Vertical Playpen

In this episode, Jill Vialet, founder of Playworks, shares insights on the importance of play in childhood development, the science behind play, and practical activities to incorporate play into daily life. She discusses her journey, stories from her work, and the future of play in education and society.

Learn more about Playworks - https://www.playworks.org/

Contact the podcast - [email protected]

Support the podcast - verticalplaypen.org

In this interview, Danny Bauer, aka The Ruckus Maker, shares his journey from student to educator, emphasizing the importance of disruption, joy, and authenticity in schools. Discover how making a ruckus can transform education by fostering impact, courage, and meaningful relationships.

Learn more about Danny - https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/

Listen to Better Leaders, Better Schools podcast - https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/podcast/

Connect with Phil - [email protected]

Support the podcast - verticalplaypen.org

In this episode, Phil discusses the importance of proper equipment storage at challenge courses. He highlights common issues such as equipment being stored in damp areas, lack of organization, and staff using equipment for personal use. Phil provides steps to improve equipment storage, including organizing gear for easy inspection, discarding and replacing faulty equipment, establishing local operating procedures, securing equipment in a locked area, and implementing a no personal use policy. He also emphasizes the need for a designated challenge course manager and the importance of program accountability and participant experience.

• Proper equipment storage is crucial for the safety and effectiveness of challenge courses.
• Organize gear to facilitate inspections and ensure all equipment is accounted for.
• Discard and replace any equipment that does not meet safety standards.
• Establish local operating procedures for storage, use, and inspection of equipment.
• Secure equipment in a locked area to prevent unauthorized access and protect it from moisture and vermin.
• Implement a no personal use policy to avoid liability and maintain equipment integrity.
• Designate a challenge course manager to oversee program accountability and ensure a positive participant experience.

Roam Storage Cases - https://store.high5adventure.org/collections/equipment-storage/products/roam-adventure-co-rugged-casses

High 5 Guide - https://store.high5adventure.org/collections/books-digital-resources/products/the-high-5-guide-challenge-course-operating-procedures-for-the-thinking-practitioner-2nd-edition

Contact Phil;

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - @verticalplaypen

Support the podcast - verticalplaypen.org

Rebecca Courtney shares her journey of valuing influence, experimenting with playful activities, and redefining success in facilitation. In this episode we discuss;

• Rebecca's motivations for transitioning from AJ&Smart to solo consulting
• How her background in teaching influences her facilitation style
• The importance of play in adult learning and overcoming resistance
• Strategies for introducing playful exercises in serious corporate settings
• The role of reflection in reinforcing playful activities' value
• Creative ways to adapt when room setups or materials are not ideal
• The impact of pressure and time limits on creative spontaneity
• Tips for closing workshops effectively without vague final summaries
• Navigating the balance between influence and neutrality as a facilitator
• How to cultivate a facilitator flow state and trust your intuition
• Rebecca Courtney's Website & Toolkit
• Newsletter Signup

Rebecca on LinkedIn

Contact the podcast - [email protected]

Support the podcast - verticalplaypen.org

In this insightful interview, Lisa Riegel shares her journey from education to neuroscience, emphasizing the importance of understanding brain science to transform educational systems. Discover practical strategies for creating engaging, relevant, and supportive learning environments that foster student and teacher well-being.

Learn more about Lisa and her work - https://lisariegel.com/

Connect with the podcast - [email protected]

Support the podcast - verticalplaypen.org

Phil is joined by Jan Keck to explore innovative approaches to group facilitation, risk-taking, and designing impactful activities. Jan shares practical frameworks like the 'campfire method' and 'risk ramp' to help facilitators create safer, more engaging spaces that encourage authentic participation.

