Episode 79 - The Unbeatable Combination of Occupational Therapy and Forest Education with Marika Austin and Angela Rosenberg

Episode 79 - The Unbeatable Combination of Occupational Therapy and Forest Education with Marika Austin and Angela Rosenberg

Author: Ricardo Sierra March 7, 2024 Duration: 1:11:31
You all know I like a good analogy, so I'm going to say that the duo of Marika and Angela reminds me of the heroes of my comic book days, when I was a collector.  I'd mow lawns for my neighbors, and then ride my bike six miles into town to buy my week's new issues.  One of my favorites was the Marvel Team-Up comic, where two heroes who don't usually 'hero' together do what they do best, and take care of business.  Spider-Man and Daredevil.  Wolverine and Iron Fist.  It was a 'golden age' of comics back then. Well, seriously, this marriage of occupational therapy and early childhood education in nature is just so SOLID.  There are no weaknesses in their game.  And Marika and Angela have teamed up despite the long distance between their Bay Area of California and Florida locations.    Our conversation covers WHY the approaches of OT is so effective for young people.  We dig into the detailed observations that therapists see in their students, and how it adds a powerful dimension to more traditional 'forest school' reporting.   The medical field adds credibility to our nature-based approaches that opens doors, gets attention and creates opportunities that help all of us doing nature work everywhere.  It's a good idea to know about it!  Marika and Angela on Instagram @naturebasedtherapists - https://www.instagram.com/naturebasedtherapists/ Nature Based Therapy Boot Camp Course - https://grounded-to-grow.thinkific.com/courses/nature-based-therapy-boot-camp Grounded to Grow 2024 Retreat - https://www.groundedtogrow.com/ Bearfoot Website: https://www.bearfootoccupationaltherapy.com/ Bearfoot Instagram @bearfoot_ot - https://www.instagram.com/bearfoot_ot/ Treeline Enrichment Website: https://www.treelineenrichment.com/ Treeline Enrichment Instagram @treelineenrichment - https://www.instagram.com/treelineenrichment/ 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…