Pacific Rim College Radio

In this episode, Angeli Chitale and I discuss Ayurvedic medicine, past and present, and across cultures. From her grandparent’s home in India to her naturopathic practice on the west coast of Canada, Ayurveda has had a major influence on her view of health. Speaking about her relatives both as medical practitioners and as patients, she shares much that she has learned from them.

We also cover topics such as the dangers of self prescribing herbal medicines, diabetes and various approaches to treating those afflicted, and milk, from enzymes to digest it to cultural traditions and ancient preservation practices.

Angeli is a faculty member at Pacific Rim College in Victoria, BC, and an instructor in the Holistic Nutrition Online Certificate Program offered through PRCOnline. She first embarked on a career in molecular biology and genetics before finding her passion in Naturopathic Medicine. After graduation with her naturopathic degree, she obtained further qualification in restorative medicine for the treatment of thyroid, adrenal, and other endocrine/metabolic conditions.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Dr. Angeli Chitale.

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Judy Becker Worsley and David Berkshire return for another episode and a deeper dive into the Worsley Five Element lineage.

Judy continues to share with us the impact on her life of the philosophies of the Five Elements system and how it has always served as a compass for her. The teachings of JR Worsley, that she and David continue to passionately share, help to liberate practitioners from the brainwashing of society, including the fallacy that by labelling people, we better understand them.

Foundational to JR’s teaching are the practices of humility, curiosity, and presence. These not only are hallmarks of impactful practitioners of medicine but also of practitioners of life as they help the individual transform into state of freedom and peace.

We also explore more technical details of Five Element medicine, especially through an examination of the differences between constitutional factors and causative factors. And we conclude with the power of Five Elements in helping us to better understand the natural order of all.

Judy Becker Worsley has been a devoted student of Professor JR Worsley since 1973, and was designated by JR to succeed him as Master of the lineage upon his death. Prior to his death, they founded the Worsley Institute, which is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Worsley Five Element Acupuncture tradition that is rooted in natural law.

Joining Judy in this episode is David Berkshire, President of the Worsley Institute, located in Portland, Oregon, where David also has a busy clinical practice.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Judy Becker Worsley and David Berkshire.

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I waited a very long time to have this discussion with Bill Porter, and it was well worth the wait. Bill is a prolific writer and adventurer, and also, under the pen name of Red Pine, a renowned translator of ancient Chinese works from Cold Mountain to Lao Tze.

Bill has written and translated dozens of books over many decades, and his radio shows in China were tuned into by millions a day. Those shows featured the accounts of his ambitious adventures, including travelling the length of the Yellow River from its mouth to its source. Bill also sought out and found hermits living in the mountains of China, and his book, Road to Heaven, has sold over 2 million copies in China and is credited with helping to revive the Taoist hermit tradition there. We spend some time talking about not only Bill’s adventure in finding hermits, but also hermit life, then and now.

Bill continues to translate today, still as Red Pine and is nearing completion of a new book of poetry. We talk about how he acquired his name Red Pine and his inspiration for translating in the first place.

Bill is a fascinating interviewee, having interviewed hundreds of guests himself on a radio show in China, and has lived a life of incredible cultural explorations and the subsequent sharing of their details. His storytelling is superb, and his material endless.

I have no doubt that you will enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Bill Porter.

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In this episode Elham Ansari takes us on a millennia-long journey inside of Ayurvedic medicine. In expert fashion, she distills down what can be a dauting philosophy to make pragmatic into a practice that anyone can adopt into their daily routine.

We spend a lot of time covering Ayurvedic nutrition, from the exotic to the local, including animal-based food medicine. We also discuss other aspects of Ayurveda including marma points, which are similar to acupuncture points, and other therapeutic tools, and the philosophical foundations of Ayurveda, including the doshas and elements. From within this philosophy, we find the spiritual roots of Ayurveda and how it applies to our personal journeys in this life, the scientific roots that allude to genetics and DNA long before those terms existed, and the similarities to other traditional medicines.

Elham has been an instructor of Ayurveda at Pacific Rim College for nearly a decade and has been in practice far longer. She studied under the renowned Ayurvedic practitioner Vasant Lad, and we talk about how that experience impacted her. Her Ayurvedic nutrition courses and clinics at PRC are all live online and thus her teachings and therapies can be accessed from around the globe.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Elham Ansari.

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Judy Becker Worsley has been a devoted student of Professor JR Worsley since 1973, and was designated by JR to succeed him as Master of the lineage upon his death. Prior to his death, they founded the Worsley Institute, which is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Worsley Five Element Acupuncture tradition that is rooted in natural law.

Joining Judy in this episode is David Berkshire, President of the Worsley Institute, located in Portland, Oregon, where David also has a busy clinical practice.

Judy shares with us her quest to find something more meaningful in life than her law studies, which led her to England in 1973 to find her mentor in JR and eventually her life partner. We talk about the five element system of acupuncture that he created, his unparalleled clinical acumen, and his genius for understanding and integrating many forms of medicine.

Fundamental to the Worsley system is the mastery of the sense organs, and David and Judy discuss the reawakening of the senses, especially smell, but also sight and hearing. We also explore the spirit of acupuncture points, which JR devoted much of his life to understanding and mastering, and now Judy and David also work extensively to preserve and expand upon this ancient knowledge.

There is so much to explore of the history and impact of JR Worsley and the Worsley system that we only scratch the surface in this episode. We expect more episodes to follow.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Judy Becker Worsley and David Berkshire.

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Julian Scott is a legend in the field of acupuncture and holds special distinction in pediatrics. He has more than 40 years of practical experience and has authored numerous books including Acupuncture in the Treatment of Children and Acupuncture for the Eyes.

We enjoy a very easy-going conversation exploring Julian’s path to becoming an influential figure in the spread of acupuncture to the West, along with some of his well-known colleagues. He shares stories of and lessons from multiple mentors from whom he gleaned much of his knowledge and clinical acumen.

Julian explains how he was sought out as an expert in both pediatrics and ophthalmology before he considered himself to be worthy of such distinction. We also talk about many other timely topics such as the impact of vaccinations, childhood anxiety, degenerative conditions, and the stages of aging. Julian shares incredible insights in all these areas.

Although now nearing 80, Julian still aspires to help others heal and to educate. His bank of online courses can be found at treatingchildren.com, which include many of the topics above as well as a course on pain free needling. His teachings have inspired countless, and his heart-centred, humorous personality warms the spirit.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Julian Scott.

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Sajah Popham is a renowned herbalist, educator, and author committed to the balance of the science and spirituality of plant medicine. As the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy.

Spagyric alchemy might not be something you are familiar with, and so we go to some depth exploring what this field of herbalism is and how it is applicable in modern practice. From his laboratory on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker, Washington, Sajah and his wife Whitney combine philosophies of astrology, alchemy, spirituality, and modern science to create unique and powerful spagyric plant medicines.

Sajah and I geek out on many things herbal and healing including the value of symptoms, the power of the patient in the healing process, astrology, archetypes, and vitalism. Sajah focuses on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor, and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Sajah Popham.

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7Song is a renowned herbalist who has been studying and practicing herbal medicine for nearly 40 years. Having studied under legends such as Rosemary Gladstar and Michael Moore, he opened the Northeast School of Herbal Medicine in Ithaca, New York, and is the Director of Holistic Medicine at the Ithaca Free Clinic.

