Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast
In a world where play can be seen as frivolous or unnecessary, Julie and Philippa set out to explore its importance in our everyday lives.
Pondering play and therapy, both separately but also the inter-connectedness that play can in its own right be the very therapy we need.
Julie and Philippa have many years of experience playing, both in their extensive professional careers and their personal lives. They will share, ponder, and discuss their experiences along the way in the hope that this might invite others to join in playfulness.
Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast
Latest Episodes
Mistakes and Missteps: The Hidden Lessons in Therapy. A conversation with Julie and Philippa.
Philippa Kelly and Julie McCann continue their discussion on “mistakes” in therapeutic work, exploring how errors feel, whether to acknowledge them, and how clients, families, and colleagues perceive them. They consider conflicts between profes...
Understanding Bodies in Motion: Occupational Therapy for Neurodivergent Kids. With Georgie Leeson.
In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, host interviews Georgie, a children’s occupational therapist from Little Peaks OT, about her move from NHS roles into independent practice to address a gap in sensory processing support. Georgie ex...
Unlocking Empathy: Play as a Catalyst in Therapy and Social Work. With Pete Ayling
Julie interviews play therapist and social work lecturer Pete Ayling about how playfulness supports understanding, empathy, and perspective-taking for children and adults. Pete describes his roles teaching social work students, supervising play...
Pathways to Recovery: Lee Smith on Reforming Children's Mental Health
Philippa interviews Lee Smith, a mental health nurse with 30 years’ experience in Tier 4 inpatient children’s services, whose NHS roles included ward management, clinical specialist and consultant posts. Lee describes entering nursing via an in...
Beyond the Behavior: Understanding Trauma with Compassion. Dr Lisa Cherry
In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, host Philippa interviews Dr. Lisa Cherry—author, speaker, researcher, and consultant—about trauma, adversity, attachment, and compassionate responses to behavior. Cherry shares how her childhood ex...
Fan Mail
Dear Julie and Phillipa, I am finding your new podcast so valuable to listen to. Thank you for creating this. Sending you my best wishes, Tijen O'Neill (play therapist)
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
