Conversations on Healing Podcast (Shay Beider)

BJ Miller is a longtime hospice and palliative medicine physician. He is the co-founder of Mettle Health, which aims to help patients and their families receive personalized and holistic consultation through navigating the existential issues that come with a serious illness or disability. He has worked in a variety of care settings and his main areas of speciality include working across disciplines to affect broad-based culture change, cultivating a civic model for aging and dying, and furthering the message that suffering, illness, and dying are fundamental and intrinsic aspects of life. Dr. Miller serves as a Medical Advisor for the Partnership for Palliative Care, and is the Honorary Medical Chair to the Dream Foundation, a nonprofit organization that serves terminally ill adults and their families.

In today’s episode, Shay Beider and Dr. Miller discuss the difference between healing versus fixing, and how he found the perseverance to navigate a major accident that resulted in him becoming a triple amputee. BJ also talks about the importance of presence and empathy in life, particularly at the end of life. By allowing things to be as they are, people can live in the moment and experience compassion in the face of suffering. The acceptance of “what is” ultimately allows people to be able to sit with the human experience of pain. In this meaningful conversation, Dr. Miller delves into the importance of embracing the unknown to create connection and fully feel the aesthetic richness of the present moment.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• David Foster Wallace Commencement Speech 
• Find out more about the difference between Healing and Fixing with Rachel Naomi Remen
• Take a look at the Immersive Van Gogh Experience in a city near you
• Learn about Neuroaesthetics here
• Click here to find out more about the power of aesthetic in John Duey’s book, Art as Experience
• Explore Mettle Health

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch, which is working to change the way people experience healthcare. A leader in the field of pediatric integrative medicine, the organization supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids 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 reaches thousands of people each year in hospitals and communities and offers unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive wellness education and integrative medical services at little or no cost.

Dr. Shamini Jain, PhD, is a scientist, psychologist, founder and CEO of Consciousness and Healing Initiative (CHI). CHI is a nonprofit organization that works to create a community of scientists, teachers, healers and many other experts to enable collaborative acceleration in healing. Dr. Jain received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the UCSD/SDSU Joint Doctoral Program. Her research focuses on psychoneuroimmunology, and she has several publications on biofield healing and other approaches to using integrative health. Dr. Jain is the author of the award winning book “Healing Ourselves: Biofield Science and the Future of Health”. She integrates her experience with East Indian spiritual practice and other traditions in order to share how people can find joy in their everyday lives. 

In today’s episode of Conversations on Healing, host Shay Beider welcomes Shamini as they discuss biofield awareness and some of her groundbreaking research. Dr. Jain explains the concept of biofield science and energy healing, as well as how people can bring subtle awareness to their own biofield. Shamini also shares the importance of subtle energies and how humans have the innate power to heal at a physiological level. Additionally, she mentions the importance of creating a ritual in your everyday routine in order to maintain internal self care. By doing so, people can reconnect with the essence of who they are in order to promote personal healing.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Shamini Jain

• Find out more about Consciousness and Healing Initiative

• Read “Healing Ourselves: Biofield Science and the Future of Health” here

• Read “Tuning the Human Biofield” here

• Check out the Science of Healing course

Integrative Touch, the non-profit organization that created The Conversations on Healing Podcast will be launching a new Healing Center in early 2023. This center will be located in Tucson, Arizona, but will have online services, workshops and classes available internationally. This journey has been years in the making. In this special episode, host Shay Beider sits down with a dear friend and colleague, Katie Frazee, to talk about the journey that led to where Integrative Touch is today. They discuss the creation of the organization, their personal experiences and the amazing connections formed along the way. Shay and Katie also talk about some of the lessons they have learned along the way and the constantly evolving healing that is being done. Shay shares some of these stories and how the new Healing Center fits into their mission as a whole. The pair is joined by Sam Hester, who graphically records the journey of Integrative Touch through their conversation. You can visit the Integrative Touch YouTube channel to see all of Sam’s fantastic drawings that accompany the conversation. If you would like to learn more and check out our progress on the new healing center, please visit our website www.integrativetouch.org and sign up for our monthly newsletter!

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Mathias Basner, MD, PhD, MScEpi is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at University of Pennsylvania in the School of Medicine. He is the Director of the Behavioral Regulation and Health Section of the Department of Psychiatry. His research in particular focuses on sleep loss and its effect on cognition, as well as how noise affects sleep. Dr. Basner is the Senior Associate editor of the Sleep Health journal, and he serves on the editorial board of the journal Frontiers in Physiology. He has published over 100 original research articles in addition to reviewing articles for scientific journals. 

In today’s episode, Shay Beider speaks with Mathias Basner about his research with noise and the effect this has on sleep and health. He talks about the importance of getting quality sleep, and how this can be interrupted by noise from our surroundings. Dr. Basner discusses ways to minimize excess noise, and how to give the auditory system time to rest. He shares the importance of noise refuges and the positive physiological aspects of limiting excess volume. Finally, Dr. Basner highlights preventative measures people can take to protect their auditory system, and its connection to cognition and optimal health.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Mathias Basner TedTalk  
• Read the full text for  Mathias’s research paper on Noise Effects on Sleep and Health Consequences 
• Check out Mathias’s research paper on Auditory and non-auditory effects on noise and health 
• Buddhist monk loud sounds reflex study
• Keep an eye out for Mathias Basner’s upcoming study on researching the effects of white noise 
• Read about University of Pennsylvania's new hospital  geared towards making it a more conducive environment for healing

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch, which is working to change the way people experience healthcare. A leader in the field of pediatric integrative medicine, the organization supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids 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 reaches thousands of people each year in hospitals and communities and offers unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive wellness education and integrative medical services at little or no cost.

Dr. Tamar Chansky is a licensed psychologist and founder of the Children’s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety which uses cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat a variety of conditions. She is considered an expert on dealing with anxiety for children and teens. Dr. Chansky is the author of several books including “Freeing Your Child from Anxiety” and a book for adults, “Freeing Yourself from Anxiety”. Her work is devoted to helping kids, teens and adults reduce stress and minimize their anxiety. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider talks with Dr. Chansky about the role that anxiety plays in our lives and some of the tools people can use to minimize stressors. Together, Shay and Tamar discuss the Parent’s Master Plan for Anxiety where Dr. Chansky shares 7 steps that parents can take to help their children manage anxiety. Additionally, the pair discuss the 4 step strategy that can be used to move from catastrophe to clarity. Dr. Chansky also shares the importance of emotional self regulation and how the process of resetting the nervous system is a highly individualized process. This episode provides plenty of helpful tips to manage stress and anxiety and promote wellness!

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Dr. Chansky’s website here

• Look into the Children’s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety

• Read Dr. Chansky’s book on anxiety “Freeing Your Child from Anxiety”

• Read her book on negative thinking “Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking”

• Read her book on OCD “Freeing Your Child from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder”

Dr. Wendy Suzuki is a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology in the Center for Neural Science at New York University and a celebrated international authority on neuroplasticity. She is the author of “Good Anxiety” and “Healthy Brain, Happy Life”, a book which focuses on recognizing anxiety and harnessing the power behind it. She was recently named one of the top ten women changing the way we see the world by Good Housekeeping. Dr. Suzuki regularly serves as a sought-after expert for publications including The Wall Street Journal, Shape, and Health. Her TED talk has more than 31 million views on Facebook and was the 2nd most viewed TED talk of 2018. She focuses her work on neuroplasticity with recent work in long-term memory retention and the effects of aerobic exercise on cognition. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider discusses how to work with anxiety with Dr. Suzuki, and how anxiety can actually be used as a source of strength in our lives. She describes how people can welcome this emotion and use it to create positive change in their lives. Dr. Suzuki also shares how she used grief in her own life as a motivating force behind the creation of her book, “Good Anxiety”. She shares wellness tips for the listeners on how to increase mood, cognition and focus. Dr. Suzuki touches on meditation and exercise as powerful tools for well being. Dr. She describes both the long and short term benefits of exercise, including improvements in mood and memory and decreased anxiety. Dr. Suzuki shares her personal journey of healing with Shay and how she has found ways to release emotional blockages and turn them into something positive.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Good Anxiety by Dr. Wendy Suzuki
• Find out more about eliciting the relaxation response, based on the work of Herbert Benson, MD
• Here’s a podcast episode to learn more about Loving Kindness Meditation, hosted by Robert Thurman 
• Richard Davidson’s research 

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch). InTouch is working to change the way people experience healthcare. A leader in the field of pediatric integrative medicine, the organization supports caregivers and families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids 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 reaches thousands of people each year in hospitals and communities and offers unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers from around the world. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive wellness education and integrative medical services at little or no cost.

Nipun Mehta is the founder of ServiceSpace.org -- an incubator of projects that support a gift culture. In his mid-twenties, Nipun quit his job to become a "full time volunteer" and over the last 15 years, his work has reached millions, attracted more than 500 thousand members, and mushroomed into numerous projects like DailyGood, Awakin Circles, and Karma Kitchen. Among his many prestigious accolades, President Obama appointed him to serve on a council for social change, the Dalai Lama recognized him as an “Unsung Hero of Compassion”, and Germany’s OOOM magazine named him Top 100 Most Inspiring People of 2018. Nipun has addressed thousands of gatherings around the world, speaking next to wide-ranging leaders from Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to author Elizabeth Gilbert to civil rights legend John Lewis. One of his most formative experiences was a walking pilgrimage across India with his wife. The profound lessons from that journey became the subject of his address at UPenn’s commencement. Nipun's mission in life is to: "Bring smiles in the world and stillness in my heart."  

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Nipun to share his unique story of how he went from a career in software to becoming a full-time volunteer and founder of ServiceSpace. Nipun talks about the work ServiceSpace is doing and the principles the organization follows, including their important practice of “giftivism.” Later, Nipun discusses how a more optimal word for leadership might be “laddership,” and shares his personal philosophy on achieving maximum energy flow. This episode is particularly powerful because it is a dialogue between two non-profit leaders whose organizations are focused on volunteerism. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• ‘A Great Wagon’ by Rumi

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Jeannette Mare is the founder of Ben’s Bells, an organization dedicated to inspire individuals and communities to practice intentional kindness. She has a masters degree in linguistics from Gallaudet University and she has been teaching kindness for over 20 years. She began her journey from grieving to healing after the sudden death of her son, Ben, in 2002. Today, Jeannette speaks on how she channeled her grief from losing a loved one to further her understanding of compassion and human suffering. This tragedy became a catalyst for personal transformation, leading her to explore what kindness means to her and the power of human empathy. Ultimately, this led to the foundation of Ben’s Bells.

In today's episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Jeannette to the podcast to discuss the importance of humility, particularly in the scope of dealing with tragedy. Jeannette elaborates on the creation of Ben’s Bells, and describes how the trademark ceramic wood chimes came to be. She also touches on the importance of human connection, and how important she found this to be during her grieving process. By understanding the classic human needs of community and desire for connectedness, she has been able to tap into a newfound level of kindness. Jeannette shares her desire to push kindness into areas where it isn’t currently existing and the strength behind humility for one another.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Find out more about Ben’s Bells here!
• Read more about Jeannette’s work at University of Arizona

As always, this podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time.Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.

Dr. Brandy Baker is a clinical psychologist and executive clinical director at Intuition Wellness Center, where she uses creative and play-based therapeutic modalities to create a collaborative space with parents, teachers and other providers.

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Baker to talk about what drew her to pediatric care. They also discuss what it means to be a parent today and the importance of having strong support systems. Dr. Baker also reflects on the effects of COVID-19 from a mental health standpoint, and she shares the diverse experiences among the families she treats.

SHOW NOTES:

• Here’s the CDC page on Adverse Childhood Experiences 
• Here’s the link to Peter Levine’s work on Somatic Experiencing
• Check out this link to learn more about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
• Also, the quote by Frederick Buechner-"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Do not be afraid."
• Learn more about Integrative Touch for Kids at www.integrativetouch.org! 

We're days away from new episodes of the Conversations on Healing Podcast! In this brief teaser, host Shay Beider shares what you can expect to hear...

Plus, don't forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

We're days away from five new episodes of the Conversations on Healing Podcast! In this brief teaser, host Shay Beider shares what you can expect to hear...

Plus, don't forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Judson Brewer M.D., Ph.D. is a renowned psychiatrist and internationally known expert in the field of habit change and mindfulness training for addiction. He is currently working as the Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center, as an associate professor in psychiatry at the School of Medicine at Brown University, as a research affiliate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and is the executive medical director of behavioral health at Sharecare Inc. Judson had originally founded MindSciences, which merged with Sharecare Inc. in 2020. Judson developed several mindfulness programs for habit change, including a popular app-based treatment for smoking, emotional eating and anxiety. Judson’s impactful work has been featured on 60 Minutes, TED, Time, Forbes, BBC, and NPR, among others. In addition, Judson has authored several books, including “The Craving Mind” and his newest  book, “Unwinding Anxiety”. 

