In this week’s episode, hosts Philippa and Julie ponder the playful traditions that shape who we are—past and present. From cherished family games like cribbage and Rummy to the joyful, sometimes complex dance of blending new traditions in modern families, they explore how play weaves connection, identity, and belonging across generations.

Through personal stories, thoughtful metaphors, and reflections on adolescence, the episode unpacks how play is more than fun—it’s foundational. It can unite or exclude, heal or divide, depending on how we hold it. Whether you're nurturing your family’s rituals or starting new ones, this episode invites you to reflect on how traditions can be both a bridge and a legacy.

🔗 Tune in for insights on play, tradition, and the gentle power of connection. Subscribe now and start your listening tradition today!

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Podcast Episode Description:

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Mandy Jones, a skilled therapist, based in Chicago, who shares her expertise on the transformative power of play in therapy. Mandy discusses her unique approach, combining sand tray work and Theraplay, to help children and adults process and understand their trauma. She explains how these therapeutic techniques foster emotional healing and support the parent-child relationship.

Mandy also opens up about her personal journey, detailing the interesting path that led her to open her practice. With a deep passion for supporting children and families, Mandy has become a dedicated advocate for those impacted by the challenges of COVID-19, helping them navigate the emotional toll of the pandemic. Listen to the episode for a pondering conversation on the essential role of play in healing, connection, and emotional growth.

Website: Meet Our Team - Nurtured Roots Counseling & Consulting

Mandy Jones-Fischer (She/Her/Hers) is a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist from Chicago, Illinois. She is also a Certified Theraplay® Practitioner, Trainer, and Supervisor and is the former Executive Director of The Theraplay Institute.

Mandy has extensive training in sandtray therapy. She has worked almost exclusively with adoptive and foster families since she began her career. She takes a particular interest in helping families with young children form strong attachments and work through sensory concerns. Mandy is also experienced in helping adopted individuals with identity, loss, and anxiety concerns throughout their lifespan. More recently, Mandy has been focusing her clinical work on helping children born during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic who are struggling with overwhelming anxiety.
While Mandy doesn’t regularly practice law, through her legal work she has advocated for children in both the Illinois and Michigan child welfare systems. She continues to use her legal knowledge and advocacy skills to help families gain Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and other essential resources for children. Mandy earned her BA in Political Science and her BS in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago.

She currently runs a private therapy practice serving children under 8 and their families in Chicago.

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In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' hosts Julie and Philippa discuss the significant reduction of play spaces for children and teenagers within communities affected by poverty and deprivation. Reflecting on changes over the past 10-15 years, they explore how budget cuts and austerity measures have led to the loss of essential community resources like parks, youth clubs, and play schemes. The discussion emphasises the importance of unstructured play for children's development, including reading social cues, risk assessment, and building community ties. They contrast their childhood experiences with current conditions and highlight the need for policies supporting accessible play spaces for all children, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The episode invites listeners to reflect on these issues and share their own views.

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Welcome to Pondering Play and Therapy, the podcast where we ponder the worlds of play, passion, and personal growth. In today’s episode, we have the pleasure of talking to Tilly and her mum, Sarah, to explore Tilly’s inspiring journey as an international cheerleading athlete. At just 14 years old, Tilly became the youngest member of an international cheerleading team, and today, she’s sharing the highs, the challenges, and the incredible commitment it takes to reach such a level of achievement. This was also whilst revising for her GCSE's and travelling over an hour to practice, and the mental and physical demands of the sport. Tilly gives us an inside look at what it takes to pursue a dream and achieve success. Sarah also joins us to offer a mum’s perspective on supporting Tilly’s journey and the role of family in navigating the world of competitive sports. So sit back, relax, and join us as we ponder the play, hard work, and dedication behind Tilly’s amazing story.

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Podcast Description:

This week, we are pondering the fascinating world of play—specifically, can play be learned? Over the past few weeks and months of recording, we've been reflecting on how play happens with children, babies and adults. We’ll start by looking at the early stages of life—how even before birth, the unborn child begins to interact with the world around them. From there, we'll explore how play unfolds in early childhood and how, as we grow, we may discover new ways to play and embrace a playful mindset. This is from our own perspective not as experts but as adults who enjoy play both in our personal and professional.

We’ll also ask if play is something we can relearn later in life. Can we rediscover playful ways of being in the world and develop new play skills, or is it something we experience through lived moments with others? Is play something that’s taught, or is it more of an embodied experience we share and pass on to others?

Join us as we unpack the beginnings of play and whether it’s something we can learn or simply experience as we move through life.

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It was an honour to interview Dr Mayers and hear about her journey to becoming a clinical psychologist. She talked about her experience of play and the importance of having toys, books and figures in psychology to support her aspirations. She gave a beautiful insight into her childhood growing up in the west midlands, in a big family and how she and her siblings continue the traditions of play.

Dr Mayers has a private practice, and she explained about EMDR and attachment trauma and how this can support adults in their everyday lives.

Website: https://www.mayerspsychology.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayerspsychology/

Dr Chanae Mayers is a passionate Senior Clinical Psychologist and EMDR Therapist,
specialising in trauma and attachment difficulties. She has over 5 years’ experience working
with children, young people and families within the care system. She is trained in several
therapeutic approaches including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
(EMDR), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and many more, helping clients to
process complex emotional experiences, build resilience and develop healthy attachment
relationships.
Driven by a passion for trauma-informed care, Dr Mayers’ private practice stems from
wanting to support adults who have experienced significant childhood trauma. Through her
work, she highlights the substantial impact of unprocessed trauma on interpersonal
relationships, friendships and professional lives. Her mission is to raise awareness of
developmental trauma and its biological impact, understanding how this leads to attachment
difficulties and impacts mental health.
Dr Mayers is deeply committed to black mental health, understanding the stigma and
barriers to accessing services within the black community. She is an advocate for addressing
intergenerational trauma, racial trauma, and the systemic challenges that contribute to
mental health disparities. Her published Thesis, Exploring the Experiences of Black Men
Through the Decision-Making Process in Secure Settings: A Qualitative Study, featured in
The Journal of Black Psychology, highlights the experiences of black men in secure inpatient
services. The study focused on biased decision-making processes related to conflict
management and their impact on black male service users. It highlights how these decisions
affect care, including seclusion, the use of restraint, and the application of the Mental Health
Act.
Dr Mayers is also dedicated to mentoring aspiring Clinical Psychologists, particularly those
from minority backgrounds. Having faced her own struggles seeing few professionals who
reflected her identity, she is passionate about reducing the barriers to entry for
underrepresented groups in Clinical Psychology and increasing diversity within the field.

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Podcast Episode Description:

In this week’s episode, Philippa and Julie ponder the role that everyday things can play in fostering connection and playfulness within families. They explore how simple, daily moments can create meaningful rituals, promote connection, and offer a playful approach to life. Sharing personal stories from their own families, they discuss how incorporating playfulness into the ordinary can help with emotional regulation, especially on those days when things feel a little tricky. Tune in for some thoughtful insights on turning the everyday into an opportunity for joy and connection.

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In today's episode, Philippa interviews Vicki, the founder of Little City, which is a mobile role-play centre for little people. She shares her love of Sylvanian families and how she wanted to move away from corporate life and spend more time with her children and family.

Vicki shares the excitement that little people get from role-playing real-life experiences, and how this develops connection and shared joy with parents, caregivers, and the staff themselves. The mobile city is inclusive and diverse and the staff adapt sessions to support the communities and groups that are accessing them from all over the country.

Website: https://www.littlecityuk.com/

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