Ep 212: Does Forest School need more 'Clean' Language?

🌿 What Is Clean Language & Should You Use It Outdoors?In this introspective solo episode, Lewis reflects on Contempt to Curiosity by Caitlin Walker—an exploration of Clean Language, group metaphors, and truly non-judgemental communication.What begins as a quiet Friday morning in the woods becomes a deeply personal and practical unpacking of:What Clean Language actually is and where it came from 👂Why exploring someone’s “inner world” is powerful—and riskyHow metaphor can unify (or divide) groups 🌀Practical uses of Clean Language in Forest SchoolWhether this approach is clunky-but-useful—or core practice💬 Plus, Lewis shares a raw personal story of being on the receiving end of Clean Language coaching… and the surprising discomfort that followed.🌟 Sponsors: TENTSILE & Chris Holland🌲 TENTSILE – Create magical canopy spaces with TENTSILE’s world-famous hammock tents. Use code ForestChildren10 for 10% off at www.tentsile.com🍃 Chris Holland – Discover Nature Connection & the 54-Plant Guide—perfect for Forest School leaders. Use code FORESTPOD for 15% off at👉 https://chrisholland.myshopify.com/?ref=ForestSchoolPodcast⏳ Episode Chapters00:00 – Intro, birdsong, forest stillness 🌳02:00 – Feeling isolated as a leader04:00 – Housekeeping & community shout-out06:00 – What is Clean Language? Who created it?08:30 – Metaphors, coaching & autonomy10:00 – The “clunky but useful” language tools13:00 – Forest School Association anecdote20:00 – What “Smell. Soil.” taught Lewis27:00 – What Clean Language missed in his response30:00 – Can metaphors create better group cohesion?33:00 – Why Forest School needs shared metaphors36:00 – Facilitating feelings, not just activities40:00 – Cocktail bars & metaphor-building 🍸44:00 – When “mycelial network” isn’t enough 🍄47:00 – Clean Language as a practice addon—not a necessity50:00 – Is this book for beginners or advanced practice?📚 Mentioned in This EpisodeContempt to Curiosity by Caitlin WalkerDavid Grove’s Clean LanguageNonviolent Communication (NVC)Forest School Association Strategy WeekendDeclarative language in outdoor education“Mycelial Network” (metaphor bingo!) 🍄💬 Join the Discussion🌱 What metaphor would your Forest School group use to describe itself?Do you already use metaphors in your practice—or avoid them entirely?We’d love to hear YOUR stories. Drop us a message on social media or email [email protected]🎧 Listen now:🎙️ Spotify: shorturl.at/4WdyI📺 YouTube: shorturl.at/3qOUs📻 Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/FxfMF💻 RSS: shorturl.at/A0kx9