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Judson to talk about his three-step process for unwinding anxiety. Judson shares the story of how he found himself studying the brain to understand the way his mind worked so he could help others. He explains how anxiety is often hidden in our habits, and gives tangible advice on how to break the cycle of worry and fear to combat anxiety. Judson and Shay also discuss the importance of spreading kindness during COVID-19. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Unwinding Anxiety Program
• Eat Right Now Program
• Craving To Quit Program
• What’s your story? Journal
• The Power of Kindness Video

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Dr. Gwen Glew has dual board certifications in pediatrics and developmental pediatrics. She trained at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed her residency along with two fellowships at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital. She received a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Washington. She has worked as an attending physician for many years, caring for high-risk post-premature infants, children with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, autism, fragile X and a number of other genetic and developmental disorders. She retired temporarily to care for her son, Duncan, who was diagnosed with leukemia at age 12. Duncan Glew, now 19, is a student at Harvard University. In addition to attending classes to receive his Bachelor’s, he is the business director at The Harvard Political Review.  

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Gwen and Duncan to talk about cancer treatment from a patient and parent perspective. They also discuss the role of privilege in the health-care system, and the importance of having an advocate throughout the treatment process. Gwen and Duncan share their experience moving the family across the country to receive better care, and what life has been like since then. They give advice on some of the institutional problems within medicine and how we can best “heal” the medical system as a whole. 

Show Notes:

• For more information on how to participate in The Big Climb click here.  
• For more information on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and how you can help click here.  

As always, this podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.

Eileen Grubba is a renowned actress seen in roles on popular programs such as NBC’s New Amsterdam, Game of Silence, Sons of Anarchy, Criminal Minds, CSI: Miami, The Politician on Netflix and countless others. 

After battling a severe spinal cord injury at the age of five and overcoming cancer in her thirties, Eileen has been presented with her share of challenges. Her experience dealing with disability discrimination led her to become an advocate for children with unique abilities. Eileen is a fighter for the inclusion of disabled performers in the entertainment industry and is dedicated to creating a world of greater understanding and acceptance for all. She is an active public speaker on issues of disability inclusion, anti-bullying, women’s empowerment, patient advocacy, and living your dreams.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Eileen to talk about where her source of personal power comes from. Eileen shares what support she would have benefitted from in her early years, and how she could have accomplished 10x as much had she not had to face discrimination in her life and industry. Eileen shares practical advice on overcoming challenges, and tips for how she keeps her body, mind and spirit strong. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Eileen’s IMDB
• Everyday Warrior 
• Angel City Sports

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Healing Moments is a segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate into your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with Sue Ludwig, and she will guide us through intention setting and some self reflection questions from her book Tiny Humans, Big Lessons. This Healing Moment is also offered on video, so be sure to check out our Integrative Touch YouTube channel. Take a moment to set some energy intentions and join Sue for this Healing Moment. 

Jill Castle is a pediatric Nutritionist and founder of the Nourished Child, which is a resource for parent’s nutrition education for their children.  She has been featured on many different platforms including CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times to name a few. She is known for her expertise in combining current research with application in order to help parents shift their mindset with their kid’s nutrition. She is also the author of: Eat Like a Champion, Try New Food, The Smart Mom’s Guide to Starting Solids, The Smart Mom’s Guide to Healthy Snacking, and co-author of Fearless Feeding. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Jill Castle on the importance of a parent’s role to create a positive relationship between food and well being. This play a role in how children develop, view themselves in the world, and shape their interactions. She talks about not placing too much emphasis on exactly what food is on the table, but to create a conscious experience that can be felt. She also talks about some of the scientific literature on being present at mealtime, and how this varies at different phases in a child’s life. Jill shares that creating a positive family environment with food will allow for a more activation cultivation of self love.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Jill Castle’s website found here
• Nourished Child podcast
• Check out Jill’s Youtube channel
• Read Eat Like a Champion
• Read Try New Food here
• Find The Smart Mom’s Guide to Starting Solids here

Dr. Howard Schubiner is the director of the Mind Body Medicine Center at Ascension Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan. He is also a professor at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He has multiple publications in scientific journals and books ranging from chronic pain to emotional awareness. Dr. Schubiner has consulted for the American Medical Association, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute on Mental Health. He is the author of multiple books, including Unlearn Your Pain, Unlearn Your Anxiety and Depression, and Hidden From View, written with Dr. Allan Abbass. Additionally, Dr. Schubiner has collaborated extensively with colleagues to develop two novel psychological treatments for chronic pain: Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT).

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Dr. Schubiner as he talks about the difference between neural circuit pain and structural pain. He describes how one’s experience of pain is centered in the brain and can be the result of fear, stress or unprocessed emotions. Dr. Schubiner also shares some treatment methods he uses with patients. By understanding how the brain works and the importance of eliminating excess fear in the body, individuals are able to rewire neural feedback loops and change their pain response. Dr. Schubiner talks with Shay about how freeing this understanding can be for patients once they learn how to free their body and alleviate their pain.

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 Lisa Feldman Barett 
• Check out Anatomy of Hope by Jerome Groopman
• Learn more about the Sham Knee Surgery Study 
• Find out more about Terry Wahls
• Learn more about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 

Online Resources:

• Tension Myositis Peer Network
• Mobile App for Chronic Pain: https://www.curablehealth.com
• Learn more about helping chronic pain here: https://www.thedocjourney.com
• Freedom From Chronic Pain
• Psychophysiological Disorders Association
• Check our Dr. Schubiner’s website: UnlearnYourPain
• Pain Psychology Center
• Personalized Pain Relief Program
• BackInControl
• Pain Relief in Simple Steps: here

Book Resources:

• Healing Back Pain: The Mind Body Connection
• Unlearn Your Pain
• Unlearn Your Anxiety and Depression
• Hidden from View: A Clinician’s guide to psychophysiological disorders
• Back in Control
• They Can’t Find Anything Wrong
• Chronic Pain: Your Key to Recovery

Documentary Films:

• All the Rage by Michael Gal
• This Might Hurt by Kent Bassett and Marion Cunningham

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch). InTouch is working to change the way people experience healthcare. A leader in the field of pediatric integrative medicine, the organization supports caregivers and families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids 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 reaches thousands of people each year in hospitals and communities and offers unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers from around the world. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive wellness education and integrative medical services at little or no cost.

Healing Moments is a segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate in your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with board certified physician and chief wellness officer Dr. Cindy Tsai. Cindy will lead us through a mindful breathing and visualization practice to help with quieting the mind and relaxing the body. Find a quiet place to either sit, stand or lie down comfortably and join us for this healing moment.

If you’d like to suggest an idea for a future episode, please send us an email at podcast@integrativetouch.org. If you like our show and want to learn more about the Integrative Touch Healing Center and our virtual classes and services, please visit integrativetouch.org.

Dr. Barrie Tan is internationally renowned for his research on Vitamin E and his introduction of tocotrienol (pure Vitamin E) to the nutritional industry. He is known for his discovery and extraction of tocopherol-free tocotrienols from the annatto plant. Dr. Tan earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry/Biochemistry from the University of Otago and was a professor at UMass for several years. He is currently the President of American River Nutrition, a research and development company focused on applying the benefits of the annatto plant. Today, Dr. Tan focuses much of his research on tocotrienols and how they can improve chronic conditions such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia and certain types of cancer.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Barrie Tan to discuss his work with tocotrienol, the purest form of Vitamin E. He shares his unexpected discovery of tocotrienol in the Annatto plant, and how he has managed to safely extract pure Vitamin E without other fillers. Dr. Tan discusses the difference between tocotrienol and tocopherol and how tocopherol can inhibit the benefits provided by tocotrienol. He also shares some of his research in the use of tocotrienol to decrease inflammation and treat chronic diseases like hyperlipidemia and non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Shay and Dr. Tan discuss promising clinical trials using Vitamin E for various cancer treatments, including breast and pancreatic cancer.

The host of the Conversations on Healing Podcast supports consensual clinical research. Because most animal research does not present an opportunity for consent, this type of research warrants further ethical examination before additional studies are conducted. This episode includes a discussion of animal research that has been previously conducted. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Barrie Tan here

• More information on the website American River Nutrition

• Read Dr. Tan’s book “Truth about Vitamin E”

• Find out more about tocotrienol

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch, which is working to change the way people experience healthcare. A leader in the field of pediatric integrative medicine, the organization supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids 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 reaches thousands of people each year in hospitals and communities and offers unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive wellness education and integrative medical services at little or no cost

Jonathan Robinson, a psychotherapist and bestselling author based in Northern California, has impacted over 200 million people worldwide through his practical methods. His work, translated into 47 languages, has been featured in major publications like Newsweek, USA TODAY, and the Los Angeles Times. With over thirty years of study in personal and professional development, Robinson has appeared on shows like Oprah and CNN. He hosts the popular podcast "Awareness Explorers." Notable books include  "Life’s Big Questions," a New York Times bestseller, and  "The Experience of God," featuring interviews with inspirational leaders like Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama and over 30 other prevalent figures. His expertise spans topics from communication miracles for couples to spirituality and happiness, including his latest work on MDMA therapy for overcoming trauma and depression.

In today’s podcast, host Shay Beider welcomes Jonathan Robinson as they dive into his work and how to create deep, lasting happiness in your life. He shares some of his latest research and work with MDMA from his book “Ecstacy as Medicine”, including how he trains therapists and experts to lead people through an MDMA experience. Given that the FDA is considering legalizing MDMA based on its powerful outcomes in the treatment of trauma, this is a timely topic for conversation. Jonathan elaborates on altered states of consciousness, and how these can be used to tap into deeper levels of healing and awareness. The pair discuss his experience interviewing guests like Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama and Ram Dass, and explore some of the biggest lessons he has learned. Jonathan also shares useful techniques on how one can meet their personal goals using a motivational tool he developed called the ICAN Method. Tune in to feel inspired, achieve your personal goals, and open your heart!

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Jonathan’s website here

• Read his latest book: “Ecstasy as Medicine”

• Watch Jonathan on The Oprah Show here

• Listen to his podcast: Awareness Explorers

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch is committed to ending isolation in illness and transforming trauma through togetherness. The mission is to provide connection, wellness and healing opportunities that change the lives of anyone touched by pain, suffering, or medical challenges. This includes kids 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 reaches thousands of people each year at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, through Telehealth, and in hospitals and communities. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a Heal it Forward model that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Simone Figueroa is the co-founder of U-Thrive Educational Services. She focuses on the inherent need to equip college students with tools to manage stress, improve resilience, and help them thrive throughout their undergraduate experiences and beyond. Simone believes that we can shift the mental health landscape with programs rooted in positive psychology, mindfulness, and self-compassion. 

In today’s episode, Shay Beider chats with Simone about the importance of mental health and the power of mindfulness. Simone shares her experience at Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort, and her desire to combine her entrepreneurial ways with a love for spirituality. As she found a passion in supporting individuals in their transformation, Simone ventured into her own lifestyle coaching business. She discusses the importance of U-Thrive, as it explores the mind, body, and soul to help individuals overcome the places where they feel stuck.

As always, this podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time.Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.

Sam Hester is a graphic artist who is a leader in the field of graphic recording and graphic medicine. She uses comics and graphics to tell stories about people’s lives and their healthcare experiences. She creates these comics from her hometown in Calgary, Canada. In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam created a series called The Sprawl, Alone Together. She highlighted life in the pandemic, and readers were able to deeply connect with the struggles she depicted. She’s been featured in her community newsletter Ramsay, RESIST!. Through her comics she shares her passion of community building and highlights the connectedness people share through their emotions.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Sam Hester on how she began using comics in storytelling, and shares how she has integrated graphics into her own life. Sam is an advocate for implementing images into healthcare, and discusses how she communicated her mom’s preferences to her caretakers through illustrations. Sam touches on how graphic medicine helps empower people to tell their own stories, and the healing powers of illustrating your personal experiences. During this episode, Sam shows some of her comics that she has drawn over the years, and explains the purpose behind their creation. You can view these images in the video on our Youtube channel, IntegrativeTouch.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Read “The Man Who Tasted Shapes”
• Check out Sam’s recommended podcast on synthesia
• Find out more on Ian Williams and graphic medicine 
• Watch Sam’s TED talk here
• What is graphic pathology?
• Public resources for graphic medicine

Karen Malkin is among the first National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches. She is certified as an Integrative Health Coach and Lifestyle Practitioner from both the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine (AzCIM) and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and is certified through the Institute for the Psychology of Eating.

