Shows
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonWhen the Healer Burns Out: Burnout, Menopause & Sustainability in Equine Therapy | Suzie Latchford of Heal With Horses | EAW 44In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Suzie Latchford, founder of Heal With Horses in Ontario, Canada — a long‑running equine‑assisted program working with autistic children, families, and communities in a demanding four‑season climate.Suzie shares how Heal With Horses grew organically over more than fifteen years, often without a clear roadmap, and what that growth revealed about sustainability, invisible structure, horse welfare, staff leadership, and practitioner wellbeing. What begins as a conversation about weather and logistics becomes a deeply honest exploration of burnout, menopause, identity, delegation, and the hidden costs of purpo...
2025-12-181h 54
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonRunning Toward Purpose: Circus, Special Needs & Radical Possibility | Jason Barrett | Ep 42✨ "You’re not stuck. You just haven’t talked to the right mentor yet." – Jason Barrett✨ "If you find a purpose—and the courage to follow it—you’ll surprise yourself every time." – Jason BarrettWhat happens when a 12‑year‑old kid walks into a summer camp for people with profound disabilities—and never really leaves? Performer, father, and nonprofit co‑founder Jason Barrett joins Rupert Isaacson for a funny, vulnerable, and deeply inspiring conversation about service, special needs, faith, horses, circus arts, and what it really takes to build a life around purpose.From his first summer at Camp S...
2025-12-111h 34
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonHealing at Full Gallop: Trick Riding, Roman Riding & the Power of Movement with Celisse Barrett | EP 43In this episode, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Celisse Barrett — a practitioner whose work blends equine‑assisted therapy, movement‑based regulation, and full‑scale equestrian spectacle. From trick riding, vaulting, and Roman riding to using these same performance skills day‑to‑day with clients, Celisse shows how horses become partners in confidence‑building, trauma recovery, coordination, and empowerment.Rather than separating therapy from performance, Celisse explains how showmanship, rhythm, choreography, and playful challenge help clients — including neurodivergent and special‑needs riders — access balance, focus, and self‑belief. The conversation moves through her personal journey, her training roots, her safety framework, and...
2025-12-042h 24
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonStepping Into Strength: Resilient Parenting, Movement, and Healing the Overwhelmed Mind | Dr. Kate Lund | Ep 41✨ “Sometimes we just need to be—without the pressure of doing more.” – Dr. Kate Lund✨ “Movement and nature help us return to ourselves when the world feels too loud.” – Dr. Kate LundWhat does resilience really look like when life pulls the rug out from under you—again and again? Clinical psychologist, author, and resilience expert Dr. Kate Lund joins Rupert Isaacson for an intimate and powerful conversation about childhood illness, brain surgery, parenting, pressure, movement, nature, and how we find our way back to possibility.Diagnosed with hydrocephalus at age four, Kate spent much of her ch...
2025-11-271h 35
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonFrom Corporate to Compassion: How Troy Shaw Built New Leaf Triangle | Ep 42✨ “Fun is the foundation of transformation. Once people laugh, anything becomes possible.” – Troy Shaw✨ “Clichés are cliches because they’re true – when you make horses healthier and happier, you make humans healthier and happier, too.” – Rupert IsaacsonWhat happens when a corporate manager swaps the boardroom for the barn? In this heartwarming episode, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Troy Shaw, co-director of New Leaf Triangle in Leicestershire, UK — a thriving equine-assisted education and therapy center that grew from one family’s leap of faith into a nationally respected program. Alongside his wife Lorraine, Troy left behind the security...
2025-11-201h 58
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonWhen Nature Heals: Depression, Imagination & the Stories That Save Us with Jarod Anderson | Ep 40From cryptids to hickory trees, raccoons, and the hidden balance of the natural world, writer and poet Jarod Anderson invites us into his world of imagination, healing, and belonging. In this deep and reflective conversation, Rupert Isaacson explores Jarod’s journey through depression, his rediscovery of nature, and how storytelling can transform pain into wonder. Together they uncover how imagination acts as a bridge back to the wild world—even when we’re confined by screens or cities—and how the stories we tell can become medicine for our own minds. Known for his podcast The CryptoNaturalist and his books So...
2025-11-131h 59
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonHow Science Proves the Healing Power of Horses: Dr. Pebbles Turbeville and the Horses and Humans Research Foundation | Ep 41What happens when curiosity meets compassion and data meets horsemanship? In this inspiring episode, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Dr. Pebbles Turbeville, CEO of the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) — an organization that funds groundbreaking studies proving the power of horse-human interactions. For nearly two decades, HHRF has legitimized and advanced the field of equine-assisted services through rigorous, peer-reviewed research, helping programs worldwide access funding and credibility.Pebbles shares the foundation's origins, from founder Molly Sweeney's question of how horses help humans to the global network of researchers and practitioners now carrying that torch. Together, she and Ru...
