MISSION & APPROACH
Is success really that different than failure?
Our podcast invites reflection and dailogue following outdoor & experiential education incidents. Why do we normally succeed, and sometimes fail? What can we learn from successes, near-misses, or incidents?
Through non-judgmental analysis, we uncover lessons to build a safer future for our community. Rather than blaming and shaming, we try to see things from our guests' perspective, asking different questions: How did this happen, what went well, how did your actions make sense to you at the time, and what can we learn from this for the future?
We invite our listeners to imagine themselves in our guests' situation, and to explore the sometimes fine line between lucky and good.
Episode 1: Overcoming Fear on the Colchuck Glacier
Guest: Tamara Walker
A climber's terrifying solo climb down steep ice, and what she learned from this experience.
Discover a deeply personal story of mountain climbing that explores the interplay of luck, skill, and psychological resilience.
This episode offers valuable insights into managing fear, decision-making under pressure, and how past experiences shape our responses in high-stakes environments.
Was she lucky, or was she good?
Episode 4: Avalanche Professional Gets Caught
Guest: Dan Veenhuizen
What happens when highly trained avalanche professionals get caught in an avalanche of their own?
What were the factors that set them up to fail, and what were the good habits and practices that helped to mitigate the impact?
Join us for a curious, humble examination of the lessons learned from this incident - and how we might apply these lessons in other aspects of our lives and outdoor adventures.
Were they lucky, or were they good?
The Latest Episodes
Episode 2: How do Outdoor Educators Define Success?
Guest: Norm Eckman
Ever felt overwhelmed by student behavior during courses? Here's a new way to measure success.
Instead of evaluating courses based on uncontrollable student behaviors, focus on what you can control: structure, supervision, and involvement.
These elements empower you as an instructor and can reduce burnout and enhance learning. Reflecting on your role can transform how you view success in outdoor education.
Are we letting someone else determine if we are lucky, or good?
Watch our inaugural episode!
Episode 3: Snow Shelter Collapses on School Group
Guest: Deb Ajango
What happens when a seemingly benign activity, one that has been done many times before, drifts into riskier terrain than usual? And how do some decisions and factors that occurred earlier on the program amplify the impact of this unexpected event?
Join outdoor risk consultant and author Deb Ajango, who shares the story of an incident she was brought in to review with a school that experienced a snow shelter (quinzhee) collapse on some of their participants.
What role did luck and other factors play in this unfortunate event?
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