As co-founder and CEO of MCT Foods, LLC, Karen developed a line of high-quality vegan protein blends, MCT oil, and superfood bars. She is the author of the 14 Day Transformation series, including “Toxin Takedown.” Karen has extensive knowledge on using food as medicine to heal our bodies and takes a holistic approach when working with clients. She leverages seven core areas of health and teaches people how to make small lifestyle adjustments to help them reach their goals. Outside of her private practice, Karen is a contributor to IntegrativePractitioner.com and is the author of the My Wellness Coach app. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Karen to talk about her work as an integrative health coach and discuss how she uses motivational interviewing to help clients set goals and build a healthy relationship with food. They explore the psychology surrounding eating, and some of the benefits of altering how and what you eat to optimize your life. Karen offers a few small, easy changes that anyone can make to significantly improve quality of life, and also shares some of her greatest wellness hacks. 

SHOW NOTES: 

• Rebecca Katz - Cookbooks
• Dale Bredesen, Brain Health Coach - The End of Alzheimer’s
• EWG.org - Free resource for Environmental Health
• Brain HQ App
• OURA ring
• Matthew Walker - Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
• Dhru Purohit - The Broken Brain Podcast
• Brene Brown - Unlocking Us
• Joovv Red Light Therapy

As always, this podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.

Dr. David Miller is the founding medical director for pediatric integrative medicine with the University Hospitals Connor Integrative Health Network and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. He is one of the only physicians in the U.S. dually board certified in Pediatrics and Chinese medicine. Additionally, Dr. Miller is the founding chair of the American Society of Acupuncturists.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Miller to share his experiences and expertise in both Western and Eastern medicine. He discusses how his upbringing and familial support sparked his passion in healthcare and medicine. He also shares insights on strengthening the immune system by focusing on nutrition, sleep, and managing emotions –– especially during a health scare such as COVID-19. 

SHOW NOTES:

• Check out  A General Theory of Love by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini and Richard Lannon
• Here’s the Harvard research study on living a healthy and happy life
• Take a look at Healthy Pleasures by Robert Ornstein and David Sobel
• Check out this link for a general definition of Integrative Medicine and the difference between complementary and alternative medicine.
• Learn more about Integrative Touch for Kids at www.integrativetouch.org! 

Christina Rasmussen is a grief educator and best-selling author of Second Firsts, Where Did You Go?, and Invisible Loss, each offering profound insights into healing and transformation after tragedy. Christina earned her master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Durham before experiencing a sudden loss that shifted the course of her life. She later went on to design the Life Reentry Institute, which helps individuals move more effectively through grief and times of transition. Christina’s work has been featured on The Guardian, Oprah Daily, ABC News and other top media outlets.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Christina Rasmussen to the Conversations on Healing Podcast to discuss her latest book Invisible Loss. The two discuss the 3 parts of the inner self: the Survivor, who keeps us safe but is often rooted in fear; the Watcher, who silently observes and holds wisdom; and the Thriver, the confident, empowered inner child. Christina shares her personal experience with healing after losing her husband to stage 4 colon cancer and how she created the Life Reentry Model.

Christina also explains the importance of acknowledging our invisible losses to experience a more rich and evolved life. The pair discuss that through this inner journey and work, we can find the adventure and contentment that comes from living a life true to ourselves, deeply impacting those around us. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Read more about Christina Rasmussen here

• Check out Christina’s latest book, Invisible Loss

• Read Where Did You Go here

• Learn more about the Life Reentry Institute

• Find her book, Seconds First

Dr. Robert Melillo is a renowned expert in developmental neurological conditions like ADHD, autism, OCD, and more. With over 30 years of experience as a clinician, professor, researcher, and bestselling author of Disconnected Kids, Dr. Melillo has developed groundbreaking, noninvasive methods to improve brain function. As the co-founder of Brain Balance Achievement Centers and creator of the Melillo Method®, his work has transformed countless lives. Dr. Melillo also runs the Melillo Center for Developing Minds and directs the National Institute for Brain and Rehabilitation Sciences. He co-hosts the web series Disconnected Kids Reconnected Families with his wife Carolyn where they deliver insights on helping children and adults overcome neurological challenges.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider and Dr. Melillo discuss Functional Disconnection Syndrome (FDS) and its role in brain health and behavior. Dr. Melillo explains how disruptions in early brain development can lead to neurological and behavioral challenges like ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder and dyslexia. He emphasizes the importance of movement to foster neuroplasticity and strengthen various brain regions. Drawing on insights from his book Disconnected Kids, Dr. Melillo encourages parents to explore their child's brain function while recognizing and healing their own patterns, since many adult brain health issues stem from early childhood development. Finally, the pair discuss the role that brain health plays in achieving overall well being. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Look into Dr. Robert Melillo here

• Check out the Brain Balance Center

• Read his book, “Disconnected Kids” here

• Read Reconnected Kids here

• Read The Disconnected Kids Nutrition Plan here

• Check out: Autism: The Scientific Truth About Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Autism Spectrum Disorders--and What Parents Can Do Now

• Look into “The Divided Therapist” here

• Learn more about Ian McGilchrist

Steven Haley is the president and founder of the Brain Science Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for primary brain tumors as well as advancing the understanding of brain function as it relates to these tumors. The foundation actively funds research, new diagnostic methods and treatments –– a mission close to Steven's heart, as he is a brain tumor survivor.  Steven is also a renowned business leader, having spent 30+ years in senior management positions in high technology industries with organizations including Juniper, Cisco Systems, StrataCom and Bytex. 

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Steven to share how a health scare he experienced became the catalyst for the Brain Science Foundation and how his passions have increasingly turned toward healthcare and medicine. Steven shares memories from his time as a patient, his views on the vital relationship between technology and medicine, and the direction that he would like to see healthcare head towards.

SHOW NOTES:

Check out The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell & Thomas M. Campbell

Learn more about Integrative Touch for Kids at www.integrativetouch.org! 

Dr. Lawrence Rosen is a renowned integrative pediatrician, author and founder of the Whole Child Center in New Jersey. He has been in the field of pediatrics for nearly three decades and is a passionate advocate for yoga, meditation and creating a new health care paradigm for the whole child. He wrote Treatment Alternatives for Children, which was a Mom's Choice Gold Award honoree, to help parents learn about science-based natural solutions to common pediatric conditions. 

In this episode, Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Rosen to the podcast. They discuss how his interest in medicine began, why he's dedicated his career to pediatric integrative medicine and what it's like working in an interprofessional team. They also discuss the ramifications of COVID-19 and how it has impacted him, as a pediatrician and as a parent.  

SHOW NOTES: 

• Here’s the Harvard research study on living a healthy and happy life
• Here’s the link to WholeHealthED
• Check out Anatomy of Hope by Jerome Groopman
• Also see Integrative Pediatrics by Timothy Culbert and Karen Olness
• Learn more about Integrative Touch for Kids at www.integrativetouch.org! 

We're days away from seven new episodes of the Conversations on Healing Podcast! In this brief teaser, host Shay Beider shares what you can expect to hear...

Plus, don't forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Dr. Siri Chand Khalsa is board certified in internal medicine, integrative medicine and palliative medicine. Her medical practice is focused on prevention and best practices patients can implement throughout their lives. After completing her residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic, Siri Chand completed two years of full-time ayurvedic study with master teacher, Dr. Vasant Lad, that included a yoga teacher training, reiki master training and a formal fellowship in Integrative Medicine.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Siri Chand to talk about her journey in medicine, how she found her focus, and why ayurvedic and lifestyle medicine is so powerful. Siri Chand speaks to how prevention in Western Medicine is often considered early detection in other traditions, and why it’s important to focus on true prevention. Shay and Siri Chand also discuss how unresolved trauma may prohibit the ability to heal and what steps individuals can take to move forward in the healing process. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Lifestyle Medicine
• Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen App
• How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Greger, MD
• The Weight of the Nation (documentary featured on HBO)

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Starting June 2020, ITK’s Founder and Executive Director Shay Beider will share and exciting project… the Conversations on Healing Podcast! Shay will be inviting renowned healthcare leaders and practitioners to explore the world of wellness, the powers of self-care and what it truly means to heal today. 

Listen to this brief teaser to hear from Shay what you can expect from upcoming episodes.

Healing Moments is a segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate in your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with somatic specialist Staci Haines. She will lead us through a somatic exercise that helps us to feel centered in our bodies so we can live with greater intention and purpose. Find a quiet place to either sit, stand or lie down comfortably and join us for this relaxing experience.

Rob Cross has dedicated over 20 years to studying the networks and collaborative practices of high-performing organizations. His experience working with over 300 organizations and thousands of leaders has allowed Rob to develop strategies to build effective networks at every career stage. He serves as Senior Vice President of Research at i4cp, he is a professor at Babson College, and co-founder of the Connected Commons. Rob has authored over 50 articles in top business publications and his insights have transformed leadership practices in a hyper-connected world. His work has been featured in places such as Business Week, Fortune, The Financial Times, Time Magazine and the The Wall Street Journal.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Rob Cross on the micro stress effect and managing connections in the complex world we now live in. The pair discuss the hyperconnectivity we experience in our world today, from our personal to professional lives. Rob shares some of the negative health outcomes that come from an accumulation of small stressors, which he talks about in his book, “The MicroStress Effect”. He also discusses the ongoing Harvard study that looks at longevity and connection, and why he believes it is important to have a few close friends and lean into larger social groups like clubs and in addition to family and friends. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Read Rob’s book: “Beyond Collaboration Overload” here

• Check out the “MicroStress Effect” book

• Learn more about i4cp

• Try The Microstress Effect app on google play or Apple Podcasts

Temple Grandin is a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University and she is a driving force behind the implementation of animal welfare and auditing programs used by restaurants like Whole Foods, Wendy’s and McDonalds to name a few. She has several books including: Visual Thinking, Thinking in Pictures, Livestock Handling and Transport and The Autistic Brain. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in September 2017 and in 2022 was named a Colorado State University Distinguished Professor. She has been featured on many different shows including Larry King Live, 20/20, and Prime Time.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Temple Grandin as they discuss brain variability, the school system and label locking. Temple talks about the different patterns of thinking, including visual, verbal and auditory, and the importance of understanding how these work together and individually. Temple discusses how to help children who struggle with sensory overload and how to implement different strategies to regain a sense of control. Finally, she shares personal experiences from her teenage years and how she was able to overcome bullying by finding friends who shared her interests and work that stimulated her.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Temple Grandin’s website here

• Find Temple’s newest book

• Read Thinking in Pictures here

• Look into Livestock Handling and Transport

• Read The Autistic Brain

• Check out Animals in Translation book

• Read Visual Thinking here

Staci Haines, a seasoned practitioner with 30 years of experience, has dedicated her work to personal and social transformation. She specializes in somatics, trauma healing, embodied leadership, and transformative justice. She is the author of "The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing, and Social Justice '' as well as "Healing Sex: A Mind Body Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma" which delves into ways that traumas can manifest in our life. She is a prominent figure in the field of somatics, emphasizing its role in social and climate justice, as well as trauma and oppression recovery. Staci conducts programs, teacher training, and collaborates with social change organizations. She is the co-founder of Generative Somatics, an organization focused on social justice capacity building. She is also associated with the Strozzi Institute as a lead teacher and has played a pivotal role in its methodology.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Staci on her work in somatics and how this work plays such a crucial role in embodied transformation. Staci talks about the importance of alignment between action and being and establishing boundaries to be able to form new patterns. She also discusses her work in both social and climate justice and sheds light on the impacts these have on people at multiple levels. Staci shares the power of group work for the collective soma and explains the importance of recognizing that humans are social animals who thrive on connection. She touches on places in the soma that may hold pain, and even shares a couple of practices, including one called Blending to move with energy in its current direction, rather than resisting the flow.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Staci’s website here

• Read The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing, and Social Justice 

• Read Healing Sex: A Mind Body Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma here

• Look into Generative Somatics

Daniel Goleman is an internationally renowned psychologist, lecturer, and author of numerous impactful, bestselling books, including The New York Times bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence. Daniel’s other books span subjects including meditation, creativity, transparency, compassion, social and emotional learning, ecoliteracy and the ecological crisis. 

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Daniel to talk about the 25-year anniversary of Emotional Intelligence and the impact the book has had on school systems, corporations, and leaders across the world. They discuss his relationship with the Dalai Lama and his latest project, an introduction to Viktor Frankl’s book, Yes to Life, In Spite of Everything. Daniel shares his view on healing and why he believes meditation is so important to wellbeing. 

