Define Play

Use the code PLAY15 to get 15% off any order of $30+: https://www.deepfieldaromatics.com

Subscribe to Michael's new Substack: https://substack.com/@defineplay

Camp Rewind* convened on August 22-25, 2025, at the Oregon Outdoor Education Center, near Salem. Learn more about Camp Rewind: https://www.summercamprewind.com

*Not to be confused with another event with the same name, that happened the same weekend, and had a similar focus, in British Columbia.

Camp Rewind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summercamprewind

Phasha Spencer is the Executive Director of Playworks Illinois, which is part of the national Playworks organization that "helps schools and youth programs create recess and play environments where every child can join in." The company is built around play because... “play teaches us to be human. In fact, societies depend on our ability to ‘play well together.’ Through play, children discover the joy of physical activity. They learn the social and emotional skills they will use in the classroom, in the workplace, and in life.” Read more about Playworks’ philosophy: https://www.playworks.org/about/why-play

DONATE to support Playworks: https://donate.playworks.org

Follow on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/iamphasha

https://www.instagram.com/playworksil

https://www.instagram.com/playworksrecess

https://www.instagram.com/defineplay

Hosted and filmed by Michael Mirza, with mobile gear contributed by Austin Corbett. Edited by Roberto Flores.

White Lucy is a Chicago-based band that blends RnB, soul, jazz, indie rock, and hip-hop. Chase Carson, co-owner of Black Cat Scaffolding, plays guitar and writes melodies, and Micah Boyce, a senior manager at Magnit, writes lyrics and sings. "The Paradise" was released on August 15, 2025 by Shuga Records. Learn more about the album and buy a copy of the vinyl record: https://whitelucymusic.bandcamp.com/merch Follow White Lucy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitelucymusic Hosted and filmed by Michael Mirza, with mobile gear contributed by Austin Corbett. Edited by Roberto Flores. Learn more about Define Play: https://www.defineplay.com https://www.instagram.com/defineplay https://www.tiktok.com/@defineplay.pod https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574922688823 https://www.linkedin.com/company/define-play #podcast #howitsmade #behindthescenes #makingmusic #musicproduction #selfreleased #creativityhacks #creativitytips #playfulness #playfulpeople #workandplay #philosophy #aperspectiveofjoy #intentionalliving #liveauthentic

Josh & Dana Penley are international teachers and travel bloggers currently living in Kuwait. In their own words: "We’re Josh and Dana Penley, a couple from the Midwest USA. We lived and worked in Chicago for 10 years. Dana was an accountant, a recruiter, and then worked at a tech startup. Josh was a teacher in Chicago Public Schools. We were tired of only being able to travel for two weeks a year, so we started looking for opportunities to travel more. That’s when we found International Teaching! Now, we teach internationally and live as expats. We lived in Beijing for three years, and are now living in Kuwait. We love to immerse ourselves in different cultures and explore the world one adventure at a time."

Learn more about Josh, Dana, and their travels: https://penleyperspective.com

Listen to Josh and Dana's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GBvxtdCOZSbMhI7TEBlBY?si=22e2b7a42bef461c

Follow Josh and Dana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penleyperspective

Buy your own copy of Punishment-Free Parenting: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/751238/punishment-free-parenting-by-jon-fogel

Follow Jon on your favorite social media platforms: https://www.instagram.com/wholeparent https://www.tiktok.com/@wholeparent https://www.facebook.com/wholeparentacademy
https://www.youtube.com/@wholeparent

If something seemed a little "off" about this interview... you're very astute! Unfortunately, during post-production, we had a tech issue and lost the video file from the camera that filmed Michael (Jon's was still intact). After concluding that lab-based data recovery services were way out of our budget, we re-shot some of Michael's speaking parts and did some digital surgery. A bit of the magic of the original conversation was inevitably lost as a result, but we wanted to preserve Jon's authentic wisdom, so we did our best. Thanks for bearing with us.

Learn more about Lightward and Abe's many other projects: https://lightward.inc

Listen to Abe's playlist of songs that inspire him to play: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1palMBTitmv2qlTS1RDqcS?si=ed6d71e570df419a

Follow Abe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abelopez

Hosting and creative direction by Michael Mirza. Video, lighting, sound, and editing by Roberto Flores. Learn more about them and the show: https://www.defineplay.com

Sarah Corley is a Chicago-based Guinness World Record holder, baker, actress, and water fitness instructor, as well as Senior Integrated Marketing Campaign Strategist at Sprout Social.

Follow Sarah on social:

- https://www.instagram.com/sarahrcorley

- https://www.tiktok.com/@thesweetandpetite

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahrcorley

Hosting and creative direction by Michael Mirza. Video, lighting, sound, and editing by Roberto Flores. Learn more about them and the show: https://www.defineplay.com

#bakinglove #sayyes #doitscared #aquafit #wateraerobics #emotionalintelligence #marketingtips #travelbug #playfulpeople #workandplay #philosophy #interview #podcast

Allie Szczecinski, M. Ed., is an author, special education teacher, social and emotional learning coach, and content creator as Miss Behavior. Her brand new book, "Their Best Behavior: Practical Strategies for 10 Common Classroom Challenges," offers field-tested wisdom about kid behavior for teachers and parents alike. Allie is also the author of "Roaring Mad Riley," a children's story that teaches kids how to articulate their emotions and regulate their anger safely. On top of creating and coaching, Allie is an artist, mother, and big fan of figure skating. Allie's husband, Brad, needs a new kidney! Would you consider donating a kidney to potentially save someone's life? Sign up for a non-committal assessment to see if you're a fit to donate: https://www.nmlivingdonor.org/ When it asks for a "Named Recipient," please list Brad Szczecinski. You could be a true hero! Explore all of Allie's social media and links here: https://campsite.bio/missbehavior Hosting and creative direction by Michael Mirza. Video, lighting, sound, and editing by Roberto Flores. Learn more about them and the show: https://www.defineplay.com #emotionalintelligence #restorativepractices #montessori #teachingtips #specialeducation #classroomtips #neurodiversity #socialemotionallearning #education #workandplay #philosophy #interview #podcast