269: Into the Ice: Bestselling Author Mark Synnott on Sailing the Northwest Passage and Finding Meaning in Adventure
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
Release Date: 05/06/2025
272: Nature-Based Therapy for Youth: How Hearty Roots Supports Mental Health in Maine
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode Will speaks with Haley Bezon, founder and executive director of —a nonprofit nature-based wellness organization serving youth in Maine. Drawing on her own lived experience with mental health and a diverse work background in education and wilderness therapy, Haley shares how Hearty Roots was born from a desire to reimagine mental health care for children. Frustrated by the long waitlists and barriers many families face in Maine, she built a program that brings therapy outdoors—where kids heal through connection, movement, and the steady presence of caring mentors. Listeners...
info_outline
271: From Shame to Safety: Steve Smith on Building Safer Wilderness Therapy and Outdoor Ed Program
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode Will welcomes Steve Smith, founder of Experiential Consulting and a 30-year veteran in the outdoor education and risk management field. Steve shares his journey from classroom teacher to mountaineering instructor and eventually leading national conversations on risk through roles with Outward Bound, the Student Conservation Association, and the Wilderness Risk Management Conference. Throughout the episode, Steve explains how his thinking has evolved from linear, blame-based models of incident response to a systems-based, learning-focused philosophy that emphasizes psychological...
info_outline
270: Jessie Krebs on 'Alone,' Survival Skills, and Healing Through the Outdoors
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode Will talks with Jessie Krebs is a wilderness survival expert, former U.S. Air Force SERE specialist, and the founder of a program dedicated to helping women and marginalized communities build confidence and safety in the outdoors. In this powerful episode, Jessie shares her remarkable journey—from childhood trauma and military service to discovering deep healing through wilderness therapy and survival training. With over a decade of experience in wilderness therapy and appearances on reality shows like Alone, Jessie brings a rare blend of practical skill, emotional...
info_outline
269: Into the Ice: Bestselling Author Mark Synnott on Sailing the Northwest Passage and Finding Meaning in Adventure
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this special live episode Will welcomes his longtime friend and world-renowned adventurer Mark Synnott, a veteran big wall climber, elite alpinist, National Geographic writer, and bestselling author of The Impossible Climb and The Third Pole. Mark joins remotely—from a sailboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean—for a captivating conversation recorded live at the Whitney Community Center in Jackson, New Hampshire. The discussion centers on his newest book, Into the Ice, which chronicles his bold journey through the Northwest Passage and his deep dive into one of history’s greatest...
info_outline
268: Helping Fathers Thrive: Jason Frishman on Journeymen Foundation, Mental Health, and Outdoor Growth
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this heartfelt episode, Will welcomes Dr. Jason Frishman, clinical psychologist and founder of the , an organization dedicated to helping fathers foster connection, resilience, and growth through community and mentorship. Jason shares how his years of clinical practice led him to create Journeymen, moving beyond traditional therapy models to build spaces where fathers can share stories, support one another, and rediscover their essential role at home and in their own lives. The conversation explores why so many fathers feel isolated in today’s world, the importance of redefining...
info_outline
267: The Tragedy on Mount Washington That Changed Search and Rescue: Ty Gagne on “The Lions of Winter”
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this powerful episode Will sits down with acclaimed author and risk management expert Ty Gagne to discuss his latest book, Ty takes listeners behind the scenes of the tragic 1982 search and rescue mission that claimed the life of volunteer Albert Dow—an event that forever changed New Hampshire’s backcountry rescue protocols. Through gripping storytelling and deep reflection, Ty illuminates the heroism, emotional toll, and legacy of this landmark incident, shedding light on the psychological challenges faced by rescuers and the evolution of mountain safety over the past four decades....
info_outline
266: Healing in the Wild: Audrey Costa on Nature, Addiction, and Personal Transformation
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this powerful episode Will speaks with Audrey Costa, founder of , about her powerful journey from personal hardship to purposeful healing. Audrey opens up about her struggles with addiction, parenting through adversity, and how turning to nature—and backpacking in particular—transformed her mental health. Through her vulnerability and wisdom, she shares how movement, nature, and creativity became the cornerstones of her recovery and the foundation for her work with others. Audrey also dives into her nature-based offerings, including trauma-informed hiking experiences, Wild Resilience...
info_outline
265: Grief, Healing, and the Outdoors: Jason Stout’s Journey from Loss to Purpose
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Will welcomes Jason Stout, founder of , to share his story of grief, healing, and the outdoors. Jason opens up about experiencing multiple profound losses as a child—including the deaths of his sister, grandmother, and father—and how those early tragedies shaped the course of his life. Jason describes how time in nature helped him begin to heal and led him to dedicate his career to supporting others who are grieving. From guiding wilderness expeditions for teens who have lost loved ones to facilitating peer support programs for military...
info_outline
264: Helping Neurodivergent Teens Thrive: Brandon Moffitt from Black Mountain Academy
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode, Will welcomes Brandon Moffitt, Executive Director and Co-Founder of in North Carolina. Brandon shares his journey from working in wilderness therapy to founding , a specialized therapeutic school for neurodivergent students. He discusses the importance of integrating academic, social, and therapeutic support for adolescents with learning differences and neurodevelopmental challenges. He also highlights how outdoor experiences play a crucial role in fostering confidence, resilience, and social engagement among students. Brandon also introduces Black Mountain Academy’s new...
info_outline
263: The Rise of Nature-Based Therapy: A Conversation with Katie Asmus
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this engaging conversation, Will welcomes back Katie Asmus, founder of the to discuss the evolution of her work integrating nature-based therapy, somatic awareness, and rites of passage. Over the past five years, her practice has expanded significantly, growing into a group practice and training center that helps therapists incorporate nature therapeutically. Katie highlights how nature supports emotional regulation, trauma healing, and overall well-being, explaining how the accessibility of nature-based therapy has grown, especially post-pandemic. She discusses the various ways her...
info_outlineIn this special live episode Will welcomes his longtime friend and world-renowned adventurer Mark Synnott, a veteran big wall climber, elite alpinist, National Geographic writer, and bestselling author of The Impossible Climb and The Third Pole. Mark joins remotely—from a sailboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean—for a captivating conversation recorded live at the Whitney Community Center in Jackson, New Hampshire. The discussion centers on his newest book, Into the Ice, which chronicles his bold journey through the Northwest Passage and his deep dive into one of history’s greatest polar mysteries: the lost Franklin Expedition. Along the way, Mark shares raw reflections on risk, family, storytelling, and why the hardest paths often offer the greatest rewards.
This episode is a wide-ranging exploration of what it means to pursue adventure as a way of life. From living in a cave in Yosemite to crossing the Arctic by sail, Mark offers gripping stories of survival, curiosity, and devotion—to his craft, his family, and the wild places that continue to call him. Whether you're drawn to extreme expeditions, compelling historical mysteries, or simply navigating uncertainty with purpose, this conversation will leave you inspired to embrace the unknown and chart your own course.
This episode was supported by:
White Birch Booksellers- (a great place to buy Mark’s new book!)
Mark’s previous episodes on Stories from the Field were: