Vertical Playpen

Jim, Ryan, Anne Louise, Rich and Phil discuss what traits and behaviors great leaders possess, how they teach their students about leadership and how they, as facilitators, aim to get groups in the s…

Geoff (Interim Head Coach, Calgary Flames) joins Phil and Jim in a discussion about his connection to High 5, how he defines his leadership style and why connection and empowerment have been an integ…

We made it to 50 episodes! Wahoo! In honor of this achievement we have a special episode recorded where Phil gets interviewed by Rich and you get to enjoy a compilation of recorded Dad Jokes. Thanks …

Alex and Kevin, Director of Training and Training Manager at Synergo, join Phil, while at the ACCT conference, for a conversation all about their passion for teaching others and challenge course prog…

Chris sits down with Phil at the ACCT Conference to talk about his start in the industry, his advice for emerging professionals and the importance of making connections. Plus, a few dad jokes make th…

New Name - Same Podcast. This is a short explanation on our name change. Welcome to Vertical Playpen. New episodes every 2 weeks.

Greg visits the High 5 offices to chat with Lisa about the connection between music and adventure, introducing people to boardgames and being willing to travel long distances to find work that you lo…

The Training Team (Phil, Rich, Chris and Lisa) discuss how they end a program or workshop with a group. Saying goodbye, closing activities and when to reflect with the group.

The Training Team (Phil, Rich, Chris and Lisa) discuss how they begin a program or workshop with a group. Activities that set the tone, strategies to connect with the group early on and coping with a…

Jeff and Arlette from the Gengras Center in West Hartford, CT sat down with their good friend and our Trainer Rich Keegan to talk and reminisce about their incredible work at Gengras and their experi…

In this episode of Trainer Tips, Phil and Rich spend 15 minutes discussing tips for managing the use of p-cords on challenge courses. Topics include, replacing the rope, stacking them out of the way …

Does neat gear storage and wearing the same style of harness as your participants positively affect the 1st impressions of your challenge course operations?...YUP! Phil discusses these 2 things.

Meg talks with Phil about social justice facilitation, navigating your triggers and her upcoming new product - Facilitator Cards. Find out more about Meg and Facilitator Cards here: https://www.megbo…

Ryan, Rich, Sam and Phil look through antique game books (some over 100 years old) with the task of identifying how to play the games with only the name and a few other clues to help. In this episode…

Ryan, Rich, Sam and Phil look through antique game books (some over 100 years old) with the task of identifying how to play the game with only the name and few other clues to help. In this episode th…

Jamie, High 5 Lead Builder, returns to his previous place of employment to chat with Bill Waite, Program Director and Rolland Krohn, Ropes Course Director about the FFA, how they got their start in A…