2025-11-061h 29
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonAutism, Dolphins & Horses: A Family’s Journey of Healing and Compassion | EP 40 with Monique TimmermansWhat happens when autism transforms not just a child’s life, but an entire family’s purpose? In this heartwarming episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Monique and Cees Jan Timmermans from the Netherlands about their son Stan’s remarkable journey — from dolphin therapy in Curaçao to finding peace and communication through horses.Monique, founder of InKompassie, shares how her family’s experience with autism inspired her to build a holistic equine-assisted practice that helps other families find balance, regulation, and hope. Together with her husband Ian, she reflects on the lessons they’ve learned ab...
2025-10-301h 41
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonChoosing Life: Farming, Disability & Healing Through Nature – Henrich Berkhoff | EP 39In this deeply moving episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson welcomes Henrich Berkhoff, farmer, father, politician, and founder of child-protection and education initiatives in Germany.From facing a devastating prenatal diagnosis to creating one of Germany’s first Green Care Farms, Henrich shares how his son’s birth with spina bifida transformed his family’s life—igniting a mission to integrate nature, farming, and inclusion into education and policy.A lifelong advocate for children’s rights and special education, Henrich speaks about building community (“the tribe comes to you”), turning crisis into growth, and working wi...
2025-10-231h 41
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonSaving the Thoroughbred: Suzi Pritchard-Jones on Racehorse Welfare & Their Role in Equine-Assisted Work | EP 39When most people think of the Thoroughbred industry, they picture racing, speed, and high stakes. But what happens to these horses after the finish line? And could their intelligence, courage, and sensitivity make them perfect partners in equine-assisted work?✨ “It’s a win-win situation for the equine-assisted world and for the Thoroughbred world — an opportunity to give back to society in a meaningful way.” – Suzi Pritchard-Jones✨ “Any living creature is made up of energy. Unless you can express that energy, it gets bottled up and becomes destructive.” – Suzi Pritchard-JonesIn this compelling episode, Rupert Isaa...
2025-10-161h 53
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonThe Science of Wonder: Jo Marchant on Mind, Body & the Present Moment | EP 38In this episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson sits down with scientist, journalist, and bestselling author Dr. Jo Marchant (PhD in Genetics and Medical Microbiology) to explore the intersections between science, spirituality, and the human experience. From the placebo effect to consciousness, awe, and the nature of time itself, Jo unpacks her groundbreaking books Cure, The Human Cosmos, and her forthcoming In Search of Now. Together they examine what it means to live curiously, think freely, and rediscover wonder in a rational age.✨ “Science is asking questions of nature and listening to the answers.” – Jo Marchant...
2025-10-092h 19
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonDoctors Said He’d Never Live… Now He Rides - From Survival to Joy: Gitti Berkhoff on Horses, Healing & Germany’s Green Care Farms | EP 38When doctors advised abortion after a devastating prenatal diagnosis, Gitti and Henrich Berkhoff chose a different path. Their son Julian was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, enduring multiple life-threatening surgeries. Against all odds, Julian not only survived but thrived—becoming a rider, public speaker, and inspiration.Out of this journey, Gitti built one of Germany’s most innovative equine-assisted programs, blending neuroscience, horsemanship, and joy. From wheelchair fox hunting to pillow fights on horseback and even toilet-brush “microphone” interviews, her farm is a living testament to humor, creativity, and resilience.Now, as she and her husb...
2025-10-021h 29
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonVoices Beyond Words: Helena & Lina Hjalmarsson-Lyons on Autism, Love & Communication | EP 37Once nonverbal, Lina Hjalmarsson-Lyons now communicates through a letter board and her own writing—sharing profound insights into love, autism, and the human spirit. In this extraordinary episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson sits down with long-time friend Helena Hjalmarsson and her daughter Lina to explore the paradox of autism, poetry born from struggle, and what it means to align with our planet and each other. Their conversation moves from the excruciating journey of learning to spell, to navigating health challenges, to Lina’s vision of compassion as the cornerstone of society.✨ “In learning how to spell...
