The Bracken Outdoors Podcast

Empathy and inclusion are central to working with people outdoors. They build trust and create the conditions for learning. However, taken too far, they can also limit progress. In this episode, I reflect on the balance between empathy and challenge, and why our role as leaders is not just to accept where someone is, but to help them move forward from that point. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is de...

A lot of Forest School leaders feel like the market is saturated. Too many providers, too much competition, and pressure on price. However, I’m not convinced that’s the real issue. In this episode, I reflect on how much provision can look the same from the outside, and how that leads to people competing on price rather than value. Looking back, the more sustainable work tends to come from leaning...

Pricing is something that many Forest School leaders and outdoor practitioners find themselves working out as they go. It is not just a question of what to charge, but how to structure sessions and programmes in a way that is both accessible and financially sustainable. When that balance is off, it tends to show up elsewhere, whether that is in energy levels, consistency, or the long-term viabilit...

In this episode of the Bracken Outdoors Podcast, I sit down with Roz Kennedy from Wavy Woods Forest School to talk about the path into outdoor work, and what it actually looks like to build something from the ground up. Roz shares her journey from a global career in corporate learning and development into forest school, and some of the key moments that shaped that shift. We get into the realities...

In this episode, I sit down with Faye of the Forest to explore the link between purpose, business, and the work we do outdoors. Faye works as a nature-based practitioner and business mentor, supporting people to build work that is aligned with their values as well as being sustainable in the real world. Her approach brings together personal reflection, practical strategy, and the ongoing process o...

In this episode, I sit down with Charles and Sophie from Taller Than Trees to talk about their work in bushcraft, Forest School, and outdoor learning. Between them, they bring a wide range of experience into their practice. Charles comes from a background as a veteran, educator, and bushcraft instructor, with a strong foundation in survival skills and teaching. Sophie brings her experience as a pr...

In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Meager, an experienced Primary School teacher and Forest School Leader who has stepped beyond the classroom to follow her passion for outdoor, child-centred learning. Through her work in Forest School, Rebecca has seen how strongly children respond to learning in nature. Those experiences have led her to question how well our current education systems suppo...

Winter is challenging. The days are shorter, the ground is muddier, and the effort it takes to run good outdoor sessions seems to increase. At the same time, there is still the expectation that we show up with the same focus and attention. In this episode, I reflect on the challenge of managing energy rather than just managing time. I also touch on how pricing, workload and expectations all play a...

One of the hardest things about meaningful work is continuing to put in effort when you don’t know if — or when — the results will show up. In this vlog, I reflect on the relationship between effort and results , and why uncertainty can make even simple actions feel heavy. I explore the idea that no effort is ever truly wasted — but that the quality and focus of our effort matters just as much as...

January is often seen as the time for price increases and is something that is top of mind for many people. In this vlog, I reflect on the pressures that come with the start of a new year and tackle the question of whether or not to raise your prices, how pricing links to sustainability, and the work you want to keep doing If you’re wrestling with pricing decisions at the start of the year, this r...

In this video, I interview Richard Harpham. Richard is an outdoor instructor, author, co-director and founder of Canoe Trails, and a long-term adventurer and expedition leader with over 15,000 miles of human-powered travel under his belt. We talk about helping the next generation, the simplicity of expeditions, building an adventure sports and expedition company, sustainability and much more.... F...

Do you really need a forest to run Forest School, outdoor learning, or wilderness therapeutic sessions?  In this episode, I explore how different spaces — from urban green spaces to wild woods — shape the kinds of experiences, connections and progression that become possible. Rather than a simple yes or no, this is a reflection on how place influences learning, confidence, relationship to nature,...

In this episode, I share what life can look like as a self-employed outdoor leader when low points are hit. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosop...

Content marketing isn’t about being an influencer — it’s about showing your work so the right people get to know you, trust you, and eventually book with you. In this vlog, I explore how content marketing can support outdoor leaders, Forest School practitioners, and bushcraft instructors , not by shouting louder, but by sharing the stories, moments, skills and ideas that already live in your sessi...

Bushcraft is changing — and in many ways, it needs to. In this episode, I explore the growing split between wilderness bushcraft, focused on survival and expedition skills, and lifestyle bushcraft, which brings those same principles into everyday life for enjoyment, wellbeing and connection. I share some thoughts on: How the bushcraft community can move forward without losing its roots Why big bus...

In this special episode of the Bracken Outdoors podcast, I team up with Asa from Forest School Support to answer your questions on Forest School, Business and more.  We cover  - Tool sharpening - Pricing private 1:1 sessions - Is there a price cap in the outdoor sector - Marketing without relying on social media - Value-based pricing Find out more about Asa at https://www.forestschoolsupport.com/...

In this episode, I explore the idea of Kaizen — the Japanese practice of continuous improvement through small, consistent steps and how it applies to every area of your Forest School practice.  The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all asp...

 How does mindset shape the way we learn, grow, and recover from failure? In this episode, I reflect on how understanding the difference between a fixed and growth mindset changed my own approach to learning — and how we can help children make that same shift through Forest School and outdoor education.  The book that sparked these reflections: Mindset by Carol Dweck (Amazon link) The Bracken Outd...

On the inside, we’re still hunter-gatherers — yet every day we live in a world of screens, schedules, and supermarkets. In this episode I explore the idea of the ancestral lens: looking to our evolutionary past to understand what really supports our bodies and minds today. We can’t go back to the Stone Age, but we can borrow wisdom from it. Through bushcraft, forest school, and outdoor practices,...

Does Forest School support academic achievement? In this episode, I explore the relationship between forest school and academic learning, and why supporting the development of the whole child is a vital foundation for later academic success. I look at: - The difference between forest school learning and classroom academics - How time in nature supports holistic development - Why social and emotion...

In this episode, I sit down with Robin Sheehan of eQe Outdoors, one of the UK’s only trained Wilderness Vision Quest Guides , to explore the depth and power of wilderness therapeutic interventions . 🌿 We discuss: Why many so-called “therapeutic” outdoor sessions fall short — and how they can even cause harm if not done properly What a *true therapeutic intervention* entails, and how it differs fr...

Running outdoor sessions or events isn’t always straightforward — sometimes you have to decide whether to go ahead or cancel. In this episode, I share the three key factors every forest school leader and outdoor educator should consider before making that call. These three lenses will help you make clearer decisions about when to run with fewer bookings, when to adapt, and when cancelling is actua...

In this series of podcast episodes, I explore the steps behind starting your own Forest School business. In this final instalment, I talk about what to expect from your first year as a Forest School leader, including tips and advice on making it through the setup phase of a Forest School business.  The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest S...

In this series of episodes, I explore the steps behind starting your own Forest School business. In this penultimate episode, I take a deep dive into getting your financial systems set up, including tips and advice on bank accounts, invoicing, cash flow and more.  The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you bu...

In this series, I explore the steps behind starting your own Forest School business. In part 7, I look at the ten items of equipment you need to get started with your Forest School sessions. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspect...