In this week’s episode, Will welcomes experiential educator Greg Hitchcock, who shares the story of The Trade—a paid apprenticeship and next-step program for young adults who feel stuck or unsure of their direction. Based on 2,000 acres in New Hampshire, The Trade helps participants learn by doing and earn while growing through hands-on training in the trades, including forestry, woodworking, construction, automotive, hospitality, and more. Apprentices live together in a supportive, therapeutic-style community, earning wages from day one while building life skills, confidence, and independence through real work in the outdoors.

Learn more about The Trade at TradeForLife.org.

This podcast is supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute (wmai.org), offering adventure inspired retreats for men.

In this episode Will speaks with Somerville Johnston, co-founder of Bright Shadow, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people navigate grief and loss through nature-based retreats and community support. Somerville shares how her background in Outward Bound, somatic therapy, and adventure programs led to the creation of Bright Shadow, which began with grief retreats for whitewater kayakers and has since expanded to serve a wider community.

Together, Will and Somerville explore the power of the outdoors to hold grief, foster connection, and invite healing. They discuss the unique ways Bright Shadow blends ceremony, play, and somatic practices in natural settings to create safe spaces where participants can process loss—whether from the death of loved ones, natural disasters, or changes in cherished outdoor landscapes. This conversation highlights how community, nature, and nonprofit efforts like Bright Shadow can transform the experience of grief into opportunities for renewal, resilience, and deeper connection.

We are supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute- wmai.org. which is our hosts coaching and retreat practice.

In this episode, Will sits down with Chris Brown, founder of the LifeWays Wilderness Institute in Durango, Colorado. Lifeways offers a unique blend of outpatient therapy and guided outdoor experiences—from rock climbing and backpacking to family retreats and professional trainings—all rooted in the “four rooms” model of mind, body, heart, and soul.

Chris shares how his team is expanding access by partnering with nonprofits, providing grant-funded programs for teens, and accepting Medicaid and major insurers to reduce barriers to care. He also reflects on why shorter, voluntary wilderness experiences can be transformative—helping young people build resilience, practice healthy conflict, and connect more deeply to themselves, their community, and the natural world.

We are supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute- wmai.org. which is our hosts coaching and retreat practice.