Send us a text How does a single mum from Australia's Sunshine Coast end up world schooling in Tuscany? Denise Georges shares her courageous leap from skepticism about homeschooling to embracing world schooling in the beautiful countryside of Italy. After losing her job during the pandemic, Denise discovered the transformative power of alternative education systems, all while navigating personal challenges and societal expectations. Her story is a testament to the strength required to break away...
Nov 11, 2024•59 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Send us a text Courtney Sullivan, the founder of Wild Play Co., joins us to share her journey from academia to entrepreneurship. Inspired by her background in exercise science and concern over youth's sedentary lifestyles, she embarked on creating a nature play business, WildPlay Co, in Bendigo, Victoria. We chat about: Launching a business while parenting young children and the unique challenges it brings The flexibility entrepreneurship offers as a parent The importance of connecting with like...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how to foster a deeper connection between children and the natural world? On this episode of Raising Wildlings, we sit down with soon-to-be Dr. Amanda England, an expert in nature play philosophy and pedagogy, currently pursuing her PhD in Australia. Amanda unpacks the essence of Forest School in Australia, highlighting how this approach encourages free play and curiosity-driven learning in outdoor environments, emphasising the importance of play with risk a...
Oct 28, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Send us a text What does it take to create meaningful outdoor experiences for families? Join us as we sit down with Kristi Bryant, passionate outdoor and environmental educator behind Bushwalking Mama. Kristi opens up about her journey in documenting and inspiring family-friendly outdoor activities, and the innovative methods she employs to integrate play and connection into outdoor learning. In this episode, we spotlight the significance of autonomy and personal choice in outdoor activities. Kr...
Oct 21, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Send us a text Curious about the world of Family Day Care and how it might be the perfect fit for your child? Join us as we sit down with Victoria Edmond of Big Hearted Education and Rainbow Bridge Family Daycare Service. Victoria takes us through her inspiring journey from long daycare disillusionment to creating her own nurturing Family Day Care service and debunks the myth that family daycare can't be profitable. We cover: What is the difference between Family Day Care and Long Day Care and w...
Oct 14, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Send us a text What if you could launch a thriving nature play business without breaking the bank? Most of you listening are nature loving hands-on type people. So when you’re thinking about starting a Nature Play business of your own, you might feel really confident in the Nature Play side of things but terrified of the day-to-day running of business. The other thing that worries people is the cost of start-up. So in this episode, we thought we’d tackle these two problems in one hit and give yo...
Oct 07, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Send us a text Can a name shape the way we connect with nature through education? On this episode of Raising Wildlings, we are joined by the insightful (and soon-to-be Dr) Amanda England, as we unpack the nuances behind terms such "Forest School," "Nature Play," and "Bush Kinder," and discuss how these names reflect the unique environments and philosophies they represent. Amanda shares her rich experiences from Europe, offering a global perspective on how these programs are practiced differently...
Oct 02, 2024•18 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Send us a text Are you grappling with the fear of cease and desist letters or the anxiety of operating your nature play business in legal grey zones? Get ready to arm yourself with essential insights and practical advice that can help you stay compliant and successful in this challenging landscape. We'll help you understand where your business fits within outdoor recreation, education, and environmental education and clarify how these definitions impact your regulatory obligations. By focusing o...
Aug 05, 2024•26 min
Send us a text Have you ever felt crushed by criticism from a parent, especially when you're pouring your heart into your business? We've been there. This week, we share our emotional journey as nature play program facilitators, discussing how initially taking negative feedback to heart, evolved into seeing it as a critical avenue for growth. By reframing criticism and using it to reaffirm our beliefs and improve communication, we’ve developed a more resilient mindset that empowers us to turn cr...
Jul 29, 2024•22 min
Send us a text This is part one of a two part episode! You can find Part one over at The Forest School Podcast - we suggest you jump over and start there if you haven't listened to part one yet! And don't forget to give them a follow on their socials here: The Forest School Podcast Instagram The Forest School Podcast Facebook Children of the Forest UK Instagram What happens when educators step out of their comfort zones and embrace diverse perspectives? Get ready for an insightful and playfu...
