On this episode of the Teach Outdoors podcast, I’m joined by Josée Bergeron—founder of Backwoods Mama and author of Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family. Josée is an outdoor parenting advocate and writer who is passionate about helping families raise children who feel connected to the natural world.
Josée’s work has been featured on CBC Radio and referenced in parenting books and university courses. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of British Columbia and a Creative Writing Certificate from Simon Fraser University’s Writer’s Studio. Josée is Red River Métis and lives in Kelowna with her five children.
In this conversation, we explore what it really means to go “beyond the front door” when it comes to nature connection. Josée shares the personal story behind writing her book during a time of parental overwhelm and burnout—and how that experience led her to create a more relatable and supportive resource for families who want to spend more time outside.
We also talk about raising outdoor kids, the importance of community when it comes to getting outside with children, and the relationship between home and school in nurturing nature connection. Josée reflects on what surprised her most while writing the book, what she wishes teachers understood about children’s need for nature, and what a truly nature-centered school might look like.
This episode is a thoughtful conversation about simple, meaningful ways to reconnect children—and ourselves—with the natural world just outside our doors.
In this episode, we discuss:
The inspiration behind Beyond the Front Door
Parenting, burnout, and finding community outdoors
What “beyond the front door” really means for families
Designing schools with nature connection in mind
How parents and teachers can support each other in getting kids outside more
If this conversation resonates with you, be sure to check out Josée’s book and explore her website of resources.
