Havenwood Academy Podcast
Hosted by Josh Gardner - CFO of Havenwood Academy - this show takes you behind the scenes of Havenwood Academy, a world-class residential treatment center in Cedar City, Utah.
Each episode shares real stories from our dedicated care providers - the people on the front lines helping young women heal from complex trauma, rebuild trust, and reclaim hope. You’ll hear the challenges, breakthroughs, and deeply human moments that make this work life-changing.
If you care about mental health, trauma-informed care, and the power of community, this is your inside look at how resilience is built and lives are transformed.
Havenwood Academy Podcast
Blaine Hofeling, Founder & General Counsel - Havenwood Academy
In this episode of the Havenwood Academy Podcast, host Josh Gardner sits down with Blaine Hofeling, Founder and General Counsel of Havenwood Academy and the HOPE Group. Blaine shares his remarkable journey from practicing law to creating a nationally respected residential treatment center focused on early childhood trauma and attachment issues.
We cover:
- Blaine’s transition from attorney to treatment center founder
- How personal experiences with childhood adversity shaped his mission
- The challenges and lessons learned in risk management
- Overcoming early struggles to build a thriving organization
- The power of narrowing focus and serving high-need populations
This is a candid look at the perseverance, values, and lessons behind Havenwood’s success and its unwavering commitment to young people who need hope the most.
Josh Gardner (00:00)
Hi, Blaine. Welcome to the Havenwood Academy podcast. Let's start off with you introducing yourself, just your name, your title and what you do day to day.
Blaine Hofeling (00:10)
… [introduces role as Founder & General Counsel]
Josh Gardner (00:31)
You have a fascinating background moving from law into founding Havenwood. How did that come about?
Blaine Hofeling (00:50)
… [explains legal career, representing treatment centers, motivation to leave a legacy, founding Havenwood in 2014]
Josh Gardner (02:55)
Tell us about your decision to focus on early childhood trauma and how your personal background influenced that.
Blaine Hofeling (03:22)
… [discusses Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), relating to kids, powerful success stories]
Josh Gardner (05:26)
Has your work influenced your parenting?
Blaine Hofeling (05:47)
… [reflects on parenting differently if he had this knowledge earlier]
Josh Gardner (06:15)
Walk us through your day-to-day as General Counsel and your approach to risk management.
Blaine Hofeling (06:20)
… [details contracts, compliance, audits, reframing risk as protecting staff/guests]
Josh Gardner (08:24)
What advice would you give other treatment centers on risk management?
Blaine Hofeling (08:30)
… [emphasizes vigilance, hiring, training, legal support]
Josh Gardner (10:16)
Havenwood faced a major incident with an equine contractor. What happened and what did you learn?
Blaine Hofeling (10:47)
… [explains the zip tie/horse trough incident, transparency, safeguards, learning from mistakes]
Josh Gardner (13:26)
What are you most proud of after 11+ years at Havenwood?
Blaine Hofeling (13:45)
… [pride in client transformations, perseverance, constant improvement, staff dedication]
Josh Gardner (14:54)
During the early years, you never thought about giving up. Why?
Blaine Hofeling (15:37)
… [Cortez “burning the ships” analogy, determination, belief in changing lives]
Josh Gardner (16:30)
What was it like navigating payroll crises and financial risk in the beginning?
Blaine Hofeling (16:35)
… [sleepless nights, borrowing money, never missing payroll, paying everything back]
Josh Gardner (18:25)
How did Havenwood evolve from surviving, to sustaining, to thriving?
Blaine Hofeling (19:02)
… [discipline, focus, hedgehog concept, narrowing to trauma/attachment specialization]
Josh Gardner (21:49)
Talk about how Havenwood’s mission statement changed over time.
Blaine Hofeling (22:08)
… [shift from generalist to specific mission: world-class services for kids who otherwise wouldn’t receive them]
Josh Gardner (24:29)
What would you say to parents considering Havenwood for their child?
Blaine Hofeling (25:12)
… [encourages speaking to alumni parents, reassures safety and transformation, highlights location near national parks and outdoor therapy]
Josh Gardner (27:38)
… [wraps up, thanks Blaine]
