In this episode of the Silvates Podcast, Silvan is joined by osteopaths and educators Lazarus Nono and Krutika Patel, who bring almost three decades of experience in practice and osteopathic education.

Together, we reflect on how the profession has changed since they graduated, from the way osteopathy is taught to the growing influence of social media and technique-focused content. We discuss whether today's graduates are better prepared for practice, the importance of mentorship after university, and why confidence can quickly disappear when you're suddenly alone in a treatment room with a patient.

Our conversation also explores what may have been lost as osteopathic education has evolved and developing the confidence to assess and treat the whole person rather than simply focusing on the painful area.

Lazarus and Krutika discuss why understanding foot biomechanics matters, how dysfunction at the foot may influence the rest of the kinetic chain, and why, as Lazarus puts it, “if you're not assessing it, you're guessing.”

We hear about their Core Manual Techniques CPD, why they chose to begin with the foot, and their aim to help osteopaths and other manual therapists revisit the fundamentals, develop their clinical reasoning and become more confident practitioners.

The Biomechanics of the Foot workshop will be held on Sunday 27th September 2026 in London.

Find out more on: wwww.core-mt.co.uk 

Follow CoreMT in instagram: coremanualeducation

Listen to the podcast here:

Apple podcast:

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Watch here: https://youtu.be/uu5ZS4WNRqY

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Osteopathy and Its Evolution

02:53 Changes in Practice and Teaching Methods

05:33 Communication Skills in Osteopathy

09:08 The Importance of Mentoring for New Graduates

14:23 Curriculum Changes and Gaps in Education

19:07 Blind Spots in Osteopathic Practice

23:59 The Role of Foot Biomechanics in Treatment

33:07 The Importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Osteopathy

37:20 Understanding the Foot: A Foundation for Treatment

39:53 Target Audience for CPD: Who Can Benefit?

40:16 Practical Applications: What to Expect After CPD

44:59 The Role of Intellect in Osteopathy

53:13 Key Takeaways: Inquisitiveness and Confidence in Practice

Silvan is joined by Clinical Psychologist, Dr Paris Capleton joins me on the Podcast. In this episode we explore how your childhood expeirnces can shape your career, and how the weight of expectations can affect identity and profession. Paris shares her insights on parentification and the unique identities of black female clinical psychologists, shedding light on the emotional burdens they carry.

Find Paris on socials:

Instagram: drparispsychology

Tiktok: parisirl_

Linkedin: drpariscapleton

Read Paris' research: https://uhra.herts.ac.uk/id/eprint/26152/

Link to Paris' Dclin interview training: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-sweet-spot-dclinpsy-interview-prep-masterclass-tickets-1985061217538?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Watch here: https://youtu.be/5ImbO73buOQ

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Parentification and Identity

04:17 The Impact of Parentification on Black Female Clinical Psychologists

12:52 Understanding Parentification: Definitions and Expressions

19:29 Parentification's Influence on Identity and Relationships

27:00 Threat-Based Socialization and Its Effects

29:48 The Impact of Childhood Expectations

32:32 Cultural Perspectives on Caregiving

34:15 The Cost of Being the Good Girl

35:16 Intergenerational Responsibility and Identity

39:03 Caregiving as a Professional Identity

42:36 Reflexivity in Research

53:43 Implications for Clinical Practice

Sarah Sheehan, an Educational Psychologist and mother joins me on the podcast to share her personal journey with weight loss and using Mounjaro, a GLP-1 medication. We discuss her health journey, the challenges of emotional eating and the importance of lifestyle changes alongside using Mounjaro.

In this episode of the Silvates podcast, I speak to Oliver Smith shares about experiences navigating the gay dating scene in London, particularly through the lens of social media and TikTok. Oliver discusses the challenges and triumphs of dating, the impact of dating apps, the dynamics of gay dating, and the significance of chemistry and connection. We touch on the impact of dating on mental health and emotional sensitivity.

Find Oliver here:
Tiktok: oliverrobertsmith
Instagram: oliverrobertsmith

Watch here: https://youtu.be/3T8DMlRvAcU

In this episode, I speak to David Lintonbon on the evolution of manual medicine, the inspiration behind his book 'The Handbook of Manual Medicine', and the importance of understanding the history and techniques of osteopathy. He emphasizes the need for a hands-on approach in diagnosis, building trust with patients, and the challenges faced in writing a comprehensive manual. We also touch on the future of osteopathy in healthcare and the importance of collaboration among practitioners.

