It’s In the Experience

In this episode of It's In The Experience, host Sherry Bagley welcomes Dave Dennis, founder and executive director of Cornerstone Safety Group, for a conversation about managing risk, safety, and security in today's evolving travel landscape. Dave shares how organizations can make informed decisions by looking beyond headlines and travel advisories, drawing on multiple sources and local expertise...

Welcome to Season 4 of It's In The Experience! This season, the podcast theme is "What's Up With..?" and each episode will dive deeper into a specific topic within Experiential Education. In the Season 4 premiere, host Sherry Bagley is joined by Matt Nannis, founder of PIVOTPoint WNC, for a conversation exploring the topic of  “failure as fiction.” Matt challenges the idea of failure as a fixed tr...

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley is joined by Curt Davidson, Ph. D., President of Alpenglow Education, and Kathy Rohn, Ph. D, Assistant Professor in the Education Department at the University of New Hampshire, to explore how the AEE volunteer community and the Symposium for Experiential Education Research (SEER) sparked a meaningful collaboration. Kathy shares her entry into AEE through researc...

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley talks with Caitlin McCormick Small, Executive Director and CEO of Project Adventure, and Laura MacDonald, Education & Training Senior Consultant, about their paths into experiential education and the organization’s evolving work. They reflect on Project Adventure’s origins in 1970s Massachusetts as an early leader in challenge course programming and discuss...

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley sits down with Bre Haapala and Dan Joyal, co-executive directors of Pathfinder, about their paths into experiential education and the mentors who shaped their leadership journeys. They reflect on how teamwork, collaboration, and community building influence their work, from partnerships with local schools to a major Science Center revitalization effort. The conv...

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley sits down with Patrick McMillion, core faculty in Counseling and Counselor Education and co-coordinator of the Adventure Therapy Certificate Program at Westminster University, and Alex White, MS, CMHC, a clinical mental health counselor in private practice in Salt Lake City. Together, they discuss their paths into adventure therapy and experiential education, sh...

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley talks with Margaret Kelso and Teresa Jennings, LCSW, from Cornerstone Safety Group. They share their journeys in experiential education and how their collaboration through Cornerstone combines a passion for mental health and risk management. The discussion explores their career paths, formative experiences, and the roles curiosity and emotional regulation play i...

Host Sherry Bagley welcomes Mike Bingley, Director of Education at the Canadian Wildlife Federation, for an inspiring conversation about connecting people to nature through education and experience. Mike reflects on formative moments that shaped his passion for the outdoors and shares how programs like the Canadian Conservation Corps are empowering youth and communities to take action for wildlife...

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley sits down with Jake Jacobs, executive director of Camp Henry, and Andrew Bobilya, professor and program director at the Outdoor Education graduate program at Western Carolina University. The two reflect on their intertwined journeys in experiential education, sharing stories of influential mentors, professional reconnections, and the role of community in shaping...

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley is joined by Mac Hall, M.A., and Heather Yazzie Campbell of Project Venture, an evidence-based, positive youth development program that integrates cultural and adventure-based education. Mac takes us back to the origins of the program, sharing the vision that inspired its creation, while Heather brings it to life with stories of activities ranging from risk mana...

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley is joined by Maurie Lung and Gary Stauffer for an in-depth conversation on their lifelong work in experiential education and adventure therapy. They share personal stories that shaped their careers, reflect on the power of compassion and curiosity in collaborative work, and discuss their experience co-authoring books and developing transformative programs. Toget...

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley chats with Mary Breunig, PhD, and Terry Williams PhD, exploring the evolving landscape of experiential education. Terry shares insights from her work on transformational leadership and the role of family camps in fostering growth, while Mary highlights her focus on wellness, work-life balance, and the importance of sustainable practices in the field. Together, t...

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley chats with Jen Stanchfield and Rick Curtis—two longtime leaders in the field—about the experiences, mentors, and meaningful books that helped shape their paths. Both recipients of prestigious awards from the Association for Experiential Education (AEE), Jen and Rick reflect on the evolution of the profession, the value of intentional practice, and the critical r...

