Send us a textHow 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 brea...

Send us a textCourtney 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 bringsThe flexibility entrepreneurship offers as a parentThe importance of connecting with like-m...

Send us a textHave 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...

Send us a textWhat 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 activit...

Send us a textCurious 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...

Send us a textWhat 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 ...

Send us a textCan 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 differentl...

Send us a textAre 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 foc...

Send us a textHave 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 ...

Send us a textThis 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 InstagramThe Forest School Podcast FacebookChildren of the Forest UK InstagramWhat happens when educators step out of their comfort zones and embrace diverse perspectives? Get ready for an insightful and playful con...

Send us a textDiscover 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 alte...

Send us a textEver 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'...

Send us a textIt'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 thre...

Send us a textRosie 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 SupportThis conversation served as...

Send us a textAs 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 ...

Send us a textWe'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...

Send us a textHave 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...

Send us a textAre 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'...

Send us a textStepping 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 earl...

Send us a textEver 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:...