7Song shares much of his wisdom in this episode. We talk about herbal first aid and many of his favourite herbs for conditions such as fever, pain, and anxiety. We explore the genesis of the Northeast School of Herbal Medicine and the physical herbal medicine that he focusses on in his teaching. And we talk about his many years of experience and enjoyment in providing herbal care for patients of the Ithaca Free Clinic.

The science of herbal medicine is something 7Song is quite passionate about, and he explains his approach to herbal practice versus an energetic approach. He also talks about the great importance of counselling skills to the practitioner and shares his passion of photography of plants.

This is a candid interview with a great herbalist who is dedicated to the ongoing study and research of herbal medicine and to the dissemination of herbal knowledge.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with 7Song.

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Lorie Eve Dechar is a legendary alchemical acupuncturist, a pioneer who has inspired countless through her teaching, writing, and clinical practice. She is perhaps best known for her book Five Spirits: Alchemical Acupuncture for Psychological and Spiritual Healing, which for 15 years has helped guide a generation of acupuncturists into deeper levels of healing, personally and for their patients.

Within this episode is profound treasure. Lorie guides us along a rich exploration of alchemical acupuncture, and alchemy in general, which has at its roots the concept of transformation and not restoration. Through its framework, we can extract from our deepest, darkest wounds – known as our prima materia – our most luminous treasures to ourselves and the world. In this fascinating discussion, we excavate concepts such as hun tun, chaos, and its transformative energy; entropy and negentropy; wu wei, action through non-action; and the general merit of practices that have helped Lorie and her clients to do their inner work.

We also highlight some of the profound topics of all 3 of her books, including The Alchemy of Inner Work, and her newest, Kigo, which explores the essence of acupuncture points. In my opinion, these are all must-reads for practitioners who intend to lead their patients into psychological healing.

Along with her husband Benjamin, who co-authored The Alchemy of Inner Work, Lorie is co-founder of A New Possibility, a learning and healing community designed to help people develop a conscious relationship to their inner life. Her insights are priceless instruments in the quest for inner transformation. I know firsthand as she has had a massive impact on my own transformative journey.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Lorie Eve Dechar.

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Rebecca Avern is the author of two pediatric acupuncture books including the newest, Chinese Medicine for Childhood Anxiety and Depression. Anxiety and depression are conditions we talk about extensively in this episode.

Through her Oxford-based pediatric clinical practice, Rebecca has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience, much of which she shares in this episode. We cover a wide range of topics including the surge in teenage anxiety and possible contributory factors such as screen time, boarding schools, family trauma, vaccines and medications, and the excessive use of labels. And we discuss the role of five elements in treatment. We also explore some exciting advances in collaborative research opportunities for practitioners and her newly launched "Hub of Paediatric Acupuncture". Stay tuned to the end for her discount offer to the Hub for listeners of the podcast.

Rebecca is a long-standing senior faculty member of the College if Integrative Chinese Medicine in Reading. She mentored under the late Giovanni Maciocia and assisted him in the writing of Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine. She has also completed post-graduate training with renowned author and pediatric expert Julian Scott.

Rebecca is passionate about the health of children and a pure joy to listen to in this podcast. If you have any interest in acupuncture, anxiety, or the treatment of children, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Rebecca Avern.

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Kampo is Japanese herbal medicine influenced by the classical Chinese tradition. In this episode, renowned Kampo and Shiatsu practitioner Nigel Dawes and I discuss all things related to its practice and so much more.

Nigel began studying Kampo in Japan forty years ago and has been practicing and teaching ever since. He is the founder of the London College of Shiatsu and NY Kampo Institute, the latter of which he still runs today. His most recent book published in 2020 by Singing Dragon is entitled Fukushin and Kampo and discusses the topics of abdominal diagnosis and herbal medicine.

Here we talk at length about the culture of traditional Japanese medicine and the influences of Han Dynasty Chinese classical texts such as the Shang Han Lun. We also explore both the energetic and physical aspects of harashin and fukushin abdominal diagnosis, compare the Japanese styles of herbal medicine and acupuncture practice to those of China, and touch upon the topic of Shiatsu. Nigel also narrates some of his personal journey living and studying in Japan and learning in hospitals in Beijing.

For the enthusiast of Asian medicine, this is a fascinating interview of unique styles, including their modern-day practice and their roots.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Nigel Dawes.

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Although not by design, this conversation with renowned acupuncturist Peter Mole continues in a similar vein of five element acupuncture that was introduced in my last podcast with Dr. Peter Eckman. Peter Mole began his acupuncture training under the legendary J.R. Worsley at Leamington Spa in England in the late seventies and has been in clinical practice ever since.

In the early nineties, Peter helped set up one of the world’s most influential colleges of acupuncture, the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading, England. Nearly thirty years later, he is still the Dean of the college while also maintaining an impactful clinical practice. He is also author of Acupuncture for Body, Mind and Spirit and co-author of the major textbook Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture.

Peter emphasizes human connection, potentially above all else, and we spend a great deal of time exploring what that looks and feels like to him and the role it plays in his clinic. We also talk about the value of intention in any treatment and how that can often be more influential than point selection or location. Peter is drawn to psychosomatic approaches to health, and we peel back the lid on the inner world of humans that manifests in outer illness. As practitioners, we might find we have to initially treat symptoms to get the results that gain patients’ trust, and once trust is established, much deeper healing can be fostered through examining the inner milieu.

This is a timely episode about human connection, non-judgmental empathy, and, above all else, love. Peter is an inspirational mentor and a kind-hearted individual who, through his craft of acupuncture, is awakening beauty in the world.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Peter Mole.

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This is a fascinating conversation with a truly unique doctor. Dr. Peter Eckman earned both his MD and PhD in Physiology in the early 1970s. Having never heard of acupuncture, an early job offer as a staff physician in a Los Angeles acupuncture clinic changed his life, as well as the trajectory of acupuncture in the West. There he received on-the-job training from a group of Korean acupuncturists and became quickly enamoured with this healing art.

Peter has trained under many legends over the years, including a decade of periodic study with J.R. Worsley. His book In the Footsteps of the Yellow Emperor is an intriguing account of the history of Chinese Medicine as well as the genesis of the lineage taught by J.R. Worsley. We open this episode talking about both that book and Peter’s experience studying under Worsley, which includes a detailed analysis of building patient rapport.

Peter then takes us through his Korean acupuncture roots and the mentorship he had in Seoul that revealed for him literal secrets of cancer treatment strategies that he is adeptly using and refining in his clinical practice today. Our discussion includes his passion for his oncology practice and the nuances of a pulse signal that he believes is common to all cancer patients.

Never feeling satisfied with one style of medicine or acupuncture, Peter shares with us his studies of other approaches such as those from Japan, China and Viet Nam, and even his studies of Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis.

This was a most enjoyable conversation for me with a man who is wholly dedicated to his craft and the service of others. With nearly 50 continuous years of acupuncture practice and having authored 3 books, influenced licensing standards, and taught at numerous institutions, Peter has demonstrated a level of commitment that few others have. His stories are engrossing and his wisdom rich.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Dr. Peter Eckman.

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It is an honour to have Kenneth Cohen back on the podcast after our last engrossing conversation about Qigong and Taoism. As passionate as he is about those topics, Native American medicine is his way of life, and that is what we explore in this episode.