Jul 22, 2024•38 min
Send us a text Discover the transformative journey of Jane McFadden, a former psychologist and founder of ADHD Mums, as she shares her late ADHD and autism diagnoses. Jane's candid recollection of the challenges she faced as a mother of three, and the realization of her neurodivergence when her eldest child started school, provides crucial insights into the intersection of neurodiversity and parenting. This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating similar paths, especially those in altern...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Send us a text Ever reminisced about the simple joys of childhood when a stick wasn't just a stick but a sword, a wand, or a companion on countless adventures? In today's episode, Nicki and Vicci will unravel the hidden developmental treasures found in stick play and how adults can prioritise safety without dampening the spirit of creativity. Listen in as Nicki and Vicci share their extensive knowledge of: 🌱 The benefits of stick play 🌱 How to find 'the perfect stick' 🌱What's a 'blood bubble'...
Feb 27, 2024•30 min
Send us a text It's time to gain the confidence to flex your 'uncomfortable muscles' and become an agent of positive change in your family's life – because when it comes to sex education, silence is not an option. This week we're chatting with Cath Hakanson, mother, sex educator, and founder of Sex Ed Rescue. Cath is all about helping kids and parents have better relationships through empowering conversations. With the right tools, self-confidence, and strategies, sex education can be less threa...
Feb 19, 2024•43 min
Send us a text Rosie Ricketson is a mother and award-winning creative producer passionate about maternal well-being. With a background in the arts, Rosie curates community-led experiences and projects with a vision for a more connected world. In this episode, Rosie shares: 🌱Her Thoughts Investing in Community During Uncertain Times 🌱Creativity's Role in Building Community 🌱Modern Motherhood Challenges and Needs 🌱Balancing Parenting, Education, and Work Support This conversation served as a t...
Feb 12, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Send us a text As we close the chapter on an incredible year of growth and connection, our latest podcast episode takes you through a heartfelt journey of our key milestones, mistakes and goals for the new year. Somehow during this time, we have hit an astonishing 420,000 downloads and cultivated conversations that have deeply resonated within the realms of parenting, alternative education, forest schooling and child development. Our little project, birthed in our humble home office, has since s...
Feb 05, 2024•37 min
Send us a text We're back, baby! Kicking off the 2024 season of the Raising Wildlings Podcast with our friend and fellow business owner Gill Howarth from Born Wise Education. Gill always brings her wisdom to the table and it's great to have her back for an in-depth discussion on what raising "wild and free" children truly means. Listen in as Gill shares: 🌱Her experience on the delicate balance of granting our children the space to navigate their fears and the world at large. 🌱The spectrum of c...
Jan 30, 2024•32 min
Send us a text Have you ever questioned the traditional education system and its one-size-fits-all approach? If so, this episode is a must-listen as clinical psychologist and education advocate Dr. Naomi Fisher embarks on a deep discussion about alternative pathways to learning. Dr Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist who specialises in autism, trauma and alternative ways to learn. She is the author of two books, both about self-directed education, and she is the mother of two children. For f...
Dec 11, 2023•59 min
Send us a text Are you curious about how to reconnect with your inner wisdom and that of the land, seasons, and cycles? Today we are in conversation with the wonderful Tiffany Gesler, a proud Gunggari woman passionate about connecting people to their own nature. Tiffany is a seasoned early years and outdoor learning educator with expertise in Aboriginal health, midwifery, and women's business. In this last year, she launched her wild business Sowed and Nurtured, Toowoomba's first private bush sc...
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 19 min
Send us a text Stepping out of the mainstream education system and into the business world is equal parts daunting and exhilarating. In today's episode, we are talking with one of our founding Your Wild Business students Leanne Webster who has created a community and connection in Bundaberg QLD with her wonderful business Wild Gully. In this episode Leanne shares: 🌱Her personal journey from the four walls of a classroom into the limitless expanse of the wilderness 🌱The realities of running an ...
Nov 27, 2023•37 min
Send us a text Ever thought you couldn't run a Nature Play program because your site isn't postcard-worthy? Newsflash: Picturesque beaches, a bubbling creek, or a lush rainforest are pretty but they are not essential for your Nature Play program. We repeat they are not essential. Today we are discussing place-based learning and how it's actually really important that children connect with their own local environment in a deep and meaningful way. Nicki and Vicci will share: 🌱The benefits of runn...
