The Play Base

In this deeply personal team episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances Fishman sits down with five members of The Play Base senior team: Jennifer Leonard, Danielle Goodman, Katrina Abutog-Manon, Wendy Dominguez, and Diana Puentes.What begins as a conversation about how each clinician found the field of behavior analysis becomes an honest exploration of what it truly means to support children, families, educators, and therapists with compassion.The team shares the personal experiences that shaped their work, including sibling loss, motherhood, raising neurodivergent children, working within schools, supporting overwhelmed families, and witnessing approaches that focused more on compliance than connection. They reflect on why The Play Base feels different and why meaningful care must begin with seeing the whole person—not simply observing and changing behavior.Together, Frances and the team discuss the nervous system, co-regulation, intuition, empathy, energy, family dynamics, and the powerful relationship between a clinician, a child, and the adults surrounding them. They also speak openly about the emotional weight parents carry, the vital role of RBTs, and why clinicians must care for the entire village supporting a child.This episode explores:How each senior team member found her way into behavior analysisThe personal experiences that shaped them as cliniciansWhy ABA should never be about “fixing” or changing who a child isThe importance of connection, trust, play, and emotional safetyNervous system regulation and co-regulationSupporting parents without judgment or shameThe unique challenges faced by parents of neurodivergent childrenHow behavior support can extend beyond autism and into schools, homes, and communitiesThe essential partnership between BCBAs, RBTs, educators, caregivers, and familiesWhy empathy and intuition are meaningful clinical giftsThe reciprocal healing that can occur between clinicians and the children they serveCreating independence while preserving a child’s individuality, joy, and sense of selfThe responsibility clinicians carry in shaping how children see and speak to themselvesAt the heart of the conversation is a shared belief: children do not need to be repaired, controlled, or transformed into someone more convenient for the world around them.They need to be understood.They need adults who recognize their communication, honor their nervous systems, build on their strengths, and give them tools that allow them to move through the world with greater confidence, autonomy, and self-love.This episode is for parents, educators, RBTs, BCBAs, therapists, caregivers, and anyone who believes support should feel compassionate, collaborative, and deeply human.Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this special solo episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances Fishman shares the heart behind her work, the story behind The Play Base, and the mission that continues to guide her every day.Frances reflects on her journey into ABA, the children who changed her life, and how play became the foundation for connection, learning, and healing. She speaks openly about the challenges within the field of ABA, why she believes it needs more than a facelift—it needs a complete transformation—and how compassion, nervous system awareness, trauma-informed care, and unconditional acceptance have shaped her approach.She also shares the deeply personal story of starting The Play Base, building a business from the ground up, balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, and the lessons she’s learned through both. Throughout the episode, Frances answers questions from listeners about her career, parenting, leadership, business, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.In this episode, you’ll hear about:How Frances found her path into ABAThe children who shaped her life and careerWhy she believes no one needs “fixing”The future of compassionate, play-based ABAThe inspiration behind The Play BaseEntrepreneurship, purpose, and leading with authenticityMotherhood, balance, and showing up for yourself firstWorking collaboratively with families and professionalsThe importance of curiosity, connection, and seeing the human before the behaviorWhether you’re a parent, educator, clinician, or someone on your own healing journey, this episode is an invitation to rethink behavior through the lens of compassion, connection, and humanity.Connect with The Play Base 🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances sits down with Bekka Goldberg—educator, college counselor, mom, creative entrepreneur, and founder of Blade & Stitch.After first connecting through the South Florida hockey community, Frances and Bekka quickly bonded over their shared passion for child development, education, creativity, and helping young people discover environments where they can truly thrive.Bekka shares her unexpected journey from aspiring Broadway performer to theater student, student affairs professional, college counselor, boarding school educator, and eventually entrepreneur. Along the way, she discovered that life's greatest opportunities often come through unexpected redirection.Together, Frances and Bekka explore how children flourish when they feel seen, valued, and loved—not because of what they achieve, but because of who they are. They discuss why education is never one-size-fits-all, the importance of trusting parental intuition, and how resilience grows when children are allowed to navigate healthy challenges with support instead of having every obstacle removed.In this episode, you'll learn about:Bekka's journey from theater to education and entrepreneurshipThe value of arts, athletics, and creative expressionCollege counseling and navigating the emotional college admissions processWhy rejection can become redirectionSchool choice and finding the right fit for each childSupporting children without over-functioning for themBuilding resilience through healthy struggleWhy every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and lovedKey TakeawaysThere is no perfect school—only the right fit for your child.Parents know their children better than anyone and should trust that intuition.Healthy challenges help children develop confidence, independence, and resilience.Redirection often leads to opportunities we never expected.Whether through academics, sports, or the arts, children thrive when adults genuinely see and support them.Throughout the conversation, Bekka reflects on her work with college students, boarding school communities, artists, athletes, and families, showing that while every child has different passions, their deepest needs remain the same: to belong, to be understood, and to know they are valued.This episode is a thoughtful reminder that parenting isn't about creating the perfect path—it's about helping children discover their own while providing the encouragement, connection, and trust they need along the way.Connect with Bekka Goldberg🌐 Website: https://www.bladeandstitch.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blade.and.stitch/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bekkagoldberg/Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this episode, Frances sits down with Dr. Ally Durrieu, owner of Nature Nurture Chiropractic, for an eye-opening conversation about chiropractic care through a neurological and nervous-system-based lens.Dr. Ally specializes in supporting children and adults with neurodiverse needs, sensory challenges, nervous system dysregulation, and stress-related concerns. Through her work with the PX Docs (Pediatric Experience) network, she helps families understand what may be happening beneath the surface when a child struggles with emotional regulation, sensory sensitivities, digestion, sleep, focus, or behavior.What You'll LearnDr. Ally explains that stress isn't just emotional — it falls into three categories: chemical (nutrition, toxins, food sensitivities), physical (injury, posture, movement), and emotional (relationships, parenting, work). Rather than eliminating stress, her goal is helping the nervous system adapt to it more effectively.She also walks through the three scans she uses to assess nervous system function:Heart Rate Variability (HRV) — measures stress adaptation and the ability to shift between fight-or-flight and rest-and-digest statesSurface EMG — evaluates how much energy the brain is sending to muscles, identifying tension, overload, and compensation patternsThermography — assesses skin temperature to reveal inflammation, blood flow, and nervous system interferenceFrances shares her own experience undergoing this assessment and reflects on how the results aligned with lifestyle changes she'd recently made.Behavior Is CommunicationA standout moment in the conversation centers on neurodiverse children. Dr. Ally explains how understanding a child's internal nervous system state — whether they're overactivated or running on empty — allows caregivers and professionals to respond with greater empathy and effectiveness. When we understand the physiology, the behavior makes more sense.The episode also touches on how nervous system function can influence digestion, immune health, allergies, sleep, and respiratory function — and why treating symptoms in isolation often misses the bigger picture.Trust Your GutDr. Ally closes with a powerful reminder for parents: trust your instincts. If something feels off with your child, that inner knowing is worth listening to. And for caregivers of all kinds — you cannot pour from an empty cup. Your well-being is the foundation for everything else.Connect with Dr. Ally Durrieu 🌐 naturenurturechiropractic.com 📸 @nature.nurture.chiropractic 🔍 Find a PX Docs provider: pxdocs.comConnect with The Play Base 🌐 us.theplaybase.com 📸 @theplaybase 🎥 YouTube: @theplaybase