2025-09-251h 04
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonAutistic Voices in Equine Therapy: Dr. Rebecca Evanko on Female Autism & Wilder Wood | Ep 37From a childhood marked by abandonment in Australia to building a groundbreaking equine-assisted program in New Mexico, Dr. Rebecca Evanko’s story is one of resilience, survival, and transformation. Joined by her husband, physician Dr. Marc Evanko, the two share how their own neurodivergence—autism and ADHD—shaped Wilder Wood Equine Therapy, a program centering female autism and authentic connection with horses.Together they discuss the creation of WRADIANCE©, a new diagnostic tool designed by autistic women for autistic women, and their unique counseling model that blends equine interaction with trauma-informed, neurodivergent-led support.✨ “For the first t...
2025-09-201h 56
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonFrom Hippie to Stanford: Medicine, Horses & Quantum Consciousness with Dr. Beverley Kane | Ep 36From hitchhiking to California with $35 in her pocket, to becoming a Stanford professor, medical doctor, and pioneer in equine-assisted programs, Dr. Beverley Kane’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and transformation. In this episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Dr. Kane to trace her journey through medicine, sports science, corporate Silicon Valley, parapsychology, and ultimately to horses—where she bridges science and spirituality.Beverley shares how her early activism during the Vietnam War led her into medicine, what she learned working in preventive health and AI at Apple and WebMD, and...
2025-09-111h 53
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonResilience, Mules & Pediatric Wisdom: Dr. Mark Uranga on Community, Horses & Healing | EP 36Episode Title:Guest Introduction:(If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome)“Being attuned to hesitation is what allows for finding the next step.” – Dr. Mark UrangaIn this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson is joined by Dr. Mark Uranga, a pediatrician from Boise, Idaho, with deep Basque roots and a lifelong connection to horses and mules. Blending his medical expertise with his equestrian experience, Dr. Uranga explores how resilience, community, and attunement shape both childhood development and equine-assisted practices.From...
2025-09-041h 58
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonFear, Tribe & Escape Rooms: A Life of Risk and Resilience with Paul Illingworth | Ep 35 Live Free Ride Free From the rugby fields of London to the Merchant Navy, Special Forces, skydiving, aviation, and entrepreneurship—Paul Illingworth’s life has been defined by risk, resilience, and relentless drive. In this episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Paul to trace a journey that spans fear, family, and the search for tribe.Paul shares how being bullied as a child forged his fighter’s spirit, how rugby and the Navy honed his leadership, and why fear should never be allowed to rule your life. From building successful businesses—including skydiving operations and escape rooms—to...
2025-08-283h 49
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonHealing Horses, Healing Humans: Dr. Janet Varhus on Ulcers, Posture & Equine Well-Being | EP 35In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Dr. Janet Varhus, DVM—a veterinarian whose decades of practice bridge old-school horsemanship, holistic care, and cutting-edge therapies like acupuncture, fascia release, and low-level laser treatment. From endurance riding roots to working alongside Linda Tellington-Jones, Dr. Varhus offers a rare, practical roadmap through the complex world of equine health.Together, they explore ulcers, fascia, posture, contaminated feeds, and how barns can combine tradition with holistic practices to keep therapy horses sound, safe, and thriving.If you want to support the show, yo...
2025-08-212h 03
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonFrom Horses to Human Rights: Rupert Isaacson’s Journey of Service, Healing & Self-Actualization | Ep 34In this rare solo episode of Live Free Ride Free, host Rupert Isaacson shares his own extraordinary story—tracing a path from his multicultural childhood in London to horseback adventures, indigenous rights campaigns, and the creation of groundbreaking autism and equine therapy programs. Rupert weaves together vivid life experiences: from retraining an unruly ex-racehorse as a boy, to helping the Bushmen of the Kalahari win historic land claims, to transforming his son’s autism journey through horses, nature, and movement. This is a deep dive into service, resilience, and the magic of following the call of adventure.🔍 What Yo...
2025-08-141h 51
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonLet Them Work: Temple Grandin on Real Healing for Autism & Anxiety | Ep 34 Equine Assisted WorldIn this essential episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Dr. Temple Grandin, one of the world’s most influential voices on autism, sensory processing, and practical approaches to learning and healing. Together, they explore how therapeutic riding centers can do more than just offer horse time—they can create whole environments of sensory safety, meaningful skill-building, and community resilience.Dr. Grandin shares her personal experiences growing up autistic, her early fears and breakthroughs, and the real-life tools that helped her thrive—tools that every equine program can apply. From using turn-taking games to stimul...
