Rephonic
Artwork for The Forest School Podcast

The Forest School Podcast

Lewis Ames and Wem Southerden
Forest School
Nature Connection
Child Development
Community Building
Outdoor Education
Owls
Re-Naturing Urban Spaces
Urban Forest School
Dressing Up
Hackney
Education
Adult Friendships
Social Interactions
Birds
Adaptation
Parenting
Ecology
Urban Education
Social-Emotional Learning
American Politics

Wem Southerden & Lewis Ames have run Forest School and training centre Children of the Forest since 2017. The Forest School Podcast was born when they wondered if their daily wafflechats and reflections about pedagogy, play and nature connection might be of interest to others. The podcast aims to inform and support educators, parents, outdoor and play practitioners and anyone interested in nature ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes244Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Forest School Podcast

Latest Episodes

Keywords

weather, play, philosophy, achievement, agency, creativity, metrics, education, value capture, qualitative assessment

Summary

In this conversation, Lewis and Wem explore various themes surrounding play, philosophy, and the impact of metri... more

Keywords

tree planting, community engagement, climate action, Avon Needs Trees, sustainable practices, tree care, volunteerism, Echo Wood, environmental awareness, biodiversity

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Wem speaks with Susan Barker fr... more

YouTube

In this episode, Wem and Lewis explore the philosophical and societal implications of play, discussing how it shapes childhood development and adult behavior. They delve into the idea that play is not merely a preparation for adulthood but a vital pa... more

YouTube

Summary

From Westonbirt inspirations to field guides and plant-hunter epics, Lewis and Gemma pull 13 tree books and ask how reading changes woodland practice. Hear about ships with greenhouses, coppice cycles, charcoal burning, fungal networks, mini... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Gardening with the RHS
Gardening with the RHSRoyal Horticultural Society
The Wild Minds Podcast
The Wild Minds PodcastThe Outdoor Teacher
Pod Save the UK
Pod Save the UKPod Save the UK

Recent Guests

Susan Barker
Works for Avon Needs Trees and specializes in community tree planting and engagement
Avon Needs Trees
Episode: Ep 239 - Community Woods with Susan Barker from Avon Needs Trees
Dr. Shelley Newstead
Expert in playwork with a PhD focus on its history and current practices
PARS Playwork
Episode: Ep 235 - PARS Playworking with Dr Shelley Newstead
Mell Harrison
A nature-based educator with over 30 years of experience, co-founder of Kinda Education.
Kinda Education
Episode: Ep 229 - Save Ringsfield Hall with Mell Harrison of Kinda Education
Max Alexander
A play worker, artist, consultant, and author of 'The Joys and Shapes of Autistic Play.'
Play Radical
Episode: 228 - Creating Play Taxonomies with Max Alexander
Nicole DeRushie
Author and speaker focused on ancient fashion and crafts
Episode: Ep 226 - Bog Fashion at Forest School with Nicole DeRushie
Dr. Alistair Bryce-Clegg
Expert in early years education, author, and speaker
Independent Educator
Episode: Ep 225 - What defines 'Ready for School'? w/ Dr Alistair Bryce-Clegg
Dr. Richard Buggs
Researcher at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Queen Mary University London
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Episode: Ep 223 - Combating Ash Dieback w/Dr Richard Buggs from Kew Gardens
Dr. Jo Hume
An academic with a focus on forest school research and pedagogy.
Northumbria University
Episode: Ep 221 - Post-Humanism in the Woods: With Dr Jo Hume
Danny English
Outdoor educator, forest school leader, and author of children's books
Weeby Kids CIC
Episode: Ep 220 - Is 'Leave No Trace' denying us a place in nature? with Danny English

Hosts

Lewis Ames
Co-host with a background in forest education and a focus on integrating nature into learning.
Wem Southerden
Co-host and educator dedicated to outdoor learning and community engagement.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 134 ratings
  • A Playful Approach to a Playful Topic

    Such an informative Podcast! Lewis, Wem, and guests take a playful approach to Forest Schooling, which matches Forest School’s playful approach to education!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Peter Kindfield
    United States2 months ago
  • Story time

    Really enjoyed the last podcast around shared community stories. Echoes many things I am interested in at the moment, but also just a good broader listen. And addition, not easy to post a post on your own, so kudos to Lewis for that.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BertGrieves
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Truths Be Told!

