“The street becomes your coach…”

Outdoor arts fundraiser, wordsmith, and curious street wanderer Philip Cowell joins us from Berlin to share the joy of wiggling through life’s big (and small) questions—one walk at a time. You'll hear stories from his squiggly life and career path shaped by accidents and luck through the corporate, sustainability, and creative worlds – from playing on Folkstone beach as a child, how being rescued by a charity fundraiser secured his first job and his wordsmithing work in the sustainability sector.

Philip passionately channels his energy working with David Pearl on the openly available and free initiative ‘Street Wisdom’, where, as a global community builder, he supports 200+ volunteer hosts and helps bring its transformative three-part process—Tune Up, Quest, Share—to over 25,000 people worldwide so far – and still counting!

From chance encounters to symbolic signs on city pavements, Philip shares how walking with curiosity can spark insight, foster connection, and help people reconnect with their inner swallow. Whether you're a coach, a leader, or simply seeking a fresh perspective, this episode invites you to slow down, look up, and discover the magic hiding in plain sight on every street corner.

View podcasts and get in touch.

https://www.coaching-outdoors.com

Anna-Marie https://www.rfmcoaching.com

Alex https://www.alexburnconsulting.com

Paul https://pebbleassociates.co.uk/team-member/paul-jefferies/

#coachingoutdoors #outdoorcoaching #coaching #ecopsychology #ecocoaching #bluespace #greenspace #natureconnectedness #naturalenvironments #ecology #nature #environment #mentalhealth #wellbeing #coaches #coachees #movement #thinkingdifferently

“One of the things that Nature has taught both of us, and I'd say many of my clients is to see and feel the seasons. This is a winter. This is tragic. This is end. This is death. Like the leaves have fallen. It's deep, dark winter, and you know what there's a glimmer of spring out there” - Russ Watts

From a whistle and a whisper of wind in the south Sierra mountains in California, a symphony of sirens in Trafalgar Square, London and the rolling hills around Lake Garda, Russ transports us on a journey through time and space as he shares childhood influencers who’ve shaped his life’s work and insights into his coaching practice.

Transformational and performance coach, integral facilitator, adjunct professor at Georgetown University and Bocconi University, wilderness guide and practising Buddhist, Russ brings over thirty years of experience to help leaders and teams be nature bold and unlock their deepest potential through both structured coaching and immersive outdoor experiences.

Russ openly reveals his thoughts and stories about how the pain from breaking his back (not once, but twice…) and tackling crazy endurance events has shaped his identity and mindset to deepen his coaching relationships and practice; the concepts and connections of ‘I’, ‘we’ and ‘it’ within the wider ecosystem and coaching process; and the need for coaches to embrace the dark side of human nature.

From a plant to an insect, or a speck of dust that's swirling on a little thermal in his office, Russ challenges us to find the awe and joy in the moment. Plus, we touch on the three Bs of business, brand and balance, the benefit of collaborative partnerships with other outdoor and nature-connected coaches and the need to be truly authentic within ourselves and our coaching.

View podcasts and get in touch.

https://www.coaching-outdoors.com

Anna-Marie https://www.rfmcoaching.com

Alex https://www.alexburnconsulting.com

Paul https://pebbleassociates.co.uk/team-member/paul-jefferies/

#coachingoutdoors #outdoorcoaching #coaching #ecopsychology #ecocoaching #bluespace #greenspace #natureconnectedness #naturalenvironments #ecology #nature #environment #mentalhealth #wellbeing #coaches #coachees #movement #thinkingdifferently

“By being in a garden I think we perhaps feel more inspired, more at ease, more connected to each other and to our environment”

Will describes his practice, and his life's inquiry, as 'garden thinking'. His work explores how we can reimagine the Garden's role not only as a physical environment but also as a metaphysical space for cultivating more grounded, nature-based ways of living and working together. Will does this primarily through coaching, writing, research, speaking and consultancy and creative collaboration.

Will’s journey weaves together his passion for literature, nature, and community. Starting with a love for language and narrative inspired by early years of reading, Will pursued literature at university, where his interest in communication and metaphor flourished. After early career experiences in architectural heritage charities, he sought a deeper connection with the world, volunteering in regenerative projects across Europe.

During this transformative time, Will discovered gardening as both a personal practice and a powerful metaphor for collaboration and growth. With a master’s degree in Ecological Design Thinking from Schumacher College he developed Garden Thinking, a facilitation practice that uses gardens as both a space and a symbol to inspire reconnection with nature and community.

Will has also co-created Tending to Endings, a card deck that explores life transitions through garden metaphors, alongside collaborators Ali Kingston and Heather Knight. This project, supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, exemplifies Will’s creative approach to making regenerative concepts accessible and engaging.

“Gardens are sensory spaces, their embodied spaces”

View podcasts and get in touch.

https://www.coaching-outdoors.com

Anna-Marie https://www.rfmcoaching.com

Alex https://www.alexburnconsulting.com

Paul https://pebbleassociates.co.uk/team-member/paul-jefferies/

#coachingoutdoors #outdoorcoaching #coaching #ecopsychology #ecocoaching #bluespace #greenspace #natureconnectedness #naturalenvironments #ecology #nature #environment #mentalhealth #wellbeing #coaches #coachees #movement #thinkingdifferently