What does play have to do with healing, leadership, or teaching one of the heaviest subjects in human history? Everything, according to Mary Hendra. In this episode of Healing Doesn't Have to Be Heavy, Angie Berrett sits down with Mary, host of the Lead with a Dash of Play podcast, whose career has spanned schools, government, corporate, and nonprofit work, including years spent teaching educators about genocide.

Mary shares how people began noticing her playfulness even while she taught about the Holocaust and other genocides, and how painting and collaging at the end of each day helped her release the secondhand trauma so she could return the next morning with warmth and presence. She opens her art journals to show how torn paper, textured materials, and paint pounded onto the page help her transform anger, grief, and fear into something beautiful she actually wants to revisit.

Angie and Mary also explore why play looks different for every person, why adults often feel embarrassed or vulnerable when they try to play, how LEGO Serious Play helps people turn abstract thoughts into something concrete, and where video games fit into the conversation. Mary explains why she believes play is a leadership skill that can prevent burnout and build healthier cultures, and she shares a preview of her upcoming book, Lead with a Dash of Play.

Bio:

Mary Hendra, host of the Lead with a Dash of Play podcast, fosters curiosity, compassion and play across a portfolio that includes C-Suite executive, entrepreneur, and author. Her career has ranged from co-leading an educational non-profit to guiding a tech-start-up through a fast-paced accelerator; from leadership in County government to victim-offender mediation to high school teaching. Redefining “play” for the modern, busy adult, her workshops and cohort programs foster self-reflection and build clarity for individuals and teams, so that they can move forward with grace. Her book about play as a leadership skill is expected in 2027.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-hendra/

Website:  http://maryhendra.com 

Podcast:  https://lead-with-a-dash-of-play.captivate.fm/episodes

Join Mary’s newsletter to follow the book progress and hear about programs https://exceptional-designer-9807.kit.com/posts

Connect with me:

Website:  https://angieberrettmovement.com/

Instagram:  https://Instagram.com/angieberrettmovement 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/angie.berrett/ 

YouTube:    https://www.youtube.com/@angieberrettmovement 

LinkedIn:    https://www.linkedin.com/in/angieberrettmovement/ 

TikTok:       https://www.tiktok.com/@angieberrettmovement?_t=8qP9poCboWA&_r=1

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