Show Notes:

• Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ - Daniel Goleman
• Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons in Theory and Practice - Howard Gardner
• Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything - Viktor Frankl
• Man’s Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl
• Designing Your Life: How To Build A Well-Lived Joyful Life - Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
• Designing Your Work Life: How To Thrive and Change and Find Happiness At Work - Bill Burnett & Dave Evans

Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body - Daniel Goleman & Richard Davidson

As always, this podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.

Healing Moments is a segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate in your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with Jimmy Yen, or 'the Acu Sensei' as he’s known on social media. He is a widely celebrated Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, Entrepreneur and innovator. 

In today’s healing moment, Jimmy walks through a Quick Restorative Acupressure (QRA) technique that can be used to alleviate neck and lower back pain through a practice that is quick and easy to learn.

So find a quiet place to get comfortable and let’s get started!

Dr. David Steinhorn is an academic pediatrician who practices intensive care and hospice medicine for children.  He led the Judith Nan Joy Integrative Medicine Research Initiative at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago from 2002-2010 and founded palliative care programs at major children’s hospitals.  He is currently developing children’s hospice programs in Washington, DC and San Diego.  Dr. Steinhorn has additional training in energy medicine, yoga, meditation, and shamanism, studying with teachers from the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, the Four Winds Society, and Dr. Carl Greer.  Dr. Steinhorn has brought shamanic healing approaches to his critical care practice in children’s hospitals across the country.  His passion is to find ways of alleviating suffering wherever it may occur and to help patients, families and healthcare providers discover meaning in all of life’s experiences.

Jana Din is co-founder and director of the Tao Center for Healing in Sacramento, CA, and a shamanic healer, teacher and national speaker. Since 2013, she has provided over 100 volunteer healing services for critically ill children, their families, and the clinicians who care for them, in a unique collaboration with David M. Steinhorn, M.D., a nationally known specialist in pediatric palliative care.  It is Jana’s privilege to provide shamanic healing in hospitals, hospices and communities to help patients, families and healthcare providers discover the deeper spiritual meaning in the challenges and suffering a person faces when seriously or terminally ill. Ms. Din and Dr. Steinhorn’s website, https://www.healingjourneys.life/ provides an overview of a successful integrative medicine partnership between a Western physician, and a shamanic healer.

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes David & Jana to share their incredible story of how they came to work collaboratively with one another. They discuss what shamanic healing is from both of their unique perspectives and recount a moving patient story that solidified their partnership. David shares his experience working as a physician with children and families in palliative medicine and Jana shares valuable COVID-19 resources that she has developed to support people during this time of need.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Guided Journey for the Isolated and the COVID Patients
• A Guided Journey for Family and Friends, Supporting Your Loved One During Isolation

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Mary Anne Ehlert is a certified financial planner (CFP), and the president and founder of Protected Tomorrows, a company comprising expert advisors dedicated to serving families of individuals with special needs to help them plan for a bright future. She serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Special Olympics of Illinois Foundation and Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation. She is also a Partner of Forum Financial Management, serving the financial planning needs of the families.  Mary Anne speaks at conferences nationally and locally on planning for families with special needs, and recently authored The Gift I Was Given. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Mary Anne to talk about how she brings security and peace of mind to thousands of individuals with special needs and their families, and how her career was inspired from being a caregiver at a very young age for her sister who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Mary Anne shares the top “need-to-knows” for a family who has a child with special needs, and some of the changes she hopes to see within the system to recognize the value in hiring and educating people of all abilities.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Parent University™

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Elena Lister, MD, and Michael Schwartzman, PhD are co-authors of the book “Giving Hope: Conversations with Children about Illness, Death, and Loss”, a guide to help parents have tough conversations with their children regarding heavy topics. The two met when Dr. Lister was called to be a grief consultant at the school where Dr. Schwartzman was serving as a consulting psychologist. After meeting, they began to combine their years of experience to create a book together. Dr. Lister has been a child psychiatrist for over 35 years. She began advocating for families who are navigating death and loss after losing her own daughter to leukemia. Dr. Lister is also the author of the book “I Will Remember You”, which helps adolescents work through their emotions when dealing with the death of a loved one. Dr. Schwartzman helps children, adults, and couples through his private practice in New York. The two authors combine their expertise to share resources and tools for families to have real and honest conversations on loss.

In today’s episode of Conversations on Healing, host Shay Beider talks with Dr. Lister and Dr. Schwartzman as they share how their professional paths crossed, leading to the creation of the book “Giving Hope.” They explain the importance of telling children the truth regarding death and how this can be used as an opportunity for children to increase trust and feel safe. They explain how to begin these conversations in order to create an open and continuous dialogue. Dr. Lister explains some of our cultural influences and how they create a stigma around the natural phenomenon of death and dying. Working through this conversation with children allows them to be able to move through their grief and grow personal resilience. Additionally, the guests offer advice on how to navigate the difficult conversation of suicide with children and how to handle their tough questions. This episode offers a plethora of advice and tools for parents and families who might be experiencing some of life’s most difficult moments.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Read their book: “Giving Hope” here
• Check out the book: “Armfuls of Time: The Psychological Experience of the Child”
• Read Dr. Schwartzman’s book: “The Anxious Parent”
• Find “I Will Remember You: What to do When Someone You Love Dies” by Dr. Lister

Dr. Ellen Langer is a trailblazer in psychology known internationally as “the mother of mindfulness.” She was the first woman to be tenured at Harvard in her field. Dr. Langer has been included in New York Times Magazine’s “Year in Ideas” issue for her revolutionary experiments in social psychology that have earned her global recognition. Additionally, she is the author of the bestselling books "Mindfulness" and "Counterclockwise," along with a plethora of other books. Dd. Langer has received three Distinguished Scientists awards, the Arthur W. Staats Award for Unifying Psychology, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Liberty Science Genius Award.

In today’s episode of Conversations on Healing Podcast, host Shay Beider speaks with Dr. Ellen Langer about mindfulness, her research findings and the mind body unity theory. The duo discuss the connection between mind and body and the implication this has for health and wellness in our everyday lives. Dr. Langer delves into a discussion of her most recent memoir “The Mindful Body,” that combines personal antidotes with a lifetime of research. Additionally, Dr. Langer shares how people’s perceptions and language can alter their lives. She offers that much of our health can be a self fulfilling prophecy, so shifting our attention and perception can make a significant difference. Finally, Dr. Langer talks about the innate capacity within each person to live a more happy and compelling life, and how individuals can tap into that hidden power.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Read more about Dr. Ellen Langer here

• Look into “The Mindful Body” book

• Read “Counterclockwise” here

• Check out Dr. Langer’s book, “Mindfulness”

Healing Moments is a segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate in your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with Jimmy Yen, or 'the Acu Sensei' as he’s known on social media. He is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, Entrepreneur and innovator.

In today’s healing moment, Jimmy explains how to find peace through stillness. Jimmy has found that many of our modern inventions pull our attention and distract us from finding inner peace. He shares some simple techniques for how to return to being more still and poses a challenge to our listeners.

Healing Moments is a segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate in your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with Amanda Blake, who works with neurobiology to tap into the brain- body connection. Today she will guide us in developing embodied self awareness by leading us through a grounding exercise and bringing awareness to the space around our body. Find a quiet place to settle yourself and tune in for this wonderful practice!

Maya Tiwari is an Ayurvedic Matriarch and peace leader with over 35 years of experience in her field. She established the first school of Aruvedic medicine in North America in 1981. She also is the founder of Mother Om Mission (MOM), a charitable organization that brings whole life education to individuals and communities. Maya has also begun global humanitarian work with the World Peace Mandala to promote inner peace and tapping into ancestral wellness. She is also a frequent speaker at the Parliament of the World Religions and other faith and holistic conferences worldwide. Her work is focused on earth based Ayurvedic medicine, including the earth therapies of PanchaKarma, a traditional lunar education for women’s healing. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Maya Tiwari to discuss her journey with Ayurvedic medicine and how she was able to discover her life’s purpose and ancestral path at an early age. Maya shares how her diagnosis with ovarian cancer at 18 years old allowed her to take time away to tap back into Earth based intelligence and healing. She talks about the innate intelligence the Earth has and how creating a conscious relationship with nature can allow for healing. Maya also shares her work with healing and the lunar cycle, specifically for women. Maya and Shay discuss the importance of taking pauses in everyday life, and finding practical ways that allow you to come back to nature’s rhythms. 

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:

• View Maya’s website here

• Read “Women’s Power To Heal” here

• Check out “Ayurveda Secrets of Healing”

• Look into Mother Om Mission

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch is committed to ending isolation in illness and transforming trauma through togetherness. The mission is to provide connection, wellness and healing opportunities that change the lives of anyone touched by pain, suffering, or medical challenges. This includes kids 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 reaches thousands of people each year at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, through Telehealth, and in hospitals and communities. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a Heal it Forward model that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Dr. Fayez Ghishan is the Physician-in-Chief at Banner Children's at Diamond Children’s Medical Center in Southern Arizona. He is also a professor at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine Tucson, where he heads up the pediatric department. He is internationally recognized for his research and expertise in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, and his work has been continually funded by the National Institutes for Health for more than three decades.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Ghishan to talk about his remarkable life story and distinguished career. They discuss his interest in pediatric gastroenterology and how healing your gut affects your overall health. Dr. Ghishan also shares his experience with healing touch and explains how it can affect the health of your gut. 

SHOW NOTES:

• Tips for Improving the Gut Microbiome

1. Start a Mediterranean diet 
2. Add fiber to your diet (e.g. fruits & vegetables)
3. Decrease stress levels in your life
4. Increase Extra Virgin Olive Oil in your diet
5. Decrease artificial sweetener in your diet
6. Add Curcumin to your diet
7. Moderate exercise everyday (e.g. fast walking)

Plus, check out The Steele Research Center for more information.

Learn more about Integrative Touch for Kids at www.integrativetouch.org! 

In today’s special release episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Katie Frazee and Patty Atkins to discuss the story behind Integrative Touch therapy. Katie is the VP of programs and community wellness at Integrative Touch and Patty is a member of the TeleWellness Healing Team. Both women regularly practice Integrative Touch Therapy and support the development of the work. Today, the trio discuss the therapy that Shay created and has been practicing for more than 20 years, with the help and wisdom of many others. Shay dives into her vision that ultimately led her to pioneer the therapy used at the Integrative Touch Healing Center. She discusses some of the core principles that guide and inform this therapeutic approach and how it is practiced. Additionally, Shay talks about Integrative Touch Therapy in relationship to ancient forms of medicine as well as modern western medicine. This episode guides the listeners through an introduction to Integrative Touch Therapy, as Shay explains the inner intelligence and deep knowledge that is found in each one of us.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out the Integrative Touch Healing Center

• Schedule an Integrative Touch Therapy session

• Learn more about Integrative Touch Therapy

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. Michelle Loy, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified physician who received her doctorate in medicine from Weill Cornell Medical College and completed her integrative medicine fellowship from Columbia University/Stamford Hospital. She has a long standing interest in integrative medicine, and is interested in the use of nutrition, movement and mind-body lifestyle medicine to prevent and manage chronic illnesses. In recent years, she has pursued additional training in human nutrition, medical hypnosis, mind body stress reduction, and yoga teacher certification for medical conditions.      

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Loy to talk about how the seeds of integrative medicine were sown into her before she was born and how that has influenced her work today. They discuss how listening to a patient’s story and the narrative surrounding their illness is critically important. Michelle also shares her unique experiences and challenges treating patients during the pandemic, and offers advice on how to best prepare your body to combat COVID-19.

Show Notes:

• If you would like to read more about the work that Dr. Stephen Cowan does involving holistic developmental pediatrics, visit his website here. 
• Rachel Remen - Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories that Heal

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.

Dr. Bruce Perry is a global leader in understanding how trauma impacts the developing brain. He is the Principal of the Neurosequential Network and has spent over 30 years as a clinician, researcher, and educator in children’s mental health and neuroscience. Dr. Perry co-authored several influential books, including "The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog" and "What Happened to You?" with Oprah Winfrey, a bestseller translated into 26 languages. His Neurosequential Model (NMT) offers a brain-based framework for trauma-informed care and has been adopted by organizations across the globe, impacting millions. Dr. Perry has published over 500 scientific articles, appeared on 60 Minutes and NPR, and received numerous awards, including the 2024 NAMI Scientific Research Award.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Dr. Bruce Perry about childhood traumas and the neurosequential model he developed in order to provide a tool for clinicians to better understand how an individual functions. Shay and Dr. Perry discuss how trauma can affect the brain and the importance of understanding sequencing, spacing and dosing to promote healing. Shay and Dr. Perry discuss their experience using somatosensory approaches like dance, movement and music to support brain regulation and healing. In discussing ideas from his book "What Happened to You?", co-authored with Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Perry explains how trauma impacts early brain organization and ways that society can better support individuals by creating sensitive support systems that are community oriented and relationship based.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Bruce Perry’s website

• Read “The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog” here

• Read “What Happened to You” co-authored with Oprah Winfrey

• Learn more about the Neurosequential Network here

• Check out Cormac Russell’s work that Dr. Perry mentioned here

From Integrative Touch, I’m Shay Beider, host of The Conversations on Healing Podcast, and this is Healing Moments. Healing Moments is a new segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate into your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with Shonda Moralis, who will lead us through a mindfulness meditation. No matter where you find yourself today, take a moment to tune in and join Shonda for this Healing Moment.

