The Dao of Humaning

Dr. Christine Sanmiquel L.Ac, DAOM, PMP
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Alternative Health

The Dao of Human-ing with Dr. Christine offers a grounded and practical exploration of health, wellness, and the wonders of everyday life. Hosted by Dr. Christine — a licensed acupuncturist, ordained Daoist priest, holder of doctorate degrees in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Medical Qigong, and a Project Management Professional — the podcast brings structure and depth to conversations about the body, emotions, the nervous system, and the human experience.

  1. 4d ago

    How I Survive “Mayvember” as a Doctor of TCM

    In this episode, Dr. Christine explores the phenomenon lovingly known as “Mayvember”: that unique stretch of the year where family schedules explode with school events, sports, performances, celebrations, and all the end-of-year chaos that somehow arrives all at once. Through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Wood element of spring, this conversation reframes May not as something to survive perfectly, but as a season to move with more intentionally. Rather than trying to stop the momentum, the goal becomes creating more flow within it. This episode explores movement, self-awareness, creativity, nervous system support, perfectionism, humor, and the importance of allowing space for rest and regrouping after intense seasons of life. It’s a grounded and honest conversation about navigating busy seasons with more grace, flexibility, and connection to what actually nourishes us. In This Episode: What “Mayvember” is and why this season feels uniquely chaoticHow spring and the Wood element relate to movement, growth, and momentumWhy the goal isn’t to stop the chaos — but to keep energy flowing smoothly through itUsing movement and routine as support during busy seasonsThe difference between fighting the season vs. working with itA conversation about being a “Type C mom” and embracing flexibilityLetting go of perfectionism and making more space for graceWhy self-awareness is protective during intense seasons of lifeLearning to recognize when you need movement vs. when you need restHow nourishment includes more than just food in Chinese medicineThe impact of what we consume through our eyes, ears, and attentionWhy humor, laughter, and joy are powerful nervous system supportsThe role of creativity as a form of energy movement and inspirationRedefining creativity beyond traditional artistic expressionWhy intense seasons often highlight our desire for controlThe importance of regrouping and reflecting after periods of activationCreating intentional check-ins as we transition into a new seasonPODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://thedaoofhumaning.buzzsprout.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1869811351 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/79Llx5Um3cDSJqXG0JIsVL RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2574021.rss Support & Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristine.sanmiquel/ Produced by: Reese Leanne Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shot_by_reese/

    29 min

  2. May 19

    Chinese Medicine Is the Original Functional Medicine

    In this episode, we’re talking about individualized medicine, the growing interest in functional medicine, and why Traditional Chinese Medicine has been practicing personalized, root-cause care for thousands of years. So many people are searching for deeper answers when they don’t feel well, especially when their labs come back “normal” but they still feel exhausted, inflamed, anxious, disconnected, or unlike themselves. What many people are actually looking for is not just more testing, but a different relationship to care: one where they feel heard, understood, educated, and supported as a whole person. Through stories from clinic and conversations with patients and friends, this episode explores the overlap between functional medicine and Chinese medicine, including pattern-based diagnosis, individualized treatment plans, root-cause thinking, and why symptoms that seem unrelated often make perfect sense together through a Traditional Chinese Medicine lens. We also talk about the overwhelm many people experience trying to navigate supplements, testing, and online health information, and why personalized care matters more than ever in a world full of generalized advice. In This Episode: What people are often really searching for when they seek “functional medicine”The gap between “normal labs” and not feeling well in your bodyWhy feeling heard by your practitioner matters so muchA Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective on individualized, root-cause careHow Chinese medicine looks for patterns instead of isolated symptomsWhy fatigue, digestion, sleep, mood, and cycles are often connectedA real clinical example of pattern recognition in practiceThe concept of the “unwellness gap” and why so many people feel stuck thereThe overlap between functional medicine and Traditional Chinese MedicineWhy personalized care often feels validating and relieving for patientsThe difference between branch symptoms and root causes in Chinese medicineWhy two people with the same symptom may need completely different treatmentsThe role of functional testing, supplements, herbs, and diagnosticsWhy more supplements are not always betterThe importance of education and helping people understand their own bodiesHow tongue diagnosis, digestion, sleep, and menstrual cycles can provide insight into healthThe value of creating a clear treatment plan with milestones and reassessment Why curiosity and learning about your body can be empoweringHow AI and online information fit into modern healthcare conversationsWhy individualized care still requires human interpretation and clinical experiencePODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://thedaoofhumaning.buzzsprout.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1869811351 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/79Llx5Um3cDSJqXG0JIsVL RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2574021.rss Support & Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristine.sanmiquel/ Produced by: Reese Leanne Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shot_by_reese/

