Steppe and Soul (2)
Starts and ends at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - 12 days
Embark on a transformative journey to Mongolia, where rich traditions of storytelling and spirituality illuminate our shared human experience and connection to the natural world. Immerse yourself in the wellspring of indigenous wisdom and discover the interconnectedness of self, nature and humanity. This will be part retreat, part expedition, with a focus on cultural exchange and embodied practice. We’ll spend time in the capital—where traditional spirituality and storytelling intersects with contemporary life, and in the countryside—both on retreat and with a remote reindeer herding community of the Siberian Taiga. With intention and reverence, we’ll explore Mongolia’s landscapes along with our own inner geographies.
The team
Brandt Miller
Trip leader
Brandt Miller’s relationship with Mongolia started in 2006 during his junior year abroad, igniting a connection that has shaped his life. In 2008, Brandt returned on a Fulbright Fellowship documenting the nascent LGBTQIA+ community. He returned in 2011, working on a National Geographic documentary series about wolves. In 2019, Brandt directed his own short documentary in Ulaanbaatar, which premiered in 2022. During his more recent visits, he has explored Mongolian spirituality, which like traditional storytelling, is inextricably intertwined with the natural world.
Brandt brings a wealth of experience in the realms of storytelling and transformation—ranging from journalism in Cambodia, to storytelling in tech and nonprofit, to producing for National Geographic, Discovery and Smithsonian. With an MFA in Creative Writing, graduate studies in theology, and training in various healing modalities—he blends a narrative sensibility with his work as a somatic coach and facilitator.
Brandt is thrilled to weave together his passions for Mongolia, storytelling and transformation into this unique experience with Earthtones.
Justin Randolph
Trip leader
Justin is the founder and CEO of Earthtones, a regenerative collective of tour operators and destinations that facilitates meaningful, nature experiences in hopes of inspiring stewardship and sparking reverence for the natural world.
Justin brings over a decade of experience planning trips and leading complex tours to remote, off-the-beaten-path destinations, with experience guiding groups on four continents and visits to 70+ countries.
His passion for travel is rooted in a desire to better understand different ways of being and learn from communities who live in harmony with their natural environments.