Dr. Rachel Cramton is a pediatric hospitalist, palliative care provider and  Director of the Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Banner University Medical Center. She focuses on resident education and wellness, and integrative medicine in pediatrics. She specializes in end-of-life care and serves as an advocate for her patients and their families. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Cramton to talk about her experience working in a hospital setting during COVID-19, and the impact the virus has had on hospitals and front line workers. They discuss the power of active listening and the gift of time when it comes to palliative and end of life care. Dr. Cramton shares her personal motivation that led her to the field of palliative care, and how this specialty has molded her views of healing. 

Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. 

SHOW NOTES:

• Take a look at the Conversation Project here
• To learn more about Death Over Dinner, click here
• Check out more on advanced directives here

As always, this podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time.Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.

Healing Moments is a segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate in your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with Tamar Chansky, a licensed psychologist who works extensively with treating OCD and anxiety. In today’s healing moment, Tamar breaks down panic attacks at the nervous system level and why they can occur. She shares some wonderful tools and tricks to help calm the nervous system and center yourself during a panic attack. 

If you’d like to suggest an idea for a future episode, please send us an email at podcast@integrativetouch.org. If you like our show and want to learn more about the Integrative Touch Healing Center and our virtual classes and services, please visit integrativetouch.org.

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard trained neuroanatomist and author. After experiencing a severe hemorrhagic stroke, Dr. Taylor lost the ability to write, talk, and recall the details of her life. She wrote My Stroke of Insight to document her profound experience and eight-year recovery process. Dr. Taylor regularly speaks to various different audiences on the brain’s ability to recover from trauma. She has been chosen as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by TIME Magazine and was the premiere guest on Oprah’s “Soul Series” web-cast. Additionally, she has a new book Whole Brain Living: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life that is now available.

In today’s episode of the Conversations on Healing podcast, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Taylor to talk about her experience with recovering from a stroke and the power of choice in activating different states brain states. She describes the 4 characters at the neuroanatomical level and their impact in our daily life. Additionally, Dr. Taylor explains the different roles of the left and right hemispheres of the brain, and how people can bring consciousness to the present moment by remaining right brain dominant. She also highlights the importance of sleep for cell rejuvenation and information integration. Dr. Taylor shares the concept of a B.R.A.I.N. Huddle, which helps our brain to integrate all four characters on the neuroanatomical level in order to powerfully direct our lives and create peace.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor’s latest book, WHOLE BRAIN LIVING: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life 
• Click this link to view Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor’s famous TED Talk, My Stroke of Insight, with over 25 million views 
• Learn more about the B.R.A.I.N. Huddle here

We're days away from several brand new episodes of the Conversations on Healing Podcast! In this brief teaser, host Shay Beider shares what you can expect to hear...

Plus, don't forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Dr. Olivia Affuso is the Director of Strategic Leadership Initiatives for the Council on Black Health and a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Affuso obtained her PhD in Nutrition Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences. Additionally, she served as a tenured professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Department of Epidemiology. Dr. Affuso’s current research projects include the examination of potential mechanisms of group engagement on sustainable physical activity among Black women and the development of physical activity interventions targeting the social environments of women.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Oliva Affuso regarding her decision to leave academia and her focus on work supporting the Council on Black Health, that promotes healthy behaviors and environments for the black community. Olivia shares how she began running ultra marathons and the importance of simple and consistent habits for overall health. She hosts an online support group for women to encourage healthier choices and a sustainable work life balance. The conversation delves into systemic challenges affecting health, with Olivia expressing concern about recent policies impacting diversity and equity in institutions. She advocates for individuals within organizations to challenge such policies and work towards creating inclusive environments.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Find out more about the Council on Black Health, a research and action network that provides thought leadership to develop and implement a national agenda for Black health 
• Take a listen to this podcast  featuring Olivia Affuso, “Distance Running for Busy People”
• Check out GrassROOTS Community Foundation (GCF), a training organization with an emphasis on public health and social action to support girls and women, specifically those who are impoverished
• Dive into Olivia Affuso’s local Facebook Group, Black Magic Trail Sisters
• This is one of Olivia’s favorite books, “The Color Purple”, by Alice Walker

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch is committed to ending isolation in illness and transforming trauma through togetherness. The mission is to provide connection, wellness and healing opportunities that change the lives of anyone touched by pain, suffering, or medical challenges. This includes kids 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 reaches thousands of people each year at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, through Telehealth, and in hospitals and communities. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a Heal it Forward model that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Elena Brower is a mother, teacher, artist, bestselling author, and host of the “Practice You Podcast”. She has multiple books on the art of energy and attention and strives to elevate humanity through creativity, empowerment, and self reflection. Elena uses the tools of yoga and meditation and oversees a global team of teachers as a Double Diamond with doTERRA, a community for essential oils. Her work brings together the body and mind, integrating techniques for optimal health and wellness.

In this episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Elena to discuss Zen Buddhism and how she developed the passion to begin her own yoga and meditation practice. Elena talks about how she has been able to discover the power behind her voice and how to make a difference in the world. She also shares how she has been able to optimize how her body functions by utilizing circadian rhythms and aligning herself with Mother Nature. Elena talks about her personal experience with the passing of her mother and how she was able to find a space of deep presence to experience the final moments in her mother’s life. Elena shares the importance of not being bothered by what others think and allowing room for a creative headspace rather than a reactive one. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Find “Gently Whispered” 
• Find Roshee Joan Hallafax
• Read more on Zen Buddhism here

• Read “Art of Attention” here
• Read bestseller “Practice You” here  
• Read Elena’s third book “Being You”

• Learn about Rabbi Zach Friedman

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is working to change the way people experience healthcare. The organization supports families whose children or loved ones have any type of special health or medical need, caregivers and healthcare providers. This includes individuals with cancer, 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 reaches thousands of people each year in hospitals and communities. InTouch engages communities and offers unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers nationally and internationally. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive healing services at little or no cost.

Jarod Anderson is an acclaimed nature poet and the creative mind behind The CryptoNaturalist podcast. Jarod has produced three best-selling poetry collections: Field Guide to the Haunted Forest, Love Notes from the Hollow Tree, and Leaf Litter. His newly released memoir, Something in the Woods Loves You, takes readers on a deeply personal journey through his lifelong struggle with depression, framed by his love and appreciation for the natural world. Jarod frequently includes nature in his work and shares how his relationship to the natural world transformed his mental health.

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Jarod to the show to delve into his memoir, exploring the themes of depression, mental health, and how nature can offer solace in dark times. This episode touches on sensitive topics, including depression and suicide, so for anyone listening who may be struggling, know that help is always available. You can contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Jarod shares with listeners how he was able to find hope in the midst of depression and the importance of setting aside time to write and appreciate yourself more fully. Shay and Jarod discuss gender related issues and the effect that toxic masculinity can have on men's emotional expressiveness, outlook and self compassion. Jarod also reads some of his most well-loved poems. This episode invites listeners into the intersection between poetry, the natural world and mental health and charts a course for increasing happiness in your own life.

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:

• Check out Jarod’s website here

• Read “Something in the Woods Loves You” here

• Listen to the The CryptoNaturalist podcast

• Read “Field Guide to the Haunted Forest”  here

• Check out the book “Love Notes from the Hollow Tree”

• Read “Leaf Litter”

Join Shay Beider, host of the Conversations on Healing Podcast, and all of our incredible guests that will be featured here in 2024. We have a diverse lineup of experts, ranging from medical doctors to psychotherapists, who will share their knowledge and insights.

Thank all of our amazing listeners for tuning in to the Conversations on Healing Podcast and for supporting Integrative Touch, the non profit organization that makes this podcast possible. If you would like to learn more about the classes and services that are offered on a sliding scale at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, please visit our website at integrativetouch.org 

Dr. Michael Sapiro is a multifaceted professional working as a clinical psychologist, psychedelic psychotherapist, writer, meditation teacher, and researcher who previously lived as a Buddhist monk. Known for his transformative coaching, Dr. Sapiro works with a wide range of clients including police officers, first responders and those experiencing PTSD. He received training at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). As a faculty member at the Esalen Institute and a Fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, Michael studies and teaches about transformation, expanded human capabilities, and psychedelic therapy. Dr. Sapiro recently collaborated with Dr. Julia Mossbridge of The Institute for Love and Time, conducting a study on time travel, hope, and love. He is known for his work as an integrative psychologist at the Boise Ketamine Clinic, offering Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy for veterans, first responders, and the community. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Michael Sapiro to delve into the correlations between truth, unconditional love and authenticity. Michael shares the importance of living an authentic life, as opposed to a misaligned existence dictated by conforming to other people's truths. The pair discuss finding balance, establishing healthy boundaries and using play to live a happy and aligned life. Additionally, Dr. Sapiro shares the profound effects of psychotherapy with psychedelics, aiding individuals in navigating their subconscious while on medication. He discusses the differences in his work with civilians versus first responders and sheds light on the dynamics of chronic stress and its effect on day to day life. Finally, they explore the impacts of generational trauma and how to understand and distinguish one's own responses from those inherited through family systems. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Look into Michael Sapiro’s website

• Check out Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies here

• Look into the Esalen Institute

• Check out Noetic Sciences here

• Read about Julia Mosbridge here

• Check out the book It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn here

Dr. Pejman Katiraei is a Board Certified Pediatrician, who is also boarded and fellowship trained in integrative and holistic medicine. He completed his undergraduate at UCLA and then obtained his Osteopathic medical degree at Western University of Health Sciences. He then went on to complete a Pediatric residency at Loma Linda University, where he stayed on as teaching faculty for over 4 years. Dr. Katiraei has also completed two fellowships in integrative medicine, one with the University of Arizona and another under Dr. Kamyar Hedayat in a French model of integrative medicine called Endobiogeny. Dr. Katiraei’s research and experiences helped him realize that “the children of today do not have to become the sick adults of tomorrow.” He is now in private practice in Santa Monica, where he focuses on helping children with complex medical conditions and severe behavioral challenges. 

In today’s episode, Shay Beider warmly welcomes Dr. Katiraei to talk about his holistic, integrative practice and to share his philosophy of not sticking a person into a single box. He discusses his experience treating exposure to mold and lyme disease and how each can cause issues within the body that often get overlooked. Dr. Katiraei also shares his knowledge about the underlying causes of anxiety and how his curiosity has helped him to see that there are contributing biological factors.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• More info on Dr. Kamyar Hediyat, Dr. K’s inspiration
• What is the Institute of Functional Medicine?
• A “wholistic” perspective on Airway Problems & Gut health
• The Boss Gene: MTHFR Methylation
• What are Tongue ties?
• What is a Myofunctional Therapist?
• Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) 
• Sensory Process Disorder and the importance of crawling
• When is it ADHD?
• Wholistic Kids info on Adrenal Glands 

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider and Sharon discuss how her fragmented upbringing led her to where she is today. She talks about the ways that meditation allowed her to understand forgiveness and introspection. Additionally, Sharon shares how being present in the moment can allow people to move through painful circumstances. She talks about the complexity of caregiving and the challenge of receiving help. Transitioning ones mindset means arriving at a point of full transparency and acceptance that allows for liberation of the mind. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Find out more about Sharon’s long time friends and fellow spiritual leaders Jack Kornfield & Joseph Goldstein
• Check out Dipa Ma: The Life and Legacy of a Buddhist Master and Knee Deep in Grace written by Amy Schmidt
• To delve deeper into the spiritual heart of Ram Dass, click here
• Amishi Jha explains the 12-minute method to clearing our minds and finding our focus

Mindie Kniss, MFA, PhD is the CEO and founder of the company Lucra, which helps individuals and organizations with growth by charting their path and creating a plan. She is the author of The Heart of Consciousness which dissects heart science and spirituality. She received the Global Health Fellowship award, and she has also worked in Nairobi, Kenya to help advocate for the rights and education of women and children. Mindie began pursuing entrepreneurship when she was laid off from her Fortune 100 job in 2007, but faced extreme financial hardships along the way.

