A Healthy Curiosity
Exploring strategies for holistic health, happiness, and personal evolution: what it takes to be well in a busy world. Blending the wisdom of Chinese Medicine, functional medicine, Ayurveda, neuroscience and psychology, you'll get practical tips you can use right away. You know that health and happiness aren’t things you can outsource. You’ve also got a full plate, you're a giver, and making the time to take care of yourself can be challenging. A Healthy Curiosity is here to support you. Host Brodie Welch, L.Ac., is an expert in Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, a holistic health coach, as well as a teacher and practitioner of qi gong, meditation, yoga, lifestyle and diet counseling who tries to walk her talk about health and mindfulness as a recovering Type-A, parent, and business owner. You'll find interviews with fellow experts in Chinese Medicine and natural health care about the conditions we treat and strategies we use clinically; simple self-care tips to help you feel calm, centered, and energized; and personal chats where we explore what gets in the way of our best intentions: perfectionism, big goals, habits and routines, chronic pain, overwork and overwhelm, boundaries, limiting beliefs — and what it takes to overcome such obstacles mindfully. While not strictly an acupuncture / Chinese Medicine podcast, it's not "not" an acupuncture podcast.
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Lessons From 20 Years in Practice
10/25/2023
Lessons From 20 Years in Practice
In September 2023, my Chinese Medical practice turned 20 years old. This episode started off as a retrospective on lessons learned in these two decades as a self-employed Licensed Acupuncturist, herbalist, and coach. While it starts with the role of a clinician and the nature of healing, it explores issues that parents, givers, and people who care about what they do may well relate to, like: If you'll never know it all, when is enough enough? How healing happens -- and who is responsible The work that happens before showing up for work Detaching the ego from outcomes, even when you care How you can be a healer even without a medical practice Thank you for downloading and listening to the show, and being part of my journey of helping people live healthier, happier, more authentic lives. Want to celebrate with me? , share something you’ve learned here with someone else, and of course, be good to yourself so you can inpsire others to do the same.
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The Hormone Balance Pyramid
02/22/2023
The Hormone Balance Pyramid
Moving from overwhelm to a more healthy life is often about small steps. One such step can be embracing the philosophy of seeing how so many things can be connected. Approaching symptoms we're experiencing through the lens of the mind-body connection can help us do things like calm down our nervous system and reduce stress while still doing everything we need to do in our lives. Ali Damron, a colleague in the Chinese Medicine field, joins this conversation to dig into this philosophy of connectedness, particularly with regard to hormone balancing. When we attune to the part our hormones play in our health, it's another great tool in treating both the roots and branches of issues we may be dealing with. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: What kinds of problems Ali helps people with through hormone balancing How she begins unraveling symptoms and stress with clients Ali’s own journey with burnout and how that informs her work today The structure of the hormone balance pyramid -- and what to focus on first Ali is a wife, mom to 2 little boys, an acupuncturist and hormone expert. Over the last twelve years, she’s helped hundreds of women overcome hormonal balancing, weight loss, pregnancy, and postpartum, and menopausal symptoms. Links: Connect With Ali Damron: --
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Care and Feeding of Your Microbiome
01/25/2023
Care and Feeding of Your Microbiome
Taking steps in the direction of better health is a multi-faceted process. Not only do we have to take care of ourselves, but we also have to take care of the trillions of microbes that call our bodies home. Rooted in the Earth element of Chinese Medicine, the ecosystem of our bodies is integral to our health in a variety of different ways from our ability to produce energy to feeling grounded and centered. Dr. Chris Damman joins us in this conversation to geek out on where the science of the microbiome verifies aspects of Chinese Medicine. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: What the microbiome is and why it’s so important How things like temperature and timing of food can affect our health The four Fs of food and which areas are often missed Why resistant starch is an important facet of our nutritional intake Dr. Damman earned his BA/MA from Wesleyan University, MD from Columbia University, and is a board-certified, actively practicing gastroenterologist. With a background at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where he led the gut health, microbiome and functional food initiative, Dr. Damman focused on the role of diet and microbiome-targeted therapies. Dr.Damman specialized in treating gastrointestinal, metabolic, and neurologic disease throughout his five-year tenure at the foundation. Links: Connect with Dr. Damman --
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Questions from the Treatment Room, Answered
10/05/2022
Questions from the Treatment Room, Answered
This season of the podcast has focused a lot on demystifying different aspects of Chinese Medicine. From acupressure to qi gong, we've spoken with experts to dig into the details of how these practices can help us move toward better health. In this conversation, we're exploring some of the most common questions from patients in the clinic in an asynchronous q+a session. These questions cover a broad range from the concrete, tactical side to the more theoretical side to help gain a deeper understanding for how the practice of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine works. On Today’s Solo Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: The difference between acupuncture needles and hypodermic needles How long it takes to get results from acupuncture What Chinese herbs have to do with acupuncture The process and benefits of using patterns in diagnosis Links: --
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Self-healing with Acupressure: There’s an App for That
09/07/2022
Self-healing with Acupressure: There’s an App for That
A consistent theme in this show is empowering you to embody self-respect through daily actions; to take small steps in the direction of better. The body is always seeking balance and homeostasis through its own intelligence and there are usually actions we can take to help support that process. One such way is using points on the body to take care of yourself through acupressure. Katie Pedrick, L.Ac. joins us for this conversation to unpack some of the self-care possibilities that come from putting your own hands on your body. As another proponent of empowering you to support your body's natural intelligence, Katie co-founded the Moxa Acupressure app as a way to further put the process into your hands. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: Katie's journey to Chinese Medicine after starting out studying western medicine What led her to creating the Moxa app to expand access for patients How acupressure can be applied for a noticeable effect on our health The method for providing personalization in the app and why that’s important An example of how to access a point with acupressure Katie Pedrick is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist with a thriving practice in Boston (VIBE Wellness), as well as the cofounder of the Moxa Acupressure app. She began her career in cancer and pharmaceutical research with a masters in biotechnology from Harvard University, then turned her attention to Eastern medicine, earning her doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental medicine from the Pacific College of Health Sciences. She is passionate about combining modern western science with ancient eastern wisdom, and is on a mission to empower others to reach their most vibrant health through accessible wellness. Links: Connect With Katie Pedrick: --
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Immunity, Digestion, Focus and Relaxation Practices
08/10/2022
Immunity, Digestion, Focus and Relaxation Practices
Whether dealing with a COVID infection or just moving through life, a lot of us may be hitting energetic walls these days. In times like this, employing methods rooted in Chinese Medicine, like qi gong, can be very powerful in taking care of ourselves. Dr. Juli Kramer has practiced and studied qi gong intensely for years and she joins us in this conversation to discuss building strength through the gentle movements of qi gong. In addition to the value of using both yin and yang practices in our wellness efforts, she shares how clearing stagnation in different parts of the body helps to avoid injury and disease. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: How qi gong fits into the Chinese Medicine framework in the era of COVID-19 Dr. Juli’s journey from being an endurance athlete to practicing and promoting qi gong Why the gentleness of qi gong can be transformative compared to the yang addiction of western sensibilities How qi gong can help to strengthen our internal organs as well as other parts of our bodies Walking through practices to help with winding down for sleep Dr. Juli Kramer is a certified qi gong, meditation, and TCM beauty secrets instructor. She holds a diploma in Chinese Medicine Nutritional Therapy and multiple certificates in Chinese medicine. Juli also has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Counseling Psychology. Links: Connect with Dr. Juli Kramer: -- Use code "friendofthepod" for 20% off of the
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Why Acupuncture is the Best for Musculoskeletal Pain
04/20/2022
Why Acupuncture is the Best for Musculoskeletal Pain
What do you do when your back hurts, or when your neck and shoulders get tight and sore? Acupuncture is a potent medicine for joint pain, muscle pain, and nerve pain that provides an immediate relaxing, anti-inflammatory effect in a way that other healing modalities can’t. A growing body of research shows that acupuncture is a potent medicine for joint pain, muscle pain, , , as well as chronic conditions like . But people often try it only after drugs, physical therapy, chiropractic, massage and aren’t yielding optimal results. In this episode, Licensed Acupuncturist and host Brodie Welch and Dr. Anthony Lombardi unpack why acupuncture should be your go-to treatment modality available for muscle and/or joint pain due to its ability to neuromodulate, returning the neuromuscular system to homeostasis: improving range of motion, strength, while reducing inflammation. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: How Dr. Lombardi’s journey to acupuncture began in chiropractic school What advantages he sees in acupuncture compared to chiropractic therapies What motor points are and how they overlap with acupuncture points Why a series of treatments is typically necessary for lasting change Dr. Anthony Lombardi is a 2002 graduate of the New York Chiropractic College and McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program in Hamilton, Ontario, and has been practicing acupuncture for 19 years. Upon graduation, he founded Hamilton Back Clinic and since then has become a private consultant to athletes in the NFL, CFL, and NHL. Over the past 19 years Anthony has given over 100,000 acupuncture treatments. In addition to practicing, Dr. Lombardi was also an instructor in the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program at McMaster University from 2004 to 2013. He developed his EXSTORE® system, which he currently teaches along with motor points and electro-acupuncture, to physicians and practitioners the world over. He regularly writes and contributes articles on motor points in the Canadian Chiropractic and Chiropractic Economics magazines. Dr. Lombardi’s library continues to grow, with some 60 webinars available on a variety of MSK and pain conditions, as well as patient practice management topics. He holds live courses throughout the U.S. and Canada, and has a mentorship/education community on dranthonylombardi.locals.com. Links: Connect With Dr. Anthony Lombardi: -- For more of the science on how acupuncture works, check out .