2025-08-071h 44
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonFrom Burnout to Awakening – Ralf Daab on Channeling & Spiritual Business | Ep 33 Live Free Ride FreeWhat happens when a successful publisher hits rock bottom—and finds his way back through psychedelics, storytelling, and soul work? In this episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Ralf Daab, a Cologne-based publisher and spiritual entrepreneur, to explore how dreams, and intuition reshaped his life. From sex with his soul-self to conversations with ancient Persian sultans, Ralf shares candidly about death, rebirth, and the creative power of expanded consciousness. It’s a story of heartbreak, transformation, and discovering that the spiritual path doesn’t have to begin in the jungle—it can start with a walk p...
2025-07-302h 57
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonBuilding a Culture of Equine Well-Being – With Melissa Connor of Renew TRC | Ep 33 Equine Assisted WorldIn this inspiring episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Melissa Connor, Executive Director of Renew Therapeutic Riding Center in Holland, Michigan. Recorded just weeks after Rupert visited the center, this conversation highlights what it takes to create a truly horse-centered therapeutic program—where equine well-being is as prioritized as human healing.Melissa shares her decades-long journey through the equine-assisted services field, how she shaped a program with excellence in horse care, and the practical systems Renew uses to maintain a thriving herd of 22 horses. From rider conditioning and pasture management to financial sustainability an...
2025-07-241h 48
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonBiodiversity, Belonging & the Broken Heart: Healing Through Nature with Craig Foster & George Bumann | Ep 32 Live Free Ride FreeFilmmaker Craig Foster (My Octopus Teacher) and wildlife sculptor-naturalist George Bumann return to Live Free Ride Free for a sweeping, soul-deep conversation on rewilding the human spirit. With Rupert Isaacson, they dive into the healing force of biodiversity, the true meaning of conflict resolution, and why tracking—not just animals, but ourselves—is essential for becoming fully alive. From snails in beer bottles to raven politics at the dump, they explore how the smallest natural encounters offer the biggest epiphanies. This episode is an invitation to reclaim our 3-million-year-old blueprint for joy, freedom, and kinship with all beings.✨...
2025-07-172h 30
Outlier's Edge Podcast with Niiamah AshongService Beats Self Promotion Every Time | Rupert Isaacson, Candice Davis, Catherine Tallone, Katherine Linehan Bush | Throwback | Ep 784"I just need to keep being myself, and the people who need to find me will find me, and the people who I need to find I will find them." Catherine TallonJoin Niiamah (@niiamahashong) and guests Rupert, Kathy, Catherine, and Candace in tis throwback conversation as they reveal how personal struggles became their greatest business assets. Discover why putting service before self-promotion is the key to building an authentic, fulfilling career.Welcome to the Outlier's Edge Podcast, hosted by Niiamah Ashong, Founder of Outlier's Edge and Sherpa of the World of Difference. On this...
2025-07-1254 min
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonMisery Is Optional – Redefining Softness, Structure & Anxiety with Mark Rashid & Crissi McDonald | Ep 32 Equine Assisted World In this thought-provoking follow-up episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson reunites with legendary horseman Mark Rashid and clinician-author Crissi McDonald. This time, the conversation shifts deeper into the internal landscapes of both horse and human, exploring what it really means to be soft—without losing structure.From navigating low-level panic and reframing anxiety, to understanding when pressure is productive and when it breaks us, Mark and Crissi offer powerful insights not only for horse people, but for anyone seeking a more peaceful way of being in the world. Broadcasting from Happy Dog Ranch in Colorado, they als...
2025-07-102h 00
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonDo Evangelicals Struggle With Nature – Faith, Disability & Kinship with Dr. Ben Conner | Ep 31 Live Free Ride FreeDr. Ben Conner, professor of practical theology and founder of the Center for Disability and Ministry, joins Rupert Isaacson for a radical rethinking of Christianity and environmentalism. From reinterpreting "dominion" in Genesis to empowering neurodivergent voices in ministry, Ben challenges assumptions about American evangelicalism, conservation, and the role of theology in planetary healing. Together, they explore how to reconnect children, horses, and communities to a sense of sacred kinship with nature—through wonder, embodiment, and relational theology.✨ “Maybe the vocation of a mountain is just to be a mountain.” – Ben Conner✨ "Jesus in the wilderness w...
2025-07-031h 58
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonSoftness, Safety, and the Horse-Human Connection with Mark Rashid & Crissi McDonald | Ep 31In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson welcomes renowned horseman Mark Rashid and equine clinician and author Crissi McDonald. Broadcasting from their home in Estes Park, Colorado, this inspiring duo shares how softness, internal awareness, and individual connection form the core of their horsemanship and life philosophy.From Aikido to equine-assisted work, from storytelling to trauma-informed approaches, and from photo artistry to martial principles, Mark and Crissi reveal a unique path that blends kindness, discipline, and intuition in equal measure. With over 30 years of experience and thousands of horses and people taught, they bring a...
