * Why letting go and allowing teens to become their own person is critical. * Parenting in the Social Media Era: * The impact of information overload on modern parenting. * Marta’s advice on being intentional with parenting content and protecting intuition. Marta’s Book – How to Be the Grown-Up: * An empowering guide that focuses on the parent’s role in shaping a healthy, trusting relationship with their child. * Why emotional accountability, self-awareness, and modeling behavior are key to being a great parent. Key Takeaways for Listeners: * Play is more than fun—it’s foundational for empathy, connection, and understanding both in childhood and adulthood. * Parenting isn’t about controlling your child but growing alongside them. * Guilt can be a valuable tool for self-reflection and growth if approached with curiosity instead of avoidance. Closing Thought:“Play isn’t just a childhood pastime—it’s a lifelong tool for connection, growth, and joy.” Follow Dr. Martha here for more parenting advice and resources: https://www.drmarthapsychologist.com This episode is perfect for anyone navigating the challenges of parenting, interested in child psychology, or simply curious about what helps children and families thrive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit playfulden.substack.com

    1h 14m

  3. 01/10/2025

    24. HOW TOYS GET MADE WITH AZHELLE WADE

    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. Azhelle Wade Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetoycoach/?hl=en This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit playfulden.substack.com

    1h 8m

  4. 01/10/2025

    23. LIFE IS TOO SHORT NOT TO DISCOVER COLOUR WITH RACHEAL JACKSON

    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 @banyanbridges Follow Playful Den on IG @playful_den Follow Emma on IG @emmaworrollo Follow Ben in IG @BenFlyingRetro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit playfulden.substack.com

    1h 18m

  5. 01/10/2025

    22. PROTECTING THE FREEDOM TO PLAY WITH DR PETER GREY

    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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit playfulden.substack.com

    1h 22m

  6. 01/10/2025

    21. WHY SCHOOLS NEED MORE PLAY WITH GREG BOTTRILL

    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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit playfulden.substack.com

    1h 14m

  7. 01/10/2025

    20. RAISING BOYS FOR A MORE EQUAL WORLD WITH KIRSTIE BEAVEN

    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. Kirstie @sonshinemagazine This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit playfulden.substack.com

    1h 10m

  8. 01/10/2025

    19. PLAY AND NEURODIVERSITY WITH JO McMEECHAN

    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-toolkit Buy the book: Equipping SEN Children for Life: Changing the Neurodiversity SENStory®️ : McMeechan, Jo: Amazon.co.uk: Books This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit playfulden.substack.com

    1h 2m
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About

From exploring the role of play in creativity, parenting, and mental well-being to discovering how it shapes our culture and communities, this podcast is your guide to making life more playful, imaginative, and meaningful. playfulden.substack.com

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  • Creator
    Exploring the power of play in contemporary culture
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Playful Den
  • Show Website
    The Playful Den Podcast