    Thank you for sharing the Truths of the joy, humour and humbling experiences of being in nature with children. The Bush Pods ~ Nature School in South Australia loves your podcast. I love legs 🐸!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SVadventures
    Australia2 years ago
  • A must for current or potential forest school leaders

    Varied, honest, insightful, funny and challenging- brilliant!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pondie61
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Perfect for Forest school leaders

    As a fairly new forest school leader I love this podcast. So informative and the wealth of experience shared gives me so much food for thought on so many areas of this practice. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Biddy Runs
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The engaging and humorous style of the hosts makes complex educational topics relatable and enjoyable.
The podcast is seen as a valuable resource for both new and seasoned forest school leaders, providing fresh ideas and inspiration.
Listeners appreciate the insightful, honest conversations that reflect their experiences as educators and parents.
Some listeners express concern over informal language, while most enjoy the relaxed vibe and authentic sharing amongst the hosts.

Top Education Podcasts

The Digital Sisterhood
The Digital SisterhoodThe Digital Sisterhood
Coffee Break Spanish
Coffee Break SpanishCoffee Break Languages
Coffee Break French
Coffee Break FrenchCoffee Break Languages
Coffee Break Italian
Coffee Break ItalianCoffee Break Languages
The Daily Stoic
The Daily StoicDaily Stoic | Backyard Ventures

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep 239 - Community Woods with Susan Barker from Avon Needs Trees
Q: Could you just tell us a little bit about yourself personally and your career path that led you to work with Avon Needs Trees?
Susan describes a transition from a previous career in academia to horticulture, driven by a desire to work outdoors and engage with nature.
Ep 235 - PARS Playworking with Dr Shelley Newstead
Q: How do you see the relationship between forest school and playwork?
Forest school can be seen as playwork in the woods, where both emphasize children's competency and curiosity; however, forest school also ties into educational outcomes.
Ep 235 - PARS Playworking with Dr Shelley Newstead
Q: Can you, for those listeners who maybe don't know that much about playwork at the moment, how would you define a playwork perspective?
A playwork perspective focuses on the needs of children and childhood, arguing for allowing children the freedom to engage in play without adult interference.
Ep 229 - Save Ringsfield Hall with Mell Harrison of Kinda Education
Q: Is living school just a name for what you've described, or is there sort of more detail to that?
Mell elaborates on the 'living school' concept, emphasizing a curriculum based around community needs and hands-on experience.
Ep 229 - Save Ringsfield Hall with Mell Harrison of Kinda Education
Q: Can you tell us a bit more about the project that's coming out?
Mell explains the initiative to save Ringsfield Hall, detailing its educational history and their vision for revitalization.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Forest School Podcast

What is The Forest School Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the interrelationship between education, play, and nature, this podcast provides insightful discussions intended for educators, parents, and outdoor practitioners. The episodes cover a vast array of topics including playwork, childhood development, forest school practices, and the importance of nature in learning. With a blend of expert interviews and personal anecdotes, the conversations reflect on how embracing natural environments can foster holistic learning experiences while advocating for child-centric methodologies. The hosts' engaging style fosters a sense of community, encouraging listeners to connect with and explore educational approaches that prioritize play and creativity.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Forest School Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Forest School Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Forest School Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Forest School Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Forest School Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Forest School Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Forest School Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Forest School Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Forest School 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 The Forest School Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Forest School Podcast:

1. As the Season Turns
2. Gardening with the RHS
3. The Wild Minds Podcast
4. Pod Save the UK

How many episodes of The Forest School Podcast are there?

The Forest School Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 244 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 The Forest School Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Forest School Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Forest School Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Forest School Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Forest School Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Forest School Podcast?

Recent guests on The Forest School Podcast include:

1. Susan Barker
2. Dr. Shelley Newstead
3. Mell Harrison
4. Max Alexander
5. Nicole DeRushie
6. Dr. Alistair Bryce-Clegg
7. Dr. Richard Buggs
8. Dr. Jo Hume

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days