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

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🔍 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/books

Mongolian shamanism & reindeer‑herder healing traditions

Movement Method & Horse Boy Method: https://ntls.co

Nomadic Trails (Mongolia): https://nomadictrails.com/

Takhin – the revered Mongolian wild horse

🌍 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:

Website: https://rupertisaacson.com

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📊 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.