Office Hours with Angelique and Toby

Office Hours with Angelique and Toby is an invitation to enjoy a cup of tea with two passionate (and occasionally irreverent) practitioners as they dive into the world of Chinese medicine. Join newly minted acupuncturist Angelique and seasoned practitioner Toby as they share clinical experiences, tough cases, and in-depth explorations of classical theory. With a mix of humor, insight, and real-world clinical talk, they aim to have discussions that will help you become a better healer for your patients.

Office Hours with Angelique and Toby is a health podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 30 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Office Hours with Angelique and Toby, a health show with 30 episodes published.

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  Episode #30

  Office Hours episode 30: Patient Empowerment and Clinical Observation

  Sep 22, 202621 minS1

  Thanks so much to our sponsor, Classical Pearls. In this episode of Office Hours, Angelique and Toby talk through the practical realities of clinical decision-making—from reading a patient’s body and recognizing subtle changes during treatment to knowing when to step back and let the patient become the authority on their own experience. The conversation begins with a case from Dr. Angela C. Wu involving a patient with a history of recurrent miscarriage who is unsure whether a recent episode of bleeding represents another miscarriage or simply a menstrual period. The case opens a broader discussion about an important clinical principle: whenever possible, we should give patients the tools to recognize and understand their own bodies rather than taking that authority away from them. The conversation then turns to the pace of clinical practice. The practitioners discuss taking a few breaths between patients, slowing down enough to actually observe what is happening in the room, and using the moments after treatment to notice changes in complexion, expression, and relaxation. A Daoist image of drawing back an arrow before releasing it becomes a useful metaphor for the value of pausing before moving forward. The episode also includes a sponsor conversation about Classical Pearls and the transition from initial hesitation to actually incorporating the formulas into clinical practice. Angelique shares experiences using Wind Pearls for allergies and Bamboo Pearls for warm, achy joint pain. The episode closes with a look at the work of building a new acupuncture school—and the financial challenge of creating an educational model that doesn't simply pass startup costs on to students. Key Topics * A clinical case involving recurrent miscarriage, irregular menstruation, and uncertainty about the meaning of unexpected bleeding * Dr. Wu's approach to helping a patient determine what her own body is telling her * Why clinicians should be careful about taking diagnostic authority away from patients * Using pulse diagnosis alongside the patient's own embodied experience * The value of taking a few breaths between patients to reset and become fully present * How slowing down can actually improve the rhythm and quality of a busy clinic * The Daoist image of pulling back an arrow before releasing it * Observing changes in complexion, facial expression, and relaxation during treatment * How to observe a patient carefully without making them feel watched * Moving from hesitation to practical use of Classical Pearls * Clinical experiences with Wind Pearls and Bamboo Pearls * A Saam acupuncture case involving a gallbladder excess presentation * Adjusting treatment after an initial experience of excessive needle pain * Using a patient's own journal to recognize changes following treatment * The relationship between clinical expertise and the body's own signals * The challenges of building a new Chinese medicine school and funding its launch

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  Episode #29

  Office Hours episode 29: Roots, Trunks, and the Foundation of Yin and Yang with Sabine Wilms

  Aug 26, 20261 hourS1

  In this episode of Office Hours, Toby and Angelique sit down with Sabine Wilms, PhD to explore classical Chinese medicine, translation, and the deeper meaning behind foundational texts. Sabine shares how her background in East Asian studies, anthropology, and medicine led her to a lifelong practice of translating and teaching ancient Chinese texts. A major theme of the conversation is the difference between literal translation and lived interpretation. Sabine explains how her book Humming with Elephants grew out of years of teaching and how it aims to bring the Su Wen out of an overly dry academic setting and into a more practical, resonant clinical context. She also breaks down why terms like ben and gen matter, and how small translation choices can completely change how practitioners understand core ideas like “the root” and “the foundation.” The discussion also goes deep into Sun Simiao’s work, especially the ten months of pregnancy in Yang Tai, postpartum care, and the broader importance of nurturing not just the fetus, but the mother, the family, and the whole cycle of life. Sabine shares that her upcoming projects include a pregnancy volume and a book on Yang Xing (self-cultivation, longevity, and moral/spiritual care). Another rich thread in the episode is self-cultivation. Sabine reflects on moderation, rest, activity, qigong, swimming, farming, service, and the importance of listening to the body and the seasons. The conversation closes with reflections on presence, silence, poetry, and the deep connection between Buddhism and Chinese medicine. Topics Covered Sabine Wilms’ path into Chinese medicine and translation How translation shapes clinical understanding The meaning of ben, gen, and bing Pregnancy, postpartum care, and nurturing the mother Sun Simiao, Yang Xing, and self-cultivation Balance, moderation, and seasonal living Buddhism, Chinese medicine, and presence in care Notable Quotes “It’s not correspondences, it’s resonances.” “You must pursue it in the foundation.” “You should feel the classics, not analyze them.” Key Takeaways Classical Chinese medicine is about more than formulas and point prescriptions; it’s about resonance, context, and worldview. Translation is interpretive work, and a single character can shift the entire meaning of a text. Pregnancy and postpartum care in early Chinese medicine place equal importance on the mother, not just the baby. Self-cultivation is a daily practice of moderation, presence, and listening to the body. Links: Sabine’s books and classes: happygoatproductions.com cmbenevolentacademy.org

