Advertise on podcast: Conversations on Healing Podcast

Dr. Cynthia Li is a physician trained in integrative and functional medicine who has transformed her own healing journey into a powerful guide for others seeking wholeness. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dr. Li is a certified teacher and workshop facilitator in qigong—an ancient mind-body practice rooted in the foundations of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and tai chi. Her earlier work centered on public health, with a focus on HIV/AIDS and underserved communities. Dr. Li is the author of the bestselling memoir Brave New Medicine and her newest book, The Medicine of Flow, which crystallizes seven profound steps for entering a state of effortless healing.  In today's episode, host Shay Beider and Dr. Li explore the transformative shift from a biomechanical lens of healing to a bioenergetic one—a journey born from Dr. Li's own profound healing crisis with a complex autoimmune disease. Dr. Li shares how her practice of qigong taught her that true healing often comes through surrender and flow rather than force and fighting. Together, they discuss the revolutionary concept of the "flow state"—an activated calm and coherence that exists as a third state beyond the familiar "fight or flight" and "rest and digest" responses. Dr. Li reveals how we can learn to harmonize our energy, practice coherence, and access healing with less rather than more. From the heart-centering practices and inner smile techniques rooted in qigong to the science of brain wave synchronization, Shay and Dr. Li explore how effortless healing is both playful and humbling—and how the coherence we cultivate within ourselves naturally extends to those around us. Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing Show Notes: Learn more about Dr. Cynthia Li here Read Dr. Li's memoir, Brave New Medicine Read Dr. Li's book, The Medicine of Flow Learn about the Healer's Art program at UCSF Explore Rachel Naomi Remen's work here Discover qigong practices and resources through the National Qigong Association This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through connection, wellness and healing. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. The success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people online and in person through the Integrative Touch Healing Center, and national programs. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate and Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Toko-pa Turner is an author, dreamworker, and teacher whose work explores the profound relationship between dreams, belonging, and the human psyche. Drawing from the mystical tradition of Sufism and Jungian psychology, Toko-pa invites people to see dreams not as random events, but as living conversations with a deeper intelligence that guides us toward wholeness. Her award-winning books, Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home and The Dreaming Way: Courting the Wisdom of Dreams, encourage readers to reconnect with the symbolic language of the soul and rediscover belonging as an inner, evolving experience rather than something to be found outside themselves. In this episode, host Shay Beider and Toko-pa explore how dreams can become trusted companions on the healing journey, offering insight into the parts of ourselves that long to be seen, understood, and integrated. Toko-pa shares how her own experiences growing up in a spiritual community marked by both beauty and abuse led her to the work of Carl Jung, where she discovered that much of our suffering stems from the divide between our public selves and our hidden inner lives. Together, they discuss the role of shadow work, the meaning behind recurring dreams and nightmares, and why approaching dreams with curiosity rather than fear allows them to become powerful allies in personal growth. Toko-pa explains that metaphors are the psyche's native language, serving as a bridge between the visible and invisible worlds, and that dreams often reveal our deepest potential long before we consciously recognize it. Rather than searching for belonging in external places, she invites listeners to see periods of exile, uncertainty, and even loneliness as essential parts of discovering who they truly are. Their conversation is a reminder that healing is not about becoming someone new, but about remembering the wholeness that has always existed within us—and allowing our dreams to gently lead us back home. Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Learn more about Toko-Pa here Read Toko-pa's book Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home Read Toko-pa's book The Dreaming Way: Courting the Wisdom of Dreams Learn more about Sufism here Find out more about Carl Jung here  Read The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Mate, M.D. and Daniel Mate This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward®, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Aycee Brown is a psychic channel, medium, spiritual guide, and teacher dedicated to helping people unlock their most magical lives. Known as the "Voice of Truth" for her ability to connect individuals with their divine source, Aycee works with those at life's crossroads, guiding them to find clarity, meaning, and a path forward. Her expertise on the role human design, spirituality, and astrology play in relationships has been featured in major outlets like Cosmopolitan, Brides, and Bustle. In February 2026, she shared her profound insights with a wider audience through the release of her debut book, Embody Your