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Move Your Stuck Qi with Breathwork
02/25/2022
Move Your Stuck Qi with Breathwork
Chances are, if you're checking out this episode, you're looking for tools and techniques to help tune into yourself and be a better self-healer. You're probably also aware that the things we do every day can make a massive difference in how we feel as opposed to only finding healing in a bottle. In this conversation, Amy Kuretsky, L.Ac. joins us to examine the deceptively simple, yet powerful technique of breathwork. As a broad term, breathwork is about simply bringing some intention to how you are using or manipulating your breath to reach specific outcomes such as regulating energy, clearing trauma, and reprograming old beliefs. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: What some of the differences are between types of breathwork Who often benefits the most from the type of breathwork Amy practices The benefits she found for herself through her practice How breathwork can help to unpack trauma A short example of the breathwork Amy works with Amy Kuretsky (she/her) is a breathwork facilitator and business coach working on Dakota and Anishinaabe ancestral land. Her work is focused on helping successful businesses tap into their intuition and do business differently so that they can fall back in love with their work. She uses the breath as a tool for healing and business building and has led online and in-person breathwork groups all over the world. This past year, she organized with a group of other breathwork facilitators for more anti-oppression and trauma informed training as part of the Breathwork for the People collective. Along with her coaching business, she also has a background in acupuncture and Chinese medicine and co-owns Constellation Acupuncture and Healing Arts, a healing space in NE Minneapolis. Links: Connect With Amy Kuretsky: --
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Deep Listening, Gifts of Winter, Overcoming low motivation
02/02/2022
Deep Listening, Gifts of Winter, Overcoming low motivation
Winter is cold, dark, slow time of year, and since we’re a part of nature, it’s easy for us to feel the same way: sluggish and more inclined to hibernate than to get things done. This most yin of seasons is necessary to balance the yang of life, and we ignore its gifts at our peril. In this episode, we examine how we can embrace the yin nature of winter, along with: The connection between slowness, empathy, and connection What winter is about according to Chinese Medicine How qi gong can make you a better listener Why doing less is seasonally appropriate How to overcome winter’s inertia to keep moving forward Links: Register for Brodie’s 1-hr Intro to Qi Gong: Embodied Meditation for Your Nervous System (Feb. 9, 2022) Brodie’s
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The Shiny & Dark Sides of Habit Change: A Personal Story
11/30/2021
The Shiny & Dark Sides of Habit Change: A Personal Story
What would you really like to make time for on a regular basis, that somehow keeps getting pushed to the back burner? Whether it's writing a book, starting a meditation practice, or dropping a few pounds, developing a consistent routine is often the key to realizing your goal. And developing a new routine -- or stopping an old behavior -- is hard. And it's about more than just willpower. It takes time, energy, strategy, planning, and support. It takes examining the emotional triggers, and being able to see what hidden subconscious forces might be holding us back. In this episode, Brodie shares not only share a personal win, but also some of the healing that it took to make it happen. You'll hear which tried-and-true techniques helped her succeed, and an old story she was forced to examine and break up with. May it inspire you to Do the Thing! On Today’s Solo Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: What helped with keeping a daily exercise commitment for over 13 months Why it’s important to get well acquainted with the forces of resistance How defining what enough is can help us stay balanced Links: --
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Regaining Self-Trust: Advice from a Former Cult Member
10/20/2021
Regaining Self-Trust: Advice from a Former Cult Member
From time to time, every one of us makes mistakes and bad decisions. Once we recognize what happened, it can often be hard to regain our self-trust. Kelly Thiel joins us for this conversation to share her own experience of losing self-trust and how she's been able to work on rebuilding it. Her story inspires us to let go of resentment and anger to move forward; to move on from perfectionism and mistakes to find trust in ourselves once again. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: How discernment relates to self-trust in Chinese Medicine What some of the conditions were that led Kelly to the NXIVM cult The difference in the feelings of evolution versus things that are actually dangerous to us Why the answers we seek always come from inside ourselves How she defines enlightenment for herself now Kelly Thiel is an accomplished voice actress, author, speaker, consultant, and spiritual seeker. She practices yoga, does Pilates, and and has worked with spiritual healers around the world on her personal journey towards enlightenment. She is also a former member of an abhorrently abusive cult called “NXIVM”, which has been the subject of multiple documentaries on HBO, STARZ, and A+E Kelly has survived and reckoned with her trauma such that she now helps others conquer theirs. Kelly is set to release her much anticipated second book in 2021. This candid telling is an inspiring call to action, that champions readers to be their own guru, take ownership, action, and take back control, on their way to becoming “Unapologetically Glorious”. Links: Connect with Kelly Thiel: --
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TCM Nutrition tips for a Healthy Digestive Microbiome
10/06/2021
TCM Nutrition tips for a Healthy Digestive Microbiome
Our digestive microbiome supports every other system in our bodies. Since we can't use what we can't digest and what we can't digest can cause problems, we can see cascading effects through our bodies if something's not right. Here to unpack how the digestive system works and its central role in the body is Dr. Darlene Easton. She brings us some practical insights to help us understand our digestive functions and shift our understanding of our place in the world as living ecosystems. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: Why Dr. Easton thinks everyone should be obsessed with digestion What she would like people to do differently to improve their microbiome and digestive health How we can use Chinese Medicine to address common issues like acid reflux, instead of over-the-counter medications Why bile is so important to our bodies Dr. Easton earned her MSAOM (1998), MSACN (2011) and DACM (2020). She is an NCCAOM diplomate and board certified CNS. Dr. Easton has earned 2 post-graduate certifications from Guangzhou TCM Hospital and 9 certificates from Zhejiang University Hospital. With 20 years in higher education, she’s taught all aspects of TCM including dietary therapy and nutrition. She was an associate professor at NY College of Health Professions (1999-2003) and NYCC’s Finger Lakes School of AOM (2003-2019). Dr. Easton is now in private practice offering health and nutritional consulting while she continues to teach online to professionals around the world. Links: Connect with Dr. Darlene Easton: --
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Freeing Your Vagus Nerve: Self-Care Tutorial
08/18/2021
Freeing Your Vagus Nerve: Self-Care Tutorial
Given the stress and restriction of the last year, a lot of us might be carrying around some neck pain or unproductive posture. In the spirit of allowing ourselves to do less than we're humanly capable of, this conversation will address how we can work to reverse these issues with very gentle movements. Movements that invite us to be curious about the sensations we feel rather than trying to force our bodies to move in a certain way. To help guide us, Kieran Schumaker joins us for this episode to share their unique approach to bodywork. If you're into optimizing the functioning of your autonomic nervous system or the blood flow to your brain, you won't want to miss what Kieran brings to this conversation. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: How Kier started connecting different sets of knowledge they were studying through structural integration What neurovascular release is and how it’s different from structural integration Some background on where the vagus nerve is and what it does in the body A tutorial on a couple self-care strategies for working with the vagus nerve Kieran Schumaker has been helping people with discomfort and pain discover greater agility and ease of movement while cultivating curiosity and an appreciation for our amazing bodies, for 23 years. A Board Certified Structural Integrator since 2005, Kier has been developing their unique approach to working more specifically with nerves and arteries over the last eleven years. In addition to working with clients, Kier had been mentoring and teaching other practitioners until the COVID crisis shut down their practice and put an end to in-person classes. In response, Kier started adapting their Neurovascular Release techniques so that they could work with clients over Zoom, and soon after began teaching other practitioners how to lead their clients through self-treatment sessions. Links: Connect With Kieran Schumaker: --
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From Surviving to Thriving - A Chinese Medicine Take
07/28/2021
From Surviving to Thriving - A Chinese Medicine Take
It's been a tough year. As we slowly begin to emerge from, hopefully, the worst of the pandemic, we're also entering the full on yang-mode of summer. In the spirit of self-compassion on the heels of such a trying time, what would it look like to give yourself the gift of doing less? How can we lean into play and joy instead of the temptation of sending all of our energy and attention outwards this season? These questions are tough to untangle as we try to move from a mode of surviving to one of thriving. Dr. Yvonne Farrell, DAOM, L.Ac., joins us in this conversation to share her wisdom regarding how we can find the balance between these two phases. She provides insight into how we can attempt to harvest useful things from the pandemic experience in order to pursue meaning and purpose in life. On Today's Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: Navigating the tension between going with the flow of the summer season and doing what's important to stay balanced How Dr. Farrell uses gratitude as a tool for getting us through Why acupuncture can be a crucial tool for self-examination in times of survival Why grounding and stability are necessary for lasting, effective change How she guides patients through the three levels of qi Dr. Farrell has been practicing and teaching Chinese Medicine and Channel Theory since 1996. Her focus is on empowerment of students and patients so that they will embody the spiritual aspects of Chinese Medicine and make them their own. She believes that self-cultivation, self-knowledge and critical thinking are essential in developing capacity as a practitioner of Chinese Medicine. Yvonne is the author of two books: and her latest, published by Singing Dragon. Links: Connect With Dr. Yvonne Farrell: --
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Dampness & Digestion Master Class
06/23/2021
Dampness & Digestion Master Class
Almost everyone that comes through the clinic is dealing with some combination of two things: stress and dampness. This episode is a masterclass, or at least a lengthy public service announcement, on dampness since some of the most common questions that come up are regarding what it is and how to address it. If you're dealing with tiredness, lethargy, poor digestion, brain fog, congestion, or are struggling with weight loss, understanding more about dampness can change your life. In this episode, you'll hear some guidelines for things to include in your life, but the ultimate focus should always lie on subtracting the dampening effects in the first place. On Today’s Solo Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: Some things to look for on the tongue, as well as other signs, that can indicate dampness Why dampness usually comes from dietary indiscretions How Phlegm relates to dampness What causes of dampness can occur that don’t come from food Links: --
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Moving Through Trauma with Chinese Medicine
04/21/2021
Moving Through Trauma with Chinese Medicine
