Playdate The Show

About Playdate The Show

Playdate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker. Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with. Playdate es un podcast filmado y un mundo mágico creativo, conducido por Lorena Martinez: actriz, creadora y conferencista TEDx. Dentro de este fuerte para adultos, amamos con intensidad, jugamos, creamos, reímos y tenemos conversaciones sobre creatividad, valentía y cómo construir una vida que te obsesione.

Publisher

Lorena Martinez

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Feb 2026

Latest episode

2 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Jul 2026

   Curly Velasquez on Magic, Manifestation & The Hidden Power of the Internet

   MIS AMORES! Can you believe it? We made it to the Season One Finale of PLAYDATE. 😭💖 And for our final gathering inside the fort, we're doing something we've never done before. We're casting a spell! Not metaphorically. Not as a cute theme. An actual spell. Together! I invited the incomparable Curly Velasquez into the fort, and what unfolded was one of the most magical conversations we've ever had. We talk about his beloved grandmother Gladys, growing up as a queer Latino kid, discovering his witchy gifts, the internet as a spiritual tool, manifestation, prayer, ancestors, creativity, courage, and the beautiful responsibility of becoming fully yourself. But then...We opened a circle. We invited spirit into the room. And we created a potion for all of us. This spell is for: ✨ Visibility to the RIGHT people ✨ Protection for dreamers, artists, creators, and anyone brave enough to be seen ✨ Gathering your people and your community ✨ Unexpected miracles and little winks from the universe to anyone who comes in contact with this content ✨ Play, creativity, joy, abundance, and inner child magic And yes, YOU are part of it. If this episode found you, you're in the circle. Light a candle. Grab your journal. Pick up your paintbrush. Make friendship bracelets. Color. Doodle. Drink tea. Sit with us. Add your energy to the cauldron. Because the spell isn't complete without you. 💫We are casting a vision for a world where people create more, play more, laugh more, dream bigger, and stop waiting for permission to become who they came here to be. A Play Revolution! A Creative Rebellion! A reminder that life is not a test. It's an experience. And if Curly leaves us with one message, it's this: I dare you to have a good time. ✨With all my love, Lorena. 🔗 Follow & Connect Host — Lorena MartinezInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorenaWebsite: https://www.playdatetheshow.comActing/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.com Guest — Curly Velasquez Instagram: @thecurlyvshow 💌 Media, Partnerships & Sponsorships For media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact: 📩 pr@biencreative.com ⭐️ If You Loved This Episode Please subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playdate-the-show/id1878479697, and share this episode with someone who needs a little bit more play in their life.

2. 

   18 Jun 2026

   Liz Kimball on the 5 Rules of the Creative Process and Finding Your Original Voice

   Mi amor! Get ready for one of the most inspiring Playdates ever. 🌙If you've ever felt creatively stuck, convinced your voice doesn't matter, or wondered if you have anything new to say, this hour might just change your life.Liz Kimball changed mine. She completely revolutionized my relationship with creativity and guided me back to my own magic. I could think of no greater gift than bringing her into the fort and introducing you to this unstoppable force. 💫Together, we travel back to Liz's wonderfully unconventional hippie childhood, her dramatic Barbie soap operas, her alter ego Sally Kimball (a tiny businesswoman in fake heels 👠), and the winding journey from professional dancer to transformational coach and creativity catalyst.But mi amor, this episode is so much more than a life story.It's an invitation to reclaim your original voice.And if you've ever struggled with body image, weight, or grown up in a world that taught you to obsess over how you look instead of how you feel, this conversation will hold you gently. ❤️ We talk about growing up in dance culture, the pressure so many women face to shrink themselves, and Liz's powerful decision to create a life where her worth and livelihood were no longer dependent on the size or shape of her body.We talk about why your weirdness is your gift, why telling the truth is the greatest thing a creative can do, how to stop trying to become your "best self" and instead become more yourself, why sharing your work is part of the creative process, and why the world desperately needs your creative voice right now.We also play games 🎭, have an epic Cringe story, put on what might be the most feminist puppet show in Playdate history, laugh until we cry 😂, and have some truly life-changing conversations about art, freedom, self-expression, and what it means to fulfill your soul's curriculum.If you need permission to make the thing, share the thing, trust your instincts, release the pressure to be perfect, and take up space exactly as you are...This Playdate is your permission slip. ✨Now grab your glitter pens, make something delightfully weird, and go share your gift.I love you. Welcome to the fort. 🌙✨🔗 Follow & ConnectHost — Lorena MartinezInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorenaWebsite: https://www.playdatetheshow.comActing/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.comGuest — Liz KimballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizkimball/Website: https://lizkimball.com/💌 Media, Partnerships & SponsorshipsFor media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:📩 pr@biencreative.com⭐️ If You Loved This EpisodePlease subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/mx/podcast/playdate-the-show/id1878479697, and share this episode with someone who needs a little bit more play in their life

3. 

