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Source of Growth

Source of Growth

By Élményakadémia

We create this podcast about learning, growth, and supporting others. You can find inspiration as a parent, teacher, or youth worker from our extraordinary guests from diverse fields of supporting roles. We do our best to bring you practical tips and dialogues about complex topics. We explore issues affecting individuals, communities, and humanity as a whole. Follow our channel and join the Academy of Experience community. The podcast is created by a Hungarian NGO, the Academy of Experience.
The creation of the podcast is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
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#3 Lena Conlan (Swe / US): Outdoor educator for life part 1

Source of GrowthFeb 01, 2021

00:00
01:03:24
#12 Elina Marjamäki - Mental health as a skill

#12 Elina Marjamäki - Mental health as a skill

ABOUT THE EPISODE:  I was lucky to get to know the amazing work they do in Finland at the organization MIELI and talk to one of their experts, Elina Marjamäki. It was inspiring and uplifting to hear about what systemic and persistent work can create in the field of youth work. What she shared is a great example of how it might look like when we really care about youth and the adults around them.

We spoke about how they develop materials for teachers and youth workers. She shares what they mean by the notion of positive mental health and why they say that mental health is a skill. She mentions projects and materials that could be valuable for anyone working with youth. In the description we share links to these resources and I highly recommend visiting their website for further inspiration.

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Elina Marjamäki (M.Soc.Sc.) works for the Finnish NGO MIELI Mental Health Finland whose goal is to promote mental health and prevent mental health problems in the country. She currently trains and empowers youth workers to support and promote the mental health of young people. She has co-written “Child’s Mind – Promoting mental health in early education and in child health clinics”.

SEGMENTS OF THE EPISODE:  

  • 00:00 Introduction to the episode
  • 2:35 Elina's background and what do they do at MIELI?
  • 6:22 How has the approach to mental health changed?
  • 12:30 How did they start Mental Health education in schools and youth work?
  • 16:45 Promoting positive mental health and positive psychology
  • 22:23 Creating materials for professionals with professionals
  • 29:25 A special program for sports coaches and athletes
  • 36:00 The pillars of MIELI
  • 39:55 How to listen well to youth in challenging situations?
  • 45:45 Stress management and emotion regulation for young people and adults
  • 57:48 Mental Health Skills: positive mental health for youth workers
  • 1:06:00 Resource-oriented approach and appreciation of effort
  • 1:1233 Hope and the importance of meaningful interactions
  • 1:18:50 Materials, resources of MIELI

    LINKS TO THE EPISODE:

  • Our previous podcast episodes with Johanna Kronstedt, from the crisis chat of MIELI, the SEKASIN CHAT:
  1. Part 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/34Eh0Iq2ggJ1SA67Y2a4q3?si=b6ff2c32f8ca4118
  2. Part 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HWOw4LV23cbfGbBKHUUzj?si=5cbd282ce9cb40fd

SUPPORT & CONNECT:

The theme music (Beat of Nature) is created by Olexy from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠.

Nov 10, 202301:21:56
#11 Johanna Kronstedt (FI) - Chat support for the mental health of youth. Part 2.

#11 Johanna Kronstedt (FI) - Chat support for the mental health of youth. Part 2.

ABOUT THE EPISODE:  This is the second episode of our conversation with Johanna Kronstedt, from Sekasin Chat, Finnland. As the importance of mental health and suicide prevention becomes more and more an important topic generally, it is covered more not only in the field of professionals directly involved in mental health, but in other fields as well, where non-therapeutic providers, other safe adults are present for young people. Youth Workers, coaches, teachers, family members can create a stronger safety net, support system for them. This episode covers topics that can contribute to that. I find talking to Johanna very educative and inspiring. I hope it helps you support young people around you better and with more confidence.  ABOUT OUR GUEST: Johanna Kronstedt is an Online Youth Mental Health Counselor at Sekasin Kollektiivi in Finland. She studied social psychology in Finland and solution focused therapy in Bristol, UK.