2025-06-252h 06
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonOccult Philosophy, Rationalism & Esoteric History with Dr. Justin Sledge - EP 30"The foundation of Western rationalism? A series of mystical dreams."Artist, philosopher, and occult scholar Dr. Justin Sledge joins Rupert Isaacson to illuminate a forgotten dimension of Western thought. With over 870,000 YouTube followers on his channel Esoterica, Dr. Sledge has built a global audience passionate about the academic study of magic, mysticism, and esotericism. In this fast-moving and rigorously researched conversation, Justin pulls back the curtain on the mystical roots of rationalism, the dream logic behind Descartes, and how occult traditions shaped the very sciences that claim to have left them behind.Why should...
2025-06-192h 16
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonOne Acre Wonders – Outdoor Schooling, Autism Support, and Equine Wisdom with Catherine Ward & Nicole Jones | Ep 30 Equine Assisted WorldIn this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Catherine Ward and her daughter Nicole Jones of One Acre Farm in Texas. Together, they’ve built a thriving outdoor farm school and equine-assisted program on just a single acre—proving that miracles don’t require massive land, just massive heart.From backyard chickens to neurodiverse farm school, from ABA burnout to Montessori inspiration, and from homeschooling to creating a whole new educational paradigm, Catherine and Nicole share how they blend horsemanship, autonomy, and science to create a truly inclusive, joy-filled learning environment.Discover how th...
2025-06-122h 04
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonRewilding, Regenerative Farming & Imagination with Nick Viney | Ep 29 Live Free Ride FreeArtist, regenerative grazier, and rewilding facilitator Nick Viney joins Rupert Isaacson for an expansive conversation from the wilds of Dartmoor to the edges of imagination. With boots-on-the-ground wisdom from 20 years of land restoration, livestock management, and community-building, Nick makes a compelling case for restoring ecosystems through play, art, and radical listening. This episode is a masterclass in how to bring trees back, slow the water, and let the wild shape us.🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The forgotten role of imagination in restoring landscapes (Starts at [00:03:00])How regenerative grazing works and why it's not “just mo...
2025-06-052h 01
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonHealing in the Herd – Military Recovery, Youth Empowerment, and Equine Wisdom with HorseBack UK | Ep 29 Equine Assisted WorldIn this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Emma Hutchinson and Jay Hare of HorseBack UK, a groundbreaking charity based in the Scottish Highlands. Originally developed to support military veterans recovering from physical and emotional trauma, HorseBack UK now works across diverse populations including at-risk youth and refugee communities.Jay shares his powerful personal journey as a Royal Marine commando who lost his leg and facial identity in combat—and found healing through horses. Emma walks us through the origins and growth of HorseBack UK, how they built their eclectic, nature-based programs, and how th...
2025-05-292h 07
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonUltra Distances & Deeper Connections – Inside the Mongol and Gaucho Derby with Stevie Delahunt | Ep 28 Live Free Ride FreeFarrier, ultra-runner, and Derby training guide Stevie Delahunt joins Rupert Isaacson for a surprising, funny, and soulful conversation that gallops through Patagonia, Mongolia, Oregon, and the inner landscapes of fear, boredom, and awe. They unpack the difference between trauma and triumph, how endurance sports can help rewire the brain, and what it means to truly listen to animals, land, and spirit. Whether you’re derby-curious, nature-hungry, or wondering how to make a more meaningful life with your horses, this one’s a ride.🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Type 2 Fun, Trauma, and Triumph (Starts at [00:02...
2025-05-222h 15
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonYour Brain, Your Way: Curiosity, Neurodiversity, and Healing with Dr. Chantel Prat | EP 28 Equine Assisted WorldIn this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Dr. Chantel Prat—a neuroscientist, psychologist, linguist, and horsewoman. Dr. Prat teaches at the University of Washington and is the author of The Neuroscience of You, a groundbreaking book that examines how every brain is different and what that means for our lives, relationships, and learning processes.Rupert and Chantel dive deep into individual brain differences, the neuroscience of curiosity, attention, and empathy, and how equine-assisted practices can benefit from this knowledge. From mirror neurons to movement, nature, and neurodivergence, this episode explores how understanding ou...
