The Outdoor Education Podcast With Rob Carmichael
The Outdoor Education Podcast explores stories, ideas, and people shaping outdoor learning and its impact worldwide. Hosted by Rob Carmichael, it delves into the experiences and insights of educators, practitioners, and enthusiasts in the field of outdoor education. Each episode aims to inspire and inform listeners about the benefits and practices of learning in natural environments.
Episodes
S01:E19 The Outdoor Leader: Resilience, Integrity and Leadership with Jeannette Stawski
In this episode of The Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob is joined by Jeannette Stawski, founder of Leading Valiantly and author of The Outdoor Leader, Resilience, Integrity and Adventure. Jeannette brings a rich perspective shaped by guiding, teaching, wilderness medicine, university outdoor programmes, executive coaching, association leadership, and fifteen years as Executive Director of the Associ
S01:E18 Lucky or Good? Understanding Risk and the Science of Safety with Steve Smith
What if safety was not just about preventing things from going wrong, but learning more deeply from why things usually go right?In this episode of The Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob is joined by Steve Smith, founder of Experiential Consulting and author of Safety Science for Outdoor and Experiential Education. Together, they explore how outdoor educators, schools and programme leaders can think mo
S01:E17 Inclusion, Agency, and Knowing the Learner with Calum Wright
In this episode of The Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob sits down with Calum Wright, primary teacher, outdoor learning specialist, and founder of Fresh Air Teacher, for a thoughtful conversation about student agency, inclusion, and knowing learners well.At the heart of the episode is a key question, when does challenge help a student grow, and when does pushing beyond a comfort zone become unhelpful
S01:E16 Belonging, & DEI in Outdoor Education with Dan Kreisberg & Camille Simone Edwards
What if nature could help us better understand diversity, belonging, and human relationships?In this episode of the Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob is joined by Dan Kreisberg and Camille Simone Edwards, co-creators of Diversity Education in Nature (DEIN). Together, they explore how the natural world can serve as a powerful lens for teaching equity, empathy, and community.Dan and Camille share how s
S01:E15 Safety, Culture, and the Hidden Work of Outdoor Leadership with Stuart Slay
What does real safety leadership look like in outdoor education and why can it sometimes feel like such an isolating role?In this episode of The Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob sits down with Stuart Slay, founder of Slay Risk, a safety leadership and risk advisory practice that works with schools, experiential programs, and outdoor organizations around the world.Stuart shares his journey from climb
S01:E14 Beyond the Checklist: Rethinking Service, Purpose, and Connection in Education With Heidi Oxley-Whitnell
In this episode of The Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob Carmichael sits down with Heidi Oxley, Community Engagement and CAS Coordinator at UWC Thailand, to explore what meaningful service really looks like in schools today.With nearly 30 years of experience in international education across the UK, Africa, Asia, and the US, Heidi shares how her journey, from physical education to global citizenship
S01:E13 Designing Transformational Learning Beyond the Classroom with Haena Kim
In this episode of The Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob Carmichael speaks with Haena Kim, a global leader in experiential education and a driving force behind WildChina Education and Beyond Classrooms. Haenna shares how her early experiences in education sparked a lifelong passion for immersive learning and how she began designing programs as a teenager.The conversation explores how experiential edu
S01:E12 Teaspoons of Change: How Small Actions Shape a Global Future with d'Arcy Lunn
What if real change doesn’t start with massive policies, but with a teaspoon?In this episode, Rob Carmichael sits down with global educator and sustainability leader d'Arcy Lunn, Group Head of Sustainability and Global Citizenship at Education in Motion and founder of Teaspoons of Change.From mountaineering in Kyrgyzstan to working on polio eradication in South Sudan with UNICEF, dArcy’s jour
S01:E11 Culture Before Content: Building Brave Spaces with Nick Haywood
In this episode of The Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob Carmichael talks with educator, leadership facilitator, and coach Nick Haywood about why relationships and culture must come before curriculum.Nick shares how his journey from Outdoor Education in Tasmania to international education and leadership work with CHanGe has shaped his belief that trust, connection, and “brave spaces” are the foundati
