It’s In the Experience

Hosted by Association for Experiential Education

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Join Sherry Bagley, executive director of the Association for Experiential Education, as she chats with various guests using experiential education principles and methods. Each 30-minute podcast offers an engaging and often humorous journey to learn about experiential education and its many forms and uses.

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39 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 3836 min

Beyond the Headlines: Making Smart Decisions About Student Travel

In this episode of It's In The Experience, host Sherry Bagley welcomes Dave Dennis, founder and executive director of Cornerstone Safety Group, for a conversation about managing risk, safety, and security in today's evolving travel landscape. Dave shares how organizations can make informed decisions by looking beyond headlines and travel advisories, drawing on multiple sources and local expertise to understand the realities on the ground. The discussion explores how educators can communicate effectively with families, build trust before challenges arise, and address concerns about global events while keeping the focus on cultural learning and global citizenship. Dave also offers practical guidance on travel insurance, including the role of "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage, and discusses emerging trends in experiential education, from growing mental health and neurodiversity support needs to expanded crisis planning for camps and travel programs. The episode provides valuable insights for educators and program leaders working to create meaningful experiences while prioritizing student safety. It's in the Experience is produced by Association Briefings.

May 12, 2026Episode 3735 min

What If Failure Isn’t Real? Rethinking Outcomes and Growth

Welcome to Season 4 of It's In The Experience! This season, the podcast theme is "What's Up With..?" and each episode will dive deeper into a specific topic within Experiential Education. In the Season 4 premiere, host Sherry Bagley is joined by Matt Nannis, founder of PIVOTPoint WNC, for a conversation exploring the topic of “failure as fiction.” Matt challenges the idea of failure as a fixed truth, describing it instead as a story people assign to outcomes and experiences. Together, they discuss how reframing those narratives can influence emotional responses, support self-regulation and co-regulation, and create greater space for empathy, reflection, and connection. Drawing from the world of experiential education, Matt explains how undesired outcomes often provide opportunities for resilience, curiosity, and growth, while the label of “failure” can reinforce feelings of inadequacy and narrow thinking. The conversation also explores practical approaches to shifting perspective, including recognizing personal narratives as optional and using language that separates identity from experience, ultimately helping facilitators and participants better understand growth and behavior over time. It's in the Experience is produced by Association Briefings.

April 14, 2026Episode 3640 min

Better Together: Bridging Research and Practice Through Collaboration

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley is joined by Curt Davidson, Ph.D., President of Alpenglow Education, and Kathy Rohn, Ph.D, Assistant Professor in the Education Department at the University of New Hampshire, to explore how the AEE volunteer community and the Symposium for Experiential Education Research (SEER) sparked a meaningful collaboration. Kathy shares her entry into AEE through research on students who thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail during COVID, while Curt reflects on his long-standing role coordinating SEER. Together, they unpack what makes collaboration work—from shared values and fresh perspectives to trust, humor, and strong followership—along with common pitfalls to avoid. The conversation highlights how collaboration can strengthen projects, expand professional networks, and bridge the gap between research and practice. It's in the Experience is produced by Association Briefings.

March 10, 2026Episode 3540 min

Adventure with Purpose: Supporting Youth Through Experiential Learning

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley talks with Caitlin McCormick Small, Executive Director and CEO of Project Adventure, and Laura MacDonald, Education & Training Senior Consultant, about their paths into experiential education and the organization’s evolving work. They reflect on Project Adventure’s origins in 1970s Massachusetts as an early leader in challenge course programming and discuss how the organization has refined its focus in recent years. Caitlin and Laura highlight three key areas of Project Adventure’s work today: school- and youth-centered experiential programming, challenge course design and training across the Northeast, and organizational development for nonprofits. They also discuss a renewed therapeutic adventure model launched during the pandemic through a partnership with Gloucester High School, pairing a Project Adventure facilitator with a clinician to lead activity-based support groups that build belonging, mindfulness, and social-emotional skills. Now in its fourth year, the program has expanded to multiple schools, including multilingual welcome programs, with support from the Tower Foundation. Project Adventure is also collecting data from the initiative with hopes of publishing findings that contribute to the field of experiential education. It's in the Experience is produced by Association Briefings.