2025-05-151h 39
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonReclaiming Britain’s Wild Heart | The Celtic Rainforest with Robin & Merlin Hanbury-Tenison | Ep 27🚨 Support the Cornwall Rainforest Research Station: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-cornwall-rainforest-commRobin and Merlin Hanbury-Tenison are currently raising funds to build the UK's first Atlantic rainforest research station through their Thousand Year Trust. This station will serve as a hub for groundbreaking studies into biodiversity, climate resilience, and the mental health benefits of temperate forests. The crowdfunder is live until May 21st, 2025, and donations will be matched by Aviva—with additional matched funding unlocked if the target is reached.Legendary explorer and indigenous rights activist Robin Hanbury-Tenison OBE, DL, DSc, DHc, MA, FLS...
2025-05-051h 25
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonBeyond Crime: Healing Trauma, Restoring Humanity with Leana Tank | Ep 27 Equine Assisted WorldIn this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Leana Tank, an occupational therapist from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and an accomplished horsewoman specializing in equine-assisted services and behavioral health. Leana works with individuals at the extreme end of the mental health continuum—people coming from psychiatric hospitals and the criminal justice system, many diagnosed with schizophrenia, cognitive impairments, autism, and complex trauma.Through her radical acceptance, sensory-based therapy, movement integration, and nature-centered approaches, Leana redefines how we think about healing, trauma, and society's marginalized populations. Her work invites us to reconsider the humanity, sensitivity, an...
2025-05-012h 21
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonTalking to Stones, Ponies, and the Sacred: Empathic Interbeing with Emelie Cajsdotter | Ep 26 Live Free Ride FreeTrigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide, childhood trauma, and emotional abuse. If these topics may be triggering, we suggest skipping this episode or proceeding with care. If you or someone you know is affected by such experiences or is contemplating suicide, please seek support from qualified professionals and local mental health resources.Emelie Cajsdotter—author, healer, and founder of a unique animal sanctuary in western Sweden—joins Rupert Isaacson for a sweeping, emotional, and revelatory conversation that bridges grief, neurodivergence, trauma, ancestral healing, and the reality of interspecies communication. With gentle intensity, Emelie recounts a ch...
2025-04-242h 31
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonHealing Hidden Wounds and Trauma in Northern Ireland through Equine Assisted Services with Dr. Helen Sharp | EP 26 Equine Assisted WorldIn this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Dr. Helen Sharp, an equine journalist, academic, and co-founder of Groundwork EAS—an equine-assisted charity on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. A leading voice in both equine media and trauma-informed equine work, Dr. Sharp brings a unique blend of artistry, horsemanship, and therapeutic insight to everything she does.She writes for The Irish Field and Farmers Journal, and her career spans journalism, community arts, equine bodywork, and academic research. She holds a PhD and has a background in sculpture and pe...
2025-04-171h 44
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonHe Speaks Raven – Talking to the Wild and Eavesdropping on Animals with George Bumann | EP 25 Live Free Ride FreeGeorge Bumann—sculptor, wildlife researcher, educator, and author—joins Rupert Isaacson for a profound conversation exploring how animals communicate, what it means to truly listen to the natural world, and how this understanding can transform our inner and outer lives. George, who lives just outside Yellowstone National Park, offers insights drawn from decades of tracking wolves, grizzlies, elk, and bison, as well as from his unique perspective as both an artist and scientist. Remarkably, George can mimic the calls of animals like crows and wolves so precisely that he is able to call them in—and, even more importantly, he und...
2025-04-102h 24
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonDr. Megan McGavern on Reclaiming Hope, Creating Saving Her Son, and Changing Medicine from Within | Ep 25In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Dr. Megan McGavern, a board-certified physician in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Megan shares the powerful story behind the founding of C.H.A.T.S.—Creative, Holistic, Adaptive, Therapeutic Solutions—and how it was born out of both professional insight and personal necessity.When her son Cole faced significant challenges, and medical professionals told her to accept that he might never regain functionality, Megan refused to give up. Drawing on her medical training, clinical experience, and deep intuition as a mother, she created C.H.A.T.S...
2025-04-032h 02
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonHealing with Frequency: Vibration, Consciousness & the Future of Medicine with Dr. Har Hari Khalsa | Ep 24 Live Free Ride FreeIn this episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson dives deep into the intersection of holistic health, biohacking, and consciousness with Dr. Har Hari Khalsa, a Los Angeles-based chiropractor, yogi, and pioneer in integrative medicine. Together, they explore the power of vibration and frequency in healing—from chiropractic care to scalar waves—and how our relationship with nature, technology, and ancient wisdom holds the key to true well-being.📌 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:From Pain to Purpose (Starts at [00:01:40]) – Dr. Har Hari recounts his personal story of debilitating chronic pain in his 20s, and how chi...
