The Play Base

PodPopuli Media
  • 5.0 (1)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Play Date - a podcast where heart meets science, play meets purpose, and conversations build connection. I’m your host, Frances Fishman, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, educator, mom of three, and founder of The Play Base.Each week, we invite you to pull up a chair and join us for real conversations with experts, parents, therapists, and educators who are passionate about helping children thrive. From mental health to ABA, from the classroom to the therapy room—we’re here to learn, laugh, and grow together.Whether you're a parent, professional, or just someone who cares deeply about kids, this podcast is your invitation to explore, understand, and support the beautiful complexity of childhood.So grab your coffee... and let’s have a play date.

  1. 1D AGO

    Ep. 25 - Raising Little Learners with Melissa Markus, The Kindergarten Mom

    In this heartfelt and practical episode, Frances sits down with educator, creator, and content powerhouse Melissa Markus, known online as The Kindergarten Mom. A former dance friend turned inspiring voice for parents and teachers, Melissa shares how her platform began, what continues to drive her, and why the kindergarten years are some of the most important in a child’s development. Together, they explore the beauty and complexity of early childhood education, the power of movement and routine, the importance of advocating for children, and what it means to truly meet kids where they are. This conversation is filled with wisdom for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to better understand how young children learn, grow, and thrive. Show notes In this episode of The Playbase, Frances reconnects with old friend Melissa Markus, educator, creator, and the voice behind The Kindergarten Mom. Melissa shares how her online platform was born out of a season of change, motherhood, and a deep desire to continue contributing meaningfully to families and children outside the classroom. What started as a way to share ideas and support others grew into a trusted space where parents and teachers can find practical resources, honest insight, and encouragement. Frances and Melissa dive into the early years of childhood development, why kindergarten matters so much, how movement supports learning, and what teachers are really balancing behind the scenes. They also talk about advocacy, communication between parents and educators, and how to support children without forcing them into a box. This episode is a beautiful reminder that children do not all learn the same way, and that when we slow down, observe, and respond with intention, we create space for them to thrive. In this episode, we talk about: How Melissa created The Kindergarten MomThe joy and challenges of being both a teacher and a momWhy the kindergarten years are so foundationalPlay based learning and the role of explicit instructionHow movement supports attention, regulation, and learningWhy calm corners and flexible classroom supports matterThe importance of parent teacher partnershipHow to advocate for your child respectfully and effectivelyLooking beyond behavior to understand what a child truly needsKey takeaways Kindergarten is not just babysitting. It is a deeply important stage of developmentMovement is not extra. It is often essential for learning and regulationChildren do better when they feel safe, supported, and understoodA child’s behavior is communication, not a character flawParents know their children deeply, and respectful advocacy mattersTeachers and parents work best when they see each other as teammatesThere is no one right way to learn, engage, or growMemorable themes from the episode Meeting kids where they are Not every child learns, sits, processes, or participates in the same way, and that is okay. Regulate before you react Children need adults who can pause, zoom out, and respond with intention. Support over shame The goal is never to force children into a mold, but to understand them and give them the tools they need to thrive. Connect with Melissa Markus 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenmom/ Connect with The Play Base 🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

    1 hr

  2. APR 28

    Ep. 24 - Stop Treating Kids in a Bubble: The Power of Whole-Family Support with Dr. Ryan Seidman

