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Live Free Ride Free with Rupert Isaacson

Live Free Ride Free with Rupert Isaacson

Written by: Rupert Isaacson
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 Welcome to Live Free Ride Free, where we talk to people who have lived self-actualized lives on their own terms, and find out how they got there, what they do, how we can get there, what we can learn from them. How to live our best lives, find our own definition of success, and most importantly, find joy. Your Host is New York Times bestselling author Rupert Isaacson. Long time human rights activist, Rupert helped a group of Bushmen in the Kalahari fight for their ancestral lands. He's probably best known for his autism advocacy work following the publication of his bestselling book "The Horse Boy" and "The Long Ride Home" where he tells the story of finding healing for his autistic son. Subsequently he founded New Trails Learning Systems an approach for addressing neuro-psychiatric conditions through horses, movement and nature. The methods are now used around the world in therapeutic riding program, therapy offices and schools for special needs and neuro-typical children.  You can find details of all our programs and shows on www.RupertIsaacson.com2023 Helios Harmony, LLC Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • How to Handle More Than You Can Handle | Parenting, Grief, Joy & Special Needs with Amanda Atkins | Ep 44

    How to Handle More Than You Can Handle | Parenting, Grief, Joy & Special Needs with Amanda Atkins | Ep 44
    Jan 7 2026

    In this deeply honest and wide‑ranging episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson speaks with family therapist and author Amanda Atkins about what it truly means to parent a high‑needs child — and how parents survive, adapt, and rediscover joy along the way.

    Amanda shares the personal story behind her book How to Handle More Than You Can Handle, written from lived experience as the mother of Asher, a teenager with Prader‑Willi Syndrome. Together, Rupert and Amanda explore overwhelm, grief, resilience, humor, identity, marriage, community, and the long‑term realities of parenting children with disabilities.

    The conversation moves fluidly between personal reflection and practical insight — from navigating cortisol burnout and therapy overload, to the importance of nature, play, humor, and following the child’s passions. This episode also looks ahead to adulthood, community living, relationships, and what it means to build sustainable structures for life beyond childhood.

    ✨ “You’re allowed to be more than just a caretaker.” – Amanda Atkins
    ✨ “Joy isn’t optional. It’s how we survive.” – Rupert Isaacson

    ❤️ Support the Podcast on Patreon https://patreon.com/longridehome

    🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    • Why overwhelm and isolation are so common for parents of special‑needs children — and why talking honestly about it matters ([00:01:06])
    • How grief, identity loss, and resilience intersect in parenting high‑needs children ([00:05:13])
    • Amanda’s path from therapist‑in‑training to caregiver advocate — and why she focuses on parents, not prescriptions ([00:06:02])
    • What Prader‑Willi Syndrome looks like in daily life, including food obsession, routine, and nervous‑system regulation ([00:03:11], [00:20:36])
    • Why humor — especially toilet humor — can restore dignity, bonding, and regulation ([00:16:36])
    • The neuroscience of cortisol overload, burnout, and why “doing less” can sometimes heal more ([01:07:45]–[01:11:21])
    • How following a child’s passionate interests supports development, confidence, and joy ([01:13:29])
    • Why community and informal support networks matter more than formal services alone ([00:55:06], [01:22:22])
    • Navigating adolescence, friendships, dating, and independence for neurodivergent teens ([01:18:53]–[01:24:36])
    • How parents can reclaim joy, meaning, and a sense of self beyond caregiving ([00:51:01], [01:33:48])

    🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode:

    • Amanda describes the emotional impact of being handed a diagnosis at 26 — and the pressure to be a “special‑needs warrior” ([00:04:00])
    • A candid conversation about marriage, cortisol poisoning, and why most special‑needs couples burn out ([01:05:38]–[01:10:05])
    • Asher’s first homecoming date — and how community quietly held the moment ([01:22:22])
    • Rupert explains theory of mind through teasing — and why joking is a developmental milestone ([00:27:26])
    • Amanda reads a powerful passage from her book on identity, meaning, and self‑compassion ([01:33:48])

    📚 Books, Projects & Resources Mentioned:
    Amanda Griffith Atkins:
    https://www.amandagriffithatkins.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/amanda.griffith.atkins/

    How to Handle More Than You Can Handle – Amanda Atkins: https://amzn.to/3LjgWSH
    ning Systems