In this episode of the Silvates Podcast, I speak to Mark Archer (Physiotherapist) about the complexities of pain management and the importance of a holistic approach. We discuss the psychological and social factors influencing pain, the role of trauma, and the need for authentic connection and safety in therapeutic settings. Mark shared his insights on cultivating hope and resilience, emphasising the significance of understanding pain beyond the biomedical model. 

Find out about Mark's course here: https://lifebeyondpain.clinic/
Instagram: @ _lifebeyondpain_

Chapters:
04:24 The Role of Trauma in Pain Management

10:21 The Social Context of Pain

15:38 Patient Expectations and the Medical Model

23:25 The Importance of Values in Pain Management

28:26 Tools and Techniques in Pain Services

35:13 Modeling New Relationships

42:55 Defining 'Better' in Therapy

50:40 Moving Beyond Fixing: A Holistic Approach

57:08 Understanding Change and Neuroplasticity

01:05:37 Cultivating Caring in Practice

01:10:55 Connecting with the Community

Silvan speaks with Osteopath Arwel Roberts about the intersection of running and osteopathy. We discuss the joy of running, the importance of community, common injuries, and how to start running effectively. Arwel shares insights on the impact of COVID on running trends, the significance of cross-training, and the psychological aspects of maintaining motivation and enjoyment in running. 

In this episode of the Silvates podcast, Silvan interviews Declan McCallion, a passionate reader and reviewer of LGBTQ+ literature. They discuss Declan's journey into reading, the importance of libraries, and how TikTok has created a vibrant community for book lovers. Declan and Silvan explore the themes of normalisation, authenticity, and representation in LGBTQ+ literature. They discuss the importance of portraying both the struggles and joys of queer existence, emphasising the need for stories that reflect genuine experiences without solely focusing on adversity. The conversation touches on the impact of adaptations on queer narratives and the significance of mental health representation. We highlight the evolving landscape of queer literature and its role in shaping societal perceptions, discussing the impact of self-image on mental health, the importance of embracing one's quirks, and the representation of mental health issues in fictional characters.

Find Declan on Tiktok: decclanmccallion17

Chapters

00:31 Declan's Journey into Reading and TikTok

04:26 The Importance of Libraries in Shaping Readers

07:12 Engagement and Community on TikTok

10:22 The Role of TikTok in Promoting LGBTQ+ Literature

14:22 Viral Trends and Their Impact on LGBTQ+ Books

18:11 Female Authors Writing Gay Romance

21:15 Conclusion and Future of LGBTQ+ Literature

21:25 Normalizing Queer Existence

22:51 Authenticity in Queer Literature

25:03 The Balance of Struggle and Joy

26:53 The Impact of Love Stories

28:14 Generational Grief and Loss

30:15 Universal Themes in LGBTQ+ Stories

32:01 The Role of Lighthearted Narratives

34:43 The Influence of Adaptations

38:44 Mental Health in LGBTQ+ Literature

45:22 The Impact of Self-Image on Mental Health

48:26 Exploring Mental Health Narratives in LGBTQ+ Literature

51:26 Embracing Quirks: The Intersection of Mental Health and Relationships

53:25 Book Recommendations for LGBTQ+ Readers

59:06 Challenging Perspectives: The Courage to Be Disliked

01:03:31 The Future of LGBTQ+ Literature

Watch here: https://youtu.be/1QTqnERBUb0

In this episode, I talk to Mary Bolingbroke, an Osteopath, about death and dying. We talk about the discomfort that society often has towards death, the physical and emotional storage of trauma in the body and the intergenerational transmission of trauma.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction 

11:55 The Physical and Emotional Storage of Trauma in the Body

33:18 Healing Ancestral Trauma and Finding Coherence

42:05 The Privilege of Being Present During End-of-Life Care

01:02:55 Exploring Cultural Practices and Rituals

Find out more about Mary here:  https://www.mary-bolingbroke.co.uk

Watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/4rHAbwjv72o

This episode of the Silvates podcast delves into the Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX), a structured assessment tool used in osteopathic education. Phil Bright, Sarah-Jane Marshall and Marianne Damgaard-Jensen discuss its purpose, benefits and assessment process. The Mini-CEX is highlighted as a valuable tool for providing immediate, actionable feedback to students, enhancing their learning experience and preparing them for clinical practice.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Mini-CEX
02:02 Understanding the Mini-CEX
06:44 Purpose and Benefits of Mini-CEX
10:53 Assessment Process and Feedback
15:02 Challenges and Reliability of Mini-CEX
19:17 Feedback Delivery and Scoring
22:03 Marking Criteria and Scoring Systems
25:23 Implementing the Mini-CEX
30:30 Best Practices for Mini-CEX
34:04 Conclusion and Future Directions

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/mxO3lh3wK3E