   4 Jun 2026

   Find Your Fuego 🔥 | DD Fuego on Drag Race, Failure & Fighting for Your Dreams

   Mi amores… this episode means the world to me. 💛This week inside the fort, I get to play with one of my oldest friends in the entire universe: my childhood bestie from Monterrey, Mexico… the wildly talented drag artist, storyteller, creator, and human firework: DD Fuego. ✨🔥We go ALL the way back. Theater kid dreams. Broadway obsessions. NYU auditions. Spring Awakening mania. Running around New York together, trying to build lives that felt impossible.But at the heart of this episode is something much deeper:How do you keep believing in yourself after heartbreak?How do you continue creating when the dream doesn’t unfold the way you imagined?How do you find your fuego again?DD opens up about auditioning for RuPaul’s Drag Race for TEN YEARS… finally making it onto the show… and the devastating experience of being eliminated first. We talk about disappointment, shame, ambition, artistry, queerness, resilience, and what it means to keep creating even when the world doesn’t immediately hand you the flowers you hoped for.And somehow… we also laugh NON STOP 😂This episode is for every artist who has ever wondered:“Was I brave for nothing?” (You weren’t!)Inside this PLAYDATE: ✨ Growing up queer and artistic in Monterrey, Mexico ✨ Theater school dreams & moving to NYC together ✨ Discovering drag as an art form ✨ The 10-year Drag Race audition journey ✨ What REALLY happens emotionally after reality TV ✨ Finding your fuego and following the spark anyway ✨ Friendship, grief, play, and creative survival ✨ Why being cringe might actually set you freePLUS:🎭 A RECORD-BREAKING Broadway Heads Up🫧 Bubble compliment extravaganza📚 The story behind DD Fuego’s coloring book❤️ The most emotional LOVE BOMB of my life👑 Drag Race tea🔥 A very important conversation about building an artistic life on your own termsThis one is loud-hearted, funny, vulnerable, deeply Mexican, bilingual, theatrical, and full of love. I’m so proud of my friend. And I think this conversation will help a lot of people feel less alone.Go support artists who are brave enough to keep creating after disappointment. That is real courage. ❤️🔗 Follow & ConnectHost — Lorena MartinezInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorenaWebsite: https://www.playdatetheshow.comActing/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.comGuest — Daniel Dabdoub aka. DD FuegoInstagram: @ddfuegoWebsite: www.ddfuego.com💌 Media, Partnerships & SponsorshipsFor media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:📩 pr@biencreative.com⭐️ If You Loved This EpisodePlease subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playdate-the-show/id1878479697, and share this episode with someone who needs a little bit more play in their life.

4. 

   21 May 2026

   The Art of Being Seen | Photographer Jackson Davis on Creativity & Authenticity

   Mis amores… this is an EXTRA special episode because it is the very first PLAYDATE we ever shot. 🥹✨ There was never a question in my mind about who I wanted to kick this whole adventure off with: my favorite photographer in the world, Jackson Davis.Jackson is not only the photographer behind PLAYDATE… he is one of the artists who changed the way I see myself forever. Years ago, I did my first shoot with him while creating materials for a TV project, and I can confidently say my relationship to myself radically shifted afterward. He captured parts of me I wasn’t even aware existed yet. Plus… it does not hurt that he is the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on??? This episode is packed with incredible conversations about creativity, acting, photography, authenticity, and what it really takes to build a life as an artist. We talk about Jackson’s journey from a little boy dreaming of becoming a stand-up comedian, doing impressions for his classmates after his sixth grade teacher literally gave him a comedy slot at the end of class 😭… to joining the Navy right before 9/11… to eventually finding his way back to acting, photography, and creative freedom. Inside this PLAYDATE: ⚡ Jackson’s childhood dream of becoming a comedian and the teacher who gave him five minutes to perform for the class every week ⚡ his intense experience serving in the Navy during 9/11 ⚡ the surprising path that led him from military life to Hollywood ⚡ the BEST acting advice we’ve ever discussed in the fort ⚡ Meisner repetition, vulnerability, and learning how to truly listen ⚡ why authenticity is the secret weapon for actors and artists ⚡ how to prep for a headshot or photoshoot like a pro ⚡ audition rituals, creative flow, and calming nerves before high-pressure moments ⚡ why “thinking is the death of creativity” ⚡ what photographers are actually looking for in a session ⚡ why waiting for permission is destroying artists ⚡ plus games, puppets, cringe stories, LEGO architecture, emotional chaos, and… an alarming amount of pee stories 💀 Grab a craft and come play with two artists talking about creativity, fear, dreams, beauty, and what it means to become more fully yourself.“Radical self acceptance and authenticity is the way forward as any kind of artist. ”Welcome to the fort, bebe. 🏕️💛 ✨ About PlaydatePlaydate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker.Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with. 🔗 Follow & ConnectHost — Lorena Martinez Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorena Website: https://www.playdatetheshow.com Acting/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.com Guest — Jackson Davis Instagram: @jacksondavisphotoWebsite: www.jacksondavisphotography.com 💌 Media, Partnerships & SponsorshipsFor media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:📩 pr@biencreative.com ⭐️ If You Loved This EpisodePlease subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playdate-the-show/id1878479697, and share this episode with someone who needs a little bit more play in their life.

