215 - How Play Creates Belonging for Everyone with Tina Hoang

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Tina Hoang, a speaker and advocate living with cerebral palsy, for a heartfelt conversation about inclusion, resilience, and rediscovering play. Tina shares how her disability shaped her perspective, why simply inviting someone to join can change a life, and how embracing playfulness creates belonging for everyone. Together they explore cultural views of disability, independence, caregiving, and the importance of moving beyond society's expectations. This inspiring conversation challenges listeners to rethink inclusion—not as a policy, but as a daily invitation to connect, move, laugh, and ensure no one feels left out.

Key Takeaways:

Always Invite - Inclusion starts by simply asking someone if they'd like to join, giving everyone the opportunity to belong.

Play Builds Belonging - Playfulness isn't just for children—it creates connection, joy, and more inclusive communities.

Beyond Disability - A disability doesn't define someone's potential or limit their ability to live a meaningful life.

Challenge Labels - Moving beyond pity and stereotypes empowers people with disabilities to embrace independence and confidence.

Move Freely - Allowing yourself to move, dance, and express joy helps create authenticity and encourages others to do the same.

Tina Hoang’s definition of inclusion:

Inclusion is a psychologically safe place where people belong, can be vulnerable, and can share what is important to them.

Tina Hoang’s Bio:

Tina Hoang is a playful disabled Vietnamese woman who believes that every human being is meant to be playful until the day they die. She believes knowing your own version of playfulness brings out the most authentic self. Being a recovering people pleaser, she seeks other people pleasers to let them know to let go of societal/cultural beliefs and lean into their playful side so that they can spread more joy to the world. She hopes to inspire people to lean into their most playful side and show it publicly. Tina's purest and silliest playfulness is when she is dancing like no one's watching.

Connect with Tina Hoang:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-o-hoang/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playfully.unrestricted

Email: tinaohoang@gmail.com

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest:

Yes

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 94

No - 119

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