Qiological Podcast

I rather enjoy the idea of our medicine being a sort of applied philosophy, that there is a way of looking at the world that has such coherence and connection that it not only helps us to make sense of this moment, but to bring healing as well. David Marks set off on the path of medicine through his interest in philosophy, which in turn has guided him through a life of practice, inquiry, filmmaking and writing. Listen in to the conversation on how receptivity and curiosity can take you a long way.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview. 

The Tang Ye Jing— where to start? Way back in the Shang Dynasty so the story goes. The Yang Ye Jing is a “lost” text on herbal medicine that has played hide and seek with practitioners over the centuries. How much of it is myth? How much archetypical patterning? And how much a ghost story we like to tell ourselves? All worthy questions. And while the topic of this episode touches on the Tang Ye Jing, our main concern is a medieval text from a Buddhist cave with its own colorful story— the Fu Xing Jue.In this discussion with translator and historian Sabine Wilms we trace the footprints of the Tang Ye Jing through history and discuss its connection to the Fu Xing Jue, another text equality fascinating and problematic. Listen into this conversation on the mythic roots of herbal medicine, stolen treasure and principles of medicine that are timeless regardless of their source.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview. 

True entrepreneurs and visionaries don’t go into something for the money. They go into it because of purpose and passion. The business piece is in service of the difference they are looking to create in the world.It’s not surprising that Peter Deadman would be focused on Yang Sheng, the  Nourishment of Life, he’s been at it his entire adult life  in various forms and pursuits. Listen in to this conversation on passion, business and how our interests don’t just help us to make a living, they assist us in creating a Life.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview. 

Forty years is a long time to practice medicine and gives plenty of opportunity to follow your interests while helping patients. Our medicine includes various kinds of hands on bodywork, and in this conversation we explore the use of micro current. While electricity is often applied to needles in our work, Malvin Finkelstein has found a way of using a micro current probe along with bodywork to bring rapid and profound changes to the underlying tissues.Listen in to this conversation on electricity, touch and how profound change can occur right under our fingers. Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview. 

Working with the conventional medical system takes a lot more than simply letting doctors know your practice exists. Like any relationship it takes time, effort and persistence, along with a sense of common values and language.In this conversation with Kym Garrett we explore the process of building a practice around the treatment of cancer that dovetails with conventional treatment. Listen in for this discussion of building trust and creating a practice that helps patients to navigate between Chinese medicine and modern oncology.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview. 

Here we are at the end of 2020, you'd think the alliterative rhyme of 2-0, 2-0 would imply a year of balance of and stability. It's been anything but, and yet, it's been a year that has asked us to grow in terms of flexibility and resilience and through adversity discover strengths of which did not we did not realize we were capable. This last episode of the year is a solo show taking a look back at the year, along with a glimpse into the future, along with some thoughts of shadow side of our practices and thoughts in response to questions from students. Listen in to Michael's thoughts over tea here in the winter of the year.

生意 sheng yi, are the characters in Chinese that mean business. They literally mean, “create meaning.” And when you think about it, any successful business does exactly that; it creates meaning and provides something of value. From your favorite indy coffeeshop, to the yoga studio where you love to stretch into your body, to the company that makes the winter coat you love to wear, there are people who are spending their life energy creating something in which you find value, meaning and joy. Why is it that so often we have such a dim view of business, when business is about creating something helps to make other people’s lives better?Listen in to this conversation with Dave Kaster as we take a look at how running a business is part art, part science, and requires a steady  and committed heart. Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview. 

Questions are a key aspect of helping us to understand how to help our patients. In school we learn the classic 10 questions. But asking useful questions in clinic goes far beyond the basic 10 and what’s more our lines of questioning are not about creating conversation, but able sifting through a patient’s experience so we can come up with a diagnosis so that we can then craft an effective treatment.In this conversation with Jason Robertson we touch on how Dr. Wang Ju-Yi would use questions like a great detective. How questions can act like the qi transformations of Open, Pivot and Close. And some questions gleaned from other practitioners  that Michael has brought into his practice.Listen in to this discussion of how skillful questioning is an essential part of the treatment process, as we need to first know what we are seeing, and who a patient is,  before we can skillfully intervene. Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview. 

The great thing about being a student is that you have permission to be curious. It’s your job to push the edges. To crank open your mind and leave a vast swath of empty space in your being so as to allow your studies and experience to shape you into something you’ve imagined, but have not yet attained. Students are expected to push the edges, and they have permission to discover.This conversation with first year acupuncture student Megan Bulloch started as an email that said… I need to reach out and talk about business and marketing as part of my studies. Can I ask you a few questions?You know how I love questions. Listen into this conversation about medicine, marketing and muse.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview. 

Barry Danielian is one of the most in demand trumpeters and arrangers in NYC, having recorded on over 400 CD’s. Barry’s music is used throughout the television and media industry.His touring and recording credits include diverse artists such as: Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Jay-Z, Tony Bennett, Sting, Tower of Power, Queen Latifah, Eddie Palmieri, Blood, Sweat & Tears, KRS One, Branford Marsalis, Paul Simon, Tito Puente, James Taylor, Billy Joel, McCoy Tyner, Illinois Jacquet, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, & The Roots. In 2016, Barry was accepted in the MSTOM program at PCOM-NY, maintaining a 3.70 GPA while continuing a busy music career. In 2020, he was one of 3 recipients of the NuHerbs Scholarship.Barry is also a lifelong Martial Artist, training and competing in Boxing, Muaythai and Grappling for decades. He is a certified instructor in Pekiti Tirsia Kali (Filipino Martial Arts) and Silat Kuntau Tekpi (Malaysian Martial Arts). Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.