Introduction: Mystery, Trauma, and the Power of Story in Untamed
Netflix’s “Untamed” (2025) is a gripping crime drama and psychological thriller set in the vast, remote wilderness of Yosemite National Park. With Eric Bana as Special Agent Kyle Turner and Lily Santiago as rookie cop Naya Vasquez, the story explores the investigation of a brutal murder that unearths dark secrets buried deep both in the park and in personal pasts. This series isn’t just about solving a mystery—it’s about uncovering the fractured stories we carry, the trauma that shapes us, and the courage it takes to reclaim our narrative. Using Peter de Kuster’s “Power of Your Story” framework, this column dives into the hero’s journey within “Untamed,” offering reflections for creative leaders ready to face their own wilderness and write their true legend.
Phase 1: The Haunted Past—The Weight of Loss and Old Stories
Kyle Turner’s life is marked by a devastating loss—the murder of his child by a predator years ago—which shattered his marriage and led to struggles with alcoholism and emotional withdrawal. His professional mission at the National Parks Service is a way to manage, if not escape, the pain. The death of a Jane Doe in Yosemite sets off a complex investigation that mirrors his internal wounds.
Creative Leader’s Reflection:
What old stories or traumas linger in your leadership or creativity? How do you work with—not against—your past to move forward authentically?
Phase 2: The Call—A Murder Mystery That Demands Depth
The discovery of the Jane Doe’s body—initially presumed to be a suicide—quickly turns into a murky murder investigation. Kyle teams up with Naya Vasquez, a rookie former LAPD cop with her own complicated history. The case draws them into layers of local secrets, drug dealings, and hidden alliances, challenging them to see clearly amid fog and danger.
Creative Leader’s Reflection:
When confronted with complex, ambiguous challenges, how do you sharpen your perception? Who do you trust to help you discern fact from deception?
Phase 3: Crossing Into Darkness—Facing Personal Demons and External Threats
As the investigation deepens, Turner’s personal struggles—including his fractured relationship with ex-wife Jill—surface, complicating his focus. Both he and Vasquez grapple with their own vulnerabilities while navigating threats from drug rings and hidden enemies living within the wilderness.
Creative Leader’s Reflection:
What personal shadows or relationship fractures influence your decision-making? How can vulnerability become an asset rather than a weakness?
Phase 4: Trials and Allies—Building Trust in Uncertain Terrain
Kyle and Naya form a tentative partnership that balances experience and fresh perspective. Alongside colleagues and local Native American rangers, they confront both natural and human dangers. Moments of humor, empathy, and tension reveal the importance of collaboration and cultural awareness in leadership within unfamiliar systems.
Creative Leader’s Reflection:
Where are you building bridges with new allies or communities? How do different viewpoints and cultures enrich your leadership?
Phase 5: The Ordeal—Uncovering Truths Amid Deception
The discovery of drug operations and covert dealings connected to the murder complicates the case. As Kyle digs into missing persons, coerced cover-ups, and betrayals, he confronts not just external criminals but systemic barriers and personal guilt. The investigation becomes a journey into hidden darkness, both in nature and human nature.
Creative Leader’s Reflection:
How do you face the “dark truths” that threaten your professional or personal integrity? What systems or beliefs do you challenge to lead honestly?
Phase 6: The Reward—Insight and Transformation
Piece by piece, the truth about the Jane Doe’s death emerges, as do revelations about Kyle’s own past and family. Though not all questions have neat answers, the process opens pathways toward healing, reconciliation, and renewed purpose. The wilderness, with all its beauty and peril, reflects the complexity of human stories.
Creative Leader’s Reflection:
How do unfolding insights reshape your view of leadership and life? What role do patience and acceptance play in your journey?
Phase 7: The Return—Carrying the Story Forward
The series closes with unresolved trauma and ongoing struggles for justice, but with a renewed commitment by its characters to face their realities and fight for truth. The return to everyday life is not a return to the old normal, but an invitation to live as storytellers and change-makers.
Creative Leader’s Reflection:
What new rituals, habits, or commitments will help you live out the story you want to tell—beyond past limitations or fears?
Summary of Untamed’s Plot
“Untamed” follows Special Agent Kyle Turner as he investigates the death of a Jane Doe found in Yosemite National Park. The case uncovers a web of secrets involving drug trafficking, missing persons, and personal betrayals. Alongside rookie cop Naya Vasquez, Turner must navigate his haunted past and the wilderness’s dangers to find justice. The series explores themes of trauma, healing, cultural conflict, and the resilience of the human spirit amid nature’s vast and unforgiving backdrop.
Conclusion: The Wilderness Inside and Out—Authorship in Complexity
“Untamed” challenges leaders and creators to confront the wilderness within—the tangled histories, traumas, and ambiguities that shape us—while navigating the external unknown. It’s a reminder that leadership is not about certainty but courage, empathy, and the willingness to listen deeply. The power of your story is not in perfection, but in the brave act of owning it fully amid life’s wild terrain.
Creative Leadership Takeaway Questions
- How do you hold space for your own and others’ vulnerability in leadership?
- Who do you invite into your story to provide fresh perspective?
- What “wild terrain” of uncertainty or trauma do you currently face?
- How do you balance justice and compassion in your decision-making?
- What daily practice will affirm your role as both witness and author?
Coaching Offer—Lead with Story Power by Peter de Kuster
If “Untamed” inspires you to explore and own the complex, sometimes wild stories inside and outside you, Peter de Kuster’s “Power of Your Story” coaching provides guidance to do just that.
Who Is It For?
- Leaders navigating trauma, change, or systemic challenges
- Creatives facing ambiguity and complexity
- Anyone ready to transform vulnerability into leadership strength
Coaching Benefits
- Deeper self-awareness through story reflection
- Tools for empathy-driven leadership and storytelling
- Strategies to navigate complexity with courage
- Customized story maps and practical action plans
Special Pricing
Hero’s Journey Story Coaching by Peter de Kuster
- 3 sessions, 90 minutes each (online/in-person)
- Personal story assessment and leadership roadmap
€495 (exclusive of VAT)
Step into your leadership story with clarity, courage, and compassion. Begin today
The Power of Your Story 