    Camp Hill Communities (historical model for residential care)

    Square Peg Foundation (California) https://squarepegfoundation.org

    🌍 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:

    Website: https://rupertisaacson.com

    📲 Follow Us:

    Long Ride Home
    Website: https://longridehome.com
    Facebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh
    YouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehome

    New Trails Learning Systems
    Website: https://ntls.co
    Facebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworld
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworld
    YouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems

    📊 Affiliate Disclosure:

    Links to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.
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    1 hr and 46 mins
  • The Journey That Forged The Horse Boy | Mongolia, Shamanism & Healing with Tulga Otgonbaatar | Ep 43

    The Journey That Forged The Horse Boy | Mongolia, Shamanism & Healing with Tulga Otgonbaatar | Ep 43
    Dec 25 2025
    In this deeply moving and long‑awaited reunion episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson is joined by Tulga Otgonbaatar — the Mongolian guide, cultural bridge, and quiet catalyst behind the original Horse Boy journey.Nearly twenty years after Rupert, his autistic son Rowan, and Tulga traveled together across Mongolia to meet shamans, reindeer herders, and the vast living intelligence of the steppe, the two sit down to reflect on what that journey set in motion — not only for Rowan and their families, but for Mongolia itself.This conversation weaves together memory, history, spirituality, ecology, and lived experience. Tulga shares how a “city boy” became devoted to bringing people back into relationship with nature; how Mongolian kindness, patience, and forgiveness are forged through climate, culture, and Buddhism; and how shamanism survived Soviet suppression to remain a living healing practice today.Together, Rupert and Tulga revisit moments never fully told before — ceremonies where electronics failed, spirits tested intentions, vodka multiplied mysteriously, and healing unfolded in its own time. They explore the difference between cure and healing, the role of nature in regulating the human nervous system, and how autism came to be understood and accepted in Mongolia following the Horse Boy book and film.The episode closes with a powerful look forward: a possible 20‑year anniversary return to Mongolia — fathers and sons reunited — guided once again by the land, the spirits, and the people who made it all possible.✨ “Healing isn’t about removing who someone is. It’s about relieving suffering so their gifts can emerge.” – Rupert Isaacson ✨ “Nature teaches patience. The land itself makes people kinder.” – Tulga Otgonbaatar❤️ Support the Podcast on Patreon https://patreon.com/longridehome🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Tulga’s path from English student to nomadic guide led him to found a life around nature and cultural preservation ([00:04:57])Why Mongolian culture carries deep kindness, patience, and forgiveness — and how climate and nomadic life shape the nervous system ([00:11:32])How Mongolia transformed from a warrior empire to a Buddhist, peace‑centered society in just a few generations ([00:15:54])How Mongolia’s ecosystem — people included — represents a living model of human‑nature balance ([00:33:00])The survival of shamanism through Soviet suppression — and why it remains effective today ([00:49:54])How autism became widely understood and accepted in Mongolia after the Horse Boy film aired nationally ([00:53:57])The difference between healing and cure in autism and trauma work ([01:04:03])Why patience, rhythm, and long journeys are essential parts of healing ([01:48:59])What Rowan’s life looks like today — independence, work, travel, and purpose ([01:52:00])Behind‑the‑scenes stories from the original Horse Boy journey never shared publicly before ([02:03:00])🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode:Tulga recalls the moment Rowan made his very first friend — his son Tomo — during a shamanic ceremony ([00:56:00])Tulga explains the spirits of mountains, rivers, and land — and what happens when humans forget respect ([01:12:00])A non‑verbal autistic child speaks his first words — “Mom, I love you” — after a Mongolian journey ([01:33:15])Rupert reflects on why people with autism often carry profound emotional intelligence and healing presence ([01:59:00])The ceremony where filming equipment mysteriously shut down — exactly as foretold ([02:03:31])A Mongolian shaman tests Tulga with a bottle of vodka that refuses to run out ([02:12:00])📚 Books, Projects & Traditions Mentioned:The Horse Boy – book & documentary: https://ntls.co/booksMongolian shamanism & reindeer‑herder healing traditionsMovement Method & Horse Boy Method: https://ntls.coNomadic Trails (Mongolia): https://nomadictrails.com/Takhin – the revered Mongolian wild horse🌍 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:Website: https://rupertisaacson.com📲 Follow Us:Long Ride Home Website: https://longridehome.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh Instagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh YouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning Systems Website: https://ntls.co Facebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworld Instagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworld YouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems📊 Affiliate Disclosure:Links to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.
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    2 hrs and 31 mins
  • Running Toward Purpose: Circus, Special Needs & Radical Possibility | Jason Barrett | Ep 42

