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Speaking

Bring the Science of Play to Your Stage

Transforming organizations with the power of play science. We combine science with storytelling and interaction to spark deep connection, engagement, resilience, and hope.

Watch Now.
Select from our proven keynotes and workshops, or partner with us to design a custom experience for your unique audience.
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Industries Served

From technology and healthcare to education, sports, and design, we speak to all industries and ages about the power of play. 

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Global Events

We've delivered keynotes and workshops on stages all over the world and we're excited to continue expanding our global reach. 

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Participants Inspired

We've turned audience members into active participants in the play movement, sparking their unique play styles to help each individual unlock their potential through play. 

Play is not a luxury
it's a biological necessity for thriving.
Core Topics

Play insight and inspiration to light up your stage.

Our core topics integrate high-impact speaking with interaction. Explore our focus areas below to see how we apply research-based play across every sector.

The Science of Play: Unlocking Human Potential

A foundational and transformative presentation. Dive into the definition of play, what happens in the brain when we play, the consequences of play deprivation, and the benefits of prioritizing play in daily life.

The Power of Play in the Workplace

Play ignites creativity, fosters engagement, enhances collaboration, and forges resilience, and draws customers to your brand. Stay one step ahead of your competition by infusing the power of play as your unique competitive advantage. 

The Power of Play in Education

Play is not a break from learning, it is learning. Leverage the neuroscience of play and playful pedagogy as a powerful teaching tool across all ages. 

The Power of Play in Sports

70% of kids burn out from sports by age 13. Play is not a waste of time or a break from the hard work. It’s a core tool for building an athlete’s intrinsic motivation, mastery, mental performance, and a strong team culture. 

The Power of Play in Design

Play ignites our creativity and unleashes innovation. Learn how to incorporate playful design principles into urban planning, playground design, tourism, and more. 

The Power of Play in Relationships

Play is a universal language that allows us to tap into each other’s rawest emotions and form trust and connection. As a parent, a partner, a friend, a colleague, a teammate, play is here to strengthen your relationships and community structures. Learn how to maximize the impact of play for your most meaningful relationships.

The Power of Play in Building Character

We see shortcomings in strong character at the highest levels. Character is the essence of who we are, how we show up in the world, and how we treat others. Play is a core mechanism for discovering and practicing our core values so when they are tested, we have a strong foundation to fall back on. Learn and reflect on the connection between play and character. 

The Power of Outdoor Play

Children are spending an average of 4-7 minutes outdoors and 6-8 hours on screens every day. Outdoor play is a neurobiological necessity across our lifespan. Learn about the benefits of outdoor play in an era of rapidly advancing technology and distraction. 

The Power of Play Styles

Play looks different for everyone. Each of us has natural predilections for activities that are intrinsically motivating and bring us into a state of play. Discover your Play Style using our unique NIFPlay Play Styles framework and leave with actionable steps to make play a meaningful habit in your life. 

Looking for something totally original?

Every keynote and workshop can be tailored to your specific audience, industry, and goals. We’ll work with you to design a science-backed session that hits your mark.

  • Mia is an engaging, knowledgeable, and inspiring speaker. Mia brings data into every topic to provide the latest foundation of knowledge. Her audience will be immersed in the topic and have clear takeaways.
    Jeremy Haefner
    Chancellor, University of Denver
  • Mia creates a dynamic and engaging environment where participants are up on their feet, laughing, connecting, and fully immersed in the experience. She demonstrates how play can profoundly influence business culture, boost creativity, and strengthen connection among teams.
    Tom Kuhn
    Founder and CEO, Qnity
  • NIFPlay expertly translates complex scientific research into clear, meaningful, and accessible insights. They delivered credible, science-based insights on the benefits of play that were both engaging and impactful for our members.
    Denise R. Calabrese, CAE
    Executive Director, IPEMA
  • NIFPlay was an exceptional partner. Their content was engaging, science-grounded, and immediately applicable.
    Anthony Iracki
    MS, PlayCore
  • Impactful, engaging, and valuable—their presentation was a true highlight of our conference. We highly recommend Mia and Lauren to speak at your next event.
    Carrianne Jacobs
    Baby TALK
  • I felt lighter. Dancing was energizing and it brought joyful tears. I didn’t feel judged, I just felt free. It was connection. Unity. I think of play differently now. It’s not always physical. It’s highly personal.
    Participant
    Play Workshop by Mia Sundstrom