As the world slowly begins to emerge from the worst of the COVID era, there is a lot of collective trauma that we'll be working through for years. While any healing takes time, there are ways to move through trauma in accordance with the principles of Chinese Medicine that invite more ease into the process. Bringing with her some practical tips for processing grief, being soft with ourselves, and aligning with the season of spring, Ellen Goldsmith joins this conversation to elaborate on ways that Chinese Medicine can support us as we heal from trauma. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: What aspects of Chinese Medicine Ellen identifies as helping to work through difficult times What we can learn by learning from and aligning with the patterns of nature The advice she has for those of us having difficulty being with what is Why resilience and flexibility are so crucial Ellen Goldsmith is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist with over two decades of experience helping people solve their complex health challenges. Her integrative, body- centered and intuitive approach is grounded in years of study and experience in helping people from all walks of life. She is the author of Nutritional Healing with Chinese Medicine: + 175 Recipes for Optimal Health. She teaches and speaks frequently to professionals and the public as well as consulting for companies and organizations. She lives in Portland, Oregon. Links: Connect With Ellen Goldsmith L.Ac.: -- Use code "friendofthepod" for 20% off of the
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Why Your Heart and Brain Like Estrogen
03/24/2021
Why Your Heart and Brain Like Estrogen
Maintaining a healthy alignment with our bodies so often comes back to keeping things balanced and our hormones are no different. Dr. Felice Gersh is dedicated to helping women navigate life in an optimal way, particularly when it comes to the roles hormones play in aging. She joins this conversation to discuss her philosophy on how women can approach supporting their hormonal systems in a variety of ways. When dealing with hormone imbalances, Dr. Gersh doesn't aim for "natural," but rather an alignment with the body's systems that optimizes physiology. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: Why we need to pay attention to the effects of hormones on women’s health The other roles sex hormones play in the body aside from reproduction How estrogen metabolites interact with and support the heart Why she reframes bio-identical hormones as human identical What the role of testosterone is in women’s bodies Felice Gersh, M.D. is an award-winning physician with dual board certifications in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. She is the founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, a comprehensive women’s healthcare practice. She taught obstetrics and gynecology at Keck USC School of Medicine for 12 years as an Assistant Clinical Professor and now serves as an Affiliate Faculty Member at the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona School of Medicine. Felice is the bestselling author of PCOS SOS and has published several articles in peer-reviewed medical journals. She has also appeared in several films and documentary series, including The Real Skinny on Fat with Montel Williams and Fasting with Valter Longo, Ph.D. Links: Connect With Dr. Felice Gersh, M.D.: --
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Momentum, Inertia, and Self-Kindness: Lessons from Winter
03/03/2021
Momentum, Inertia, and Self-Kindness: Lessons from Winter
Chinese Medicine teaches us that winter is a time of quiet and stillness, a time for reflecting and conserving scarce resources. As we reflect on how we navigate the world, it's also a good time to get radically honest with ourselves about what we're holding space for in our lives. With the podcast entering a new, slower period of creation, it can be helpful to examine and take a break from things that we're keeping in motion just for the sake of motion. We can look inward and honor what our body and mind are telling us - to say no to things that are unnecessary so we can leave space open for the things that are. On Today’s Solo Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: What the new era of the podcast will focus on An overview of how seasons and timing are reflected in Chinese Medicine Why breaks are so important and yin engenders yang One way to test if tiredness is truly fatigue or just stagnating energy Links: --
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Q+A - 5 Elements for Personal Growth & Getting out of the Way
02/10/2021
Q+A - 5 Elements for Personal Growth & Getting out of the Way
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments in the population. In this episode, we'll explore how that treatment made it's way into the American mainstream as well as answering some listener questions about the practice. We'll take a look at how the 5 elements interact with different individuals and we'll examine what it means to get out of the way. On Today’s Solo Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: How the Black Panthers and acupuncture intersected in the early 1970s Why generalizing about the elements can be complicated Commonalities in how Chinese Medicine practitioners can work with people Ideas for getting out of the way to allow healing to happen Links: --
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The Science of Energy Medicine
02/03/2021
The Science of Energy Medicine
Having recently explored the biomedical aspects of acupuncture on the show, this conversation takes an interesting counterpoint to examine how this modality also walks in the world of energy medicine. In addition to the more physical facets of healing, the power of your body's own intelligence and consciousness plays a very significant role in the process. Dr. Jill Blakeway works with patients to ground in their physical bodies and connect to their energy field as a means to holistic healing. Her insights guide us into an exploration of ways that we can prompt our bodies to self-healing abilities. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: How acupuncture fits into the energy medicine picture Why a lot of chronic diseases she sees result from miscommunication What role the placebo effect can play in acupuncture Why removing the sense of separate self is crucial to helping patients heal An example of a practice to help cultivate a connection with your own energy field Jill Blakeway is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM), a licensed and board-certified acupuncturist (LAc), and clinical herbalist practicing energy healing for over 20 years. Jill founded the Yinova Center in NYC in 1999 and acts as Clinic Director. Blakeway is the co-author of Making Babies: A Proven 3-Month Program for Maximum Fertility, the author of Sex Again: Recharging your Libido and recently published her third book Energy Medicine: The Science and Mystery of Healing. Jill was the first acupuncturist to ever give a TEDTalk, at TEDGlobal in 2012. Links: Connect With Jill Blakeway: -- Use code "friendofthepod" for a discount on courses like or the !
