307: From Prison Inmate to Wilderness Therapy Pioneer: The Story of Larry Wells

Wilderness therapy didn't start with therapists—it evolved with the help of an ex-con who found his heart of service to others in recovery. In this episode Will shares the powerful story of Larry Wells—an early pioneer whose lived experience shaped the foundations of early wilderness therapy programs. From his teenage years in jail to his exposure to the outdoors in a federal prison camp, Larry's journey reveals how connection, purpose, and challenge became the roots of a new approach to helping struggling young people through the outdoors. Through the creation of Expedition Outreach in the 1970's,  his work with VisionQuest, SUWS, and others, and then later the founding of Wilderness Quest, Larry helped define the early models of wilderness therapy—often learning through trial and error in real time. This episode explores the evolution of his philosophy from pushing people to their limits toward building connection, safety, and recovery through experiential work in the outdoors. For those in the field—and anyone on a path of recovery—this is a story about how wilderness therapy evolved, what it got right, what it got wrong, and what still matters most.  Mentioned in this episode:  2019 interview on this podcast with Larry Wells's Daughter- Angela Wells Starnes Link to doctoral dissertation with Larry Wells Interview Stories from the Elders: Chronicles and Narratives from the Early Years of Wilderness Therapy This podcast is supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute (wmai.org), offering adventure inspired retreats for men and facilitated by Will White.