In many East Asian cultures, childbirth marks not just a beginning, but a sacred period of recovery known as Zuò Yuè Zi, or “sitting the month.” Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this postnatal confinement practice emphasizes rest, warmth, and nourishment to restore balance and vitality after delivery, which is said to deplete the mother's qi, or vital life force. In the modern and busy world of working mothers with unpaid maternity leave, is it possible to incorporate facets of an ancient rejuvenating practice into the home?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kristal Lau, MBBS, MPH, BMedSc. Dr. Lau is a board-certified physician with over a decade of experience, the leading postpartum wellness consultant, author of 'Postpartum 30' (double winner at the NYC Big Book Award), and the founder of Bridges in Health and Mama's Wing Woman, a consulting company that creates wellness experiences for individuals and families and provides postpartum planning, coaching, and wellness programs to new parents and their families.

Dr. Lau received her MBBS from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, MPH in Health Care Organization and Policy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and General Medicine residency in Australia. Dr. Lau has then become an expert in postpartum practice, having served as an Advisor and the Co-Chair of the Women’s Health Lifestyle Medicine Initiative at European Lifestyle Medicine Organization, Postnatal Retreat Development Consultant at Sanu, Family Resiliency Expert at the United States Army, and Director of Education at the Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum Coalition. Dr. Lau has been featured on Goop, Medium, CEO Weekly, KTLA, Exeleon Magazine, EIN Presswire, and ABNewswire.

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Originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1960s, ketamine has reemerged as one of modern psychiatry’s most promising tools for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Its superpower lies in working with your brain's glutamate receptors to create antidepressant effects. What does the future of psychedelic-assisted mental health care hold? Could this once-stigmatized molecule represent the future of mental health care and healing the mind from within?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Mai Shimada, M.D., MBA, FAAEM. Dr. Shimada is a board-certified emergency medicine physician with over a decade of experience and is the founder and CEO of Isha Health, an online at-home ketamine clinic dedicated to providing safe and effective treatments for depression and anxiety.

Dr. Shimada received her MD from the University of Tokyo, Emergency Medicine residency in the United States, and later on, completed the Psychedelic Facilitation Certification Program at the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics in two areas and the Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Training Program at Polaris Insight Center. Currently, alongside Isha Health, Dr. Shimada is a study physician for psychedelic medicine clinical trials at Open Mind Collective, a Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (FAAEM), a member of The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM), and a visiting professor of Medicine at Tohoku University in Japan. Dr. Shimada has been featured on Forbes Japan.

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Ayurveda, often referred to as the “science of life,” is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, with origins dating back over 5,000 years to ancient India. From understanding the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—that govern our physical and emotional states, to the powerful cleansing and rejuvenating process known as Panchakarma. Ayurveda is rooted in harmony between mind, body, and spirit, and it views health as a dynamic balance rather than the mere absence of disease. Can this ancient system continue to offer profound guidance for holistic wellness in the modern world?

In this episode, we are joined by Nisha Saini, CHHP. Nisha is the Founder and Director of the award-winning New York Ayurveda & Panchakarma Center in 2006, and is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Panchakarma Specialist, and licensed holistic esthetician. Nisha and New York Ayurveda have been featured on Vogue and NPR.

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For thousands of years, humans have sought healing from within — through breath, movement, and energy. Practices like Qigong, yoga, and, more contemporarily, Reiki have emerged from traditions as powerful ways to restore balance, vitality, and inner peace. Qigong uses slow, intentional movement and breath to cultivate life force energy, while yoga unites body and mind through postures and controlled breathing. Reiki, rooted in Japanese energy medicine, offers gentle, hands-on healing by channeling universal energy. In our current world of constant changes, stressors, and stimulations, are these ancient grounding practices for healing and harmony still viable?

In this episode, we are joined by three expert guests within the tenets of Qigong, yoga, and Reiki. Firstly, Lisa Li is the founder of The Qi (a flowering tea wellness company) and a certified Qigong instructor, having trained in the traditional Chinese practice for 7 years. Lisa and The Qi have been featured on New York Magazine, Bon Appétit, Architectural Digest, Food & Wine, and Good Housekeeping.

Melissa Jeng is a decade-long yoga and mindfulness teacher based in New York City. Trained through Yogamaya and with Jules Mitchell, Melissa pursued advanced training in biomechanics, meditation, trauma-informed yoga, and breath work.

Margaret Wang is a Usui/Tibetan Reiki practitioner, having completed her training at The International Center for Reiki Training.

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For centuries, acupuncture has been a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine, offering a powerful lens into the body’s natural healing intelligence using the precise placement of ultra-fine needles. Rooted in the concept of meridians—an intricate network of energy pathways—this ancient practice seeks to restore balance and harmony, thereby proposing relief from chronic pain, inflammation, and even stress. Can these invisible channels and their said connections to our organs really unlock profound pathways to healing and tangible pain relief?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Lauren Kuei, DACM, L.Ac, RYT. Dr. Kuei is a licensed and board-certified acupuncturist, registered yoga teacher, and clinical herbalist at Nava Wellness, an acupuncture and Eastern Asian Medicine Practice in New York City. She received her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) from the Pacific College of Health and Sciences in San Diego. Dr. Kuei has been featured on The Strategist by New York Magazine.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is often called the world’s oldest and longest continuously practiced medical system, with roots reaching back nearly 5,000 years. Born from the philosophies of Qi, yin and yang, and the Five Elements, it blends ancient wisdom with healing practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qigong. For millennia, TCM has centered on restoring balance and harmony within the body and mind. But in an era defined by modern science and technology, can an ancient system still hold its power?

