Episode 27: Healing through Wilderness Therapy with Raileigh Duschen

“When you’re in the wilderness, you’re absolutely, 100 percent present with everything that’s within you and there’s nothing to distract you.”

— Raileigh Duschen

In this episode, Raileigh Duschen - a wilderness, certified yoga, and meditation guide, joins us to share her experience of the healing powers of nature she’s witnessed firsthand, especially with young people. Raileigh also discusses:

2:05 - What is Wildnerness Therapy
3:45 - 90 days in the woods as a kid
6:25 - What those first few days are like for the kids
9:20 - The different types of groups and characters
10:45 - The interactions between the kids involved
12:10 - The environment and living conditions of the program
14:00 - Where she picked up her wilderness skills
15:25 - Balancing the uncomfortableness of being in the woods while managing the responsibilities of the program
17:40 - Changes the kids experienced throughout the program
22:30 - The phases of adventure
25:50 - Specific memories of breakthroughs with kids
29:10 - What does the end of the program look like
30:50 - Reuniting with their families
32:25 - Why the wilderness is such a great place for this program
33:30 - How her experience as a guide has changed her
35:10 - Answering her calling
37:40 - Where this journey has brought her
39:15 - Her aspirations
41:00 - Advice she has to others looking to answer their own call to adventure
42:00 - Closing remarks