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  Office Hours with Angelique and Toby

  Office Hours episode 28: The Dao of Medical Insurance Billing with Eoin Gregory

  Aug 12, 202658 min

  Insurance billing can be one of the most frustrating and financially consequential aspects of running an acupuncture practice. In this episode of Office Hours, Dr. Eoin Gregory of Family Billing Solutions explains what practitioners need to know before they sign an insurance contract, submit a claim, or hand their billing over to someone else. Eoin draws on his background as a retired chiropractor and former educator to explain when to bill yourself, when to hire help, and how to avoid the documentation and compliance mistakes that can trigger denials, recoupments, or audits. We discuss what providers should look for in insurance contracts, why medical necessity matters so much, and how to protect both your practice and your patients when dealing with payers. Key topics Dr. Eoin Gregory shares why he moved from clinical practice and teaching into medical billing after an injury ended his chiropractic career. He explains why new solo practitioners should often bill themselves first, at least long enough to understand coding, documentation, and the real workload involved. Eoin breaks down why submitting a claim is the easy part, while appeals, benefit checks, follow-up calls, and payer inconsistencies create most of the burden. He warns providers to be careful with advice from other clinicians, especially when it comes to noncompliant or potentially fraudulent billing strategies. The conversation covers how to read payer participation agreements, fee schedules, reimbursement caps, and payment policies before signing anything. Eoin stresses that providers should understand whether a plan is regulated by the state or by ERISA, since that changes who can help when problems arise. He outlines what to look for in a billing company: transparency, acupuncture-specific experience, availability, manpower, and clear pricing. The episode highlights why every claim matters for small practices, especially when insurers misstate benefits or recoup money later. Eoin explains medical necessity in practical terms and why treatment plans, re-exams, and functional goals help support coverage. He cautions against using mental health diagnoses casually, noting that inaccurate diagnoses can follow patients for years and affect future coverage. The discussion closes on the importance of educating providers and patients about what insurance actually covers versus what a practice can ethically provide. Link https://www.familybilling.com/

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  Office Hours with Angelique and Toby

  Office Hours episode 27: Food as Medicine with Warren Sheir

  Jul 11, 202631 min

  Angelique and Toby talk with Warren Sheir about Chinese medicine, nutrition, and the practical power of food as an everyday therapy. The conversation moves from Warren’s background in macrobiotics and traditional Chinese medicine to his book, Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen, and the real-world dietary advice he uses with patients. What makes this episode useful It works because it feels practical and relatable: listeners hear concrete food strategies, clinical examples, and a relaxed discussion that makes nutrition feel doable instead of rigid. Key topics covered Warren’s path into Chinese medicine Warren shares how he began his Chinese medicine education in 1995 and how his earlier macrobiotics background shaped his awareness of food energetics, even if he no longer follows that approach strictly. “Good clean food” in real life He defines his current approach as: Whole foods whenever possible Organic foods whenever possible Lots of vegetables Some whole grains Clean animal products like wild-caught fish and pastured chicken Simple meals, eaten slowly and without overeating Why he wrote Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen Warren explains that the book grew out of a need he saw among students and patients who wanted practical, usable dietary guidance. He and his co-authors wanted recipes that were: Clear and step-by-step Rooted in Chinese dietary principles Helpful for both practitioners and patients Food as medicine in clinical practice The conversation explores how dietary changes can sometimes reduce the need for herbs or support treatment more gently, especially for sensitive patients. Examples discussed include: Using congee for spleen deficiency diarrhea Adding food-grade ingredients like fu ling, yi yi ren, lotus seed, and qian shi Keeping formulas and food recommendations simple so they’re easier to digest and follow Warming foods and mindful eating Warren and the hosts discuss: Warm breakfasts Cutting back on cold foods, especially in colder seasons Adding warming spices like ginger and cinnamon Eating more slowly Chewing more thoroughly Creating a more mindful, appreciative eating ritual Diet change is hard A major theme is that diet change is often slow and uneven. Warren notes that: Baby steps matter Patients often improve, then backslide Small wins can build momentum Consistency is more important than perfection Community and connection The episode closes with a broader reflection on eating as a communal, connected experience rather than a distracted, isolated one. Notable moment Warren describes how one patient seemed to be taking herbs but wasn’t actually preparing them, highlighting how easy it is for people to misunderstand or half-follow treatment plans. Takeaway This episode is a grounded reminder that food choices, preparation, timing, and attention can all support health in small but meaningful ways.

