Episode 157 (REPLAY) - Forest Educator Spotlight: The Problem with Intangible Results

Episode 157 (REPLAY) - Forest Educator Spotlight: The Problem with Intangible Results

Author: Ricardo Sierra January 2, 2025 Duration: 1:04:37
If you've ever tried to talk about the meaning and value of an experience in nature with someone who's never experienced something similar, it can feel like talking to a brick wall.   Our insights, and sense of wonder, or magic can sound ridiculous when spoken out loud.   It can be painful when something we share has so much value to US, but completely is misunderstood by our listeners. The problem isn't with us, or with everyone else, but it's built into the language of our culture, and with the very nature of 'the intangible aspects' of our experiences. It's a problem for nature people and also for anyone who is really passionate about something, and it's especially a problem for Forest Educators who are working to communicate these values to people who could really benefit from our work and programs. If you have struggled to craft a message about what you do that resonates with 'your people' who get it, and 'get you', this episode can help you understand why it's often so difficult and why we can drag our feet in making decisions about our promotional material, or about our reluctance to fully commit to our 'message'. It's time to get clear, take action and begin connecting with everyone in ways that can help us struggle a little less, build more community and enjoy our work! 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…