Magic, a powerful blueprint for breaking free from conditioning and embracing one's most authentic self. Rooted in a lifetime of spiritual discovery — including gifts she traces back to childhood — Aycee has also explored her healing gifts through the podcast Is My Aura On Straight?. In this episode, host Shay Beider and Aycee Brown explore the profound tools and teachings Aycee has gathered across a lifetime of spiritual work — insights now woven throughout Embody Your Magic. Aycee shares her concept of "The Canyon," a framework for shadow work that isn't a one-time destination but a place we return to throughout life's biggest transitions, and she explains why knowing your story — including what was happening in your family long before you arrived — is the most powerful starting point for any healing journey. The duo discuss psychic channeling, mediumship, and the idea that we all have access to our higher selves and passed loved ones, as well as practical tools like human design, astrology, life path numbers, automatic writing, and Internal Family Systems therapy. Together, Shay and Aycee reflect on how healing asks us first to tell the truth, how our "I am" shapes our destiny, and how embracing our full selves — every part, every lineage, every wound — is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of living our magic. Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Learn more about Aycee Brown here Read Aycee's debut book Embody Your Magic Read Aycee's book Your Soul Map: Liberation, Human Design, and the BIPOC Experience Listen to Aycee's podcast Is My Aura On Straight? Learn about The International Association of Near Death Studies Listen to the James Doty's podcast  here Read Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart by James Doty Read Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything by James Doty Read You Are the One You've Been Waiting For (Internal Family Systems) by Richard Schwartz  Read No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard Schwartz  Read It Begins with You: The 9 Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Life Download the My Human App here This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Judith Blackstone, PhD, is the founder of the Realization Process, an approach for embodied psychological healing and nondual spiritual awakening that bridges psychotherapy, movement, and subtle awareness. A former psychotherapist of thirty-five years and an early professional dancer, Judith's life changed after a serious injury ended her performing career in her twenties. While lying on the floor one day "praying for help," Judith began to sense a subtle current of energy and a spacious awareness in the right and left sides of her body that helped her spine to heal. What began as a personal healing discovery evolved into what she later taught her dance students as a "subtle attunement"—the foundation of the Realization Process. Influenced by spiritual teachings on undivided awareness, including those of Adi Shankara, Judith's work points to what she calls fundamental consciousness: a felt sense of oneness that connects us deeply to ourselves and the world around us. Her books, including The Realization Process, Trauma and the Unbound Body, Belonging Here, and The Embodiment Workbook for Women, offer multiple entry points into this deeply embodied journey. In this episode, host Shay Beider and Judith discuss how many of us learned in childhood to "hold back" parts of ourselves—emotions, impulses, and expressions that didn't feel safe or acceptable—and how these patterns of restraint become physically embedded in the body over time. Judith explains how this tightening often lives in the fascia, the connective tissue she describes as the interface between mind and body, echoing principles found in myofascial work such as that of John Barnes. Through simple yet profound practices—bringing awareness into the hands and feet, sensing the space around the chest, and finding balance through the shoulder sockets—Judith guides listeners from merely being aware of the body to truly living within it. She shares how trauma, especially from childhood, can create subtle imbalances across the body, and how restoring this balance can open a pathway to greater calm, creativity, compassion, and presence. For Judith, healing is not about transcending the body but inhabiting it more fully, uncovering a depth of being where love, pleasure, and connection arise naturally. This conversation invites listeners to explore embodiment not only as a therapeutic tool, but as a doorway into a more grounded, spacious, and deeply human way of living. Show Notes: Learn more about the Realization Process here and find out more about the senior teachers here Read Judith's books: The Realization Process, Trauma and the Unbound Body, Belonging Here, and The Embodiment Workbook for Women Learn more about fundamental consciousness here Discover what myofascial release is here Read more about Adi Shankara here This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Dr. Claire Plumbly is a clinical psychologist, trauma specialist, and author dedicated to helping people understand burnout and reconnect with themselves through compassionate, body-based healing. As the founder of Plum Psychology and an EMDR consultant based in the UK, Claire has spent her career supporting individuals recovering from chronic stress, trauma, and burnout. Through her one-to-one therapy work, intensive EMDR programs, and her book The Trauma of Burnout, Claire combines neuroscience, psychology, and practical regulation tools to help people move beyond survival mode and rediscover safety, clarity, and emotional balance. In this episode, host Shay Beider and Dr. Plumbly explore the crucial differences between stress and burnout, highlighting burnout as a syndrome characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion, detachment from what once brought joy, and reduced effectiveness in daily life. Claire shares how our autonomic nervous system shapes our ability to feel safe, think clearly, and connect with others, introducing accessible tools such as breathing exercises, the physiological sigh, progressive muscle relaxation, and bilateral tapping to help regulate the nervous system. Shay and Claire discuss the importance of boundaries, the impact of feeling "tired but wired," and the power of grounding techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method. Together, they explore the concept of "glimmers"—small cues of safety and joy that help restore balance—as well as embodied affirmations and compassion-focused therapy, which encourage people to relate to themselves with kindness rather than criticism. Their conversation offers practical and hopeful reminders that healing from burnout begins with learning to listen to the body, cultivate safety, and reconnect with what helps us feel whole again. Show Notes: Learn more about Plum Psychology here Read Claire's book here Download the Self Compassion app for Apple products here and Google products here Download the Heart Math app for Apple products here and Android products here This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Dr. Stephen Dahmer is a physician, educator, and global leader in integrative medicine who has devoted his career to transforming how we understand healing. As Director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, Dr. Dahmer helps train healthcare professionals to deliver care that treats the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. His path into integrative medicine was shaped by early mentors and experiences, from studying botanicals and herbal medicine with Dr. David Kiefer to learning humanistic, patient-centered healing from pioneers like Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen. Through his work in diverse communities around the world, Dr. Dahmer has seen firsthand how medicine becomes more powerful when it honors culture, connection, and meaning alongside science. In this episode, host Shay Beider and Dr. Dahmer explore the core tenets of integrative medicine, including movement, nourishing food, community, belief, and proactive approaches to health. They discuss how integrative care can augment Western medicine—almost always making it better—by moving beyond an "either/or" mindset and instead adding layers of support that care for the individual experiencing illness. From research showing how beliefs influence biology to stories of community-based medicine across the globe, the conversation highlights how healing is not just about fixing what is broken, but about fostering wholeness, resilience, and vitality. Together, they reflect on how simple, low cost or free practices like breathing techniques, meditation, finding awe and connection can profoundly shape health—and how integrative medicine invites us to move upstream, cultivating well-being long before illness takes hold. Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Find out more about Dr. Stephen Dahmer here Read about the Andrew Weil Center here Learn more about Dr. David Kiefer here Learn more about Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen here Read about the Harvard research study on adult movement here Find out more about the Iora Health-Community Mode here Find out more about the Healer's Art Course in Tucson here Learn more about the Andrew Weil Center's Fellowship in Integrative Medicine here This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Erin Clifford, JD, MA, LPC, is a wellness expert who helps professionals build healthier, more balanced, and more fulfilling lives. A Corporate Wellness Consultant, Licensed Professional Counselor, and National Certified Counselor, Erin integrates her background in mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle management to deliver impactful wellness coaching. Her holistic approach emphasizes the interconnected nature of well-being and meeting people where they are with practical, evidence-based tools for lasting change. Erin is the author of the USA Today National Bestseller Wellness Reimagined: A Holistic Approach to Health, Happiness, and Harmony, and her work has been featured in Shape, U.S. News & World Report, and Prevention. She holds a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law and a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. Her global training adds depth to her integrative approach to wellness.  In this episode, host Shay Beider and Erin Clifford explore what it means to reimagine wellness in a demanding world. Erin emphasizes the importance of identifying core values as a "north star" for building a sustainable wellness plan and aligning daily life with what matters most. She shares her holistic framework for well-being—integrating physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health—and introduces the Wheel of Harmony, a practical tool for assessing life domains and adapting wellness practices through changing seasons and milestones. The pair discuss the power of boundaries, self-compassion, reframing limits as liberating and reminding listeners that saying no is often saying yes to themselves. Together, they address burnout, caregiving, and the need to simplify wellness by returning to the basics while also embracing accountability and mindset shifts that support lasting change. This conversation invites listeners to find what feels supportive, realistic, and meaningful for their own lives.  Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Find more about Erin here Learn more about her services here Read her bestseller: Wellness Reimagined: A Holistic Approach to Health, Happiness, and Harmony This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through connection, wellness and healing. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. The success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people online and in person through the Integrative Touch Healing Center, and national programs. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate and Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Diane Button is an author, instructor, and end-of-life doula who has dedicated her career to helping people approach dying—and living—with deeper meaning, intention, and compassion. She is a founding partner of the Bay Area End-of-Life Doula Alliance in Northern California and an instructor for the University of Vermont's End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate Program. With a master's in counseling psychology, Diane has served as a board member for the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance and as a hospice volunteer, bringing warmth, presence, and clarity to individuals and families navigating life's final chapter. Her books and teaching have inspired countless people to reflect on legacy, love, and the profound beauty of living a life well-lived all the way to its final moments. In this episode, host Shay Beider and Diane Button explore the profound lessons Diane has gathered from years of sitting with people at the end of life—insights captured in her newest book, What Matters Most. Diane shares how her work is shaped by practices that help people live with intention now, from the "joy counter" that encourages noticing everyday delights, to the beloved "pink glitter" story that reminds us not to save the good things for someday. She speaks about the importance of self-care for caregivers, the healing power of words, and the urgency of not waiting to say what is in your heart. Shay and Diane discuss the "final checklist," a set of six questions she designed to open meaningful conversations about who and what truly matters. Together, they explore how being present, honest, and joyful can help us heal during life's hardest moments, and how embracing these practices now can shape a life—and an ending—rooted in clarity, gratitude, and love. Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Look into the End-of-Life Doula Alliance Read Diane's book, What Matters Most   This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through connection, wellness and healing. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. The success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people online and in person through the Integrative Touch Healing Center, and national programs. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate and Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

When Listening Becomes Healing: The Practice of Radical Listening  Professor Christian van Nieuwerburgh (PhD) is a leading academic, consultant, and executive coach whose work bridges the worlds of coaching, positive psychology, and human connection. He serves as Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology at the Centre for Positive Health Sciences at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Ireland and as a Strategic Partner for the Instructional Coaching Group in the United States. He is a certified executive coach through both the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (Master Practitioner) and the International Coaching Federation (Professional Certified Coach). Christian is widely published in the fields of coaching and positive psychology. His many books include Coaching in Education: Getting Better Results for Students, Educators and Parents, An Introduction to Coaching Skills: A Practical Guide, and Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection, with Robert Biswas-Diener.  In this episode, host Shay Beider and Dr. van Nieuwerburgh explore the transformative ideas in his new book, Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection. Christian shares that listening is both a skill and an art and describes the importance of setting a positive intention before engaging with others. He outlines six core listening skills: the internal skills of noticing, quieting, and accepting, and the external skills of acknowledging, questioning, and interjecting. Throughout the conversation, Christian and Shay discuss how listening itself can be a powerful intervention—especially in healthcare settings, where being seen, valued, and heard can promote healing. Drawing from personal experience, Christian highlights the role of compassion and presence in true connection. The duo also explore barriers to communication and how simple acts of acknowledgment—what John Gottman calls turning toward bids—can build stronger bonds. This episode invites us to approach each conversation as an opportunity for connection, compassion, and shared humanity. Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Learn more about Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh Read his latest book "Radical Listening" here Read "Coaching in Education" here Look into "An introduction to Coaching Skills" here This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Aaron Johnson is a powerful social activist and thought leader dedicated to fostering environments where Black-bodied individuals can fully express themselves. His TED Talk, "Chronically Undertouched," highlights the profound absence of safe, loving, platonic touch in the lives of many Black men. His work is rooted in addressing this deep cultural and emotional wound. Aaron helps men of African descent transition from being chronically undertouched to developing personalized "touch plans," creating practices that honor safety, connection, and dignity. Beyond individual guidance, Aaron cultivates retreats and workshops on Black-owned land in the Mojave Desert, where BIPOC communities can gather for healing, meditation, song, and collective renewal. In this episode, host Shay Beider and Aaron Johnson dive into the profound impact of platonic touch for Black men and BIPOC communities. Aaron shares his personal journey of reclaiming touch and accepting his tears after confronting the deep cultural barriers shaped by history, racism, and social conditioning. Aaron introduces his "Touch Plan" framework, starting with deep listening, grounding practices, singing, and gradually introducing platonic touch with consent and presence. This conversation also touches on the role of culture, history, and collective healing, highlighting Aaron's retreats, workshops, and films, including Dark and Tender, which documents men of African descent rediscovering tenderness, connection, and emotional expression. The conversation highlights how nurturing physical and emotional connection can support holistic wellness, resilience, and collective empowerment. Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Learn more about Aaron Johnson Listen to Aaron's TED Talk here Watch the film Dark and Tender Read the Art of Giving and Receiving here This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Dan Newby is a global leader in emotional literacy and the creator of Emotions-Centered Coaching. With over 7,000 hours of coaching experience, he has dedicated his career to helping leaders and changemakers around the world turn emotions into powerful, everyday tools for transformation. Dan is the author of four books on emotional literacy and regularly leads his signature Emotions-Centered Coaching course for "people who support people" — including leaders, therapists, educators, faith leaders, and parents. Before devoting himself to coaching, Dan spent 25 years in private business, including as CEO, and later served as COO, CEO, and Senior Course Leader at Newfield Network Coach Training School. Today, he and his partner Lucy Núñez, lead the School of Emotions and Dignity Inc., which focuses on fostering dignity in policing and leadership. In this episode, host Shay Beider and Dan Newby explore how emotional literacy can transform the way we understand ourselves and connect with others. Dan defines emotions as "what moves us" and powerful sources of energy with their own narratives, impulses, and purposes. He shares his journey on learning to name and articulate his emotions, and offers practical tools like expanding our emotional vocabulary, noticing and naming emotions throughout the day, and distinguishing subtle differences. The duo highlight resources such as the Emotional Regulation Assessment, the Emote app, and Emotional Flash Cards, all aimed at building emotional agility and resilience. Dan shares some of his personal experiences and illustrates how allowing emotions to flow without attachment and consciously choosing emotions like optimism and hope can lead to greater well-being. Ultimately, Dan encourages us to see emotions as dynamic forces we can shape, helping us live more whole, connected, and intentional lives. Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Learn more about Dan Newby Learn more about his School of Emotions Check out Dignity Inc. here Read "The Unopened Gift" here Read his book "Dignity in Leadership" This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Dr. Maryellen MacDonald is the Donald P. Hayes Professor Emerita of Psychology and Language Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is a renowned cognitive scientist. Her work in psycholinguistics explores how we comprehend, produce, and learn language—one of the most remarkable aspects of being human. Dr. MacDonald's research has examined language across the entire lifespan, from children and young adults to older adults and individuals living with Alzheimer's disease. In her book, "More than Words", she explores the science around how and why we talk, and how this impacts our lives. In this episode, host Shay Beider and Dr. Maryellen MacDonald discuss the surprising power of talking—not just with others, but to ourselves. Dr. MacDonald explains that turning our internal state into words is a complex brain process that sharpens attention, calms the limbic system, and helps us follow through on goals. Dr. MacDonald shares that naming our thoughts and emotions can bring clarity, reduce stress, and tune the brain for better focus. She highlights how listening is easier than talking, a "desirable difficulty," and stresses the importance of mastering the art of listening and talking. From children developing language and school readiness through conversation, to older adults keeping their brains engaged, talking shapes cognition across the lifespan. This episode encourages us to embrace conversation, self-talk, and journaling as tools to better understand ourselves and connect with others. Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Learn more about Dr. MacDonald Read her book, "More than Words" here This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Dr. Jeffrey Karp is a Harvard Medical School and MIT professor, inventor, best-selling author, and visionary leader. From transforming the challenges of undiagnosed ADHD into a wellspring of creativity and innovation, Dr. Karp has built a career championing neurodiversity, mindfulness, and environmental stewardship. He has co-founded 14 companies and secured over 100 patents, Dr. Karp's acclaimed book, LIT: Life Ignition Tools, inspires readers to move beyond autopilot living and embrace intentionality in daily life. Currently serving as Executive President of Geoversity Nature's University in Panama, Dr. Karp champions a "kinship worldview" that weaves together science, design, the arts, and indigenous wisdom to reconnect humanity with nature.    In today's episode, host Shay Beider talks with Dr. Jeffrey Karp about the three main forces he believes hold us back in modern life and how reconnecting with our nature, ritual and intuition can help us move from disconnection to real connection. He breaks down ideas like "radical simplicity," asking better questions, and the power of setting clear intentions in everyday interactions. The duo dive into his fascinating biotech work inspired by nature, his advocacy for rethinking neurodiversity, and the possibilities he sees for AI in transforming education. Dr. Karp shares what he's learned about building an internal compass rooted in core values and reminds us that healing often means unlearning old patterns and paying closer attention to the world around us—so we can grow, reconnect, and help create a thriving future together.   Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Read his book, LIT: Life Ignition Tools Learn more about Geoversity Nature's University here Check out the Karp Lab here Check out The Power of Awe here Visit Modern Elder Academy This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Dr. James M. Greenblatt is a pioneer in functional and integrative medicine and a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist who has been treating patients since 1988. He serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine and previously held the role of Chief Medical Officer at Walden Behavioral Care/Monte Nido. An internationally recognized speaker on nutritional interventions in mental health, Dr. Greenblatt has authored seven books, including the best-sellers Finally Focused and Answers to Anorexia, as well as his latest, Functional & Integrative Medicine for Antidepressant Withdrawal. He is also the founder of Psychiatry Redefined, an educational platform dedicated to transforming psychiatric care through integrative and evidence-based approaches.   In today's episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Dr. Greenblatt about ADHD, anorexia nervosa, depression and other psychiatric disorders. The duo discuss the dangers of anorexia, and he provides solutions for better treatment outcomes for patients. He shares important information around antidepressant withdrawal and how functional psychiatry looks beyond symptoms to address underlying factors. Dr. Greenblatt shares his approach to treating depression in his book, Finally Hopeful. He discusses tools such as genetic testing (MTHFR) and screening for core nutrients that can transform psychiatric care, and highlights links between gluten sensitivity and conditions like anorexia and schizophrenia. Dr. Greenblatt closes by emphasizing the need for personalized, whole-person care and offers hope to those who are struggling. Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Learn more about Walden Behavioral Care here Read Finally Focused on ADHD Read Answers to Anorexia Read Functional & Integrative Medicine for Antidepressant Withdrawal Look into Finally Hopeful here Psychiatry Redefined website Look into Function Health here   This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Jonathan Gluck is a writer whose powerful storytelling has been in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and Vogue. He has served as deputy editor and managing editor of the New York Magazine. Over the course of his distinguished career, Jonathan has earned multiple National Magazine Awards. Now, he turns inward with his latest work, An Exercise in Uncertainty: A Memoir of Illness and Hope, a deeply personal account of his diagnosis with Multiple Myeloma—an incurable blood cancer—and the emotional and physical journey that followed.  In this episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Jonathan about his journey with the blood cancer he's lived with for over two decades. He shares what life looked like at the moment of his diagnosis, the emotional complexity of telling loved ones, and the guilt that often comes with being the one who is sick. The pair discuss how caregiving carries its own burdens and quiet heroism. Jonathan shares the details on promising innovative treatments like CAR-T cell therapy. Finally, he speaks to the strength of family, the power of optimistic realism, and the life lessons that have emerged from a diagnosis he never expected. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing  Show Notes: Read Jonanthan's book An Exercise in Uncertainty: A Memoir of Illness and Hope Check out Stand By Me here Learn more about CAR-T therapy Read The Anatomy of Hope This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity.  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org