5. 

   7 May 2026

   The Hidden Link Between Creativity, Spirituality & Mental Health | Director + Writer Andrew Russell

   What if creativity, mental health, and spirituality are all the same electric current? ⚡Writer & director Andrew Russell breaks down bipolarity, theater, and the energy of being human.Welcome to the Fort, mi amor! 🧡This week on PLAYDATE, we dive deep into the wildly brilliant, hilarious, and soul-stretching mind of writer and director Andrew Russell… and baby, this one is a JOURNEY.From growing up in rural Indiana to becoming an award-winning playwright and director, Andrew’s story is a tapestry of theater, identity, imagination, and radical honesty. We talk about the kind of creativity that saves your life… and the kind that demands you tell the truth.✨ Inside this episode:- His iconic obsession with Whoopi Goldberg (yes, he created an entire Whoopi Goldberg Day in high school 😭)- The magic of divas as lifelines for queer kids growing up in small towns- His award-winning play My Maria and why it’s “a secretly gay play about straight people”- His gripping upcoming novel Norm Red (think: Tennessee Williams meets Drop Dead Gorgeous)- A chilling and fascinating reflection on fear of groups of men and toxic masculinity culture- Growing up in 4H, county fairs, and country music dreams- His creative process: how ideas arrive, how stories choose their form, and how to follow them- A raw, powerful conversation about living on the bipolar spectrum and navigating mania, depression, and creative energy- Why creativity, spirituality, and mental health might all be part of the same electric current ⚡- Theater as a sacred space for human connection in a world racing toward AIAnd of course… this is Playdate: 🎨 We craft 🎭 We puppet 🎲 We play 🔥 We get a little chaotic (hello Cauldron Chaos + Bubbles + Ridiculous Accents) 💌 And we close with a heart-cracking Grimoire momentThis episode is funny, deep, vulnerable, and wildly inspiring. It’s about embracing your inner world, telling the truth, and daring to be seen… even when it’s messy.Press play, get cozy, and come play with us 💫✨ About PlaydatePlaydate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker.Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with.

6. 

   30 Apr 2026

   The Secret to Unleashing Your Voice, Power & Magic | Amy Chapman

   Mis amores!This week inside the fort, I get to play with the one and only Amy Chapman… aka THE Voice Witch. ✨🎤🧙♀️A licensed vocal therapist, healer, and absolute wizard of sound, Amy works with some of the most iconic voices in the world: Idina Menzel, Shakira, Sia, Dick Van Dyke, Brian Littrell, James Van Der Beek, and so many more.And this episode? It is pure vocal witchcraft!We go all the way back to little princess-dress Amy singing Disney songs in the backyard, dreaming of Broadway… to the heartbreak of rejection that led her to become one of the most powerful voice healers in Hollywood.Inside this PLAYDATE:✨ The truth about finding your REAL voice🎤 Voice witchcraft exercises that instantly change your sound (and blow your mind)🧠 A powerful exercise for Parkinson’s, aging voice, weak voice, and vocal strength💥 How to unlock your belt, your high notes, and release tongue tension🎭 Stories from working with icons like Idina Menzel, Shakira, Sia, Dick Van Dyke, and Backstreet Boys’ Brian Littrell (I’M DEAD BTW)😭 A deeply heart-wrenching story about the late James Van Der Beek that I will never forget🎶 Why singing is healing, prayer, and one of the most powerful things we can do for ourselves👑 Why women need to brag more, take up space, and love themselves out loud! 🧜♀️ A full voice-over lesson as we create and discover the voices of two new magical members of the fort: Amy the Mermaid and Paloma (pero you can call her Jam 👀)🎭 Puppet voice play, character building, and the kind of ridiculous joyful chaos that could only happen inside the fortThis one is funny, emotional, magical, and honestly… life-changing.If you have ever felt like your voice was too much, too small, too broken, too scared, or too hidden… this episode is for you.Welcome to the fort, mi amor.Come sing. Come brag. Come play!AMY'S DARE:🎤 Sing + Brag! Sing out loud to someone or a group of people without caring what you sound like! And Brag about it. Please share it with us! ✨ About PlaydatePlaydate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker.Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with.🔗 Follow & ConnectHost — Lorena MartinezInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorenaWebsite: https://www.playdatetheshow.comActing/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.comGuest — Amy ChapmanInstagram: @amychapmanWebsite: www.voicelabla.com💌 Media, Partnerships & SponsorshipsFor media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:📩 pr@biencreative.com⭐️ If You Loved This EpisodePlease subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playdate-the-show/id1878479697, and share this episode with someone who needs a little bit more play in their life. CHAPTERS:0:00 Welcome to Playdate!5:30 Love Bomb!9:25 Little Amy + Broadway Dreams13:00 Becoming a Voice Healer17:07 Speed + Meeting Andrew Lloyd Webber22:44 Heads Up! + The Importance of Bragging 29:30 Dare Time! 32:35 VOICE WITCHCRAFT38:50 Parkinson's and The Voice43:20 Jingle + Puppet Voices! 48:58 Craft Time and ICONIC Stories Of Legends She's Worked With. 1:00:11 Why Singing Heals You1:12:14 The Song That Makes Amy Cry1:17:00 The Grimoire Closing Ritual

7. 

