The Play Well Podcast

Mia Sundstrom is the Chief Executive Officer at the National Institute for Play, an organization founded by her grandfather, Dr. Stuart Brown, to champion the science of play across the lifespan. She also serves as a consultant for character education in the Chancellor’s Office at the University of Denver, where she’s helping shape how values and play intersect to build stronger, more resilient learners.

In this episode, we speak with Mia about the science of play and the Institute's work across the United States. Interestingly, she also touches on her Grandfather's (Dr Stuart Brown) research into the consequences of play deprivation.

Laura Henry-Allain MBE is an award-winning international producer, storyteller, educationalist and consultant. She is the creator of the well-loved JoJo and Gran Gran characters, developed and produced by CBeebies and is the series' associate producer. She is also executive producer on a few shows that are currently in development, including Daddio & Co. She works with schools and communities, doing live events, storytelling sessions and keynotes. Her new book, Maya and Marley and the Great Big Tidy Up, focuses on play, sustainability, outdoor learning and community.

Dr Alistair Bryce-Clegg MBE is an award-winning Early Years author, trainer, product designer and lifelong advocate for play. After a decade as a headteacher, he set up ABC Does to support schools, settings and educators to create exciting, child-led environments where play is central to learning.

He’s the author of 28 books on Early Years pedagogy and practice and has worked as an advisor on various film and television projects. He delivers training and consultancy across the UK and internationally, working with schools, nurseries, local authorities and families to help bring curiosity, creativity and developmentally appropriate practice to life.

His latest project is The PLAYlist , a research-backed platform packed with content for Early Years professionals. From articles and activities to video training and guest features, it’s all about helping practitioners make informed decisions about how they teach and why.

Alistair has a Doctorate in Education with a focus on Early Years and was awarded an MBE in 2025 for services to the sector. When he’s not knee deep in playdough, water trays or writing deadlines, he’s at home with Fee, enjoying family life as a dad to three grown-up boys and grandpa to two small (and very energetic) grandchildren.

Margaret Fordyce (P1–3) and Kerry Nicholson (P6/7) are teachers at Baltasound Junior High School, Britain’s most northerly school. As a Play Pedagogy Award Pilot school, they are exploring ways to embed play into learning, sharing their journey and insights into how play enriches children’s experiences across the primary years.

In this episode, our CEO, Mary Ramsay, speaks to Sue Atkins.

Sue Atkins is an internationally recognised Parenting Expert, Broadcaster, Speaker and Author of the best-selling books “Parenting Made Easy – How to Raise Happy Children’ & ‘Raising Happy Children for Dummies’ one in the famous black and yellow series, as well as the ‘Can Do Kid’s Journal: Discover your Confidence Superpower’ & ‘The Divorce Journal for Kids’.

Sue is the Parenting Expert for Disney Family and regularly appears on the award-winning flagship ITV show ‘This Morning,’ Good Morning Britain, ‘Jeremy Vine on 5 ’ and ‘The Vanessa Feltz Show.’ She is also the parenting expert for numerous BBC Radio Stations around the UK.

Sue is also the global spokesperson for World Digital Detox Day and the Host of ‘Navigating the Digital Jungle with Sue Atkins and Friends’ Podcast, Patron for Mama Academy the UK’s Safer Pregnancy Charity, and Trustee of the charity ‘Technology Books for Children.

In this episode, our former CEO, Marguerite Hunter Blair, speaks to Dr Myae Han.

Dr Myae Han is a professor of early childhood education at the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on play and early literacy learning, play-based curriculum, professional development for early childhood teachers, and culturally and linguistically diverse children.

She is a recipient of the Brian Sutton-Smith Award from The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) (2025), Doctor of Play Award from the International Play Association USA (2024), and the Edgar Klugman Award for Leadership and Research in Play (2020) from the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Play Policy Practice Forum. 

Dr. Myae Han served as a past president of The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) (2013-2014), a past Chair of the Early Education/Child Development (EECD) SIG at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) (2020-2022), and a past president of the Literacy Development in Young Children (LDYC) SIG at the International Literacy Association (ILA) (2013-2017). She was the first Asian president in each of these leadership positions

In this episode, our Play Pedagogy Award Officer, Fiona Kirkland speaks to Leanne Sweaton.

Leanne is the Principal Teacher in Woodmill and Dunfermline Cluster in Fife supporting schools to close the poverty related attainment gap. She has been teaching for 25 years and began her play journey began back in 2016. Since then, she has revolutionised her practice and have never looked back. She runs the popular Facebook page 'The Play Piece'. Her work has been spotlighted by HMiE and Education Scotland and she has spoken nationally on this topic.

In this episode, our former CEO Marguerite Hunter Blair speaks to Paul Hoenigmann, Managing Director of Inclusive Play.

Paul is passionate about widening access to the physical, social, and cognitive development for all children through expanding the provision of welcoming and accessible outdoor play spaces. Our UK-made inclusive equipment supports communities create safe, engaging environments where every child can play, learn, and thrive—regardless of ability.

Find out more about inclusive play on our website: https://www.playscotland.org/playful-communities/inclusive-play-design-3/

In this episode, our former CEO Marguerite Hunter Blair speaks to Dr William Bird MBE.

Dr William Bird MBE is passionate about getting people active. As a family GP in the 1990s, he pioneered the concept of social prescribing by setting up the first Health Walk scheme. William is an advisor to the World Health Organisation, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and Sport England. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of Exeter and the Chair of Active Essex, the Active Partnership for Essex. In 2010, he set up Intelligent Health, an organisation that has a mission to build healthier, active and more connected communities with 2 million participants worldwide.

On this epsiode, our Play Pedagogy Award Officer, Fiona Kirkland, speaks to Rebecca Wilkinson-Quinn, Clinical Lead for Scotland, Place2Be.

Becky is a qualified Art Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor. Becky comes from a Fine Arts background, working as an exhibiting artist, FE teaching and community settings. Becky has predominantly worked therapeutically with CYP, their families and teachers in schools, but has also lectured and worked with adults with a variety of presenting issues.  
 
Becky began working with Place2Be 19 years ago, initially as a volunteer on placement. Becky has worked in a variety of roles at Place2Be and is now the Clinical Lead, for Scotland and is responsible for the clinical quality of the work. Having experience of the lasting difference that can be made in schools and communities from the ground up, Becky is hugely passionate about early intervention and the impact Place2Be’s work has.