Episode 138 - Forest Educator Spotlight: The Initiatory Power of Hurricane Helene

Episode 138 - Forest Educator Spotlight: The Initiatory Power of Hurricane Helene

Author: Ricardo Sierra September 30, 2024 Duration: 55:34
I always knew when I was in an 'initiatory experience', because my peaceful, stable, predictable life would suddenly be turned upside down. It is not a pleasant experience, generally, and I would be forced to let go, grow, learn, and expand.  Sometimes, the initiation started due to a relationship, or sometimes, community pressures. Other times, it happened more physically, with pressure or forces that left me with no other options.   No amount of bargaining, discussion or denial would bring relief.    I learned that when I started feeling that kind of feeling, I was going on a ride and it wasn't 'optional'.    It was never at an optimal time, either.   Right now, there are millions without power, and hundreds of thousands of people dealing with the aftermath of torrential rainfall, unbelievable winds and the scouring roaring of floodwaters unleashed.  This event is a marker, a milestone, even, in the lives of those who have experienced this historic storm, and they are in the middle of an 'initiation'. Understanding what is happening is the key to better decision-making, problem-solving, mental health care and finding our way back to our center, and then finding a path forward. My heart goes out to the hundreds of thousands whose lives have been shattered, and this episode is for them and all of us who care for them at a distance, who want to support them as we watch their struggle.  The power of climate change is here for us all, and the sooner we learn to navigate and understand this new world, the better off we will be as individuals and as part of the natural ecology. 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
Episode 111 - The Origins of Nick Hulley, Social Forester [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:41
I've always been able to quickly tell the difference between someone with years of actual hands on experience in bushcraft, nature skills or crafts, from those with just a little. It's seen mostly in the way that skills…
Episode 109 - Community Supported Nature Programs with Jen Smith, MS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:46
In a small town in Texas near Fort Worth, there is a program that seems to do everything. On the surface, they seem like a typical summer camp, but they do so many other special things that serve the local community: Ber…
Episode 108 - Forest Educator Spotlight: Portals Into the Unknown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:50
When it comes to nature awareness and personal awareness, I've found it useful to see and perceive it in a few different ways. Sometimes I see it in a mythological or 'rite of passage' perspective, and other times, I see…
Episode 104 - Forest Educator Spotlight: The Alchemy of Food [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:08
There are so many powerful learning elements that are part of the expansive topic of 'Food', it's hard to know where to start. When it comes to nature based learning, campfire cooking and 'hearthcraft', we can start with…