The Playbase Podcast | Episode with Liat Horovitz, Results Coach & Retreat FacilitatorFrances sits down with Liat Horovitz, a results coach, retreat facilitator, and creator of transformational spaces for women, entrepreneurs, and leaders standing on the edge of change.Frances and Liat reflect on their first meeting, the impact of coaching, and the kind of deep connection that helps someone see themselves more clearly. Together, they explore what it means to feel stuck, how to listen to the quiet whispers within, and why the next step is often not about forcing an answer — but about leaning in.This conversation touches on motherhood, business, burnout, vulnerability, self-awareness, control, and the courage it takes to make big life decisions before all the answers are clear.In this episode, Frances and Liat discuss:Liat's work as a results coach and the difference between coaching and consultingWhy so many people look outside themselves for answers — and how coaching helps uncover the answers already withinThe moment Liat helped Frances recognize the weight she had been carryingMotherhood, business ownership, and the invisible pressure women often carryThe difference between self-care as performance and self-care as true nourishmentHow burnout shows up when we ignore our needsControl as a defense mechanism — and the power of loosening our gripHow breathwork supports nervous system regulationFrances' move from Toronto to Florida and how coaching supported her through fear and transitionThe power of women's retreats and in-person connection, including Liat's Revival event in Boca RatonWhy vulnerability is a doorway to transformationLiat's belief that we are one connection away from something bigAbout Liat Horovitz Liat Horovitz is a results coach who helps people move through uncertainty, reconnect to themselves, and take aligned action in their personal and professional lives. Through coaching, retreats, and transformational events like Revival, she supports women, entrepreneurs, and leaders in clarifying what they want, identifying what's holding them back, and stepping into the next version of themselves.Reflection from Liat You are one connection away from something big. Open yourself to new conversations, new relationships, and new spaces — there can be magic on the other side of allowing it in.Connect with Liat Horovitz 🌐 liathorovitz.com 📸 @liathorovitzConnect with The Play Base 🌐 us.theplaybase.com 📸 @theplaybase 🎥 YouTube: @theplaybase

In this inspiring episode, Frances sits down with Jasmine Eingen, founder of Mentorio, a mentorship and personal development brand supporting children's confidence, emotional growth, and mental fitness.Jasmine joins from London to share how Mentorio began in Toronto and has grown into a global vision. Through after-school programs, school partnerships, one-to-one mentorship, peer mentorship, and an upcoming virtual membership platform, Mentorio helps children identify their strengths, build confidence, regulate their emotions, and feel deeply seen.Together, Frances and Jasmine explore the power of mentorship, the beauty of peer connection, and why children often receive guidance differently from mentors than from parents or teachers. This conversation is a reminder that every child deserves someone who sees their light, names their strengths, and helps them believe in themselves.In this episode, they discuss:How Mentorio supports children's mental fitness and personal developmentWhy mentorship can be so powerful for childrenThe difference between hearing advice from a parent vs. a mentorHow peer mentorship helps both the mentor and the mentee growHelping children identify and name their personal giftsConfidence as a foundation for resilience and courageHow Mentorio creates safe spaces for children to feel seen and heardWhy quality screen time can be meaningful when it fosters connection and growthMentorio's future plans for global access and in-person pop-up eventsJasmine's journey from Toronto to London and what motherhood and business ownership have taught herAbout MentorioMentorio is a mentorship and personal development brand designed to support children's confidence, emotional growth, mental fitness, and sense of self. Founded by Jasmine Eingen, Mentorio helps children discover their strengths, build confidence, develop emotional tools, and connect with inspiring mentors who act as guides, cheerleaders, and role models. The program is now expanding globally through a virtual membership platform where children can connect with mentors from around the world in small group settings.Reflection Question from Jasmine Think about the confidence you have today. What has that confidence helped you achieve? What feeds your confidence, and how can you share those gifts with the world?Connect with Jasmine & Mentorio 🌐 https://www.mentorio.org/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/mentorio.learning/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/j.etingen/Connect with The Play Base 🌐 www.us.theplaybase.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this deeply honest and empowering conversation, Frances sits down with occupational therapist Dr. Fay Gersh to explore motherhood, burnout, intimacy, self-love, boundaries, nervous system regulation, and what it truly means to live in alignment.From immigrating between countries and building careers while raising children to navigating burnout in helping professions, Frances and Dr. Fay unpack the realities many women silently carry while caring for everyone around them.Dr. Fay shares her journey from business and real estate into occupational therapy and her evolution from pediatric OT into women's wellness, pelvic floor health, mental health support, and intimacy coaching. Together, they discuss why self-care is not a luxury, why boundaries are essential, and how reconnecting with ourselves allows us to show up more fully in every relationship we have.As co-founder of Her Next Pivot, Dr. Fay helps women rediscover alignment, purpose, confidence, and fulfillment through life's personal and professional transitions. This work has become one of her greatest passions, empowering women to reconnect with themselves and create lives that feel authentic and sustainable.This episode is a powerful reminder that intimacy begins with the relationship we cultivate with ourselves.Show NotesIn this episode, Frances and Dr. Fay discuss:• Dr. Fay's journey from business and real estate into occupational therapy• Immigration, motherhood, and building a life between Toronto and South Florida• Burnout in caregiving and helping professions• The emotional weight many mothers silently carry• Transitioning from pediatric occupational therapy to supporting women more holistically• Her work as co-founder of Her Next Pivot and helping women navigate life transitions• Pelvic floor dysfunction, postpartum wellness, and normalizing women's health conversations• The role of movement, Pilates, and mindfulness in healing and regulation• The meaning behind "Intima OT" and why intimacy starts with self-connection• Self-love, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healthy boundaries• Cultural and generational conditioning that makes it difficult for women to prioritize themselves• Burnout, nervous system overload, and learning to listen to your body's signals• The healing power of nature, movement, sensory grounding, and mindfulness• Parenting with boundaries while still allowing children to develop their own voice• Helping children build resilience, self-awareness, and internal discernment• The difference between abundance and entitlement• Why experiences and connection matter more than perfection• Letting go of hustle culture, multitasking, and unrealistic expectations of balance• The importance of delegation, prioritization, authenticity, and alignmentKey TakeawayYou cannot pour endlessly into others while abandoning yourself. The relationship you have with yourself shapes every relationship in your life.Reflection from Dr. Fay"Intimacy begins with yourself. When you cultivate closeness, awareness, boundaries, and love within yourself, you create the foundation for deeper relationships with others."Connect with Dr. Fay Gersh and Her Next PivotWebsite: https://hernextpivot.