S9e13: Anna Switzer, PhD – The Human Spirit and the Natural World

Anna Switzer, PhD, outdoor educator, science educator, and educator of educators, shares her Hoffman Process experience and her deep expertise in partnering with Nature's innate processes for healing and connection. In 2012, on the recommendation of her medical doctor, Anna came to the Process. Due to the high level of stress Anna was experiencing, her doctor said she should consider doing some emotional work. Within a few months, Anna was at the Hoffman Process. She loved the camaraderie of her Process cohort and remembers many 'anchor moments' in her group and alone as she spent time outdoors on the grounds around White Sulphur Springs. Anna's mission statement is, "Helping heal the human spirit and natural world through facilitation of mutually positive experiences between the two." The focus of her work is to try to bring herself and others back into "right relationship" with the natural world. Anna shares some practical practices you can use to help heal your relationship with the natural world. We hope you enjoy this rich and healing conversation with Anna and Liz. More about Anna Switzer, PhD: Anna Switzer, PhD is an outdoor educator, science educator, and educator of educators. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics, a master's in Oceanography, and a PhD in Education. Alongside teaching, Anna derives her most consistent inspiration from the outdoors. She has spent thousands of hours exploring diverse landscapes and waterways; including incalculable time with students of all ages. Anna has worked for several prominent organizations including National Geographic Society and Outward Bound. At National Geographic, she was the Program Manager for Outdoor and Experiential Education. She is also certified as a Nature-Connected Life Coach. Anna’s mission relates to helping heal the human spirit and the natural world through the facilitation of mutually positive experiences between the two and creating and utilizing tools for reflection that invite new behavior.  Anna loves sharing life-enhancing ideas, tools, and practices with others. Her first book is License to Learn: Elevating Discomfort in Service of Lifelong Learning (Atmosphere Press, 2021). She is writing a second book now that includes a big portion on the processes of nature connection: a big topic in this interview. Anna is also progressing toward ‘owning’ the artist title; watercolor and mixed media are her favorites, especially as whimsical expressions of her love of the outdoors. You can see her artwork at annaswitzer.com. Follow Anna on Instagram and LinkedIn. As mentioned in this episode: Hoffman tool: Recycling White Sulphur Springs, Hoffman's old retreat site Current Hoffman Retreat Sites: Hoffman Retreat Center in Petaluma, CA Guest House in Chester, CT Sanctum, Alberta, Canada Speaking about Nature and the Hoffman Process: •   Dr. Dan Siegel on the Hoffman Podcast •   Trecey Chittenden on the Hoffman Podcast Quote shared: “There is more in us than we know if we could be made to see it; perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.” ― Kurt Hahn The Natural Intelligence Toolkit by Anna •   Practices: Feel the Pull and Wander With a Question Nature Connection Life Coach

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Love’s everyday radius is an inspiring collection of conversations with graduates of the Hoffman Process and those impacted by their ripple of change. Our aim is to highlight how the Process enhances reciprocity, gratitude, and responsibility toward the whole. The Hoffman Process is about more than individuals healing themselves. When you change yourself from within, your actions change and you become an integral part of the healing of the world through your own “everyday radius.” Podcast Host: Drew Horning | Sound Engineer: Walt Hubis | Executive Producer: Julie Daley | Podcast Music: Radius of Spirit by Walt Hubis. The Hoffman Quadrinity Process®, founded by Bob Hoffman in 1967 is a week-long residential and personal growth retreat that helps participants identify negative behaviors, moods, and ways of thinking that developed unconsciously and were conditioned in childhood. The Hoffman Process will help you become conscious of and disconnected from negative patterns of thought and behaviors on an emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual level in order to make significant positive changes in your life. You will learn to remove habitual ways of thinking and behaving, align with your authentic self, and respond to situations in your life from a place of conscious choice. The Hoffman Institute Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to transformative adult education, spiritual growth, and the personal dimensions of leadership. We serve a diverse population from all walks of life, including business professionals, stay-at-home parents, therapists, students, tradespeople, and those seeking clarity in all aspects of their lives.