Ken is a traditional healer who has lived, practiced, and studied indigenous ways for most of his life. He has mentored under many noted medicine men and women and maintains close ties to his adoptive Cree family. With inspiration from all of them, Ken wrote the profound book Honoring the Medicine: The Essential Guide to Native American Healing that was published by Random House in 2003.

Ken opens this discussion with a beautiful and heart-warming acknowledgement, and from there we cover many topics such as indigenous values, animals and nature as teachers, respect for culture, wisdom of elders, and interconnectedness to all beings and things. He also shares with us a deeply moving protocol that is part of erecting a teepee, with each pole representing a crucial life value.

His stories are captivating, his knowledge deep and diverse, and his energy grounding. Ken is like no other human being, and I am grateful to have been able to spend more time in his company, and to share his teachings with you.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Kenneth Cohen.

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Ecuador is a wonderland of botanical diversity and tradition, and Rocio Alarcon takes us on a plant-based journey through its jungles, people, and ceremonies. Rocio is an incredibly grounded and gifted protector of land and ancestral knowledge.

With a doctorate in Ethnopharmacology, she is the founder of the IAMOE Center, a 100-hectare region of biodiversity with a dedicated team that leads research projects, educational expeditions, and experimental workshops aimed at healing and land and knowledge preservation.

Rocio specializes in work with master plants, and we examine what it means to be a master plant. We explore examples such as cacao, tobacco, and ayahuasca and how each is used in special healing ceremonies, especially by curanderos, traditional healers who journey with master plants. Rocio provides fascinating detail of ceremonies with these plants and how they are woven into the fabric of indigenous people.

We also discuss the environmental challenges that are facing her people and the work she is doing to protect the jungles. Some of her conservation work is centred around hummingbirds, and we talk at length about the magical healing powers of hummingbirds, their endangered habitat, and the work IAMOE is doing to bring awareness to them and preserve their territories.

Rocio is a powerful storyteller and brings the listener into a world of healing that is hanging on by tendrils to survive in this modern period of scientific and economic ‘progress’ that uproots all in its path. She is a beacon of hope and a staunch protector of traditional values and knowledge. If you are looking for a planetary champion to support, Rocio might soon climb to the top of your list.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Dr. Rocio Alarcon.

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I waited many months for this interview with Chanchal Cabrera as she kept at bay all distraction while on a self-prescribed writing retreat to work on her book about herbal oncology. And the wait sure was worth it. Despite Chanchal’s long history lecturing on herbal medicine at Pacific Rim College, this was our first opportunity to meet. I doubt it will be the last as there is still so much richness for us to unearth.

Even though the focus for this interview is relatively limited to cancer and herbal medicine, through tangents, we diverge into a significantly broader view that captures topics such as preservation of plants and old growth forests, the concept of collaborative medicine, journeying with ayahuasca, personal development, and dying with dignity and celebration.

Chanchal established a connection with herbs as a young girl with flower presses and her personal spice collection. A family cancer scare led her into the clinic of renowned herbalist David Hoffman, and David welcomed her into his dispensary, giving her a glimpse of herbal medicine in action. She has been enamoured with herbs ever since and a professional herbalist for more than 30 years.

Among an impressive list of credentials and accolades, Chanchal is the author of the book Fibromyalgia – A Journey Toward Healing and a certified Master Gardener. She and her husband farm 7 acres on Vancouver Island at Innisfree Farm and Botanical Garden.

Whether your interest lies in natural cancer care, herbal medicine, or Chanchal directly, you will not be disappointed with this episode. She shares with us some incredible stories of both life and death and plants seeds for many future herbalists to sew.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Chanchal Cabrera.

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Cordelia McFadyen’s lifelong battle with chronic health issues changed swiftly in outlook when a doctor suggested she eliminate a few potentially problematic foods from her diet. The previous 20 years, marred by dozens of courses of antibiotics, copious medical testing, and even surgery, had offered little to be optimistic about, but with the elimination of gluten and dairy, hope finally started to appear.

Cordelia is the Dean of the School of Holistic Nutrition at Pacific Rim College, where she overseas Canada’s, and possibly North America’s, most comprehensive program of holistic nutrition. Two decades after her trial elimination of gluten and dairy, she has settled into a comfortable rhythm of attuning to her body’s nutritional needs and teaching others to do the same. Now in her forties, she feels better than ever and is a sought-after educator and practitioner of nutrition.

Cordelia holds nothing back in sharing her health journey during this episode. As debilitating as her physical issues were, arguably the psychological challenges were as equally damaging. After years of the allopathic medical institution not validating her health concerns, she eventually stopped talking about it, leading to deep emotional scars, a lack of self confidence, and an unhealthy body image. Simply picking an outfit became a daunting chore that required foresight into what foods she might eat that day.

Through Pacific Rim College and her company, Inspired Living Nutrition, Cordelia is helping others navigate their nutritional needs and empowering people to discover health and vitality. Her journey has not been easy, but she would not have it any other way. She is one gutsy goddess on her path to serve up a hearty dose of wellness.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Cordelia McFadyen.

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Yarrow Willard has become a highly respected herbalist and educator, not because of the legendary status his father Terry has garnered, but because Yarrow set out to blaze his own path. In 2008 he and his wife began Harmonic Arts, a rapidly growing plant medicine company that first sprouted on Vancouver Island and now has spread its influence far and wide.

Yarrow is also Director of Wild Rose College of Natural Healing, which his father Terry founded in 1975, and a Director of Levitee Labs, an emerging multidisciplinary integrative wellness company with an emphasis on psychedelic therapies. He is a gifted plant educator, which is evident from his wildly popular Herbal Jedi YouTube channel.

With his trademark enthusiasm, Yarrow shares a bounty of wisdom on topics such as the emergence of the highly successful Harmonic Arts brand, lessons of early entrepreneurialism, and his formative years with both parents ensconced in the natural health industry. Yarrow takes us on his own journey with plants as medicine, including his love for fungi and the powerful healing potential of entheogens. He concludes the conversation with timely and sage advice on reconnecting with nature and finding the medicine within us.

In only four decades, Yarrow has had an immeasurable impression on the culture of plant medicines in Canada. He has some rousing goals for the immediate future, and I can only wait expectantly for the impact he will generate over the remaining four to six decades.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with the incomparable Yarrow Willard.

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In this episode with Ethan Murchie, we talk about all things martial arts and the classic texts of Chinese medicine. Ethan is the founder of the Montreal Gongfu Research Center (Gongfu, more commonly known as Kungfu). He is a veteran practitioner of many Chinese martial arts including Taichi, Xingyi, and Bagua and has practiced Chinese medicine or 20 years.

His path into Gongfu and Chinese medicine began as a teen when a rapid growth spurt gave way to lung complications. Where surgery saved his life but left him debilitated, ancient practices steered him onto a path of healing.

Now Ethan is a student of classical Chinese language. We talk about his recent teachings of the Shang Han Lun, his research and ongoing passion for the Huang Di Nei Jing, and his captivation with the Yi Jing. And we explore how for the last 5 years he has expanded his vocabulary, use, and understanding of Chinese.

This is a captivating episode for the Chinese medicine enthusiast who wants to bring the medicine inward for personal growth and healing.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Ethan Murchie.

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Sandra Robertson, like another recent guest of the show (Deirdre Courtney, episode 49), was told by her mentor Lillian Bridges (episode 31) that she had the facial characteristics of a writer and thus should write. And so she did, submitting her first book proposal for her first book to Singing Dragon Press. They liked what they saw and today, Treating Children with Chinese Dietary Therapy is the product of Sandra’s determination to follow her ming, her destiny.