SEGMENTS OF THE EPISODE:  

  • 00:00 introduction to the episode
  • 1:55 Why is meaning a crucial topic in suicide prevention
  • 2:31 Solution focused intervention to create hope
  • 6:29 Why is solution focused approach adapted by Sekasin Chat
  • 8:22 They just want attention? How to react if someone talks about suicide? 
  • 11:24 How to end a conversation on suicide? 
  • 14:53 When should we be worried at the end of a conversation? 
  • 16:15 Making help more available, lowering the threshold.
  • 18:40 Calling 112.
  • 22:38 The case of minors. 
  • 25:35 What to keep in mind regarding suicide?
  • 26:56 Child safeguarding and the crisis chat service.
  • 30:46 How to keep our resilience when supporting youth?  

SUPPORT & CONNECT:

The theme music (Beat of Nature) is created by Olexy from ⁠Pixabay⁠.

Jun 07, 202335:03
#10 Johanna Kronstedt (FI) - Chat support for the mental health of youth. Part 1.

#10 Johanna Kronstedt (FI) - Chat support for the mental health of youth. Part 1.

ABOUT THE EPISODE: our guest was Johanna Kronstedt, an Online Youth Mental Health Counselor in Finland. She works at Sekasin Chat, where they provide mental health support for youth online, in chat format. 

We can learn a lot from interaction with youth. Talking about difficult or heavy topics and having experience in such conversations is even more valuable. That’s why we invited her to share her experience and thoughts on topics that could be useful for people who are in any kind of remote support role for young people. We covered a lot of topics in the first part of our conversation. Starting from what is the difference between in-person and online support, how they prepare their counselors and crew, what are the signs of a good conversation, and what could be useful assumptions for people in supporting roles. We talked about how we can support someone who has suicidal thoughts. We can learn a lot from her experience and attitude toward young people. 

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Johanna Kronstedt is an Online Youth Mental Health Counselor at Sekasin Kollektiivi in Finland. She studied social psychology in Finland and solution focused therapy in Bristol, UK. SEGMENTS OF THE EPISODE:  

  • 00:00 Introduction to the episode
  • 2:58 Johanna's background and what is mental chat? What does Sekasin do? 
  • 9:02 What happens in a support chat conversation? The advantages of a chat service
  • 11:42 The issues addressed by Sekasin and their self-definition. 
  • 16:30 How Sekasin prepares and supports their crew
  • 20:30 The signs of a good conversation. The difference between hearing and active listening. 
  • 30:41 Everyday conversations, hard topics. 
  • 33:58 Useful assumptions and psychological first aid. 
  • 37:49 mental health issues and supporting people with suicidal thoughts.

LINKS TO THE EPISODE:

website of Sekasin: https://sekasin.fi/


SUPPORT & CONNECT:

The theme music (Beat of Nature) is created by Olexy from ⁠Pixabay⁠.

Apr 11, 202347:20
#9 Katrin Berger (DE) - Safer Schools - working against bullying with strengthening the community

#9 Katrin Berger (DE) - Safer Schools - working against bullying with strengthening the community

ABOUT THE EPISODE:  in this episode, we spoke about antibullying and what we can do to have a safer climate in the classrooms. We went through the whole process of supporting a child who is bullied and involving peers as a support group into this. We discuss practical details of this process. The solution focused approach discussed here is a good example of an empowering intervention in groups of youth, that builds on the need for appreciation and connection. 

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Katrin Berger works with schools in Bremen, Germany supporting them as a solution focused practitioner and trainer at the governmental education services. She is self-employed as an SF therapist, mediator, and trainer  (Lösungswerkstatt). She is an ambassador of solution focused work in schools.

