Every Child Deserves to Belong with Shannon Milliken of The P.L.A.Y. Education Corporation
Guest name: Shannon Milliken
Business name: The P.L.A.Y. Education Corporation
Every child deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and like they belong.
But creating inclusive schools and communities requires more than offering the same programs and support to every child. It begins with understanding the unique needs of the students and families within each community—and being willing to make space for something new.
In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Milliken, founder and executive director of The P.L.A.Y. Education Corporation, a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to building inclusive learning spaces and communities where young people and families can thrive.
As a former physical education teacher, Colorado Department of Education consultant, mom, transracial adoptee, and woman of color, Shannon brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this conversation.
Growing up as a Korean adoptee in a predominantly white community, Shannon did not always have the language to describe what it felt like to look different from her peers. She shares how becoming a mother—and wanting something different for her daughter—helped inspire her to advocate for children who may not feel seen, represented, or supported within traditional systems.
Together, we explore the connection between belonging and whole-child wellness, why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for every school or community, and how P.L.A.Y. Education helps identify gaps and build sustainable programs around the needs that already exist.
We also discuss the importance of listening to children, approaching difficult conversations with empathy, and supporting work that may not directly affect our own families but can make a meaningful difference for someone else’s.
In this episode, we cover:
Why belonging is foundational to a child’s wellness
Shannon’s experience growing up as a transracial adoptee
How her lived experience and motherhood shaped P.L.A.Y. Education
What equity and inclusion look like in schools and communities
Why one-size-fits-all programs can leave children behind
How P.L.A.Y. identifies the unique needs of individual communities
Building programs that can continue beyond temporary grant funding
The connection between identity, acceptance, and whole-child wellness
Why children need opportunities to speak up and be heard
How empathy can help bridge different experiences and perspectives
Supporting children and families who may not fit societal norms
Why meaningful community work sometimes requires us to enter uncomfortable spaces
One of my favorite reminders from this conversation: “Belonging is the foundation of wellness.”
This episode is your reminder that when children feel comfortable being who they are—and know they are accepted—they have a stronger foundation to learn, grow, and thrive.