In this special episode, I sit down with my good friend and colleague April Pikkarainen to share the story behind our first collaborative book, Learning with the Land: A Nature Playbook.

We reflect on our early days working together, the experiences that shaped our thinking, and the inspiration that led us to bring this book to life. Together, we unpack the Spiral of Inquiry and how it weaves meaningfully with four core nature routines to support authentic, land-connected learning.

We also honour the incredible people who supported this journey—Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser for their foundational work and guidance, Leona Prince for writing the preface, and Heidi Wood for walking alongside us throughout the process.

This conversation is both a behind-the-scenes look at our writing journey and an invitation into the heart of the book itself.

✨ Join us for our virtual book launch on April 28th at 4pm PST. You can also pre-order the book here!
✨ We’ll also share details to register for the NOIIE Symposium on May 8. Register here!

We’re so excited to celebrate this work with you and continue learning with the land—together.

What does it really look like to teach self-awareness… outdoors?

In this first episode of the SEL Outdoors: One Competency at a Time series, I’m sharing how I scaffold self-awareness with my primary students using simple, meaningful outdoor practices. From picture books like The Color Monster, In My Heart, and Listening to My Body, to nature walks, circle discussions, sit spots, and journaling—you’ll hear real, practical ways to help students notice their thoughts, emotions, and bodies in connection with the natural world.

These are approachable entry points you can try right away—while also giving you a glimpse into the deeper, more intentional work that’s possible when these experiences are thoughtfully connected over time.

If this episode resonates with you, I’d love to invite you to join me and Jade Berrill for our 4-part course, Social-Emotional Learning in Nature, offered through the Outdoor Learning School & Store this April. Together, we’ll explore how to build a cohesive, curriculum-connected approach to SEL through outdoor learning.

✨ All sessions are recorded, so you can participate in a way that fits your schedule.

Let’s begin with a simple question:
What are you noticing… within yourself?

On this episode of the Teach Outdoors podcast, I’m joined by Josée Bergeron—founder of Backwoods Mama and author of Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family. Josée is an outdoor parenting advocate and writer who is passionate about helping families raise children who feel connected to the natural world.

Josée’s work has been featured on CBC Radio and referenced in parenting books and university courses. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of British Columbia and a Creative Writing Certificate from Simon Fraser University’s Writer’s Studio. Josée is Red River Métis and lives in Kelowna with her five children.

In this conversation, we explore what it really means to go “beyond the front door” when it comes to nature connection. Josée shares the personal story behind writing her book during a time of parental overwhelm and burnout—and how that experience led her to create a more relatable and supportive resource for families who want to spend more time outside.

We also talk about raising outdoor kids, the importance of community when it comes to getting outside with children, and the relationship between home and school in nurturing nature connection. Josée reflects on what surprised her most while writing the book, what she wishes teachers understood about children’s need for nature, and what a truly nature-centered school might look like.

This episode is a thoughtful conversation about simple, meaningful ways to reconnect children—and ourselves—with the natural world just outside our doors.

In this episode, we discuss:

The inspiration behind Beyond the Front Door

Parenting, burnout, and finding community outdoors

What “beyond the front door” really means for families

Designing schools with nature connection in mind

How parents and teachers can support each other in getting kids outside more


If this conversation resonates with you, be sure to check out Josée’s book and explore her website of resources.