   23 Apr 2026

   The Secret to Booking Hollywood’s Greatest Roles | Kapil Talwalkar on Play, Career & Resilience

   Mis amores! ARE YOU READY?!This week inside the fort, I get to play with the wildly talented, deeply lovable, and effortlessly cool Kapil Talwalkar… currently starring on Peacock’s “The Burbs” with an iconic cast led by Keke Palmer. Y mi amor, you are going to fall deeply in love with Kapil. From the moment he discovered comedy as a little kid making a room full of strangers laugh… to navigating the emotional rollercoaster of Hollywood (being written off a show, battling anxiety, and rising again to book incredible roles)… Kapil brings honesty, humor, and so much HEART to this conversation.And this episode is extra special because for our craft this week? WE ARE WRITING THE OFFICIAL PLAYDATE JINGLE TOGETHER! In real time! We will also: 🎭 Play ridiculous, chaotic games (the Oreo challenge = spiritual awakening??) 😂 Talk about the wild ups and downs of an acting career 🎬 Geek out over working with icons like Sandra Oh, Peter Dinklage, Lupita Nyong’o, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson 🧠 Dive into inner child energy, creativity, and why play is actually the portal 🧸 Do a puppet theater from The Burbs (which just got picked up for a second season!) 💥 And create the kind of magic that only happens when two friends PLAYKapil also gives us a peek into his hilarious new show The Burbs, shares what he’s learned from working with some of the best in the industry, and reminds us that:✨ The cream always rises ✨ your job is to love the work ✨ and the kid inside you is still the geniusThis episode is joy, truth, music, chaos, craft, and a little bit of glittery healing all in one.So grab a snack, get cozy… and come play with us! 💫And stayed tuned for the premiere of the Playdate Jingle “Bienvenidos al Fort” at the end of this episode!WELCOME TO THE FORT.New episodes every Thursday 🌳Subscribe, like, and share this with someone who needs a reminder to bring the silly back.🔮 YOUR DARE (from Kapil)Do one thing today that scares you.It can be small…Ask for something you normally wouldn’t.Say the thing you’ve been holding back.Or go big… 👀Ask them out.Go after the opportunity!YOU’VE GOT THIS! It’s really cool to witness your courage bebe, and this is the only way.Te amo.✨ About PlaydatePlaydate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker.Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with.✨ Sobre PlaydatePlaydate es un podcast filmado y un mundo mágico creativo, conducido por Lorena Martinez: actriz, creadora y conferencista TEDx.Dentro de este fuerte para adultos, amamos con intensidad, jugamos, creamos, reímos y tenemos conversaciones honestas sobre creatividad, valentía y cómo construir una vida que te obsesione.🔗 Follow & ConnectHost — Lorena MartinezInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorenaWebsite: https://www.playdatetheshow.comActing/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.comGuest — Kapil TalwalkarInstagram: @ktalwalk💌 Media, Partnerships & SponsorshipsFor media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:📩 pr@biencreative.com⭐️ If You Loved This EpisodePlease subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playdate-the-show/id1878479697, and share this episode with someone who needs a little bit more play in their life.

8. 

   9 Apr 2026

   He Almost Lost It… Then Booked the Role of His Life | Tonatiuh's Breakthrough Story