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hernextpivot/Connect with The Play BaseWebsite: www.us.theplaybase.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this episode of The Playbase Podcast, Frances sits down with Paulette Cormier to explore the powerful connection between the body, the brain, reflex integration, movement, hearing, regulation, and learning.Paulette shares her journey from teacher and mother to practitioner, beginning with her search for support for her own son’s learning challenges. That path led her to Relationship Development Intervention, MNRI, developmental movement, and auditory integration training.Together, Frances and Paulette discuss why development is not just about academics, why primitive reflexes matter, how tummy time supports future learning, and why some children may struggle when foundational body-based systems are not fully integrated.This conversation is an eye-opening reminder that when a child is struggling socially, behaviorally, academically, or physically, we have to look beneath the surface. Before we build higher-level skills, we need to understand the foundation.Show NotesIn this episode, Frances and Paulette discuss:Paulette’s journey as a teacher, mother, and practitionerHow her son’s learning challenges led her to alternative therapiesRelationship Development Intervention, also known as RDIThe importance of the parent-child relationship in learningWhy development happens through connection, guidance, and trustWhat MNRI is and how Paulette discovered itPrimitive reflexes and why they matterHow reflexes support early movement, learning, regulation, and developmentWhy babies need tummy timeThe connection between neck strength, core strength, and later skillsHow reflexes can impact speech, writing, movement, balance, vision, and behaviorThe importance of developmental movementWhy some children are uncomfortable in their bodiesHow reflex integration can support children with autism, learning challenges, sensory needs, and regulation difficultiesWhy early intervention mattersHow older children and teens can still benefit from reflex integrationThe connection between vision, movement, and reflexesWhy some children may struggle with vision therapy before their bodies are readyAuditory Integration Training and sound sensitivitiesWhy some children experience sound as physically overwhelmingThe impact of COVID on children’s tolerance, regulation, and sensory systemsWhy therapy should meet the child where they are developmentallyHow to know whether a child needs foundational support before higher-level therapiesKey TakeawayWhen a child is struggling, we have to ask where the gap began. Sometimes the most meaningful support does not start with academics, behavior plans, or skill drills. Sometimes it starts with the body.Reflection from PauletteIf your child is struggling, think about building a house. If there is a crack in the foundation, you would not start by putting new shingles on the roof. You would go back and repair the foundation first.Closing ThoughtBefore we ask children to build higher-level skills, we need to make sure their foundation is strong enough to support them.Connect with Paulette Cormier🌐 Website: https://paulette-cormier.squarespace.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowconnectionstherapies/Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this heart-centered episode of The Playbase Podcast, Frances sits down with Thabatta Mizrahi, educator, consultant, university lecturer, and strategic educational partnership builder.Thabatta shares how growing up as the oldest sibling in an immigrant family, with two siblings with different special needs, shaped the way she sees the world. Rather than seeing people through labels or limitations, she was raised to see a spectrum of abilities, strengths, and gifts.Frances and Thabatta explore what it means to educate all learners, why relationship is the foundation of learning, and how inclusion has evolved over time. They speak deeply about strength-based education, the responsibility teachers carry, and the beauty of seeing every child as a whole human being, not a problem to be fixed.This episode is a powerful reminder that education does not only happen inside a classroom. Every relationship is an opportunity to teach, learn, connect, and see one another more fully.Show NotesIn this episode, Frances and Thabatta discuss:Thabatta’s work at the University of MiamiTeaching future educators how to differentiate instructionWhat it means to meet the needs of all learnersBuilding partnerships between universities, schools, nonprofits, museums, and community organizationsThabatta’s consulting work with schools, parents, and childrenWhy she never wanted to choose only one group to serveGrowing up as the oldest child in an immigrant familyHow her siblings shaped her lens on education and humanityThe difference between visible and invisible disabilitiesWhy labels can limit the way we see peopleThe evolution of inclusion, mainstreaming, and special educationWhy all educators need tools from both general and special educationThe importance of strength-based teachingWhy children are not problems to be fixedHow educators can see the individuality of every studentThe role of connection, trust, and relationship in learningHow teachers can become vessels for information, inspiration, and possibilityThe power of being seen, heard, and understoodWhy we are all educators, even outside formal classroomsReflection Question from ThabattaIf all the world is a classroom, how are you navigating your responsibility as an educator in your relationships, your family, your work, and your community?Closing ThoughtYou do not have to be a teacher to be an educator. Every interaction is an opportunity to model, teach, connect, and help someone feel seen.Connect with Thabatta Mizrahi🌐 Website: https://www.thabattasm.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thabattasm/Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this powerful episode of The Playbase Podcast, Frances sits down with Chris D’Angelo, a student leader, athlete, musician, and deeply inspiring young man whose story is a reminder that purpose can be found even in life’s hardest moments.Chris shares the story of tearing his ACL and meniscus during football season, an injury that took him off the lacrosse field and away from a major part of his identity. Instead of stepping back from his team, Chris found a new way to lead. Inspired by Notre Dame’s lacrosse bagpipe tradition, he committed to learning the bagpipes in just three and a half months so he could walk his St. Andrews lacrosse team onto the field.What began as a devastating injury became a story of grit, leadership, identity, and purpose.Frances and Chris also talk about what it means to be a true leader, the lessons team sports teach beyond the game, and how Chris’s older brother, Nick, who is autistic, has shaped the way Chris sees the world, understands compassion, and leads with heart.This episode is a beautiful reminder that leadership is not always about being the loudest, strongest, or most visible person on the field. Sometimes leadership is showing up in a new way when life changes the plan.Show NotesIn this episode, Frances and Chris explore:Chris’s ACL and meniscus injury during a district championship football gameThe emotional impact of being sidelined from football and lacrosseHow losing access to sports challenged Chris’s sense of identityThe moment his friend showed him Notre Dame’s bagpipe traditionWhy Chris decided to learn the bagpipes for his lacrosse teamThe discipline it took to practice through surgery, pain, and recoveryHow the bagpipes became a new way for Chris to serve and leadThe deeper meaning of leadership as putting the team before yourselfHow team sports teach grit, resilience, communication, and connectionThe role of purpose in moving through dark or difficult timesChris’s experience growing up with his brother Nick, who is autisticHow Nick’s joy, resilience, and perspective shaped Chris’s heartThe importance of seeing people for who they are, not how they appearWhy understanding creates compassionHow light can still be found at the end of a difficult tunnelReflection Question from ChrisIs it really that bad?Chris invites listeners to pause, gain perspective, count their blessings, and remember that even when