Dr. Jonathan Fisher is a Harvard-trained cardiologist, mindfulness teacher, and organizational well-being leader with three decades of experience in healthcare. A practicing physician and best-selling author of Just One Heart: A Cardiologist’s Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness, Dr. Fisher integrates mind-body science, mindfulness, and compassion to help people live healthier, more connected lives. Through his inspiring keynotes, workshops, and retreats, he has supported thousands—including healthcare professionals and leaders from Fortune 100 companies—to reduce stress, prevent burnout, and embrace a more wholehearted approach to health and well-being.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider talks with Dr. Fisher as they explore the deep connection between healing, health, and happiness—emphasizing that healing is not a stepwise path but a dynamic mix of navigating both pain and joy. Dr. Fisher highlights the four dimensions of the heart, physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental, and he explains how each of these contribute to healing. He also shares how loneliness can have physiological effects on the heart and can lead to higher burnout rates and depression. The duo discusses that healing happens through relationship, and this is especially critical in a world where many Americans lack even one close friend. After personally struggling with burnout for a decade, Dr. Fisher now leads efforts in burnout prevention and compassionate leadership, with a growing interest in how we can heal—together.

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

Show Notes:

• Check out Jonathan’s website here

• Read his book, Just One Heart: A Cardiologist’s Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness

• Learn more about Dr. James Doty and listen to his conversation with Shay here

• Check out Richard Boyatzis and his Conversation on Healing

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. Uché Blackstock is an emergency medicine physician and thought leader whose work is deeply woven with both personal and professional experiences, dedicated to addressing the impact of inherited racism and social ideas of difference within healthcare institutions. She attended Harvard University for her undergraduate degree and medical school. As the founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, she leads a transformational organization focused on partnering with health systems to understand implicit bias, enforce accountability and promote cultural competence. Dr. Blackstock's groundbreaking book, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, quickly became a New York Times Bestseller, highlighting the urgent need to dismantle racial inequities through the voices of those affected.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider and Dr. Blackstock explore the urgent need for conversations around implicit bias in medicine. Dr. Blackstock shares how honoring her mother’s voice and story sheds light on the barriers in medicine that transcend individual effort or excellence. The pair discuss the racialized legacy embedded in medical education and practice, and how deeply rooted biases continue to create harmful health outcomes for patients today. Dr. Blackstock challenges healthcare professionals to move beyond performative niceness, confront uncomfortable truths, and examine data that reveal alarming disparities. Shay and Dr. Blackstock also discuss that systemic change is possible and is rooted in understanding, compassion, and cultural humility.

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

Show Notes:

• Find out more about Dr. Blackstock

• Check out more on Advancing Health Equity

• Read Dr. Blackstock’s book here

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity. 

Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Dr. Denis Bouboulis is a leading specialist in Neuro-Immunology, known for his pioneering work in diagnosing and treating PANS/PANDAS, which is a Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS), autoimmune encephalitis, and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. As the Founder and Director of Superior Associates Infusion Center and head of Advanced Allergy, Immunology & Asthma in Connecticut, he has successfully treated thousands of patients whose conditions were often overlooked or misdiagnosed. With over 13 years of experience as a board-certified physician and a medical degree from New York Medical College, Dr. Bouboulis is committed to raising awareness and delivering cutting-edge care for both common and complex immune-related conditions.

In today’s episode of Conversations on Healing, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Denis Bouboulis to discuss vector-borne illness, Long COVID, PANS/PANDAS, and the body’s immune response. The two discuss how vector-based infections like Lyme disease and parasitic bacteria can remain dormant until a triggering event—such as COVID-19—causes a breakdown in the immune system, leading to symptomatic and chronic illness. Dr. Bouboulis also talks about autoimmune encephalitis, particularly how the basal ganglia is affected and why a holistic, interdisciplinary approach is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. He shares how he treats some of these autoimmune diseases, and offers hope to patients.

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 Dr. Bouboulis here

• Learn more about the Advanced Allergy, Immunology & Asthma here

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity. 

Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Marc Brackett is the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a professor in the Child Study Center at Yale. He’s also the best-selling author of Permission to Feel, translated into 25 languages, and a pioneering researcher with over 25 years of work in emotional intelligence, decision-making, creativity, and mental health. As the lead developer of RULER, an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning, Marc has helped transform over 5,000 schools worldwide. His insights have been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, and The Today Show, and he’s advised organizations from the White House to Fortune 500 companies. Marc also recently launched Dealing with Feelings, a YouTube webcast exploring how emotions shape success and relationships. 

