When Listening Becomes Healing: The Practice of Radical Listening

Professor Christian van Nieuwerburgh (PhD) is a leading academic, consultant, and executive coach whose work bridges the worlds of coaching, positive psychology, and human connection. He serves as Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology at the Centre for Positive Health Sciences at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Ireland and as a Strategic Partner for the Instructional Coaching Group in the United States. He is a certified executive coach through both the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (Master Practitioner) and the International Coaching Federation (Professional Certified Coach). Christian is widely published in the fields of coaching and positive psychology. His many books include Coaching in Education: Getting Better Results for Students, Educators and Parents, An Introduction to Coaching Skills: A Practical Guide, and Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection, with Robert Biswas-Diener.

In this episode, host Shay Beider and Dr. van Nieuwerburgh explore the transformative ideas in his new book, Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection. Christian shares that listening is both a skill and an art and describes the importance of setting a positive intention before engaging with others. He outlines six core listening skills: the internal skills of noticing, quieting, and accepting, and the external skills of acknowledging, questioning, and interjecting. Throughout the conversation, Christian and Shay discuss how listening itself can be a powerful intervention—especially in healthcare settings, where being seen, valued, and heard can promote healing. Drawing from personal experience, Christian highlights the role of compassion and presence in true connection. The duo also explore barriers to communication and how simple acts of acknowledgment—what John Gottman calls turning toward bids—can build stronger bonds. This episode invites us to approach each conversation as an opportunity for connection, compassion, and shared humanity.

Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh

• Read his latest book "Radical Listening" here

• Read "Coaching in Education" here

• Look into "An introduction to Coaching Skills" here

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

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

Aaron Johnson is a powerful social activist and thought leader dedicated to fostering environments where Black-bodied individuals can fully express themselves. His TED Talk, "Chronically Undertouched," highlights the profound absence of safe, loving, platonic touch in the lives of many Black men. His work is rooted in addressing this deep cultural and emotional wound. Aaron helps men of African descent transition from being chronically undertouched to developing personalized "touch plans," creating practices that honor safety, connection, and dignity. Beyond individual guidance, Aaron cultivates retreats and workshops on Black-owned land in the Mojave Desert, where BIPOC communities can gather for healing, meditation, song, and collective renewal.

In this episode, host Shay Beider and Aaron Johnson dive into the profound impact of platonic touch for Black men and BIPOC communities. Aaron shares his personal journey of reclaiming touch and accepting his tears after confronting the deep cultural barriers shaped by history, racism, and social conditioning. Aaron introduces his "Touch Plan" framework, starting with deep listening, grounding practices, singing, and gradually introducing platonic touch with consent and presence. This conversation also touches on the role of culture, history, and collective healing, highlighting Aaron's retreats, workshops, and films, including Dark and Tender, which documents men of African descent rediscovering tenderness, connection, and emotional expression. The conversation highlights how nurturing physical and emotional connection can support holistic wellness, resilience, and collective empowerment.

Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Aaron Johnson

• Listen to Aaron's TED Talk here

• Watch the film Dark and Tender

• Read the Art of Giving and Receiving here

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

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

Dan Newby is a global leader in emotional literacy and the creator of Emotions-Centered Coaching. With over 7,000 hours of coaching experience, he has dedicated his career to helping leaders and changemakers around the world turn emotions into powerful, everyday tools for transformation. Dan is the author of four books on emotional literacy and regularly leads his signature Emotions-Centered Coaching course for "people who support people" — including leaders, therapists, educators, faith leaders, and parents. Before devoting himself to coaching, Dan spent 25 years in private business, including as CEO, and later served as COO, CEO, and Senior Course Leader at Newfield Network Coach Training School. Today, he and his partner Lucy Núñez, lead the School of Emotions and Dignity Inc., which focuses on fostering dignity in policing and leadership.

In this episode, host Shay Beider and Dan Newby explore how emotional literacy can transform the way we understand ourselves and connect with others. Dan defines emotions as "what moves us" and powerful sources of energy with their own narratives, impulses, and purposes. He shares his journey on learning to name and articulate his emotions, and offers practical tools like expanding our emotional vocabulary, noticing and naming emotions throughout the day, and distinguishing subtle differences. The duo highlight resources such as the Emotional Regulation Assessment, the Emote app, and Emotional Flash Cards, all aimed at building emotional agility and resilience. Dan shares some of his personal experiences and illustrates how allowing emotions to flow without attachment and consciously choosing emotions like optimism and hope can lead to greater well-being. Ultimately, Dan encourages us to see emotions as dynamic forces we can shape, helping us live more whole, connected, and intentional lives.

Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Dan Newby

• Learn more about his School of Emotions

• Check out Dignity Inc. here

• Read "The Unopened Gift" here

• Read his book "Dignity in Leadership"

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

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

Dr. Maryellen MacDonald is the Donald P. Hayes Professor Emerita of Psychology and Language Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is a renowned cognitive scientist. Her work in psycholinguistics explores how we comprehend, produce, and learn language—one of the most remarkable aspects of being human. Dr. MacDonald's research has examined language across the entire lifespan, from children and young adults to older adults and individuals living with Alzheimer's disease. In her book, "More than Words", she explores the science around how and why we talk, and how this impacts our lives.

In this episode, host Shay Beider and Dr. Maryellen MacDonald discuss the surprising power of talking—not just with others, but to ourselves. Dr. MacDonald explains that turning our internal state into words is a complex brain process that sharpens attention, calms the limbic system, and helps us follow through on goals. Dr. MacDonald shares that naming our thoughts and emotions can bring clarity, reduce stress, and tune the brain for better focus. She highlights how listening is easier than talking, a "desirable difficulty," and stresses the importance of mastering the art of listening and talking. From children developing language and school readiness through conversation, to older adults keeping their brains engaged, talking shapes cognition across the lifespan. This episode encourages us to embrace conversation, self-talk, and journaling as tools to better understand ourselves and connect with others.

Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Dr. MacDonald

• Read her book, "More than Words" here

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

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

Dr. Jeffrey Karp is a Harvard Medical School and MIT professor, inventor, best-selling author, and visionary leader. From transforming the challenges of undiagnosed ADHD into a wellspring of creativity and innovation, Dr. Karp has built a career championing neurodiversity, mindfulness, and environmental stewardship. He has co-founded 14 companies and secured over 100 patents, Dr. Karp's acclaimed book, LIT: Life Ignition Tools, inspires readers to move beyond autopilot living and embrace intentionality in daily life. Currently serving as Executive President of Geoversity Nature's University in Panama, Dr. Karp champions a "kinship worldview" that weaves together science, design, the arts, and indigenous wisdom to reconnect humanity with nature.

In today's episode, host Shay Beider talks with Dr. Jeffrey Karp about the three main forces he believes hold us back in modern life and how reconnecting with our nature, ritual and intuition can help us move from disconnection to real connection. He breaks down ideas like "radical simplicity," asking better questions, and the power of setting clear intentions in everyday interactions. The duo dive into his fascinating biotech work inspired by nature, his advocacy for rethinking neurodiversity, and the possibilities he sees for AI in transforming education. Dr. Karp shares what he's learned about building an internal compass rooted in core values and reminds us that healing often means unlearning old patterns and paying closer attention to the world around us—so we can grow, reconnect, and help create a thriving future together.

Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing

Show Notes:

• Read his book, LIT: Life Ignition Tools

• Learn more about Geoversity Nature's University here

• Check out the Karp Lab here

• Check out The Power of Awe here

• Visit Modern Elder Academy

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

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

Dr. James M. Greenblatt is a pioneer in functional and integrative medicine and a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist who has been treating patients since 1988. He serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine and previously held the role of Chief Medical Officer at Walden Behavioral Care/Monte Nido. An internationally recognized speaker on nutritional interventions in mental health, Dr. Greenblatt has authored seven books, including the best-sellers Finally Focused and Answers to Anorexia, as well as his latest, Functional & Integrative Medicine for Antidepressant Withdrawal. He is also the founder of Psychiatry Redefined, an educational platform dedicated to transforming psychiatric care through integrative and evidence-based approaches.

In today's episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Dr. Greenblatt about ADHD, anorexia nervosa, depression and other psychiatric disorders. The duo discuss the dangers of anorexia, and he provides solutions for better treatment outcomes for patients. He shares important information around antidepressant withdrawal and how functional psychiatry looks beyond symptoms to address underlying factors. Dr. Greenblatt shares his approach to treating depression in his book, Finally Hopeful. He discusses tools such as genetic testing (MTHFR) and screening for core nutrients that can transform psychiatric care, and highlights links between gluten sensitivity and conditions like anorexia and schizophrenia. Dr. Greenblatt closes by emphasizing the need for personalized, whole-person care and offers hope to those who are struggling.

Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Walden Behavioral Care here

• Read Finally Focused on ADHD

• Read Answers to Anorexia

• Read Functional & Integrative Medicine for Antidepressant Withdrawal

• Look into Finally Hopeful here

• Psychiatry Redefined website

• Look into Function Health here

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

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

Jonathan Gluck is a writer whose powerful storytelling has been in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and Vogue. He has served as deputy editor and managing editor of the New York Magazine. Over the course of his distinguished career, Jonathan has earned multiple National Magazine Awards. Now, he turns inward with his latest work, An Exercise in Uncertainty: A Memoir of Illness and Hope, a deeply personal account of his diagnosis with Multiple Myeloma—an incurable blood cancer—and the emotional and physical journey that followed.

In this episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Jonathan about his journey with the blood cancer he's lived with for over two decades. He shares what life looked like at the moment of his diagnosis, the emotional complexity of telling loved ones, and the guilt that often comes with being the one who is sick. The pair discuss how caregiving carries its own burdens and quiet heroism. Jonathan shares the details on promising innovative treatments like CAR-T cell therapy. Finally, he speaks to the strength of family, the power of optimistic realism, and the life lessons that have emerged from a diagnosis he never expected.

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

Show Notes:

• Read Jonanthan's book An Exercise in Uncertainty: A Memoir of Illness and Hope

• Check out Stand By Me here

• Learn more about CAR-T therapy

• Read The Anatomy of Hope

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

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

Deb Dana, LCSW, is a renowned clinician, consultant, speaker, and author whose groundbreaking work bridges the science of the nervous system with everyday wellbeing. As a founding member of the Polyvagal Institute and advisor to both Khiron Clinics and Unyte, Deb is widely recognized for making Polyvagal Theory accessible to both professionals and the general public. She pioneered the Rhythm of Regulation® approach to help people understand and connect with their nervous systems in meaningful ways. Deb's clinical publications, The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy and Polyvagal Exercises, have become foundational texts in the field, while her bestselling books, including Anchored and The Nervous System Workbook, bring this transformative work to a broader audience.

In today's episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Dana Deb to discuss her work with regulating the nervous system using the principles of Polyvagal Theory. Deb explains that every nervous system is wired for connection and regulation and emphasizes the importance of understanding how our nervous system functions. There are three organizing principles: neuroception, hierarchy, and co-regulation that the duo discuss. Deb shares her personal story of navigating loss and how her "Glimmers Journal" allows readers to reflect on small moments of hope that create larger moments of healing. Finally, the pair discuss reframing behaviors through an autonomic lens, viewing negative behaviors as dysregulated rather than malicious.

Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Deb here

• Check out the Polyvagal Institute

• Read about Khiron Clinics

• Check out Unyte

• Read more about Rhythm of Regulation

• Read "Anchored"

• Read "The Nervous System Workbook"

• Buy the "Glimmers Journal" 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

Laurel Braitman is a bestselling author, speaker, educator, and a leader in the field of medical storytelling. She serves as the Director of Writing and Storytelling at the Stanford School of Medicine, where she helps healthcare professionals harness the power of narrative to support healing and mental wellness. Laurel is the author of What Looks Like Bravery: An Epic Journey from Loss to Love and the acclaimed book Animal Madness. She holds a PhD in Science, Technology, and Society from MIT and is the founder of Writing Medicine, a global community for healthcare writers. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, Radiolab, and on platforms such as the BBC, NPR, and Good Morning America.

In today's episode, host Shay Beider talks with Laurel about how writing and storytelling help us to make sense of loss. As "meaning-making animals," Laurel says we naturally seek connection through narrative, and writing allows us to become characters in our own lives—fostering both empathy and understanding. The duo discuss how suppressing grief can also mute our capacity for joy, and how nature, nonverbal relationships, and honest feedback from others are all essential to the healing process. Through story, reflection, and relationships, Laurel invites us to explore grief as a gateway to deeper connection and meaning.

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

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Laurel here

• Check out her book, What Looks Like Bravery

• Read Animal Madness 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. 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