    In this episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances sits down with Dr. Ryan Seidman- licensed clinical psychologist, clinical director of The Children’s Center, and a true champion for collaborative care. Together, they unpack one of the biggest problems in child treatment today: support happening in isolated “bubbles.” Therapy in one place, school in another, behavior supports somewhere else, while parents are left trying to stitch it all together. Dr. Seidman shares why her clinic was built on a whole-family, team-based approach (therapy, psychiatry, behavioral services, and education services under one roof) and then drops the big news: a brand-new school model launching in the fall designed specifically for children who learn differently and need more support before transitioning into a traditional classroom setting. What you’ll hear in this episode Why therapy “in a bubble” limits progress and why teams matterWhat true collaborative care looks like across home, school, and clinicParental involvement: not “parent training,” but coaching + empowermentThe extra complexity of co-parenting/divorce and inconsistent environmentsWhy kids can behave completely differently across settings and what it meansThe hidden cost of waiting: how conditioning hardens patterns over timeEarly intervention, brain development, and why it’s easier to build skills earlierHow movement access (not a 1:1 aide) is sometimes the real “intervention”How to protect a child’s personality while still teaching boundaries and skillsThe big announcement Dr. Seidman shares that The Children’s Center is opening three small classrooms (starting in the fall) for children who need more developmental and educational support in a setting that integrates: High-quality educationBehavioral-based servicesSpeech servicesOccupational therapySocial learning + enrichment (art, music, etc.)The model is intentionally small- max ~6 students per classroom, with the goal of supporting kids developmentally and emotionally so they can transition successfully into a traditional kindergarten or school setting when ready. Memorable moments and reframes “We can’t hand a child off to therapy and expect them to return to the same environment and magically respond differently.”Support = hands out while they learn balance. Not a label. Not a life sentence.Sometimes the child doesn’t need an RBT, they need movement access.The goal isn’t dependence. The goal is independence. (Therapy should help kids “graduate,” not stay forever.)Parents are the experts on their child. Clinicians bring tools, not judgment.The Children’s Center Address: 4600 Linton Blvd (east of Linton & Military) Services available: PsychiatryPsychologyBehavioral servicesEducation servicesPlus: new integrated classroom program launching in the fall (additional 5,000 sq ft)Closing reflection for listeners (Dr. Seidman’s question) “How can we best understand our child’s strengths and weaknesses, so we can set them up to be successful not just in school, but in friendships, activities, and home life?” A reminder that the goal isn’t forcing a child into a mold—it’s getting creative, meeting them where they are, and building the path that helps them thrive. Connect with Dr. Ryan Seidman 🌐 Website: https://www.centerforanxietydisorders.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonstudioinc/?hl=en Connect with The Play Base 🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

    53 min

  3. APR 21

    Ep. 23 - More Than the Game: Coaching, Identity, and Finding Your Purpose with Nikita Krivokrasov

    In this deeply moving episode, Frances sits down with hockey coach Nikita Krivokrasov for a conversation that goes far beyond the ice. Together, they explore identity, resilience, failure, purpose, and what it truly means to impact others. Nikita shares his personal journey through the highs and lows of pursuing hockey at a high level, the emotional weight of unmet expectations, and the powerful shift that came from letting go of control and embracing the present moment. Through coaching, he has found not just a new path, but a deeper purpose—helping others believe in themselves, push through adversity, and grow into who they are meant to be. This episode is about more than sports. It is about being human, doing the inner work, and choosing to turn pain into purpose. Show notes What happens when the identity you’ve built your entire life around suddenly shifts? In this episode, Frances is joined by Nikita Krivokrasov, a hockey coach whose impact reaches far beyond the rink. What begins as a conversation about coaching quickly unfolds into a powerful discussion about identity, failure, healing, and purpose. Nikita opens up about his journey through competitive hockey, the internal battles he faced, and how working with young athletes helped him rediscover joy, presence, and meaning. Frances and Nikita explore what it means to lead with both strength and compassion, how to connect deeply with others, and why living in the present moment is one of the most powerful tools we have. This conversation is a reminder that sometimes the path we didn’t plan is the one that leads us exactly where we’re meant to be. In this episode, we talk about: The connection between coaching, behavior, and human developmentHow to truly connect with and understand peopleNavigating identity after a major life shift or setbackLetting go of control and learning to live in the presentThe role of failure, adversity, and emotional growthCoaching with both firmness and compassionThe importance of authenticity and leading by exampleHow energy, mindset, and belief impact performance and growthWhy being different is a strength, not a weaknessTurning pain into purpose and impactKey takeaways: You are not defined by your title, role, or outcome. Who you are goes deeper.Everything you experience can serve a purpose if you are willing to learn from it.Presence is power. Living in the moment allows you to grow, connect, and perform at your best.True leadership comes from authenticity, compassion, and integrity.Growth requires honesty with yourself and the willingness to keep going, even when the path is unclear.Memorable quotes: “I can’t believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself.” “It’s okay not to know—but it’s not okay not to try to figure it out.” “You only have this moment. Be present, learn, and keep going.” Connect with Nikita Krivokrasov 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krivo__25/📞 561-332-9465📧 nikitakrivo25@icloud.com Connect with The Play Base 🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase📞561-463-8441

