Episode 22: Dr. Mike Gass, Director of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center and Professor in Outdoor Education at University of New Hampshire
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
Release Date: 02/17/2019
282: Chris Robbins on Men Healing Outdoors and The Let Them Theory
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode, Will reconnects with his friend Chris Robbins, founder of men’s retreats and husband of bestselling author Mel Robbins. Chris shares his journey from corporate burnout to creating outdoor retreats where men come together to heal, connect, and reset. Having attended two Soul Degree retreats himself, Will describes the impact of hiking, fire pits, and time in nature—experiences that inspired him to launch his own retreats for men at The conversation also explores the global success of The Let Them Theory, written by Mel Robbins with their daughter Sawyer, and how its...
info_outline
281: Boys, Men, and the Truths of Wilderness Therapy
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode, Will speaks with Jason Denham, founder of about his two decades of work with boys, men and other genders in behavioral healthcare including wilderness therapy, transitional living, and recovery support. Jason shares how outdoor experiences—from simple games in the woods to long days on trail—create unique openings for boys and men to express themselves, build resilience, and form meaningful connections. Drawing on his own recovery journey and his coaching practice rooted in Jungian shadow work and mindful somatic practices, Jason reflects on both the transformative power...
info_outline
280: From Transport to Transformation: Enzo Narciso on Wilderness Therapy & Mentoring
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this compelling follow-up to Episode 98, Enzo Narciso returns to Stories from the Field to reflect on his transformation since first sharing his journey in 2020. A former wilderness therapy client who overcame addiction and a near-fatal overdose, Enzo now mentors young men transitioning home from treatment through his program, . He speaks candidly about the lasting impact of wilderness therapy—both its challenges and its gifts—including the controversial practice of being transported to treatment. Enzo unpacks how time in nature laid the foundation for his emotional awareness,...
info_outline
279: Anxiety, Connection, and the Outdoors: How Dr. Jack Hinman Helps Struggling Young Adults at Engage Transitions
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this insightful episode Will talks with Dr. Jack Hinman, co-founder and executive director of shares his personal path from a chaotic childhood in Memphis to launching a young adult transition program in the red rock and pine-covered terrain of Cedar City, Utah. Engage Transitions supports young adults facing anxiety, depression, executive functioning struggles, and social isolation—many of whom are also neurodivergent. Jack opens up about his own healing journey through friendship, therapy, and the outdoors, and offers a powerful reminder to parents: anxiety is not something to...
info_outline
278: Tents, Trust, and Transformation: How Wilderness Therapy Helps People Build Resilience and Heal
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode Will speaks with Jeff Holloway, a veteran social worker and therapeutic consultant from with decades of experience in therapeutic programs for youth. Jeff shares his decades-long journey through the evolving landscape of outdoor behavioral healthcare, from his early days working in residential care to helping launch the trauma-informed wilderness therapy program First Light. Drawing from his time in roles ranging from foster care to executive leadership, Jeff reflects on how outdoor programs have shifted from rigid models to more relational, integrative approaches that...
info_outline
277. From Crisis to Connection: A Parent’s Journey Through Teen Substance Use, Wilderness Therapy, and What Comes After
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Will is joined by parent coach Beth Hillman, a mother of five sons whose life was turned upside down when one of her teenagers spiraled into substance use and crisis. Beth shares the raw and emotional journey her family experienced—from the shame and fear of not knowing what was happening, to the decision to send her son to wilderness therapy, and ultimately, to her own transformation through emotional work and coaching. Beth opens up about how letting go of control, embracing vulnerability, and learning to hold boundaries with compassion helped...
info_outline
276: Nature's Path for Neurodivergent Boys: Beyond the Autism Diagnosis
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode, Will is joined by Chris Blankenship, founder of and former wilderness therapy psychotherapist. Chris shares how years in the field led him to recognize a growing number of young men arriving in treatment with undiagnosed autism—often masked by anxiety, depression, or substance use. He explains how his work at the Autism Learning Lab now supports adolescents and young adults through individualized coaching, family retreats, and outdoor-based interventions. Chris discusses how the outdoors offers a powerful setting for building awareness, confidence, and emotional regulation,...
info_outline
275: Men, Mental Health, and the Wild: Nick Mann on the Power of Coaching and Community
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this powerful episode Will welcomes Nick Mann—Marine Corps veteran, former wilderness therapy program director, and founder of Dad’s Project—for an honest and inspiring conversation about the mental health challenges men and boys face today. Nick shares his journey from military service to working in wilderness therapy and now coaching fathers, highlighting how leadership, emotional presence, and outdoor experiences can help men reconnect with their purpose. Together, Will and Nick dive into why boys and men are increasingly disconnected from nature and community, and how rites of...
info_outline
274: NOLS Risk Management Director on Resilience, Mental Health and the Future of Outdoor Programs
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode Will speaks with Katie Baum Mettenbrink, Director of Risk Management at the ), about the intersection of risk, resilience, and mental health in outdoor education. With over two decades at NOLS, Katie shares her journey from a college backpacking trip to becoming a leader in wilderness risk management. She discusses the importance of balancing challenge and safety in the field, her role in shaping the upcoming Wilderness Risk Management Conference in Portland, Maine, and how outdoor experiences can build clarity, connection, and emotional well-being for participants of all ages....
info_outline
273: Autism and Wilderness Therapy: How Elements Eclipse Helps Neurodivergent Teens Thrive
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode Will speaks with Dr. Neal Christensen, psychologist, researcher, and co-owner of Elements Programs in Utah. With over two decades in the field, Dr. Christensen shares his journey from discovering outdoor experiential work in high school to becoming a leader in wilderness therapy for neurodivergent youth. As co-creator of the Eclipse program at Elements, he discusses how the model intentionally shifts away from traditional primitive skills to better support teens on the autism spectrum, those with ADHD, and other social-cognitive challenges through tailored interventions that...
info_outlineDr. Mike Gass is a Professor in the Outdoor Education Program in the Department of Kinesiology at University of New Hampshire as well as the Director of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center.
Mike shares his journey of being recruited to play college football at St. Olaf College, in Minnesota, to becoming one of the foremost researchers and teachers in the field of wilderness/adventure therapy.
He is one of the creators of the Browne Center, a program development center on adventure learning that serves over 8,000 clients a year with educational, therapeutic, and corporate clients.
Mike also serves as the Director of the NATSAP Research Database Network and has published numerous books and research articles about the field of wilderness/adventure therapy.