The Bracken Outdoors Podcast

Hosted by Bracken Outdoors

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Episodes

156

Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

The podcast for outdoor professionals where we deconstruct the skills, attitudes and knowledge you need to help you earn a living in the great outdoors. Join us as we interview Forest School Leaders, discuss bushcraft philosophy, dive into nature as therapy, and dissect business structures. Hosted by Bracken Van Ryssen of Bracken Outdoors.com

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60 recent

May 6, 202623 min

Episode 156 - Empathy isn't Enough: Supporting Growth Outdoors

Empathy and inclusion are central to working with people outdoors. They build trust and create the conditions for learning.However, taken too far, they can also limit progress.In this episode, I reflect on the balance between empathy and challenge, and why our role as leaders is not just to accept where someone is, but to help them move forward from that point.The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives into larger topics or interviews with inspirational professionals and leaders in the outdoor education space.Take the struggle out of setting up tarps with the Essential Tarps and Knots Course for Forest School Leaders, find out more at: https://brackenoutdoors.com/essentialtarpsFree Resources: + How to choose a tarp guide+ Forest School Activity Ideas PDF + The complete guide to setting your rates as an outdoor leaderTo find out more about my mission to help people Belong Outside, head to https://brackenoutdoors.com/

April 29, 202617 min

Episode 155 - Is the Forest School market really saturated

A lot of Forest School leaders feel like the market is saturated. Too many providers, too much competition, and pressure on price.However, I’m not convinced that’s the real issue.In this episode, I reflect on how much provision can look the same from the outside, and how that leads to people competing on price rather than value. Looking back, the more sustainable work tends to come from leaning into what makes you different and communicating that clearly.This is a short reflection on finding your place, defining your value, and building something that attracts the right people.The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives into larger topics or interviews with inspirational professionals and leaders in the outdoor education space.Take the struggle out of setting up tarps with the Essential Tarps and Knots Course for Forest School Leaders, find out more at: https://brackenoutdoors.com/essentialtarpsFree Resources: + How to choose a tarp guide+ Forest School Activity Ideas PDF + The complete guide to setting your rates as an outdoor leaderTo find out more about my mission to help people Belong Outside, head to https://brackenoutdoors.com/

April 22, 20262 hr 8 min

Episode 154 - Pricing with Purpose - Building Sustainable Forest School Offers

Pricing is something that many Forest School leaders and outdoor practitioners find themselves working out as they go.It is not just a question of what to charge, but how to structure sessions and programmes in a way that is both accessible and financially sustainable. When that balance is off, it tends to show up elsewhere, whether that is in energy levels, consistency, or the long-term viability of the work.In this live conversation, I sit down with Asa Hardy-Brownlie from Forest School Support to explore how woodland leaders can think more clearly about pricing and building sustainable offers.Rather than keeping it theoretical, we also build out a real example live on the call — working through the structure, pricing and positioning of a home-education Forest School offer, and explaining the thinking behind each decision.This is not about finding a single “right” answer, but about developing a clearer framework for making decisions that work in practice.In this session, we cover:- Why pricing is more than just covering costs- The link between pricing, workload and energy- Common challenges woodland leaders face when setting prices- How to structure offers in a way that is sustainable- A live breakdown of a home-ed Forest School offerIf you are running sessions, building programmes, or trying to make your work more sustainable, this should give you a useful way to think about it.About Asa Hardy-Brownlie:Asa is the founder of Forest School Support, working with leaders and organisations to develop high-quality Forest School provision. His work focuses on helping practitioners build confidence, structure and sustainability in their programmes.Find out more at: https://www.forestschoolsupport.com/The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives into larger topics or interviews with inspirational professionals and leaders in the outdoor education space.Take the struggle out of setting up tarps with the Essential Tarps and Knots Course for Forest School Leaders, find out more at: https://brackenoutdoors.com/essentialtarpsFree Resources: + How to choose a tarp guide+ Forest School Activity Ideas PDF + The complete guide to setting your rates as an outdoor leaderTo find out more about my mission to help people Belong Outside, head to https://brackenoutdoors.com/

April 15, 20261 hr 15 min

Episode 153 - Roz Kennedy on Journeying to Forest School

In this episode of the Bracken Outdoors Podcast, I sit down with Roz Kennedy from Wavy Woods Forest School to talk about the path into outdoor work, and what it actually looks like to build something from the ground up.Roz shares her journey from a global career in corporate learning and development into forest school, and some of the key moments that shaped that shift. We get into the realities of starting a new forest school business, working with partners, and finding your feet in those early stages.We also explore how different cultural perspectives shape the way we view outdoor learning, and how that shows up in settings like daycare and early years provision. There’s a useful conversation around societal attitudes to risk, play, and time outside — and how those influence both parents and practitioners.Along the way, we touch on networking, making connections, and the role that relationships play when you’re trying to get something new off the ground.This is a practical, honest conversation for anyone working in forest school, outdoor education, or considering a move in that direction.Find Roz / Wavy Woods:www.wavywoods.co.ukhttps://www.instagram.com/wavywoodsschool/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572575055650The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives into larger topics or interviews with inspirational professionals and leaders in the outdoor education space.Take the struggle out of setting up tarps with the Essential Tarps and Knots Course for Forest School Leaders, find out more at: https://brackenoutdoors.com/essentialtarpsFree Resources: + How to choose a tarp guide+ Forest School Activity Ideas PDF + The complete guide to setting your rates as an outdoor leaderTo find out more about my mission to help people Belong Outside, head to https://brackenoutdoors.com/

April 1, 20261 hr 5 min

Episode 152 - Building a Soul-based Business with Faye of the Forest

In this episode, I sit down with Faye of the Forest to explore the link between purpose, business, and the work we do outdoors.Faye works as a nature-based practitioner and business mentor, supporting people to build work that is aligned with their values as well as being sustainable in the real world. Her approach brings together personal reflection, practical strategy, and the ongoing process of understanding what success actually means.In our conversation we talk about finding your direction and making use of your own strengths, rather than trying to copy what others are doing. We explore how to develop a clear niche, how to stand out in a crowded space, and how trust and connection can still be built in a world that is increasingly shaped by technology.We also get into some of the less visible parts of running a business, including the inner work involved in setting your rates, and the importance of thinking for yourself if you want your work to remain sustainable over time.Looking back, this felt like a useful conversation for anyone trying to build something meaningful, whether that sits within Forest School, bushcraft, outdoor learning, or beyond.Find out more about Faye here: https://www.fayeoftheforest.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fayeoftheforest_businessmentorThe Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives into larger topics or interviews with inspirational professionals and leaders in the outdoor education space.Take the struggle out of setting up tarps with the Essential Tarps and Knots Course for Forest School Leaders, find out more at: https://brackenoutdoors.com/essentialtarpsFree Resources: + How to choose a tarp guide+ Forest School Activity Ideas PDF + The complete guide to setting your rates as an outdoor leaderTo find out more about my mission to help people Belong Outside, head to https://brackenoutdoors.com/

March 18, 20261 hr 4 min

Episode 151 - Growing Taller than Trees with Charles Wild and Sophie Jones

In this episode, I sit down with Charles and Sophie from Taller Than Trees to talk about their work in bushcraft, Forest School, and outdoor learning.Between them, they bring a wide range of experience into their practice. Charles comes from a background as a veteran, educator, and bushcraft instructor, with a strong foundation in survival skills and teaching. Sophie brings her experience as a primary teacher, Forest School practitioner, and beekeeper, alongside a creative approach to learning and working with children.In this reflective and wide-ranging conversation, we explore:- Adjusting teaching to the needs of the learner- Building resilience in the outdoors- The power of achievement through bushcraft- Balancing technology and time outdoors as a freelancer- The struggles and rewards of setting up a small businessand much more!Find out more about Charles and Sophie:https://www.tallerthantrees.co.uk/The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives into larger topics or interviews with inspirational professionals and leaders in the outdoor education space.Take the struggle out of setting up tarps with the Essential Tarps and Knots Course for Forest School Leaders, find out more at: https://brackenoutdoors.com/essentialtarpsFree Resources: + How to choose a tarp guide+ Forest School Activity Ideas PDF + The complete guide to setting your rates as an outdoor leaderTo find out more about my mission to help people Belong Outside, head to https://brackenoutdoors.com/

