00:14 – 00:57 | Introduction
Ken Huey: Today’s guest has spent more than 30 years at the intersection of mental health leadership and the healing power of the outdoors… Will White brings a rare blend of experience, heart, and storytelling to the conversation. Will, thank you.
Will White: Ken, thank you for inviting me on your podcast.
01:00 – 01:09 | Getting Started
Ken Huey: I’m really curious to know a little bit about what’s your why. How did you get into this to start, if we could?
Will White: [Shares early experiences with outdoor therapy, hiking with his father, and discovering the therapeutic power of the outdoors.]
03:04 – 03:55 | Outdoors and Clinical Work
Ken Huey: Say a little bit more about being in the outdoors and why that lends itself to just better clinical work.
Will White: [Explains how nature supports relational and co-regulated therapeutic work.]
04:00 – 04:09 | Changes in Outdoor Therapy
Ken Huey: You came into it with expectations relative to outdoor therapy and adventure therapy. Anything, any ideas that have changed greatly about outdoor therapy in that time?
Will White: [Discusses evolution in outdoor therapy approaches, importance of parental and family involvement, and current research on daily nature exposure.]
05:46 – 06:51 | Leadership Lessons
Ken Huey: You’ve built programs from the ground up at Summit Achievement. What would be one leadership lesson from Summit that still guides you today?
Will White: [Talks about consistency, modeling humility, building culture, and the importance of relationships.]
06:51 – 07:38 | Young Adults and Motivation
Ken Huey: So here you are now at the trade. Tell us something, a common assumption that might be incorrect about that kind of a young adult.
Will White: [Explains that lack of motivation is often a misconception; mentorship and meaningful work are key.]
07:44 – 09:52 | Families and Anxiety
Ken Huey: What’s something that you see in families today that you just didn’t see at the beginning of your career?
Will White: [Reflects on increased anxiety in families, media influence, and resilience lessons from nature.]
10:05 – 11:46 | Stories from the Field Podcast
Ken Huey: You talked about Stories from the Field, so a little bit about your podcast. Is there one person or story where you really shifted your thinking based on that interview?
Will White: [Shares impactful stories from former students and parents, highlighting Nathan Olson’s journey.]
12:03 – 12:52 | Successful Transition into Adulthood
Ken Huey: Well, tell me about successful transition into adulthood. Anything big that you would tell us in 2025 and 2026?
Will White: [Focuses on resiliency, regulation, responsibility, leaning into discomfort, and self-discipline.]
13:11 – 14:11 | Innovation in Outdoor Behavioral Health
Ken Huey: What excites you about outdoor behavioral health? What’s the innovation coming or something you see as positive?
Will White: [Discusses expanding access, outpatient integration, and growing recognition of outdoor therapy’s mental health benefits.]
14:14 – 15:51 | Men’s Retreats
Ken Huey: What is usually the first shift that you see when people unplug and get outside?
Will White: [Explains how men often begin by simply being present, sharing stories, and creating resilience in community.]
15:55 – 17:43 | Clinical Identity and Self-Care
Ken Huey: Is there a part of your clinical world that is difficult for you to run with?
Will White: [Shares about vicarious trauma, self-awareness, and using metaphor of a compost heap for growth.]
17:55 – 19:13 | Vocational Work
Ken Huey: What’s the most underrated skill a young adult gains from hands-on vocational work?
Will White: [Talks about self-sufficiency, technical skills, and lifelong benefits of vocational training.]
19:19 – 20:12 | Redesigning Mental Health Treatment
Ken Huey: If you could redesign one element of traditional mental health treatment models, what would it be?
Will White: [Encourages outdoor supervision and walking-based therapy for better relational outcomes.]
20:25 – 21:18 | A Story of Hope
Ken Huey: Is there a story, something that you’ve seen, that gives you hope in our field?
Will White: [Shares optimism about AI, greater public openness to mental health conversations, and hope through stories.]
21:18 – 22:13 | Closing Thoughts
Ken Huey: Thanks and reflections on Will’s career and impact.
Will White: Thanks and reflection on friendship and leadership.
