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Artwork for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast

Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast

Julie and Philippa
Play Therapy
Play
Therapy
Theraplay
Trauma
Mental Health
Resistance
Attachment Theory
Foster Care
Covid-19
Child Development
Window Of Tolerance
Theatre
London
Siblings
Child-Centered Play Therapy
CAMHS
Play England
Education System
Imposter Syndrome

In a world where play can be seen as frivolous or unnecessary, Julie and Philippa set out to explore its importance in our everyday lives.Pondering play and therapy, both separately but also the inter-connectedness that play can in its own right be the very therapy we need. Julie and Philippa have many years of experience playing, both in their extensive professional careers and their personal liv... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes72Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessParentingMental HealthKids & Family

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast

Latest Episodes

Julie interviews Tim Woodhouse of Tiptoes Child Therapy Services in northwest England, a multidisciplinary practice founded in 2010, named after Janusz Korczak’s quote about “standing on tiptoes” to reach children’s feelings. They discuss working wit... more

Philippa hosts an episode of Pondering Play and Therapy with guest Louise Robertson, founder of The Sustainables Academy (nominated for the Earthshot Prize in 2025) and a lecturer at Aberdeen University, formerly a teacher and head teacher. Louise ex... more

Philippa and Julie explore how interruptions shape children’s play and emotional wellbeing, from everyday endings like mealtimes, bedtimes and school bells to more harmful breaks when adults are distracted, unwell, or inconsistent. They discuss how p... more

Julie welcomes Viv Norris, founder and CEO of the Family Place on the Welsh borders, supporting adoptive and other families across Wales and parts of England, and co-founder of Theraplay UK. Viv traces her path from intense residential therapeutic wo... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Viv Norris
Founder/CEO of The Family Place; co-founder of Theraplay UK
The Family Place, Theraplay UK
Episode: EP69 Understanding Attachment: Tools for Families and Therapists; A Conversation with Viv Norris
Mandy Jones-Fischer
Therapist based in Chicago, works with young children
Private practice in Chicago
Episode: EP68 Post-COVID Childhood Anxiety, Insights for Parents and Therapist; A Conversation with Mandy Jones-Fischer
Sarah Naish
Best-selling author and founder of a fostering agency; advocate for therapeutic parenting and trauma-informed practice
Therapeutic Fostering/True and Safer
Episode: EP67 Sarah Naish on Fostering, Therapeutic Parenting and More.
Ellen Dempsey
Play therapist in training and researcher
BAPT; Roehampton University (former student)
Episode: EP66 Pondering Play and Mess with Ellen Dempsey
Sarah Dillon
Consultant psychotherapist and head of therapeutic services for two fostering agencies
Centre of Excellence in Childhood Trauma; True Fostering; Safer Fosting (Wales)
Episode: EP64 Bridging Childhood Trauma and Therapeutic Practices; A conversation with Sarah Dillon.
Joanna Blundell Jones
Theraplay practitioner and clinical psychologist
Sheffield Children's Hospital
Episode: EP 63 Inside Sheffield Children's Hospital; Play, Therapy and Healing; A conversation with Joanna Blundell Jones
Marneta Viegas
Founder of Relax Kids, author and educator in children's relaxation and mindfulness
Relax Kids
Episode: EP61 Magic, Mindfulness and Mimes. Transformative play with Marneta Viegas
Katie Wrench
Social worker, psychotherapist, head of service at BUSS (Building Underdeveloped Sensory Systems), and author
BUSS
Episode: EP59 Exploring Therapeutic Life Story Work with Katie Wrench
Kim Golding
Clinical psychologist, CBE; author and DDP consultant and trainer
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)
Episode: EP57 Healing Journeys; In Conversation with Kim Golding

Hosts

Julie
Host of the podcast, facilitating interview and discussion
Philippa
Co-host and host of the show, guiding conversations with guests and experts

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 18 ratings
  • Enjoyed.

    Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tink-ava!
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Brilliant!

    Another fab episode! Thank you Philippa and Julie đź’ś

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Packblast
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Amazing!

    Great podcast guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Benply
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Pondering play and therapy

    Thoroughly enjoyed the first episode. Clear concise information well delivered. Easy to listen to and understand. Nice relationship between the presenters. Look forward to the next episode

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tomisepick
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Loved it!

    So important for us to be reminded to play and to acknowledge our feelings. Thank you Philippa and Julie. Looking forward to the next one.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KPalf
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts have a great rapport, making complex topics accessible.
High relevance for professionals working with trauma and foster care.
Episodes balance research-informed content with real-world stories.
Very practical and compassionate approach to child play and therapy.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EP 48 The Power of the Theatre: A Conversation with Sara Amanda
Q: What does a relationship manager at Arts Council England do?
A relationship manager works with theatre and diverse organizations to connect funders with grassroots projects, attend performances, offer advice, and help pair artists with opportunities, ultimately showcasing and growing the artistic tapestry across London and beyond.
EP 48 The Power of the Theatre: A Conversation with Sara Amanda
Q: What is a dramaturg?
A dramaturg is like a fairy godmother of a script who helps uncover themes, character development, and the magic within the piece, providing guidance and critical insight without driving the creative process.
EP51 - Stories of self-doubt and Imposter Syndrome; Julie interviews Philippa
Q: How did Philippa manage that shift from a traditional social work route into family therapy and higher training?
She explains how persistence, research, and challenging formal authority helped her win support for family therapy, and how mentors pushed her to justify the value of different approaches, ultimately enabling her to pursue and complete advanced training.
EP42 Empathy and Attachment: A conversation with Dr Sharon Giblin
Q: If you had to give parents, school teachers, people working with them, what would be your three top tips?
Three top tips are: prioritize the connection first to create a stable base for any boundary; avoid activating shame by using respectful language and empowering the young person; and incorporate pace, playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy (PACE) to keep conversations collaborative and less confrontational.
EP42 Empathy and Attachment: A conversation with Dr Sharon Giblin
Q: Does that then mean, though, that the attachment has been broken, and that actually it's been damaged irreparably?
Ruptures can happen, especially during teenage years, but they are not automatically fatal to the attachment; such bonds can weather periods of conflict through repair and continued care, with stronger early relationships helping to weather later stresses.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast

What is Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Explores how play acts as a pathway to mental health, healing, and everyday resilience. Conversations span therapeutic parenting, trauma-informed care, messy play, and how play intersects with education, youth justice, and policy. The hosts center practical strategies for caregivers, clinicians, and educators, often featuring guests who are clinicians, researchers, and practitioners shaping child-centered approaches. A standout throughline is attunement, co-regulation, and the transformative power of play-based methods in diverse settings—from hospitals and foster care to schools and communities. Potential listeners will find actionable insights, real-world case examples, and a warm, collaborative tone that makes complex topics accessible a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast:

1. The Rest Is Politics
2. Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
3. Next Level Play Therapy: A Podcast for Play Therapy Excellence
4. Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
5. ZOE Science & Nutrition

How many episodes of Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast are there?

Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast launched 2 years ago and published 72 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast?

Recent guests on Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast include:

1. Viv Norris
2. Mandy Jones-Fischer
3. Sarah Naish
4. Ellen Dempsey
5. Sarah Dillon
6. Joanna Blundell Jones
7. Marneta Viegas
8. Katie Wrench

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