something feels heavy, there may still be light, purpose, and possibility ahead.Closing ThoughtThere is always light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes you just have to find it, hold onto your purpose, and keep going.Connect with Chris D’Angelo📸 Instagram: Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this heartfelt and practical episode, Frances sits down with educator, creator, and content powerhouse Melissa Markus, known online as The Kindergarten Mom. A former dance friend turned inspiring voice for parents and teachers, Melissa shares how her platform began, what continues to drive her, and why the kindergarten years are some of the most important in a child’s development.Together, they explore the beauty and complexity of early childhood education, the power of movement and routine, the importance of advocating for children, and what it means to truly meet kids where they are. This conversation is filled with wisdom for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to better understand how young children learn, grow, and thrive.Show notesIn this episode of The Playbase, Frances reconnects with old friend Melissa Markus, educator, creator, and the voice behind The Kindergarten Mom.Melissa shares how her online platform was born out of a season of change, motherhood, and a deep desire to continue contributing meaningfully to families and children outside the classroom. What started as a way to share ideas and support others grew into a trusted space where parents and teachers can find practical resources, honest insight, and encouragement.Frances and Melissa dive into the early years of childhood development, why kindergarten matters so much, how movement supports learning, and what teachers are really balancing behind the scenes. They also talk about advocacy, communication between parents and educators, and how to support children without forcing them into a box.This episode is a beautiful reminder that children do not all learn the same way, and that when we slow down, observe, and respond with intention, we create space for them to thrive.In this episode, we talk about:How Melissa created The Kindergarten MomThe joy and challenges of being both a teacher and a momWhy the kindergarten years are so foundationalPlay based learning and the role of explicit instructionHow movement supports attention, regulation, and learningWhy calm corners and flexible classroom supports matterThe importance of parent teacher partnershipHow to advocate for your child respectfully and effectivelyLooking beyond behavior to understand what a child truly needsKey takeawaysKindergarten is not just babysitting. It is a deeply important stage of developmentMovement is not extra. It is often essential for learning and regulationChildren do better when they feel safe, supported, and understoodA child’s behavior is communication, not a character flawParents know their children deeply, and respectful advocacy mattersTeachers and parents work best when they see each other as teammatesThere is no one right way to learn, engage, or growMemorable themes from the episodeMeeting kids where they areNot every child learns, sits, processes, or participates in the same way, and that is okay.Regulate before you reactChildren need adults who can pause, zoom out, and respond with intention.Support over shameThe goal is never to force children into a mold, but to understand them and give them the tools they need to thrive.Connect with Melissa Markus📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenmom/Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances sits down with Dr. Ryan Seidman- licensed clinical psychologist, clinical director of The Children’s Center, and a true champion for collaborative care.Together, they unpack one of the biggest problems in child treatment today: support happening in isolated “bubbles.” Therapy in one place, school in another, behavior supports somewhere else, while parents are left trying to stitch it all together.Dr. Seidman shares why her clinic was built on a whole-family, team-based approach (therapy, psychiatry, behavioral services, and education services under one roof) and then drops the big news: a brand-new school model launching in the fall designed specifically for children who learn differently and need more support before transitioning into a traditional classroom setting.What you’ll hear in this episodeWhy therapy “in a bubble” limits progress and why teams matterWhat true collaborative care looks like across home, school, and clinicParental involvement: not “parent training,” but coaching + empowermentThe extra complexity of co-parenting/divorce and inconsistent environmentsWhy kids can behave completely differently across settings and what it meansThe hidden cost of waiting: how conditioning hardens patterns over timeEarly intervention, brain development, and why it’s easier to build skills earlierHow movement access (not a 1:1 aide) is sometimes the real “intervention”How to protect a child’s personality while still teaching boundaries and skillsThe big announcementDr. Seidman shares that The Children’s Center is opening three small classrooms (starting in the fall) for children who need more developmental and educational support in a setting that integrates:High-quality educationBehavioral-based servicesSpeech servicesOccupational therapySocial learning + enrichment (art, music, etc.)The model is intentionally small- max ~6 students per classroom, with the goal of supporting kids developmentally and emotionally so they can transition successfully into a traditional kindergarten or school setting when ready.Memorable moments and reframes“We can’t hand a child off to therapy and expect them to return to the same environment and magically respond differently.”Support = hands out while they learn balance. Not a label. Not a life sentence.Sometimes the child doesn’t need an RBT, they need movement access.The goal isn’t dependence. The goal is independence. (Therapy should help kids “graduate,” not stay forever.)Parents are the experts on their child. Clinicians bring tools, not judgment.The Children’s CenterAddress: 4600 Linton Blvd (east of Linton & Military)Services available:PsychiatryPsychologyBehavioral servicesEducation servicesPlus: new integrated classroom program launching in the fall (additional 5,000 sq ft)Closing reflection for listeners (Dr. Seidman’s question)“How can we best understand our child’s strengths and weaknesses, so we can set them up to be successful not just in school, but in friendships, activities, and home life?”A reminder that the goal isn’t forcing a child into a mold—it’s getting creative, meeting them where they are, and building the path that helps them thrive.Connect with Dr. Ryan Seidman🌐 Website: https://www.centerforanxietydisorders.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonstudioinc/?hl=enConnect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this deeply moving episode, Frances sits down with hockey coach Nikita Krivokrasov for a conversation that goes far beyond the ice. Together, they explore identity, resilience, failure, purpose, and what it truly means to impact others.Nikita shares his personal journey through the highs and lows of pursuing hockey at a high level, the emotional weight of unmet expectations, and the powerful shift that came from letting go of control and embracing the present moment. Through coaching, he has found not just a new path, but a deeper purpose—helping others believe in themselves, push through adversity, and grow into who they are meant to be.This episode is about more than sports. It is about being human, doing the inner work, and choosing to turn pain into purpose.Show notesWhat happens when the identity you’ve built your entire life around suddenly shifts?In this episode, Frances is joined by Nikita Krivokrasov, a hockey coach whose impact reaches far beyond the rink. What begins as a conversation about coaching quickly unfolds into a powerful discussion about identity, failure, healing, and purpose.Nikita opens up about his journey through competitive hockey, the internal battles he faced, and how working with young athletes helped him rediscover joy, presence, and meaning. Frances and Nikita explore what it means to lead with both strength and compassion, how to connect deeply with others, and why living in the present moment is one of the most powerful tools we have.This conversation is a reminder that sometimes the path we didn’t plan is the one that leads us exactly where we’re meant to be.In this episode, we talk about:The connection between coaching, behavior, and human developmentHow to truly connect with and understand peopleNavigating identity after a major life shift or setbackLetting go of control and learning to live in the presentThe role of failure, adversity, and emotional growthCoaching with both firmness and compassionThe importance of authenticity and leading by exampleHow energy, mindset, and belief impact performance and growthWhy being different is a strength, not a weaknessTurning pain into purpose and impactKey takeaways:You are not defined by your title, role, or outcome. Who you are goes deeper.Everything you experience can serve a purpose if you are willing to learn from it.Presence is power. Living in the moment allows you to grow, connect, and perform at your best.True leadership comes from authenticity, compassion, and integrity.Growth requires honesty with yourself and the willingness to keep going, even when the path is unclear.Memorable quotes:“I can’t believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself.”“It’s okay not to know—but it’s not okay not to try to figure it out.”“You only have this moment. Be present, learn, and keep going.”Connect with Nikita Krivokrasov📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krivo__25/📞 561-332-9465📧 [email protected] with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase📞561-463-8441

