Qiological Podcast

Chinese medicine is a rich tapestry of knowledge and techniques, ancient wisdom honed and passed down through the ages. But the ‘superpower’ of our medicine lies in its ability to explore the unknown. To navigate uncertainty and delve into both the unknown depths of the human body and the ever changing environment.Just as stars guide sailors on their voyage, the ancient wisdom of our medicine helps us to chart the unknown and steer our patients toward wellness and balance.  Nowhere is this more evident than in the past few years of the Covid crisis.In this conversation with Sally Rappeport, we mull over the clinical experience of living through the pandemic, including the stigma and psychological effects of a fear mindset and addressing lingering symptoms like coughs. We also talk about some of the different herbal formulas and strategies practitioners developed in response to the Covid crisis.Listen into this discussion on the lesson we’ve learned (and continue to learn) from our co-evolution with SARS-C0V-2. 

Amidst the chaos of contagion and windstorm of viral woes, Chinese medicine offers ancient remedies, and beyond that, perspectives to guide us through the turmoil.While our bodies may be ever-changing, our medicine offers both a rooted stability and capacity to follow change in the moment. There’s more than one helpful way to track the winds of disharmony, to follow the tides of illness and health, and invite balance into an unsettled system. In this conversation with Daniel Altschuler, we delve into the Covid19 pandemic's tumultuous past and the challenges of the present. We discuss its parallels to the 2003 SARS epidemic, the long-term issues with some viruses, questions surrounding the vaccine, and the multifaceted approaches of East Asian medicine in treating these wind viruses.Listen into this discussion on the personal and clinical experience of restoring balance in the face of Covid.

Like the patina and wear on something touched often, or the way shoes and fabric carries the memory of the wearer. Our life and spirit shows its presence on our face. To read the face is to delve into the intricacies of the being  woven into the lines, curves, and expressions of the human face.The face reflects the depth of our being. It’s an invitation into a world of untold stories, capacities and potential.  Sparse eyebrows speak of emotional strain, the fullness of your lips reveals the ability to express emotions, and the ear lobes indicate prosperity. Perhaps the tales told by face could help foster greater understanding and healing for those seeking vitality and wellbeing.In this conversation with Juli Kramer, we delve into the art of face reading and how it can serve as a valuable tool in our work. We explore the parallels between psychology and face reading—with Juli sharing some practical tips on how to decipher the narratives etched within the lines and curves of the face. We also look at the state of mental health among young people today, and why a rethinking of our attitude and healing approaches may be necessary.Listen into this discussion on using the lens of face reading to guide and enhance clinical conversations.

As the winds of change sweep through the healthcare landscape, the acupuncture profession stands at a crossroads, and as is the nature of a crossroads-- there is uncertainty. But as with any crisis, there is both danger and opportunity. It is an opportunity to consider where we have been as a profession and what kind of future we’d like to see for ourselves and our profession. Perhaps it’s time to retool our approach to how our medicine fits into the landscape of modern American.  Maybe it’s time to pause and examine how we have approached our education and business practices. This may be how we ensure a place for acupuncture in the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare.In this conversation with Lisa Rohleder, we chew over the state of our profession, including an out-of-the-box approach to integrative medicine, the issue of student debt, changing our perspectives to thrive as small businesses, and how we fit into today’s economic and medical landscape. We also weigh up on the potential withering of our organizational infrastructure and possible ways forward.Listen into this discussion on why we may need to reimagine our education model and business approach to our practice. 

Crafting the meaning in life, choosing our purpose and then having the courage and wherewithal to unfold that is not an easy task. Are we puppets in the hands of fate, or do we have the capacity to influence the rudder and chart our life path? Human beings have long grappled with questions surrounding our fate and destiny. And according to traditional Chinese medicine, the answer may lie in the extraordinary channels. Accessing the Chong meridian may be key to tapping a stable foundation that allows for accessing our truest nature. In this conversation with Ann Cecil Sterman, we unravel the notion that all intention is heart-centered unless interfered with by the mind. The topic takes us down a fascinating path where we mull over the idea of accessing the Chong meridian and uncovering the blueprint of our life. We also explore what it means to be a proficient practitioner, the issue of the mind defending against destiny, and why acupuncture is all about the channels.Listen into this discussion on mind, intention, fate, and navigating the blueprint of one’s destiny.