OUTLINE OF THE EPISODE: 

  • (00:00) - Introduction to the episode. 
  • (04:05) - Katrin's way to solution focused work in school 
  • (07:30) - How to address problematic behavior, in a non-judgmental way 
  • (10:30) - How to start supporting an "unhappy child"? 
  • (13:00) - The support group. Who is in the group? 
  • (17:58) - What's the invitation? How to start? 
  • (22:02) - Engaging the support group members. 
  • (24:45) - The role of parents.
  • (26:40) - The role of solution focused approach. 
  • (27:50) - Meeting the unhappy child again. 
  • (30:35) - Second meeting with the support group. 
  • (34:30 - Emotional safety, cynicism. Agents of friendship. 
  • (37:40 Strengthening relationships in the whole class.
  • (40:41 the impact of solution focused work with classes.
  • (43:50 Katrin's contacts and the solution focused schools community


EPISODE LINKS: 

Related video links:  

Related literature:  

SUPPORT & CONNECT: 

  • Our organization: https://elmenyakademia.hu/en/home/ 
  • You can support our work here: https://elmenyakademia.hu/en/donation/ 
  • Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/academy-of-experience-association/ 
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elmenyakademia 
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elmenyakademiaegyesulet/ 
  • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8KJhr3h0-nkNlstg7SCr2g/playlists 
  • Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/elmenyakademia
    The theme music (Beat of nature) is created by Olexy from Pixabay.
Mar 01, 202345:09
#8 Haesun Moon (CA) - A compass for listening. Part 2.

#8 Haesun Moon (CA) - A compass for listening. Part 2.

ABOUT THE EPISODE:

In this episode, our guest was Haesun Moon who is a communication scientist, researcher coach, educator, and a great storyteller. In the second part of our conversation, we talked about connection and empathy in practice. She also answered some questions from listeners and shared some very inspiring examples from her coaching conversations. 

About our guest:

Haesun Moon: Haesun is the Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Brief Coaching and the author of "Coaching A to Z". She created the "Dialogic Orientation Quadrant” (DOQ).

OUTLINE OF THE EPISODE:

  • (00:52) Talking about the future with youngsters
  • (04:10) -Connection and empathy in practice 
  • (08:50) - What do we learn from our clients? 
  • (13:05) - Mapping conversations with the clients 
  • (17:25) - Using recordings for learning coaching
  • (19:48) - Rupture and repair
  • (22:00) - Questions to Haesun
  • (24:01) - Change during the conversation
  • (28:10) - Listening under stress
  • (32:40)- Refusing a client
  • (37:07) - Solution focused approach and grief

EPISODE LINKS:

Website: Canadian Centre for Brief Coaching: https://www.briefcoaching.ca/

Social media links:

Related podcast links:

Related video links:

Haesun's book: https://www.coachingatoz.com/

SUPPORT & CONNECT:

The theme music (Beat of nature) is created by Olexy from Pixabay.

Dec 29, 202243:05
#7 Haesun Moon (CA) - A compass for listening. Part 1.

#7 Haesun Moon (CA) - A compass for listening. Part 1.

In this episode, our guest was Haesun Moon who is a communication scientist, researcher coach, educator, and a great storyteller. In the first part of our conversation, we explored how we can become better at communicating, and how her understanding changed about learning to communicate and she shares a tool she developed that can help us navigate better in our conversations. Even in challenging or heavy topics. I really recommend her work for anyone who wants to have better conversations, not only in their professional but in their personal lives as well.

About our guest: Haesun Moon: Haesun is the Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Brief Coaching and the author of "Coaching A to Z". She created the "Dialogic Orientation Quadrant” (DOQ).

OUTLINE OF THE EPISODE:

  • 2:42 - Haesun's journey to communication science
  • 5:47 - How can we learn to communicate better?
  • 11:02 - Training coaching and having better communication
  • 15:03 - Listen in a way so other people will talk to you
  • 20:33 - Calibration sequence: co-creating dialogues
  • 26:00 - Learning as a communication trainer: From questions to listening to clients
  • 31:32 - Learning from experience in conversations
  • 36:33 - A map for conversations: Dialogic Orientation Quadrant (DOQ)

EPISODE LINKS:

Website: Canadian Centre for Brief Coaching https://www.briefcoaching.ca/

Social media links: 

Related podcast links:

Related video links:

SUPPORT & CONNECT: 

The theme music (Beat of nature) is created by Olexy from Pixabay.

