Propagating Play™ Establishes Scientific Advisory Council to Ground Science Communication in Accessible Research and Measurable Community Impact

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2026

Media Contact:  contact@hortikiplants.com Response time: 24 hours or less

Washington, DC — March 6, 2026 — Propagating Play™, a science communication media initiative of Hortiki Studios, announces the formation of its Scientific Advisory Council. This founding body of researchers and practitioners will ensure the project's science remains accessible, its community impact measurable, and its production practices ethical from the ground up.

Established ahead of the project's Summer 2026 launch, the council represents a core investment in quality. Propagating Play translates neuroscience research—specifically the use of play as a nervous system regulation tool—into wellness resources for those navigating burnout, time poverty, and systemic barriers to wellbeing. Getting the science right, and measuring its real-world outcomes, is central to this public health mission.

"I want this show to be useful, as well as fun," said Dr. Victoria LeBeaux, founder and creative director of Hortiki Studios. "The Scientific Advisory Council exists so the research behind Propagating Play is presented clearly, accurately, and accessibly for people from all walks of life."

Caption: This infographic outlines a multidisciplinary mission to bridge neuroscience and community health. By framing "play" as a clinical tool for nervous system regulation, the Council aims to combat burnout and systemic barriers (like time poverty) through accessible media, including podcasts, webtoons, and toolkits launching in 2026.

By adhering to best practices in public health communication, the council will help design content tailored to the communities that need it most. Founding members will be drawn from diverse fields, including public health communication, behavior change research, entertainment-education, horticultural therapy, nature-based play, ethical community media, and accessibility design. Rather than serving as an honorary board, the council will operate as an active working group, shaping content and production decisions in real time.

"I am excited to genuinely engage with these experts," Dr. LeBeaux added. "We look forward to sharing our questions and challenges with them, leveraging their insights to incorporate innovative solutions into the project as we build."

Ultimately, the council advances Propagating Play's dual mission: enhancing individual resilience and shifting systemic narratives. "Our goal is to make investments in play infrastructure just as normal as investments in mindfulness," Dr. LeBeaux noted. "We want to use the science of play to cultivate an ecosystem of care where every community can thrive and grow."

Researchers, practitioners, and scholar-practitioners in relevant fields are invited to express interest in council membership or nominate colleagues. Please direct inquiries to contact@hortikiplants.com. To learn more about the project, visit propagatingplay.com.

About Propagating Play™ Propagating Play™ is a science communication media project from Hortiki Studios that translates cutting-edge neuroscience about the power of play for healing and productivity into accessible tools for everyone. The project's media suite includes video and podcast programming, short-form animated science explainers, a serialized webtoon, and curriculum-based toolkits. Season 1 launches Summer 2026. The project is fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, providing nonprofit infrastructure for grant funding and community partnerships. Web: propagatingplay.com

About Hortiki Studios Hortiki Studios is the media division of Hortiki Plants LLC, a nine-year-old science company based in Washington, DC. Founded by Dr. Victoria LeBeaux, PhD, the studio produces content that makes science accessible, culturally resonant, and grounded in the lived experiences of the communities it serves. Web: hortikiplants.com