{"podcast":{"title":"Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors","slug":"stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882","podcast_index_feed_id":7027882,"rss_url":"https://rss.libsyn.com/shows/131706/destinations/803158.xml","website_url":"http://storiesfromthefield.com","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/d/e/2/a/de2a85da199a6759d959afa2a1bf1c87/StoriesFromTheField.jpg","author":"Will White","episode_count":319,"summary":"Stories from the Field: Mental Health in the Outdoors is an authoritative and enlightening podcast that explores the vast landscape of mental health therapies in outdoor settings. Hosted by seasoned mental health professional Dr. Will White, the podcast offers deep insights into outdoor therapies like Adventure Therapy, Eco-Therapy, Wilderness Therapy, and Experiential Therapy, among others. Dr. White engages with a diverse range of guests, including leading researchers, practitioners, authors, executive directors, guide staff, mental health clinicians, and critics, helping to shed light on the nuances of these unique therapy practices. In addition to exploring the modern implications of these evolving therapeutic modalities, he delves into their rich history, providing a holistic perspective for listeners. With over 30 years of experience at the juncture of mental health and outdoor environments, Dr. White's expertise is unparalleled. As a co-founder of the pioneering Summit Achievement, an adventure therapy program based in Maine, he has been a guiding force in the field since the 1990s. His scholarly contributions include the book \"Stories from the Field: A History of Wildernes…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-14T20:19:22.737142+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882"},"episode":{"title":"317: What Happens When Young Adults Meet the Dalai Lama? Ryan McGinty on Mindfulness, Mental Health, and Red Mountain Sedona","slug":"317-what-happens-when-young-adults-meet-the-dalai-lama-ryan-mcginty-on-mindfulness-mental-health-and-red-mountain-sedona","published_at":"2026-06-23T10:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882/317-what-happens-when-young-adults-meet-the-dalai-lama-ryan-mcginty-on-mindfulness-mental-health-and-red-mountain-sedona","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882","url":"https://storiesfromthefield.libsyn.com/317-what-happens-when-young-adults-meet-the-dalai-lama-ryan-mcginty-on-mindfulness-mental-health-and-red-mountain-sedona","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/storiesfromthefield/Ryan-McGinity-SFTF.mp3?dest-id=803158","summary":"Can meeting the Dalai Lama influence a young person's mental health and well-being? In this episode, Will White sits down with Ryan McGinty, Executive Director of Red Mountain Sedona, to discuss an extraordinary journey that took young adults, families, and staff from Arizona to Dharamsala, India, where they met His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Ryan shares how the idea for the trip emerged through meditation, the challenges of organizing international travel during a time of global uncertainty, and why mindfulness, compassion, and non-attachment became essential lessons long before the group ever boarded a plane. The conversation also explores how mindfulness meditation is integrated into young adult treatment, why inner peace may be one of the most overlooked components of mental health, and how Ryan's own recovery journey led him into behavioral healthcare. Together, Will and Ryan discuss leadership, experiential learning, the healing power of community, and what happens when ancient contemplative practices meet modern mental health treatment. Whether you're a clinician, parent, educator, or simply interested in mindfulness, meditation, and the future of young adult behavioral health, this episode offers an inspiring look at healing through presence, compassion, and human connection. This podcast is supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute ( wmai.org) , offering adventure inspired retreats and coaching facilitated by Will White.","meta_description":"Can meeting the Dalai Lama influence a young person's mental health and well-being? In this episode, Will White sits down with Ryan McGinty, Executive Dir…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2557,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882/episodes/317-what-happens-when-young-adults-meet-the-dalai-lama-ryan-mcginty-on-mindfulness-mental-health-and-red-mountain-sedona/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882/317-what-happens-when-young-adults-meet-the-dalai-lama-ryan-mcginty-on-mindfulness-mental-health-and-red-mountain-sedona.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}