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Breaking Free from Chronic Pain
01/27/2021
Breaking Free from Chronic Pain
Suffering from chronic pain is not a sign of brokenness, it's part of the human experience. If you're interested in exploring the idea of chronic pain and what we can do about it, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Dr. Joe Tatta provides a more contextual approach to chronic pain and explains how mindfulness can aid in the healing process. By learning to relate to our body and mind differently, we can reconnect with resiliency and begin to heal. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: How the brain contributes to chronic pain Different ways to begin retraining the brain to forget pain What acceptance and commitment therapy is and how it can help with pain Examples of experiential exercises from Dr. Tatta’s book, Radical Relief Why trying to fight negative thoughts can make them more persistent Dr. Joe Tatta is a global leader in integrative pain care and an advocate for the safe and effective treatment of chronic pain. He is the Founder of the Integrative Pain Science Institute, a cutting-edge health company reinventing pain care through evidence-based treatment, research, and professional development. For 25 years he has supported people living with pain and helped practitioners deliver more effective pain management. His research and career achievements include scalable practice models centered on lifestyle medicine, health behavior change, and digital therapeutics. He is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy trainer. Dr. Tatta is the author of two bestselling books Radical Relief and Heal Your Pain Now and host of The Healing Pain Podcast. Links: Connect With Dr. Joe Tatta: --
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Taking Off the Invisible Corset of Beauty Culture
01/20/2021
Taking Off the Invisible Corset of Beauty Culture
In our journey of learning to embody self-respect, it's always important to include respecting our bodies. After centuries of propaganda from the beauty industry and other societal mechanisms, the internalized oppression against women's bodies has shifted over time, but is as virulent as ever today. Lauren Geertsen views it as a generational responsibility to end female body hate. As a body connection coach and the author of The Invisible Corset, Lauren shares what she's learned to help us find the innate intelligence of our bodies that can lead us towards wellness and joy. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: Why she wrote The Invisible Corset The societal manipulations that Lauren identifies as the five strings of the corset What advice she has for starting to break down some of this programming An example of a practice to explore in order to be more in partnership with your body Lauren Geertsen is a Body Connection Coach who helps women heal their relationship with food and body image. In her previous work as a nutrition consultant, Lauren realized the underlying problem for her clients was distrust of their bodies, which results from wearing the invisible corset. Her website, empoweredsustenance.com, has supported over 40 million readers with holistic recipes and resources. Links: Connect With Lauren Geertsen: --
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Keeping Your Inner Adult in the Driver's Seat
01/06/2021
Keeping Your Inner Adult in the Driver's Seat
A lot of us that are working toward personal growth and evolution are always looking for ways to avoid getting triggered and getting reactive. If you're curious about why it is that, despite your efforts to grow, you're not moving through the world like the most highly evolved version of yourself, this episode is definitely for you. Michelle Chalfant has designed a manual for life that blends simple psychology and grounded spirituality: The Adult Chair. Despite growing physically, we often don't grow emotionally and spiritually in equal measure so Michelle is here to share advice on how to open our eyes and move to the Adult Chair. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: What the Adult Chair is and how it relates to the other chairs Michelle references Why we need to recognize when we’re being triggered and own that as our reality How to take 90 seconds to start processing emotions Michelle’s advice for busting up the negative stories that we attach to our emotions Michelle Chalfant is a therapist, holistic life coach, author, podcaster, motivational speaker and developer of The Adult Chair Model, a transformational model of self-realization that helps people across the globe discover who they are, become unstuck, improve their relationships and develop self-love. Michelle hosts The Adult Chair podcast, where simple psychology meets grounded spirituality and where she gives people the tools and techniques needed to find their power and transform their lives. With over 25 years of experience in all areas of self-healing, you can learn more about Michelle and her offerings by visiting . Links: Connect With Michelle Chalfant: --
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Body-Centered Mental Health for Kids
12/30/2020
Body-Centered Mental Health for Kids
