Choosing Life: Farming, Disability & Healing Through Nature – Henrich Berkhoff | EP 39 cover art

Choosing Life: Farming, Disability & Healing Through Nature – Henrich Berkhoff | EP 39

Choosing Life: Farming, Disability & Healing Through Nature – Henrich Berkhoff | EP 39

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 In 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 with government leaders to make nature-based learning and therapy part of the public system.✨ “We can do more with our human power than we ever think.” – Henrich Berkhoff✨ “If you follow your feeling, you stay outside.” – Henrich Berkhoff🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Henrich’s son’s diagnosis reshaped his life and purpose ([00:08:00])The choice between termination and life—and what love decided ([00:10:00])How crisis builds community: “the tribe comes to you” ([00:24:00])Turning disability into advocacy for inclusive schools ([00:31:00])Why farming taught him political courage ([00:41:00])How ancient instincts meet modern overload ([00:48:00])Rewilding and the role of agriculture in healing ([01:00:00])How Green Care Farms connect nature, therapy, and education ([01:03:00])Why nature is medicine for the mind ([01:11:00])Gratitude to the special-needs children who teach us meaning ([01:37:00])🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode:[00:01:00] Henrich appears from the forest, explaining why he always feels at home in nature.[00:08:00] The moment he and his wife learn their unborn son has spina bifida.[00:10:55] Choosing life despite medical advice to terminate.[00:23:50] How community formed around their decision.[00:31:10] Creating the first inclusive local school for children with disabilities.[00:41:00] Why being a farmer trains you to be an advocate.[00:46:00] How hunting sharpened his sense of responsibility and balance with nature.[01:03:00] Founding the Green Care Farm and discovering science behind happiness in nature.[01:20:00] Reframing education: movement = learning.[01:37:20] “Disabled people give us the answers to our questions.”📚 Projects, Programs & People Mentioned:Henrich Berkhoff – Farmer, politician, and founder of the Child Protection Association (Münster region, Germany) https://greencarefarm.deGitti Berkhoff – Nurse, equine-therapist, and co-founder of the Green Care Farm - Podcast on Equine Assisted World with Rupert: https://equineassistedworld.com Julian Berkhoff – Their son, born with spina bifida and hydrocephalusMovement Method and Horse Boy Method – Developed by Rupert Isaacson & NTLSGreen Care Farm – Integrating therapy, inclusion, and sustainable farming https://greencarefarm.deDavid Doyle – Irish autism advocate and movement-in-nature pioneerCDU (Christian Democratic Union) – German political partyTechnical University of Munich (TUM) – Research on learning through movementConcepts: Rewilding | Inclusion | Nature as Medicine | Education Reform | Community Healing🌍 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:Website: https://rupertisaacson.com📲 Follow UsLong Ride Home:Website: https://longridehome.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrhInstagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrhYouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning Systems:Website: https://ntls.coFacebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworldInstagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworldYouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems📚 Books & Resources:Rupert Isaacson – The Horse Boy, The Long Ride Home, The Healing Land: https://longridehome.com/booksHenrich & Gitti Berkhoff – Green Care Farm GermanyNTLS Programs – Movement Method | Horse Boy Method | Takhin Equine Integration📊 Affiliate Disclosure:Links to books and programs may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us keep sharing these stories.
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