Reflections on the Trail: A Conversation About Leadership, Loss, and the Work That Matters

After 25 years in the field of behavioral health—particularly in wilderness therapy—I’ve seen just about everything. The triumphs, the heartbreaks, the unpredictable days that leave you questioning everything, and the quiet moments that remind you exactly why you do this work.

This career has been more than a profession. It’s been a journey. And if you’re doing this work too, you know how much it asks of you. You have to be steady. You have to keep learning. And you have to be well enough, yourself, to guide others.

I recently sat down with Will White for an episode of his podcast, Stories from the Field. It’s a candid conversation about the ups and downs of program leadership, what I’ve learned across more than two decades in wilderness therapy, and what it’s like to build something you believe in—only to later make the difficult decision to close its doors.

We talked about the founding of Open Sky, what made our approach revolutionary at the time, and why that mattered. We also explored the more personal side: how the work shaped me, challenged me, and continues to push me toward what’s next.

Now, through Gain the Ridge, I’m supporting leaders across behavioral healthcare and education—helping them stay grounded, rediscover joy in their work, and build organizations that can weather the hard seasons.

If you’re in this field, I think you’ll find something in this episode that speaks to you.

Listen here: Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors

Thanks to Will White for holding the space for this conversation—and for continuing to share the stories that shape our field.