S01:E10 Learning With Nature: Regeneration, Mindfulness & Ecology with Dr. Pierre Echaubard
In this episode of The Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob Carmichael is joined by Dr. Pierre Echaubard, ecologist, educator, and founder of Nature Mind-ED, a Thailand-based organisation blending ecology, mindfulness, and outdoor experiential education.Pierre shares his journey from academic research into community-based conservation, regenerative education, and hands-on outdoor learning. Drawing on h
S01:E9 Beyond the Classroom: Joy, Stewardship, and Learning Outdoors with Emma Wilson & Jeff Morey
In this episode of The Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob Carmichael speaks with Emma Wilson and Jeff Morey, educators at UWC Thailand, about creating learning environments where curiosity, care, and connection thrive outdoors.From jungle classrooms and mangrove stewardship to bee boxes, field guides, and family learning, Emma and Jeff share how outdoor learning isn’t an “extra” — it’s simply good le
S01:E8 Rethinking Risk in Outdoor Education with Dr. Clare Dallat
Episode 8, Rethinking Risk in Outdoor Education with Dr. Clare DallatIn this episode of The Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob Carmichael sits down with Dr. Clare Dallat, Founder and Director of Risk Resolve, to explore how outdoor educators can move beyond blame and build safer, more meaningful learning environments through systems thinking and a strong safety culture.Drawing on more than two decades
S01:E7 Out There Together: Leadership That Listens with Martin Foakes
In this episode of the Outdoor Education Podcast, Rob Carmichael is joined by Martin Foakes, Chair of the Board for OFFSEAS, a fast-growing community of outdoor educators across Asia.Martin shares how his love for being outdoors started in childhood, and how that passion evolved into a career in schools, expedition leadership, and ultimately regional governance. Together, Rob and Martin explore wh
S01:E6 Fearless by Nature: Leadership, Inclusion, and the Outdoor Journey with Yuen Li
What does it take to build an outdoor culture where everyone belongs — not because they fit in, but because the outdoors makes room for all of us?In this episode, Rob Carmichael sits down with Yuen Li Chan, founder of Nomad Adventure and one of Southeast Asia’s pioneers of outdoor and adventure education. Together, they explore what it means to lead with courage, care, and conviction, even when th
S01:E5 Step Outside: Regenerative Learning with Kenny Peavy
What happens when we stop seeing nature as “out there” and start recognizing it as part of who we are? In this episode, Rob Carmichael sits down with Kenny Peavy, Outdoor Learning Specialist at Green School Bali, to explore the roots of regenerative education, an approach that connects learners with themselves, with others, and with the living world around them.From childhood days chasing creek wa
S01:E4 Small Wonders: Kevin O’Shea on Cultivating Curiosity Through Nature
Description:In this episode, Rob Carmichael talks with Canadian educator and podcaster Kevin O’Shea, whose two decades in Asia have been devoted to helping children rediscover their natural curiosity. From cicada-chasing mornings in Japan to monkey-guarding gardens in Malaysia, Kevin shares how small, everyday encounters with nature can transform learning, wellbeing, and wonder.Discover how to sta
S01:E3 Learning by Doing: Maker Mindsets, Sustainability & Outdoor Learning with Gus Merckel
In this episode, Rob sits down with maker-educator and sustainability innovator Gus Merckel, whose global journey, from Mexico to Germany to Thailand,has shaped a powerful approach to experiential learning.Together, they explore how hands-on making, reclaimed materials, circular design, and outdoor learning can reconnect students with the real world and spark authentic curiosity.Gus shares stories
S01:E2 Connection in Practice: Rethinking Risk and Youth Wellbeing with Dr. Nevin Harper
Host Rob Carmichael sits down with Dr. Nevin Harper—outdoor educator, therapist, and co-author of Kids These Days—to explore how real growth happens through connection, challenge, and time outside. Neven traces his path from a northern Canadian childhood to wilderness guiding and clinical counseling, and unpacks big ideas from the new book: why risk ≠ hazard, how our modern “safety trap” and over-
S01:E1 Imagination in Motion- Exploring Outdoor Education Across Asia with Pete Tupper
In this episode, Rob speaks with Pete Tupper, founder of Imagine — a network of outdoor learning and adventure companies operating across China, Japan, and Taiwan.From ski slopes to startup offices, Pete shares how Imagine grew from a simple idea into a platform for outdoor education across Asia. Together, we explore the power of imagination in education, what it takes to lead outdoor programs acr