    28 min

  3. May 12

    What Stress Is Trying to Do

    In this episode, we’re reframing stress through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine, nervous system health, and personal growth. Stress is often talked about as something inherently bad, something to eliminate, avoid, or “fix.” But the reality is more nuanced than that. Stress is a normal part of being human. We need challenge, activation, movement, and periods of intensity in order to grow, evolve, create, and move forward in our lives. The problem isn’t stress itself. The problem is when stress gets stuck in the body and we lose the ability to move with it, process it, and integrate it. Through both clinical examples and a Chinese medicine perspective, this episode explores how stress can actually become supportive when we learn to work with it differently. We talk about nervous system activation, stagnation, growth, awareness, and why some of the most transformative periods in our lives are often the most uncomfortable. This is a conversation about learning to build capacity, strengthen awareness, and relate to stress with more intention instead of fear. In This Episode: Why stress is not inherently “bad”The difference between activation and perceived threatA nervous system perspective on challenge, movement, and growthWhy we actually need periods of activation in lifeHow stress can support personal and spiritual growthThe role of discomfort in transformation and changeWhy some of the most meaningful seasons of life are also the hardestA Chinese medicine perspective on stagnation and why “stuck” stress mattersHow stress that doesn’t move through the body can contribute to pain and illnessClinical examples of how stagnation shows up physically and emotionallyThe importance of awareness and “training the noticing muscle”How we can learn to move with stress instead of fighting against itThe relationship between stress, resilience, and capacityWhy healing isn’t about removing all stress from your lifeHow challenge can become supportive when we learn to work with it differentlyPODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://thedaoofhumaning.buzzsprout.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1869811351 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/79Llx5Um3cDSJqXG0JIsVL RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2574021.rss Support & Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristine.sanmiquel/ Produced by: Reese Leanne Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shot_by_reese/

    24 min

  4. May 5

    Why Everything Feels So Overwhelming Right Now (And What Actually Helps)

    In this episode, we’re talking about overwhelm not just as a reaction to what’s happening in your life, but as a reflection of how much you’re taking in on a daily basis. Many people are feeling overwhelmed right now, even when nothing is objectively “wrong.” And a big part of that is the sheer volume of information, input, and stimulation we’re exposed to constantly. Our systems were never designed to process this much, this quickly, without support. Through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this episode reframes overwhelm as a digestion issue. Not just digestion of food, but of life. What we take in through our eyes, ears, and attention all requires processing, and when there’s too much input without enough discernment, clearing, or integration, things start to feel like too much. This episode walks through three simple, practical ways to work with overwhelm: becoming more discerning about what you take in, creating space to release what isn’t serving you, and allowing time for integration. These are small shifts, but they can have a meaningful impact on how you feel day to day. In This Episode: Why overwhelm isn’t always tied to a specific life eventHow modern life is flooding our systems with more input than we can processWhy your nervous system doesn’t distinguish between real and perceived threatsA Chinese medicine perspective on digestion beyond just foodThe role of the Small Intestine in discernment (what to keep vs. release)What it means to be intentional about what you take in (and when)The impact of social media, news, and constant information exposureWhy what feels supportive varies from person to personThe importance of creating boundaries around your inputsSimple ways to practice discernment in daily lifeWhy “clearing” practices matter and how to make them your ownExamples of clearing: water, movement, sound, ritual, natureThe importance of integration time (and why we’re often missing it)How overwhelm connects to stagnation in the bodyWhy stagnation can show up as anxiety, fatigue, pain, or digestive issuesHow small, intentional shifts can create more ease, clarity, and flowPODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://thedaoofhumaning.buzzsprout.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1869811351 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/79Llx5Um3cDSJqXG0JIsVL RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2574021.rss Support & Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristine.sanmiquel/ Produced by: Reese Leanne Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shot_by_reese/

    21 min

  5. Apr 28

    Prevention > Diagnosis: A Better Way to Care for Your Body

    In this episode, we’re shifting how we think about healthcare and when to actually get support. Most people come to acupuncture and Chinese medicine after something is already wrong, when pain, a diagnosis, or a clear issue is interfering with day to day life. And while this medicine is incredibly effective there, that’s not where it works best. Traditional Chinese medicine is fundamentally a preventative medicine. It’s designed to catch patterns early, when symptoms are still subtle, and guide the body back into balance before things become bigger problems. We talk about what prevention really looks like in practice, why it’s often overlooked, and how this approach can actually save time, money, and energy long term. This is also a conversation about what people are really looking for when they seek “functional” or “integrative” care and how Chinese medicine already offers that depth of listening, pattern recognition, and personalized support. In This Episode:   Why most people only seek care after something is already wrong  The difference between treating symptoms vs. maintaining health  What “preventative care” actually looks like in Chinese medicine  Catching symptoms early: sleep changes, digestion, tension, cycle shifts  How ongoing care can shift from weekly visits to seasonal tune-ups  Why prevention is harder to prioritize (and why it matters anyway)  What people really mean when they ask for functional or integrative medicine.The role of deep listening, pattern recognition, and personalized care  A real example of how the system often requires you to be “sicker” to get care.Why how you feel every day matters more than just lab results.The “Thursday afternoon” baseline and what it says about your health.Why fatigue, pain, and poor sleep are not things you have to accept. You don’t have to wait until something is officially wrong to get support. The earlier you listen to your body, the easier it is to maintain balance and feel well in your day-to-day life. PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://thedaoofhumaning.buzzsprout.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1869811351 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/79Llx5Um3cDSJqXG0JIsVL RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2574021.rss Support & Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristine.sanmiquel/ Produced by: Reese Leanne Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shot_by_reese/

