Archives: Podcasts

Climbing Wall Near Miss Climbing Wall Near Miss Description Episode 104: VPP host Phil Brown tells the story of a potential near miss when lowering a participant on a Climbing Wall. This is the first in a series of stories that will help you learn what not to do (and what to do) thanks to […]

Managing Emotions & Vulnerability in Groups Managing Emotions & Vulnerability in Group Facilitation Description Episode 103: Join Ryan McCormick, Anne Louise Wagner, Lisa Hunt, and Phil Brown as they talk about the impact of modeling vulnerability and expressing emotions in group facilitation settings. Through sharing unique personal experiences, the team examines what factors make them […]

What We Say & How We Say It – Mike Anderson What We Say & How We Say it With Mike Anderson Description: Episode 102: This episode focuses on communication in the classroom.  Guest host Anne Louise Wagner interviews lifetime Educator, Author and Educational Consultant Mike Anderson. Edge of Leadership’s Ryan McCormick joins the interview […]

Facilitating Problem-Solving Activities Facilitating Problem-Solving Activities with Lisa Hunt & Ryan McCormick Description Episode 101: High 5 team members Lisa Hunt and Ryan McCormick discuss the ways in which they effectively facilitate problem-solving activities with groups. Over time, their approaches and strategies have changed. In the next 20 minutes or so, you’ll discover insights, tips, and […]

100th VPP Episode! 100th VPP Episode Highlights Description Episode 100: We reached a podcasting milestone: 100 Vertical Playpen podcast (VPP) episodes and counting!  Host Phil Brown started the High 5 Podcast, renamed Vertical Playpen (one year into the series) while recording in his car with a $25 microphone! Since then, things have changed, including a […]

Social-Emotional Learning For Educators with Tre Gammage SEL for Educators with Tre Gammage Description: Episode 99:  Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is essential for teachers as well as students.  Tre’ Gammage, an adult SEL consultant, chats with Phil about his transformative work with teachers regarding SEL.  Together, Phil and Tre’ examine why SEL is vitally important for […]

Why Play Works with Jill Vialet Why Play Works with Author Jill Vialet Description Episode 98: Fresh off the press, author Jill Vialet joins Phil Brown to explore her new book Why Play Works: Big Changes Start Small.  The book launched on September 15, 2021, and Phil read it cover-to-cover to prepare for this conversation […]

TOM PRECIVAL – WRITER AND ILLUSTRATOR Meet Tom Percival – Author of Books About Emotions for Kids Description: Episode 97: Author and illustrator, Tom Percival, writes books for kids that focus on emotions.  Host Phil Brown has read and reread many of Tom’s books, with a particular interest in the book  Ruby Finds A Worry. […]

Facilitation Tips with Mark Flynn Facilitation Tips with Mark Flynn Description Episode 96: Discover the art of facilitation with helpful tips aplenty from Mark Flynn.  For the past decade, Mark has worked with college students teaching the value of facilitation skills and how to cultivate your own style and impact as a facilitator.  Introduced to […]

Listener Questions – Adapt Activities and New Jobs Listener Questions – Adapt Activities, New Jobs and Belay Devices Description Episode 95: More listener questions on VPP today! In the spotlight: Adapting Activities, New Jobs, and Belay Devices. Host Phil Brown is eager to share ideas and suggestions to help facilitators deepen their soft skills as […]