The Rooted Wild Podcast

Katherine Winkles, CTRS-BH
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

 A podcast for anyone curious about the joy of healing through leisure. We unpack the power of play, the wisdom of the outdoors, and the creative pulse that keeps us human — all in one curious, compassionate space. 

Episodes

  1. 6H AGO

    Winter Recreation + Nervous System Care: Staying Connected When the Weather Isn’t Gentle

    Winter can be hard on the nervous system. Shorter days, colder temperatures, disrupted routines, and increased fatigue can all impact mood, stress levels, and physical comfort — especially for people living with chronic pain, sensory sensitivity, or burnout. In this episode, Katherine Winkles, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, explores how recreation therapy offers gentle, adaptive ways to stay connected and regulated during the winter season — without pressure to push through or perform. You’ll learn:  ❄️ Why winter affects the nervous system and stress response  ❄️ How to redefine recreation for colder, darker seasons  ❄️ Accessible ways to connect with nature when going outside is hard  ❄️ Indoor and outdoor winter recreation ideas that support regulation  ❄️ How to release guilt around rest, slower pacing, and changing capacity This episode includes a guided winter check-in and practical coping strategies designed to help you feel supported, not overwhelmed, as the seasons shift. Whether winter feels heavy, isolating, or simply different, this conversation offers permission to slow down and stay connected in ways that fit your body and life. Support the show Thank you for listening! For a deeper dive on our discussions and more information, check out The Rooted Wild Blog and the shop for digital toolkit items. If you are enjoying the show, your support is appreciated, so I can continue releasing content and bonus episodes! Instagram: @rooted_wild_retreats Facebook: Rooted Wild + Wildmind Retreats

    13 min

  2. JAN 7

    Recreation Therapy for Chronic Pain + Stress: Leisure Coping, Fibromyalgia, and Living Well Within Real Limits

    Living with chronic pain and chronic stress requires more than willpower — it requires compassion, adaptation, and nervous system–informed support. In this episode, Katherine Winkles, CTRS-BH, explores how recreation therapy supports people living with chronic pain conditions, with a special focus on fibromyalgia. Drawing from pain science, therapeutic recreation principles, and real-world practice, this conversation reframes leisure as a health behavior — not a luxury. You’ll learn:  🌿 Why chronic pain is often rooted in nervous system sensitization  🌿 How stress and pain reinforce one another  🌿 What leisure coping actually means — and why it works 🌿 Why pacing matters more than pushing through 🌿 Accessible, pain-aware leisure strategies for daily life 🌿 How to rebuild meaning, joy, and identity within real limits This episode includes a guided pain-aware check-in and practical tools designed for fluctuating energy, sensory sensitivity, and post-exertional flare cycles. 🎁 Listener Resource + Discount To support you further, listeners can download the Pacing + Gentle Day Kit (4 documents) for just $1.99! 👉 Use code TRWP2026 at checkout for $10 off 👉 Available at: https://www.rootedwildretreats.com/shop/p/pacing-gentle-days-kit  👉 Designed for chronic pain, fatigue, and stress-sensitive nervous systems This kit includes pacing tools, gentle activity planning support, and low-demand coping strategies to help you build sustainable days without burnout, all in a reusable, print-ready digital format. Whether you’re newly navigating chronic pain or seeking gentler ways to live well alongside it, this episode offers validation, science, and realistic support. Support the show Thank you for listening! For a deeper dive on our discussions and more information, check out The Rooted Wild Blog and the shop for digital toolkit items. If you are enjoying the show, your support is appreciated, so I can continue releasing content and bonus episodes! Instagram: @rooted_wild_retreats Facebook: Rooted Wild + Wildmind Retreats

    12 min

  3. 12/24/2025

    Creative Flow + Healing Expression

    Why Art, Play, and Expression Regulate the Nervous System Creativity isn’t about talent — it’s about regulation, expression, and presence. In this episode, we explore how creative flow supports nervous system healing through the lens of recreation therapy, neuroscience, and Flow Theory. Katherine breaks down why art-based recreation is such a powerful wellness tool, especially for adults who feel disconnected from play, creativity, or joy. You’ll learn:  🎨 What flow really is and why it feels so grounding 🎨 How creative expression reduces stress and supports emotional regulation 🎨 Why creativity often feels harder in adulthood — and how to gently return to it 🎨 The difference between performance-based creativity and therapeutic recreation 🎨 Accessible, low-pressure creative practices you can try immediately This episode includes a guided creative check-in and practical coping tools designed to help you reconnect with expression without expectation or productivity. Whether you’re navigating stress, burnout, or simply craving more play, this episode offers permission — and science — to create in ways that support healing. Support the show Thank you for listening! For a deeper dive on our discussions and more information, check out The Rooted Wild Blog and the shop for digital toolkit items. If you are enjoying the show, your support is appreciated, so I can continue releasing content and bonus episodes! Instagram: @rooted_wild_retreats Facebook: Rooted Wild + Wildmind Retreats

    11 min

  4. 12/17/2025

    Nature as Co-Therapist

    Nature is more than a backdrop for wellness — it’s an active participant in healing. In this episode, we explore how nature functions as a co-therapist, supporting nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and stress recovery through evidence-based ecotherapy and nature-based recreation therapy practices. You’ll learn why even brief time outdoors can reduce stress hormones, improve mood, and restore cognitive balance — and how natural sensory input helps shift the body out of fight-or-flight and into a state of safety and regulation. We break down the neuroscience behind nature’s impact on the nervous system in an accessible, grounded way, while honoring the long history of humans healing in relationship with the natural world. This episode also includes a practical, low-barrier list of nature-based coping skills you can use anywhere — whether you live in a city, feel burned out, or don’t consider yourself “outdoorsy.” No special gear, no perfect setting, and no pressure — just intentional connection. 🌿 In this episode, we cover: • What ecotherapy and nature-based therapy really mean • How nature activates the parasympathetic nervous system • Why outdoor mindfulness improves focus, mood, and emotional regulation • The science behind Attention Restoration Theory • Accessible grounding practices for stress, burnout, and overwhelm • How to build a sustainable relationship with nature for long-term wellness Support the show Thank you for listening! For a deeper dive on our discussions and more information, check out The Rooted Wild Blog and the shop for digital toolkit items. If you are enjoying the show, your support is appreciated, so I can continue releasing content and bonus episodes! Instagram: @rooted_wild_retreats Facebook: Rooted Wild + Wildmind Retreats

