For the Love of Play

Send a text"I was happiest in the cricket world, and funnily enough I performed at my best, when I could tap into that childlike sense of play and love of the game."  In Conversation with Ryan Carters – Former Professional Cricketer and Founder of Dadfit  In this episode of For the Love of Play, we sit down with former professional cricketer and founder of dadfit, Ryan Carters. He tells us about his childhood, including a love of cricket that began at the age of three, his work across the world raising money for disadvantaged women in cricket-playing countries and his community work back in Australia. Ryan also tells us about dadfit, a grass roots not-for-profit which creates spaces for dads to reconnect with so much of what we love about childhood: play, a sense of fun and a feeling of belonging.   About Our Guest Ryan Carters has carried the best of what he loved about top-level sport - mateship, empathy and teamwork - and directed it back into philanthropic and community work. A natural leader, Ryan founded dadfit, a "community on a mission to make dadding a team sport". Before turning his attention to parenting and mental health advocacy, Ryan played cricket for Victoria, New South Wales, the Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Thunder. Ryan Carters' websiteThe dadfit websiteShow Links Website: For the Love of Play Listen to all episodes: Buzzsprout Follow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcast Learn More About Playgroup Victoria Website: playgroup.org.au Instagram: @playgroupvicofficial Facebook: Playgroup Victoria LinkedIn: Playgroup Victoria Episode Credits Hosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday. Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday. Edited by Jonathan Rivett. Mastering by James North Productions. Music by Selina Byrne. And thanks to our little friends Laddy, Toby and Adelaide for voicing the intro. Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family.  Support the show

Send a text"I share the realities of my life to try to de-stigmatise things. To let people know 'I'm going through this and you might be going through something similar. You're not alone here in this world.'"  In Conversation with Matt Okine – Comedian, Actor, Writer and Musician In this episode of For the Love of Play, we chat with the "joker" (his daughter's word), actor and writer, Matt Okine. He talks about the pain he suppressed after the death of his mother when he was just 12 years old, the unexpected joys of becoming a father and the fun that comes from making music for kids. Matt spoke with us just a few weeks before touring Australia, including a stint at the Melbourne Comedy Festival where he is performing a show called Number 10 Hope Street.About Our Guest As a young man, Matt Okine had to make a choice between pursuing his talent for Australian rules football or his gifts in the arts. He chose the latter and the rest is history. He is now one of Australia's most popular comedians and actors. He is also a writer, producer and talented musician, performing for both adults and children. Matt Okine's websiteMatt's 2026 Comedy Festival pageShow Links Website: For the Love of Play Listen to all episodes: Buzzsprout Follow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcast Learn More About Playgroup Victoria Website: playgroup.org.au Instagram: @playgroupvicofficial Facebook: Playgroup Victoria LinkedIn: Playgroup Victoria Episode Credits Hosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday. Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday. Edited by Jonathan Rivett. Mastering by James North Productions. Music by Selina Byrne. And thanks to our little friends Toby and Adelaide for voicing the intro. Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family.  Support the show

Send a text"I'm lucky enough to be a Gen Xer. We weren't allowed inside. Our generation was literally: 'Here's breakfast. Out you go. Be back by six.'" In Conversation with Justin Calverley – Horticulturist and Author In this episode of For the Love of Play, we have a yarn with horticulturist, author, garden lover and radio personality, Justin Calverley. A man who loves grassroots work (in every sense of the word), Justin chatted with us about working in and with local communities, but also his own garden, a place for making memories that he hopes last generations. Justin knows the power of pottering in the garden and, in the interview, talks about how gardening positively affects the wellbeing of people and the planet. About Our Guest Justin Calverley has spent decades devoting his days to the natural world, tending to the health of the soil and understanding the rhythms of different local ecosystems. Based in Melbourne, he is hands-on and passionate about urban gardening; it's a passion that comes through in his books and regular community radio discussions. Justin's HarperCollins author profileJustin's InstagramShow Links Website: For the Love of Play Listen to all episodes: Buzzsprout Follow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcast Learn More About Playgroup Victoria Website: playgroup.org.au Instagram: @playgroupvicofficial Facebook: Playgroup Victoria LinkedIn: Playgroup Victoria Episode Credits Hosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday. Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday. Edited by Jonathan Rivett. Mastering by James North Productions. Music by Selina Byrne. And thanks to our little friends Toby and Adelaide for voicing the intro. Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family.  Support the show

