Why Play And Joy Can Feel So Hard For Adults (a convo with Dr. Shawn Hondorp)

Don’t you just love how little kids play so completely? They experience fun and joy without any self-consciousness or worrying about what others might think. But for many of us, this concept can feel elusive and far away as adults. If you grew up in a house where you walked on eggshells, you may not be conditioned for joy and play. I know this has been perplexing for me to think about in my own life. It’s even been a source of shame. I often struggle with the thought, ” What kind of person doesn’t know how to play or identify joy !?” A person that got through childhood in a mostly survival state, that’s who. I’m diving into this with psychologist and podcaster, Dr. Shawn Hondorp. Shawn has been taking dance lessons recently. She’s a mom with a full plate who often juggles the demands of work and raising kids. And yet she makes time several times a week for her play and joy through reconnecting with her love for dance. Her experience around a recent recital showed how hard it can be to purposefully work toward reclaiming joy. I was so lucky to be a fly on the wall of her experience (which involved terrible neck pain leading up to the performance). And now you get to hear us unpack what Shawn has learned, and what she’s gained, through this process. Something clicked while listening? We’d love to talk with you if you want to dig deeper into your family’s specific situation. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start knowing what works, it might be worth a conversation. Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: About Randi Rubenstein Randi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong-willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He’s now in his 20’s, healthy and happy-ish:). She’s been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker” parents like herself for almost two decades. Randi’s Web and Social Links Website: Facebook: Instagram: About Dr. Shawn Hondorp Dr. Shawn Hondorp is a clinical psychologist whose goal is to create safe learning environments for those who want to explore innovative approaches to healing, one authentic conversation at a time. Learn more about her work, and

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Why Play And Joy Can Feel So Hard For Adults (a convo with Dr. Shawn Hondorp) is an episode from Mastermind Parenting Podcast by Randi Rubenstein.

This episode is 01:02:27 long.

This episode was published on Oct 21, 2025.

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