In this episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Marc on emotional intelligence and embracing emotions by approaching them with curiosity. Marc talks about the RULER framework he developed which organizes emotional intelligence into five core skills: recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating emotions. The duo discuss his latest book, Permission to Feel. In this book Marc explores the barriers that prevent us from fully experiencing emotions—like suppressing feelings due to childhood experiences or reacting impulsively when triggered. Marc also shares a free app he co-created called How We Feel, designed to help users track and improve their emotional well-being. This episode is filled with insights on emotional regulation and the importance of approaching our feelings with openness and tools for empowerment.

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

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Marc Brackett here

• Check out the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence here

• Read Permission to Feel

• Check out Dealing with Feelings here

• Download the How We Feel app here

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity. 

Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Nicole J. Sachs, LCSW, is a renowned psychotherapist, speaker, writer, and retreat leader dedicated to helping people break free from chronic pain and anxiety. She is the author of The Meaning of Truth and the recently released book Mind Your Body, as well as creator of the online courses Freedom from Chronic Pain and Freedom from an Anxious Life. Nicole is the force behind The Cure for Chronic Pain, a widely followed podcast and online platform where she shares powerful insights and teachings. She co-created The Sarno x Sachs Solution, a practitioner training program that equips professionals worldwide with tools to transform lives. As a faculty member at The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, her annual retreats draw people from around the globe to experience healing in community.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Nicole Sachs as they explore the profound impact that emotions have on our physical health and transform the way we understand healing from chronic pain and anxiety. Nicole shares her personal journey with debilitating chronic pain and her experience working with Dr. John Sarno’s Mind-Body Theory. The duo discuss how stored trauma and emotions can manifest as physical pain. Nicole shares a key practice she developed called Journal Speak, a guided writing practice designed to process repressed emotions and “put out the fires” in the mind. Backed by neuroscience, this technique helps people understand that their pain is real, not just “in their head” and can be addressed. They discuss the power of the mind-body connection and how to incorporate it in your own healing journey.

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 Nicole’s website 

• Read Mind Your Body here

• Read The Meaning of Truth here

• Look into Journal Speak

• Check out the Sarno Clinic

• Learn more about the The Sarno x Sachs Solution

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

Hala Khouri, M.A., SEP, E-RYT is a leading voice in trauma-informed care, embodied social justice, and resilience-building. With over 25 years of experience teaching yoga and movement and 15 years of clinical work and training, Hala has dedicated her life to bridging the gap between healing, activism, and systemic change. Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, she holds degrees in psychology and counseling and is trained in Somatic Experiencing, a body-based approach to resolving trauma. She is co-founder of Off the Mat, Into the World and an adjunct professor at Pitzer College. Hala is the author of the books, Peace from Anxiety and Practicing Liberation, an anthology. In addition to leading national trainings on somatics and resilience, her work includes Radical Wellbeing, an online membership program fostering healing through embodied practices and community connection.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Hala to explore the deep connection between healing, community, and the need for systemic change. Drawing from her personal experiences and decades of work in trauma-informed care, Hala shares powerful insights into how individual healing is inseparable from collective well-being. The duo discuss how strength and resilience are built through community and the importance of breaking down harmful systems to create environments where healing is truly possible. Finally, Hala shares that at the heart of healing is developing a healthy relationship with discomfort and to not be afraid of healing through 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:

• Check out Hala’s website

• Check out Off the Mat, Into the World 

• Read Peace from Anxiety

• Read Practicing Liberation

• Explore Radical WellBeing here

• See the book, How We Show Up

• Find Healing by Thomas Insel

• Learn more about Theater of the Oppressed

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

Nakeia Homer is a Well-Being Educator, Author, and the founder of Heal & Grow Daily, a private membership and well-being community dedicated to sustainable healing and personal growth. Her books, I Hope This Helps and All the Right Pieces, have inspired readers worldwide. Her latest release, Habits for Healing: Reclaim Your Purpose, Peace, & Power, is already being hailed as "a roadmap to healing." Nakeia’s trauma informed approach makes her a sought after wellness expert who leads impactful workshops and keynotes on self care and habits for healing. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Nakeia Homer to discuss what it truly means to reclaim your purpose, peace, and power. Nakeia shares how trauma often buries our sense of purpose and how her own journey shaped her perspective. Through her healing process, she discovered the importance of holding people accountable, setting boundaries, and ensuring that relationships remain healthy and supportive. The duo discuss the power of letting go and not allowing past experiences to dictate the stories we tell ourselves in the present moment. Nakeia shares her vision behind her global program, Heal & Grow Daily, a space for people seeking support, connection, and growth.

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 Nakeia’s website here

• Buy her book: Habits for Healing

• Buy her book: All the Right Pieces

• Check out I Hope This Helps

• Learn more about Heal & Grow Daily here

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity. 

Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org

Dr. 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

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. 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

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

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.