Send a text"It's almost impossible to survive by yourself. But once you are working and linked together, you will not be defeated. You will be impregnable."  In Conversation with Jackie French – Author, Ecologist and Historian  In this episode of For the Love of Play, we speak with one of Australia's best-known and best-loved authors, Jackie French. As she tells us in this frank and broad-ranging interview, Jackie experienced an extraordinary, and often incredibly difficult, childhood in Queensland. Teachers knew from a young age that she had learning difficulties - later diagnosed as dyslexia - but also that she was precociously bright and exceptionally talented. By nurturing her gifts, they helped her onto a path that has led to international renown. Jackie discusses overcoming hardship through determination, as well as the help and generosity of others, seeking refuge (and new worlds) in books and the beauty of the place in which she's lived for the last half century. About Our Guest Jackie French wrote her first book at the age six and has gone on to publish over 200. Although she was an Australian Children's Laureate and is perhaps best known for her books for kids, she has also written many books for adults, including historical fiction, historical non-fiction, books on gardening and on ecology.  Jackie French's websiteJackie's HarperCollins profileShow Links Website: For the Love of Play Listen to all episodes: Buzzsprout Follow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcast Learn More About Playgroup Victoria Website: playgroup.org.au Instagram: @playgroupvicofficial Facebook: Playgroup Victoria LinkedIn: Playgroup Victoria Episode Credits Hosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday. Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday. Edited by Jonathan Rivett. Mastering by James North Productions. Music by Selina Byrne. And thanks to our little friends Toby and Adelaide for voicing the intro. Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family.  Support the show

Send a text"Exposing your child to music - having music play, taking them to concerts - that's one of the best thing you can do."In Conversation with Tina and Mark Harris – Musicians, Musical Educators and Co-Creators of Children's Music Group, Lah Lah In In this episode of For the Love of Play, we chat with Mark and Tina Harris, the musicians behind the hugely popular Australian children's music group, Lah Lah.Tina and Mark Harris have dedicated their lives to music and in this discussion, they talk about their partnership, their respective (and often overlapping) musical careers and their views on music and the world. The conversation covers the therapeutic benefits of music, the challenge of retaining human quality in a medium that often rewards AI-produced mediocrity and the ways in which parents can introduce their children to music and musical instruments. About Our GuestsTina and Mark Harris, who have been married for 30 years, met at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and have gone on to be part of orchestras, theatre productions and bands. They have amassed millions of views on their YouTube channel dedicated to Lah Lah, the children’s ensemble they co-created in 2009. They are also passionate advocates for musical spaces and musical education. The Lah Lah websiteThe Lah Lah YouTube channelWebsite of Dr Anita Collins', the researcher mentioned in the interviewShow LinksWebsite: For the Love of PlayListen to all episodes: BuzzsproutFollow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcastLearn More About Playgroup VictoriaWebsite: playgroup.org.auInstagram: @playgroupvicofficialFacebook: Playgroup VictoriaLinkedIn: Playgroup VictoriaEpisode CreditsHosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday.Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday.Editing by Jonathan Rivett.Mastering by James North Productions.Music by Selina Byrne.And thanks to our little friends Toby, Adelaide and Laddie for voicing the intro.Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family. Support the show

Send a text"I think it's a great gift to be reminded what it's like to be a kid..."In Conversation with Sean Szeps – Writer and Creator In our first episode of For the Love of Play's second season, we chat with writer and creator Sean Szeps. Candid and humorous, Sean prompts us to think about gender roles, the importance of friendship, the early years of childhood and what it is that makes a healthy home. Sean also discusses his own childhood, the difficulty of moving to a new country with infant twins, and the wonder that comes from watching children's capacity for silliness, creativity and acceptance of difference. About Our GuestOn social media, and in his memoir, 'Not Like Other Dads', Sean Szeps chronicles the fun, delight and challenges of raising twins with his husband Josh. Born in the United States - he met Josh in New York - Sean moved to Australia just after the birth of his children. Since then, he has amassed a huge following on Instagram, posting hilarious videos about parenting and childhood. Sean Szeps on InstagramSean Szeps' memoir, 'Not Like Other Dads'Show LinksWebsite: For the Love of PlayListen to all episodes: BuzzsproutFollow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcastLearn More About Playgroup VictoriaWebsite: playgroup.org.auInstagram: @playgroupvicofficialFacebook: Playgroup VictoriaLinkedIn: Playgroup VictoriaEpisode CreditsHosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday.Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday.Editing by Jonathan Rivett.Mastering by James North Productions.Music by Selina Byrne.And thanks to our little friends Toby, Adelaide and Laddie for voicing the intro.Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family. Support the show

