Qiological Podcast
Michael Max
Acupuncture and East Asian medicine was not developed in a laboratory. It does not advance through double-blind controlled studies, nor does it respond well to petri dish experimentation. Our medicine did not come from the statistical regression of randomized cohorts, but from the observation and treatment of individuals in their particular environment. It grows out of an embodied sense of understanding how life moves, unfolds, develops and declines.
Medicine comes from continuous, thoughtful practice of what we do in clinic, and how we approach that work. The practice of medicine is more — much more — than simply treating illness. It is more than acquiring skills and techniques. And it is more than memorizing the experiences of others. It takes a certain kind of eye, an inquiring mind and relentlessly inquisitive heart.
Qiological is an opportunity to deepen our practice with conversations that go deep into acupuncture, herbal medicine, cultivation practices, and the practice of having a practice. It’s an opportunity to sit in the company of others with similar interests, but perhaps very different minds. Through these dialogues perhaps we can better understand our craft.
Medicine comes from continuous, thoughtful practice of what we do in clinic, and how we approach that work. The practice of medicine is more — much more — than simply treating illness. It is more than acquiring skills and techniques. And it is more than memorizing the experiences of others. It takes a certain kind of eye, an inquiring mind and relentlessly inquisitive heart.
Qiological is an opportunity to deepen our practice with conversations that go deep into acupuncture, herbal medicine, cultivation practices, and the practice of having a practice. It’s an opportunity to sit in the company of others with similar interests, but perhaps very different minds. Through these dialogues perhaps we can better understand our craft.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 1, 2020 • 1h 10min
176 Learning by Heart • Barry Danielian
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.
Nov 24, 2020 • 1h 11min
175 Cycles of Transformation- Tang Ye Jing and Women's Health • Genevieve Le Goff
Chinese medicine has a treasure house of methods and treatment for women’s health. From the work of Sun Si Miao to modern day practitioners women’s health has been a key concern in our medicine. In this conversation with Genevieve Le Goff we explore the transformations of qi through the five phases and six confirmations as we discuss Fu Xing Jue and the mythic lost text, Tang Ye Jing. Listen in to this discussion of women’s health and some ways of thinking about our medicine from a non-modern perspective.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Nov 17, 2020 • 1h 33min
174 What Acupuncturists Need to Know About CBD • Chloe Weber
Chloe Weber, a Chinese medicine practitioner, dives into the world of CBD and its integration into holistic health. She questions whether CBD is the miracle cure it's marketed as and explains its connections to the endocannabinoid system. Chloe clarifies the differences between CBD and hemp seed oil and discusses the importance of product quality and transparency in the industry. The conversation explores CBD's synergy with traditional herbal medicine, its effects on mental health, and the potential risks involved with its use.
Nov 10, 2020 • 1h 15min
173 Soul Pilgrimage, Death, and Loss • Tamsin Grainger
Our western world hides death. We are taught to avoid it. Avoid thinking about, do everything medically possible to prolong life, and focus on “more time” without regard to more of “what.” In this conversation with Tamsin Grainger we look into how death is inextricably entangled with life. How we care constantly dying to one moment as we emerge into a new one. Listen in to this conversation on living into the surprising unfolding of life and how the mindset of pilgrimage helps us to transition through the seasons of our lives.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Nov 6, 2020 • 1h 13min
Treating With Moxa • Felip Caudet
In this “part two” conversation with Felip Caudet we get into the nuts and bolts of how he uses moxa, and how to find and treat “moxa points.”Additionally there is an excerpt from his soon to be published book String Moxa Method. Go to the show notes page to read or download it.
Nov 3, 2020 • 1h 23min
172 Sunset of a Practice • Charlie Braverman
Our medicine teaches us that all things move through cycles of generation, flourishing, decline and disappearance. It’s the way qi moves through this world and so not a surprise that at some point there is an end to the practice that has sustained us and allowed us to help others along the way.In this conversation with Charlie Braverman we discuss the sunset of an acupuncture practice. The opportunities that arise while you still have time to learn something new. The importance of having a kind of support when beginning that goes beyond getting the diagnosis right, and how success sometimes means it is time to move onto something else. Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Oct 27, 2020 • 1h 10min
171 Inner Development of the Practitioner • Peter Mole
Good cookware requires seasoning. A hearty stew takes heat and time. Good wine needs a few years; whiskey, that requires a decade or more. And to develop as a practitioner of Chinese medicine, that ripening can take a lifetime.In this conversation with Peter Mole we explore the dynamics of doubt and certainty, along with the role of intuition and artistry in the development of an acupuncturist. Listen into this conversation on the inner journey of becoming a Chinese medicine doctor.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Oct 20, 2020 • 1h 10min
170 Researching Attitudes Toward TCM • Brenda Le
Research when done well is an inquiry that can shift the foundation of your cognitive model. And that’s exactly what it is for. In this conversation with Brenda Le we both explore how TCM is seen in our Western Chinese medicine world, and how doing this research opened her up to aspects of medicine and practice that she did not previously see. Listen in to this conversation on inquiry, exploration and discovery.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Oct 13, 2020 • 1h 12min
169 Path of Moxibustion • Felip Caudet
My initial introduction to moxibustion was the classic Chinese mugwort cigar. I hated it. But only because my lungs are the weak link in my chain of being. The smoke was intolerable. Japanese rice grain moxa, that was a whole other universe. It’s not that less is more, it’s that the focused and directed aspects of Japanese moxibustion invite a completely different experience of heat and sensation. In this conversation with Felip Caudet we follow his path of discovery with moxibustion. Listen in to this discussion on mugwort, calling and surrender to the path that beckons.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Oct 11, 2020 • 1h 23min
Encore Episode, Stress is Not Manageable • Heidi Lovie
Stress management is something we started to hear about in the 1980’s. But compare the “stress” of the 80’s with the 2000’s and we are talking very different worlds. Then 2020 arrives and we wish we had the stress and problems of just a year or two ago. In this conversation with Heidi Lovie we look at how to handle life when things change more in four months than they used to change in four years. Heidi’s take no prisoners approach to Covid, social unrest, failing economies, troublesome landlords and political monkeyshines will give you some hope for our off the rails world.
