Welcome to Play Nature Podcast, a podcast dedicated to celebrating the beauty and benefits of outdoor, nature-based play—for all children (and us adults too!)
Hosted by Rusty Keeler, a passionate play advocate, with over 30 years of experience designing natural playscapes, writing about nature and risky play, and traveling the world to champion the power of play, Rusty’s Play Nature Podcast is your guide for supporting outdoor play, protecting childhood, and letting kids be kids.
From willow huts and mud kitchens to sunflower houses and kale forests, Rusty will delve into the magic of natural materials, loose parts, messy play, and even the value of risky play in children’s lives. You’ll discover practical ways to nurture play in your own backyard, neighborhood, school, or community.
Join Rusty Keeler to uncover the wonders of outdoor play and learn what tools you already have to create joyful, natural play experiences for all seasons, all weather, and all children.
Let’s make the world a better place by saying “Yes!” to play.
Learn More: rustykeeler.com | @rusty_keeler_designs
Ep 41 | Everything Can Be Taught Outside with Dr. Megan Zeni
What if the answer to better learning, happier kids, and even easier classroom management is just outside the door?
In this episode of the Play Nature Podcast, Rusty talks with Dr. Megan Zeni about bringing play, learning, and a little healthy risk into the school day. No fancy outdoor classroom required. A tarp, a patch of grass, and a willingness to try can be plenty.
Megan shares what she learned from decades of teaching outdoors and helping other educators do the same. They talk all about why outdoor learning gives kids more room to move, regulate, explore, and actually engage with what they’re learning. They also look at the spectrum from adult-directed activities to guided play to child-led play—and how teachers can use all three to meet curriculum goals without squeezing the play right out of learning.
And then there’s risky play. Saws. Climbing. Mud. The good stuff. Megan explains how clear routines and strong relationships create the freedom kids need to explore. Her advice? Skip waiting for the perfect outdoor classroom. Take something you already do and move it outside. Start small. Go play.
Top 3 Takeaways from Dr. Megan Zeni:
Outside can make school work better. More room to move and explore can support engagement, relationships, and classroom routines.
Structure can create freedom. Teach the skills and routines first, then give kids the time and space to take the lead.
Start with what you already do. Read a book under a tree. Take a lesson for a walk. Put the Legos on a tarp. Going outside doesn’t have to be complicated.
Links:
meganzeni.com (https://meganzeni.com)
@roomtoplay Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/roomtoplay.ca/) | Intsagram (https://www.instagram.com/roomtoplay)
Learn More: rustykeeler.com (https://rustykeeler.com/) | @rusty_keeler_designs (https://www.instagram.com/rusty_keeler_designs)
Rusty’s FREE Outdoor Loose Parts Guide (https://rustykeeler.com/loosepartslistfd/)
15 Sept 2026
Ep 40 | Stop ’Splaining the Play: Lisa Murphy on Trusting Kids
What if play didn’t need a lesson plan? Or an outcome? Or a grown-up standing nearby explaining what’s supposed to happen next?
In this episode of the Play Nature Podcast, Rusty Keeler sits down with longtime early childhood educator, author, speaker, and unapologetic play advocate Lisa Murphy to talk about what children really need in order to play: time, choice, trust, and adults willing to get out of the way.
Lisa has spent more than 30 years helping educators understand that play isn’t something extra we squeeze in after the “real learning.” It is the foundation underneath it.
Rusty and Lisa are talking about why freely chosen, open-ended play matters, what happens when children (and adults) haven’t had enough of it. Curiosity might be one of the most important things we can protect, so let’s evaluate the danger of chopping a child’s day into twenty-minute pieces. Because play has its own speed.
This conversation is also a rallying cry for educators. Know what you believe. Own it. Stop apologizing for play before anyone has even questioned it. Play doesn’t need an agenda. Sometimes the best thing we can do is give it space and see where it goes.
Top 3 Takeaways from Lisa Murphy:
Give play time. Real play needs enough room for choosing, negotiating, experimenting, changing course, and deciding when it’s finished.
Protect curiosity. Children (and grown-ups) need opportunities to wonder, explore, get messy, and follow ideas without always knowing where they’ll lead.
Know your values. When educators are clear about what they believe about children and play, it becomes much easier to stand confidently behind their practice.
Links:
ooeygooey.com (https://www.ooeygooey.com/)
@OoeyGooeyLady on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/OoeyGooeyLady/) | on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ooeygooeylady/) | on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@OoeyGooeyLady)
Learn More: rustykeeler.com (https://rustykeeler.com/) | @rusty_keeler_designs (https://www.instagram.com/rusty_keeler_designs)
Rusty’s FREE Outdoor Loose Parts Guide (https://rustykeeler.com/loosepartslistfd/)
25 Aug 2026
Ep 39 | Should Kids Go UP the Slide?
What happens when one kid climbs up the slide while another is coming down? Is going up the slide really dangerous? Or is it just one of those playground rules we’ve inherited without thinking too hard about it?
In this episode of the Play Nature Podcast, Rusty Keeler dives into one of the surprisingly spicy debates of early childhood play: Should kids go UP the slide?
Rusty shares stories from risky play conversations with educators, including a triumphant tube-slide climb, a former emergency room nurse who has seen more than her share of childhood injuries, and *content warning* a few genuine playground horror stories involving sticks, teeth, and yes, an eyeball.
The point isn’t to dismiss anyone’s fears. It’s to understand where those fears come from and ask whether a blanket “NO” is always the best answer.
This episode is really about more than slides. It’s about questioning old rules. Making room for different comfort levels and finding thoughtful ways to say yes to challenge without ignoring safety.
Top Three Takeaways:
Question the rules. Ask why they exist. Then ask whether they still make sense.
Make space for different perspectives. Our experiences shape how we see risk.
Find your way to yes. Safety and adventurous play don’t have to be opposites.
Get on the waitlist for Nature Play Academy: rustykeeler.com/the-nature-play-academy (http://rustykeeler.com/the-nature-play-academy)
Learn More: rustykeeler.com (https://rustykeeler.com/) | @rusty_keeler_designs (https://www.instagram.com/rusty_keeler_designs)
Rusty’s FREE Outdoor Loose Parts Guide (https://rustykeeler.com/loosepartslistfd/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
40,201
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
41
Social presence
94
YouTube
76
Engagement
32
Contact Play Nature Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