In today’s episode, Shay Beider speaks with Mindie Kniss to discuss her personal story and the spiritual journey she has been on. She talks about her financial hardships, including bankruptcy and living out of her office. She shares how this portion of her life has allowed her to help others through their own dark times. Mindie discusses her husband’s passing and how she ultimately was able to understand the intelligence of her heart and create space for her mourning. She also shares the importance of self care and how you can find contentment in your own life.

Show Notes:

• To find out more about Louise Hay’s healing techniques and positive philosophy, click here
• Check out Mindie’s coaching business, Lucra and her podcast, The Lucra Life
• Here is the Stanford study explaining how walking can improve creativity 
• Keep an eye out for her upcoming book, Heart Path, and discover more books by Mindie Kniss
• Take a look at some films that Mindie Kniss has been part of including The Abundance Factor (2015), We Rise Up (2019), and Impact (2021)

Elana Mizrahi is a Stanford graduate who is an international speaker and integrative women’s health practitioner. She is also a certified facilitator for Shalom Bayit, a Jewish women’s domestic violence organization, that specializes in birth and fertility related trauma. She covers a wide array of subjects in women's health and takes a holistic approach to the struggles women are faced with daily. She is also a massage therapist and practices The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy, which aims to help fertility and aid in the health of reproductive organs by restoring the biochemical balance in the body. She is the author of Dancing Through Life in which she shares some of her personal experiences as a Jewish woman.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider talks with Elana on her personal struggles with fertility, which led her to re-evaluate her practices in a more holistic manner. She shares her experience as a birth doula, and the power behind finding the strength of the female body during the birthing process. Elana explains the importance of female self care, particularly in the postpartum period. She touches on postpartum depression and anxiety, as well as, the importance of normalizing conversations surrounding childbirth. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Shalom Bayit here
• Ancient Mayan healing at Arvigo Institute
• Check out Elana’s website here
• Read her novel, Dancing Through Life 

Healing Moments is a segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate into your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with Shamini Jain, who will guide us through one of her grounding meditations. Take a moment to connect with your consciousness and ground yourself with Shamini in this Healing Moment.

Dr. Jasleen Chhatwal is a board certified psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at Sierra Tucson. Dr. Chhatwal focuses on treating the whole person, using psychotherapy, allopathic, neuro-therapeutic and integrative evidence- based treatments. She is active in the mental health community, and advocates for her patients, colleagues and profession through elected positions in the Arizona Psychiatric Society and American Psychiatric Association. 

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Chhatwal to discuss her personal philosophy for healing, known as intentional evolution. She shares thoughts on the stigma surrounding mental health in India, and how it led her to the field of psychiatry. Dr. Chhatwal opens up about her own personal trauma with the tragic loss of her father, and shines light on her perspective that healing is an ever-evolving journey. 

SHOW NOTES:

Check out the Netflix show, City of Joy 

As always, this podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time.Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.

Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar is an author and lecturer who holds a PhD in Organizational Behavior. He is known for teaching two of the largest classes in Harvard University's history: "Positive Psychology" and "The Psychology of Leadership." His works have been translated into over thirty languages and have topped best-seller lists worldwide. His latest books include “Happiness Studies” and “Happier, No Matter What.” He is the co-founder and chief learning officer of The Happiness Studies Academy and Potentialife, and in 2022, he launched the world’s first Master’s Degree in Happiness Studies with Centenary University.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider talks with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar on embracing our emotions as part of the journey toward true happiness. Tal begins by emphasizing that painful emotions are a natural part of being human. To break down the path to happiness, Tal explains the SPIRE model, which includes five elements: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Relational, and Emotional well-being. The duo discuss the concept of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and how individuals can become more resilient after facing significant life challenges. Finally, they discuss the arrival fallacy, revealing that external achievements do not always lead to happiness, and people must live authentic lives that align with their personal meaning and purpose.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Happiness Studies Academy here

• Read “Happier, No Matter What”

• Explore Potentialife

• Read Tal’s book: Happiness Studies

• Read Michael Amster’s book: The Power of Awe

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

In today’s episode, Dr. Fallon and host Shay Beider discuss being a leader and an entrepreneur. She describes how she has balanced kindness and authenticity when it can be taken advantage of as a weakness. She talks about how to utilize uncertainty and positively embrace change both personally and professionally. Dr. Fallon discusses some of her goals with Curemark to address patients more, and break down the traditions that medicine has. She describes the individualized process of healing and the importance of looking at situations from different perspectives.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Find out more about Curemark
• Heart of Giving Podcast guest
• Joan’s article on “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became a CEO”
• Read “Goodbye, Status Quo: Reimagining the Landscape of Innovation” here

Dr. James Doty is a trained neurosurgeon and adjunct professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University’s School of Medicine. He is the founder and director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the founding benefactor. Dr. Doty has dedicated time and energy to studying the neural pathways for compassion and altruism. He is also the CEO and founder of Happi (happi.ai), which is a healthcare company designed to use a digital platform to treat mental health issues using a human avatar and AI. Dr. Doty is the author of the New York Times bestseller, “Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart” as well as his new book “Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything”. In his books, he discusses the power of manifestation and the neuroscience behind it. 

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Doty to talk about his newest book “Mind Magic”. He shares the alphabet of the heart, something he has created to remember the 10 things that open the heart: Compassion, Dignity, Equanimity, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Humility, Integrity, Justice, Kindness and Love. Dr. Doty also shares how these tenets have made a difference in his life. He discusses some of his research in compassion at CCARE and how this translates to a life filled with gratitude. Additionally, the duo talk about the principles and neuroscience behind manifestation and how this knowledge can be applied to create a more meaningful life. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Learn more about James Doty 

• Check out the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education here

• Read “Into the Magic Shop” here

• Read his newest book “Mind Magic” here

• Look into Happi.ai

• Check out the Compassion Retreat in 2025

Kari Berit is the author of “The Unexpected Caregiver” and has over 30 years of experience in helping families and communities in caregiving. She focuses on creating resources and raising awareness around the difficulties that can accompany caring for a loved one in need. Kari is the author of the Mental Fitness Guide, and created the S.A.N.E. method to ensure people feel Supported, Appreciated, Not Guilty, and Energized as a caregiver. She has served as a director for the Good Samaritan Society National Board, as well as a director for senior housing and dementia care specialists across multiple different states.

In this episode of the Conversations on Healing Podcast, Shay Beider and Kari discuss how to apply her S.A.N.E. method to ensure caregivers are remaining grounded. They also discuss the importance of being kind to yourself when caring for a loved one, as it is not something people are naturally trained to do. Kari shares resources available to those who have unexpectedly assumed a caregiving role and describes how to navigate difficult family dynamics. Finally, she offers what she sees as the benefits of caring for a loved one and her own personal shift in perspective after becoming a caregiver.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Kari’s website here
• Buy “The Unexpected Caregiver”
• Read “The Mental Fitness Instruction Guide”
• Kari’s blog for Caregiver’s Support

Dr. Nancy O’Hara is a board certified pediatrician. In 1998, she began a practice in consulting for children with special medical needs. She has continued to shift her practice to reflect functional and holistic care of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders like PANDAS/PANS, ADHD, OCD and Lyme. She educates clinicians internationally on understanding their patients' ties with autoimmune disorders. Dr. O’Hara has published a book called “Demystifying PANS / PANDAS: A Functional Medicine Desktop Reference on Basal Ganglia Encephalitis” to help parents understand these diagnoses and how they can best care for and support their children.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Nancy O’Hara to discuss the rise of autoimmune disease in general and how this has correlated to a rise in PANS and PANDAS. Dr. O’Hara breaks down the environmental triggers of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infection and identifies some of the behavioral symptoms that can be present. She also explains how she has adapted a 3 prolonged holistic approach to healing neurological disorders by treating the symptoms, triggers and inflammation in the basal ganglia. Dr. O’Hara provides advice on how families can maintain hope when receiving these difficult diagnoses.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Find membership groups on Dr. O’Hara’s website
• Read Dr. O’Hara’s book here
• Learn more about the PANDAS physician network
• Learn more about the Northwest PANDAS/PANS Network here
• Check out the Free Field Guide to PANS/PANDAS

We're days away from several brand new episodes of the Conversations on Healing Podcast! In this brief teaser, host Shay Beider shares what you can expect to hear...

Plus, don't forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Healing Moments is a segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate into your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with Amita Nathwani, who will lead us through an Abyhanga practice, which is a practice of self oil massage used in Ayurvedic medicine. Amita demonstrates the fundamentals of this practice on video, so be sure to check out our Integrative Touch YouTube channel so you can follow along. Take a moment, settle in and join Amita for this Healing Moment. 

Dr. Esther Sternberg is renowned for her significant influence in integrative medicine and is known for her research bridging mind-body science and built environments. She is the Research Director at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and the Founding Director of the University of Arizona Institute on Place, Wellbeing & Performance. Before her tenure at the University of Arizona, she was a Senior Scientist at the National Institutes of Health. Sternberg has advised various high-profile organizations, including the U.S. Congress and the Vatican. She has authored over 240 scholarly works and two influential books, with her latest title, “Well At Work”, receiving notable accolades. Sternberg also played a crucial role in the design of the new Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine building in Tucson, Arizona. .

In today’s episode of the Conversations on Healing Podcast, host Shay Beider speaks with Dr. Sternberg about her work in integrative medicine and how she has incorporated design elements for wellbeing into the workspace. She shares the 7 domains of integrative health and how you can incorporate these into your everyday life. Dr. Sternberg also discusses how some of these domains influenced her personal health and the design for the Andrew Weil Center. She talks about her most recent book, “Well at Work” and shares some of her research to transform workspaces into wellbeing spaces. Additionally, Dr. Sternberg discusses her time advising the US Congress and General Services Administration on a post COVID entry plan back into this work place. Several tips to stay well at work are included in this thoughtful conversation. 

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 more about Esther Sternberg here

• Find out more on the Andrew Weil Center

• Read “Well at Work: Creating Wellbeing in any Workplace” here

• Read Esther’s book, “The Balance Within: The Science Connecting Health and Emotions” 

Dr. Kristin Neff is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas-Austin. Dr. Neff is considered a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, authoring numerous academic articles and book chapters on the topic. She and her colleague, Dr. Chris Germer, developed an empirically supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion. In addition, Dr. Neff is the author of several books including Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive, Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals, and her newest book, Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Neff to talk about her new book on fierce self-compassion, what drove her to write the book, and why fierce self-compassion requires a balance of fierceness and tenderness. They discuss her mindful self-compassion program, the different types of suffering individuals encounter in different relationships, and how her son with autism helped her find and practice self-compassion. Finally, Dr. Neff shares her perspective on healing as a way of holding and being with the process of life as it unfolds. 

The transcript for this episode is available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Books by Bell Hooks
• Read more about Bell Hooks
• TED Talk: My stroke of insight - Jill Bolte Taylor
• Read more about Gloria Steinem here.
• Learn more about mirror neurons 
• Carl Rogers quote on the curious paradox
• Read Soraya Chemali’s book - Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Tom Osborn was born and raised in Kenya, where he currently works to create community solutions for mental health challenges. He graduated from Harvard College with High Honors and went on to co-found GreenChar, an organization that provides homes and institutions in rural areas of Kenya. Tom was the youngest recipient of the Echoing Green Fellowship and has been on the Forbes’ 30 under 30 list in Social Entrepreneurship. He created the Shamiri Institute in order to shift the stigma around mental health in the younger population. 

Today, Shay Beider speaks with Tom Osborn about his work in Africa. He describes the shortage of clinical experts, the stigma around mental health in Kenya, and why he decided to create an institution for young people that is run by young people. The program trains high school graduates in character strengths interventions and these techniques are implemented in after school programs. By creating involvement and excitement within the community, great strides can be made to improve the mental health of the youth. Tom also touches on the effect of systematic racism in the delivery of healthcare and his unique approach to meeting this challenge. By shifting to community based solutions, great advances can be made in people’s capacity to flourish. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Tom Osborn’s TedTalk, “A New Way to Help Young People With Their Mental Health”
• Asset Framing is a narrative model defining people by their assets and aspirations before noting the challenges and deficits. To find out more, click here
• Read more about the Framingham Heart Study to discover the dynamic spread of happiness across social networks 

Grandmaster Sin Kwang Thé is the third grandmaster in the martial arts lineage of Shaolin. At the age of 7, he was accepted as a Shaolin student in Indonesia, enduring many tests and trials to assert his worthiness. By the age of 25, he was awarded the 10th degree of red belt making Master Sin the youngest Grandmaster in the history of the Shaolin art. Master Sin has since courageously pioneered this style of martial arts in the United States. As an entrepreneur of Sin Thé Karate School, author of The Last Grandmaster, and an avid practitioner of walking Qigong, Grandmaster Sin offers a unique perspective on wellness. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Master Sin to delve into the rich history of the Shaolin art and his miraculous achievement as the youngest Grandmaster. Master Sin shares how his journey to martial arts began, his experience venturing to the United States, and the various paths he has taken in his career –– such as pursuing a Ph.D. in nuclear science, engineering a sports complex in Kentucky, and training over half a million students in the art of Shaolin. Master Sin guides listeners through the practice of walking Qigong.

