
The Play Base
by PodPopuli Media
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On the show
From 21 epsHosts
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Recent episodes
Ep. 40 - Creativity, Possibility & Bringing a Child’s Imagination to Life with Scott of Budsies
Sep 1, 2026
56m 50s
Ep. 39 - The Healing Power of Play: Why Children Heal When They're Allowed to Simply Be with Dr. Edan Alcalay
Aug 25, 2026
59m 55s
Ep. 38 - From Despair to Purpose: A Mother's Journey Through Autism, Hope & Healing with Jennifer Leonard
Aug 18, 2026
58m 25s
Ep. 37 - Beyond Self-Defense: How Martial Arts Builds Confidence, Resilience & Character with Sensei Caio
Jul 28, 2026
58m 35s
Ep. 36 - From Diagnosis to Empowerment: Finding Community, Purpose & Joy with Lauren Stewart
Jul 21, 2026
1h 05m 38s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/1/26 | Ep. 40 - Creativity, Possibility & Bringing a Child’s Imagination to Life with Scott of Budsies | What happens when a child's imagination becomes something they can actually hold in their hands?In this episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances sits down with Scott from Budsies, a company that turns children's original artwork into one-of-a-kind stuffed animals.Frances first discovered Budsies at a special needs program at the YMCA in Boca Raton, watching kids light up when they realized: "I made that." That moment stayed with her.Scott shares how he acquired and grew Budsies, which now includes Selfies (dolls from photos), Petsies (custom pet plushies), and Stuffed Animal Pros (characters and mascots for authors and businesses).The conversation goes beyond stuffed animals. Frances and Scott explore what creativity gives children: permission to imagine, experiment, fail, bend the rules, and turn what's only in their mind into something real. They discuss why failure matters to learning, letting kids be bad at something before they're good at it, and how creativity builds confidence and independence.Scott shares his own unconventional path—from nearly quitting school in fourth grade, to living in Spain and making documentaries, to a serious illness that redirected his life toward entrepreneurship.They also cover how Budsies supports children beyond creativity: kids with medical differences can see themselves in a doll with a port or limb difference, and grieving families can hold something tangible tied to a lost loved one or pet. Scott also describes how schools use Budsies for literacy—kids write an original character's story, then receive a stuffed version of it, becoming authors themselves.Frances and Scott close by discussing AI and creativity. Scott's philosophy: not anti-AI, but pro-human—using tech to clear away mundane work so people have more room to think, create, and connect.The core idea: creativity shows children they don't need permission to imagine something new—and that what they imagine might actually be possible.In this episode:Creativity, confidence, and learningEmbracing failure instead of fearing itTurning artwork into tangible creationsStorytelling and literacyEmotional meaning in stuffed animalsRepresentation for kids with medical differencesEntrepreneurship through acquisitionAI as a tool for becoming more humanThe Budsies Pals sponsorship programLearn More: Budsies.com | education.budsies.com Budsies Pals lets you sponsor kids—including those served by hospitals and nonprofits—to experience this magic.Connect: www.us.theplaybase.com | IG/YouTube: @theplaybase | 56m 50s | ||||||
| 8/25/26 | Ep. 39 - The Healing Power of Play: Why Children Heal When They're Allowed to Simply Be with Dr. Edan Alcalay | Play is often seen as just fun for kids—but what if it's actually one of the most powerful paths to healing?In this episode of The Play Base Podcast, host Frances Fishman talks with clinical psychologist and Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist Dr. Edan Alcalay about the science and heart behind play therapy. Drawing on over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Alcalay explains how child-centered play therapy strips away judgment and expectation, letting children's natural capacity to heal emerge on its own.Together, they explore why play is children's true language, how emotional safety underlies real growth, and why curiosity—not correction—is the key to understanding behavior. Frances also reflects on her background in ABA, comparing older compliance-focused methods to more compassionate, relationship-based approaches, and the two discuss what separates traditional play therapy from play-based ABA.Throughout, one idea stands out: kids can't truly heal while they're busy performing or masking to meet adult expectations. Healing starts when they feel safe enough to just be themselves.The episode ends with a simple challenge for every family: 8–10 minutes a day of uninterrupted, child-led play. No agenda, no teaching—just connection.A must-listen for parents, therapists, and educators alike.Connect with Dr. Edan Alcalay🌐 www.bocaratonchild.com Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase | 59m 55s | ||||||