    13 min

  5. 12/10/2025

    Leisure Education: Learning How to Rest with Intention

    In this episode, we explore one of the most overlooked skills in modern wellness: how to rest with intention. Drawing from the evidence-based foundations of recreation therapy, Katherine breaks down why rest is more than “taking time off” — it’s a therapeutic practice grounded in neuroscience, lifestyle balance, and the history of human healing. You’ll learn: 🌿 What leisure education is and why it matters 🌿 Why rest is often difficult, especially during stressful seasons or complex family systems 🌿 How the history of recreation therapy — from ancient cultures to moral treatment to modern evidence-based practice — shapes how we heal today 🌿 The difference between passive rest vs intentional rest 🌿 Practical ways to build leisure competence and integrate restorative routines into daily life This episode also includes a guided grounding and connection check-in designed to help you regulate overwhelm, reconnect to your senses, and identify what your mind and body truly need in this moment. Whether you’re navigating a challenging season or rebuilding your relationship with rest, this episode offers compassionate tools and research-backed insights to support sustainable well-being. Support the show Thank you for listening! For a deeper dive on our discussions and more information, check out The Rooted Wild Blog and the shop for digital toolkit items. If you are enjoying the show, your support is appreciated, so I can continue releasing content and bonus episodes! Instagram: @rooted_wild_retreats Facebook: Rooted Wild + Wildmind Retreats

    13 min

  6. 12/03/2025

    The Science of Play: Why Joy Heals the Nervous System

    If you’ve ever felt guilty for wanting more fun, rest, or creativity in your life… this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. Today, we’re breaking down the science of why play isn’t optional — it’s a biological need that keeps your nervous system healthy. Together, we explore why joy helps you regulate stress, how your body responds to playful moments, and why adults often forget to engage in the very activities that support long-term wellness. You’ll learn simple, accessible ways to bring more curiosity, exploration, and delight back into your daily routine — even if you’re burnt out or overwhelmed. This episode pairs with a Joy Mapping Exercise, a free worksheet that helps you identify low-barrier activities that feel energizing and restorative for your unique personality. Get ready to reconnect with the part of you that still knows how to wonder, imagine, and play. Follow along at @rooted_wild_retreats. Support the show Thank you for listening! For a deeper dive on our discussions and more information, check out The Rooted Wild Blog and the shop for digital toolkit items. If you are enjoying the show, your support is appreciated, so I can continue releasing content and bonus episodes! Instagram: @rooted_wild_retreats Facebook: Rooted Wild + Wildmind Retreats

    13 min

  7. 11/26/2025

    Coping with Holiday Overwhelm

    A calming, evidence-informed grounding episode to support listeners facing holiday-related stress, sensory overload, grief, financial strain, or complicated family dynamics. Includes a guided check-in, nervous system science, coping strategies, and nature-based leisure tools. Perfect year-round for anyone needing a moment of calm.  Support the show Thank you for listening! For a deeper dive on our discussions and more information, check out The Rooted Wild Blog and the shop for digital toolkit items. If you are enjoying the show, your support is appreciated, so I can continue releasing content and bonus episodes! Instagram: @rooted_wild_retreats Facebook: Rooted Wild + Wildmind Retreats

    13 min

  8. 11/19/2025

    What is Recreation Therapy? Restoring Wellness Through Play and Nature

    If you’ve ever wondered what recreation therapy actually is — or how time outdoors, mindful play, and creativity can support your long-term wellness — today’s episode is the perfect place to start. In this kickoff episode, we break down the heart of recreation therapy — what it is, who it helps, and why play and nature are such powerful tools for healing. You’ll learn how leisure, creativity, and the outdoors support mental health, reduce stress, and help us reconnect with our authentic selves. If you’ve ever wondered how “just living” can become a therapeutic practice, this episode is your invitation to explore wellness in a gentler, more joyful way.  Support the show Thank you for listening! For a deeper dive on our discussions and more information, check out The Rooted Wild Blog and the shop for digital toolkit items. If you are enjoying the show, your support is appreciated, so I can continue releasing content and bonus episodes! Instagram: @rooted_wild_retreats Facebook: Rooted Wild + Wildmind Retreats

    10 min

  9. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Welcome to Rooted Wild

    This brief trailer introduces The Rooted Wild Podcast as a recreation therapy based pod for conversations on leisure benefits, coping strategies and lifestyle adjustments to increase overall life satisfaction. Stay tuned for more from The Rooted Wild Podcast. Support the show Thank you for listening! For a deeper dive on our discussions and more information, check out The Rooted Wild Blog and the shop for digital toolkit items. If you are enjoying the show, your support is appreciated, so I can continue releasing content and bonus episodes! Instagram: @rooted_wild_retreats Facebook: Rooted Wild + Wildmind Retreats

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

 A podcast for anyone curious about the joy of healing through leisure. We unpack the power of play, the wisdom of the outdoors, and the creative pulse that keeps us human — all in one curious, compassionate space. 

Information

  • Creator
    Katherine Winkles, CTRS-BH
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Rooted Wild Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Rooted Wild Podcast