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The Playground GR - a podcast about emotional health and PLAY!

The Playground GR - a podcast about emotional health and PLAY!

By Jacqueline Scherer

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is proud to bring you a PODCAST about PLAY. We started our podcast journey through the Playground Chat, and were proud to be heard around the world! We see the value in continuing to share the value of play and it's impact on emotional health. We are thrilled to have guests sharing their own experiences with play in THEIR world as we explore the emotional benefits play brings to children through host Jacqueline Scherer, a licensed clinical social worker and community advocate.
Currently playing episode

Healing and Horses

The Playground GR - a podcast about emotional health and PLAY!Feb 04, 2022

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25:07
The Magic of PLAY for children on a critical illness journey

The Magic of PLAY for children on a critical illness journey

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is excited to chat with Ellie Wilcox about the value play offers for children on a critical illness journey. Who is Ellie?

Ellie is the Regional Managing Director of Leadership Giving for Make-A-Wish Michigan. Previously, Ellie worked in Development for Hospice of Michigan and in recruitment for Michigan Blood. She holds a bachelor's degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Western Michigan University and a master's degree in Family Communications from Western Michigan University. She resides in Rockford, MI with her husband, Travis and 6 year old daughter, Quinnlyn and 1 year old daughter Harper. Ellie is a proud cancer survivor and a 2002 Wish recipient.

#theplaygroundgr #play4thehealthofit
May 27, 202218:51
Nature Play
May 19, 202223:02
Learning to be a leader through PLAY

Learning to be a leader through PLAY

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is thrilled to share our guest, the one, the only .... Ace Marasigan. Join us as we talk play, parenting and leadership. ☕
Who is Ace?

"Ace Marasigan was born in Manila, Philippines. At 16 years old emigrated to the United States. A self-thought marketer, entrepreneur, a loving husband, and a father to a dynamic 8-year-old boy named Redd.

Playing games is an essential tool for Ace as he bonds with Redd. Ace believes that Redd should be surrounded by opportunities and experiences while spending ample time playing with Redd.

From creating videos, public speaking, public performances, and DJing school dances, playing games has been vital to improving Redd's confidence and communication.

Ace is a REALTOR by trade and Executive Director for the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation, but his most important role is being a dad."
#play4thehealthofit#theplaygroundgr
May 13, 202221:23
Adolescents and Play

Adolescents and Play

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is thrilled to be welcoming another amazing guest on THE PLAYGROUNDgr Podcast.
Join us, as we discuss ways to play with our Middle Schoolers! We will be busting stero types around tweens and play......
Joining us is
Libby Bigelow, who is Operations Manager for a financial services office. Libby oversees technology for her office which includes helping clients with online access for their accounts. She also coordinates and manages all details related to client events, marketing and community involvement.
Libby spends her free time with her husband Brian, Middle School aged son Dominic and their cat. She enjoys traveling, golfing, playing piano, reading and baking. She currently serves on the Parks and Recreation committee for the City of Walker. She also donates her time volunteering with local non-profits.
#theplaygroundgr #play4thehealthofit
May 06, 202223:35
Dads AND Play
Apr 29, 202224:37
Anxiety and play
Apr 01, 202224:05
Autism... the benefits of PLAY!

Autism... the benefits of PLAY!

The PLAYGROUNDgr welcomes Kristy Dayson.

"I’m Licensed Mater Social Worker and certified School Social Worker. I am also the mom of a wonderful teenage son who is on the Autism Spectrum. I am also a citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. I was previously an ABA Technician working with children on the Autism Spectrum and Home-Based Therapist working with children and families who are experiencing significant mental health issues. Currently, I am a School Social Worker at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Sciences. I have always loved working with young people and through my experience with raising my son I have fallen in love with working with people with different abilities. One thing I have learned through both my personal and professional life is the best way to reach young people, especially those with different abilities is to PLAY! It has truly been the best way for me as a mom and therapist to encourage growth and healing."

Mar 25, 202225:34
Black Barriers to Play
Feb 24, 202223:56
FEELINGS: Anger in children.. What do we do with it?

FEELINGS: Anger in children.. What do we do with it?

THE PLAYGROUND GR presents a FEELINGS series, focusing on BIG feelings and Play. Today we focused on ANGER. Anger, aggression and BIG tantrums can be VERY DIFFICULT TO MANGE! Learn more about how and why as we unpack ANGER in this mornings THE PLAYGROUNDgr Podcast with returning and special guest, Alison Viebrock.

The facts: "Anger starts with our amygdala stimulating our hypothalamus" and likely impacts our prefrontal cotex. It is no wonder that anger feels SO BIG; it can take over a large portion of our brain!!!!!

Learn more about the science of anger and the brain: https://www.healthline.com/health/what-part-of-the-brain-controls-emotions#:~:text=The%20limbic%20system%20is%20a,for%20behavioral%20and%20emotional%20responses.

#theplaygroundgr #play4thehealthofit

Feb 18, 202225:57
Healing and Horses

Healing and Horses

Join me in welcoming Jilian Rakow, a Licensed Professional Counselor who owns her own practice as well as subcontracting through Counseling Center of West Michigan. Jilian Is dual certified as an Equine Specialist and a Mental Health specialist through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. ( EAGALA)  After a 20+ year career as an American Sign Language Interpreter Jilian returned to school as an adult and completed her Master’s in Counseling from Central Michigan University. She began her career as a Home-based Therapist working with vulnerable youth.  Jilian then transitioned into a role as an Outpatient Therapist within Community Mental Health and in private practice.  She the Founder of Outside the Lines Experiential Services at Counseling Center of West Michigan. "I provide high quality, eclectic, therapeutic approaches including Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Animal Assisted Therapy," Jilian shared.  "Horses have always served a very special role in my  life. When I was young and felt lonely and lost, it was horses and dogs that were my solace and hope. Incorporating horses and dogs into therapeutic practice seems a natural transition as I began my career as a therapist. " - Jilian 

#theplaygroundgr #play4thehealthofit

Feb 04, 202225:07
But I don't want to play...