The 5 Levels of Qigong Walking Meditation:

1. I Accept - Accept everything in your life exactly as it is without resistance
2. I Appreciate - Move through your five senses one by one and appreciate all of the information you take in as a sensory being. Notice what you taste, smell, hear, see, and feel. 
3. I am Grateful - Practice feeling grateful. Reflect on specific people, places, things, and experiences you are grateful for in your life. 
4. Unconditional Love - Call up specific experiences of unconditional love in your life. Notice how that feels to remember being unconditionally loved by another.
5. Radiant State - Allow yourself to radiate love to all beings everywhere. As you move about your life, feel radiance emanating to those around you.

Transcripts for this episode and others are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Amita Nathwani is the owner of Surya Health and Wellness which focuses on nutritional consulting that is rooted in Ayurvedic medicine. She also is a faculty member with the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Fellowship at Banner Health, University of Arizona and Faculty at the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture. She uses her unique perspective of both her traditional Indian Ayurvedic education and western applications to keep the purity of Ayurvedic practices, while applying them in a modern approach. She specializes in Digestive disorders and finding solutions based on diet, lifestyle and your mind and body connection.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Amita to discuss her approach to Ayurvedic medicine. She shares her psycho-spiritual approach to medicine, and how to learn about yourself in a fast paced world. She defines the three doshas of Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and what people can do to work with their health. Amita talks about the importance of understanding your nature, and how this can lead to different adaptations of Ayurveda. They discuss the benefits of Ambiaga, a self oil massage and how to incorporate this into your daily routine. She also shares her personal experience dealing with grief after the loss of her husband and some of the lessons she has learned. Her book “Peaks and Valleys” was written describing her journey through life and loss.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Amita’s website here

• Read “Peaks and Valleys” here

• Read “My Mother’s Ayurvedic Kitchen”

• Find out more about Ayurveda

Amy Scher is the best-selling author of How to Heal Yourself From Depression When No One Else Can, How to Heal Yourself from Anxiety, How to Heal Yourself When No One Else Can and This Is How I Save My Life. Her work has been translated into 16 different languages and nationally recognized by The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, CNN, CBS, New York Daily News, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Rumpus and more. As an energy therapist and teacher, Amy guides her clients to reconnect with the spark inside that knows they are worthy of healing. 

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Amy Scher to talk about her personal health journey and how she came to find energy therapy as a tool for her own healing process. Amy shares with us that her path towards health and healing “didn’t come lightly and it didn’t come easily, it came because I came to it when I needed it most.” She encourages each of us to take accountability for our own health and to participate in the active creation of our lives. Amy shares three universal promises that we must make to ourselves on our healing journey: tell yourself the truth, lighten up, and take action! 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• See more of Thomas Hübl’s work on Collective Trauma
• Check out the book, Mother Heal My Self by Joellen Koerner 
• For more information about Donna Eden and energy medicine, click here
• Find out more about the author of Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert 
• Discover the poem, “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple”, by Jenny Joseph

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Healing Moments is a segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate in your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with psychotherapist Jonathan Robinson. Jonathan will be leading us through a heart opening practice that encourages feelings of connection, gratitude, and peace. Find a quiet place to either sit, stand, or lie down comfortably and join us for this healing moment.

Judith Joy is a dream creation coach, a certified practitioner of Matrix Energetics, a mother, grandmother, teacher, philanthropist, speaker and author. Judith is the founder of “Yes with Joy”, a coaching service designed to empower individuals to follow their dreams and uncover their truest self. She has authored several inspiring books, including "Surviving Your Teenager... And Being Happy Anyway" and "Dear Future Lover ... Bring Your Book Boyfriend to Life." 

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Judith to the podcast to talk about how she became involved with energy medicine and what it's taught her over the years. They also discuss Judith’s inspiration behind becoming an author and what she wants readers to take away from her books. Judith shares her experience surrounding the power of visualization, and it’s ability to relieve pain and create positive transformation. 

SHOW NOTES:

• Check out Judith Joy’s  four steps to turn your dreams into reality 

1. Be a high vibe
2. Know what your dream is, and imagine it
3. Align to the sensations that you want 
4. Inspire action

As always, this podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time.Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.

Michelle Johnson is a social justice activist and licensed clinical social worker. She is a trainer for the organization Dismantling Racism, as well as an intuitive healer. In her latest book, Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief, Michelle focuses on the effect that trauma can have on both the mind and body. By doing so, she helps people understand how power and privilege can play out in one’s life. Michelle also explores the effects of oppression and what this can do to the energy body. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Michelle about the collective grief experienced by people and how this can be linked to cultural trauma. She shares ways people can work through grief by tapping into their spirituality and focusing on breath and meditation. Michelle also explains how her work as a therapist has allowed her to embrace empathy and create space to heal from trauma. Michelle shares what healing means to her and the importance of yoga to connect with our inherent wholeness.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out the Finding Refuge Podcast here
• Michelle’s book, Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief
• Read Skill in Action here
• Learn more at Michelle’s website https://www.michellecjohnson.com/

Dr. Kamyar M Hedayat is the co-founder and Vice President of Numa Health International, which utilizes the power behind Endobiogeny in a way that can be available to the world. He also serves as the chief scientific and innovation officer for Numa Health International. After working in the pediatric intensive care unit at Stanford University, he began to look more toward holistic medicine by furthering understanding the body through the endocrine system. Dr. Hedayat adopted the practice of Endobiogeny by utilizing the mathematics of bloodwork to create personalized healing. 

In this episode, Dr. Hedayat shares how his Iranian background became a source of inspiration for natural healing approaches, such as plant and food medicine. He also describes his passion for bridging the gap between hard science and a humanistic psychological approach. By creating a foundation of health through understanding consciousness and balancing our inner child, he has been able to create lasting improvement in people’s lives. Dr. Kamyar touches on the importance of plant medicine, and how it is an integral part of his therapeutic toolbox as an endobiogenist. He also shares some everyday practices, and basic tools for listeners on ways to bring more health and healing into their everyday lives.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes

• Learn more about Numa International Health
• Read more about personalized medicine here
• More on Personalized Self Integration
• Read about Endobiogeny 

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

We're days away from new episodes of the Conversations on Healing Podcast! In this brief teaser, host Shay Beider shares what you can expect to hear...

Plus, don't forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Dr. Amanda Blake is the bestselling author of Your Body Is Your Brain and Master Somatic Leadership coach. She pioneered the Body=Brain(™) course, which uses neurobiology to teach coaches, leaders, therapists, and others strategies to help people regain power in their lives by tapping into the brain-body connection. Amanda received her degree in Human Biology at Stanford University and has a doctorate in Management from Case Western Reserve University. She is known for helping create profound transformations and works internationally with leaders to help them recognize signals from their body, live more fulfilling lives and make impactful contributions.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Amanda to discuss her work with somatic theory and the brain-body connection. Amanda talks about recognizing cues that the body sends the brain to cultivate embodied self awareness. She shares with Shay how people can read physical sensations in order to center their body and find resilience. Shay and Amanda also discuss the power in recognizing what the body is telling the brain to then choose to respond, rather than react automatically. Dr. Blake shares research in the field of mindfulness and talks about the growing body of work surrounding trauma sensitive mindfulness.  Shay and Amanda discuss the practice of embodied self-awareness and the tools that can be used to strengthen this skill. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Read Your Brain is Your Body here

• Find out more about the Body=Brain(™) program

• Learn more about Resmaa Menakem 

• Look into Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness, written by David Treleaven 

We're days away from new episodes of the Conversations on Healing Podcast! In this brief teaser, host Shay Beider shares what you can expect to hear...

Plus, don't forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

We're days away from new episodes of the Conversations on Healing Podcast! In this brief teaser, host Shay Beider shares what you can expect to hear...
Plus, don't forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Kitty Westin is the founder and former President of the Anna Westin Foundation, formed after the death of her daughter, Anna. Now called WithAll, Kitty serves on the board to be an outspoken activist for those who struggle with eating disorders. WithAll provides support, advocacy and various different programs for the prevention of eating disorders to individuals and the community. She is also a founding member of the Eating Disorders Coalition, and she works with members of Congress to educate them and advance legislation for eating disorders. She also led the creation of the Anna Westin Act of 2015, which works to improve health care professional training and mental health clarity.

In this episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Kitty as she shares how she has taken the grief from the loss of her daughter to create progress and resources for others with eating disorders. She has used her suffering to create positive change in legislation and continues to use her voice to destigmatize mental health challenges. Kitty speaks about the privilege of meeting former President Barack Obama at the signing of the Anna Westin Act of 2015. She talks about her personal process of healing, which has given her peace. By working to create changes in healthcare and legislation, Kitty says she feels Anna can finally rest in peace. Additionally, Shay and Kitty discuss the best ways to prevent eating disorders, and how to provide support to those who need it the most. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Find eating disorder resources at WithAll
• Read more on the Eating Disorder Coalition
• Anna Westin Act of 2015
• 21st Century Cures Act
• Watch Kitty’s TED Talk: Breaking the Stigma and Shame of Mental Illness

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach thousands of people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Lisa Abramson is an executive coach and speaker who was recently honored by EBW as one of the 100 Most Influential Leaders Empowering Women Worldwide. Called an inspiration by Oprah, Lisa’s popular mindfulness meditations have been streamed over one million times around the globe. Lisa has taught programs at Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, covering topics such as preventing burnout, developing self-compassion, and enhancing productivity through mindfulness. 

In today’s episode, Shay welcomes Lisa to discuss her experience with postpartum psychosis and prioritizing maternal mental health. They also discuss tools for becoming more self-compassionate, how failure can be a launching pad, and the importance of developing a resilient mindset. 

Show notes:

• Mindset - New Psychology of Success by Dr. Carol Dweck
• Learn more about Sara Blakely, the owner of Spanx, and her journey with failure here. 
• Keep an eye out for Lisa’s second book Permission to Fail. Follow her Amazon Author page to get new release updates. 
• Join Lisa’s 5 day Mindset Reset Challenge
• Listen to Dr. Brené Brown’s Ted Talk – The power of vulnerability and Listening to shame
• Listen to Angela Lee Duckworth’s Ted Talk – Grit: The power of passion and perseverance 

As always, this podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.

Martha Edwards, Ph.D, is the Founder and Director of the Ackerman Institute’s Center for the Developing Child and Family and the Institute’s Director of Research. She created the Bright Beginnings Parent-Child Program, which works with families and parents of toddlers to improve children’s mental health and well-being, and is based on her research as a clinician. In 2015, she received the “Innovative Contributions to Family Therapy” award by the American Family Therapy Academy for her work. She has also served as a Board Member and Vice-President for the American Family Therapy Academy.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Martha to talk about her experience in family healing and how a healthy emotional foundation can create a fundamentally sound family. She closely examines the relationship between race, ethnicity, and gender, and explores how they all come into play in the therapeutic process. Martha shares the importance of emotional availability in parents and how this leads to better connections between a child and parent. She also speaks on the role of emotional intelligence in parents and the importance of creating healthy boundaries in parenting.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Read more on the Ackerman Institute’s Center for the Developing Child and Family
• Find out about NY Zero to Three Network here
• Details on Bright Beginnings Parent-Child Program
• ANAM CARA by John O'Donohue
• Pema Chodron, the Buddhist Nun
• Dr. Brené Brown
• Eleanor Roosevelt
• Madame Marie Curie 

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Pamela Miles is an internationally recognized spiritual teacher, Reiki master and integrative health consultant with five decades of spiritual practice. She is celebrated as the foremost medical Reiki pioneer bringing the practice into conventional medicine, partnering with Harvard, Yale and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She is the author of the award-winning book REIKI: A Comprehensive Guide. 

In today’s episode, Pamela begins this conversation by talking through a Reiki healing session. She shares her background in integrative wellness and what sparked her desire to pursue Reiki practice. She defines the simplicity of this practice, explains the difference between Reiki practice and energy medicine, and introduces the concept of "oneness". 

SHOW NOTES:

• Here is the quote, We’re not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience, by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
• Check out free online community Reiki self practice sessions here
• Here is an article which lays out the physiologic basis of the response to Reiki practice: How Reiki Helps 

• Learn more about Integrative Touch for Kids at www.integrativetouch.org! 

