Coming Out of Hiding | Illness, Identity, Magic & the Courage to Be Seen with John Kippen | Ep 45
✨ “Being different is not your weakness — it’s your superpower.” – John Kippen
✨ “Story is the original healing technology.” – Rupert Isaacson
✨ “Story is the original healing technology.” – Rupert Isaacson
In this deeply moving and wide‑ranging episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson speaks with resilience coach, magician, and motivational speaker John Kippen about identity, illness, visibility, and what it truly takes to come out of hiding.
John shares his extraordinary personal story — from being diagnosed with a life‑threatening brain tumor in his early thirties, to waking from surgery with permanent facial paralysis that led him to withdraw from public life for more than a decade. What followed was not just physical recovery, but a long inner journey through shame, self‑judgment, and loss of identity.
Through magic, storytelling, and radical honesty, John ultimately found his way back into the world — discovering that the very thing he tried to hide could become his greatest point of connection. Today, he uses those lessons to help others step out of fear, reclaim their dreams, and see their differences as sources of strength.
This conversation explores illness, facial difference, vulnerability, creativity, neuroscience, coaching, dreaming, and the quiet power of presence. It is an episode about being seen — and about learning to see yourself with compassion.
❤️ Support the Podcast on Patreon https://patreon.com/longridehome
🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How a sudden medical crisis can fracture identity — and why facial difference uniquely impacts how we see ourselves and how others respond ([00:03:22]–[00:07:46])
- What it means to “go into hiding” emotionally and socially — and how shame keeps people invisible for years ([00:07:14]–[00:08:10])
- How magic became a tool for healing, presence, and connection rather than performance ([00:10:00]–[00:14:00])
- Why naming the story behind visible difference allows others to relax, connect, and truly see you ([00:12:22]–[00:13:40])
- How creativity and wonder help bypass fear and open new neurological pathways ([00:50:32]–[01:00:14])
- John’s “Tripod Method” for getting unstuck when fear and overwhelm take over ([00:40:32]–[00:43:19])
- Why many adults are living someone else’s dream — and how to reconnect with your own ([00:51:42]–[00:54:08])
- How coaching can help uncover limiting beliefs rooted in childhood experiences ([01:03:23]–[01:08:03])
- The role of joy, service, nature, and presence in sustaining a meaningful life ([01:16:32]–[01:19:34])
🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode:
- John describes waking from brain surgery and realizing how deeply facial paralysis affected his sense of worth ([00:06:15]–[00:07:14])
- A powerful story from the Magic Castle where a single evening of magic helped a woman stop hiding after a mastectomy ([00:16:00]–[00:25:00])
- Rupert reflects on facial identity, vulnerability, and storytelling as a form of healing ([00:19:00]–[00:23:00])
- John explains how COVID mask mandates challenged — but did not undo — his healing around visibility ([00:29:50]–[00:31:26])
- A moving discussion on dreams, creativity, and why it’s never too late to begin again ([00:51:00]–[01:25:00])
📚 Books, Projects & Resources Mentioned:
- Playing the Hand You Were Dealt – John Kippen https://amzn.to/3YM8K0E
- John Kippen: https://johnkippen.com
- The Horse Boy, The Long Ride Home & The Healing Land – Rupert Isaacson
- Movement Method – New Trails Learning Systems
🌍 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
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.
