What happens when teens leave behind comfort, technology, and familiar surroundings—and instead step into a world of service, connection, and humility?
What happens when teens leave behind comfort, routine, and screen time to immerse themselves in a new culture focused on service, connection, and perspective?
In this episode of the Turning Winds Podcast, host Kevin Zundl speaks with therapist Kimberly Sparks about the transformative power of Turning Winds’ international service trips. Their latest journey to Belize offers a firsthand look at how real-world experiences can help teens shift from seeing themselves as part of the problem to becoming part of the solution.
They talk through how activities like building water towers, engaging with local communities, and stepping outside their comfort zones create space for emotional growth, self-worth, and lasting change.
Topics include:
- Why experiential learning supports deeper therapeutic breakthroughs
- How international travel helps teens build genuine confidence
- The importance of service and connection in a teen’s healing journey
- How relational environments create more sustainable change than clinical ones alone
- Whether you are a parent exploring treatment or a provider curious about impactful programming, this episode offers a compelling look into what makes the Turning Winds approach so effective.
To learn more about Turning Winds, visit turningwinds.com or call 800-845-1380.
Keywords: experiential learning, therapeutic service trips, teen mental health, Turning Winds, Belize, emotional growth, adolescent therapy, healing through service, teen treatment program, connection-based care
For more teen parenting tips and treatment information | turningwinds.com | 800-845-1380.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com