   Welcome to the Fort, my love… are you ready for this one?! 🕯️✨This week on Playdate, I get to sit across from someone I love deeply… the brilliant, hilarious, wildly talented Tonatiuh. And bebé… his story? It’s the kind that rewires your belief in what’s possible.Because this isn’t overnight success.This is:1,129 auditions.Yes… he counted.1,129 times of showing up.1,129 times of being told this is not your moment1,129 moments of choosing to keep going anyway.And then…✨ The iconic audition that felt like his 💔 The rejection that broke his heart 🕯️ The 2:30am surrender… “if it’s not mine, I let it go” 🌅 And the next morning… everything changed!He books Kiss of the Spider Woman alongside Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna… and suddenly, he’s not dreaming it anymore.He’s living it.But what makes this episode magic isn’t just the booking…It’s: 💫 What it actually takes to stay in the game that long💔 The emotional toll of almost making it… over and over again🧡 The unforgettable stories working with THE JLo and Diego Luna. “This is your Selena moment” 🔥 The moment you stop chasing… and become it👵 Watching his own family (90+ relatives!) see him on the big screen 🎭 And the truth that your dream isn’t random… it’s remembering who you areInside the Fort, we also of course…🎲 Play games (the most competitive Oreo challenge of all time) 🎭 Transform with accents, characters, and pure chaos 🎨 Make weird, beautiful little creatures 💌 And celebrate him with a Love Bomb that might make you cry tooBut underneath all the play…This episode is a love letter to persistence.To the artists…To the dreamers…To the ones who feel like it’s taking too long…Your path is not delayed mi amor! It’s being forged.And if you’ve ever wondered if it’s worth it to keep going…This is your sign.Welcome to the Fort. 🧡And if this applies to you, here is Tona’s dare for you:- I dare you to reach out to someone you’ve been avoiding…and tell them you love them. Tell them all is forgiven.✨ About PlaydatePlaydate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker.Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with.✨ Sobre PlaydatePlaydate es un podcast filmado y un mundo mágico creativo, conducido por Lorena Martinez: actriz, creadora y conferencista TEDx.Dentro de este fuerte para adultos, amamos con intensidad, jugamos, creamos, reímos y tenemos conversaciones honestas sobre creatividad, valentía y cómo construir una vida que te obsesione.🔗 Follow & ConnectHost — Lorena MartinezInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorenaWebsite: https://www.playdatetheshow.comActing/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.comGuest — TonatiuhInstagram: @tonatiuh💌 Media, Partnerships & SponsorshipsFor media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:📩 pr@biencreative.com⭐️ If You Loved This EpisodePlease subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playdate-the-show/id1878479697 and share this episode with someone who needs a little bit more play in their life.

9. 

   2 Apr 2026

   Alzheimer’s, Grief… and the Power of Play with Roxana Ortega

   Welcome to the Fort, my love… this one is something special. 🕯️✨On this week’s Playdate, I get to play with the absolutely iconic Roxana Ortega… and let me tell you… I have never laughed harder!Roxy is a cartoon voiceover queen (you’ve heard her on Monsters at Work, Archer, The Casagrandes and more), and inside the Fort she lets all her characters loose. From Frida Casagrande to Penelope Cruz… it is pure, unhinged delight.Bebe, it gets deep! Because Roxy doesn’t just teach us how to do voices…She teaches us how to get out of our heads and into play.✨ Give yourself permission to make mistakes✨ Follow the fun, even when it’s “wrong”✨ Stop overthinking… just try things✨Try the complete opposite. And suddenly… creativity isn’t something you perform… it’s something you allow.And then… we go somewhere sacred. We dive into her stunning solo show “Am I Roxie?”… a story born from caring for her mother through Alzheimer’s.What unfolds is one of the most beautiful ideas I’ve ever heard:What if… instead of correcting someone in their reality… you play with them inside it?Roxy shares how, in the face of grief, loss, and confusion… she chose play. And in the process, created some magical lifetime memories with her mother.And in that choice… she found connection, freedom and a kind of love that transcends memory itself.It’s wild. It’s heartbreaking. It’s healing.And somehow… it’s still hilarious.Inside this Playdate you’ll find:🎭 A masterclass in voiceover + creating unforgettable characters😂 Cauldron Chaos: her iconic characters in the most ridiculous scenarios 🎤 How to get out of your head and just do it💥 Why “doing it wrong” might be your greatest creative superpower🎨 Play as a tool for connection, healing, and joy🕯️ The reality of caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s… and choosing love anyway💔 Grief, identity, and the wild beauty of playing in the face of tragedy💛 Low key the best dating advice I’ve ever heard!🎲 CRINGE OFF chaos (you already know…)This episode is laughter, tears, and magic… all in one breath. Play isn’t childish.It’s survival.It’s connection.It’s everything.And if you’re brave… try Roxy’s dare:👉 Pick up any object in your house… and make it talk! Bienvenido al Fort mi amor!💌 If this episode moved you… share it with someone who needs a little more joy (or permission to be wildly themselves). ✨ About PlaydatePlaydate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker.Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with. 🔗 Follow & ConnectHost — Lorena MartinezInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorenaWebsite: https://www.playdatetheshow.comActing/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.comGuest — Roxana OrtegaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxanaortegaofficial/ Website: https://roxanaortega.com/ 💌 Media, Partnerships & SponsorshipsFor media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:📩 pr@biencreative.com

10. 

