Conversations on Healing Podcast

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”

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 TouchTMTherapy 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

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 talks about restorative longevity and how we all can live longer and experience a higher quality of life. He includes tips and tricks on simple daily habits so that everyone can experience restorative longevity.

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”

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 TouchTMTherapy 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. 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

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 TouchTMTherapy 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

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

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 TouchTMTherapy 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