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.de
• Gitti 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 hydrocephalus
• Movement Method and Horse Boy Method – Developed by Rupert Isaacson & NTLS
• Green Care Farm – Integrating therapy, inclusion, and sustainable farming https://greencarefarm.de
• David Doyle – Irish autism advocate and movement-in-nature pioneer
• CDU (Christian Democratic Union) – German political party
• Technical University of Munich (TUM) – Research on learning through movement
• Concepts: Rewilding | Inclusion | Nature as Medicine | Education Reform | Community Healing

🌍 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:

Website: https://rupertisaacson.com

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📚 Books & Resources:

• Rupert Isaacson – The Horse Boy, The Long Ride Home, The Healing Land: https://longridehome.com/books
• Henrich & Gitti Berkhoff – Green Care Farm Germany
• NTLS Programs – Movement Method | Horse Boy Method | Takhin Equine Integration

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