    Running Toward Purpose: Circus, Special Needs & Radical Possibility | Jason Barrett | Ep 42
    Dec 11 2025
    ✨ "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 Smile at age 12—changing diapers, pushing wheelchairs, and learning forgiveness from the people he was supposed to be "helping"—to running Ali’s School of Equestrian Arts and the touring troupe Equestrian Chaos, Jason has spent his life saying yes to hard things. Along the way he walked through Southern Baptist culture, Jehovah’s Witness ministry, corporate retail, massage therapy school, and a Dolly Parton equestrian dinner show… before hitching his future to a pregnant trick rider, two horses, and $1300 in a Honda Element.In this episode, Jason and Rupert explore how mentorship, community, and rhythm (both equine and human) can change a life; why therapeutic riding often gets the economics and excitement wrong; and how a tiny backyard fundraiser became one of the most badass horse shows in the U.S.—all while centering neurodivergent and disabled riders.❤️ Support the Podcast on Patreon https://patreon.com/longridehome🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:What Jason learned about gratitude, privilege, and perspective from disabled adults in diapers and wheelchairs ([00:03:00])Jason’s journey through Southern Baptist culture and Jehovah’s Witness ministry—and why he ultimately walked away from organized religion ([00:04:00])How Camp Smile and a brave youth pastor pulled 12‑year‑old Jason into the world of special needs ([00:04:18])Why teen volunteers are a “sweet spot” for mentorship—and how the right community can change a kid’s entire trajectory ([00:06:33])How neurodivergent campers taught him forgiveness, intention, and how to really see the person behind the behavior ([00:08:46])How leaving the corporate retail world led him toward hands‑on work, massage therapy, and back into direct service ([00:32:04])The love story: meeting Sise at Dolly Parton’s equestrian dinner show, an unexpected pregnancy, and starting over in Alabama with two horses and $1300 ([00:36:15])How Ali’s School of Equestrian Arts began at Camp Smile—and what Jason and Sise had to learn the hard way about the economics of therapeutic riding ([00:40:00])Jason’s 3‑part formula for getting unstuck: find purpose, seek mentors, and stop rehearsing your problems on loop ([00:43:30])Why Equestrian Chaos was born as a backyard fundraiser—and how COVID nearly killed the program before the show saved everything ([00:53:22])Why boredom is dangerous for both horses and riders—and how performance goals keep everyone mentally alive ([00:59:35])How they safely integrate autistic and brain‑injured riders into high‑level circus acts (including standing on galloping horses) through tiny steps, rhythm, and obsession‑based motivation ([01:05:37])🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode:Rupert’s provocative question about the Southern Baptist Church and slavery—and Jason’s honest answer about separating individuals from institutions. ([00:04:00])Jason’s first day at Camp Smile: a 12‑year‑old kid, a 49‑year‑old nonverbal camper, a restless lunch line—and the realization that “most of us don’t really have problems.” ([00:05:37])The autistic boy who ended up standing in full Hippodrome position on a running horse after months of micro‑steps (and hot Cheetos). ([00:05:37])Learning forgiveness from the special needs community: “You get a second chance without a slap in the face—because the relationship matters more than the mistake.” ([00:08:46])Jason knocking on doors as a young Jehovah’s Witness, learning public speaking and resilience from the world’s hardest audience. ([00:27:27])Selling everything, loading two horses into a $900 trailer, and driving home with Sise and $1300 to start a new life in Mobile. ([00:36:15])Realizing they were losing money running camp programs with 15–20 horses and 100 riders a week for $3000—"our budgeting was make‑believe in the real world." ([00:40:00])Jason’s closing counsel on spirituality and purpose: find a purpose, talk to people who’ve found theirs, and stop replaying the same painful story in your head. ([00:43:30])COVID hits: programs shut down, savings run out, and Equestrian Chaos (the show) becomes the only way to keep the herd—and the mission—alive. ([00:53:22])A 70‑year‑old woman in tears at the rail: “You just put my 70‑year dream on display. I was the first woman to compete in ...
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    1 hr and 34 mins
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