Dec 29, 202248:36
#6 Paut Kromkamp (NL) - Team support for helping professionals

#6 Paut Kromkamp (NL) - Team support for helping professionals

ABOUT THE EPISODE

In this episode, we talk about how team members can help each other. This can be especially relevant if you are a helping professional who meets challenging issues and heavy stories as part of your everyday work. Intervision can be one way of doing this. Hopefully, this episode inspires you to have more empowering conversations with your team. We also talk about how to help clients more effectively and how the Solution Focused approach can make intervision more uplifting and empowering.

About our guest: Paut Kromkamp is a former physiotherapist and manager who has experience in coaching individuals, leadership, delivering training, working with teams, and discovering how the Solution Focused approach is helpful in life’s daily struggles. We got inspired by her work on workshops about facilitating Intervision.

OUTLINE OF THE EPISODE:

  • 3:05 - Paut’s Journey in supporting Clients.
  • 12: 30 More supportive conversations with clients
  • 18:00 Supporting professionals on the job: intervision
  • 29:00 the process of Solution Focused intervision
  • 35:00 Supervision, intervision, casework
  • 41:00 how to be useful in a short time?
  • 45:00 SF intervision as a tool for a better organizational culture
  • 51:00 appreciation in non-work settings, families
  • 58:00 SF and grief

EPISODE LINKS:

SUPPORT & CONNECT:


The theme music (Beat of nature) is created by Olexy and was downloaded from Pixabay.

Oct 13, 202201:09:57
#5 Peter Hofmann (AT) & Paola Bortini (IT) - Mindful Compassionate Parenting

#5 Peter Hofmann (AT) & Paola Bortini (IT) - Mindful Compassionate Parenting

I do not have any problems with my kids! Can I still benefit of Mindful Compassionate Parenting?   Mindful Compassionate Parenting is not about quick solutions to the most pressing challenges of parents! 

It is about building capacity and strengthening – a training for parents to become more resilient, (self-)compassionate and mindful.  Capacities we all have but for its blossoming, it needs practice over time.  

The content of the episode: 

  • What is mindful parenting about? 
  • Self-compassion is building capacity for parents to deal with the storms of parenting life 
  • Being with your child for 5 minutes in full presence is more valuable than 30 minutes being distracted and mindless 
  • Being compassionate with one’s imperfections as parents brings lightness into our days! 
  • Noticing how stress creates distance between you and your kids. 
  • How many rules do you REALLY need as parents? 
  • Staying in contact with your (teenage) kid when times become 

About our guests:  Both of our guests have more than 20 years of international experience as facilitators, trainers and consultants.  

  • For over 20 years Paola Bortini has been fascinated in strengthening people and organizations throughout Europe in liminal phases. The focus of her methodological approach is above all mindfulness, embodiment practices and the use of pure essential oils to support sustainable change and emotional intelligence. Born in Italy, she has lived and worked in many countries. Certified in .b Mindfulness in Schools, Mindful Compassionate Parenting according to Jörg Mangold, Mindful Self Compassion Teacher and Emotions Mentor Coach.  
  • Peter Hofmann is a trainer, facilitator of learning, and changemaker. He leads Train the Trainer programs, mindfulness based courses and facilitates team meetings as well as large group conferences. His work and approach centres around non-formal education, art of hosting, mindfulness and embodiment.  
  • They have started Limina in 2013 based on more than 15 years of experience as trainer, facilitator and consultant in the field of adult education, youth work, and learning mobility on an European level. LIMINA nowadays is known for its mindfulness and embodiment based programs as well as its expertise in designing and facilitating spaces for people to explore their relation with change and transition as well as self-care.   