    59 min

  4. APR 14

    Ep. 22 - From Overwhelmed to Empowered: How to Navigate Your Child’s Needs

    In this honest and empowering conversation, Frances sits down with Yael Samuel of Kid Quest Consulting to talk about ADHD, assessments, early intervention, and the emotional journey parents go through when trying to understand what their child needs. Yael shares her personal experience parenting identical twins with ADHD, why getting answers felt relieving rather than frightening, and how support becomes most powerful when it is individualized, collaborative, and rooted in compassion. Together, Frances and Yael explore why diagnoses do not define a child, why early support matters, and how parents can move from overwhelm to clarity one step at a time. Show Notes: What happens when a parent senses something is going on, but does not know where to begin? In this episode, Frances is joined by Yael for a heartfelt conversation about navigating diagnoses, understanding ADHD, finding the right services, and supporting the whole child rather than focusing only on a label. Yael shares her own journey as a parent of identical twins with ADHD and explains how assessment brought not fear, but clarity. This episode is a reminder that every child is different, every family needs a unique path, and asking for help is not weakness. It is wisdom. In this episode, we talk about: What it felt like to receive an ADHD diagnosis as a parentWhy an assessment can bring clarity, not fearThe difference between a label and truly understanding a childWhy identical twins can still present very differentlyThe importance of emotional regulation, maturity, and impulsivityHow to break overwhelming recommendations into manageable next stepsWhy early intervention mattersHow parents can trust their intuition while also seeking guidanceThe value of individualized therapy and meeting each child where they areWhy children are never defined by their strugglesKey takeaways: A diagnosis does not define a child. It provides information that can help guide support.Every child experiences the world differently, even siblings with the same diagnosis.Parents often know when something feels off, and that intuition matters.The goal is not perfection. The goal is helping children build tools, confidence, and independence.Asking for help is not something to fear. It is often the first step toward relief and clarity.Memorable quote: “Your child’s struggles are not their definition. There is no such thing as a bad kid.” Connect with Yael Samuel and Kid Quest Consulting 🌐 Website: https://www.kidquestconsulting.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidquestconsulting/ Connect with The Play Base 🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

