Mia opened the ‘In Praise of Play’ by getting the audience to stand up and dance, and was also a lead panelist in a roundtable discussion about the role of play in youth sports.

Mia was a guest on Mya’s ‘Beyond the Technique’ podcast (listen to the episode on the left). The conversation was with Mya founder and podcast host Kati Whitledge about the role of play in adult life and work, specific to the beauty industry.

Mia took the stage with her grandfather, Dr. Stuart Brown, to discuss the science of play at a unique play-centric conference with an international audience of educators. The conference was hosted at the University of Denver’s Kennedy Mountain Campus, located in the heart of the Colorado mountain wilderness.

See a link to the full article on the left.

Mia’s quotes from the article feature:

“…but play is essential, a ‘primal emotion’ wired into the deepest part of the mammalian brain, says Mia Sundstrom of the National Institute for Play, where scientists study the science of play and encourage play as ‘daily hygiene’ to promote well-being.”

“Play — activities we engage in by choice purely for pleasure — reduces stress, increases optimism, and supports brain health, Sundstrom says. Studies show that play increases resilience, fosters social connection, promotes learning, and boosts courage…There’s no such thing as being too old to play, Sundstrom says. Humans are meant to play throughout their lifetimes. Thinking back to what you loved to do as a child can help you reconnect to your personal sense of play in adulthood.”

Mia delivered a 30-minute mainstage keynote titled "The Science of Play: Unlocking Human Potential” and two 90-minute workshops titled “Unleashing the Power of Play” at Qnity’s annual conference: The FiLL. The FiLL convenes hundreds of beauty industry business leaders to share and innovate together over three days.

Speaking review Qnity Founder and CEO, Tom Kuhn:

Mia Sundstrom was an absolute standout at our recent company conference The FiLL in Austin, TX. Representing the National Institute for Play, Mia delivered a compelling presentation on the need, power, and importance of play—backed by science and delivered with both clarity and charm.

Her interactive breakout sessions were especially impactful. Mia created a dynamic and engaging environment where participants were up on their feet, laughing, connecting, and fully immersed in the experience. She demonstrated how play can profoundly influence business culture, boost creativity, and strengthen connection among teams.

Attendees walked away not only inspired but equipped with practical, tangible strategies to integrate play into both their professional and personal lives. Her session was one of the most talked-about of the event, and we couldn’t recommend her more highly for any organization or event looking to spark engagement and innovation.

Mia led a multi-day character and values exploration workshop with DU’s Chancellor’s Cabinet, comprised of every division leader within the University, at the Kennedy Mountain Campus.