Featured stages

  • MindfulPhilanthropyAccelerate

    Accelerate 2026 

    Panelist (Mia Sundstrom) 

  • SDFAustria2026 _Mia Sundstrom

    SDF Austria, 2026

    Keynote Speaker (Mia Sundstrom)

  • WorldExpoOsaka2025_MiaSundstrom

    World Expo Osaka, 2025

    Panelist (Mia Sundstrom)

  • AspenIdeasFestival2025_Stuart_Mia

    Aspen Ideas Festival, 2025

    Panelist & Roundtable Leader (Stuart Brown, Mia Sundstrom)

  • TheFiLLMainstage

    The FiLL Conference, 2025

    Keynote Speaker (Mia Sundstrom)

  • BreathofFreshAir

    A Breath of Fresh Air 

    Keynote Speaker (Mia Sundstrom, Stuart Brown, Lauren Sundstrom)

  • Accelerate Conference, 2026 - Panelist (Mia Sundstrom
  • SPEC Voices of Beauty, 2026 - Keynote Speaker (Mia Sundstrom)
  • SDF Austria, 2026 – Keynote Speaker (Mia Sundstrom)
  • World Expo Osaka, 2025 – Panelist (Mia Sundstrom)
  • Aspen Ideas Festival, 2025 – Panelists (Stuart Brown, Mia Sundstrom)
  • The FiLL Conference, 2025 – Keynote Speaker (Mia Sundstrom)
  • Playposium, 2025 – Mainstage Interview (Mia Sundstrom, Stuart Brown)
  • A Breath of Fresh Air Conference, 2025 – Keynote Speaker (Mia Sundstrom, Stuart Brown, Lauren Sundstrom)
  • DU Chancellor’s Cabinet Retreat, 2025 – Workshop Leader (Mia Sundstrom)
  • Aspen Country Day School, 2025 – Workshop Leader (Mia Sundstrom)
  • Foster Adopt MN Fall Forum, 2025 – Webinar Speaker (Mia Sundstrom)
  • Fast Company Innovation Festival, 2024 – Panelist (Lauren Sundstrom)
  • Playposium, 2024 – Keynote Speaker (Stuart Brown)
  • Aspen Ideas Festival, 2015 – Panelist (Stuart Brown)
  • Other Notable Engagements: TED, 92Y Wonderplay Conference, Active Living Conference, and American Society of Landscape Architects.

Meet our speakers.

A multidisciplinary team of scientists, clinicians, and educators dedicated to the science of play.

Mia Sundstrom
Mia Sundstrom
Chief Executive Officer
As the leader of NIFPlay, Mia delivers high-energy, neuroscience-backed presentations to audiences worldwide. A former D1 coach, she blends powerful storytelling with research to help organizations across 10+ industries unlock their potential through play.
Stuart Brown
Dr. Stuart Brown, M.D.
Founder
A pioneer in play science and author of the seminal book Play, Dr. Brown’s decades of research form the foundation of this field. While largely retired from the stage, he occasionally participates in select high-level interviews and virtual keynote engagements.
TeamHeadshot_Lauren Sundstrom_3x2
Lauren Sundstrom
COO & Strategist
Lauren brings both heartfelt conviction and strategic insight to her presentations. She has participated in numerous events and interviews alongside her father (Stuart Brown) and her daughter (Mia Sundstrom), representing three generations united in the science and necessity of play. She recently served as a panelist at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York City.
Dara Simkin
Dara Simkin
Global Play at Work Expert
Dara is a leading voice on the science of play at work and co-author of Full Stack Human (Wiley, 2026). She specializes in translating play research into organizational performance, leadership development, and change readiness — helping teams build cultures rooted in curiosity, psychological safety, and genuine human connection. Her work draws on over a decade of practice at the intersection of applied improvisation and neuroscience.

Other Services.

01.
Licensing
Become an official partner. Access our research-backed library and frameworks to integrate the science of play into your own branding.
02.
Consulting
Collaborate with our experts to solve complex challenges and bring the power of play to your organization with a custom program and partnership.