Vertical Playpen

In this episode, Phil and Rich provide advice on how to present at conferences. They discuss the process of preparing and submitting a presentation, including choosing a title and solving a problem. They also emphasize the importance of co-presenting and structuring workshops with experiential activities. They suggest submitting workshop ideas multiple times and highlight the benefits of presentin...

Tom Percival, author and illustrator, discusses the importance of emotions in children's books and the power of vulnerability and empathy. He shares his personal experiences and how they influence his storytelling. Tom emphasizes the need for authenticity and creating a safe space for emotional expression. He also discusses breaking gender stereotypes and embracing all emotions. Tom explores the v...

This conversation explores the importance of culture in organizations and how it contributes to staff appreciation, retention, and overall success. Phil and Jim discuss the role of culture in creating conditions suitable for growth and how it impacts relationships, trust, and collaboration. They share examples of modeling good culture and the impact it has on individuals and the organization as a...

In this short conversation, Ella Brown discusses her experiences learning and performing scary activities like skiing and circus skills. Ella also talks about managing nervousness and self-doubt, performing with an audience, and the importance of encouragement and support. She reflects on her own fears and how she overcomes them, as well as the role of empathy in understanding others' nervousness....

In this conversation, Phil interviews Greg Kettner about the power of laughter and its role in creating connections and positive work environments. Greg shares his experience with standup comedy and how laughter can alleviate anxiety and stress. They discuss the decline of laughter in adulthood and the importance of incorporating laughter into daily life. Greg emphasizes the importance of finding...

In this conversation, Phil and Lisa discuss the concept of free play and its benefits and challenges. They explore the pressure to maximize leisure time and the potential stress it can cause. They also delve into the difficulties of open-ended free play in group settings and the importance of finding the right balance and structure. The conversation highlights the risk and stress of complete open-...

In this episode, Phil sits down with Mark Collard (playmeo.com) to discuss; His introduction to the world of adventure education How Playmeo came to be That adventure education is a methodology and not an educational subject His hopes for the future of the industry Several answers to increasingly bizarre "would you rather" questions *Note - this is a re-production and edited version of a conversat...

HIGH 5 RETREAT EPISODE In this episode of the podcast Phil and Rich host a game show "Two Truths, No Lies" for the High 5 staff as they make their way to this years all-staff retreat. The task - listen to all 23 pairs of truths and try to guess which pair belongs to which High 5 staff member. Start of the game - 3:25 For those listening who do not work at High 5, I both apologize and equally welco...

In this episode, members of the training team (Phil, Lisa, Chris and Rich) sit down to discuss an often used theme of this podcast - What is something you were taught that you now disagree with? Topics covered; Everyone joining in Eye contact Activity Sequencing Do Low elements have much lead-in to High elements Group goals Submit your questions to the team - Email - podcast@high5adventure.org Ins...

Join Phil in a conversation with Chris Wiley, from The Story School, as they delve into the world of Live Action Role-Playing (LARPing) and how Chris has seen growth in the campers that attend. Chris passionately shares the many social and educational benefits hidden within this unique and immersive experience. From fostering creativity and problem-solving to building strong communities, LARPing h...

In this episode, Phil sits down with JJ Stapleton from The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring to dive into the world of facilitating guides and the ripple effect of investing in employee training and development. Together, they explore the benefits of teaching facilitation techniques to guides and how it enhances the overall guest experience. Discover how investing in your team's growth can lead to a...

We made it! Episode 200! 4 years ago we decided to start recording conversations with the aim of supporting adventure educators and we are so proud of where we are now. 200 episodes, 100+ educators interviewed, magazine articles written, live audience recordings made, 25+ countries listening, and countless lessons learned. This episode is a giant THANK YOU to you all. So thanks for listening. If y...

In this episode, Lisa sits down with Phil to explore the intriguing question: Is there a difference between English facilitation style and the US facilitation style? *Note - these views are specific to Phil's experiences and thoughts. Phil delves into various aspects, shedding light on the nuances that make each style unique. From energy and positivity to the use of curse words, Phil shares his th...