    26 Mar 2026

    Mitch Silpa’s Legendary Comedy Career + The Improv Mindset That Changes Your Life

    Welcome back to the Fort mi amor!This week on PLAYDATE, I get to play with the brilliant, hilarious, deeply lovable Mitch Silpa: actor, Groundlings legend, and one of those performers whose face you absolutely know from some of the most iconic comedy projects of the last few decades.From Bridesmaids, Spy, The Heat, Will & Grace, Gilmore Girls, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Desperate Housewives, Reno 911!, The Comeback, and beyond… Mitch has built a truly legendary comedy career. But this episode is not just about the wild stories from those iconic sets.It’s also about the magic of improv! Why it terrifies people. Why it frees people. And why the principles of improv might actually help us live a braver life. Inside the Fort, Mitch shares the wisdom he’s learned from decades at The Groundlings, including the ideas that can change not just your work, but your whole nervous system: ✨ The only way out is through ✨ Listen ✨ Make it about the other person ✨ Say yes, and… ✨ Stop trying to control the situation ✨ Make positive choices ✨ Life goes on even if you bomb We also get into his incredible journey, from being a kid obsessed with disaster movies and airplane comedies… to one day finding himself shooting Bridesmaids on the same airplane set used in his favorite movie Airplane! Inside this PLAYDATE, you’ll find: 🎭 Mitch’s path from childhood performing to a 30-year career with the legendary Groundlings ✈️ The surreal manifestation story that led from loving airplane movies to booking Bridesmaids 😂 Behind-the-scenes stories from Spy and the hilarious Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne 📺 Stories from Will & Grace, including a sweet and unforgettable memory of the wonderful Leslie Jordan ☕ Memories from Gilmore Girls, where Mitch played Paris’s life coach 😳 A truly excellent CRINGE OFF story involving student council speeches 🎨 Play, puppets, clay, theater-kid joy, and the reminder that creativity gets to be funThis episode is for actors, improvisers, comedy lovers, theater kids, creative weirdos, and anyone who needs a reminder that fear doesn’t mean stop. It might just mean: you’re in the right place. Get cozy, and welcome to the Fort! ✨ About PlaydatePlaydate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker.Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with.

11. 

    19 Mar 2026

    Ghost Stories, Family & Legacy | How Sara Lee Porkalob Found Her Voice

    Welcome to the Fort, mi amor 🏕️✨What happens when you stop waiting for permission… and start telling the story only you can tell?In Episode 5 of Playdate, I sit down with the extraordinary Sara Lee Porkalob: award-winning writer, performer, activist, and creator of the Dragon Cycle, her epic trilogy of matrilineal musical plays about her Filipina American family. Sara is currently starring in Dragon Mama at the Geffen Playhouse, the second chapter in her Dragon Cycle trilogy, honoring her mother’s story.It’s a wild, heartfelt, multi-character ride through lost dreams, immigrant family dynamics, and the courage to carve your own path. And yes… she plays everyone!We talk about how her family stories became her way into playwriting, performance, and her own unique artistry. What started as an 8-minute solo performance grew into a sweeping theatrical saga that not only transformed Sara as an artist, but opened the door to healing, empathy, and real conversation inside her family.And because this is Playdate… of course we gonna play hard!Inside the Fort, we meet some of Sara’s iconic characters, improvise them into wonderful places, laugh until we lose it, bring Dragon Mama into the Fort Theater with puppets, swap ghost stories, and let Mr. Cringe wreak havoc with some of the most embarrassing moments of our lives! ✨ Inside this episode:- How Sara found her voice by creating her own work- The power of telling the stories that shaped you- What it means to honor your family without simplifying them- How art can spark healing across generations- Why comedy is part of emotional survival- The creative process as intuition, channeling, and flow- Why artists should stop waiting for someone else to decide who they get to becomeThis episode is for artists, writers, actors, daughters, family historians, and anyone trying to make meaning out of where they come from.It’s about lineage.It’s about identity.It’s about becoming the artist you were always meant to be.Grab some snacks. Get cozy. Welcome to the Fort 🌟CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome to Playdate!2:59 Love Bomb!8:14 Speed and Finding Dragon Lady14:51 Pictionary + From Karaoke To Theater16:41 Weightlifting + Finding Her Creative Team24:00 Cauldron Chaos: Dragon Mama edition28:12 The Cringe Off!38:09 Magical Hats + Villain Laugh Off39:46 Fort Theater Presents: Dragon Mama42:46 Craft Time + Dragon Cycle Creative Process01:02:51 The Grimoire Closing Ritual01:03:43 Sara’s Dare For You01:04:30 Lorena’s Dare For YouTHIS WEEK'S DARE FROM SARA: set a timer and write from your POV as a child doing something you loved to do as a kid for 15 minutes. Put that pencil to paper!LORENA'S DARE: ask a grandparent or parent about a story in your family history that you have never heard of before. Find the magic and learn something new about your lineage!✨ About PlaydatePlaydate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker.Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with. 🔗 Follow & ConnectHost — Lorena MartinezInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorenaWebsite: https://www.playdatetheshow.comActing/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.comGuest — Sara Lee PorkalobInstagram: @sporkalobWebsite: https://www.saraporkalob.com/💌 Media, Partnerships & SponsorshipsFor media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:📩 pr@biencreative.com

12. 