    59 min

  5. APR 7

    Ep. 21 - Strip It All Away: Identity, Healing, and Humanity with Rev Anava

    In this deeply human, soul-stirring episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances sits down with Revital (Rev) Anava- a gifted designer, a grounded truth-teller, and one of those rare people who feels like home the moment you meet them. What begins as a “how have we never met?” story becomes something much bigger: a conversation about divine timing, intuition, identity, healing, and the quiet power of being fully yourself. Frances and Rev explore what it means to live beyond conditioning—beyond perfectionism, fear, and the roles we’ve been assigned and how real growth often arrives through the very moments that feel like getting “punched in the gut.” Rev shares pieces of her journey as a builder and designer, navigating major transitions, losing trust, rebuilding from scratch, and living through a literal home rebuild after black mold turned life upside down. Frances ties it back to what she knows best: the nervous system, regulation, resilience, and the way our inner world shapes every experience we have. This episode is funny, raw, spiritual, and practical all at once, full of metaphors you’ll carry with you (the empty boat, the oak tree, the moon, the caterpillar to butterfly) and reflections that feel like a mirror. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The unexplainable feeling of meeting someone who feels like a sisterDivine timing, soul recognition, and “nothing is by accident” momentsRebuilding a life after betrayal, business stress, and major transitionsThe difference between self-regulation and dissociationWhy we bargain with fear instead of listening to intuitionHolding space for others without carrying their painThe ripple effect of kindness and being fully human in a numb worldWhy life is never “either/or” it’s the gray, the yin/yang, the whole selfHow parenting mirrors our healing and why our kids have their own path to live throughClosing question (Rev’s mic-drop): Rev leaves listeners with a powerful invitation: “If I asked you who you are, but you couldn’t use your job, your upbringing, your nationality, your religion, or any label, who would you be?” A reminder that beneath everything we’ve been taught to identify with… there’s still you. Connect with Revital Anava 🌐 Website: https://www.bonstudioinc.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonstudioinc/?hl=en Connect with The Play Base 🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

    1 hr

  6. MAR 31

    Ep. 20 - Roots to Rise: Whole-Child Speech Therapy with Marina Aronin

    In this episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances sits down with Marina Aronin, a powerhouse speech-language pathologist and practice owner who brings a whole-child, root-cause approach to therapy. Marina shares how her work goes far beyond “speech sounds” and into the real-life foundations that impact communication and behavior: sleep quality, mouth breathing, nutrition, food intolerances, screen time, stress, emotional regulation, and family routines. With a background in psychology and additional training as a functional nutritional counselor, Marina explains how small shifts—like a short elimination trial for dairy, building healthier routines, or teaching kids diaphragmatic breathing—can create meaningful changes not only in speech, but also in attention, regulation, and overall wellbeing. Frances and Marina also dive into the bigger parenting topics many families wrestle with today: technology boundaries, food overwhelm, guilt/shame, and how to create structure without losing compassion. This is a grounded, practical conversation for parents, educators, and clinicians who want to support children in a way that’s both evidence-informed and deeply human. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why Marina believes therapy should address the whole child, not just one skill areaThe connection between food sensitivities (like dairy), mucus/voice quality, and throat clearingHow Marina supports selective eating with systematic desensitization (smell → touch → taste → expand)The impact of screen time on attention, patience, and social communicationRegulation tools Marina uses in sessions: breathwork, movement, yoga, and sensory supportsParent coaching, boundaries, and why “structure” is often the missing ingredientBaby steps families can start today without getting overwhelmedClosing reflection: Marina leaves listeners with a powerful New Year prompt: “What is your resolution—and what will you give back to the world?” Connect with Marina and Roots To Rise 🌐 Website: https://roots2risetherapy.com/ 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/roots2risetherapy/ Connect with The Play Base 🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

    40 min

  7. MAR 25

    Ep. 19 - No Mud, No Lotus: Raising Resilient Kids with Joy Badler

    In this episode of The Playbase Podcast, Frances sits down with longtime friend and educator Joy Badler—a passionate advocate for children (especially within the ADHD community) who has spent years building what many schools are only now realizing kids desperately need: regulation skills before academics. Joy shares the work she’s been developing for over a decade—an approach that blends mindfulness, social-emotional literacy, movement, breathwork, and resilient skill-building to help children understand their brains, regain control of their nervous systems, and navigate life with more steadiness and confidence. Frances and Joy also reflect on why the science is finally catching up to what many educators and therapists have felt for years: when the nervous system is dysregulated, learning can’t land. You’ll also hear about Joy’s school-based “regulation room” concept (a supervised space that includes movement, games, creativity, and connection), why it should never be used as a reward or punishment, and how movement can unlock expression for kids who struggle with traditional writing or classroom demands. Together, they explore the bigger parenting and education conversation around resilience—how it’s built, how it’s lost, and how we can help kids “fail forward” without rescuing them from every discomfort. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why Joy believes regulation must come before academicsWhat “mindful neuroplasticity” looks like in real classroomsHow breathwork, movement, and mindfulness become tools kids can use anywhereThe difference between a movement break that helps vs. one that escalatesA school “hangout/regulation room” that supports both high-energy and low-energy needsWhy removing recess, sports, or movement as punishment often backfiresStrength-based school culture: Joy’s Kindness Ambassadors programThe resilience gap: why some kids fear discomfort—and how to rebuild that muscleThe tension every parent feels: protecting kids vs. letting them grow through hard momentsClosing reflection: Joy leaves listeners with a powerful reminder: “No mud, no lotus.” Sometimes growth requires discomfort—because the lotus only blooms after the mud. Connect with Joy Badler 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/getitdonewithjoy/ Connect with The Play Base 🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