• The campfire analogy for reflection and learning
• Replacing traditional icebreakers with meaningful activities
• The concept of a 'risk ramp' to gradually increase participant comfort
• The importance of setting clear promises and expectations
• Strategies for effective time management in facilitation

Pre-order the book here - https://www.jankeck.com/campfire-campaign/

Contact the podcast - [email protected]

Support the podcast - verticalplaypen.org

Little Green Straw Activity -

Group Size: 8–30 participants

Time: 10–15 minutes

Materials:

• A small object (traditionally a green straw/pen, but any small item works)

Setup:

Have the group stand or sit in a circle. One person (or the facilitator) secretly "hides" the pen somewhere on or near themselves while others close their eyes or look away.

Challenge:

Participants open their eyes and try to find the "hidden" pen—without anyone moving or obviously revealing it.

Once someone spots it, they do not announce it. Instead, they quietly sit down (or give a subtle signal) indicating they've found it.

The round ends when most of the group has found the object.

Progression:

Run multiple rounds, increasing difficulty:

• Start with moderately hidden
• Move to more obvious-but-overlooked placements
• Final round: place the pen in plain sight (e.g., behind the facilitator's ear, on their shoulder, or clipped visibly)

This usually produces the "aha" moment—participants realize they were overthinking or searching too hard.

Debrief Questions:

• What strategies did you use to find the pen?
• When did you feel most/least successful?
• What made the final round difficult, even though it was more visible?
• How did your assumptions affect what you were looking for?
• Where do we miss "obvious" things in real work or life?

In this interview, Beth Cougler Blom discusses her book 'Everyday Acts of Facilitation,' emphasizing the human, interpersonal, and mindset skills essential for effective facilitation. The conversation explores how facilitation is rooted in communication, authenticity, and everyday moments that foster connection and learning beyond traditional activities.

• The essence of facilitation as communication and micro-moments
• The importance of human humanness and authenticity in facilitation
• The role of mindset and self-awareness in effective facilitation
• How everyday life experiences shape facilitation skills
• The challenge of defining and marketing facilitation to broader audiences

Find out more about Beth and her publications - https://bcblearning.com/

Contact the podcast - [email protected]

Support the podcast - verticalplaypen.org

Lisa Hunt explores the concepts of real and fake jobs in challenge course programming, emphasizing the importance of meaningful participation and efficient resource use. Lisa discusses how to identify essential tasks, avoid unnecessary ones, and foster genuine engagement among participants.

• Distinction between real and fake jobs in challenge courses
• Strategies for meaningful participant engagement
• Resource management and safety in adventure programming

Lisa's Conversation with Ken Demas

Contact the podcast - [email protected]

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In this conversation, Phil Brown and Robb Armstrong explore the intersections of experiential education, personal growth, and community building. They share insights on the importance of authentic connections, the value of one-on-one mentorship, and navigating neurodivergence in professional and personal life.

• The importance of authentic human connections
• The impact of neurodivergence on facilitation and leadership
• Building community through play and empathy

Reach out and connect with Robb - [email protected]

Questions for the podcast - [email protected]

Support the podcast - verticalplaypen.org

Chris Ortiz and Lisa Hunt explore the intricacies of team dynamics and group behavior. They discuss the importance of understanding group dynamics in various roles, including education and facilitation. The conversation delves into Kurt Lewin's equation of behavior, the impact of expectations on participant engagement, and the role of emotional intelligence in group settings. They also highlight the significance of reading the room, challenging assumptions, and creating inclusive environments for effective facilitation. The discussion emphasizes the need for facilitators to be aware of group dynamics and to use indicator activities to gain insights into participant behavior.

• Team dynamics are crucial in various roles, including education and facilitation.
• Group dynamics and team dynamics can be used interchangeably.
• Behavior is influenced by individual characteristics and the environment.
• Expectations set by facilitators impact participant engagement.
• Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in group dynamics.
• Participants' prior relationships affect group behavior.
• Creating inclusive environments is essential for effective facilitation.
• Reading the room is a vital skill for facilitators.
• Assumptions about participants can lead to misunderstandings.
• Indicator activities can provide insights into group dynamics.

Learn more about Chris Ortiz - https://sites.psu.edu/chrisortiz/

Contact the podcast - [email protected]

Support the podcast - verticalplaypen.org