As we're coming to the close of a particularly difficult year, we're all probably feeling pretty stressed. For kids who have been thrust into online school, an uncertain world, and an equally uncertain future, the stress can be even more pronounced. If you're a parent, or really anyone, navigating stress, distress, and anxiety, you'll definitely want to listen in to this conversation with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge. Roseann primarily works with helping kids connect to body sensations to find ways to reduce stress and build stress tolerance, but her advice could really help any of us. Approaching sensations through somatic therapies, Roseann provides lots of insight and examples of how we can ground ourselves to get comfortable in our bodies. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: What makes the breath is such an important tool Why she believes in a bottom-up approach to mental health, starting in the body What kinds of of body signals Roseann encourages people to focus on How she works with introducing breathwork to people who may be resistant at first Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is a mental health trailblazer, founder of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health, and media expert who is, “Changing the way we view and treat children’s mental health”. Her work has helped thousands reverse the most challenging conditions: ADHD, anxiety, mood, Lyme, and PANS/PANDAS using PROVEN holistic therapies. She is the author of the first ever book on teletherapy activities for child and adolescent therapists, “Teletherapy Toolkit™” and It’s Gonna be OK!™ book and The Get Unstuck Program™, which are resources for parents to reverse their child’s symptoms. She is often featured on dozens of media outlets: Fox, CBS, NBC, FORBES, PARENTS, and New York Times. Links: Connect With Roseann Capanna-Hodge: --
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Embodiment as Conscious Path
12/23/2020
Embodiment as Conscious Path
What does it mean to be embodied? To start cultivating embodiment, we can often begin by bringing more focus to what it's like to inhabit our body rather than just where we are. The body does a lot more than just act as a vehicle to move the brain around from place to place. Brooke Thomas uses a variety of methods and media to help others onto the path of embodiment. As she joins this conversation, she brings lots of excellent insight into that process to help us start connecting to our genuine lived experience. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: What embodiment means to Brooke What the three dimensions of experience are How she starts to help people learn to check in with their bodies Why ease is hallmark of discernment Walking through a sensory practice that Brooke uses to help people start shifting their being Brooke Thomas works in a variety of ways to teach about how to cultivate a relationship with our bodies, and therefore with our being, and how that can have a profound positive impact on an individual and collective level. At its core, her work is a lived inquiry about what it means to shift out of a mental/conceptual lens and into an embodied/experiential lens. This shift truly changes everything about how we meet ourselves and the world. She is a Realization Process teacher who works with clients one-on-one as an embodied coach, and does group work within the online embodied practice community, Liberated Being. She was a Rolfer in private practice for 20 years prior to this work. She has run two podcasts, Liberated Being (formerly known as Liberated Body), and Bliss + Grit, which she co-created with her friend Vanessa Scotto. Links: Connect With Brooke Thomas: -- You'll also be subscribed to Brodie's delightfully infrequent newsletter; of course you can unsubscribe at any time.
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Practical Qi Gong
12/16/2020
Practical Qi Gong
As we continue to investigate ways we can use our bodies to affect our minds, we're taking a deeper look at qi gong and how we can use the practice to change how our energy is flowing. An energy exercise that blends intention, breath, and the shape of our bodies, qi gong is a powerful tool to help realign both the physical and energetic systems. Febrice Piché is here to teach us more about qi gong in a really grounded, down to earth way that's easily accessible. With the wide ranging benefits these practices have, Fabrice believes they can ultimately help us develop the ability to be fully human. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: How Fabrice explains gasotransmitters and their functions What the difference is between medical qi gong and qi gong in general Why most qi gong practices can be helpful for almost everyone Some of Fabrice’s tips to enhance a breathing practice What benefits we can get from focusing on our breath and how we breathe Fabrice discovered Qigong and Chinese Medicine in 1997 at the National Institute of Chinese Medicine in Montreal (Canada). In 2009, he began specializing in Medical Qigong with the International Institute of Medical Qigong, in Palm Desert, California. In 2011, he had the privilege to study with Professor Lin Housheng, Director of the Shanghai Qigong Research Institute and creator of the Taiji Qigong Shibashi system. A pioneer in teaching Qigong online, specializing in Medical Qigong and its use in Chinese Medicine therapy, Fabrice is passionate about linking cutting edge science and ancient healing arts. Links: Connect With Fabrice Piché: -- Use code "friendofthepod" for 20% off courses like or the !
