All Episodes
Episodes
Ep 13 | What’s Really Hurting Our Kids: Peter Gray on Why Phones Aren’t the Problem
Play isn’t just the giggles and games—it’s a protective shield for growing hearts and minds. When kids lose play, they lose more than fun.
In this episode of the Play Nature Podcast, Rusty Keeler goes deeper into why...
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Ep 12 | The Power of Toddler Play: Trusting Little Ones to Lead and Learn with Deb Curtis
Play is serious stuff. It’s how kids make sense of the world, grow their brains, build friendships, and show us their natural brilliance. When we step back and let play lead, magic happens.
In this episode of Play...
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Ep 11 | Why Children Play—and What Adults Have Forgotten: Peter Gray on the Instinct to Play
Play is not just fun—it’s essential. It’s how children explore, create, stumble, and soar. It’s how they learn to be brave, solve problems, and build their world.
In this episode of the Play Nature Podcast, we dig...
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Ep 10 | Seasons of Play with Rusty: 5 Tips for SUMMER Outdoor Fun
Ready to splash, dig, and grow your way through summer? What if a simple water fight could bring more joy than screen time? And who says adults don’t need nature-play too?
In this episode of Play Nature Podcast, host...
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Ep 9 | Field of Dreams: Building Wild Childhoods in Scotland with Cameron Sprague
“We have really strong relationships with our children and our families, and that's what allows the adventures to come.” --Cameron Sprauge, Head of Nurseries-Stramash Social Enterprise
What if the secret to raising...
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Ep 8 | Be the Loose Part: Phoebe Wyllyamz on Showing Up for Kids
“Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is step back and trust that children know exactly what they’re doing.” --Phoebe Wyllyamz, Playworker
What if someone told you the best way to build life skills isn’t...
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Ep 7 | Dream Big, Start Small, Never Stop!
This episode of Play Nature Podcast is bringing Rusty’s motto “Dream Big, Start Small, Never Stop” to life. Rusty is once again out in nature––with birds chirping and leaves crunching, we dive into how his mantra can...
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Ep 6 | Outdoor Loose Parts
Get ready to dive into the wild and wonderful world of loose parts! Loose parts include the simplest stuff––think hula hoops to plastic dinos, boards to bottle caps.
In this episode of Play Nature Podcast, host Rusty...
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Ep 5 | Risky Play
Get ready to tumble, climb, and maybe even take a little leap! In this episode of Play Nature Podcast, Rusty talks all about risky play. What is it? Why does it matter? And how can a scraped knee actually be a...
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Ep 4 | What is Play?
Play is serious business! In this episode, Rusty Keeler takes us on a delightful stroll to explore why play matters so much for kids. In this episode of Play Nature Podcast, Rusty explains the ultimate question, what...
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Ep 3 | Natural Playscapes
Want to ditch the plastic jungle gyms and bring a little wild back to playtime? Good news--it’s easier than you think!
In this episode of Play Nature Podcast, host Rusty Keeler shares his passion for natural...
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Ep 2 | Who the Heck is Rusty Keeler?!
Get ready to get to know the one and only Rusty Keeler—podcast host, playground designer, and lover of all things play and nature!
Rusty’s not just about swings and slides; he’s on a mission to bring kids closer to...
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