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Artwork for Play Nature Podcast

Play Nature Podcast

Rusty Keeler
Outdoor Play
Play
Child Development
Risky Play
Nature-Based Play
Nature Play
Natural Playscapes
Loose Parts
Children's Development
Schema Play
Education
Childhood Education
Resilience
Loose Parts Play
Freedom To Play
Play-Based Learning
Authentic Childhoods
Holistic Child Development
Play Empowers
Adamstown

Welcome to Play Nature Podcast, a podcast dedicated to celebrating the beauty and benefits of outdoor, nature-based play—for all children (and us adults too!) Hosted by Rusty Keeler, a passionate play advocate, with over 30 years of experience designing natural playscapes, writing about nature and risky play, and traveling the world to champion the power of play, Rusty’s Play Nature Podcast is you... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes34Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilyParenting

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Artwork for Play Nature Podcast

Latest Episodes

Nature is not just pretty. It is medicine. It is our teacher. It is mud, microbes, moss, noise-softening, nervous-system-settling magic.

In this episode of Play Nature Podcast, Rusty Keeler talks with researcher Alex Barrable about the deep and deli... more

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The best playgrounds are alive. Dirt is medicine. And schoolyards can, and should, grow a little forest where kids can climb, hide, breathe, wonder, and come back to themselves.

In this episode of the Play Nature Podcast, Rusty Keeler talks with Ad... more

YouTube

In this episode of Play Nature Podcast, host Rusty Keeler takes us creekside on a warm spring day to think big. Big like gorges. Small like bugs. Slow like trees. This episode is a call to remember the mission. The mission to give children what they... more

YouTube

Step outside. Feel the mud. Hear the birds.

In this episode of the Play Nature Podcast, Rusty Keeler sits down with Playcologist Claude Stephens to explore a simple but powerful idea: children are meant to play in nature. Not on perfectly polished p... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Alex Barrable
Researcher in human-nature interactions focusing on human and planetary well-being
Independent researcher / academic collaborator with nature connection research
Episode: Ep 33 | Mud, Microbes, and the Magic of Nature with Alex Barrable
Adam Bienenstock
Founder/ former CEO of Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, founder of ReNature Foundation
Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds; ReNature Foundation
Episode: Ep 32 | Adam Bienenstock on School Forests, Soil Health, and the Future of Nature Play
Claude Stephens
Director of Bernheim Forest and Arboretum's Children at Play Network
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
Episode: Ep 30 | Claude Stephens’ Nature Play Revolution
Kristy DeGraaf
Founder of The Learning Tree; president of the Professional Family Childcare Association of Utah; 2025 Policy Fellow with the National ECE Workforce Center
The Learning Tree; Professional Family Childcare Association of Utah
Episode: Ep 28 | Kristy DeGraaf on Nature Play, Outdoor Learning, and Advocacy
Marc Armitage
Play worker, play advocate, and friend of play based in Australia
Australia
Episode: Ep 26 | How a Playworker Thinks About Play with Marc Armitage
Erik Herman
Founder of the Free Science Workshop (and co-founder of multiple science-education nonprofits)
Free Science Workshop, Physics Bus, Global Alliance for Community Science Workshops
Episode: Ep 25 | Junk Becomes Genius with Erik Herman, Founder of the Free Science Workshop
Gemma Nicholl Medina
Assistant professor at the University of Hawaii Maui College and advocate for play-based learning.
University of Hawaii Maui College
Episode: Ep 22 | Place-Based Learning: Environment, Culture, and Food with Gemma Nicholl Medina
Tom Hobson
An early childhood educator, international speaker, education consultant, parent educator, and author known for his work on play-based learning.
Woodland Park Cooperative School
Episode: Ep 16 | Building a Junkyard Playground with Teacher Tom Hobson
Pat Rumbaugh
Founder of a play committee and organizer of the National Day of Play
Lets Play America
Episode: Ep 15 | Seasons of Play with Rusty: Tips for FALL Outdoor Fun

Host

Rusty Keeler
Host of Play Nature Podcast, focused on outdoor play, nature-based learning, and risk-informed play design.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 12 ratings
  • Really engaging!!

    This was such an engaging episode to listen to, especially the discussion around letting children play beyond structured environments and reconnect with nature in a more authentic way. The idea that a single log, patch of dirt, or muddy space can spark creativity and confidence really stayed with me. I appreciated how hopeful and practical the conversation felt from beginning to end.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mary Burruss
    United Statesa month ago
  • The best

    Great podcast by the best in the biz!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lil brandt
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Very actionable and inspiring for school and community settings.
Positive energy and a clear commitment to accessible nature play.
Engaging guests that bring practical examples from different countries.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep 25 | Junk Becomes Genius with Erik Herman, Founder of the Free Science Workshop
Q: How can schools or parents blend the philosophy of Free Science into existing education or home routines?
Encourage curiosity-driven projects, reduce emphasis on immediately explaining phenomena, and allow students to explore with materials while adults act as facilitators who step back to let the science speak through observation and hands-on activity.
Ep 25 | Junk Becomes Genius with Erik Herman, Founder of the Free Science Workshop
Q: What advice would you have for well-meaning adults trying to adapt this model into their own settings?
Start small with a dedicated space for messy play, invite neighbors to contribute, and gradually scale by supporting others to start their own community spaces; emphasize hands-on, experiential learning over traditional instruction.
Ep 2 | Who the Heck is Rusty Keeler?!
Q: Can we use loose parts from the kitchen if safe?
Rusty encourages using safe kitchen items for outdoor play, provided they are checked for safety and no sharp edges are present.
Ep 2 | Who the Heck is Rusty Keeler?!
Q: Do you prefer playgrounds with natural grass or turf for playgrounds?
Rusty prefers natural grass for play areas but acknowledges that high foot traffic can erode it. He suggests a mix of surfaces can enhance play environments.
Ep 2 | Who the Heck is Rusty Keeler?!
Q: Bees are a big concern. Thoughts?
Rusty discusses the importance of bees for pollination while noting the dangers of aggressive bees protecting their nests. He encourages understanding and respecting bees while ensuring safety measures are in place for children around them.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Play Nature Podcast

What is Play Nature Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on outdoor, nature-infused play and child development, with a strong emphasis on risk, loose parts, and hands-on learning in community spaces. Across episodes, the host and guests explore practical space design, policy implications, and advocacy for accessible nature-based learning—from playground ecosystems and outdoor preschools to licensing, safety, and community-driven play networks. Listeners can expect grounded, experience-led conversations that mix fieldwork, design ideas, and real-world steps for bringing nature play into schools, parks, and homes. A standout thread is the emphasis on empowering families and educators to reclaim play as a vital, everyday practice, often challenging conventional caution around risk ... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers Play Nature Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Play Nature Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Play Nature Podcast:

1. The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast
2. Brave Writer
3. What Now? with Trevor Noah
4. The Next Right Thing
5. Ologies with Alie Ward

How many episodes of Play Nature Podcast are there?

Play Nature Podcast launched a year ago and published 34 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Play Nature Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Play Nature Podcast?

Recent guests on Play Nature Podcast include:

1. Alex Barrable
2. Adam Bienenstock
3. Claude Stephens
4. Kristy DeGraaf
5. Marc Armitage
6. Erik Herman
7. Gemma Nicholl Medina
8. Tom Hobson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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