    55 min

  8. MAR 17

    Ep. 18 - From New York to South Florida: Dana Weiss on Building an SLP Practice, Connection Before Progress, and Intrinsic Motivation

    In this episode, Frances sits down with Dana Weiss, an incredible Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who recently made the transition from New York City to South Florida and quickly realized: the pace, the culture, and the clinical landscape are a whole different world. Dana shares what it was like training and working across Manhattan and the Bronx in a large, cohesive clinic model… then moving to Florida, where many roles are independent and pay-per-client, which ultimately pushed her to take a brave leap: starting her own private practice. Together, Frances and Dana explore what it really means to be both a clinician and a business owner, how to separate your identity from your work, how to build confidence when you don’t have a supervisor to “phone a friend,” and how life (and nature!) can regulate your nervous system when everything feels like it’s crumbling. They also dive deep into the heart of Dana’s clinical philosophy: connection comes before progress. Because if a child doesn’t feel safe, regulated, and comfortable, learning can’t land. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The difference between New York’s clinic culture and Florida’s more independent modelWhy starting your own practice can be terrifying… and wildly empoweringWhat it’s like to be “the one” responsible for clinical decisions, creativity, and outcomesThe importance of not taking your work home emotionally (and why so many clinicians struggle with it)The “Wild West” reality of South Florida therapy and how integrity stands outDana’s approach: meeting the child where they are (even during a screener)Why play isn’t “not therapy” it’s the foundation of therapyA powerful conversation about assent, consent, and making therapy something kids want to joinIntrinsic motivation vs. extrinsic rewards and why internal pride creates real carryoverWhat speech therapy really includes (it’s so much more than sounds!):AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication)expressive + receptive languagecomprehension + classroom impactexecutive functioning + regulationWhy OT + Speech + ABA collaboration changes everything for kids and familiesHow Florida helped Dana slow down, reflect more, and grow her confidence personally and professionallyMoment to remember Dana describes building motivation from the inside out so kids leave sessions feeling: “I did it.” And Frances reflects on how that pride is one of the most powerful reinforcers there is. What Dana wants parents to sit with You are doing great. If your child is receiving services like speech, OT, ABA, anything- take a breath and give yourself credit. You’re doing everything you can… and it will unfold the way it’s meant to. Connect with Dana Weiss 🌐 Website: https://www.bocaspeechsolutions.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bocaspeechsolutions/ Connect with The Play Base 🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

    45 min
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About

Welcome to The Play Date - a podcast where heart meets science, play meets purpose, and conversations build connection. I’m your host, Frances Fishman, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, educator, mom of three, and founder of The Play Base.Each week, we invite you to pull up a chair and join us for real conversations with experts, parents, therapists, and educators who are passionate about helping children thrive. From mental health to ABA, from the classroom to the therapy room—we’re here to learn, laugh, and grow together.Whether you're a parent, professional, or just someone who cares deeply about kids, this podcast is your invitation to explore, understand, and support the beautiful complexity of childhood.So grab your coffee... and let’s have a play date.

Information

  • Creator
    PodPopuli Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit