Send us a text The transformative power of parenthood gives many of us a renewed passion for the importance of advocating for our children's play needs. Today’s guest is no different, Dr. Carla Gull is an academic researcher, speaker, and environmental education program facilitator at Goshen College. In this episode we will be deep-diving into Dr. Carla’s research work around loose parts play and the importance of unexpected curiosity. For full show notes head to: https://www.raisingwildlings.co...
Sep 06, 2023•45 min
Send us a text Today, we are delighted to have Dr Arne Rubenstein back to answer your questions about the role of father figures and how to maintain meaningful connections during a boy's journey toward adulthood. Dr Arne is the CEO and Founder of the Rites of Passage Institute. He has over 30 years of experience as a medical doctor, counselor, speaker, workshop facilitator, and the proud father of two wonderful young men and a mentor to many others. For full show notes head to: https://www.raisi...
Aug 29, 2023•39 min
Send us a text Dr Kate Grarock is an Ecologist, Hiker, YouTube Creator, passionate storyteller, Mum and most recently, a participant on the incredibly popular SBS TV show, Alone Australia. Today, we’ll be talking all about her time on the survival show, the best and hardest parts, and her current ecology work and her tips and tricks for solo hiking – including her favourite hiking treat! For Full Show Notes Head To https://www.raisingwildlings.com.au/blog/Alone-With-Dr-Kate-Grarock Ever wondered...
Aug 23, 2023•50 min
Send us a text At forest school, we often talk about how nature play is so important for our sensory development, but did you know that many of the developmental and behavioural challenges we see in children stem from our nervous system? In today's episode we scratch the surface of sensory integration, sensory processing and retained reflexes with Occupational Therapists, Rachel Harrington and Jessica Hill. 👉 Rachel and Jess share About primitive reflexes About retaining reflexes What we can do...
Aug 07, 2023•33 min
Send us a text Today we’re chatting to Sarah Aiono, international speaker, coach, teacher, researcher, CEO of Longworth Education and one of Aotearoa New Zealand's leading play pedagogy experts all about the biological need for all humans to play, the need for us as parents and educators to slow down childhood, how the early academic pushdown is harming children and how Sarah and her passionate team help teachers implement evidence-based play pedagogy in their everyday classroom practices. 👉 Sa...
Aug 01, 2023•59 min•Season 4Ep. 26
Send us a text If you’re anything like us, the title of today’s episode, “Low Demand Parenting”, made you take a hopeful gasp and wonder if low-demand parenting could actually work for your family and take some of the weight and pressure of parenting off of your chest. Well, after chatting with Amanda Diekman, author and leading voice in the neurodiversity parenting movement, I can honestly say I felt some of that weight lift as she gave me and all our listeners permission to say, ‘It’s too hard...
Jul 26, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Send us a text What do you feel when you walk into a perfectly instagrammable Early Years setting, or when you see an education space wrapped in artificial turf? Today we’re chatting with husband and wife duo, architects and owners of Landings Studio, Emma Healy and David Pratt all about biophilic design, the benefits of it, what we can do instead of laying astro turf and immovable playgrounds, and how we can implement some of these ideas in our homes and early years settings. For Full Show Note...
Jul 18, 2023•1 hr 10 min
Send us a text If you’ve ever been to one of our Brisbane Forest School sessions, you may have been lucky enough to meet today’s guest, Amanda England. Amanda is our Brisbane manager, friend, and business partner. On today’s podcast, Amanda is sharing her journey from preschool teacher to kickstarting our Wildlings Forest Kindy Program in Brisbane, Australia. Amanda will also share how investing her time and energy into building stakeholder relationships helped her successfully advocate for chil...
Jul 11, 2023•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 22
Send us a text One of the biggest reasons for starting our own business was to be able to jump at opportunities when adventure called. It’s a great privilege to be able to do this and it’s not something we take for granted. This week on the podcast we are diving into Nicki’s recent unplanned 5-week road trip into the outback with her two homeschooled boys and dog in tow. The road schooling trip back to Nicki’s own childhood roots in South Australia. Were they new places to visit? No. Was it goin...
Jul 05, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Send us a text Imagine being labeled America’s worst mother just because you made the conscious decision to allow your child to experience some independence. If you haven’t heard Lenore Skenazy’s story or read her book Free Range Kids, today’s episode is a great introduction to the Free Range Children and Grow Wild movements. 👉 Lenore shares The incredible story that catapulted her into this movement. Some of the most rewarding outcomes she has seen in her own life and in the families she has w...
Jun 06, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Send us a text Issac Newton once said “What goes up must come down”, but what on Earth are we supposed to do when children climb up too high and call out for help? Recently, we’ve witnessed several occurrences where tiny climbers reach great heights only to get stuck when it comes to getting back down to the ground. In today’s podcast episode, we are deep diving into the physiology behind this and what adults can do to coach children down from great heights. In this episode, we discuss: ✔️ Fear ...
May 29, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Send us a text Tree climbing has always been a rite of passage. Whether it was the mango tree in the backyard or the massive jacaranda at the local park. Where there were trees…. there were children hanging from the branches. At least, that’s what is why like in our own childhood. But did you know that 1 in 4 Australian children have never climbed a tree? That’s a quarter of Australian children! Missing out on the pure joy, freedom, and learning experiences that come from being able to scale, sw...
May 23, 2023•30 min•Season 4Ep. 17
Send us a text ❌ Newsflash: Risky Play isn’t as simple as giving children the old hammer from the rusty toolbox in the garage. In fact, doing that will probably cause more accidents and set everyone up for a negative experience. We used to think that ‘any’ hand tool was better than none.... until we saw some were too heavy, too bulky, and hindering the learning process for children. It was a bit like trying to eat soup with a fork. Rather frustrating for all involved. So today we will share with...
May 16, 2023•29 min
Send us a text "Look, it has pockets!" said the child as they emptied the rocks, shells, and leaves from the pockets of their new skirt. And we have to admit, as grown women, we too have twirled in excitement when FINALLY finding a dress or skirt that can fit our wallets, phones, and car keys but it makes us ask the question... Are we letting "looks" get in the way of "life" and what kind of message is that sending to our children especially when that comes to nature play? In this episode, we di...
May 10, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 17
Send us a text Sometimes in life you meet people who’s experience and inspiration mirrors your own and that is what I feel about my guest today. Celia Hogan is the founder of Little Kiwis in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and we shared such a rich and inspiring chat today which I think you are going to love. 👉 Celia Shares Her journey that brought her to where she is today About Little Kiwis Nature Play Her inspiration to start her Wild Business The nature play landscape in New Zealand? How she embeds ...
Apr 24, 2023•49 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Send us a text You’ve all heard the saying, ‘If you play with fire, you’re going to get burnt,' well we have another saying at Wildlings, and that’s, ‘If you don't play with fire you WILL get burnt.’ Today’s episode is all about why we must teach children fire safety. 👉 Nicki and Vicci Share: Some striking facts about fire danger in Australia and around the world Why it is important to teach children about fire safety The importance and power of fire and how to teach responsibility in children ...
Apr 17, 2023•18 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Send us a text Imagine making play your life’s work. In today’s podcast, I talk with professional playworker and child advocate, Marc Armitage, who has done just that. We are chatting all about the role of adults and he asks us what is our agenda when it comes to providing play opportunities for children. 👉 Marc Shares: How his journey got started How playwork differs from other approaches to working with children That playwork is a unique way of connecting with children How playworkers balance...
Apr 11, 2023•34 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Send us a text Nature schools are on the rise here in Australia and around the world and I am not just talking about Forest Schools like Wildlings. These schools have to follow Australian Curriculum, but are prioritising getting kids outside! Today I want to introduce Joanna Griffith from Kwoorabup Nature School in Western Australia. 👉 Joanna Shares: Her philosophy and the inspiration behind Kwoorabup Nature School The significance of the land on which they learn and play About the meaning of t...
Apr 04, 2023•37 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Send us a text Honestly, our kids get a rough go. What we often expect of them at a young age can far outweigh what their brain can actually manage — and we don’t even realise we’re doing it! Today we’re finishing our chat with Allison Davies. Today we’re chatting about the importance of predictability for children, Hyperactivity and her family’s journey from homeschooling to schooling. You can catch the first part of our conversation in last week’s episode. 👉 Alli Shares About Brain = Behavior...
Mar 27, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Send us a text In this episode, we chat to former Neurologic Music Therapist Allison who stepped out of the allied health system after 16 years, and now focuses on enacting societal change by dismantling harmful musical myths. To get a sense of what Alli is all about, I thought I’d read one of her quotes which I love. ‘As a woman I was suppressed by the systems that told me to ‘be seen and not heard’, to ‘stop being hysterical’ and to ‘not give up my day job’ in response to my musical expression...
