A Wearthy Podcast

Play It Forward

Honest conversations about play, childhood development, and raising resilient kids in a screen-dominated world

What You'll Discover

Each episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately - whether you're a parent, educator, or anyone who cares about childhood development.

Building Resilience

Learn how outdoor play develops emotional strength and coping skills that last a lifetime

Screen Time Solutions

Practical strategies to balance technology with meaningful outdoor experiences

Confident Kids

Discover how freedom and choice in play builds self-assured, independent children

Expert Interviews

Hear from leading educators, researchers, and play advocates from around the world

Lukas Ritson - Play It Forward Podcast Host

Meet Your Host

Lukas Ritson

Playground Designer, TEDx Speaker & Founder of Wearthy

Lukas has spent over a decade researching and designing play environments that help children develop resilience, creativity, and connection to nature. Through Play It Forward, he shares his insights and brings together the world's leading voices in early education and child development.

Each episode is designed to give you practical takeaways - whether you're a parent looking to support your child's development, or an educator seeking fresh approaches to play-based learning.

TEDx Speaker 100+ Media Features 14+ Years Research

Topics We Explore

Nature Play
Risk & Resilience
Early Childhood Education
Screen Time Balance
Outdoor Learning
Child Psychology
Playground Design
Parenting Strategies
School Culture
Physical Development
Creativity & Imagination
Social Skills

Join Our Growing Community

★★★★★

5-Star Rating on Spotify

★★★★★

5-Star Rating on Apple Podcasts

12,000+

YouTube Views

All Episodes

Explore our conversations with leading voices in early education and child development

Season 5

1 Episode

Season 4

2 Episodes

Season 3

3 Episodes

Season 2

9 Episodes

Music Therapy in Pediatric Palliative Care with Maggie James episode thumbnail
44 min
Season 2 • Episode 17

Music Therapy in Pediatric Palliative Care

Feat. Maggie James

Music therapist Maggie James shares 18 years of insights on using music to bring dignity, peace and connection to dying children and their families.

Screen Time & The Tech Diet for Kids episode thumbnail
55 min
Season 2 • Episode 14

Screen Time & The Tech Diet for Kids

Feat. Brad Marshall (The Unplugged Psychologist)

Internet Addiction Clinic director Brad Marshall on how screens impact children's wellbeing, gaming addiction, and practical strategies for managing tech.

Free Range Kids & Parenting episode thumbnail
60 min
Season 2 • Episode 12

Free Range Kids & Parenting

Feat. Lenore Skenazy

Lenore Skenazy discusses Free Range Kids, the Let Grow Project, and helping children develop independence.

Environments of Opportunity episode thumbnail
55 min
Season 2 • Episode 11

Environments of Opportunity

Feat. Sarah Milligan-Toffler & Dr Robert Blaine

How cities are connecting children with nature through the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights and equitable access initiatives.

Homegrown National Park episode thumbnail
60 min
Season 2 • Episode 10

Homegrown National Park

Feat. Doug Tallamy

Doug Tallamy explains how to create a Homegrown National Park with native plants that support biodiversity and local wildlife.

Possibilities of Outdoor Play episode thumbnail
60 min
Season 2 • Episode 3

Possibilities of Outdoor Play

Feat. Steve Kanowski

How loose parts play and outdoor learning achieved 70% reduction in aggression and transformed oral language at a low socio-economic school.

Playing With Love, Not Fear episode thumbnail
60 min
Season 2 • Episode 2

Playing With Love, Not Fear

Feat. Dr. Vanessa LaPointe

Love-based vs fear-based parenting, the mental health crisis linked to decreased play, and how connection helps children thrive.

Urban Playground episode thumbnail
60 min
Season 2 • Episode 1

Urban Playground

Feat. Tim Gill

How child-friendly urban design can give children back their freedom to roam, featuring the famous "shrinking horizons of childhood" research.