Ricky Santiago - Clinical Director, American Addiction Centers

What happens when therapy moves beyond four walls?In this episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with behavioral health executive and experiential therapy expert Ricardo Santiago to explore how adventure therapy, leadership, culture, and purpose can transform mental health treatment.Ricky shares his deeply personal journey into behavioral healthcare, including how losing his mother to alcoholism shaped his mission to help families heal. He opens up about the power of experiential therapy, why true healing often happens outside the traditional therapy room, and how challenge-based experiences can help people rediscover confidence, connection, and hope.The conversation also dives into leadership in behavioral health, building healthy organizational culture, the dangers of gossip in teams, and the lessons behind Ricky’s book How Long to Sing This Song?If you care about mental health, addiction recovery, leadership, or creating cultures where people can truly heal, this episode is packed with insight and heart.