2025-03-272h 01
Raising Well Nourished Kids49. From Crisis to Connection: How One Father's Journey Changed Everything He Knew About ParentingIn this deeply moving and insightful episode, author and journalist Rupert Isaacson shares his journey of parenting his autistic son Rowan. From early challenges with sensory meltdowns to discovering breakthrough approaches that changed their lives, Rupert offers wisdom that resonates for any parent or care giver.Learn how legendary autistic and autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin's three fundamental principles - following the child physically, emotionally, and intellectually - opened up new possibilities for connection. Rupert shares how embracing nature, from foraging in Texas to horseback riding in Mongolia, became their pathway to healing and growth.
2025-03-2456 min
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonWarwick Schiller on Attunement, Connection, and Trust in Horsemanship | EP 24 Equine Assisted WorldIn this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Warwick Schiller, renowned horseman and creator of Attuned Horsemanship. Warwick is widely recognized for his transformative approach to horse training, which focuses on attunement, connection, and creating a sense of safety for the horse. Through his Journey On Podcast and extensive teaching, Warwick has helped thousands of riders and trainers understand the deeper layers of horsemanship and how true awareness changes everything.Together, Rupert and Warwick explore the concept of attunement—how being truly present and aware influences both horses and people. Th...
2025-03-201h 56
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonThe Art of Living: A Journey Through Art, History, and Freedom with Tom Parsons | Ep 23 Live Free Ride FreeIn this episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson sits down with art historian, educator, and filmmaker Tom Parsons. With a career spanning decades, Tom shares his fascinating journey from studying art history to working with youth, fostering creativity, and inspiring a love for aesthetics and self-expression. He discusses the importance of art, personal growth, and the value of risk-taking and play in a fulfilled life.📌 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:A Lifelong Love for Art History (Starts at [00:03:00]) – Tom recounts his unexpected journey into the world of art, sparked by a single...
2025-03-131h 54
Curious EquestrianRupert Isaacson on Equine Therapy for Autism (Horse Boy Method)Rupert explains the neuroscience of the Horse Boy Method, now used in over 40 countries, and why the goal isn't curing autism but alleviating suffering while honoring eurodiversity. Whether you're an equestrian, a parent of a child with special needs, or simply curious about the healing bond between humans and horses, this conversation offers profound wisdom about connection, movement, and embracing life outside the box.#healingwithhorses #horseboy #equine #equineassistedtherapy For more information about The Horse Boy Foundation and Rupert Isaacson's equine therapy treatments for autism spectrum disorder, visit New Trails Learning Systems or Helios Harmony. 🐴 CURIOUS FOR MORE?Joi...
2025-03-121h 32
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonMary Wanless on Rider Biomechanics, Flow, and Feel | Equine Assisted World EP 23 In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Mary Wanless, a pioneer in the field of rider biomechanics. For decades, Mary has been at the forefront of reshaping how we understand equestrian training by focusing on the physics and physiology of riding. With a background in physics and a deep curiosity about what truly makes a great rider, Mary has worked to demystify the biomechanics of effective riding. Her methods help riders of all levels develop a clearer understanding of their own bodies and how they interact with their horses.Mary shares her i...
2025-03-062h 00
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonRaising Free Humans: The Worldschooling Journey of Lainie Liberti | Ep 22 Live Free Ride Free PodcastLainie Liberti, world traveler, author, and founder of Transformative Mentoring for Teens and Project World School, joins Rupert Isaacson in this inspiring episode of Live Free Ride Free. She shares her remarkable journey of leaving behind conventional life to travel the world with her son, Miro, and the profound lessons she has learned about education, partnership parenting, and teen mental health along the way.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Breaking Free from the Conventional Life (Starts at [00:02:00]): Lainie shares the story of how the 2008 economic crash led her to rethink everything, culminating in...
2025-02-272h 00
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonExploring TTouch with Robyn Hood: Connection, Communication, and Equine Well-being | Ep 22 Equine Assisted WorldRobyn Hood, sister of Linda Tellington-Jones and a leading figure in the development of the Tellington TTouch Method, joins Rupert Isaacson in this insightful episode. Robyn has dedicated her life to refining and teaching TTouch, a revolutionary approach to working with horses, dogs, and other animals that fosters trust, connection, and healing. In this conversation, she delves into the origins of TTouch, its impact on equine well-being, and practical techniques that horse owners and equine-assisted practitioners can integrate into their work. Whether you're looking to deepen your relationship with your horse or explore a more mindful approach to training...