Mar 20, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Send us a text Did you know that 1 in 14 children experience an anxiety disorder in Australia and that anxiety is becoming more and more prevalent in our youth? In this episode, we’re chatting with social worker and author, Jessica Sanders, about how to help our children wrangle their worries. We talk about what anxiety might feel like in children’s bodies, simple strategies for parents wanting to help their children manage anxiety and why it's important to start these conversations with childre...
Mar 17, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Send us a text Today, we’re chatting with Meg Berryman about remedial vs regenerative business, stewardship vs leadership, the new and calmer questions to ask ourselves about obtaining the elusive work life balance and how the sensitive ones are leading the way in finding our way back to regenerative culture. This one is for those who feel like listening to an episode where you will leave with a feeling of being settled. 👉 Meg shares What inspired her to write Wilder Her unique perspective on “...
Mar 06, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Send us a text We all know that getting children outside is good for them, but that doesn't mean that everybody that works with/for children does. That is where organisations like Nature Play WA come in and why I have invited CEO and researcher, Dr. Kelsie Prabawa-Sear onto the podcast today to share why children really do need a childhood with play and nature and the challenges that we face trying to achieve our mission. 👉 Kelsie Shares How she found herself in this position including her infl...
Feb 28, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Send us a text If there is one thing I know that brings us all together when we are outside with our families and children, its music. I was so excited to find our guest today who has created the most beautiful songs that are loved by children and adults! Today we will be speaking with Sara Ernst, all about her music and children’s books in nature! 👉 Sara shares How she has come to master the written word through stories and songs About the importance of learning about nature through song How h...
Feb 20, 2023•1 hr 27 min
Send us a text In this episode, we’re chatting with Psychotherapist, Arsho Kalloghlian, about all things teenage relationships: what Red flags to look out for in potential partners, the the difference between selfless giving and martyrdom and how to ask for what you need in a relationship respectfully. Come and join us for the info I wish I had as a lovestruck teen! 👉 Arsho shares Her backstory and how and why she ended up in Psychotherapy Why she is called to help teenagers How we can repair r...
Feb 13, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Send us a text In this episode, we’re talking with Tracy Gillett , founder, writer and advocate behind the award-winning blog, Raised Good - a guide to natural parenting in the modern world. And today we’re chatting about punishments, time outs and rewards and why conditional parenting doesn’t work. 👉 Tracy shares Her journey to starting Raised Good. The best and worst parts of owning her own business The problem with time outs, spanking, consequences, threats, rewards and bribes. What we can d...
Feb 06, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Send us a text In today's episode, I’m joined by the beautiful Psychologist, Dr Martha Deiros Collado. If you don’t already follow her on instagram, now is the time to start. Her mission is to make the science of psychology accessible to all and support parents to see their child behind the behaviour. She distills big topics into simple ideas and actionable strategies to support you every day, with your family. 👉 Dr. Martha shares About compliance vs speaking up That if we want children to stan...
Jan 30, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Send us a text In this episode, it’s all about the Dad’s as we chat to Sam Patterson of All Time Dads who tells us how Dads can flick the switch between work and life so they can be present with their family for the moments that count. If you’re a father or have a partner or co-partner who wants some tips on how to be more present with your family, then this is the episode for you. 👉 Sam shares His story that led him to where he is today His motivation for this work The dynamics of the provider...
Jan 23, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Send us a text Happy New Year and Welcome back to season 4 of the Raising Wildlings Podcast! In this episode, I get to chat with Alfie Kohn, the author of my all-time favourite parenting book, Unconditional Parenting. 👉 Alfie shares What he means by ‘unconditional parenting’ What unconditional parenting looks like Why we need to ask ourselves hard questions about our motives for wanting our children to behave a certain way The downfalls of punishment and what to do instead The counter productiv...
Jan 17, 2023•34 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Send us a text It’s the end of the year here at Wildlings, so come and join us for our wrap up of 2022. Our highest highs, our lowest lows and some big news about next year. 👉 Nicki and Vicci Share: Some epic podcast stats! Thank you for being a part of this journey with us! Their big business wins for 2022 How their roles have changed shape over this year The importance of listening to your body Their proudest achievements What they are looking forward to! 👉 Opt In for FREE Downloadables 👉 L...
Dec 20, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 41