    12 Mar 2026

    Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Star Vincent Rodriguez III on ADHD, Musical Theater & Creative Alchemy

    Welcome to the Fort, mi amor! 🫧In Episode 4 of Playdate, Lorena Martinez sits down with actor Vincent Rodriguez III (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Insatiable, With Love) for one of the most joyful, chaotic, and surprisingly profound playdates yet.Inside the fort we talk about ADHD, creativity, musical theatre obsession, and the magic of being a wildly curious human.Vinnie opens up about growing up as a theater kid, booking his dream role on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and what it actually feels like to live with ADHD and sensory awareness in an industry that often misunderstands neurodivergence.Inside the fort you will find:🎬 A look at the journey from dreaming big to building a creative career🎨 How artists stay playful, curious, and creatively alive🧠 Insight into neurodivergence, sensory awareness, and emotional creativity💡 A conversation about ADHD and why it might actually be a creative superpower🎭 The powerful relationship between music, the body, and artistic expression🃏 Games, dares, and card chaos with a twist of imagination and magic🎤 Musical theatre geeking out, spontaneous singing, and puppet performances✨ Conversations about creativity, alchemy, curiosity, and the magic of being an artist🧸 A reminder that play is not childish… it’s a portal to geniusThis episode is hilarious, vulnerable, and full of love for the artists, dreamers, and beautifully chaotic minds of the world.So grab your crayons. 🖍️Pour something delicious. 🥂And welcome to the Fort.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome to Playdate05:17 Love Bomb!08:14 Speed + Actual Magic Tricks!14:30 Our 5 Senses & Neurodivergence16:57 Broadway Heads Up21:57 Alchemy + ADHD30:10 Musical Theatre Geeking Out34:06 Finishing Heads Up + Vinnie Fun Facts36:58 Dares & Singing with Puppets45:33 Wonderful World of Vinnie47:30 The Grimoire Closing Ritual✨ About PlaydatePlaydate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker.Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with.✨ Sobre PlaydatePlaydate es un podcast filmado y un mundo mágico creativo, conducido por Lorena Martinez: actriz, creadora y conferencista TEDx.Dentro de este fuerte para adultos, amamos con intensidad, jugamos, creamos, reímos y tenemos conversaciones honestas sobre creatividad, valentía y cómo construir una vida que te obsesione.🔗 Follow & ConnectHost — Lorena MartinezInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorenaWebsite: https://www.playdatetheshow.comActing/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.comGuest — Vincent (Vinnie) Rodriguez IIIInstagram: @vrodrigueziiiWebsite: https://www.vrodrigueziii.com/info💌 Media, Partnerships & SponsorshipsFor media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:📩 pr@biencreative.com⭐️ If You Loved This EpisodePlease subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playdate-the-show/id1878479697 and share this episode with someone who needs a little bit more play in their life.

13. 

    5 Mar 2026

    Clowning, Puppets & Juan Gabriel | A Wild Creative Conversation with Writer Bernardo Cubria

    Welcome to the Fort mi amor!In Episode 3 of Playdate, Lorena Martinez sits down with Hollywood screenwriter Bernardo Cubria for a joyful, chaotic, and surprisingly profound conversation about clowning, writing, and the courage it takes to become the artist you’re meant to be.Bernardo is the screenwriter behind the upcoming Juan Gabriel biopic, directed by Gaz Alazraki, and in this episode we dive into the creative process behind honoring one of Mexico’s most beloved icons.And mi amor, this episode is unapologetically Spanglish! Because when two Mexican clowns get together to play and talk about art, identity, and Juanga… There is simply no filter.But because this is Playdate, we don’t just talk about art… We play our way into it!Inside the Fort you’ll find:🎭 A deep dive into clowning as an artistic practice and why it can transform your creative process🎬 Behind-the-scenes insights into writing the Juan Gabriel biopic🧠 Wisdom on finding your voice as a storyteller🎲 A chaotic round of Speed and our deep love for Lucille Ball🫧 Dares involving Oreos, bubbles, and loud compliments🎨 Drawing challenges and ridiculous games🎭 And an absolutely unhinged three-act puppet play written by Bernardo, “The Giant Void in My Soul,” performed at the Fort Theater… starring Mr. Cringe as Fool #2 and Chango Tu Banana as Fool #1 Somewhere between all the laughter and silliness, something deeper appears:A conversation about roots, identity, Mexican artistry, creative courage, and the strange beautiful path of becoming yourself as an artist.If you’re a writer, actor, artist, or creative soul trying to find your voice, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the fastest way to truth… is play.So grab your crayons.Pour something delicious.And welcome to the Fort!CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome to Playdate!2:58 Love Bomb!5:24 Speed + Why We Love Lucy!10:11 Taboo + Early Theater Memories17:47 What It Takes To Be A Theater Legend20:50 The Fort Theater Presents: “The Giant Void In My Soul” (Puppet Play)29:35 Dare Time! Oreos, Bubbles + Chaos36:00 Craft Time: Writing, Feedback & The Creative Process46:00 Clowning: Life-Changing Principles for Artists48:25 JUAN GABRIEL: Love, Legacy & Booking the Biopic57:06 The Grimoire Closing Ritual

14. 

