Agents of Change: Enhanced Nature Experience and Self-Reflective Practice with the Ninefold App.

Welcome to another episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series! Today, we're joined by Todd Gerson—mental health therapist and creator of the Ninefold app—for a deep dive into how nature, self-reflective practice, and technology can work together to enhance our well-being.  Todd shares the inspiration behind Ninefold, explains how it empowers users to actively reflect and build healthier practices outdoors, and gives us a guided tour of the app’s features.  Whether you’re a therapist, coach, outdoor enthusiast, or simply looking to deepen your connection with nature, this episode explores practical ways to use both the outdoors and digital tools to become agents of change in your own life and for those around you. Get ready to rethink your next walk—and how you process it—with insights from Todd and the story of the Ninefold app. DISCUSSION 1. Introduction to the Podcast and Guest Overview of the Outdoor Adventure Series and its focus on exploring and enjoying nature [00:00:06] Introduction of Todd Gerson as a mental health therapist and creator of the Ninefold app [00:00:28] Purpose of the episode: exploring how nature and apps like Ninefold can promote physical and mental well-being [00:00:33] 2. Todd Gerson’s Background and Inspiration Todd’s background as a therapist, education, and experience in mental health settings [00:01:58] Work with trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, and life transitions [00:02:24] The origin story and inspiration for developing the Ninefold app [00:03:17]Personal experiences in nature and with injury [00:03:22] Observations about limitations in existing mental health resources [00:03:49] The desire for more active, reflective, and personalized practices [00:04:09] Developing the app and learning to code [00:05:03] 3. Using the Ninefold App in Nature Flexibility in app usage: indoors, outdoors, and while moving or sitting [00:06:27] Deliberate design to reduce device engagement and avoid gamification [00:07:02] Self-contained activities encouraging users to put the phone down and experience nature [00:07:21] Activities rated by intensity and reflection depth to suit user needs [00:07:25] 4. Integration with Outdoor Coaching and Therapy Practices Alignment with principles such as forest bathing and outdoor mindfulness [00:08:50] Suggestions for therapists and coaches on introducing the app to clients [00:09:12] Options for clients to independently explore or work collaboratively with a practitioner [00:09:46] Nonlinear and structured exploration within the app's framework [00:10:20] 5. Example Practice: Leaves on the Stream Use of nature-based metaphors (leaves floating as negative thoughts) for reflection [00:10:43] Applicability for coaching and therapeutic conversations in outdoor settings [00:11:26] Positive feedback from practitioners about the accessibility and clinical grounding of app practices [00:12:30] Design for users of all backgrounds, not requiring specialist knowledge [00:13:25] 6. Guidance on App Usage and Cadence Recommendations for pacing: starting wherever feels natural and building up over time [00:13:40] Features for setting reminders and revisiting practices [00:14:26] Tailoring frequency and type of activities to individual needs and goals [00:15:01] Encouraging meaningful practice and self-reflection rather than prescriptive use [00:16:16] 7. App Tour and Functional Overview Onboarding process and overview of the home screen [00:17:01] Mandala interface showing progress through different app paths [00:17:17] Description of the 8 initial paths and the unlockable 9th, deeper path [00:17:35] Selection of activity intensity: light, medium, or deep [00:18:00] Overview of specific paths:Spirit (values, meaning, goal setting) [00:18:18] Persona (roles and masks) [00:18:27] Soma (mindfulness, grounding, emotion regulation) [00:18:36] Shadow (shame, avoidance) [00:18:48] Relational (relationships, boundaries, communication) [00:18:55] Light (gratitude, strengths, connection) [00:19:05] Inner Script (thought patterns, beliefs, incl. leaves on a stream) [00:19:13] Self Within (inner identity) [00:19:21] Practice saving and reminders, chronological logging, and narrative timeline features [00:19:54] Archive and insights features for reviewing and reflecting on progress [00:20:31] Unlocking deeper content with progression [00:21:13] 8. Demonstration of Activities and Reflection Prompts Walkthrough of grounding and reflection practices such as 5-4-3-2-1 and box breathing [00:23:12] Requirement of user reflection after engaging in a practice [00:24:02] Emphasis on reflection as an agent of change and making it a habitual part of well-being routines [00:24:56] Built-in prompts and example reflections to support users [00:25:57] 9. Reflections on the App’s Purpose and Impact Todd’s personal and professional integration in the app’s design and philosophy [00:27:30] Valuing user autonomy, non-pressured growth, and a non-gamified approach [00:28:11] App as a culmination of Todd’s views on well-being and growth [00:28:42] 10. Advice for Outdoor Leaders, Teachers, and Families The value of using the app to cement and structure outdoor experiences [00:30:34] Encouragement to use the app for reflection and to enhance the impact of time spent in nature [00:30:44] Resource for encouraging new outdoor experiences in a meaningful way [00:31:05] 12. Closing Thoughts Summary of the episode’s discussion and the app’s role in outdoor well-being [00:32:48] Encouragement to get outside and use tools for reflection and change [00:34:19] LEARN MORE To learn more about Todd and Ninefold, visit the Nionefold website at https://ninefoldapp.com,  or on  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninefold.app LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddgerson/ RESOURCES: Outdoor Coaching by Jonathan Passmore and Ellie Lloyd-Jones Coaching Outdoors by Lesley Roberts Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Forest Bathing (Treeming) NEXT STEPS Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes. KEYWORDS Todd Gerson, Ninefold App, Outdoor Coaching, Howard Fox, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview #ToddGerson #Ninefold #OutdoorCoaching #HowardFox #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview My Favorite Podcast Tools:   Production by Descript Hosting Buzzsprout Show Notes by Castmagic Website powered by Podpage Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch Banner Customization by Nano Banana & Canva