Vertical Playpen

As a full-time adventure education trainer, travel is a part of the work.  Traveling can be full of great experiences but it also features a lot of time in cars and hotels. In this episode, Phil details 2 of those car/hotel experiences and also shares a recent mistake and reminder that he had during this summer travel season. Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com Song - Memorabilia by Phello

Do you feel anxious before facilitating programs? Our training team collectively says an emphatic yes! This episode is a re-release of a conversation we recorded a couple of years ago, sharing our anxiety experiences and giving some tips on how we overcome them. Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com Song - Anxiety by Mindme

Over the years, we all make mistakes.  However, we are often too embarrassed to bring them up because of the possibility of being negatively judged. It is through these mistakes though that we learn and by sharing them with others we can help prevent them from making the same ones. In this episode, Phil and Rich will be sharing some of the mistakes they have made over the years, with 2 main goals;...

How do you prepare to present at conferences? In this episode, Phil and Rich Keegan discuss; - How to come up with conference workshops - How to submit workshops - How to prepare for presenting the workshops Follow @verticalplaypen on Instagram Email questions or comments to podcast@high5adventure.org

What contributes to a psychologically UNSAFE learning environment? In this episode (Part 2) Phil, Lisa and Romy discuss; - The power of evaluative words - Mining for opposite experiences - Making yourself equally accessible to all participants - Our own psychological safety - Managing participants that negatively impact the psychological safety of the group Connect with Romy - romy@romy-alexandra....

How can we create psychologically safe learning environments for our participants? In Part 1 of this 2 part episode, Phil, Lisa Hunt and Romy Alexandra discuss; - What is a psychologically safe learning environment? - How, using 4 animals, you can identify the needs of your group - Role-modeling vulnerability and asking for feedback during a program. Connect with Romy - romy@romy-alexandra.com Lea...

This episode, inspired by the Multi-stage fitness test (PACER or beep test), brings in Phil to become a guest facilitator for your program. Phil guides your participants through 3 different opening activities, providing you with framing ideas and reflection prompts.  Activity 1 - Jump In Jump Out - 3:00 - 12:40 Activity 2 - Alternative Introductions - 12:50 - 22:50 Activity 3 - The Wright Family V...

This phrase describes both our work as Experiential educators but it is also a large part of Bryn's pathway in this industry. In this episode, Bryn Lottig (co-founder of Kikori) talks to Phil about; - The transformational power of working in the outdoors and its effects on her - The need for this educational pedagogy to be taken seriously  - The best advice she has recieved in her career so far Co...

Do connection activities actually help our participants connect? This was the topic of discussion in this live recorded episode of the podcast. It was recorded while attending the BOOST (Best Out-Of-School Time) 2022 Conference The contributors in this conversation; Phil Brown - @verticalplaypen Sam Copland - scopland@high5adventure.org Ian Hockley - ian@dylanswingsofchange.org ElizaBeth Phillips...

This is a short update episode to let you know that VPP will be on the road! Phil will be bringing his microphones with him this busy training season to learn more about the life of a trainer and to interact with the diversity of people he meets along the way. If you would like to submit questions he should ask folks on his journey, you can submit them via instagram - @verticalplaypen. Have a grea...

Josh Nadzam (Co-founder of On The Move Art Studio) joins Phil to discuss; - Discovering the power of facilitation - Growing as a facilitator - Facilitating dialogue sessions and why it is so novel Learn more about Josh - https://www.joshnadzam.com/ Learn more about On the Move - https://www.onthemoveartstudio.org/home.html Email Josh - joshnadzam@gmail.com 

Joe Hirsch (Ted X Speaker and Author of "The Feedback Fix) joins Phil to discuss; - The qualities of positive and negative feedback - Moving from a feedback to a feedforward mindset - The feedback wrap - How we can empower our participants and colleagues using feedback Connect with Joe - joe@joehirsch.me Learn more about Joe's work - https://joehirsch.me/

Myriam Hadnes (workshops.work) joins Phil to discuss; - The importance of leaders role modeling vulnerability - The work before the work, assessing the needs of your clients - Why doing things you have never done before can enhance your facilitation skills Connect with Myriam - myriam@workshops.work Learn more about Myriam's work - http://workshops.work/

The training team gather to discuss; - Facilitating a 1-day challenge course experience - Facilitating a multi-day challenge course experience - Advice on challenge course programming How to contact us: Phil Brown - pbrown@high5adventure.org OR @verticalplaypen on Instagram Chris Damboise - cdamboise@high5adventure.org Lisa Hunt - lhunt@high5adventure.org Hanne Bailey - hbailey@high5adventure.org...