2025-02-202h 08
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonThe Art of Suspense: Writing, Autism, and the Business of Storytelling with J.D. Barker | Ep 21 Live Free Ride FreeBestselling author J.D. Barker joins Rupert Isaacson for an in-depth discussion about his journey from ghostwriting and book doctoring to becoming a globally recognized thriller writer. With endorsements from Stephen King and collaborations with James Patterson, Barker shares his insights into writing gripping fiction, navigating the publishing world, and his experience as an autistic author. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring writers, thriller lovers, and anyone curious about the behind-the-scenes workings of the literary world.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:From Books as a Safe Haven to a Writing Career (Starts at...
2025-02-1357 min
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonExploring Equine Balance with Shea Stewart: Mitochondria, Quantum Biology, and Equine Well-being | Ep 21 Equine Assisted WorldShea Stewart, renowned craniosacral therapist and founder of Equine Balance (https://www.equinebalance.net), joins Rupert Isaacson in this enlightening episode to explore the intersections of quantum biology, mitochondrial health, and equine-assisted practices. With a wealth of knowledge in human and equine well-being, Shea unpacks the impact of natural light, electromagnetic fields, structured water, and movement on health. Whether you’re an equine-assisted practitioner, horse owner, or someone seeking to optimize your well-being, this conversation is packed with transformative insights. Learn more about Shea here: https://www.equinebalance.net/about-us/What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Th...
2025-02-062h 21
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonTracking as the Language of Belonging: A Journey with Craig Foster | Ep 20 Live Free Ride FreeCraig Foster, renowned naturalist, filmmaker, and co-creator of the Academy Award-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher, joins Rupert Isaacson for a second captivating discussion. This episode dives deeper into the ancient human art of tracking, its profound connection to mental health, and how it can rewire the brain for resilience, belonging, and joy. Craig shares stories of his immersive tracking experiences in Cape Town’s kelp forests and beyond, emphasizing the healing and unifying power of this primal practice.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Tracking as a Pathway to Belonging (Starts at [00:03:00]):Craig reflects on h...
2025-01-302h 03Outlier's Edge Podcast with Niiamah AshongTurn Experience into Meaningful Service | Rupert Isaacson, Candice Davis, Catherine Tallone, Katherine Linehan Bush | Ep 622"The salient word is service. So nothing really can ever be fulfilling unless it's put into service." Rupert IsaacsonJoin Niiamah (@niiamahashong) with Rupert Isaacson, Catherine Tallone, Katherine Bush @startingcycles, and Candice Davis @RFWHealing for an inspiring exploration of authentic leadership and service. These changemakers share their journeys of transformation and how they're creating impact in unique ways.Welcome to the Outlier's Edge Podcast, hosted by Niiamah Ashong, Founder of Outlier's Edge and Sherpa of the World of Difference. On this podcast, you'll join other high-performing unconventional leaders and entrepreneurs (aka Outliers) as they talk...
2025-01-2154 min
Live Free Ride Free with Rupert IsaacsonCrafting Stories and Preserving Equine Culture with Rebecca Didier - Trafalgar Square Books - Ep 19Rebecca Didier is the managing editor of Trafalgar Square Books, the premier publisher of equestrian and horse-related books in the United States. With over 23 years of experience, Rebecca has been instrumental in shaping the world of equestrian publishing, blending her love of literature, design, and horses. From her early days learning to ride in Vermont to becoming a key figure in the publishing world, Rebecca’s journey is a testament to her dedication and passion.In this episode of Live Free, Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson explores Rebecca’s path into publishing, her thoughts on the importance of books...
2025-01-162h 19
Equine Assisted World with Rupert IsaacsonHealing Through Horses and Nature with Norunn Kogstad: Psychotherapy, Equine Welfare, and the Joy of Belonging | Ep 20 Equine Assisted World Norunn Kogstad, a Norwegian psychotherapist and psychiatrist, is the visionary behind Lundehagen, a therapeutic center that blends psychotherapy, equine-assisted therapy, and exceptional horse welfare practices. With decades of experience and a deep passion for human and equine well-being, Norunn has created a sanctuary where healing, connection, and joy thrive. Her unique approach integrates relational therapy and cutting-edge practices that transform lives for both people and horses.In this inspiring conversation, Norunn shares her journey, her philosophy of equine care, and how fostering joy and belonging can heal emotional wounds.What You’ll Learn in Th...
2025-01-161h 43