Archives: Podcasts

Description Episode 336: In this episode Phil sits down with Dr. Peter Gray, renowned psychologist, author of Free to Learn, and author of Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety. Together, they explore the true meaning of childhood and play, how adult hyper-vigilance and societal changes have reshaped kids’ independence, and […]

Description Episode 335: In this episode of the podcast, Phil kicks off with a listener Q&A addressing how to navigate client expectations when “teachable moments” alter planned activities. He breaks down his approach to balancing client goals with the needs of real-time participants before diving into three key reflections on facilitation and training: An unexpected […]

Description Episode 334: In this episode of Vertical Playpen, hosts Phil Brown and Lisa Hunt explore the concept of the Flow State—that sweet spot where an individual’s skillset perfectly aligns with the level of challenge in front of them. Drawing from psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s pioneering research as well as their own hands-on experiences in experiential education […]

Description Episode 333: Join Phil up on the challenge course as he takes you step-by-step through a gear retrieval. From selecting setting up on the ground to climbing to the belay cable, retrieving the gear and managing the descent — hear all the real-time commentary, practical thought processes, and raw ambient sounds of the course. […]

Description Episode 332: In this episode, Phil challenges the assumption that the best ropes course facilitators must be fearless climbers. Drawing from recent training experiences and personal history, we explore why a natural nervousness or fear of heights can actually make you a far superior, more empathetic guide. We break down why hyper-confident instructors often […]

Description Episode 331: In this episode, Phil continues his conversation with renowned speaker and author Drew Dudley to unpack how we set goals, define potential, and cultivate everyday leadership. Episode Takeaways Redefining Goals & Potential: Drew challenges the traditional notion of “potential”—often defined by external expectations and financial metrics—and explains why we need to track […]

Redefining Leadership | Drew Dudley (Part 1) Redefining Leadership | Drew Dudley (Part 1) Description Episode 330: What can a long drive on a divided highway, your shower routine, and 80s video games teach us about modern leadership? In this episode, Phil sits down with leadership speaker and author Drew Dudley for a wide-ranging, candid […]

Comfort Vs Familiarity | Dr. Beau Lotto Comfort Vs Familiarity | Dr. Beau Lotto Description Episode 329: In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology of risk, trust, and personal evolution with world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Beau Lotto. Using the classic Challenge Zone Model as a jumping-off point, we unpack a crucial yet often overlooked […]

Adventure and Uncertainty | Beau Lotto Adventure and Uncertainty | Beau Lotto Description Episode 328: What if adventure isn’t just an activity, but a fundamental way of perceiving the world? In this episode, host Phil links up with world-renowned neuroscientist and author Dr. Beau Lotto to unpack how our brains process risk, perception, and uncertainty. […]

Workshop Design | Mehdi En-Naizi Workshop Design | Mehdi En-Naizi Description Episode 327: In this episode, Mehdi and Phil explore the art of workshop design, emphasizing the importance of understanding the ‘why’ behind activities, the value of mastering core facilitation techniques, and how to grow as a facilitator through deliberate practice and reflection. Episode Takeaways The […]