Dr. Chris Segrin is a behavioral scientist and Department Head for Communication at the University of Arizona, specializing in interpersonal relationships and mental health. He is the author of Interpersonal Processes in Psychological Problems and Family Communication. Dr. Segrin has also had research published in Human Communication Research, Communication Monographs and the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, to name a few. He has spent over two decades focusing on interpersonal communication and conducts research studies on how social skill deficits can make people more vulnerable to depression. Dr. Segrin served as the editor of the journal Communication Theory from 2003 to 2005, and was appointmented as an Adjunct Professor in the departments of Psychology, Family Studies, and Statistics at the University of Arizona.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Segrin to talk about the importance of high quality interpersonal relationships and the detrimental effects of negative coping mechanisms. He shares his personal story on the loss of multiple family members, and how he was able to learn that good things can blossom from loss. Dr. Segrin expands on the importance of cohesion in family systems and the current state of distress families are under due to technology and everyday distractions. He shares with Shay the importance of finding an individual purpose to create a life worth living. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Buy Interpersonal Processes in Psychological Problems and Family Communication
• Read his publications in Human Communication Research
• His research on conflict styles and marital satisfaction here
• Publications in Journal of Abnormal Psychology
• Learn about Communication Theory here

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach thousands of people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Sky Nelson-Isaacs is a physicist, musician and author of several books. His books “Leap to Wholeness: How the World is Programmed to Help Us Grow, Heal, and Adapt,” and “Living in Flow: The Science of Synchronicity and How Your Choices Shape Your World” capture the essence of his work combining science and mindfulness. He is the founder of the Synchronicity Institute, which works to use the law of physics applied with the science of consciousness in order to help individuals create change in their lives. Using these practices, he makes connections between the challenges faced in everyday life and how these provide a larger context to the events in our lives.  

In this episode, Sky talks about his background in music and how his journey with mental health has led to the discovery of self compassion. He describes how he has developed the ability to see the importance of his inner response to outer circumstances.  Sky also shares the concept of relationship quantum mechanics, and how this is linked with the power of choice. By harnessing the power behind these connections, people are able to form and shape their reality. With this understanding, Sky has been able to describe the idea of synchronicity and how the events in the world come together to create wholeness. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Read more about Sky Nelson-Isaacs

• Find out about Synchronicity Institute 
• “Leap to Wholeness: How the World is Programmed to Help Us Grow, Heal, and Adapt”
• “Living in Flow: The Science of Synchronicity and How Your Choices Shape Your World”

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Howard Glasser is the co-founder of the Nurtured Heart Institute and creator of the Nurtured Heart Approach. He focuses on family treatment, clinical studies, and educational leadership. Glasser specializes in helping children find their “greatness,” a theme at the center of his books, programs, and teachings. He also focuses on strengthening relationships between children and their parents. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Howard Glasser to talk about how everyone’s individual attributes can be the building blocks for their unique contribution in the world. Each life is precious and offers a special gift to the world. Glasser helps children and their parents see this light of individuality. He also shares his personal challenges as an intense child and how he learned to deal with his oppositional defiance that has influenced his approach with families, schools and communities all over the world. 

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:

• Nurtured Heart Approach
• New Jersey's Coordinated System of Care
• Rutgers
• University of Arizona Zuckerman School of Public Health
• Dr. Ann Marie Chiasson
• Seven Mindsets
• Scarlett Lewis from Choose Love
• Children's Success Foundation
• Awake (movie) about Yogananda
• Gandhi

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Dr. Renee Canady is the CEO of the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI), leading a team dedicated to promoting health equity and well-being for all. Before MPHI, she served as Health Officer and Director of the Ingham County Health Department in Lansing, where she pioneered the Ingham County Health Equity Social Justice program. She is the author of the best-selling book “Room at the Table: A Leader’s Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice.” She is nationally recognized as a thought leader in health disparities, cultural competence, and social justice, with numerous publications and presentations on these topics. Dr. Canady has had significant influence on health equity discussions through her participation in national boards and advisory groups.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Canady to discuss a range of topics from public health equity to epigenetics. They delve into Renee's own journey towards racial healing and breaking down biases she experienced from an early age. She shares the importance of recognizing and embracing differences, and understanding how they manifest differently across cultures. The pair talks about some of the physical impacts of racism and how these can transcend into different aspects of public health policy. Dr. Canady discusses the significance of being a leader that uses their privilege to empower others and how small differences can contribute to a more equitable future. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Reach more about Dr. Canady’s background here

• Check out the Michigan Public Health Institute 

• Read the best selling book “Room at the Table: A Leader’s Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice”

• Look into Resmaa Menakem’s work 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 is committed to ending isolation in illness and transforming trauma through togetherness. The mission is to provide connection, wellness and healing opportunities that change the lives of anyone touched by pain, suffering, or medical challenges. This includes kids 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 reaches thousands of people each year at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, through Telehealth, and in hospitals and communities. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a Heal it Forward model that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Peter DuBois is the Executive Director for the California Dental Association, the largest state association in the nation. His passion for dentistry stems from his desire to alleviate suffering for as many patients as possible. Peter has a remarkable background with experience in public policy, research and advocacy, government service and management of large academic medical and dental practices, and even a degree from Harvard Law School!

In today’s episode, Shay warmly welcomes Peter DuBois to talk about the effects of COVID-19 in the dental community, and how these uncertain times have impacted his leadership style. Peter shares his experience with a “pandemic of sorts”, drawing parallel feelings from his youth during the Vietnam War. Coming from his own experience, Peter gives advice on how to overcome personal hardships and unexpected losses, something that may resonate with all of us.  

Show Notes:

• Check out Emotional Intelligence, written by Daniel Goleman
• Find resources to live with Ambiguous Loss, by Pauline Boss

As always, this podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time.Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.

Healing Moments is a segment we’ve created to share moments of healing and wellness that you can incorporate in your everyday life. Today’s Healing Moment is with ayurvedic matriarch Maya Tiwari, and she will lead us in a meditation in light, which is a unique practice that utilizes light to empty the mind and create space. Take a second to quiet your thoughts and allow yourself to tap into this peaceful place.

John Weeks is a writer, speaker, organizer and teacher of integrative health and medicine. In 2014, John received the Lifetime Achievement Living Tribute Award for his influential work in the field of integrative health. He is the publisher-editor of The Integrator Blog News & Reports, which since 1995 has created primary connective terrain for the diverse stakeholders and professions in the field. In 2016, John was selected to serve as the editor-in-chief of The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine-Paradigm, Practice and Policy Advancing Integrative Health.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes John to talk about integrative medicine and how we can improve healthcare by shifting the language surrounding the system. He explains how we need to move from evidence-based to evidence-informed medicine to embrace the ambiguity surrounding research. John shares his personal experience battling cancer, and how story medicine can be a useful tool to help support a healing journey. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• IM4US.org
• John Weeks interview with Andrew Weil, MD 
• Joseph Campbell’s book - The Hero with a Thousand Faces
• C.G. Jung - The Red Book: A Reader’s Edition

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive our healing services at little or no cost.

Dr. Cynthia Li is a physician and author who shares her own personal healing journey faced with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and dysautonomia. Dr. Li specializes in Integrative and Functional medicine and throughout her career has directed her work towards underserved communities. She has practiced in healthcare areas ranging from Kaiser Permanente's HIV group to Doctors Without Borders in rural China. Dr. Li is also an anchor for ServiceSpace, a global, all-volunteer-run organization of 2 million people that incubates labor of love projects to create positive transformation. In addition, she has a memoir called “Brave New Medicine: A Doctor's Unconventional Path to Healing Her Autoimmune Illness”. Dr. Li works with a variety of alternative healers and functional medicine experts, along with serving as faculty for Rachel Remen's Healer's Art program at the UC San Francisco School of Medicine. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider sits down with Dr. Li to discuss her personal journey of healing. Dr. Li emphasizes how she was able to shift her understanding of medicine towards an energetic view of the body. She talks about the importance of functional medicine and examining the root cause of illness, rather than just alleviating symptoms. Shay and Dr. Li also touch on the effect COVID-19 can have on the immune system and how the virus manifests differently in each person. They talk  about the importance of taking measures in everyday life to maximize health, such as eating the right foods and getting proper nutrients for your body. Finally, Dr. Li shares the importance of change and how healing, at its essence, heavily relies on embracing change both in the body and in our environment.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Learn more about functional medicine
• Read up on Dr. Leo Galland’s research here
• Study on the neurological effects of COVID
• “How to Strengthen Your Inner Shield” by Cynthia Li
• More on Dr. Stephen Porges and Deb Dana’s work here
• Find out about HeartMath

Dr. Cindy Tsai is an award-winning board-certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, Bestselling Author, and Chief Wellness Officer. She is the founder of Yes & More, which is an organization focused on personal growth and wellness to help empower leaders through mind and body wellness programs. Dr. Tsai closely examines the impact of chronic stress on the body using her extensive background in both internal medicine and integrative medicine. She is widely recognized for her TEDx talk “Body Intelligence”, which dives into the power of advocating for your inner intelligence regarding health and well being. Dr. Tsai is the author of the bestselling book, “So Much Better: Life-Changing Strategies to Develop Calm, Confidence, and Curiosity to Become Your Own Inspiring Success Story.” She shares a variety of insights on how to make transformative changes using various wellness techniques to create your own success story.

In today’s episode, host Shay Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Cindy Tsai to the Conversations on Healing Podcast. The pair discuss a range of topics from personal explorations to holistic approaches to well being. Cindy describes her  healing journey and the challenges she dealt with navigating a rare autoimmune disease. This led her to take a more integrative approach to health by incorporating the mind, body, and spirit. She encourages her patients to use self reflection in order to understand themselves more fully and practice self compassion. Dr. Tsai also shares some of her work with women to embrace their feminine energy and make time for celebrating themselves. She discusses the difference between masculine and feminine energies in all genders and the power of finding balance between these different parts of ourselves.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Check out Cindy’s book: So Much Better: Life-Changing Strategies to Develop Calm, Confidence & Curiosity to Become Your Own Inspiring Success Story

• Watch her TEDx talk “Body Intelligence” here

• Visit Cindy’s website

Shonda Moralis, MSW, LCSW, is a life balance coach, author and host of the podcast “Therapeutic Perspective”. Her books “Don’t Forget to Breathe” and “Breathe, Empower, Achieve” help people to focus on slowing down, and finding moments for mindfulness within a busy day. Shonda serves on the board of the Shanthi Project, a nonprofit organization that brings tips on mindfulness and mind-body awareness to children and communities.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Shonda Moralis on various techniques to integrate mindfulness in everyday life. She shares the power that can be found in the present moment, and how to take small moments out of your day to increase awareness of your thoughts. Additionally, Shonda talks about the long term health benefits of meditation, including its effect on immunity and aging. She discusses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and the healing that can be found by bringing attention to our thoughts and emotions. Finally, Shonda leads us through one of the mindful meditations from her book “Don’t Forget to Breathe” that can be incorporated into your daily life!

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• More about Shonda’s podcast, Therapeutic Perspective
• Find out more about the Shanthi Project
• Read “Don’t Forget to Breathe”
• Read “Breathe, Empower, Achieve”

Sue Ludwig is a licensed occupational therapist and certified neonatal therapist. She is the president and founder of the National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT), which aims to advance neonatal support and by increasing the resources available. Sue is also the media expert for neonatal therapy for the American Occupational Therapy Association. She is on the medical advisory board for Hope for HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy). Sue received awards from UMass Memorial Medical Center, National Perinatal Association, Ramsey Solutions, and Eastern Kentucky University. In her most recent book from March 2022, Tiny Humans, Big Lessons, she describes some of the lessons she has learned in the NICU and how she translated those lessons to her personal life.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Sue Ludwig to discuss how working in the NICU allowed her to look at her own life and her energy. She talks about the importance of setting intention in a practical way and how this translates in neonatal care. By understanding the subtle stress cues of babies and understanding the autonomic nervous system, providers can help babies shift from survival to thriving. Sue shares how in her line of work she began to pay attention to where she was placing her energy, and where she wanted to place intention. Sue explains that by doing this, we can begin to co-regulate our emotions to be able to respond calmly to the stresses of life. 

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Click here to find out more about Sue Ludwig
• Read her book: Tiny Humans, Big Lessons
• Read more about the National Association of Neonatal Therapists
• Find out more about Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy here
• Check out the National Perinatal Association

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch, which is working to change the way people experience healthcare. A leader in the field of pediatric integrative medicine, the organization supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids 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 reaches thousands of people each year in hospitals and communities and offers unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive wellness education and integrative medical services at little or no cost