| 8/18/26 | Ep. 38 - From Despair to Purpose: A Mother's Journey Through Autism, Hope & Healing with Jennifer Leonard | IIn this deeply moving episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances Fishman sits down with Behavioral Consultant Jennifer Leonard for one of the most personal conversations ever shared on the show.Jennifer's journey into Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) didn't begin in a classroom — it began as a mother searching for answers after her son was diagnosed with autism. Faced with uncertainty, cultural stigma, isolation, and a healthcare system that often left her feeling unheard, Jennifer navigated one of the darkest seasons of her life. What emerged from that pain was a calling: to become the advocate, educator, and source of hope she once desperately needed herself.Now a mother of five, a graduate student completing her master's degree, and a Behavioral Consultant supporting schools, teachers, families, and students, Jennifer shares how her lived experience shaped the compassionate professional she is today. Her story is one of resilience, healing, faith, and discovering purpose through life's greatest challenges.This episode explores:Jennifer's personal journey as a mother raising a child with autismThe emotional impact of receiving an autism diagnosis without adequate supportCultural perspectives and stigma surrounding disability and neurodivergenceNavigating grief, uncertainty, and learning to advocate for your childThe transformative power of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)How lived experience creates extraordinary professionalsSupporting families with compassion rather than judgmentJennifer's path from parent to Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) to Behavioral ConsultantCreating meaningful change within schools and educational systemsBuilding inclusive environments where every child can thriveTurning pain into purposeOne of the most powerful moments comes as Jennifer vulnerably shares a season when she struggled to see a way forward, and the dream that changed everything — a vision of her son thriving as a teenager, reminding her that hope still existed. That moment became the catalyst for dedicating her life to ensuring other families never feel as alone as she once did.Frances reflects on how our deepest struggles often become the foundation for our greatest purpose, and the two discuss how meaningful change in education and healthcare begins not with more information, but with more humanity. They also explore why behavior is ultimately about understanding people rather than controlling them, and how compassion should stay at the center of every interaction.Jennifer leaves listeners with a simple, profound question: "How are you treating people?"Whether you're a parent, educator, therapist, healthcare professional, or someone navigating your own difficult season, this episode is a reminder that hope can emerge from heartbreak, and that our greatest purpose is often born from the moments we never thought we'd survive.Connect with The Play Base 🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/theplaybase 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@theplaybase | 58m 25s | ||||||
| 7/28/26 | Ep. 37 - Beyond Self-Defense: How Martial Arts Builds Confidence, Resilience & Character with Sensei Caio | In this inspiring episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances Fishman sits down with Sensei Caio—founder of True Kombat Training—to explore how martial arts can transform far more than physical ability. Together, they discuss the profound impact martial arts has on confidence, emotional regulation, resilience, discipline, and child development.Raised in a family of martial artists and a former professional MMA fighter, Sensei Caio shares his journey from training with his father at three years old to building a unique mobile martial arts program that brings individualized instruction directly into families’ homes, schools, and communities. Today, his team serves more than 150 children, including many autistic and neurodivergent learners, through an approach that combines movement, mentorship, play, and personal growth.Throughout the conversation, Frances and Sensei Caio dive into why martial arts is about much more than learning to fight. They discuss how children learn to navigate frustration, persevere through challenges, build emotional regulation, and develop lifelong confidence—skills