She’s back! In this special return episode, Vanessa catches up with Myriam Sandler of @mothercould, who first joined The MomForce Podcast three years ago, and a lot has changed since then. Myriam is now a published author, and her new book, Playful By Design, is a tool for parents everywhere to rethink how they approach play at home.
From her viral take—“I hardly play with my kids”—to her genius strategies for cultivating independent play, Myriam shares how creating the right environment (not more Pinterest crafts) is the secret to raising curious, confident kids. As she puts it:
“Yes, I engage and connect with them… but I’ve built a space where they can play on their own and that’s the goal.”
Vanessa and Myriam also dive into:
-
The unexpected power of Play Dough
-
Why chia seed goop is a sensory win and a parental cautionary tale
-
How to turn “no” moments into easy yeses
-
And how Chatbooks photo books are actually made for kids to relive their own stories
This conversation is full of real talk, practical tips, and plenty of laughs—especially if you’ve ever found slime in your carpet! I know you are going to love it.
Follow Vanessa
Follow Chatbooks
Follow Myriam
Order Playful By Design
5:35 Why Myriam "doesn't play with her kids"
9:36 The weirdest thing Myriam has made for her kids.
10:47 Why Myriam is not afraid of messes at her house
15:20 How Myriam organizes her family memories
22:17 What is the balance between sensory play and your sanity as a mom?
29:28 Connection is at the heart of everything
32:39 How to approach alone time and self care -- without guilt!
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!