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 22, 2020 • 1h 12min
179 If you don’t run your business, your business will run you • Dave Kaster
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.
Dec 15, 2020 • 1h 1min
178 Questioning like a Detective • Jason Robertson
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.
Dec 10, 2020 • 57min
Encore Episode • Nuts and Volts of Using Micro-current in an Acupuncture Practice • Charlie Braverman
Microcurrent offers acupuncturists another way to help their patients.
Dec 8, 2020 • 1h 24min
177 A Student Marketing Project • Megan Bulloch
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.
Dec 1, 2020 • 1h 12min
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 12min
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 36min
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 16min
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 24min
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.