In this honest and empowering conversation, Frances sits down with Yael Samuel of Kid Quest Consulting to talk about ADHD, assessments, early intervention, and the emotional journey parents go through when trying to understand what their child needs. Yael shares her personal experience parenting identical twins with ADHD, why getting answers felt relieving rather than frightening, and how support becomes most powerful when it is individualized, collaborative, and rooted in compassion.Together, Frances and Yael explore why diagnoses do not define a child, why early support matters, and how parents can move from overwhelm to clarity one step at a time.Show Notes:What happens when a parent senses something is going on, but does not know where to begin?In this episode, Frances is joined by Yael for a heartfelt conversation about navigating diagnoses, understanding ADHD, finding the right services, and supporting the whole child rather than focusing only on a label. Yael shares her own journey as a parent of identical twins with ADHD and explains how assessment brought not fear, but clarity.This episode is a reminder that every child is different, every family needs a unique path, and asking for help is not weakness. It is wisdom.In this episode, we talk about:What it felt like to receive an ADHD diagnosis as a parentWhy an assessment can bring clarity, not fearThe difference between a label and truly understanding a childWhy identical twins can still present very differentlyThe importance of emotional regulation, maturity, and impulsivityHow to break overwhelming recommendations into manageable next stepsWhy early intervention mattersHow parents can trust their intuition while also seeking guidanceThe value of individualized therapy and meeting each child where they areWhy children are never defined by their strugglesKey takeaways:A diagnosis does not define a child. It provides information that can help guide support.Every child experiences the world differently, even siblings with the same diagnosis.Parents often know when something feels off, and that intuition matters.The goal is not perfection. The goal is helping children build tools, confidence, and independence.Asking for help is not something to fear. It is often the first step toward relief and clarity.Memorable quote:“Your child’s struggles are not their definition. There is no such thing as a bad kid.”Connect with Yael Samuel and Kid Quest Consulting🌐 Website: https://www.kidquestconsulting.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidquestconsulting/Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this deeply human, soul-stirring episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances sits down with Revital (Rev) Anava- a gifted designer, a grounded truth-teller, and one of those rare people who feels like home the moment you meet them.What begins as a “how have we never met?” story becomes something much bigger: a conversation about divine timing, intuition, identity, healing, and the quiet power of being fully yourself. Frances and Rev explore what it means to live beyond conditioning—beyond perfectionism, fear, and the roles we’ve been assigned and how real growth often arrives through the very moments that feel like getting “punched in the gut.”Rev shares pieces of her journey as a builder and designer, navigating major transitions, losing trust, rebuilding from scratch, and living through a literal home rebuild after black mold turned life upside down. Frances ties it back to what she knows best: the nervous system, regulation, resilience, and the way our inner world shapes every experience we have.This episode is funny, raw, spiritual, and practical all at once, full of metaphors you’ll carry with you (the empty boat, the oak tree, the moon, the caterpillar to butterfly) and reflections that feel like a mirror.In this episode, you’ll hear about:The unexplainable feeling of meeting someone who feels like a sisterDivine timing, soul recognition, and “nothing is by accident” momentsRebuilding a life after betrayal, business stress, and major transitionsThe difference between self-regulation and dissociationWhy we bargain with fear instead of listening to intuitionHolding space for others without carrying their painThe ripple effect of kindness and being fully human in a numb worldWhy life is never “either/or” it’s the gray, the yin/yang, the whole selfHow parenting mirrors our healing and why our kids have their own path to live throughClosing question (Rev’s mic-drop):Rev leaves listeners with a powerful invitation:“If I asked you who you are, but you couldn’t use your job, your upbringing, your nationality, your religion, or any label, who would you be?”A reminder that beneath everything we’ve been taught to identify with… there’s still you.Connect with Revital Anava🌐 Website: https://www.bonstudioinc.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonstudioinc/?hl=enConnect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances sits down with Marina Aronin, a powerhouse speech-language pathologist and practice owner who brings a whole-child, root-cause approach to therapy.Marina shares how her work goes far beyond “speech sounds” and into the real-life foundations that impact communication and behavior: sleep quality, mouth breathing, nutrition, food intolerances, screen time, stress, emotional regulation, and family routines. With a background in psychology and additional training as a functional nutritional counselor, Marina explains how small shifts—like a short elimination trial for dairy, building healthier routines, or teaching kids diaphragmatic breathing—can create meaningful changes not only in speech, but also in attention, regulation, and overall wellbeing.Frances and Marina also dive into the bigger parenting topics many families wrestle with today: technology boundaries, food overwhelm, guilt/shame, and how to create structure without losing compassion. This is a grounded, practical conversation for parents, educators, and clinicians who want to support children in a way that’s both evidence-informed and deeply human.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why Marina believes therapy should address the whole child, not just one skill areaThe connection between food sensitivities (like dairy), mucus/voice quality, and throat clearingHow Marina supports selective eating with systematic desensitization (smell → touch → taste → expand)The impact of screen time on attention, patience, and social communicationRegulation tools Marina uses in sessions: breathwork, movement, yoga, and sensory supportsParent coaching, boundaries, and why “structure” is often the missing ingredientBaby steps families can start today without getting overwhelmedClosing reflection:Marina leaves listeners with a powerful New Year prompt:“What is your resolution—and what will you give back to the world?”Connect with Marina and Roots To Rise🌐 Website: https://roots2risetherapy.com/📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/roots2risetherapy/Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this episode of The Playbase Podcast, Frances sits down with longtime friend and educator Joy Badler—a passionate advocate for children (especially within the ADHD community) who has spent years building what many schools are only now realizing kids desperately need: regulation skills before academics.Joy shares the work she’s been developing for over a decade—an approach that blends mindfulness, social-emotional literacy, movement, breathwork, and resilient skill-building to help children understand their brains, regain control of their nervous systems, and navigate life with more steadiness and confidence. Frances and Joy also reflect on why the science is finally catching up to what many educators and therapists have felt for years: when the nervous system is dysregulated, learning can’t land.You’ll also hear about Joy’s school-based “regulation room” concept (a supervised space that includes movement, games, creativity, and connection), why it should never be used as a reward or punishment, and how movement can unlock expression for kids who struggle with traditional writing or classroom demands. Together, they explore the bigger parenting and education conversation around resilience—how it’s built, how it’s lost, and how we can help kids “fail forward” without rescuing them from every discomfort.