39 GEN - a Yo San University podcast

Your 39GEN host Sean sits down with veteran clinician and teacher Dr. Jake Fratkin, who has spent 45 years in East Asian medicine. Jake traces his path from 1970s apprenticeships in Chicago with Dr. In-yeon Moon and herbal pharmacy work with fellow YSU colleague Dr. Lau, to translating and co-teaching with Dr. Guo Zhengong, and a life-changing year of hospital training in Beijing. He explains the split between classical Shang Han Lun approaches and the modern hospital style of Chinese herbal medicine, why Japanese meridian therapy shaped his acupuncture, and how specialization made him a go-to for respiratory cases and pediatrics. Jake shares how swine flu and later COVID pushed his research into antiviral herb categories and long haul patterns, which he describes as a mix of lingering pathogen and blood stasis. He argues that good history taking often beats pulse and tongue, and urges new practitioners to find what they love and what they do best, then go deep. He also offers practical Qigong, daily meridian circulation sets, and reflects on a single career regret, not holding an MD for institutional clout, while affirming that his heart is in Qi, channels, and herbs. Resources mentioned include his book Essential Chinese Formulas and his site drjakefratkin.com, plus his China photo archive.

Edward Sullivan, Dean of the InfiniChi Medical Qigong Institute and a long-time faculty member at Yo San University, shares his two-and-a-half-decade journey in Qigong. He delves into the concept of chi as the 'whisper of life' and its role in healing. Sullivan discusses the unique aspects of medical Qigong, emphasizing the importance of practitioner self-cultivation over techniques. He also offers practical advice, such as breathing exercises and affirmations, while envisioning a future where Qigong integrates into clinical settings.

In this episode of the Yo San University 39Gen Podcast, host Sean Trace sits down with Dr. Aram Akopyan, a medical doctor, licensed acupuncturist, and global advocate for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Dr. Akopyan shares his unique journey from computer science executive to Yo San graduate, TCM practitioner, and eventually MD, offering a rare perspective on how Eastern and Western medicine can integrate. Together, they explore how chi can be understood as ATP, how quantum physics parallels yin and yang, and how modern science is validating ancient TCM wisdom. They also dive into the future of acupuncture, including AI-powered diagnostic tools, hybrid education models, global collaborations, and the movement toward recognition of acupuncturists as primary care providers. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in integrative medicine, holistic healthcare, and the evolving role of acupuncture in modern practice.

In this episode of the Yo San University 39 Gen Podcast, Sean Trace sits down with Johan Hausen, co-founder of Purple Cloud Institute and founder of Purple Cloud Press. A TCM practitioner, martial artist, Taoist, and publisher, Johan shares his fascinating journey from training with the German national Taekwondo team to studying Shaolin Kung Fu and Daoist philosophy in China.The conversation explores the connection between martial arts and healing, the integration of Taoist principles in clinical practice, and Johan’s work translating and publishing classical Chinese medical texts for Western audiences. They dive into the value of presence in medicine, the challenge of emptying one’s “cup,” and the legacy Johan hopes to leave through both his clinical work and publishing endeavors.Whether you're a practitioner, student, or simply curious about the intersection of philosophy, healing, and tradition, this episode offers a thoughtful and inspiring look into the Taoist approach to medicine and life.

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of the Yo San University 39Gen Podcast, host Sean Trace sits down with Dr. Joe Sanfilippo, a renowned reproductive endocrinologist from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Together, they explore the evolution of fertility treatment, from home births in the 1970s to today's advanced IVF technologies and AI-driven lab work. Dr. Sanfilippo shares powerful stories from his decades of experience in the field, touching on the emotional weight of infertility, the critical importance of early intervention, and the rise of holistic, team-based approaches to reproductive care. The conversation highlights how acupuncture and Eastern medicine can play a meaningful role in reducing stress and improving outcomes in fertility treatment. Dr. Sanfilippo also offers valuable advice to acupuncturists on how to connect with fertility clinics and become part of a truly integrative care model. Along the way, he shares moving stories from his books The Expert Guide to Fertility and Everyday Medical Miracles, offering listeners both practical insights and a reminder of the hope that exists even in the most difficult moments. Whether you're a healthcare provider, a patient, or simply someone interested in the future of integrative medicine, this episode offers a powerful look at how connection, compassion, and collaboration are transforming lives.

In this profound episode of the 39Gen Podcast, we sit down with Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallée, visiting faculty at Yo San University and recipient of the 2019 Blount Distinguished Speaker Award at YSU. Elisabeth is a scholar and practitioner immersed in the classical Chinese medical and philosophical traditions for over 50 years. She shares her journey from Western academia into the heart of ancient Chinese thought, exploring how texts like the Huangdi Neijing and Dao De Jing inform a holistic understanding of life, health, and healing. We discuss the importance of balance, the integration of thought and action, and how true healing comes not only from diagnosis or treatment but from the inner transformation of both patient and practitioner. This is a conversation about medicine, yes—but also about what it means to be human.

In this thought-provoking episode of the 39Gen Podcast from Yo San University, Dr. Lisa Conboy, medical sociologist, epidemiologist, and instructor at both Harvard Medical School and Yo San University, joins host Sean Trace to explore the intersection of East Asian medicine, research, and complex systems thinking. With over 30 years of experience studying integrative health approaches, Dr. Conboy shares her deeply personal journey into Chinese medicine, sparked by a transformative encounter with a traditional practitioner in Palo Alto.Together, they examine how acupuncture and herbal medicine can play a powerful role in public health, the challenges of designing respectful and meaningful clinical research, and how complex systems thinking can help bridge biomedical and traditional healing models. Dr. Conboy offers actionable advice for students designing capstones, insights into the value of case reports and observational research, and her vision for the next generation of integrative medicine practitioners.Whether you're a student, clinician, or simply curious about the science behind holistic healing, this episode is a must-listen.

In this powerful episode of the 39Gen Podcast, Sean Trace sits down with Dr. Laura Erlich, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, fertility specialist, doula, and teacher at Yo San University. Dr. Erlich shares her moving journey from theater to bodywork to Chinese medicine, driven by personal loss and a deep calling to heal. They explore the emotional toll of infertility, the importance of nervous system regulation, and how acupuncture can support individuals through every phase of the reproductive journey. Dr. Erlich also discusses the need for collaboration between Eastern and Western medicine and offers invaluable advice for new practitioners entering the field.

In this episode of the 39Gen Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Beck Hoehn, a board-certified reproductive health acupuncturist, medical advisor for UVA, and a leading voice in fertility innovation. We explore her journey from underwater photographer to holistic healer, and how she blends Traditional Chinese Medicine with cutting-edge hormone tracking technology. Dr. Hoehn shares powerful insights on pattern differentiation using urine metabolites, how to structure personalized fertility care, the role of mentorship and documentation in TCM, and why acupuncturists must embrace both medicine and business. A must-listen for anyone navigating fertility, integrative healthcare, or building a meaningful acupuncture practice.

In this compelling episode of the 39Gen Podcast, Sean Trace interviews Allen Tsaur, acupuncturist, translator, and lecturer in the YSU doctoral program, for an in-depth exploration of classical Chinese medicine. Allen shares his journey from engineering to acupuncture, how the ancient texts like the Nei Jing and Shang Han Lun shaped his clinical approach, and why real healing often means letting go of rigid ideology. They explore the art of translation, the beauty and limits of classical formulas, and what it really takes to help patients get better. From humbling clinical lessons to scholarly insights, this conversation bridges tradition and modern practice in a way that’s both grounded and inspiring.