Links to the episode:   

  • Limina AT: https://www.limina.at/  Their work on mindful compassionate parenting: https://www.mindfulparenting.at/

Host info: Árpád Bárnai, a trainer and head of program and development for Academy of Experience, a Hungarian NGO. He started working with complex programs targeting youth at risk for more than 10 years. He designs the framework of such programs, leading them, and takes part in creating related professional content. He worked in a foster home for 5 years and later as a volunteer has worked in a Peruvian foster home and rainforest too. He works as a solution-focused professional, outdoor educator, trainer, and youth worker. Email: arpad.barnai@elmenyakademia.hu

What brought us together: Academy of Experience was established in 2005 when 12 enthusiastic people in Hungary were looking for new ways in education and found the method of experiential education. Their vision was and still is a colorful, inclusive, and open society, which is able to create equity. A society where everyone has the opportunity for self-realization, being part of a community, and has equal opportunities to thrive. More information: https://elmenyakademia.hu/en/home/

Feb 09, 202101:15:43
#4 Lena Conlan (Swe / US): Outdoor educator for life part 2.

#4 Lena Conlan (Swe / US): Outdoor educator for life part 2.

Learning by doing in nature, through adventures and long expeditions. How to prepare people, care of safety and wilderness first aid?

The content of the podcast:
01:14 – how human presence changes nature
09.01 – wilderness ethics and reconnecting to nature
13:22 – best hopes for humans and nature
16:21 – how NOLS instructors faciltate learning and help you prepair to navigate in nature
23:48 – wilderness first aid on expedition
26:00 – why do NASA astrounauts take part in NOLS expedition?
30:52 – why did Lena choose outdoor education and wilderness first aid?
34:53 - the short story of wilderness medicine
39:49 - changes in first aid based on researc
51:04 – how NOLS responds to the COVID-19 pandemic

Links to the episode:
-
a podcast on mental health first aid with Tod Schimelpfenig (NOLS wilderness medicine curriculum director). 

About our guest: Lena has a teaching degree from University of Umeå, Sweden. Lena, a native of Sweden, has worked as a wilderness educator since the early 80's. Lena started working for NOLS in 1986 as a climbing and sea-kayaking instructor in Alaska, Mexico, and Chile. For several years Lena was the sea kayaking program coordinator for NOLS. In 1996 she co-founded the adventure company Crossing Latitudes Inc. The company focuses on sea kayaking and hiking trips in Scandinavia, Greece, Alaska, and beyond. In 2000 Lena started to teach for NOLS Wilderness Medicine. Lena spearheads the NOLS Wilderness Medicine program in Scandinavia and Europe by hosting and teaching Wilderness First Aid and CPR courses.
Contact information: info@crossinglatitudes.com

Host info: Árpád Bárnai, a trainer and head of program and development for Academy of Experience, a Hungarian NGO. He started working with complex programs targeting youth at risk for more than 10 years. He designs the framework of such programs, leading them, and takes part in creating related professional content. He worked in a foster home for 5 years and later as a volunteer has worked in a Peruvian foster home and rainforest too. He works as a solution-focused professional, outdoor educator, trainer, and youth worker. Email: arpad.barnai@elmenyakademia.hu

What brought us together: Academy of Experience was established in 2005 when 12 enthusiastic people in Hungary were looking for new ways in education and found the method of experiential education. Their vision was and still is a colorful, inclusive, and open society, which is able to create equity. A society where everyone has the opportunity for self-realization, being part of a community, and has equal opportunities to thrive. More information: https://elmenyakademia.hu/en/home/

Feb 01, 202101:11:21
#3  Lena Conlan (Swe / US): Outdoor educator for life part 1

#3 Lena Conlan (Swe / US): Outdoor educator for life part 1

Learning by doing in nature, through adventures and long expeditions. 
How to prepare people, care for safety, and learn wilderness first aid? 
The content of the podcast:

  • 02:09 - Lena's path to outdoor education
  • 05:01 - her carrier at NOLS
  • 08:55 - Starting Crossing Latitudes and becoming a Wilderness Medicine instructor
  • 12:08 - the history and activities of NOLS
  • 17:09 - being on long expeditions
  • 31:10 - expedition behaviour and leadership skills
  • 41:10 - independent group travel in nature
  • 45:38 - leave no trace and outdoor ethics
  • 54:15 - the impact of being in nature
  • 57:04 - how to start exploring nature?