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  Episode #26

  Office Hours episode 26: Heiner Fruehauf — Rivers, Stars, and Classical Chinese Medicine

  Jun 30, 20261h 16mS1

  In this conversation, Heiner Fruehauf traces his path from a German family of nature-cure physicians to founding the College of Classical Chinese Medicine and coining the term "classical Chinese medicine" . His lifelong effort has been to recover the immaterial, spiritual dimension he argues was filtered out as the medicine passed through a materialist lens. That conviction runs through everything he discusses: why he built the herb company Classical Pearls to protect sourcing and quality, his vision for a new classical Chinese medicine clinical center that proves the medicine in practice rather than in theory, and three decades of scholarship mapping acupuncture points to stars and sacred geography. The episode's centerpiece is a remarkable account from his recent China trip where he finds himself standing at the source of the Ji River on Mount Wangwu and finding the landscape itself mirror the name and nature of the acupuncture point Heart-1. Main topics Coining "classical Chinese medicine": the immaterial dimension and the critique of TCM's materialist filter Herbal integrity — sourcing, contamination, fillers, and why Classical Pearls exists Crude herbs vs. granules, and freeing new practitioners from ideological rigidity The vision for a classical Chinese medicine clinical center: demonstrating and documenting outcomes China trip, part one: Da Tong's healing mineral waters and the barefoot-doctor-turned-benefactor Guo Runli China trip, part two: Mount Wangwu, the source of the Ji River, and its resonance with Heart-1 (Ji Chuan) Mapping acupuncture points to stars, rivers, and the macrocosm — 30 years of research The state of the profession: education, licensure, and the case for clinical centers 00:00 — Introduction to Heiner Fruehauf 02:00 — From a German nature-cure family to Chinese literature, cancer, and Chinese medicine 04:30 — Coining "classical Chinese medicine": the immaterial dimension vs. the TCM materialist filter 07:00 — Practicing classical medicine in a modern, materialist context 09:15 — Herbal integrity: sourcing, contamination, and the case for Classical Pearls 12:00 — Herbs, classical formulas, and manufacturing standards 15:30 — The new clinical center: vision, design, and scope 17:45 — Retreat protocols, treatment durations, and documenting outcomes 20:10 — Healthcare funding, insurance, and banking obstacles 24:00 — Why high-quality herbs and sustainable sourcing matter 28:00 — The global herb market and quality control 31:30 — Education, licensure, and the case for clinical centers 34:00 — China trip, part one: Da Tong's healing mineral waters and benefactor Guo Runli 44:00 — China trip, part two: Mount Wangwu, the source of the Ji River, and Heart-1 (Ji Chuan) 52:00 — Macrocosm and microcosm: acupuncture points mapped to stars and sacred geography 62:00 — Practical advice for practitioners: herbs, formulas, and classical integration 72:00 — The future of Chinese medicine: clinical centers, research, and education 82:00 — Closing thoughts and a possible return conversation The views and claims expressed in this episode are those of the guest and are shared for educational and informational purposes only. They reflect the perspectives of a classical Chinese medicine tradition and are not medical advice, nor a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare provider. Statements about herbs, formulas, mineral waters, pharmaceuticals, and specific health conditions have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your physician before making changes to your care, and never stop a prescribed medication without professional guidance.

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