Hello everyone! We have exciting news - we are bringing the Let's Talk Parks podcast BACK, this time with the support from BerryDunn! My hope is that you continue to feel inspired and motivated to make a difference in your communities by listening to these stories. 

I'm personally both excited and relieved for this support so I can focus on having amazing conversations with Parks & Recreation professionals like yourself. I think you'll hear in the first episode (releasing 9/15) that we now have capacity for greater creativity and storytelling.  

A couple of things to know: 

• You can find new episodes by searching for "Let's Talk Parks with BerryDunn" or directly:  https://soundcloud.com/lets-talk-parks
• While we won't have a weekly rhythm to our podcasts anymore, I highly recommend subscribing to the new podcast feed to stay up to date
• Let's Talk Parks social media accounts will no longer be updated but you can find all podcast updates over on LinkedIn by following BerryDunn or myself.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my former podcast co-host, friend and colleague Marissa Moravec - she's the epitome of a passionate parks and recreation professional, and I can't wait until she makes an appearance on future episodes!

Thanks for your continued support through the evolution of the podcast.  

Until next time, Let's Talk Parks! - Becky

Link to donate to the CPRA fundraiser for Parks & Recreation Professionals who lost their home in the Marshall Fire: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTM1NDI1

Throughout the podcast, we've asked a consistent question: How can we raise the bar to make a positive difference in the communities in which we work?  But collectively as we've all reached the end of our ropes, we're all really, stinkin' tired.  And I'm starting to reject the idea of constantly needing MORE and BETTER.  What if we allowed ourselves to be okay, just this once, being RIGHT HERE.  And what if we allowed ourselves to lower the bar so that we could breathe, take up new hobbies, and be present with our families?  What if we rejected the notion that the next role, the next agency, the next version of myself would make me *THAT* much happier.  What if we STOPPED assigning so much worth as a human to our job title?  There is so much more to us than WHAT we do - so I'm going to spend more time figuring how WHO I AM. I'm letting go of the things that don't light me up, in hopes of making more space and allowing more goodness to enter my life.  I hope you do too. 

This episode I get a little passionate as you might be able to tell, but I hope it gives you the courage you need to stop doing the things that don't light you up.  You do amazing things, I love you, and until next time... Let's Talk Parks!

There are so many phrases thrown around in the field of Parks and Recreation, but "best practice," may be one that we finally retire. In this episode, Marissa sits down with Jason Elissalde to talk about why that term can be detrimental to our success. 

Thank you to our sponsor, Landscape Structures for sponsoring this episode.  Learn more, find a playground consultant, and earn CEUs by visiting playlsi.com. 

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-elissalde-cprp-323556124/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LinkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

In this episode, Becky sits down with Jill Moore, Inclusive Play Specialist at Landscape Structures, to discuss what a playground really means to be inclusive.  We talk about the definition of accessible versus inclusive (and why they're so different!).  Jill opened my eyes to our need to involve people of all backgrounds and abilities to the table when it comes to planning and designing our parks.  There is so much to learn when designing our parks to be safe spaces for our children to take risks and grow as human beings. I am so excited to share this episode with you!  A big thank you to Landscape Structures for sponsoring this video!

https://youtu.be/1LXaKddy0E4 

Thank you to our sponsor, Landscape Structures for sponsoring this episode.  Learn more, find a playground consultant, and earn CEUs by visiting playlsi.com. 

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LinkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

Sponsorships: off for this

Did your agency pivot to virtual programs during the height of the pandemic?  Are you still using those programs today?  On this episode, Nate Bibat, Senior Naturalist at the Dunes Nature Center, comes on the Let's Talk Parks show to share how his organization was able to quickly pivot to online environmental education programs.  He shares the various tools and methods they used for the hundreds of students in their programs - including making videos on YouTube, launching a podcast, creating virtual tours on Google Earth, and so much more!  He also talks about how him and his team made those online programs more accessible for those with hearing or visual impairments.  Tune in to learn how these programs continue to evolve into hybrid learning experiences, where online pre-visits serve as a helpful way to introduce students and teachers to the content before they travel on-site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evzYMOQ-0jo

Thank you to our sponsor, Landscape Structures for sponsoring this episode.  Learn more, find a playground consultant, and earn CEUs by visiting playlsi.com. 

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Nate on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielbibat/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LinkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

In this episode, Dustin Graham and I talk about the risks and rewards of intentional playground design. We talk about how we can make our playgrounds more inviting, and share some examples of different parks across the country that have used their cultural heritage as part of their community space design.  While the audio version will give you a taste of this topic, you’ll want to head over to the video to SEE these parks and truly experience them for yourself!  https://youtu.be/-Z8spRYJtGQ

Thank you to our sponsor, Landscape Structures for sponsoring this episode.  Learn more, find a playground consultant, and earn CEUs by visiting playlsi.com. 

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Dustin on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-wants-to-build-your-playground/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LinkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

This is a quick preview to a new upcoming series on the podcast about how to make our parks and playgrounds more inclusive and innovative. I can't wait to share these new interviews with you soon!

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LinkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

In this episode, Marissa and Becky talk about how imposter syndrome has impacted them throughout their careers.  If you think that you've suffered from this, be sure to tune in for how this might affect your work within the parks and recreation field. This episode was inspired by Jai Cole from Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission who had a recent session at NRPA about this topic. Here is the link to the recent article about imposter syndrome from HBR magazine and some strategies for reducing this phenomenon in the workplace - and finally, the link to the Brene Brown podcast which dives deeper into this topic with the authors from the article.

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LinkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

The answer is yes! Marissa went through middle school, high school, and college assuming that she would never need to get in front of a crowd to present information. She was totally wrong and gets on the mic during this episode to explain the times you may be faced with public speaking and what you can do to overcome that hurdle. 

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LinkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

The field of parks and recreation is very seasonal. But so are you!  In this episode, Becky talks about how to embrace the season of your career wherever you are.  Whether you've been feeling burnt out or in need of a change, hopefully you find a bit of peace in knowing that it's all a part of your rich and unique career experience. :)

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LInkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

So many agencies rely on the mailed recreation guides to get out seasonal information to their residents.  But as budgets change, you may want to consider alternatives that can save you money and time.  Be sure to tune in to hear five creative alternatives and ideas to the mailed recreation guide.  

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LInkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/