Ep. 26 - Finding the Light: Leadership, Resilience, and the Bagpipe Story with Chris D’Angelo

Ep. 29 - Finding Alignment, Intimacy, and Joy with Dr. Fay Gersh

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 Notes In 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 alignment Key Takeaway You 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 Pivot Website: https://hernextpivot.com/ [https://hernextpivot.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hernextpivot/ [https://www.instagram.com/hernextpivot/] Connect with The Play Base Website: www.us.theplaybase.com [http://www.us.theplaybase.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/ [https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase [https://www.youtube.com/@theplaybase]

Ep. 28 - Building the Foundation First with Paulette Cormier

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 Notes In this episode, Frances and Paulette discuss: * Paulette’s journey as a teacher, mother, and practitioner * How her son’s learning challenges led her to alternative therapies * Relationship Development Intervention, also known as RDI * The importance of the parent-child relationship in learning * Why development happens through connection, guidance, and trust * What MNRI is and how Paulette discovered it * Primitive reflexes and why they matter * How reflexes support early movement, learning, regulation, and development * Why babies need tummy time * The connection between neck strength, core strength, and later skills * How reflexes can impact speech, writing, movement, balance, vision, and behavior * The importance of developmental movement * Why some children are uncomfortable in their bodies * How reflex integration can support children with autism, learning challenges, sensory needs, and regulation difficulties * Why early intervention matters * How older children and teens can still benefit from reflex integration * The connection between vision, movement, and reflexes * Why some children may struggle with vision therapy before their bodies are ready * Auditory Integration Training and sound sensitivities * Why some children experience sound as physically overwhelming * The impact of COVID on children’s tolerance, regulation, and sensory systems * Why therapy should meet the child where they are developmentally * How to know whether a child needs foundational support before higher-level therapies Key Takeaway When 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 Paulette If 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 Thought Before 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/ [https://paulette-cormier.squarespace.com/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowconnectionstherapies/ [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

Ep. 27 - All the World Is a Classroom with Thabatta Mizrahi

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 Notes In this episode, Frances and Thabatta discuss: * Thabatta’s work at the University of Miami * Teaching future educators how to differentiate instruction * What it means to meet the needs of all learners * Building partnerships between universities, schools, nonprofits, museums, and community organizations * Thabatta’s consulting work with schools, parents, and children * Why she never wanted to choose only one group to serve * Growing up as the oldest child in an immigrant family * How her siblings shaped her lens on education and humanity * The difference between visible and invisible disabilities * Why labels can limit the way we see people * The evolution of inclusion, mainstreaming, and special education * Why all educators need tools from both general and special education * The importance of strength-based teaching * Why children are not problems to be fixed * How educators can see the individuality of every student * The role of connection, trust, and relationship in learning * How teachers can become vessels for information, inspiration, and possibility * The power of being seen, heard, and understood * Why we are all educators, even outside formal classrooms Reflection Question from Thabatta If 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 Thought You 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/ [https://www.thabattasm.com/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thabattasm/ [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

Ep. 26 - Finding the Light: Leadership, Resilience, and the Bagpipe Story with Chris D’Angelo

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 Notes In this episode, Frances and Chris explore: * Chris’s ACL and meniscus injury during a district championship football game * The emotional impact of being sidelined from football and lacrosse * How losing access to sports challenged Chris’s sense of identity * The moment his friend showed him Notre Dame’s bagpipe tradition * Why Chris decided to learn the bagpipes for his lacrosse team * The discipline it took to practice through surgery, pain, and recovery * How the bagpipes became a new way for Chris to serve and lead * The deeper meaning of leadership as putting the team before yourself * How team sports teach grit, resilience, communication, and connection * The role of purpose in moving through dark or difficult times * Chris’s experience growing up with his brother Nick, who is autistic * How Nick’s joy, resilience, and perspective shaped Chris’s heart * The importance of seeing people for who they are, not how they appear * Why understanding creates compassion * How light can still be found at the end of a difficult tunnel Reflection Question from Chris Is 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 Thought There 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

Ep. 25 - Raising Little Learners with Melissa Markus, The Kindergarten Mom

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 notes In 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 Mom * The joy and challenges of being both a teacher and a mom * Why the kindergarten years are so foundational * Play based learning and the role of explicit instruction * How movement supports attention, regulation, and learning * Why calm corners and flexible classroom supports matter * The importance of parent teacher partnership * How to advocate for your child respectfully and effectively * Looking beyond behavior to understand what a child truly needs Key takeaways * Kindergarten is not just babysitting. It is a deeply important stage of development * Movement is not extra. It is often essential for learning and regulation * Children do better when they feel safe, supported, and understood * A child’s behavior is communication, not a character flaw * Parents know their children deeply, and respectful advocacy matters * Teachers and parents work best when they see each other as teammates * There is no one right way to learn, engage, or grow Memorable themes from the episode Meeting kids where they are Not every child learns, sits, processes, or participates in the same way, and that is okay. Regulate before you react Children need adults who can pause, zoom out, and respond with intention. Support over shame The 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