Meet Betsy Edelberg, MSFHD

We recently connected with Betsy Edelberg, MSFHD and have shared our conversation below.

Betsy, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

It is paradoxically both a strength and a weakness to be a solopreneur. Having a unique gift is often how it all begins, and needing to expand is the inevitable growing edge. Building a business from a personal vision is, by nature, an act of deep optimism. I’ve always felt an inner drive to be uniquely and visibly creative.

My first venture into the creative world was 25 years ago in New York City, where—seemingly out of nowhere—I launched a line of tee shirts made from deadstock gym class sweatshirts. At the time, few people were spending money on tee shirts, and yet my designs appeared in storefronts across New York and other cities. I began making one-of-a-kind shirts that ended up being sold to celebrities, featured in a fashion show curated by a well-known musical artist, and even caught the attention of another music icon for a potential private label deal. I was uniquely positioned to excel, and yet I didn’t even know what a showroom was—I didn’t know they existed. I clearly had the magic but lacked the foundational knowledge of the industry to leverage and sustain my business. When the deadstock ran out, so did my momentum. I remained a creative, but not yet a successful businessperson.

In the years that followed, I pursued inner peace. Yoga became part of my daily routine. I had my first child and discovered the profound mix of joy and pain in connection. I was still working in the fashion industry, but for others, and as a young mother, I felt myself growing despondent. My partner asked me the question: “What would you do if you couldn’t lose?” Without hesitation, I answered: “Work with families in a creative way.” That clarity revealed my most essential value. I shifted my focus from fashion to family work, channeling my creativity into a new career path.
At first, I worked for others and dabbled a bit on my own. But soon, my distinct vision and talents made those watered-down roles feel unfulfilling. When I was pregnant with my second child, I had a specific, vivid vision of what kind of parent-child work I wanted to do—not just for other families, but with my own. That vision became the foundation of Playgroup Los Angeles.

On the wall of my office, I have a quote from Henry David Thoreau:
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”

I learned this lesson through my first venture and continue to live it today. Being a visionary is a true gift, but the real work is in grounding that vision. I’ve now been doing the work I love for 18 years. My “air castles”—my dreams—remain my most profound source of optimism. My creative work with parents and children is deeply healing, and that support sustains me as I continue to build and strengthen my business.

I’m still in the process of putting stronger foundations beneath my dreams, making my work more sustainable every day. My optimism has been hard-earned, which makes it far sturdier than naive positivity. It’s rooted in real evidence of how things grow and thrive—especially healing work, which, for me, may be the best definition of success. A literal sense of wellness is always within reach, sometimes almost instantly.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Imagine this: soft morning light filtering through tall trees, the scent of damp earth and wildflowers in the air, birds calling overhead as little feet crunch gently over fallen leaves. In this quiet woodland clearing, families gather in a circle, children snuggled close to their parents. I lead them through timeless songs and simple stories—tales often carried from long ago and far away—followed by art experiences crafted from natural materials, encouraging creativity, connection, and play. On the surface, it looks simple: gathering, singing, creating. But beneath it all, something profound is happening.

What I truly offer is a healing space—a pause button for life, a place where time slows down or even seems to stop. Childhood passes in the blink of an eye, yet it is the most crucial, impactful chapter of a person’s life, especially in terms of brain development. There is no relationship more powerful or sacred than that of parent and child, and arguably, mother and child. I intentionally harness the cosmic power of this bond alongside the expansive, grounding forces of nature. Together, they create transformational moments—experiences that calm the nervous system, foster connection, and plant core memories in young, developing minds.

Over the years, countless parents have shared how unexpectedly healing these gatherings have been. I’ve heard reflections like, “I feel like I got another chance at the childhood I missed,” and, “Every time I leave, I feel like a better parent.” That is the priceless magic. I, too, feel the shift. No matter how tense or hurried I arrive, by the end of each class, I am fully peaceful—embodied, joyful, present. It slowly dawned on me: I was offering not just a playgroup, but a healing service.
The most exciting news is that Forest Playgroup™ has become a teacher certification program. I’ve created a clear, supportive pathway for others—teachers, healers, mothers, creatives—who feel called to offer this kind of work in their own communities. Through a detailed manual, hands-on mentorship, and a certification workbook filled with essential child development theory (distilled from my three degrees and years of experience), I guide each new leader to confidently create their own version of this nurturing, transformative space.

It is my dream to see Forest Playgroup™ circles blooming around the world—each one a sanctuary where parents and children can reconnect, slow down, and experience the deep, lasting healing that nature and human connection together provide.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

When I reflect on the qualities and skills that have shaped my journey, three rise to the top: the power of meaningful relationships, the courage to keep going even when the path felt unclear, and the deep well of wisdom gathered from both life experience and academic learning.

If you’re just beginning your own journey, here’s what I want you to know: experience truly is the greatest teacher. I used to shy away from being called an expert—it felt like such a big word—but over time, I’ve realized that expertise isn’t something you suddenly arrive at. It’s something you accumulate, moment by moment, choice by choice, as you live, learn, and grow. You are already an expert in your own life, and every experience is adding to your unique wisdom.

In any industry or calling, relationships matter deeply. Nurture the ones that uplift you, and let go—gracefully—of those that no longer serve your growth. Consider every connection, whether lasting or brief, part of the larger tapestry of your learning.
Also, don’t fear discomfort. Growth often hides inside those moments of uncertainty, challenge, or overwhelm. And never stop learning—whether through formal education, personal development, or simple curiosity. Adult learning is never wasted. It stays with you, expanding your capacity.

So my best advice? Use all of it—the relationships, the courage, the lessons. Stay kind, to yourself and others. And take note of your small, daily victories. They’re the stepping stones to something beautiful.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

What a wonderful question! I’m always open to collaborating and love connecting with people, especially when it leads to joyful, meaningful experiences. I’m particularly drawn to folks who have a gift for gathering others—whether it’s for celebration, healing, learning, or transformation.

I’m also always on the lookout for unique community spaces—museums, cultural institutions, nature-based gatherings—places that bring people together in creative and enriching ways.

In addition to leading my programs, I offer consultations for both groups and individuals around human and family development. My clients tend to be highly educated, curious, and seekers of both beauty and growth. While much of my work centers around parents and children, I also support individuals—often mothers—one-on-one, creating space for relaxation, clarity, and practical next steps. Women’s retreats are a special interest of mine as well.

If you’d like to connect, you can reach out via DM on Instagram @playgrouplosangeles or send an email to info@playgrouplosangeles. I’d love to hear from you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.playgrouplosangeles.com
• Instagram: @playgrouplosangeles
• Youtube: @PlaygroupLosAngeles Just Launched!
• Yelp: PlaygroupLA