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why Joy believes regulation must come before academicsWhat “mindful neuroplasticity” looks like in real classroomsHow breathwork, movement, and mindfulness become tools kids can use anywhereThe difference between a movement break that helps vs. one that escalatesA school “hangout/regulation room” that supports both high-energy and low-energy needsWhy removing recess, sports, or movement as punishment often backfiresStrength-based school culture: Joy’s Kindness Ambassadors programThe resilience gap: why some kids fear discomfort—and how to rebuild that muscleThe tension every parent feels: protecting kids vs. letting them grow through hard momentsClosing reflection:Joy leaves listeners with a powerful reminder:“No mud, no lotus.”Sometimes growth requires discomfort—because the lotus only blooms after the mud.Connect with Joy Badler📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/getitdonewithjoy/Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this episode, Frances sits down with Dana Weiss, an incredible Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who recently made the transition from New York City to South Florida and quickly realized: the pace, the culture, and the clinical landscape are a whole different world.Dana shares what it was like training and working across Manhattan and the Bronx in a large, cohesive clinic model… then moving to Florida, where many roles are independent and pay-per-client, which ultimately pushed her to take a brave leap: starting her own private practice.Together, Frances and Dana explore what it really means to be both a clinician and a business owner, how to separate your identity from your work, how to build confidence when you don’t have a supervisor to “phone a friend,” and how life (and nature!) can regulate your nervous system when everything feels like it’s crumbling.They also dive deep into the heart of Dana’s clinical philosophy: connection comes before progress.Because if a child doesn’t feel safe, regulated, and comfortable, learning can’t land.In this episode, you’ll hear about:The difference between New York’s clinic culture and Florida’s more independent modelWhy starting your own practice can be terrifying… and wildly empoweringWhat it’s like to be “the one” responsible for clinical decisions, creativity, and outcomesThe importance of not taking your work home emotionally (and why so many clinicians struggle with it)The “Wild West” reality of South Florida therapy and how integrity stands outDana’s approach: meeting the child where they are (even during a screener)Why play isn’t “not therapy” it’s the foundation of therapyA powerful conversation about assent, consent, and making therapy something kids want to joinIntrinsic motivation vs. extrinsic rewards and why internal pride creates real carryoverWhat speech therapy really includes (it’s so much more than sounds!):AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication)expressive + receptive languagecomprehension + classroom impactexecutive functioning + regulationWhy OT + Speech + ABA collaboration changes everything for kids and familiesHow Florida helped Dana slow down, reflect more, and grow her confidence personally and professionallyMoment to rememberDana describes building motivation from the inside out so kids leave sessions feeling:“I did it.”And Frances reflects on how that pride is one of the most powerful reinforcers there is.What Dana wants parents to sit withYou are doing great.If your child is receiving services like speech, OT, ABA, anything- take a breath and give yourself credit. You’re doing everything you can… and it will unfold the way it’s meant to.Connect with Dana Weiss🌐 Website: https://www.bocaspeechsolutions.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bocaspeechsolutions/Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this episode of The Play Base Podcast, host Frances Fishman is joined by Lauren Henry, a sensory design consultant whose work challenges how we think about interior design, regulation, and well-being. What begins as a conversation about “sensory rooms” quickly expands into a deeper exploration of how color, lighting, sound, scent, texture, and space directly impact the nervous system, often without us realizing it.Lauren explains how sensory design goes far beyond aesthetics, helping individuals, families, and communities create environments that actively support focus, regulation, sleep, productivity, and emotional safety. From children with autism and ADHD to adults with trauma, PTSD, or chronic stress, this episode reveals how our environments can either dysregulate us, or help us heal.A powerful conversation for parents, educators, clinicians, designers, and anyone curious about why certain spaces feel calming, overwhelming, or “off,” and how small, intentional changes can make a profound difference.Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybaseConnect with Lauren Henry🌐 Website: https://laurenhenrysensorydesign.com/

In this heartfelt episode of The Play Base, Frances is joined by her middle child and sweet “angel boy,” Coby Fishman - an eight-year-old who lives and breathes sports (especially hockey).Coby shares what he loves most about the game - the speed, intensity, and the joy of scoring, but also opens up about the part that makes it harder: when his family can’t make it to his games. From there, the conversation becomes something deeper: confidence, perseverance, self-control, and what it takes to stay grounded when life (or the ice) gets tough.Together, Frances and Coby explore:What hockey teaches kids about strength, resilience, and standing up for themselvesThe difference between playing “for the puck” versus “for the body”  and why sportsmanship mattersHow Coby “clicks in” and hyper-focuses when things get intenseWhat happens when stress hits (fight/flight/freeze) and how Coby works through itProtecting teammates, loyalty, and having a big heart in a competitive sportThe quiet confidence that comes from not giving up when things are hardWhy self-control is a superpower at home, at school, and on the iceCoby also shares something incredibly powerful: how focusing on the next right move helps him tune out the noise and how letting stress take over can make your body feel like it’s “driving the car.”Before the episode ends, Coby leaves listeners with an important question to reflect on:“What do you think you should do when your body starts to take control of you?”And in a tender, tearful moment, Coby asks Frances two beautiful questions that every parent will feel in their chest:“Do you think it’s fun working with the kids you work with?”“Do you like being a parent?”This episode is a reminder that kids often understand far more than we realize  and that emotional regulation, empathy, and strength can exist in the same heart.Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this deeply heartfelt and gentle episode of The Play Base, Frances is joined by her youngest daughter, Jojo (Jordyn), a seven-year-old old soul with a powerful heart and an extraordinary capacity for kindness.What unfolds is a slow, meaningful conversation about love, bravery, emotions, mistakes, friendship, and trust. Jojo shares what makes her feel calm, what her perfect day would look like, what it’s like to be the youngest in the family, and why kindness matters more than anything else.Together, mother and daughter reflect on:What it means to be kind  and why kindness is a true superpowerFacing fear and choosing bravery (even when it’s scary)Making mistakes and believing you can do better next timeFriendship, trust, and how we know who feels safeBig feelings in little bodiesThe beauty of being perfectly imperfectThis episode gently explores emotional awareness, empathy, self-reflection, and resilience  all through the honest and thoughtful lens of a child. Jojo’s questions, insights, and quiet wisdom serve as a reminder that sometimes the most profound truths come from the smallest voices.✨ A must-listen for parents, educators, therapists, and anyone who wants to reconnect with what really matters.Before signing off, Jojo leaves listeners with a powerful question to sit with:“How many friends do you have and how do you know you can trust them?”