39 GEN - a Yo San University podcast

39GEN
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Alternative Health
  • Semiweekly

This podcast is a gateway into all things Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offering insights to the wisdom and healing at YSU. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer,  you are welcome to dip your toe in the water or take a deep dive into learning about acupuncture, herbs, qi cultivation and other healing modalities.

  1. Oct 20

    The Living Lineage: Why Modern Health Needs Indigenous Medicine & Stories with Dr. Wei-Na Yu and Dominica Zhu-Pierre-Louis

    On this episode of the 39GEN podcast, host Emily Von Urff sits down with Dr. Wei-Na Yu, International Chinese Medicine Doctor, TCM lineage-based elder practitioner, and founder of the Yu Center for Lifestyle Excellence, and her daughter, Dominica Zhu-Pierre-Louis, founder of the Global Wisdom Collective, an organization dedicated to protecting Indigenous Knowledge Systems for and alongside Indigenous communities.  Dr. Yu reflects on her journey into Traditional Chinese Medicine during her youth in China, sharing stories of classical apprenticeship, learning herbal formulas through traditional Cantonese mnemonic songs, and the historical reality of adapting this ancient medicine into modern health contexts. Dominica shares her perspective growing up with Chinese medicine as a guiding presence, detailing her efforts to preserve and archive her mother’s lineage while working through the Global Wisdom Collective to protect Indigenous knowledge systems worldwide. Together, they discuss the evolution of Traditional Chinese Medicine across generations, bridging multi-generational lineage with modern clinical practice, and why Indigenous medicine and stories remain vital in today’s fast-paced world. The Yu Center for Lifestyle Excellence: https://www.theyucenter.com/ Yu Center IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.weinayu/ The Global Wisdom Collective: https://www.globalwisdomcollective.org/ Global Wisdom Collective IG: https://www.instagram.com/globalwisdomcollective/

  2. Sep 22

    A Lifetime Pursuit: The Evolution of TCM Education, Neuro-Acupuncture and Clinical Mastery with Dr. Ioannis Solos

    In this episode, 39GEN host Emily Von Urff sits down with Dr. Ioannis Solos — acupuncturist, author, and Director of Clinical Medicine & Dean of YSU Phoenix. Doctor Solos shares his incredible 30-year journey through Traditional Chinese Medicine, tracing his path from an unexpected start studying medicine in London to spending 17 years in Beijing. He dives into his time training under renowned TCM masters, working in hospital neurology departments, co-authoring official TCM textbooks used in China, and honing surgical-precision scalp acupuncture. Together, they discuss the humbling reality of clinical hospital work, the importance of mastering foundational basics, his philosophy on open-knowledge teaching, and his specialized work in neuro-acupuncture and pediatric care in Arizona. Dr. Solos outlines his vision for the future of YSU Phoenix and offers inspiring advice for prospective acupuncture students joining the 39th generation. Learn more about Yo San University at yosan.edu

  3. Aug 18

    Acupuncture at Sea: Expanding Access & Building Clinical Confidence with Stephanie Kimber

    In this episode, host Emily Von Urff sits down with Stephanie Kimber, LAc, Director of Eastern Medical Programs at OneSpaWorld. Fresh out of acupuncture school zero cruise ship experience, Stephanie took a leap of faith on a two-week notice trial that transformed into a thriving 20-year career. Today, she oversees acupuncture operations across nearly 180 cruise ships worldwide, bringing Traditional Chinese Medicine to thousands of people who might never have tried it otherwise. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom on clinical confidence, patient education, treatment models, and the future of acupuncture at sea. Learn more about OneSpaWorld: https://onespaworld.com/ Learn more about Yo San University: https://yosan.edu/

  4. Jul 21

    The Spiral of Healing: Collaborative Care and the Psychedelic Renaissance with Dr. Eva Altobelli

    In this episode of the Yo San University 39GEN podcast, host Emily Von Urff sits down with Dr. Eva Altobelli, an addiction psychiatrist with 30 years of experience and the founder of Home LA. Together, they dive deep into the limitations of the Western mental healthcare model and discuss why shifting toward a collaborative, integrative approach — combining psychiatry, psychotherapy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) — is essential for true mental wellness. Dr. Altobelli also opens up about the current psychedelic renaissance, sharing her insights on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, the robust research behind psilocybin and MDMA, and the vital importance of proper preparation and community integration when working with these medicines.

  5. Jun 16

    Adaptive Medicine: Systems Thinking, Feminism, and Midlife Women's Health with Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson

    In this episode of the Yo San University 39GEN podcast, host Emily Von Urff sits down with clinician-scientist and acupuncturist Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson to explore the powerful intersection of systems thinking, feminism, and East Asian medicine in midlife women’s healthcare. As an "academic unicorn" with 17 years of private practice and a PhD from the University of Washington, Dr. Taylor-Swanson discusses the systemic underfunding of women's health research and details her journey in creating MENOGAP — an innovative, group-visit intervention model designed to bridge the massive gaps in conventional menopausal care by combining evidence-based education, social support, and acupuncture.

  6. May 19

    The Healing Art: Finding Power in Clinical Vulnerability with Dr. Andrea Thorpe

    In this episode of the 39GEN  podcast, host Emily sits down with Dr. Andrea Thorpe, acupuncturist, herbalist, and newly appointed faculty member at Yo San University. Andrea shares profound insights from her decades-long journey in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), explaining why it is fundamentally a healing art rather than just a set of clinical protocols. She dives deep into the clinical reality of female hormonal and menstrual health, contrasting the limitations of allopathic medicine with the root-cause, deeply validating approach of Chinese medicine. Ultimately, Andrea delivers a powerful message to students and seasoned practitioners alike: the most potent tool you have is your own vulnerability, curiosity, and authenticity.

  7. Apr 23

    From the CDC to the Clinic: Bridging Public Health and Chinese Medicine with Dr. Anisa Kassim

    In this episode of the 39GEN Podcast, Emily sits down with Dr. Anisa Kassim, Chief Academic Officer at Yo San University, to explore her journey through the global healthcare landscape. From serving in Afghani refugee camps and working as a fellow at the CDC to becoming an acupuncturist with a specialty in pediatrics, Anisa shares her unique perspective on why every TCM practitioner is, at their core, a public health advocate. The conversation dives into the intersection of global health sustainability, the fundamental pillars of public health like biostatistics and environmental health, and Anisa’s personal pivot from federal government work to clinical practice. She also discusses her deep passion for pediatric acupuncture and the rewarding challenge of treating the next generation, ultimately illustrating how individual wellness ripples out to improve society as a whole.

  8. Mar 27

    The Policy Pivot: Loans, Legislation, and the Future of Acupuncture With CSOMA

    In this special edition of the Yo San University 39GEN Podcast, Emily sits down with CSOMA board members Dr. Julie Tran, Dr. Ra Adcock, and Dr. Robert Hoffman for a deep dive into the ‘perfect storm’ hitting acupuncture schools in 2026. This episode explores the critical impact of the RISE Act and the impending end of Grad Plus loans on July 1st, alongside the controversial California bill AB 2668, which threatens to drive up student debt by mandating a doctorate for entry-level licensure. Together, the panel discusses the urgent need for competency-based education, national exam standardization, and strategic advocacy to protect the future of integrative medicine and the next generation of practitioners.

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About

This podcast is a gateway into all things Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offering insights to the wisdom and healing at YSU. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer,  you are welcome to dip your toe in the water or take a deep dive into learning about acupuncture, herbs, qi cultivation and other healing modalities.

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