In our season 3 premiere episode, host Sherry Bagley welcomes Callie Auman, assistant director for challenge course and team building at UNC Charlotte, and Robyn Handley-Lane, director of teen programs at the Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center. Together, they explore the dynamics of their cross-country partnership and how intentional collaboration fuels their work. The conversation dives into the...

In this special crossover episode, host Sherry Bagley and Phil Brown, host of Vertical Playpen, discuss their experiences at the AEE Conference in Hong Kong. They explore the growing impact of the Asia Pacific region in experiential education, key takeaways from the event, and the evolving role of academia in the field. Plus, they dive into the importance of engaging the next generation of educato...

In  this episode , host Sherry Bagley sits down with Nick Magle-Haberek, co-owner of  Adventure Therapist LLC  and owner at  Movemental Wellbeing , and Patrick McMillion, faculty member in Counseling and Counselor Education at  Westminster University . Both guests serve on the AEE  Certification Council  and bring deep expertise and experience in adventure therapy. Together, they explore the impor...

Host Sherry Bagley is joined by Christy Brodeur, Youth Learning Coordinator at Project Adventure, and Elyse Norton, Senior Coordinator of Youth and Adult Learning Programs at Project Adventure, who also serve as co-conveners of the AEE Northeast Regional Conference. Together, they share their unique career journeys into experiential education—Christy starting in summer camps and Elyse transitionin...

Join host Sherry Bagley for an inspiring conversation with Kymberly Lacrosse, executive director of Growing Greatness, along with team members Aaron Gaxiola and Lucia Perez. Together, they share how this grassroots organization in Watsonville, California, empowers youth and community members through outdoor adventures, leadership development, and transformative events—all offered free of charge. H...

Join host Sherry Bagley as she chats with Dr. Brent Bell, an associate professor at the University of New Hampshire, and Paul Wolf, program director of outdoor leadership at Southwestern Community College, about their journeys into experiential education. They delve into the value of outdoor orientation programs, their roles in shaping leadership, and the challenges of incorporating experiential l...

Join host Sherry Bagley as she sits down with Carla Hacker and Melanie Wills, MPH, from Experiential Systems, to explore the significance of universal design and accessibility in challenge courses. They emphasize the importance of fostering inclusive mindsets and practices to ensure these courses are accessible to individuals with disabilities. The discussion also delves into the evolving future o...

Join host Sherry Bagley as she engages in a dynamic conversation with Deidra Goodwin, founder and experiential educator at DGoodwin Experiential LLC, and Troy Wilkerson, Bucket Band Director for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and advocate for civic service and experiential education. Together, they explore the power of mentorship and inclusivity, emphasizing the value of authentic connections, li...

Join host Sherry Bagley as she chats with Ed Maggart, an experiential educational consultant in North Carolina, and Sam Steiger, M.S., EMT-B, program coordinator in campus recreation at Minnesota State University Mankato. They share their personal experiences and perspectives on the importance of hands-on learning and personal growth. They chat about the role of mentorship, collaboration, and comm...

Join host Sherry Bagley as she chats with Denise Mitten, PhD, an internationally recognized for her innovative scholarship in outdoor and environmental pedagogy, ethics, and gender, and Jill Overholt, associate professor of outdoor leadership at Warren Wilson College. This episode delves into the significance of research in experiential education, focusing on understanding program impacts and addr...

Join host Sherry Bagley as she chats with Zac and Celine Adair from the National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education. Together, they share their experiences and insights on creating positive and empowering experiences for individuals of all ages. They discuss the challenges faced by outdoor education providers, including staffing, certification issues, and changing student attitudes, as w...

Join host Sherry Bagley as she chats with Sarah Gough, executive director for Play For Peace, and Marilyn Levin, development director at Play For Peace. They share their career journeys in experiential education, reflect on the impactful relationship between the Association for Experiential Education and Play for Peace, and discuss the significance of collaboration in advancing the industry. Don't...