February 10, 2026Episode 3445 min

The Power of Co-Leadership: Strengthening Experiential Learning Through Collaboration

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley sits down with Bre Haapala and Dan Joyal, co-executive directors of Pathfinder, about their paths into experiential education and the mentors who shaped their leadership journeys. They reflect on how teamwork, collaboration, and community building influence their work, from partnerships with local schools to a major Science Center revitalization effort. The conversation highlights the role of clear communication, vulnerability, humor, and mutual respect in building strong collaborations and sustaining meaningful impact. It's in the Experience is produced by Association Briefings.

December 9, 2025Episode 3333 min

Collaborating for Change: Building an Adventure Therapy Certificate Program

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley sits down with Patrick McMillion, core faculty in Counseling and Counselor Education and co-coordinator of the Adventure Therapy Certificate Program at Westminster University, and Alex White, MS, CMHC, a clinical mental health counselor in private practice in Salt Lake City. Together, they discuss their paths into adventure therapy and experiential education, sharing the pivotal experiences that shaped their work and the ways they each define and practice adventure therapy today. Patrick and Alex also talk about their collaboration on Westminster University’s Adventure Therapy Graduate Certificate program, offering insight into its structure, impact, and the growing interest in training the next generation of practitioners. They close the conversation by reflecting on the importance of mentorship, openness, and community connection in fostering meaningful professional collaborations. It's in the Experience is produced by Association Briefings.

November 13, 2025Episode 3234 min

Mental Health and Risk Management in Experiential Education

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley talks with Margaret Kelso and Teresa Jennings, LCSW, from Cornerstone Safety Group. They share their journeys in experiential education and how their collaboration through Cornerstone combines a passion for mental health and risk management. The discussion explores their career paths, formative experiences, and the roles curiosity and emotional regulation play in effective education. Margaret and Teresa also reflect on how their partnership and shared values strengthen their work in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments. It's in the Experience is produced by Association Briefings.

October 14, 2025Episode 3131 min

Teaching Conservation: Inspiring the Next Generation Through Nature

Host Sherry Bagley welcomes Mike Bingley, Director of Education at the Canadian Wildlife Federation, for an inspiring conversation about connecting people to nature through education and experience. Mike reflects on formative moments that shaped his passion for the outdoors and shares how programs like the Canadian Conservation Corps are empowering youth and communities to take action for wildlife. He also dives into the challenges of sustainable funding, the importance of inclusive partnerships, and the role of education in building a lasting culture of conservation. It's in the Experience is produced by Association Briefings.

September 9, 2025Episode 3034 min

Relationship First: Building Lasting Collaborations in Experiential Education

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley sits down with Jake Jacobs, executive director of Camp Henry, and Andrew Bobilya, professor and program director at the Outdoor Education graduate program at Western Carolina University. The two reflect on their intertwined journeys in experiential education, sharing stories of influential mentors, professional reconnections, and the role of community in shaping their careers. They explore the power of relationship-building—both personal and professional—and highlight why communities of practice and care matter more than ever. Along the way, Jake and Andrew offer advice for emerging leaders on building lasting collaborations, grounded in vulnerability, commitment, and a relationship-first mindset. From PhD programs to outdoor adventures, their conversation shows how shared experiences can create lifelong partnerships and meaningful impact. It's in the Experience is produced by Association Briefings.

August 12, 2025Episode 2939 min

Cultural Compass: How Project Venture Guides the Next Generation

In this episode, host Sherry Bagley is joined by Mac Hall, M.A., and Heather Yazzie Campbell of Project Venture, an evidence-based, positive youth development program that integrates cultural and adventure-based education. Mac takes us back to the origins of the program, sharing the vision that inspired its creation, while Heather brings it to life with stories of activities ranging from risk management training to mindfulness practices. Together, they explore how Project Venture has expanded across the U.S. and into Jamaica and Canada, the power of community involvement, and why cultural relevance is at the heart of their work. It's in the Experience is produced by Association Briefings.