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Healing Trauma by Letting Sensation Speak
12/09/2020
Healing Trauma by Letting Sensation Speak
The answers we get about trauma often depend on the questions we ask. If you're feeling stuck in your healing process, sometimes the best way forward is to trust that the body has its own story to share. Trying to force an understanding of what's going on can miss the clarity of embodying those sensations. By bringing together mindfulness with somatic therapies, Andrew Hahn works to tap into the body's deep wisdom. Drawing on lots of things being practiced in different spheres, Andrew shares his approach to helping people heal rather than trying to cure their ailments. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: How eclectic education and psy experiences formed the roots of his methodology What he views as the relationship between healing and sensation Tips for tuning into and embodying our sensations An example of how Andrew helps people understand what their symptoms are telling them Andrew Hahn, Psy.d, received his doctorate in 1985 and became a licensed clinical psychologist in 1987. Early in his career, he was on The Graduate faculties of Leslie and Northeastern University and training director in a large Counseling Center. He is founder of the Life Centered Therapy Training Institute. LCT is a mindbody, energetic, psycho-spiritual, archetypal, narrative, postmodern systems, mindfulness framework for healing trauma and supporting evolving. He has lectured and lead trainings internationally in LCT and the Enneagram. Links: Connect With Andrew Hahn: -- Use code "friendofthepod" for 20% off courses like or the !
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Healing with Your Heart
12/02/2020
Healing with Your Heart
If you've been looking for a different approach to cultivating emotional wellness and wellbeing, you will definitely want to catch this conversation. With influence on essentially every system in the body, the heart is the conductor of our inner orchestra. The heart is also capable of healing on a deep, programming level. Carine Camara identifies the heart and its energy as the most powerful force in the body. By using heart centered healing along with a blend of other paradigms, she helps people access their love and joy to fill themselves up so they can then fill up others. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: What drew Carine to work with the energy of the heart The mechanisms of using heart energy to create healing A short guided meditation to help us connect with our hearts Why this practice is particularly powerful for empaths and highly sensitive people What she recommends people do to start cultivating a deeper connection to their heart Carine Camara is an intuitive guide, acupuncturist, energy medicine practitioner, and the Host of the Infinite Love Podcast. Her mission is to help people heal. Carine’s offerings/services are a unique blend of intuitive and energetic healing, practical science, and care. She has devoted her life to the study of physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. For the last 20 years, she has immersed myself in the healing sciences. Carine began by studying plant based nutrition, to heal her own physical issues, and later obtained her Masters in Chinese Medicine. Her practice and knowledge continued to expand, as she trained in Energy Medicine, and works closely with spiritual coaches, teachers and more. For those who are suffering from chronic illness, highly sensitive and/or looking for support in their lives, Carine has a wealth of knowledge to guide you back to wellness. She has an online practice and a holistic clinic located in Lafayette - where she serves the San Francisco Bay Area community. Links: Connect With Carine Camara: --
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Tapping on the Body to Shift Your Mind and Emotions
11/25/2020
Tapping on the Body to Shift Your Mind and Emotions
Our responses to stress can often be habituated in ways we may not like. With practice, however, it's possible to hack our limiting beliefs and subconscious patterns in a way that allows us to show up with more presence and kindness to ourselves and those around us. Stacy Claxton is an expert in helping people use their body as a bridge to the mind, with Emotional Freedom Techniques, to get to the root causes of emotional and physical suffering. By taking our own fingertips to our own bodies, we can use this form of psychological acupuncture to bring about ease, flow, and natural healing. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: Why telling the body that it’s safe is so powerful What conditions and traumas EFT is often effective in treating How timing plays into the effectiveness of EFT Stacy walks us through an example of how tapping works Stacy Claxton is a transformational coach and integrative health practitioner who helps stuck people find freedom and flow. She guides growth seekers, heart-centered healers, and embodied leaders through their biggest blocks to discover their boundless inner power, adding that critical piece: body-centered tools to resolve trauma and rewire the nervous system for lasting change. Her practice blends ancient and modern modalities, including Ayurveda, yoga, breathwork, meditation, somatic work, prenatal and postpartum care, Emotional Freedom Techniques, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition, and more. An educator and entrepreneur, Stacy combines private client work with writing, speaking, facilitating small groups, and leading live transformational events. Links: Connect With Stacy Claxton: --
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Is Addiction a Disease?
11/18/2020
Is Addiction a Disease?
In a time when a lot of us are dealing with strong, difficult emotions, it can be easy to slip into bad patterns to try and cope and these patterns can spiral to harmful levels and addiction. On top of that, some of the most popular addiction treatments often end up reinforcing the idea that someone's identity is "addict" which only serves to feed the pattern. Michelle Dunbar has a different way of looking at addiction. Through the framework she helped to develop, Michelle and her team empower people struggling with addiction to change the trajectory of their lives rather than giving the power to substances and bad habits. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: What addiction means in the context of Michelle’s work How her own experiences and those of other family members led her toward the framework she developed The three distinct components of The Freedom Model Why she says the opposite of addiction is diversification What has surprised her along her career of helping people with addiction Michelle Dunbar is the co-author of The Freedom Model for Addictions: Escape the Treatment and Recovery Trap and The Freedom Model for the Family. She is also Executive Director of Baldwin Research Institute, Inc., and The Saint Jude Retreats, not-for-profit research organizations with the mission to change the way people with substance use problems are helped worldwide. Michelle has been helping people move beyond addiction for over 30 years. Links: Connect With Michelle Dunbar: --
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