💛 This episode is a love letter to gentleness, connection, and leading with your heart.Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this incredibly special birthday episode of The Play Base, Frances is joined by her firstborn daughter, Chloe Fishman, for a heartfelt, funny, and deeply insightful conversation that only a child could lead.Chloe shares her many passions, from baking, comedy, music, dance, theater, and art, to making friends and (lovingly) annoying her siblings. She talks about finding her voice on stage, overcoming fear in auditions, learning to persevere through big transitions, and what it was really like moving to a new country at a tender age.This episode is filled with laughter, original jokes, imaginative ideas (including a reimagined Pokémon game), and powerful reflections on empathy, creativity, and emotional awareness. Chloe opens up about being an empath, connecting deeply with animals, sensing others’ emotions, and how that can feel both like a gift and a challenge.Frances reflects on watching her daughter grow into herself - a beam of light, a “sunshine girl,” and a child whose courage, compassion, and curiosity leave a lasting impact on everyone she meets.✨ This episode is a celebration of:Perseverance and growthCreativity and imaginationEmotional intelligence and empathyFinding your voice, even when it feels scaryHonoring what makes you uniquely youWhether you’re a parent, an educator, a therapist, or someone who simply loves hearing the world through a child’s lens, this episode will leave you smiling and maybe tearing up just a little.🎂 Happy Birthday, Chloe. Thank you for sharing your light with us.Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

Frances Fishman sits down with Laura Waldorf Reiss, founder of Kindness Matters, to explore how kindness, emotional awareness, and nervous system regulation can reshape the way we parent, lead, and live. Laura shares how Kindness Matters began, how the programming evolved, and why the work must be consistent and repeated to create lasting impact.This episode is an invitation to see emotions as signals, build tools for regulation, and practice kindness intentionally, toward ourselves and others.In this episode, we cover:How Kindness Matters was bornWhy the nervous system is at the center of behavior and connectionNaming emotions and choosing tools like reframing, grounding, and communicationWhy children respond so powerfully to emotional educationThe ripple effect of kindness and the impact we cannot always seePartnering with others to expand a mission beyond one personFind Kindness Matters:Kindness Matters 365 dot org (KM365 dot org)Note: Any event dates mentioned in the episode reflect what was said during the recording.Connect with Laura Waldorf Reiss & Kindness Matters 🌐 Website: https://kindnessmatters365.org/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindnessmatters365/?hl=enOR https://www.instagram.com/laurawaldorfreiss/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kindnessmatters365org/Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In Part 2 of Frances’ conversation with Jayme Teplin—former Clinical Director at The Play Base Toronto—this episode goes deeper into Jayme’s clinical journey and what shaped her into the kind of practitioner families and teams feel safe with: compassionate, flexible, and fiercely human-first.While ABA is still widely associated with “autism treatment” and table-based programs, Jayme shares how her path expanded far beyond that traditional lane—into adult services, dual diagnosis, addiction, mental health, justice-involved populations, brain injury, and complex systems work. And the twist? That expansion began as an accidental job transition… the kind that would make most clinicians panic—yet it became the experience that “blew open” what ABA could truly be when it’s practiced as a science of behavior for humans, not a rigid protocol.Frances and Jayme unpack what so many clinicians quietly carry: the guilt and discomfort of early training that didn’t always feel right—and the hope that there is a better way. They talk candidly about rapport as the foundation of change, why consent and autonomy matter, what “non-contingent reinforcement” looks like with adults, and how a truly skilled clinician is defined by their soft skills as much as their credentials.This episode is for BCBAs, RBTs, educators, therapists, parents—anyone who wants to understand what compassionate behavior change can look like when we stop reducing people to diagnoses and start seeing the whole human.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why ABA’s reputation is still tied to old-school, table-based models—and why that’s incompleteHow Jayme’s work expanded beyond autism into mental health, addiction, justice systems, and brain injuryThe story of the phone call that changed everything (“Surprise—you’re moving to adult complex needs… in 15 minutes.”)Why rapport isn’t a phase—it’s the foundation of all changeWhat non-contingent reinforcement really means (and why it matters for trust)Reading the “small cues” before escalation (and why prevention beats crisis every time)The missing pieces in clinician training: attachment, trauma, neurodiversity, and practical competencyThe myth that autistic people lack empathy—and why Frances and Jayme strongly disagreeThe difference between being technically correct vs. being ethically alignedWhy a credential isn’t the same as clinical wisdom (and what should change in training/testing)Closing reflection:Jayme leaves listeners with a powerful check-in for every clinician and helping professional:“Does the way you’re doing ABA feel right in your heart—and do your clients respond to it?”If either answer doesn’t sit right, she encourages deep reflection… and trusting your gut to realign.Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this heartfelt Part 1 conversation, Frances sits down with Jayme Teplin, Clinical Director of The Play Base Toronto, for a powerful episode that blends lived experience with professional insight.Jayme shares her personal story of growing up neurodivergent in Toronto navigating early diagnoses, struggling in an under-resourced public school system, and eventually thriving thanks to a life-changing private school designed for neurodivergent learners. She opens up about what it meant to learn self-advocacy, understand her brain, and build the strategies that carried her through high school, college, a top-tier master’s program, and ultimately passing the BCBA exam on the first try.This episode isn’t just about credentials. It’s about resilience, identity, and the deep healing that can come from turning pain into purpose, especially when you dedicate your life to supporting children, families, and systems in ways you once needed yourself.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Jayme’s early experience with diagnoses, labels, and feeling like a “misfit” in the school systemThe private school that helped her “love school again” and the sacrifices her family made to get her thereWhy learning how your brain works can change everything (even when you’re 12 and don’t want to hear it)How Jayme learned to self-advocate early: attending IEP meetings, booking accommodations, and owning her supportsFinding ABA “by accident” through a Section 23 classroom model (academics + ABA embedded in school)

In this powerful Play Base episode, Frances sits down with the one-and-only Alley Dezenhouse, founder of Magnificent Minds (MagMinds)—for a conversation that feels equal parts validating, visionary, and deeply human.Frances shares how Alley’s voice helped her step out of imposter syndrome and into her own truth as a clinician and leader. From there, Alley takes us through her journey: starting in childcare roles, landing in “clinic-y” early ABA environments, and ultimately building MagMinds (founded in 2011) to deliver evidence-based support in spaces that feel like school, because kids deserve to be kids.Together, they unpack what it looks like when science meets art, when data doesn’t equal meaning, and why the future of education depends on moving beyond compliance and toward trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, nervous-system-aware practice.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why Alley built a school because she hated school—and how that shaped her missionThe difference between “good data” and real learning (and why some graphs can be misleading)The “science in the background, human in the foreground” approach to behavior changeWhy nervous system regulation should be foundational in education and therapyWhat ableism looks like in practice (including the harmful “indistinguishable from peers” mindset)How MagMinds trains staff with trauma-informed care + neurodiversity-affirming frameworksWhy educator perceived competence matters more than checklists for sustainable behavior supportsAllie’s prediction on where education is heading and why the pendulum may swing before it balancesA closing reflection inspired by Viktor Frankl: the power that lives in the space between what happens and how we respondQuote to sit with“I can’t control what happens—but I can control what happens in the space where I process it.”Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybaseConnect with Allie📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magminds/?hl=en💻 Website: https://www.magnificentminds.ca/