Send a text"I like that African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child because it always makes me think ‘and what does it take to build a village?’"  In Conversation with Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott – World-Leading Expert in Child and Family Welfare This special episode of For the Love of Play was in fact part of our original podcast series, the Playgroup Podcast, which we launched in early 2020. Sadly, the project was derailed by the pandemic.  Our conversation with Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott was recorded in 2019, but remains as interesting and relevant now as it was all those years ago.  The discussion covers Dorothy’s early professional years, including how she came to the field of early childhood, her work in developing the state’s first sexual assault counselling service, as well as the radical societal shifts over the past 50 years that have changed parenting and roles within families. Dorothy also talks about the fundamentally inclusive and democratic nature of community institutions such as playgroups.  About Our Guest Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott is Playgroup Victoria’s Patron.  Over a long and distinguished career, Dorothy has closely examined the folds of early childhood, disentangling aspects of children's and families' worlds, as well as our wider communities - our villages. Dorothy is a scholar, an honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne, and the custodian of much knowledge and wisdom in the field of child and family welfare. View Professor Scott’s University of Melbourne Profile Show Links Website: For the Love of Play Listen to all episodes: Buzzsprout Follow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcast Learn More About Playgroup Victoria Website: playgroup.org.au Instagram: @playgroupvicofficial Facebook: Playgroup Victoria LinkedIn: Playgroup Victoria Episode Credits Hosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday. Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday. Edited by Jonathan Rivett. Mastering by James North Productions. Music by Selina Byrne. And thanks to our little friends Toby and Adelaide for voicing the intro.Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family.   Support the show

Send a text"Playgroup saved me. Although I know that sounds really dramatic, I actually feel it’s really true."  In Conversation with Naomi Jeffree – Playgroup Facilitator and Training Coordinator In our final episode of season one, we speak with our wonderful colleague and playgroup expert, Naomi Jeffree. Naomi has been working with families for over twenty years and her work within playgroups has focused heavily on families whose children have different abilities and needs.  In this conversation, Naomi discusses the way playgroups can give people a profound sense of belonging, can change children’s lives for the better and which, above all else, emphasise fun and joy. She also reflects on the fact that because playgroups are so varied, there is really no such thing as typical “playgroup mum”. About Our Guest Naomi Jeffree has dedicated more than 20 years of her professional life to working with families. Today she is a facilitator, training coordinator, community leader and, most importantly, the proud mum of two boys. Read the story of a PlayConnect+ playgroup facilitated by Naomi.  Show Links Website: For the Love of Play Listen to all episodes: Buzzsprout Follow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcast Learn More About Playgroup Victoria Website: playgroup.org.au Instagram: @playgroupvicofficial Facebook: Playgroup Victoria LinkedIn: Playgroup Victoria Episode Credits Hosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday. Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday. Edited by Jonathan Rivett. Mastering by James North Productions. Music by Selina Byrne. And thanks to our little friends Toby and Adelaide for voicing the intro. Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family.   Support the show

Send a text"That’s a really powerful thing... for people to have almost an oasis from the chaos of their lives to come and spend time at a sports club.”   In Conversation with Paul Kennedy – Journalist, Author and TV Presenter Content Warning: this episode references child abuse. Please take care of yourself when listening and, if necessary, skip the interview between 39:10 and 42:00. While Paul is well known as the former ABC mornings sports reporter, his books and documentaries shed more light on who he is and what he cares about. In this episode we talk about his writing, his love of sport and his discovery of creativity as an outlet. The conversation also explores the importance of family and how community institutions like sporting clubs can connect us, providing support, purpose and sometimes even a sanctuary from the challenges of life. Paul talks about why role models matter, the importance of encouragement during childhood and how one person can have a profound influence on their community - and society at large. About Our Guest A promising footballer in his youth, Paul pursued his love of sport and writing to become a journalist, eventually spending more than a decade as ABC TV’s morning sport reporter. His journalism has also taken the form of books and documentaries, and his beautifully honest memoir, Funkytown, is a rite-of-passage story, focusing on his teenage years in the Melbourne suburb of Seaford.  Read Paul’s bio on the ABC website.  Read Paul’s Penguin Books profile.  Show Links Website: For the Love of Play Listen to all episodes: Buzzsprout Follow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcast Learn More About Playgroup Victoria Website: playgroup.org.au Instagram: @playgroupvicofficial Facebook: Playgroup Victoria LinkedIn: Playgroup Victoria Episode Credits Hosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday. Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday. Edited by Jonathan Rivett. Mastering by James North Productions. Music by Selina Byrne. And thanks to our little friends Toby and Adelaide for voicing the intro. Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family.  Support the show

