ENROLL
SUPPORT
The Outside The Box Podcast

The Outside The Box Podcast

Hosted by: Ade Hofmann

Welcome to, The Outside the Box Podcast Where nature, play, and vision reshape what education can be. Together, we explore what it means to build a hand-crafted education shaped by place, purpose, and play. Through...

Episodes

33. Why Play Is the Most Rigorous Standard in Education

Season #2

Is play really rigorous? In this episode, Ade unpacks why play is not a break from learning—but the deepest, most demanding form of it. If you’re leading a nature- and play-based program and ever feel pressure to...
View Episode

EP 31: 3 Things Every Nature-Based Program Needs to Thrive

Season #2

Show Notes & Links: Referenced in this episode: Episode 25: Three Steps to Launching Your Nature-Based Program from Scratch The Nature Play Blueprint: 4-Week Intensive Mentorship 1:1 Mentorship with Ade —...
View Episode

EP 30: The Top 5 Misconceptions About Nature and Play-Based Programs (and the Truth Behind Them)

Season #2

🪶 Show Notes: In this episode, we cover: The 5 biggest misconceptions about nature and play-based programs How to respond when someone says, “It’s just play” Why academics thrive outdoors (and how to show parents...
View Episode

EP 32 How to Handle Big Emotions Outdoors (Without Losing Your Mind)

Season #2

🌿 Episode Overview In today’s episode, Ade breaks down a challenge every outdoor educator faces: big emotions in big spaces. While nature is calming, children still bring their full nervous systems outside—and...
View Episode

EP 29: How to Use Nature as Your Curriculum (Without a Script or Canned Curriculum)

Season #2

In this episode, Ade shares how to use nature itself as your curriculum—without rigid lesson plans or a canned program. You’ll learn why observation is the most powerful teaching tool, how child-led learning brings...
View Episode

Ep. 28 4 Budget-Friendly Ways to Set Up an Outdoor Classroom

Season #2

Episode Summary: Think creating an outdoor classroom has to cost thousands? Think again. In this episode, I’m sharing four practical and budget-friendly ways to design essential outdoor learning spaces—without...
View Episode

EP. 27 How to Talk to Parents About Risky Play—Without Apologizing

Season #2

Show Notes Recap Title: How to Talk to Parents About Risky Play—Without Apologizing In this episode: Why you need to ground yourself before talking to families Real language you can use to describe what risky play is...
View Episode

EP26: 5 Daily Rhythms That Make Outdoor Learning Flow Smoothly

Season #2

Learn how to implement five simple rhythms to bring more flow, less stress, and more child-centered connection to your outdoor days. Perfect for educators feeling stuck, scattered, or just ready to create more ease in...
View Episode

EP 25 3 Steps to Launching Your Nature-Based Program from Scratch

Season #2

If you’re dreaming about starting your own nature or play-based program—but feel overwhelmed about where to begin—you’re in the right place. Today, we’re breaking it down into three essential steps: building your...
View Episode

EP. 24 A Message For Future You

Season #2

Hidden under that mountain of laundry and dishes in the sink, buried within the catacombs of your to-do list - there's a message for future you. Walk with Ade as she shares how to move through seasons of overwhelm and...
View Episode

EP.23 Nature & Nutrition

Season #2

Nature and nutrition go together like pollinators and wildflowers. Walk with Ade as she shares her journey and discoveries in how taking a closer look at what and how she was fueling her body majorly shifted how she...
View Episode

EP 22: A Surprising AHA Moment

Season #2

In this episode of The Outside The Box Podcast, we explore how optimizing energy isn’t just about food and movement—but also about sleep. After working with a nutritionist in preparation for USS Nationals, I...
View Episode