As Sandra and I take a stroll down memory lane (we were once classmates), we also discuss the tenets of nutrition. We raise issues such as the alarming normalization and rampant increase of food sensitivities and allergies, the nutritional intuition of children and why it should be trusted, and far too commonly encountered metabolic disorders such as diabetes.

Sandra advocates eating locally and seasonally, and organically when possible, and demonstrates how doing otherwise can lead to nutritional imbalances. She is replete with practical advice on how to make good health more accessible through simple food choices according to principles of Chinese medicine, the bedrock of her new book, and we talk about how that book came to fruition. We also discuss her mentorship in face reading with Lillian Bridges and how that has impacted her practice and life. Stay tuned to the end of this episode for a special discount offer on our newest online course in Applied Facial Diagnosis with Lillian’s colleague and guest of this podcast, CT Holman (episode 25).

With Sandra's background as a TCM practitioner with certification in face reading, and her love for children and food, her nutritional recipe for a more vibrant life is something we can all benefit from.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Sandra Robertson.

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Johan Hausen has lived a life that, if I had access to multiple lifetimes, would be one of the iterations I would want to play out. Replete with martial arts, Shaolin temple life, inner alchemy, classical Chinese culture and language, book translating and publishing, and travel, his life path weaves threads of modernity with ancient history.

A crucial point in the journey for Johan came at the age of 13 with the emergence of his interest in martial arts, specifically Tae Kwon Do. After competing intensely for 8 years, during the course of which he reached a plateau, he decided to elevate his interest by exploring the “cradle of martial arts”, Shaolin Kungfu. From his home country of Germany and with no grasp of Chinese language, Johan travelled to the Shaolin Temple and eventually to the Wudang Mountains where he adopted temple life and immersed himself in culture, philosophy, and techniques including Tai Ji, Dao Yin, alchemy, swordsmanship, Feng Shui, study of the Yi Jing, and Daoist healing.

Now an acupuncturist in New Zealand, Johan annually returns to his Wudong Mountain hermitage, and he translates classical Chinese texts and publishes them under his own publishing house, Purple Cloud Press. Through the Purple Cloud Institute, he hopes to create a longevity centre in Australia that makes widely accessible time-honoured healing practices.

Johan’s journey thus far has been incredible, and so much more is yet to come.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Johan Hausen.

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My guest in this episode truly needs no introduction. Rosemary Gladstar’s impact in the world of herbal medicine cannot be overstated, and it would be potentially easier to create a list of who she has not inspired and what she has not catalyzed than to do the opposite. For the last half century, plant medicine has been the centre of her life, and she has been at or near the epicentre of the zeitgeist of the modern herbal movement.

This interview was a pure joy for me to partake in as Rosemary’s passion, compassion, and general zeal for life soar to emboldened heights. Now, as she settles into a new chapter of her life, she is drawing inward to find peace and healing and has empowered others to carry on her extraordinary herbal legacy.

We talk about her full-time herbal practice for a patient of one – her elderly mother – and the relationships Rosemary has forged with her ancestors and elders. She takes us to the genesis of so many remarkable events and projects that still thrive today, many decades later, and have likely influenced you or plant lovers you know. And we talk about her many herbal books and the creative writing project that may still be to come.

A gypsy by nature, Rosemary has travelled the globe in search of herbal connections and has taken hundreds of people with her to experience firsthand the wisdom of elders and nature. Many of these trips were in the belly of Gitano Brujo, the gipsy healer, a converted yellow school bus that for decades sallied from Western Canada to Mexico and all parts in between.

While listening to this episode, you will certainly laugh, likely reflect on your path, and possibly even shed a tear or two. And we will probably all feel deep gratitude to this remarkable woman and what she has done for us and the plants we love.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with the incomparable Rosemary Gladstar.

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My guest in this episode is a Chinese Medicine therapist and leading Israeli specialist who uses acupuncture for neurological rehabilitation. David Bomzon studied under Dr. Toshikatsu Yamamoto, the discoverer of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture. David is the founder of the Pnima Center, which is the largest community clinic in Israel for integrative Chinese Medicine, combining classical Chinese Medicine and Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture with Western Medicine.

In this episode, we look at the three lineages of scalp acupuncture and the history of the Yamamoto lineage that he teaches and practices. We discuss the physiological mechanism of scalp acupuncture and how David uses it to treat an array of neurological conditions, often in conjunction with body acupuncture and exercise.

David is the author of Clinical Handbook of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture, and we explore the writing of this book and the unique gift he had of working alongside his father to bring the book, published by Singing Dragon, to fruition. It was a challenging and immensely rewarding experience that brings to practitioners new depth of understanding of the clinical application of scalp acupuncture.

As an authority on Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture, David lectures around the world and has presented at Pacific Rim College and hopefully will do so again soon. This interview can be enjoyed as an introduction to scalp acupuncture and a deeper dive for those already experienced.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with David Bomzon.

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Dr. Kevin Hu has been a faculty member at Pacific Rim College since 2007. After earning his PhD in medicine from a highly respected TCM university in China, Kevin moved to Canada to continue pursuing his passion of Chinese Medicine.

He draws deep inspiration from the classics of Chinese Medicine, especially from the Shang Han Lun, Jing Gui Yao Lue, and the Huang Di Nei Jing, the latter which he likens to the literary works of Shakespeare. We discuss how these texts have influenced not only him but also the modern practice of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture.

We also discuss the origins of Chinese Medicine, from ancient stone needles to a robust pharmacopoeia of herbs, and the culture of Chinese Medicine in China. Lastly, we explore Dr. Hu’s passion to better understand cardiovascular disease and what the ancient practices have to offer in the treatment of people suffering from it.

The thousands of students and patients of Dr. Hu will likely enjoy this intimate discussion of this humble man’s passion and career.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Dr. Kevin Hu.

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My guest in this episode taught himself how to read Classical Chinese via textbooks and online tools and forums so he could read ancient philosophical texts in their original language. Daniel G. Reid’s translations include The Heshang Gong Commentary on Lao Zi’s Dao De Jing and The Thread of Dao: Unraveling Early Daoist Oral Traditions.

In this episode we look at his methodology and motivations for translating texts and the life wisdom he is extracting from them. This includes early Daoist (Taoists) roots, the concept of the true or authentic person, and the power of virtue. We also take a peek at Dan’s meditation practice and the symmetry that he has found between music and Daoism.

Dan is a Registered Massage Therapist and a practitioner of Chinese Medicine, Cranial Sacral Therapy, and other Chinese modalities. His training in massage therapy and Chinese Medicine comes from the Jin Shou (Golden Hand) lineage of Tui Na. He also studies and practices Qigong, internal martial arts, and is a multi-instrumentalist and poet.

If you are interested in early Daoist traditions, follow along in this conversation as Dan helps us pick up the thread of Dao.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Daniel G. Reid.

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The world of Sabine Wilms is filled with benevolent sages, ancient scripts, magical herbs, and goats, and it is my absolute pleasure to bring you into this world during this episode. Like the sages that she translates, Sabine is a rare being that radiates light, love, and generosity. Try not to be enchanted by her enthusiasm for life and her mission and you will likely fall short.

For the Chinese Medicine enthusiast, for the first 24 or so minutes of this conversation, we geek out on some esoteric Classic texts that Sabine has translated, including a little-known medieval text. For those without a Chinese Medicine background, you might want to gloss over this intro section, but the remainder of the episode is a must listen for anyone.

Sabine and I plunge deep into Taoist practices and philosophies around concepts such as virtue and family reverence. We also look at a branch of Chinese healing that does not involve needles or herbs or nutrition but instead only verbal, heart-centred communication. This part of Chinese Medicine is largely inspired by the teachings and work of Wang Fengyi, and a few years ago, an immersive retreat into the teachings of Wang Fengyi forever changed Sabine’s life. We also pick up some threads of conversation that I had with Heiner Fruehauf on the value of blaming no one and instead always taking personal accountability.

Before wrapping up we circle back around to Sabine’s translations and the publishing company that she founded, Happy Goat Productions. Through these publications she has helped preserve and give new life to many texts and teachings that perhaps would have never made it to the English-speaking reader.

This conversation with Sabine Wilms was so much fun to record, and I have no doubt that you will find ample appreciation for her work and her way of being.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Sabine Wilms.

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It is the rare individual whose spirit shines with luminous brilliance. My guest is one of these unique, connected beings and her energy lights up this podcast. Deirdre Courtney’s relationship to spirit is integral to her existence and the healing process that she crafts for her patients.

Deirdre’s journey as a practitioner began with a passion for food and cooking. She soon learned that she could help people recover from many conditions, including addictions, through nutrition alone, and that led her to study traditional Chinese food therapy. Eventually she earned a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and today has a thriving practice in south Dublin specializing in face reading and cosmetic acupuncture.

Deirdre has always sensed subtle energies that others seem oblivious to, and through cultivation of her awareness, she is able to read the health of spirit within her patients using their eyes as portals. This enables her to impact them well beyond the physical into the psychospiritual realms.

Spirit is not all we talk about in this episode. We discuss her cosmetic acupuncture strategies, including addressing emotional trauma that is carved into the face like a map. She takes us through the process of writing her book, Nourishing Life the Yang Sheng Way. And we look at the culture of Chinese medicine and the conflict of “sacred” in Ireland.

Deirdre has been working with renowned face reader Lillian Bridges (episode 31) for more than 20 years and is the Educational Director of the Lotus Institute in Seattle.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Deirdre Courtney.

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Stuart Alve Olson found an interest in Chinese philosophy as a teenager. In his late 20s, he began his formal training in ancient Eastern practices that continues today, more than 40 years later. His deep education in Taoism and Buddhism have helped give him fodder to author nearly 40 books and to teach students around the world.

As you will soon hear, Stuart is a gifted storyteller, and this episode is full of ancient parables, teachings from his mentor, lessons from people he has encountered, and humorous anecdotes. We begin with an account of his multi-year bowing pilgrimage that crossed many US states, was replete with personal insights, and provided sagely advice from the most unexpected people and places.

We explore the concept of inner alchemy through the lens of Taoist and Buddhist parables, discuss Stuart’s books, and delve into his lessons from life. We also chat about his relationship and mentorship with Master T.T. Liang, with whom he studied with for much of his adult life until his master’s death. This discussion includes a look at the concepts of longevity and immortality from an ancient Chinese lens.

Stuart is the founder and director of the Sanctuary of Tao, where he offers his virtual mentor program on inner alchemy. He is also co-founder of Valley Spirit Arts, a publishing company where you can find Stuart’s books, including the gem Actions and Retributions.

To me Stuart brings to mind an image of a happy sage or monk. His sense of humour, candor, and wisdom all helped to make a very enjoyable and special conversation from which I hope you benefit as much as I have. Humbleness is something he experienced on his bowing pilgrimage, and all these years later, he continues to exhibit it in his actions and way of being.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Stuart Alve Olson.

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If you are not yet familiar with the work of Guido Masé, hopefully this interview will serve as a worthy introduction to this man’s genius and contribution to the world of herbalism. For two hours non-stop, Guido eloquently delivers plant lore and science, useful insights into myriad systems and processes, and priceless life wisdom.

The world of herbal medicine was inculcated in Guido by plant and mushroom foraging treks with his father and family during his formative years in the Italian Alps. Eventually settling in Vermont, he was inspired by renowned herbalists such as Rosemary Gladstar and 7Song. Today Guido is the chief herbalist at Urban Moonshine, which specializes in liquid herbal extracts with a focus on digestive bitters, herbal tonics, and everyday health remedies. Through the Urban Moonshine Herb School, he provides online herbal education. Guido is also author of The Wild Medicine Solution, an incredible book filled with folklore, science, recipes, and practical uses of bitter, aromatic, and tonic herbs.

Just like the swift runner that Guido is, he covers so much ground in this episode, including his observations with running and homeodynamics; folklore, mythology, and fairy tales related to herbal medicine; integrative health in Africa and Maasai medicine; cultural influences; writing; bitters, tonics, and aromatics; and consciousness.

Guido is a deeply engaging speaker with a profound passion for plants and biology in general, and he effortlessly weaves tales of science and myth into a profoundly nourishing and educational conversation. It was my absolute honour to sit in his presence for this worthy discussion, and it brings me great pleasure to be able to offer it to you.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Guido Masé.

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Livia Kohn is a fascinating human being with a remarkable zest for life. This interview proved to be most enjoyable and educational and humbling in terms of what a person on her path can manifest.

When not partaking in Scottish Country Dancing, of which she does with fervent regularity, Livia can be found travelling the world lecturing on Daoism (Taoism), coordinating Daoist conferences, editing a premier Daoist journal, writing books and translating classics of Daoism, and managing a publishing company that focusses on Daoist and classical Chinese philosophy. Additionally, yearly she leads a multi-week group hiking expedition in Japan to explore the culture and visit sacred temples.

Livia earned a Ph.D. in 1980, lived in Japan for a decade, and served for nearly two decades as a professor of Religion and East Asian studies at Boston University. She has authored more than 30 books and countless articles and has helped spread Daoist philosophy around the world.

We talk about all these things in this episode and spend a fair bit of time exploring specific aspects of the Daodejing and Zhuangzi, classic Daoist texts. Livia is a wellspring of knowledge and wisdom and such a lovely individual that this conversation has left me wanting to spend more time in her presence. Her energy alone is uplifting and soothing, and that is just a thread of what she has to offer to humanity. Settle into this timely interview and see what inspiration she weaves for you.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Livia Kohn.

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Surviving at the edge is something that herbalist Jim McDonald is no stranger to. From finding a passion for herbs in the Michigan woods and letting plants be his original teachers to waking from a months-long coma that left him with amnesia, he has not walked the middle road very often.

In this episode Jim shares the harrowing illness and experience in a foreign country that by most accounts should have killed him. His survival is a tribute to the strength of his will and the power of integrative medicine, as Western Medicine alongside herbal and spiritual therapies proved indispensable in his recovery.

A passionate teacher and practitioner of herbalism, Jim guides us through his fondness for the Greek humours, the crafting of his career as a herbalist, how plants have been some of his most powerful teachers, and his style of clinical practice. His unique approach to herbalism blends traditional European folk perspectives with the eclectic/physiomedical approaches of 19th century American herbalism.

Jim is an incredible, visual teacher, and even though you cannot see him during this interview, you will not soon forget his clever use of balloon props. With his intuitive knowledge of plants and zeal for life and humour, he is a rare human carving his own path and honing his craft.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Jim McDonald.

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Kenneth Cohen is a legendary Qigong Grandmaster, Chinese scholar, and world-renowned health educator. In this interview he delivers powerful, insightful, and inspirational narrative that spans cultures and millennia and regularly reminds listeners of our interconnectivity, not just to each other, but to all that is.

Ken is the author of the internationally acclaimed book The Way of Qigong and has been a disciplined practitioner of Taiji Quan and Qigong for more than 50 years, since being introduced to the former at a talk given by Alan Watts. We talk at length about Ken’s journey with these spiritual practices and with other Chinese martial arts, and the development of his interest in Chinese language and philosophy.

Ken’s recall is incredible, and he spontaneously shares with us in Mandarin passages from the Tao Te Ching and Taoist poetry, complete with his thought-provoking translations. Taoism has had a profound impact on Ken’s life, and we explore many of the philosophies that have been so meaningful to him and continue to be wholly relevant in  the modern world in which we live.

To conclude this episode, Ken takes us on a surreal sensorial journey to the high mountains of Taiwan via a cup of oolong tea. I assure you that if you are a tea drinker, this is one verbal excursion you will not want to miss.

When I think of Ken, many virtues come to mind, including wisdom and generosity. I could listen to his wisdom for hours on end, and I am so grateful for the nearly 2 hours that he generously gave for this interview. My life has certainly been enriched by the experience, and yours is about to be also.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Kenneth Cohen.

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Michelle Gellis is a renowned practitioner and teacher of facial rejuvenation acupuncture. In this episode she shares her cosmetic philosophies and techniques, including the use of facial gua sha and cupping. Her treatments are not just to enhance physical appearance, although they do this very well, but also to treat disorders affecting the face and nervous system such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, TMJ, Bell’s palsy, trigeminal neuralgia and more.

As a practitioner, Michelle provides to her patients so much more than facial rejuvenation therapy. We discuss her use of acupuncture to treat emotional concerns such as anxiety and depression, the value of humour in healing, and she offers many great tips for building patient rapport.

Michelle’s writing has been featured in numerous publications, including The Journal of Chinese Medicine. She is currently working on a book about cosmetic acupuncture in which she plans to provide some information and perspectives that have never been in print before.

Whether you are a student or practitioner of acupuncture, or considering the potential benefits to you of cosmetic acupuncture, this interview is flush with great insights. I hope you enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Michelle Gellis.

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If you have every wondered where your herbal products come from and the authenticity of manufacturer claims, this episode is for you. Ann Armbrecht is author of The Business of Botanicals, in which she explores how our store-bought herbal medicines come to being. Through rigorous research and travel, Ann traces the often lengthy and meandering supply chain of herbal products that links earth to store shelf.

During this discussion, we explore her findings, including the ethics of business practice, the stories manufacturers often weave through their high-profile marketing teams, and the power that consumers wield via buying choices. We also discuss lessons Ann learned from writing her two previous books, and the journeys the newest one took her on.

Ann, who earned a PhD in anthropology from Harvard, is passionate about exploring the relationships between humans and the earth. In addition to writing, she presents her ideas as a documentary film producer and as the director of the Sustainable Herbs Program offered under the American Botanical Council.

Her fastidious work ultimately benefits everyone who is touched by herbal medicine: growers, producers, practitioners, patients, and the planet. The more broadly her work is known, the more each of us along the supply chain will be held accountable, including those at the endpoint, consumers. We can collectively demand better and raise industry standards with our choices.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Ann Armbrecht.

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This fascinating conversation with Mike Malterre, the Executive Vice President of Stream2Sea, the manufacturer of the safest mineral sunscreen and body care products on the planet, is a deep dive into the skincare product market. It is no coincidence that Stream2Sea was born from a passion for diving and protecting the oceans by the CEO Autumn Blum.

Mike has a knack for effectively presenting complex information that is often otherwise intentionally mindboggling. The less we know about our skincare products, the easier it is for manufacturers to use dangerous carcinogens and highly toxic components. The cosmetic industry is a behemoth with a great deal to lose from too many educated consumers.

Mike takes us through a laundry list of nasty ingredients that are ubiquitous in skincare products. These toxins not only damage us though our highly absorbent skin, but also wreak havoc on the land, waterways, and oceans. Coral reefs and their inhabitants are literally dying from the toxic runoff that washes from the skin of sunbathers and swimmers. Add to that the millions of pounds of harmful soaps and shampoos that eventually reach the ocean each year, and it is little wonder that our blue planet is suffering.

Today’s skincare products include highly toxic hand sanitizers that are literally being forced on the global population, most especially on our children. We talk at length about the human effects of our skincare products, including widespread fertility issues, surging rates of cancer, and rising levels virtually all autoimmune diseases. We also discuss the unscrupulous censorship that prevents this type of essential information from reaching the masses, and the pervasive use of marketing gimmicks – even by the companies you might think you can trust – that are designed to intentionally deceive.

Mike, Autumn, and the team at Stream2Sea are tireless warriors for a healthy planet and healthy people. Their company is one that is truly making the world a better place, and it is through our voice and choice as consumers that we can show our support.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Mike Malterre.

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Amos Ziv is an Israeli-based acupuncturist, herbalist, and integrative medicine researcher. Along with his classmates Jason Robertson and CT Holman, Amos studied channel palpation with Dr. Wang Ju-Yi and applies it to his cardiovascular health-based clinical practice and research.

Amos is the CEO of CardiaCare, which aims to provide the world’s first home-care therapy delivery and real-time monitoring system for people with atrial fibrillation. We talk extensively in this episode about many aspects of cardiovascular health and how therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine can be highly effective in restoring patient health and independence.

Amos also delivers an acupuncturists’ tutorial on treating chronic pain through specific point prescriptions and techniques and shares some of his remarkable therapeutic outcomes. We delve into the paradox of integrative medicine in Israel, and conclude with Amos’s passion for Taoism and the lessons it has provided him for life.

This episode definitely pulsates heavily in the realm of clinical practice and outcomes, making it a powerful listen for anyone in the field of Chinese Medicine or interested in cardiac care.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Amos Ziv.

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Shauna Doll grew up in the relatively treeless city of Grand Prairie, Alberta, and fell in love with nature through a forested ravine that runs through the city and served as her childhood playground. Today, Shauna has found a professional connection to that love of nature through her work with Raincoast Conservation Foundation as the coordinator for the Gulf Islands Forest Project that focusses on addressing impacts to Coastal Douglas-fir habitats.

Shauna’s work is largely devoted to forest conservation, which includes policy work and review, big tree inventory, public education, and land acquisition projects. If you love trees as much as I do, you will probably agree that there is something wonderful about being paid to seek out, inventory, and protect large trees. All Shauna’s professional roles and more are on the table for discussion during this episode including the ever-changing climate, the importance of forest biodiversity, and Shauna’s favourite forest-related books.

Shauna is a passionate advocate for the environment and an enthusiastic speaker. She effortlessly shares her experience and research for the benefit of all who listen. I thank her for her generosity, and also thank Raincoast Conservation Foundation for their tireless research and work to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of coastal British Columbia.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Shauna Doll.

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Tom Malterre has made a career of examining subtilties of good health and true wellness that most don’t even give fleeting consideration. As he advocates, “we are supposed to be engaged entirely with our environment.” But when our environment is filled with visible and invisible toxins, those toxins become part of is. To minimize their damage, we can fortify our systems through optimal nutrition and beneficial lifestyle practices.