Nov 20, 2023•15 min
Send us a text "If nature is free and play is free... Then why would I need to pay $ to insure my Nature Play session? " 😱 - Us Yes, that was our actual faces when we heard someone was running a Nature Play session WITHOUT insurance. Not only does this kind of dodgy practice risk people's livelihoods and homes... it also has the potential to completely destroy a whole industry that is supposed to protect childhood and children's right to play in nature. In this episode, Nicki Farrell & Vicc...
Nov 14, 2023•16 min•Season 4Ep. 41
Send us a text Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you're screaming internally, "Not this!"? You're not alone. Inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert's empowering post, this episode delves into Nicki's process of courageously saying ,'Not this,' and stepping away from situations that no longer served her and opting for a path of uncertainty over a life of discontent. Tune in and unleash the courage within you to say, "Not this." Ever wondered how to bring the magic of 'Nature Play' into you...
Nov 10, 2023•15 min
Send us a text How do you define success as a mother and business owner? What does it mean to find your threshold of "enoughness"? We are back this week with Gill Howarth, owner of Bornwise Education, as she uncovers her journey through the peaks and valleys of motherhood and entrepreneurship. For Full Show Notes Head To 👉 https://www.raisingwildlings.com.au/blog/Balancing-Entrepreneurship-and-Motherhood Ever wondered how to bring the magic of 'Nature Play' into your child's education? Or how t...
Nov 05, 2023•42 min
Send us a text Do you ever wonder what it takes to start a business while wrestling with the complexities of parenting young children? Join us as we delve deep into the journey of Gill Howarth, the founder of Born Wise Education, who remarkably embarked on her entrepreneurial expedition during her maternity leave - just like we did with Wildlings Forest School! Gill invites us into her world, sharing her story with honesty, courage, and inspiration. For Full Show Notes Head To 👉 https://www.rai...
Oct 30, 2023•34 min
Send us a text Ever wondered how to package your passion for nature into a profitable venture? This week we're uncovering the untapped potentials in the Nature Play industry and translating your unique gifts into a viable business. We'll walk you through the diverse niches in the industry, from age-based businesses to corporate events, and even delve into the advantageous role of location in attracting success to your venture. It's tempting to mirror what others are doing, but we reveal why this...
Oct 23, 2023•22 min
Send us a text Get ready to be inspired as we journey into the heart of an exceptional early childhood education center with Narelle Dawson, the esteemed Director of Bribe Island Community Kindy. Narelle offers rare insights into leading a team that's been rated excellent four times in a row, a testament to their commitment, dedication, and unwavering focus on building meaningful relationships. She reveals the secrets behind their success and the transformative power of fostering a nurturing env...
Oct 16, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 35
Send us a text Buckle up! We are spilling our secrets on how collaborations have been a game-changer in our Wild Play business and how they can be for you too! Ever wondered what makes a partnership thrive? Let us share our experience in business partnerships and what we'd do differently if we were starting a new business today. Full Show notes can be found here: https://www.raisingwildlings.com.au/blog/unlocking-the-power-of-wild-business-partnerships-with-nicki-farrell-and-vicci-oliver Ever wo...
Oct 11, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 34
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how an educational institution could place well-being at the heart of its ethos and practice? Join us for an eye-opening talk with Claire Bartlett, the founding Principal of Woodline Primary, as we discuss its journey from ideation to a growing community of students and families. Claire opens the door to Woodline's unique perspective on education. She highlights how the school's emphasis on connection, language, and individual attention fosters an environmen...
Sep 26, 2023•53 min•Season 4Ep. 33
Send us a text While playtime might seem straightforward, it's fraught with challenges and nuances that parents often overlook. In this podcast, we are joined again by researcher, author, and Professor Dr Peter Gray and today we are unraveling the intricacies of play and its influence on a child's growth. We discuss why simply taking your child to the park isn't the same as neighborhood play and the difference between 'play' and a 'playful approach to learning'. Join us for this enlightening con...
Sep 18, 2023•30 min
Send us a text Prepare to be captivated by this deep dive into the world of childhood play. In our latest episode, we have the esteemed pleasure of welcoming back Dr Peter Gray, a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College. With an impressive track record of studying play's importance, Dr Gray’s insights are sure to fascinate you as he unveils how play shapes children into responsible, creative, and socially adept individuals. Full Show Notes 👉 https://www.raisingwildli...
Sep 11, 2023•36 min
