Rephonic
Artwork for Vertical Playpen
Adventure Education
Experiential Education
Outdoor Education
Facilitation
Experiential Learning
Education
High 5 Adventure Learning Center
Leadership
Team Building
Risk Management
Resilience
Mental Health
Navigating Challenging Dialogue
Communication Skills
Emotional Intelligence
Psychological Safety
Facilitation Skills
Wavelength
Parenting
Challenge Courses

Want to learn more about Adventure and Experiential Education? Then this podcast is for you! Listeners of this podcast will get; - Adventure Programming Theory - Facilitation Tips - Activity Ideas - Industry Career Advice - Interviews from Industry Professionals High 5 Adventure Learning Center is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to helping individuals, teams, schools, communities a... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes326Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for Vertical Playpen

Latest Episodes

In this inspiring interview, Andrew Alexander King shares his journey from Detroit to becoming a mountaineer, surfer, and advocate for diversity in outdoor education. Discover insights on experiential learning, embracing failure, and mentoring the ne... more

In this episode, Hutch Hutchinson, a senior lecturer at Boston University, shares his extensive experience and insights into the history and impact of outdoor and experiential education. He discusses the evolution of outdoor education from the 19th c... more

In this episode, we explore the powerful concept of 'sweeping the shed' from James Kerr's book 'Legacy,' emphasizing humility, leadership by example, and the importance of small acts in building strong teams and cultures. • The concept of 'sweeping ... more

In this interview, organizational development facilitator Mike Cardus shares insights on experiential learning, facilitation wisdom, and adapting activities to different contexts. Discover how to enhance your facilitation skills, innovate activities,... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Andrew Alexander King
Adventurer, climber, entrepeneur behind Between Worlds Project
Between Worlds Project
Episode: From Detroit to Everest: Andrew Alexander King's Journey of Adventure and Impact
Hutch Hutchinson
Senior lecturer at Boston University Questrom School of Business
Boston University Questrom School of Business
Episode: The Evolution of Outdoor Education: From 1830s to Today | Hutch Hutchinson
Jim Grout
Executive director
High Five Adventure Learning Center
Episode: Lessons from "Legacy" by James Kerr
Mike Cardus
Organizational development consultant
Episode: Facilitation: Wisdom, Adaptation, and Innovation | Mike Cardus
Jill Vialet
Founder of Playworks
Playworks
Episode: How Playworks Is Changing Education Through Play | Jill Vialet
Danny Bauer
Ruckus Maker, Better Leaders, Better Schools
Ruckus Makers / Better Leaders, Better Schools
Episode: Making a Ruckus: Reimagining Schools | Danny Bauer
Rebecca Courtney
Facilitator, educator, and advocate of play-based learning; bringing play to adult facilitation and education
Rebecca Courtney (independent)
Episode: Embracing Play | Rebecca Courtney
Lisa Riegel
Educator, author, and expert discussing neuroscience in education
Episode: How Neuroscience Can Transform Schools | Lisa Riegel
Beth Cougler Blom
Author, podcast host of Facilitating on Purpose
Self-published author
Episode: Everyday Acts of Facilitation | Beth Cougler Blom

Host

Phil
Host of Vertical Playpen / Host of the show

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 87 ratings
  • Great for the challenge course industry!

    This podcast is full of great ideas and has enhanced my challenge course programming. Thank you Phil!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    joewyldwalker
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love It!

    This podcast is on my constant rotation. I’be been working at camps for about 9 years and I lean new things when I listen to this podcast and I get reminders of things I forgot or haven’t given much thought to- valuable listening experience

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bailey_noelle
    United States4 years ago
  • I loved high-5!!

    Hi I’m leah and me and my school/grade went to high-5 last week! They might not remeber me but I over-came my fear about hights! And they also got my teacher to do it! Loved the podcast Phil!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LittleLeaxh
    United States5 years ago
  • Accessible and Professional

    Such great teambuilding and challenge course content regularly delivered into my feed for free!? This podcast is an exceptional service to the industry, and fun to listen to!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Visions of Johanna
    United States5 years ago
  • Great content for all!

    Regardless if you are new to the field or have been immersed in it for awhile there is content knowledge with some raw organic humor (thanks Phil) for all professionals to benefit from. Love recommending it to our students as a great outside resource to learn from.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    amveatch
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show for practical, real-world tips and industry-specific knowledge.
The podcast is regarded as a valuable resource for both newcomers and seasoned practitioners in experiential education.
Episodes are described as professional and entertaining, with high-quality guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#37
Singapore/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#116
New Zealand/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#123
Norway/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#206
Netherlands/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#219
Mexico/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#237
Taiwan/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From Detroit to Everest: Andrew Alexander King's Journey of Adventure and Impact
Q: What is a question you wish people would ask you and haven't?
People should ask about the evolution of my story and the broader impact of mentoring and the Between Worlds Project, not just the survival or thrill aspects of adventures.
From Detroit to Everest: Andrew Alexander King's Journey of Adventure and Impact
Q: What advice would you give to a student about to step into the world of adventure?
Know yourself deeply, define your core values, compare yourself to who you were yesterday, start small, and gradually expand your comfort zone while maintaining a focus on safety and learning.
From Detroit to Everest: Andrew Alexander King's Journey of Adventure and Impact
Q: How did you get into the outdoor industry and what kept you going?
It wasn't luck alone; putting oneself in the right positions and learning iteratively—through mentors, books, and guides—kept the journey moving forward, with reflection shaping ongoing growth.
From Detroit to Everest: Andrew Alexander King's Journey of Adventure and Impact
Q: What has been the highlight of your week so far?
The highlight has been participation in a ceremonial ascent at a sacred site in Mexico, connecting with local culture, sharing respect, and learning from the community as a meaningful alternative to peak bagging.
The Evolution of Outdoor Education: From 1830s to Today | Hutch Hutchinson
Q: What advice does Hutch offer to emerging professionals in experiential education?
Be a sponge, explore multiple mentors and career paths, attend AEE meetings, recognize that there isn't one correct path, and remain adaptable to changing environments and opportunities.

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 Vertical Playpen

What is Vertical Playpen about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on adventure and experiential education, featuring hosts from a prominent outdoor education nonprofit and a team of practitioners. Discussions span facilitation best practices, safety, group dynamics, and inclusive programming, with many episodes spotlighting real-world techniques, lesson design, and professional development for facilitators, coaches, and educators. A recurring strength is blending practical activities and theory with candid stories from the field, making it valuable for anyone running or supporting challenge courses, camps, or outdoor programs. The format regularly includes expert guests and in-house voices, delivering actionable takeaways for improving engagement, safety, and learning outcomes.

Where can I find podcast stats for Vertical Playpen?

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How many listeners does Vertical Playpen get?

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What are the audience demographics for Vertical Playpen?

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How many subscribers and views does Vertical Playpen have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Vertical Playpen 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 Vertical Playpen?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Vertical Playpen:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
3. Fresh Air
4. OnTeamBuilding
5. Radiolab

How many episodes of Vertical Playpen are there?

Vertical Playpen launched 7 years ago and published 326 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 Vertical Playpen?

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 Vertical Playpen?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Vertical Playpen from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Vertical Playpen?

Recent guests on Vertical Playpen include:

1. Andrew Alexander King
2. Hutch Hutchinson
3. Jim Grout
4. Mike Cardus
5. Jill Vialet
6. Danny Bauer
7. Rebecca Courtney
8. Lisa Riegel

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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