Tom is not only an amazing educator, he is also a practitioner of what he teaches. He is co-author of 3 books – a pair of incredible cookbooks and The Elimination Diet, which examines what foods might be making us sick – and he is a teacher and practitioner of functional medicine. Growing up in Pacific surf and skate culture, he reaped the benefits of regular physical activity that connected him to his body, nature, and a thriving community. Now he creates similar opportunities for his children and strengthens his relationship with them in the process.

Tom is gifted in his ability to articulate, and thus we investigate many topics including his 10 fingers of health, how the environment is likely causing myriad chronic and debilitating conditions, the irreplaceable role of microbes in maintaining good health, relatively small food and lifestyle choices that can derail homeostasis, the value of limiting stress, and what he learned from his physician growing up in Hawaii.

Tom’s enthusiasm for life projects from him like a great wave of healing energy. Healing stems from engagement, from something Tom says can be as simple as receiving a smile from someone. I felt healing just from having this conversation with him, and I have no doubt that you will also.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Tom Malterre.

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Michael Isted is dedicated to integrating the power, beauty, and joy of plants into everyday life. As the founder of The Herball, a herb-inspired company that crafts and sells beauty products and curates beverage, cosmetic, and scent-based creations for the hospitality industry and innovators, Michael’s genius-like craftmanship is sought after around the world. To date he has created thousands of herbal beverage recipes and draws inspiration from nature itself, historical texts, and ancestral knowledge. Many of these are captured in his beautiful book The Herball’s Guide to Botanical Drinks.

As a fully qualified phytotherapist, Michael also maintains a practice seeing patients and helping them experience health and vitality. Additionally, he is passionate about scent and determined to capture time and place through aroma. His current project is recreating the experience of a storied Jamaican music studio through a natural fragrance.

This diverse episode peeks inside the mind and inspiration of a true master of his art. For me it was a wonderful plant-based journey around the world and through the ages. We ground many of Michael’s lofty creations and aspirations with the reality of the practicalities of bringing products and projects to life.

If you are interested in letting your passion lead, then exploring the filaments, petals, and beakers in Michael’s life can help guide you along the way. The pleasure he draws from his work is infectious, and his spontaneity admirable.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Michael Isted.

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Z’ev Rosenberg has been a leader in the field of Chinese Medicine for nearly 40 years. He is the former president of the Acupuncture Association of Colorado where he helped to spearhead the drive to the licensure of acupuncture in the state. And for more than 2 decades he served as the Chair of the Department of Herbal Medicine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego.

In his clinical practice, Z’ev combines many aspects of Chinese Medicine including dietetics, moxibustion, herbal medicine, Qi Gong, and acupuncture. For nearly 5 decades, with surprisingly little downtime, including early years spent as a macrobiotic counsellor and Shiatsu practitioner, he has been dedicated to his patients. Z’ev is also author of 2 books on Chinese Medicine and is currently writing his third.

In this episode we explore the roots of his journey into Chinese Medicine, including an early Pink Floyd song that begins by quoting the ancient Chinese text the I Ching, and other influences that turned Z’ev into an astute student of Chinese Classics, and then an invaluable teacher. We peek inside his thriving clinical practice and discuss his books in terms of the writing process and their impact.

Z’ev has brought so much to the culture of Chinese Medicine in the West and has inspired countless to continue to pursue the magic of what it has to offer to the world. This episode is a great journey through the ages of an ancient medical system that continues to prove its genius, depth, and contemporary applications.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Z’ev Rosenberg.

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Much like the timeless classics that Dr. Heiner Fruehauf has devoted his life to study, this episode too will be a timeless classic of this podcast. Heiner’s sage-like wisdom and advice effortlessly flows forth in the recounting of his life’s journey and work. His breadth and depth of experience, and consciousness to value all degrees of experience, from presumably positive to negative, is undeniably admirable.

Heiner studied sinology, philosophy, and comparative literature in Shanghai, Hamburg, Tokyo, and Chicago where he earned a doctoral degree from the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations. After encountering a major health crisis, his interest in healing led him into Chinese medicine and particularly the study of its classical applications and eventually herbal formulas. Presently he serves as Founding Professor of the College of Classical Chinese Medicine at National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, and he is the founder of Classical Pearls, a Chinese herbal company specializing in quality and purity of ingredients.

We cover a lot of territory in this episode, beginning with Heiner’s early-life battle with cancer, the universe aligning him with his destiny, the genesis of his professional projects and companies, and a powerful overview of 5 element philosophy and Daoist teachings.

His legacy has already bridged past through present into future, but he is nowhere near the terminus of his life’s work. His destiny is fulfilled, step by step, by his reverence for the universe and the opportunities that it presents him, opportunities that will never cease.

Although this is a comparatively long episode, we only moved the needle ever so subtly across the spectrum of his knowledge. Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Heiner Fruehauf.

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Merlin Young is determined to provide safer and more effective treatment for the world’s most deadly pandemic that today is killing more than 3,000 people per day: tuberculosis. In particular, Merlin has spent the past 14 years working with moxibustion in the treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, work that has taken him to many places including Uganda, South Africa, and North Korea.

Along with Jenny Craig, Merlin is co-founder of Moxafrica, a British-based charity investigating direct moxibustion immunomodulation as an adjunctive treatment for TB. He is a practitioner of Japanese Acupuncture and is author of The Moon Over Matsushima: Insights into mugwort and moxibustion.

In this episode, Merlin and I explore the history of moxibustion, discuss the challenges and victories of conducting moxibustion research and running a charity, probe through the global plight of tuberculosis and especially multi-drug resistant TB, and finish with a call-to-help for a Uganda family who has been pivotal in the work of Moxafrica in Uganda.

Merlin has a deep reservoir of knowledge of the ancient and often misunderstood practice of moxibustion, and his insights are helpful to both the acupuncture practitioner and layperson. It helps that he is an exceptional storyteller and has immense passion for his work of service to others. He is also incredibly generous with his time and knowledge and specifically has offered to engage with anyone to discuss the challenges our world faces and what our medicine might offer those who are most vulnerable. Light some artemisia, or perhaps incense, and settle in as Merlin blazes a global path of moxibustion. Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Merlin Young.

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Even if she stopped today, Dr. Debra Betts would be leaving behind a tremendous legacy that has greatly impacted the global treatment of pregnancy and childbirth with acupuncture. But, as this conversation indicates, Debra is neither stopping nor slowing down her research, teaching, and pioneering work in this specialty. As Debra indicates in the episode, just because women have been told that painful births, irregular periods, and menopausal symptoms are just a normal part of life, does not mean that they need surrender to this alleged inevitability and not make efforts to enhance their health and well-being.

Augmenting her nursing background, Debra graduated acupuncture college in 1989. Inspired by her pregnancy during her studies, Debra developed a strong interest in pregnancy and childbirth and over the subsequent 3 decades has emerged as a leading authority in the area. In 2006 Debra published The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth, a textbook that has become an invaluable resource around the world and has been translated into both French and German.

In this episode Debra walks us through her doctoral research in the use of acupuncture for threatened miscarriages and the general symptomatic relief that participants experienced. She shares with us her work in teaching acupuncture to midwives over the past 20+ years and her current and exciting project in Mentoring Acupuncture Maternity Peer Support (MAMPS) through which she and 4 other leading acupuncturists provide support for acupuncturists working with all levels of pregnancy. We also discuss her multi-year writing project that culminated in the publication of her textbook.