    26 Feb 2026

    Art, Witches & Musical Theater with Kristin Hanggi | PLAYDATE #2

    Welcome back to the Fort!In Episode 2 of Playdate, Lorena Martinez plays and dives deep with Broadway director Kristin Hanggi (Rock of Ages, Bare: A Pop Opera, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion: The Musical) between playful segments and a soul-level conversation about art, faith, magic, witches, and creative purpose.Inside the Fort, expect laughter, games, craft-time chaos, and theatrical storytelling… along with an honest exploration of:• The industry setbacks that led Kristin to discovering her true purpose• Directing Broadway legends and bringing iconic musicals to life• How the queer community models radical authenticity• The intersection of God, theater, and creative calling• What it really means to be a Witch• Women’s circles, superpowers, and reclaiming magic without fearThis episode gets real about spirituality and art. About failure and divine redirection. About discovering your creative superpowers and learning how to access them.If you’ve ever felt called to something bigger… If you’re curious about witches, women’s circles, or the spiritual language artists use…If you love musical theater and bold conversations about faith and authenticity…Grab some crayons, pour something yummy and welcome to the Fort!CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome to Playdate!1:56 Love Bomb!6:52 Poetry, Play and Little Kristin10:33 Magic and God- A Faith Journey15:15 Directing Bear- Creating Holy Space18:49 Becoming a Director: Rejection Turned Redirection.22:45 Queer Community: A Lesson of Authenticity28:10 Dare Time!30:25 Directing Broadway Icons33:38 Navigating The Fear Storm35:53 Puppets Reading Poetry: “God, Sex and Musical Theater”38:41 Craft Time and Magical Witch Conversation51:30 The Grimoire Closing Ritual52:52 "Job Description To Myself" by Kristin Hanggi✨ About PlaydatePlaydate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker.Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with.✨ Sobre PlaydatePlaydate es un podcast filmado y un mundo mágico creativo, conducido por Lorena Martinez: actriz, creadora y conferencista TEDx.Dentro de este fuerte para adultos, amamos con intensidad, jugamos, creamos, reímos y tenemos conversaciones honestas sobre creatividad, valentía y cómo construir una vida que te obsesione.”🔗 Follow & ConnectHost — Lorena MartinezInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorenaWebsite: https://www.playdatetheshow.comActing/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.comGuest — Kristin HanggiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanggilove/Website: https://www.kristinhanggi.com/💌 Media, Partnerships & SponsorshipsFor media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:📩 pr@biencreative.com⭐️ If You Loved This EpisodePlease subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts and rate it 5 stars! That'd me amazing! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playdate-the-show/id1878479697 Share this episode with someone who needs a little bit more play in their life!

15. 

    19 Feb 2026

    Cringe, Courage & The Chosen with Noah James | PLAYDATE #1

    Welcome friends! In this very first episode of Playdate, Lorena Martinez sits down with The Chosen actor Noah James for a wild, hilarious, and unexpectedly profound ride.From Broadway auditions to the most epic Pokemon Cringe story you’ve ever heard, we dive into what it really takes to stay in the game as an artist; showing up when there’s no hope, risking embarrassment, and remembering to PLAY.Also included? Silly dares, a puppet rave, stunning artwork, and the kind of creative joy we could use more of these days.So grab some crayons. Pour a glass of wine.Welcome to the Fort!⏱ CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome to Playdate02:32 Love Bomb!05:35 Little Noah and Pokemon08:39 Speed and The Scream Inside13:00 Broadway Audition - Frankie Camp!24:25 Heads Up!27:30 Dare Time! THE CRINGE OFF40:33 The Fort Theater presents: The Typist (Puppet Sketch)44:40 Puppet Rave Chaos46:26 Craft Time + The Chosen59:41 The Grimoire Closing Ritual ✨ About PlaydatePlaydate is a filmed podcast and creative playground hosted by Lorena Martinez; actor, creator, and TEDx speaker.Inside this fort for grown adults, we love hard, play, create, laugh, and have honest conversations about creativity, courage, and building a life you’re obsessed with.✨ Sobre PlaydatePlaydate es un podcast filmado y un mundo mágico creativo, conducido por Lorena Martinez: actriz, creadora y conferencista TEDx.Dentro de este fuerte para adultos, amamos con intensidad, jugamos, creamos, reímos y tenemos conversaciones honestas sobre creatividad, valentía y cómo construir una vida que te obsesione🔗 Follow & ConnectHost — Lorena MartinezInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/biencreativelorena/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playdatewithlorenaWebsite: https://www.playdatetheshow.comActing/Speaking/Coaching: https://www.biencreative.comGuest — Noah JamesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_noahjames/EP Run The Dungeon: https://open.spotify.com/album/50kDhjlIaYkbtkaXWsgQOu?si=lG37zHzyQ5WKX_jNatk_og&nd=1&dlsi=b33b9dd344944a1b💌 Media, Partnerships & SponsorshipsFor media inquiries, brand partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:📩 pr@biencreative.com⭐️ If You Loved This EpisodePlease subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts (link), and share this episode with someone who needs a little bit more play in their life.

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