Vertical Playpen

Publicly listed emails

info@high5adventure.org

podcast@high5adventure.org

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Finding Facilitation Flow

September 29, 2026

In this episode of Vertical Playpen, hosts Phil Brown and Lisa Hunt explore the concept of the Flow State—that sweet spot where an individual's skillset perfectly aligns with the level of challenge in front of them. Drawing from psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's pioneering research as well as their own hands-on experiences in experiential education and facilitation, Phil and Lisa break down how flow state impacts both leaders and participants. In this episode, they discuss: Personal Ex...

Gear Retrieval Step-by-Step

September 15, 2026

Join Phil up on the course as he takes you step-by-step through a gear retrieval. From selecting setting up on the ground to climbing to the belay cable, retrieving the gear and managing the descent — hear all the real-time commentary, practical thought processes, and raw ambient sounds of the course. Whether you're interested in the mechanics of ropes course work, safety considerations, or you just love the crisp sounds of carabiners and climbing gear in action, this episode gives you an aut...

Nervous at Heights = Better Ropes Course Facilitator

September 08, 2026

In this episode, Phil challenges the assumption that the best ropes course facilitators must be fearless climbers. Drawing from recent training experiences and personal history, we explore why a natural nervousness or fear of heights can actually make you a far superior, more empathetic guide. We break down why hyper-confident instructors often fall into the "just do this" trap, how true connection happens on the ground, and why being comfortable with your own hesitation helps you build deepe...