Episode 130 - Forest Educator Spotlight: Experiences of the Sacred and the Profane in Nature Education

Episode 130 - Forest Educator Spotlight: Experiences of the Sacred and the Profane in Nature Education

Author: Ricardo Sierra September 2, 2024 Duration: 1:02:08
This episode explores the phenomenon that often occurs when we work with people in nature, where there is a moment of touching the divine, or the light.  We also tackle the flip side, where someone in our care goes down, to the rich, warm darkness, where things get raw and primal.    I share about why I find the duality principle both lazy and inadequate as a metaphor, and how its oversimplification can be limiting or even traumatizing for some students.  Using the 'ecosystem' as a new model, I share examples of approaches I've found helpful when either polarity shows up in our work as educators, often unexpectedly.    Forest Educator Bonus Content Page: http://foresteducator.com/bonuscontent Join the Forest Educator Patreon! https://patreon.com/ForestEducatorPodcast Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

Ricardo Sierra has spent over three decades working in wilderness education, and that depth of experience shapes every conversation in Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra. This isn't a lecture series; it's a collection of genuine dialogues with educators and practitioners around the world who are actively reimagining how we learn in and with the natural world. You'll hear from people integrating nature into schoolyards, running innovative forest camps, and applying outdoor principles in surprising business and leadership contexts. The discussions are grounded in the practical realities of the field-think less about abstract theory and more about tangible tools, adaptable strategies, and the honest challenges these pioneers face. Released twice weekly, each episode feels like pulling up a stump in the woods to listen in on a candid exchange between colleagues. Whether you're directly involved in outdoor programming, curious about the intersection of wilderness and professional development, or simply believe in the transformative power of a hands-on education, this podcast offers a steady source of inspiration and actionable insight drawn directly from the front lines of nature-based learning.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education
Podcast Episodes
Forest Educator Spotlight REPLAY: The Forest Educator's Secret Sauce [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:10
Today's Forest Educator Spotlight is all about the best-kept secret for Forest Educators: the Natural Advantage. When we implement this three-part framework in our programs, we can have the biggest impact. Connect with R…
Forest Educator Spotlight REPLAY: Working with Middle Schoolers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:12
Some of my favorite ages to work with are middle schoolers, anywhere from 10-14 years old. Some may say those ages are some of the most challenging, but I really like that age group for so many reasons. I love to help th…
Forest Educator Spotlight REPLAY: The Bonding Paradox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:58
The first rule about 'bonding' is like Fight Club: "Never talk about Bonding." At least to your students. (Because it's awkward and weird.) But honestly, so many of the benefits of nature-based education present in the s…
Episode 156 - The Power of Science and Nature with Danny Rosenstein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:05
Going behind the scenes and into the mind of a public school Earth Science teacher was a journey filled with insights about why education is so different from school to school. The diversity of students and the environme…
Episode 155 (REPLAY) - The Forest Educator Spotlight: Cold Training [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:42
Fear of being uncomfortable lurks behind almost every outdoor experience when we are first learning to deal with nature's 'moods'. The purifying intensity of cold scours the world when it moves across our landscape, unst…