that extend far beyond the mats.This episode explores:Why martial arts develops much more than self-defenseThe connection between movement, brain development, and emotional regulationMartial arts for autistic and neurodivergent childrenBuilding confidence through repetition, mastery, and perseveranceTeaching children how to lose with resilience and graceThe importance of discipline, respect, and healthy boundariesHow martial arts strengthens focus, self-control, and executive functioningCreating individualized programs that meet children where they areUsing play, imagination, and storytelling to teach complex skillsThe role of meditation and mindfulness in children’s developmentWhy mentorship can change the trajectory of a child’s lifeSupporting parents while helping children build resilience at homeFrances also shares how many of the strategies used in martial arts parallel principles from developmental psychology and behavior science—including priming, repetition, relationship-building, and learning through play. Together, they highlight how meaningful growth happens when children are given the opportunity to experience challenge in a supportive environment rather than being protected from it.Whether you’re a parent, educator, therapist, coach, or simply someone interested in helping children build confidence and resilience, this episode offers practical insights into how martial arts can become a powerful tool for lifelong development.One of the most memorable takeaways comes from Sensei Caio:“It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.”A reminder that preparing children with confidence, discipline, compassion, and self-control is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.Connect with Sensei Caio & True Kombat Training🥋 True Kombat Training 🌐 Website: https://truekombattraining.com 📱 Instagram: @truekombattraining or @urugaicaioConnect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase | 58m 35s | ||||||
| 7/21/26 | parentingneurodiversity+4 | Lauren Stewart | The Sweet SpectrumProud Autism Moms Club | — | autismneurodiversity+6 | — | 1h 05m 38s | ||
| 7/14/26 | behavior analysissupporting children+5 | Jennifer LeonardDanielle Goodman+3 | — | — | behavior analysiscompassion+5 | — | 47m 00s | ||
| 7/7/26 | Applied Behavior Analysismotherhood+4 | Frances Fishman | The Play BaseABA | — | ABAmotherhood+7 | — | 53m 19s | ||
| 7/1/26 | educationcreativity+4 | Bekka Goldberg | Blade & Stitch | South Florida | college admissionsarts+4 | — | 1h 01m 58s | ||
| 6/23/26 | nervous systemchiropractic care+3 | Dr. Ally Durrieu | Nature Nurture ChiropracticPX Docs | — | nervous systemchiropractic+6 | — | 53m 35s | ||
| 6/16/26 | coachingmotherhood+4 | Liat Horovitz | PodPopuli Media | — | results coachtransformation+5 | — | 58m 23s | ||
| 6/9/26 | mentorshipchildren's confidence+4 | Jasmine Eingen | Mentorio | LondonToronto | mentorshipchildren+5 | — | 47m 26s | ||
| 6/2/26 | motherhoodburnout+5 | Dr. Fay Gersh | Her Next Pivot | — | occupational therapymental health+5 | — | 50m 41s | ||
| 5/26/26 | developmentlearning challenges+3 | Paulette Cormier | Relationship Development InterventionMNRI | — | developmentlearning challenges+3 | — | 1h 01m 55s | ||
| 5/19/26 | educationinclusion+4 | Thabatta Mizrahi | University of Miami | — | educationinclusion+5 | — | 39m 09s | ||
| 5/12/26 | leadershipresilience+4 | Chris D’Angelo | Notre DameSt. Andrews | — | leadershipresilience+5 | — | 50m 56s | ||
| 5/5/26 | identityresilience+4 | Nikita Krivokrasov | The Kindergarten Mom | — | hockeycoaching+5 | — | 59m 32s | ||
| 4/28/26 | whole-family supportcollaborative care+5 | Dr. Ryan Seidman | The Children’s Center | — | child treatmentcollaborative care+5 | — | 53m 04s | ||
| 4/21/26 | coachingidentity+4 | Nikita Krivokrasov | PodPopuli Media | — | hockeycoaching+5 | — | 59m 10s | ||
| 4/14/26 | ADHDparenting+4 | Yael Samuel | Kid Quest Consulting | — | ADHDassessments+5 | — | 58m 49s | ||
| 4/7/26 | identityhealing+5 | Revital (Rev) Anava | — | — | identityhealing+6 | — | 1h 00m 27s | ||
| 3/31/26 | whole-child therapyspeech therapy+4 | Marina Aronin | PodPopuli Media | — | speech therapywhole-child approach+5 | — | 40m 09s | ||
| 3/25/26 | resiliencemindfulness+4 | Joy Badler | ADHD community | — | regulation skillsADHD+6 | — | 55m 05s | ||
| 3/17/26 | Speech-Language Pathologyprivate practice+4 | Dana Weiss | PodPopuli Media | New York CitySouth Florida+4 | Speech-Language Pathologistprivate practice+5 | — | 44m 30s | ||
| 3/10/26 | sensory designnervous system+4 | Lauren Henry | The Play BasePodPopuli Media+1 | — | sensory roomscolor+7 | — | 1h 08m 15s | ||
| 3/3/26 | self-controlsportsmanship+5 | Coby Fishman | Coby Shark | — | hockeyself-control+6 | — | 16m 17s | ||
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