The Vital Art of Play with Mia Sundstrom

2026-01-29 · 64 min · episode 192 · 12 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

→ appeared on Space for Life podcast

0.68

evidence rules-v5
The Vital Art of Play with Mia Sundstrom
→ hosted by Tommy Thompson person

0.55

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Tommy Thompson
→ discusses Education concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
→ discusses Self-Improvement concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
→ discusses Religion & Spirituality concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Religion & Spirituality
→ discusses Christianity concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Christianity

Entities found in this episode

concepts 8

mentioned Education concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
mentioned Self-Improvement concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
mentioned Religion & Spirituality concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Religion & Spirituality
mentioned Christianity concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Christianity
discusses Education concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
discusses Self-Improvement concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
discusses Religion & Spirituality concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Religion & Spirituality
discusses Christianity concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Christianity

persons 3

mentioned Mia Sundstrom person

0.72

evidence rules-v5
The Vital Art of Play with Mia Sundstrom
mentioned Tommy Thompson person

0.70

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Tommy Thompson
hosted by Tommy Thompson person

0.55

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Tommy Thompson

podcasts 1

appeared on Space for Life podcast

0.68

evidence rules-v5
The Vital Art of Play with Mia Sundstrom

Episode description as stored

In this episode of Space for Life , Tommy sits down with Mia Sundstrom , CEO of the National Institute for Play and granddaughter of renowned play researcher Dr. Stuart Brown , for a powerful conversation about why play is not childish, frivolous, or optional, but essential to human health, creativity, resilience, and fulfillment. They explore the science of play, the cultural myths that have stripped play from adult life, and why so many people feel burned out, disconnected, and exhausted in a world that treats play as a waste of time. Mia shares her personal journey growing up in a play-based learning environment, how her grandfather’s research shaped her life, and why play is now being reframed as a public health necessity . This conversation challenges the idea that productivity and play are opposites, and instead shows how play fuels better work, deeper relationships, creativity, and emotional health. They unpack the difference between real play and modern forms of escapism, why social media often masquerades as play, and how adults can reconnect with the playful part of themselves they’ve forgotten. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org