Debra seems to reside at the forefront of her industry and is currently working to revolutionize the training protocols to generate more accessible and positive treatment outcomes. All of us in the field of Chinese Medicine have likely benefited from Debra’s work. Perhaps this conversation will birth within you an interest in using holistic therapies during pregnancy and childbirth. Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Dr. Debra Betts.

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Margi Flint has practiced herbal medicine for more than 40 years in the coastal town of Marblehead, Massachusetts. As the “village herbalist” she has become a figurehead in the town and has helped countless restore their health with herbal medicine.

As an educator, Margi keeps a very busy pace. She has been an Adjunct Professor at North Shore Community College, The Tufts University School of Medicine, and currently at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. She has been a faculty member at Pacific Rim College for nearly a decade, and regularly lectures in Canada, Europe, and throughout the United States.

We cover a lot of territory in this episode, beginning with Margi’s early-life battle with cancer and the path to healing that it precipitated. We get a taste of what it is like to be a small seaside town herbalist, travel vicariously with some of Margi’s mentors and colleagues, journey into ayahuasca, and peek between the covers of the making of Margi’s book The Practicing Herbalist.

When it comes to herbal medicine, Margi has a surfeit of knowledge, and she generously shares some of it with us through her incredible stories of connection to plants and people. I hope you enjoy this plant-centred episode with Margi Flint.

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Lillian Pearl Bridges is the world’s preeminent authority on face reading and diagnosis, and, in my opinion, a beautiful individual with a magical spirit. I could not possibly overstate how much I enjoyed this conversation and how pleased I am to share some of her knowledge with you.

As the author of Face Reading in Chinese Medicine, Lillian has been studying and practicing the Chinese Medicine art of facial diagnosis since the age of 5 when her apprenticeship began with her grandmother. She is credited with reviving this nearly lost component of Chinese Medicine and bringing it to the West. As the founder of the Lotus Institute, Lillian trains students in her comprehensive face reading and Daoist design programs. She has been featured in numerous publications and shows and lectures around the world.

In this episode, we discuss many fascinating topics, but perhaps none that will be more well-received than our ability to erase or lessen wrinkles through personal emotional work. Lillian says that we are never too old to change the landscape of our face through following our purpose, healing emotional wounds, and finding our bliss. We also delve into the pragmatic power of Feng Shui in harmonizing your life and talk about one of her favourite topics: food.

You don’t need to know a thing about qi, jing, or ling to glean invaluable pearls of wisdom from this conversation. This episode is where the rubber hits the road on enhancing your life, or more aptly, a facial treasure map to finding your inner harmony. I hope you enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Lillian Pearl Bridges.

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Dr. Tom O’Bryan is a recognized world expert on health and wellness, and as he demonstrates in this episode, a powerhouse of knowledge in topics such as autoimmunity, the toll of environmental toxins on humans, gluten and its impact on health, and optimal brain function.

Dr. Tom is the creator of the groundbreaking documentary series “Betrayal: The Autoimmune Disease Solution They’re Not Telling You” that has been viewed by more than half a million people. In 2016, Dr. Tom published his award-winning book The Autoimmune Fix, and then followed that with another incredible book, You Can Fix Your Brain.

Interviewing Dr. Tom is a bit like letting a genie out of a bottle, in the most positive way. He speaks concisely and thoroughly about many incomparable topics in healthcare, and with the information he readily provides, listeners get much more than the equivalent of 3 granted wishes. Listening to or reading Dr. Tom’s words can literally change your life, if not save it.

In this episode we talk at length about plastics and their impact on health, what you can do to help your brain to function more optimally, and things about autoimmunity that you probably have never before heard. Stay tuned to the end of this interview for a special gift from Dr. Tom to listeners.

Get ready for this fast-paced, nutrient-dense episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Dr. Tom O’Bryan.

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In this episode, drug policy researcher Alan Cassels and I take a deep look into some less than desirable tactics of the pharmaceutical and health care industries. Alan has been investigating and reporting on nefarious industry strategies for more than 2 decades, and his books Selling Sickness and Seeking Sickness expose the dirty underbelly that some corporations and leaders would rather you did not know about.

If you have been satisfied with the mainstream Covid-19 narrative, this episode might be a bit disruptive. If you have been questioning it, then you might find some answers here, as well as more questions. We discuss the limitations of PCR testing, the predominant testing model for determining Covid cases; the new Pfizer vaccine and the misleading propaganda related to it; Covid case numbers; and so-called protective measures. 

Going beyond Covid-19, Alan and I also explore questionable pharmaceutical selling strategies; conditions such as high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and hypertension; the industry of influenza; and drug safety advisories.

If episode 28 with holistic pharmacist RoseMarie Pierce opened up a few uncertainties for you about the motivations of the pharmaceutical industry, this episode is going to rip the lid right off.

I hope you are stirred by this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Alan Cassels.

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RoseMarie Pierce is recognized as Canada’s first holistic pharmacist with more than 4 decades of experience in both conventional and natural medicine. She also facilitates heart-centred workshops for those interested in taking personal responsibility in their own healing and growth.

RoseMarie is a Visiting Professor at Pacific Rim College and a featured presenter at Pacific Rim College Online. Check the show notes and stay tuned to the end of this podcast for a special discount offer on her new PRCOnline course and to learn about her 2 upcoming daylong workshops at Pacific Rim College.

We cover a lot of territory in this episode: the roots of her pharmacy career and her family’s influence, plant-based derivatives of modern drugs, the importance of acid-base balance within the body and its affects on bone health, Covid-19, the loss of a child, and the gifts that the universe provides.

In an industry that is often dominated by the propaganda of a ‘drug for every bug’, RoseMarie’s holistic approach to pharmacy is a wonderful glimpse inside a possible paradigm where scientists and practitioners work together with nature to promote the safest and least toxic modes of healing. Of course, we have a long way to go, but with the progress of the likes of RoseMarie, and you, part of the Pacific Rim College community, I am optimistic for that future.

You may not agree with everything RoseMarie says, but to those who are receptive, she has a lot to offer. Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with holistic pharmacist RoseMarie Pierce.

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This is a provocative episode that will challenge some of your core beliefs when it comes to health and illness. What if the Spanish Flu of 1918 was not actually contagious? What if the measles virus has never been isolated? Furthermore, what if the coronavirus known as Covid-19 has also never been isolated? These are just some of the fascinating topics that my guest Sally Fallon Morell and I debate in this episode.

Sally is perhaps best known as the author of Nourishing Traditions, an iconic cookbook that challenges mainstream narrative. She is also the founding president of the Weston A. Price Foundation with nearly 600 chapters globally, and she is the president of New Trends Publishing.

Recently Sally and co-author Dr. Thomas Cowan published The Contagion Myth: Why Viruses (including “Coronavirus”) Are Not the Cause of Disease. This book was banned by Amazon just days before its release. It is causing waves, and Sally and I deeply explore its content and potential impact on the mainstream narrative of Covid-19.

You might find it hard to believe everything that Sally says. I do, and I challenge her on many points. Yet, what I find even harder to believe is that none of what she says is true. Discoveries are not made by accepting the norm. Paradigms are not shifted by treading along the same path as everyone who came before. Sally is an explorer who has encountered much opposition while also garnering significant support. I strongly encourage you to at least stay open-minded to what she has to say. Our future could depend it.

Please enjoy this episode of Pacific Rim College Radio with Sally Fallon Morell.

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