    18 min

  6. Apr 21

    The Second Spring: Reframing Menopause Through Chinese Medicine

    Episode Summary: In this episode, we’re exploring menopause through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine and why this transition is actually considered a powerful new beginning rather than a decline. Often called the “Second Spring,” menopause marks a shift in energy, identity, and potential. We talk about how this phase fits into the larger “gates of life,” what’s really happening in the body from a yin and yang perspective, and why so many women feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and options available today. This conversation is an invitation to reframe menopause as a time of increased energy, clarity, and wisdom, and, most importantly, to trust what’s unfolding on the other side of this transition. In This Episode: Why menopause is known as the “Second Spring” in Chinese medicine.How this transition represents a shift from yin (cyclical) to yang (sustained) energy.What’s behind common symptoms like hot flashes, irritability, and night sweats.Why menopause can actually mean more available energy, not less.How to navigate the overwhelm of conflicting advice (HRT, supplements, fitness, etc.)The importance of finding a personalized, realistic approach to support.Letting go of the pressure to stay the same and opening to a new identity.How this stage prepares women to step into a more focused, direct, and wise version of themselves.Menopause isn’t something to resist or fix. It is a threshold into a new phase of life. When we shift our perspective and begin to trust the process, we create space for this season to feel expansive, empowering, and even energizing. PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://thedaoofhumaning.buzzsprout.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1869811351 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/79Llx5Um3cDSJqXG0JIsVL RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2574021.rss Support & Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristine.sanmiquel/ Produced by: Reese Leanne Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shot_by_reese/

    21 min

  7. Apr 14

    Destabilization as a Doorway: How Life’s Transitions Create Opportunities for Healing

    In this episode, we’re going deeper into the idea of life’s “gates” and what it really means to move through a time of destabilization. Using postpartum as a tangible example, we explore how moments that feel chaotic or uncomfortable are actually intentional opportunities for transformation and healing. From migraines to mood patterns, we look at what’s possible when you learn to lean into discomfort instead of resisting it. In This Episode: Why destabilization is a necessary part of transformation, not something to avoidHow postpartum serves as a powerful (and often overlooked) window for healingReal examples of physical and emotional patterns that can shift during these transitionsWhat it actually looks like to “lean in” to discomfort with intentionHow these same principles apply to puberty, perimenopause, and other life thresholdsLearning to be uncomfortable isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most powerful skills we can develop. When we stop resisting these transitional seasons and instead meet them with intention, we create the conditions for real, lasting change. PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://thedaoofhumaning.buzzsprout.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1869811351 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/79Llx5Um3cDSJqXG0JIsVL RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2574021.rss Support & Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristine.sanmiquel/ Produced by: Reese Leanne Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shot_by_reese/

    19 min

  8. Apr 7

    Puberty and Perimenopause: What They Have in Common and Why It Matters

    In this episode, we're looking at two of the most significant transitions in a woman's life and what happens when they show up in the same house at the same time. We explore why Chinese medicine has always understood puberty and perimenopause as part of the same arc, what these thresholds actually do to the body, and why the patterns that surface at a gate matter more than most people realize. In This Episode: Why puberty and perimenopause are more similar than they appearWhat Chinese medicine means by a "gate" and why gates are not problems to solveWhy gates amplify patterns and what that means for healingWhat it looks like when two generations are at a threshold at the same time.Why your attention at a gate shapes what comes through itPODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://thedaoofhumaning.buzzsprout.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1869811351 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/79Llx5Um3cDSJqXG0JIsVL RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2574021.rss Support & Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristine.sanmiquel/ Produced by: Reese Leanne Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shot_by_reese/

    23 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Dao of Human-ing with Dr. Christine offers a grounded and practical exploration of health, wellness, and the wonders of everyday life. Hosted by Dr. Christine — a licensed acupuncturist, ordained Daoist priest, holder of doctorate degrees in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Medical Qigong, and a Project Management Professional — the podcast brings structure and depth to conversations about the body, emotions, the nervous system, and the human experience.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Christine Sanmiquel L.Ac, DAOM, PMP
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Dao of Humaning
  • Show Website
    The Dao of Humaning