About our guest: Lena has a teaching degree from University of Umeå, Sweden. Lena, a native of Sweden, has worked as a wilderness educator since the early 80's. Lena started working for NOLS in 1986 as a climbing and sea-kayaking instructor in Alaska, Mexico, and Chile. For several years Lena was the sea kayaking program coordinator for NOLS. In 1996 she co-founded the adventure company Crossing Latitudes Inc. The company focuses on sea kayaking and hiking trips in Scandinavia, Greece, Alaska, and beyond. In 2000 Lena started to teach for NOLS Wilderness Medicine. Lena spearheads the NOLS Wilderness Medicine program in Scandinavia and Europe by hosting and teaching Wilderness First Aid and CPR courses.
Contact information: info@crossinglatitudes.com 

Links to the episode:

Host info: Árpád Bárnai, a trainer and head of program and development for Academy of Experience, a Hungarian NGO. He started working with complex programs targeting youth at risk for more than 10 years. He designs the framework of such programs, leading them, and takes part in creating related professional content. He worked in a foster home for 5 years and later as a volunteer has worked in a Peruvian foster home and rainforest too. He works as a solution-focused professional, outdoor educator, trainer, and youth worker. Email: arpad.barnai@elmenyakademia.hu

What brought us together: Academy of Experience was established in 2005 when 12 enthusiastic people in Hungary were looking for new ways in education and found the method of experiential education.
Their vision was and still is a colorful, inclusive, and open society, which is able to create equity. A society where everyone has the opportunity for self-realization, being part of a community, and has equal opportunities to thrive.
More information: https://elmenyakademia.hu/en/home/

Feb 01, 202101:03:24
#2 Michele Di Paola (IT)- What could schools learn from video games?

#2 Michele Di Paola (IT)- What could schools learn from video games?

What is common in ancient theatre and online games? 

How can we make use of the developments of the digital world?

What does it mean that education is broken compared to games?  


About our guest: Michele di Paola is a youth worker, trainer, facilitator active locally in Italy and internationally. He has a wide knowledge and experience of digital tools and digital youth work. He is also one of the professionals leading the conversation on related topics and working for increasing the awareness of digital competencies of youth workers. He is passionate about games and gamification, digital tools in outdoor activities, nature, rites of passage, and storytelling. He has a lot of experience in the field of digital creativity (co-designed the course DIG IT UP! on the topic).

Links: 

Michele's blog / HandShaKing: https://www.dipaola.me/en/

Michele's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/handshakingblog/

A trailer of the video game mentioned in the episode: This war of mine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxf1seOpijE


About the host: Árpád Bárnai is a trainer and youth worker on a local and international level. He is one of the leaders of the Academy of Experience. He worked in a Hungarian foster home for 5 years, and since then is in charge of the training and development of professionals supporting others within our organization. He works as an outdoor trainer, brief coach, wilderness first responder. 

Email: arpad.barnai@elmenyakademia.hu

About the host organization

The Academy of Experience is an NGO established in 2005 by 12 enthusiastic founders looking for new directions in education and getting curious about the potential in experiential learning. Our vision is a colorful, inclusive, and open society, that creates equity. A society in which everyone has the opportunity and resources to self-actualize, have equal opportunity and be part of a community. More information: https://elmenyakademia.hu/en/home/

If you want to support our work, you can do it here:

https://elmenyakademia.hu/tamogatas/


Feb 01, 202101:06:16
#1 Introduction to Season 1
Jan 29, 202106:34