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;

- Help you learn from their mistakes

- Role-model the vulnerability that comes from sharing those mistakes.

If you would like to share a mistake you have made for the benefit of your fellow listener, consider letting us know either by;

- Sending a message via Instagram - @verticalplaypen

- Emailing [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 - [email protected]

Learn more about Romy - http://www.romy-alexandra.com/

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 - [email protected]

Learn more about Romy - http://www.romy-alexandra.com/

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 Vacation - 23:00 - 27:10

Be sure to let us know if this type of episode is valuable and you would like to see more.

Follow us @verticalplaypen on Instagram.

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

Connect with Bryn - [email protected] 

Learn more about Kikori - https://www.kikoriapp.com/

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 - [email protected]

Ian Hockley - [email protected]

ElizaBeth Phillips - [email protected]

Peter Silvius - [email protected]

Activities used were introduced to me by Jan Keck - you can find more about Jan here - https://www.jankeck.com/

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 great spring and summer everyone!

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 - [email protected] 

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 - [email protected]

Learn more about Joe's work - https://joehirsch.me/