The Training team discuss; - What is a challenge course? - What's in a name? Challenge, high, ropes? - The history of challenge courses - Our memories of our 1st ever challenge course experiences.

Madeline Brooks (Executive Director - OnBelay) joins Phil to discuss; - Her introduction to the world of adventure education - How to create safe and trusting environments for those impacted by cancer - The work of OnBelay and how you are able to support that work Find out more about OnBelay - https://www.on-belay.org/ Donate - https://www.on-belay.org/donate/ Connect with Madeline - madeline@on-b...

Andrew Florence (Director of Experiential Learning at Crossnore Communities for Children) joins Phil to discuss; - Holiday Traditions and how he entered this industry - Trauma Informed Facilitation and the bringing adventure and experiential programming to Crossnore - The alchemy of facilitation and trying to find your voice in this industry Learn more about Crossnore Communities for Children - ht...

In this episode, the Training team discuss; - Training and preparing your participants to belay - Your role during this process - Advice on ensuring you and your participants are ready to belay How to contact us: Phil Brown - pbrown@high5adventure.org OR @verticalplaypen on Instagram Chris Damboise - cdamboise@high5adventure.org Lisa Hunt - lhunt@high5adventure.org Hanne Bailey - hbailey@high5adve...

The Training Team gather to discuss; - What is Belaying? - What does the word mean? - What are the foundational principles of good belay? - The recommended method of belaying? - Trainer tips that help improve belayers techniques Reach out the training team for more information on how to belay. Instagram - @verticalplaypen Join the Training Team!! - https://high5adventure.org/job/full-time-adventur...

Mark Suroviec (WorkPlay Solutions) joins Phil to discuss; - Finding joy in creating team experiences - The right time to try a new activity - Staying curious in our industry Learn more about Mark - workplaysolutions.com Listen to his podcast - WorkPlay Solutions Podcast Connections before Content - Virtual Workshop - Thursday March 10th - 3:30 - 5:00pm EST Register here - https://store.high5advent...

Kirsten Locke (Koala Tree) joins Phil to discuss; - Being an Arborist and the supportive world of arboriculture - Living life adventurously and asking for help along the way - Protecting your body using mobility and strength training Learn more about Kirsten at her Instagram - @brave.roots Learn more about Koala Tree - koalatree.ca

Scott Catucci (Associate Director - Outdoor Education / Student Development at Syracuse University) joins Phil to discuss; - Volunteering for AEE - Experiential Learning through music - Esports and Video games relationship to experiential learning Learn more about Syracuse's Recreation programs - https://www.syracuse.edu/life/recreation/ Connect with Scott - sacatucc@syr.edu  

Phil recently attempted to ski for the 1st time. In the process he reflected on 4 things that he noticed about being a new learner; - Having patience for the speed of how you learn - The more details shared the better - The effect the environment has on your learning - A word that should stay away from learning environments

In this episode we discuss; - The importance of having a staff training plan - In-house and professional training and in-house refresher training - Why having accurate job descriptions can help - Supervisor participation in trainings - Training documentation - Team development benefits

Brad Moskowitz (Professor at Northern Vermont University) joins Phil to discuss; - Outdoor career paths for graduating students - Seasonal work and the need for a societal shift regarding outdoor adventure. - Facilitation fails and what we can learn from them. Connect with Brad; Email - brad.moskowitz@northernvermont.edu Learn more about Northern Vermont University's Outdoor Education degree progr...