Damo Mitchell continues the discussion on simplicity, attention, and natural flow. Topics include the significance of practitioners' indifference to outcomes, managing sleep and stress during the holiday season, attention and simplicity in Chinese medicine, the benefits of classical acupuncture and cultivation, and the importance of the mind-body connection in boosting chi.

Damo Mitchell, an expert in Chinese medicine and cultivation of attention, discusses the use of attention versus intention in clinical work. They explore the linear nature of Chinese medicine, developing discernment in meditation practice, the importance of structured thought in medicine, and cultivating chi for healing. The conversation also touches on acupuncture, maintaining equanimity, and the significance of focusing on causes rather than outcomes in the medical profession.

Mingmen (命門) is a lifeblood point in the flow of fire and qi in the body, yet remains shrouded in an enigma. For those who seek to understand their fate, the point—which translates to “Gate of Destiny” or “Gate of Life”—can be perceived as a gateway leading to a realm beyond our understanding, offering a glimpse into the unknown. Like the beating of our hearts, the strength and vitality of the Mingmen can determine the course of our lives. Its fiery heat, fueled by the blood of life that courses through us, illuminating the path to our destiny. In this conversation with Thomas Sorensen, we seek to understand and unlock the mysteries of the Mingmen—including its significance in our clinical work and how to attend to it. Thomas talks about the need to get heat in the right place and how the heart, the kidney, the Mingmen, and the San Jiao (triple burner) tie into all this. We also fiddle with the idea of destiny, the physiological and psychological aspects of our clinical work, and the role of the small intestines.Listen into this discussion on the relationship between the pericardium, the San Jiao, and the Mingmen.

As the earth awakens from its winter slumber, the gentle spring wind brings with it the promise of new beginnings. A new fate, a new story waiting to unfold like a delicate silk scroll, unfurling its beauty and mysteries with the turn of the Zodiac wheel.As cherry blossoms bloom and fireworks light up the night sky, the rabbit burrows into the subterranean, only to reemerge and hop its way into the spotlight, soothing the rough shores of the past and guiding us into the unknown in a voyage of discovery. The soft thump of its heartbeat is like a soothing lullaby, reminding us to approach the new year with a kind and open heart. Its long ears, keenly attuned to the slightest sound, remind us to be open to opportunities and to listen to our intuition. As we welcome the new year, may the stars align. May we all find the courage to navigate through life's challenges with elegance and balance, while cherishing the precious connections we share with others.In this conversation with Gregory Done, we delve into the mysterious realm of the water rabbit and explore how its gentle yet powerful energy can guide us through the ebbs and flows of life, helping us to make the most of opportunities and weather any storms that may come our way. We talk about the transformative power of the water rabbit as the bringer of diplomacy, close-knit relationships, and sneaky guile. Gregory also unravels what lies ahead for the 12 animals of the Chinese cosmological Zodiac.Listen into this discussion on the symbols, energies, and cosmological influences that we may encounter this coming water rabbit year.

As practitioners of East Asian medicine, we are informed deeply by the ancient medicine, experience and wisdom passed down through generations. The holism woven into the East Asian medicine traditions is especially important in a modern world that often separates the body from the mind and spirit from the material. But like a tree rooted in ancient soil with the branches and leaves adapting to the environment as they reach towards the heavens, we need to incorporate influences of the modern world into our medicine while still maintaining a connection to fundamental principles. Seeing how the old can arise in the new offers a bridge, a way to find how the medicine arises in our lives at this time.In this conversation with Mark Petruzzi and Jeffrey Dann, we explore how the art of Japanese acupuncture blends with the modern medical understanding of the body. We investigate the co-mingling of old and new to better understand the integrative power of this holistic treatment. We share our ideas regarding the need to preserve the flame of tradition while adapting to the needs of the present.Listen into this discussion on what it means to be part of a tradition and how we can bring our medicine alive in this modern moment.