Send a text"Play is the most important learning vehicle of life..."  In Conversation with Emma Watkins – Children’s Entertainer, Singer, Dancer and AuthorIn this episode, we speak with beloved children’s entertainer, Emma Watkins, better known as the Yellow Wiggle and Emma Memma.We discuss play as a vehicle for early learning and talk in depth about Emma’s passion for visual communication and her endeavour to create interactive spaces that connect us through dance, movement and Auslan. We ask Emma about her experience with the Wiggles and her love of performance, but we also learn more about her life outside her characters and costumes.A quick heads up: We recorded this interview over Zoom, and you'll notice the audio has a few minor blips.About Our GuestEmma Watkins, who rose to international stardom as the Yellow Wiggle, is a dancer, filmmaker and a passionate Auslan advocate. Her work and performances shine a light on accessibility in visual communicative. www.emmawatkins.comwww.emmamemma.comView Emma Memma’s YouTube channel.Show LinksWebsite: For the Love of PlayListen to all episodes: BuzzsproutFollow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcastLearn More About Playgroup VictoriaWebsite: playgroup.org.auInstagram: @playgroupvicofficialFacebook: Playgroup VictoriaLinkedIn: Playgroup VictoriaEpisode CreditsHosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday.Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday.Edited by Jonathan Rivett.Mastering by James North Productions.Music by Selina Byrne.And thanks to our little friends Toby and Adelaide for voicing the intro.Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family.   Support the show

Send a text"We are all craving connection. We are all hungry for it. And I think that we’ve been desensitised to the value of it."  In Conversation with Alice Zaslavsky – Author, Cook, TV and Radio Personality  In this episode of For the Love of Play, we speak with author, chef, teacher, TV and radio personality, Alice Zaslavsky. Our conversation explores the innate human need for connection, cooking as a form of play and food as a celebration of culture. We talk about Alice’s childhood and how her Georgian heritage, as well as her childhood spent in the Soviet Union, has shaped her - and her zest for life! About Our Guest When you think of cooking, colour and contagious enthusiasm - Alice Zaslavsky is one of the first people who springs to mind! Her vibrant cookbooks light up the shelves of bookshops across the country, and she is a warm, familiar presence on ABC radio and television.  www.alicezaslavsky.com Phenomenom Listen to Alice’s conversation with Dr Flavia Fayet-Moore  Show Links Website: For the Love of Play Listen to all episodes: Buzzsprout Follow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcast Learn More About Playgroup Victoria Website: playgroup.org.au Instagram: @playgroupvicofficial Facebook: Playgroup Victoria LinkedIn: Playgroup Victoria Episode Credits Hosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday. Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday. Edited by Jonathan Rivett. Mastering by James North Productions. Music by Selina Byrne. And thanks to our little friends Toby and Adelaide for voicing the intro. Enjoyed This Episode? Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family.   Support the show

Send a text"Everything that’s good about human beings came from playfulness..."In Conversation with Steve Biddulph – Psychologist and Top-Selling AuthorIn our very first episode of For the Love of Play, we sit down with world-renowned psychologist, educator and best-selling author Steve Biddulph for a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation.Steve has spent his adult life helping families thrive, and his books on raising children - including Raising Boys and Raising Girls - have been embraced across the globe. In this wide-ranging discussion, we explore what it means to be human - and how kindness, a sense of belonging and joyful interactions shape our wellbeing from the earliest years. Steve shares powerful perspectives on parenthood, the preciousness of early childhood and how play has changed lives - and the world - for the better. About Our GuestSteve Biddulph is a psychologist, educator and one of the world’s best-selling parenting authors. His work - including books, workshops and talks that champion compassion, empathy and playful connection - has touched millions of families.www.stevebiddulph.comJoin the Raising Girls Facebook community HERE Join the Raising Boys Facebook community HEREShow LinksWebsite: For the Love of PlayListen to all episodes: BuzzsproutFollow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcastLearn More About Playgroup VictoriaWebsite: playgroup.org.auInstagram: @playgroupvicofficialFacebook: Playgroup VictoriaLinkedIn: Playgroup VictoriaEpisode CreditsHosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday.Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday.Edited by Jonathan Rivett.Mastering by James North Productions.Music by Selina Byrne.And thanks to our little friends Toby and Adelaide for voicing the intro.Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with friends and family. Support the show

Send a textFor the Love of Play is a podcast by Playgroup Victoria. In this series, we explore childhood, community, family and belonging... and play of course, in its many wonderful forms.  In this intro episode, we give listeners a glimpse at what you can expect from the first season. Support the show