But I don't want to play...

Join the PLAYGROUNDgr Podcast as Jacqueline Scherer and career women and amazing Mom, Alison Viebrock explore the limitations one may feel when bringing play into their world. The emotional, mental and physical benefits of play are clear, but what if you don't have the time? What if you don't know how? What if you don't want to? We have solutions.....  But first, who is Alison? Alison has over 18 years of leadership experience in the Health, Wellness, and Fitness industry.  She holds a Masters degree in Exercise Science and enjoys leading and building a successful team of client managers.  Alison enjoys family life and being mommy to her little ones! Her weekends are filled with Star Wars light saber fights, long walks aka stroller rides, and trips to the zoo. She enjoys books such as Moo, Baa, La La La and Green Eggs and Ham. #theplaygroundgr #play4thehealthofit.”

Jan 28, 202227:05
#1000 Hours Outside

#1000 Hours Outside

THE PLAYGROUNDgr presents, "1000 hours Outside" with amazing guest, Tori Szubinski. Tori is a stay at home Mom to three boys, coach and recess monitor extraordinaire. She has devoted the last 7 years to blasting sterotypes about what it means to be a Stay at Home Mom through her hands on approach to parenting, play and community advocacy. Tori opens her home and heart to the Grand Rapids community, inviting all in to play. Join us as we explore ways to play outside.

Jan 28, 202220:56
Attaching through PLAY, juggling a career and caregiving.

Attaching through PLAY, juggling a career and caregiving.

Today we welcome our special guest,  Tara Gwamna, a community leader and Mom. Tara is Director of Family Engagement at the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative. Tara has over 5 years of experience working in early childhood education. She has a bachelor's degree in family studies and psychology from Central Michigan University (Fire Up!) and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California.


Join us as we look at ways to PLAY our ways through parentings, attachment and being a leader in the community! 

#theplaygroundgr #play4thehealthofit

Jan 05, 202226:42
Together we drum, exploring the emotional health benefits of drumming.

Together we drum, exploring the emotional health benefits of drumming.

Join us at the PLAYROUNDgr in welcoming special guest, Josh Dunigan as we explore the power of drumming.
"Over the past fifteen years, Joshua Dunigan has used his love of world music to teach and perform Afro-Cuban and Latin percussion with adult classes and public school students. As the percussionist for Latin-Rock band Cabildo and Afrobeat band AfroZuma, Josh places traditional Cuban, Brazilian, and Andean rhythms in a contemporary setting for live shows in Grand Rapids.
Josh has also been an instructor at The Cook Arts Center in Grand Rapids for the past 10 years. He uses a curriculum with emphasis placed on understanding the fundamentals of rhythm, practicing proper playing technique, and having fun with world music in an ensemble.
As an instructor for Artists Creating Together (ACT), Josh works with cognitively disabled students using world percussion instruments to learn communication, expression, group play and the science of sound.
Through ACT, Josh directs The Action Drummers an inclusive group of cognitively disabled musicians. The goal of this group is to perform at community events to promote the work of ACT and disabled people in the community."

Join us as we drum together! #play4thehealthofit #theplaygroundgr
Dec 31, 202128:14
Growing emotional health in children through yoga and meditation

Growing emotional health in children through yoga and meditation

The Playground GR brings play to listeners around the world. We are thrilled to have Zoe Gates join us as we explore the benefits of meditations and yoga. Zoe is a licensed Master Social Worker, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and a children's yoga instructor. She and her husband have two incredible children; a five-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son. She worked in foster care as a children's therapist from 2011-2017. After earning her children's yoga certification in 2019, she saw a clear connection between the mindfulness exercises used in children's yoga and the interventions used as a clinician. As a therapist, she's seen the role social-emotional development plays in helping children become successful in their classrooms, in their families, and with themselves. Zoe shared, "Immediately I knew I wanted to build something valuable for children; Something to enrich their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. I wanted to bring these skills into their classrooms and into their homes- the places their development constantly occurs. It is truly my honor and privilege to work with children and give them the skills they need to bloom."

Join us in learning, and practicing mindfulness. #theplaygroundgr #play4thehealthofit
Dec 24, 202126:35
Play over the holidays... Making them a bit less stressful.

Play over the holidays... Making them a bit less stressful.

Join me as THE PLAYGROUNDgr checks in on caregivers working towards making the Winter holidays a little less stressful for the children in their homes. #theplaygroundgr #play4thehealthofit

Dec 20, 202108:14
We practice what we preach, playing in my house!

We practice what we preach, playing in my house!

LET'S TALK ABOUT PLAY! We practice what we preach, playing in the Scherer home! Join me in welcoming THE PLAYGROUNDGR PODCAST'S 1st guest, Shane Scherer. Shane is a foster parent, parent, purple heart recipient and my husband. Together, we are conquering this amazing journey of play in our home! Join us as we share our tips, tricks and ways we love to play. Now go, go, go and PLAY! 

#theplaygroundgr #play4thehealthofit

Dec 12, 202118:58
December 11, 2021

December 11, 2021

Dec 11, 202100:30