Join Phil and Lisa as they embark on an insightful exploration of the question, "What makes a group great?" We've all been there, finishing a program, and when asked, "How was the group?" we casually respond with "They were great." But what exactly defines greatness in a group? Is it the absence of issues, genuine camaraderie, collective learning, or something more? Here are some factors a facilit...

Join Phil and Lisa in this special episode as they address two intriguing questions from you, the podcast listeners. In the first segment, they delve into the ways music can be used when facilitating group activities. They share ways that it has been successful and ways that should be avoided. In the second part of the episode, the question focuses on unique locations that they have facilitated in...

In this episode, join Phil and Rich as they dive into a fascinating discussion on the causes and effective strategies to reduce that moment when participants freeze in the air on a ropes course.  Drawing from their extensive experience in outdoor adventure and team-building activities, they explore the psychology behind this common challenge and offer practical tips to help facilitators navigate t...

In this thought-provoking episode Phil and Lisa delve deep into the world of adventure education and one specific component: the concept of the unknown. Traditionally, adventure education often emphasizes keeping participants in the dark, shrouding activities in secrecy to create an element of surprise and uncertainty. However, we challenge this approach, arguing that it can have unintended conseq...

Join Phil and Lisa in this insightful episode as we dive deep into the fascinating world of intrinsic motivation. We explore how motivation that arises naturally, rather than from external rewards, can be enhanced through various activities. We'll uncover the four key elements that play a pivotal role in boosting intrinsic motivation: Challenge: Discover the importance of setting tasks that are ju...

In this episode, Phil shares with Rich that he has applied for US Citizenship and that he is studying for his exam, which results in Phil testing Rich. Following this, Rich introduces the main topic of this episode, the importance of learning the names of your participants. Thoughts are shared on the following; The effectiveness (and ineffectiveness) of name games The best ways they have found for...

Welcome back to the second installment of our captivating interview with experiential education luminary, Vishwas Parchure. In this engaging episode, we continue our exploration of the art of facilitation as Vishwas delves deep into a range of thought-provoking topics, sharing his profound insights and practical wisdom. Vishwas shines a spotlight on a common practice in facilitation - "hot-seating...

Join us in the first installment of a captivating two-part interview with the visionary experiential educator, Vishwas Parchure. In this episode, we delve into the very essence of Vishwas' profound work in experiential education and facilitation, gaining insights into his motivations, career-defining moments, and unique perspectives on the art of facilitation. Vishwas opens up about the driving fo...

Phil and Chris delve into the question: What reigns supreme, the classic ATC or the innovative GRIGRI? Join us as we embark on a comprehensive exploration, comparing and contrasting these two climbing essentials from multiple angles. We break down the pros and cons through the lens of program goals, training strategies, risk assessment, and financial considerations. Whether you're an adventure edu...

Join us in this podcast episode, "The Shared Experience," recorded live at the High 5 Adventure Symposium. Hosted by Phil and featuring a panel of enthusiastic attendees, this engaging session delves into the transformative power of adventure education. The episode kicks off with an exploration of the profound impact of adventure education on everyday life. Next up, the focus shifts to one of the...

In this episode, join host Phil as he sits down with his long-time friend in the industry, Cam Miller, the Challenge Course and Facilitation Director at Kieve Wavus Education.  Cam takes us back to the roots of his introduction to the world of adventure, recounting the pivotal moments that sparked his passion for pushing boundaries and exploring the great outdoors. Discover what has fueled Cam's c...

In this episode, Phil is joined by Niels Damman, the Course Services Manager at Experiential Resources (ERI), to delve into the world of challenge course training. Niels brings his experience and expertise to shed light on the pros and potential hurdles associated with trainer credentialing in this field. Challenge courses have gained immense popularity as powerful tools for team building, persona...