March 11, 20261 hr 2 min

Episode 150 - Unlocking Flow With Rebecca Meager

In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Meager, an experienced Primary School teacher and Forest School Leader who has stepped beyond the classroom to follow her passion for outdoor, child-centred learning.Through her work in Forest School, Rebecca has seen how strongly children respond to learning in nature. Those experiences have led her to question how well our current education systems support the way children actually learn, and whether a broader shift is needed.Our conversation focuses on the idea of flow and why it matters so much for learning. We explore what flow actually is, why it so valuable, and how it can be encouraged through Forest School and outdoor learning.We also talk about the conditions that make flow possible, how educators can create those conditions in practice, and what happens when learning environments become too rigid.If you work in Forest School, outdoor learning, or education more broadly, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at how environment, structure and freedom interact to shape meaningful learning experiences.Rebecca’s book: Teaching for Flow: Transforming Primary Education for Optimal Learning https://www.routledge.com/Teaching-for-Flow-Transforming-Primary-Education-for-Optimal-Learning/Meager/p/book/9781041018940Rebecca on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587381029713The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives into larger topics or interviews with inspirational professionals and leaders in the outdoor education space.Take the struggle out of setting up tarps with the Essential Tarps and Knots Course for Forest School Leaders, find out more at: https://brackenoutdoors.com/essentialtarpsFree Resources: + How to choose a tarp guide+ Forest School Activity Ideas PDF + The complete guide to setting your rates as an outdoor leaderTo find out more about my mission to help people Belong Outside, head to https://brackenoutdoors.com/

March 6, 202626 min

Episode 149 - Energy, Burnout and the Winter Season

Winter is challenging. The days are shorter, the ground is muddier, and the effort it takes to run good outdoor sessions seems to increase. At the same time, there is still the expectation that we show up with the same focus and attention.In this episode, I reflect on the challenge of managing energy rather than just managing time. I also touch on how pricing, workload and expectations all play a role in whether you can show up well for the people you work with.The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives into larger topics or interviews with inspirational professionals and leaders in the outdoor education space.Take the struggle out of setting up tarps with the Essential Tarps and Knots Course for Forest School Leaders, find out more at: https://brackenoutdoors.com/essentialtarpsFree Resources: + How to choose a tarp guide+ Forest School Activity Ideas PDF + The complete guide to setting your rates as an outdoor leaderTo find out more about my mission to help people Belong Outside, head to https://brackenoutdoors.com/

February 4, 202615 min

Episode 148 - Effort Without Guarantees - Reflections on Work and Results

One of the hardest things about meaningful work is continuing to put in effort when you don’t know if — or when — the results will show up.In this vlog, I reflect on the relationship between effort and results, and why uncertainty can make even simple actions feel heavy. I explore the idea that no effort is ever truly wasted — but that the quality and focus of our effort matters just as much as the quantity.I talk about:Why it’s difficult to stay motivated without visible outcomesHow effort always produces results, even if they’re indirect or delayedThe difference between scattered effort and focused effortWhy clarity of direction changes how effort compounds over timeThis isn’t about hustle or pushing harder. It’s a quiet reflection on choosing where to place your energy — and trusting the process long enough for it to take root.The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives into larger topics or interviews with inspirational professionals and leaders in the outdoor education space.Take the struggle out of setting up tarps with the Essential Tarps and Knots Course for Forest School Leaders, find out more at: https://brackenoutdoors.com/essentialtarpsFree Resources: + How to choose a tarp guide+ Forest School Activity Ideas PDF + The complete guide to setting your rates as an outdoor leaderTo find out more about my mission to help people Belong Outside, head to https://brackenoutdoors.com/

January 1, 202611 min

Episode 147 - Should you raise prices in January

January is often seen as the time for price increases and is something that is top of mind for many people.In this vlog, I reflect on the pressures that come with the start of a new year and tackle the question of whether or not to raise your prices, how pricing links to sustainability, and the work you want to keep doingIf you’re wrestling with pricing decisions at the start of the year, this reflection might help you slow down and think more clearly about what you need — not just what the calendar suggests.Not sure about what to charge? Check out my guide to setting your rates at:https://brackenoutdoors.com/forestschoolrates/The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is designed for Woodland Leaders from bushcraft instructors to Forest School practitioners, helping you build a life in the great outdoors. With weekly short episodes on all aspects of life as a freelance Woodland Leader, from business tips and advice to philosophy of outdoor education, as well as monthly deep dives into larger topics or interviews with inspirational professionals and leaders in the outdoor education space.Take the struggle out of setting up tarps with the Essential Tarps and Knots Course for Forest School Leaders, find out more at: https://brackenoutdoors.com/essentialtarpsFree Resources: + How to choose a tarp guide+ Forest School Activity Ideas PDF + The complete guide to setting your rates as an outdoor leaderTo find out more about my mission to help people Belong Outside, head to https://brackenoutdoors.com/