In this episode, we are joined by Nina Cheng, BA. Nina is the founder of The Eastern Philosophy (homemade and curated TCM company), author of 'Chinese Medicine for the Mind,' and serves as the Council and Communications Officer of the International Association for the Study of Traditional Asian Medicine (IASTAM), the world’s leading academic organization for the study of traditional Asian medicine. Part-time, she is also a graduate student in the History of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The Eastern Philosophy has been featured on the New York Post, Daily Mail, and Coveteur.

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The fourth installment of the Friends of Franz Podcast now journeys from ancient and Eastern healing traditions to cutting-edge conversations surrounding modern science and medicine, featuring expert clinicians, practitioners, and scientists from both domains and schools of thought.

Thank you to Season 4's Asian-founded brand partners: Reprise, Uka Beauty, The Qi, Remsen Skincare, SHY Binu, Sanzo, DAYGUARD, EMME, JOYN, Dae Tea, and Wild Mannered.

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According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer remains to be the most common cancer, excluding skin cancers, and accounts for the second leading cause of cancer death, following lung cancer, in women across the nation. Yet, despite these staggering statistics, a Current Oncology commentary from Harvard Medical School states that misinformation believed by the general population within the domain of breast health remains at large, especially when it comes to breast cancer screening. In this episode, we seek to tackle these questions that surround breast cancer screening and detection: What is the BRCA gene, and how does it relate to breast cancer? What are the risk factors for breast cancer? At what age should a woman start getting a mammogram? Can men also get breast cancer? What is the BI-RADS score? How does one perform a monthly breast self-examination? What are the next steps for the patient after a breast cancer diagnosis?

We are joined today by Dr. Robyn Roth, a board-certified diagnostic radiologist and breast & abdominal imaging specialist based in Camden, NJ. She received her BS at the University of Florida, MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Diagnostic Radiology residency and Women's Imaging fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. For the past decade, Dr. Roth has been an attending Breast Radiologist, Women's Imaging Fellowship Director, and Assistant Professor of Radiology in New Jersey. Dr. Roth is the founder of "The Boobie Docs," a renowned social media platform and podcast where she discusses breast cancer and breast health in an educational and fun way. Dr. Roth has been featured on The TODAY Show, USA Today, AOL.com, Health.com, Katie Couric Media, and Good Day Philadelphia.

Livestream Air Date: August 22, 2023

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Thankful to the season's brand partners: Covry, House of M Beauty, Nguyen Coffee Supply, V Coterie, Skin By Anthos, Halmi, By Dr Mom, LOUPN, Baisun Candle Co., RĒJINS, Twrl Milk Tea, 1587 Sneakers

According to the World Health Organization, around 3.6 billion diagnostic radiologic medical examinations are performed worldwide yearly. Diagnostic imaging exams — including X-rays, MRIs, Ultrasounds, CT scans, and PET scans — can truly save lives and change the trajectory of a patient's care plan by potentially preventing the necessity of surgery and more invasive procedures. Yet, despite the integral work of diagnostic radiologists and radiologic technologists, they remain to be the unsung heroes of medicine. What does the medical education and training for radiology look like? When is an X-ray needed to rule out a medical condition versus an MRI or a CT scan? Is the radiation emitted from the imaging machines safe? What are the scaled effects of radiation exposure on the body?

We are joined today by diagnostic radiology resident physician Dr. Sally Choi (also known online as Drsallymanderchoi). She received her MD from McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and is currently completing her Diagnostic Radiology residency at UTHealth San Antonio Long School of Medicine, with an interest in furthering her training in Neuroradiology fellowship. Through social media, Dr. Choi has garnered over 300,000 followers, having shared her journey within medicine, the field of radiology, and mental health.

Livestream Air Date: November 10, 2022

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Thankful to the season's brand partners: Covry, House of M Beauty, Nguyen Coffee Supply, V Coterie, Skin By Anthos, Halmi, By Dr Mom, LOUPN, Baisun Candle Co., RĒJINS, Twrl Milk Tea, 1587 Sneakers

According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), nearly one-fourth of older adults aged 65 and older are at increased risk for loneliness and are considered to be socially isolated, with risk factors being attributed to hearing loss, losing family or friends, role changes such as retirement, living alone, and chronic disease. Geriatric syndromes — such as polypharmacy, falls, cognitive impairment like dementia and Alzheimer's disease, malnutrition, and incontinence — are clinical conditions and multifactorial impairments that are more commonly identified in older adults. Aging is definitely the normal trajectory of human life, but how can one age in a way that is considered healthy and with an optimal quality of life? How can an older adult look forward to the remaining years of life despite chronic illness? How can we help safeguard a geriatric's mental health despite feelings of abandonment, loneliness, and fear of being a burden to their caregiver/s?

We are joined today by Dr. Christina Chen, a double board-certified geriatrician and internist at Mayo Clinic. She received her BS in Biology and Psychology from Michigan State University, MD from St George's University School Of Medicine, Internal Medicine residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Geriatric Medicine fellowship at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. She further achieved certificates in Acupuncture for Physicians from Helms Medical Institute and Executive Women in Leadership from Cornell University. Dr. Chen currently stands as an Attending Geriatrician and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic Rochester, the Host of the Aging Forward Podcast, the Course Director of the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Senior Sages Curriculum. the Editor of the Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging book, and the Medical Advisory Board of GrandPad, a customizable platform that delivers virtual care to seniors at home while keeping seniors connected to reduce social isolation and improve the telehealth experience.

Livestream Air Date: August 17, 2023

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Thankful to the season's brand partners: Covry, House of M Beauty, Nguyen Coffee Supply, V Coterie, Skin By Anthos, Halmi, By Dr Mom, LOUPN, Baisun Candle Co., RĒJINS, Twrl Milk Tea, 1587 Sneakers