In this deeply heartfelt episode of The Play Base Podcast, Frances sits down with Rebecca Guez, someone who entered her life at exactly the right moment and quickly became a grounding guide and trusted support.Rebecca shares how she began as a conscious parenting coach after realizing she didn’t want to yell, punish, or parent on autopilot but also discovered that tools alone aren’t enough when we’re triggered and can’t access them. From there, her work evolved into a powerful, intuitive blend of conscious parenting, emotional healing, nervous system awareness, meditation, energetic protection, and deeper “why am I wired this way?” exploration.Together, Frances and Rebecca talk about:Why triggers are invitations to heal what’s happening within usHow sensitive and empathic children often “feel” what adults try to hideThe difference between being sensitive vs. being empathic (and how to tell)Why language matters (“I feel anxious” vs. “I am anxious”)Parenting as the ultimate mirror: the messy, magical work of repair, growth, and self-trustThey close with a powerful reminder: life isn’t happening to you—you have more power than you think, and staying committed to your inner work is one of the bravest things you can do.Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybaseConnect with Rebecca Guez🌐 Website: https://rebeccaguez.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaguez🎙️ Rebecca’s Podcast: https://rebeccaguez.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Play Base, host Frances Fishman is joined in person by Nicole Pekerman, founder of Health Collective and known by many as the “peptide princess.” Together, they dive into what it really takes to create lasting change, from the stories we repeat in our minds to the systems we build in our daily lives.They discuss:Why willpower isn’t the problem and how habit design and systems create sustainable changeThe power of rewriting your internal narrative (and how repetition shapes identity)Using gratitude and self-talk to shift mindset, confidence, and behavior over timeHow stress, cortisol, and nervous system dysregulation impact health, sleep, and weightWhy medications/peptides can be a tool in the toolkit, not a standalone solutionPractical strategies like tracking, creating friction, and breaking behavior chainsA motivating, heart-centered conversation about health, parenting, nervous system support, and building a blueprint for the life you want starting from the inside out.Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybaseConnect with Nicole Pekerman🌐 Website: https://healthcollective.us/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthcollective_usa/https://www.instagram.com/nicolepekerman/Listen to her on The Healthy Pod

In this episode of The Play Base, host Frances Fishman sits down with Dr. Tay (Dr. Taylor Day), a licensed psychologist, educator, and leading voice in neurodiversity-affirming care. Together, they explore how autism support must extend beyond the child to include the entire family system.Dr. Tay shares her personal story as a sibling of an autistic individual, her journey from academia to clinical practice, and her passion for reshaping how we approach ABA, assessments, nervous systems, and autonomy. This conversation dives into sibling experiences, trauma within traditional models, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), low-demand approaches, and why listening, truly listening, is the foundation of ethical, compassionate care.A powerful episode for parents, clinicians, and educators who are ready to move beyond compliance and toward connection, understanding, and humanity.Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybaseConnect with Dr. Taylor Day🌐 Website: https://drtaylorday.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.dr.tay/

In this episode of The Play Base with Frances, host Frances Fishman sits down with Anastasiya Boikova, a pediatric occupational therapist and MNRI Core Specialist (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration). Frances shares how meeting Anastasyia in Florida introduced her to an entirely new approach, one that connected nervous system regulation, primitive reflexes, and developmental foundations in a way that immediately clicked.Together, they discuss:What primitive reflexes are and why some children may have unintegrated reflexes beyond early childhoodHow reflex patterns can impact learning, regulation, sensory processing, anxiety, and motor coordinationMNRI techniques, including gentle tactile input, deep pressure, and repetition to support nervous system organizationThe role of bonding/attachment as a reflex pattern and how parents can support it at homeWhy Anastasia is shifting her work toward parent empowerment and consistent home practiceA bigger message: doing inner work, believing in potential, and supporting children through whole-body, whole-family careAn inspiring, eye-opening conversation for parents, educators, and clinicians looking to expand what’s possible in supporting regulation, development, and connection..Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybaseConnect with Anastasia Boiko🌐 Website: https://wholesometherapycenter.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholesome_therapy_center/

In this episode of The Play Base, host Frances Fishman is joined by Dr. Sharon Arbel, a clinical psychologist specializing in child development. Dr. Arbel shares insight into her practice, offers practical guidance for supporting children and families, and discusses her highly specialized programs designed to create meaningful, lasting change.Frances and Dr. Arbel also give a sneak peek into an upcoming collaborative project, rooted in connection, growth, and empowering both children and the adults who support them.This episode is ideal for parents, educators, and professionals looking to better understand child development, strengthen relationships, and create positive ripple effects through intentional support.Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybaseConnect with Dr. Sharon Arbel🌐 Website: https://www.arbelassociates.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsharonarbel/Connect with Empowering Educators Workshops📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringeducatorsworkshops/📧 Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Playdate with Frances, Frances welcomes Susana Castro -  office manager of The Play Base, yoga teacher, coach, and passionate advocate for neurodiversity. Susanna shares her journey from Venezuela to the U.S., her experience raising a neurodivergent child, and how understanding her own ADHD transformed both her personal and professional life.Together, Frances and Susanna discuss:Susanna’s role at The Play Base and why holding space for parents is essentialHer “divorce” from traditional ABA and why she returned through a trauma-informed lensThe importance of nervous system awareness in supporting children and familiesWhat it truly means to embrace neurodiversity without trying to “fix” anyoneEmpowering parents through coaching rather than “training”This episode is a heartfelt and insightful conversation for parents, educators, and anyone seeking a more compassionate, nervous-system-informed approach to supporting neurodivergent children.Connect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

In this short, powerful segment of The Play date with Frances, we explore the importance of parent alignment, parent training, and stepping into the unknown with intention and courage. Frances and her husband reflect on why choosing support that truly aligns with your values matters, how impactful parent coaching can be, and why taking bold steps, especially the scary ones,leads to a life without regrets.A reminder woven through this conversation:✨ Do the thing that scares you… because regret is far scarier.Listen to Ronen Fishman’s podcast “Can’t Shovel Hurricanes”  here for more from him.https://open.spotify.com/show/5Mk3gWCIZnBFCOGL96omgVConnect with The Play Base🌐 Website: www.us.theplaybase.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase

A sneak peek at what's ahead...