The Cultivating Tradition Podcast

From the manual to new horizons: Pursuing your passion in Chinese medicineSpeakers: Mazin Al-Khafaji FRCHM and Peter Deadman FBAcC. Chair: Felicity Moir FBAcC Watch the authors of the world-famous A Manual of Acupuncture, Mazin Al-Khafaji MRCHM and Peter Deadman FBAcC, as they share their stories of the development of the book, the careers that led them to that point and their subsequent careers. An important landmark in the development of acupuncture in the West, the manual was only a starting point for both Mazin and Peter, as they went on to pursue their own passions and reach great heights in their own domains. Mazin decided to focus on Chinese herbal treatment for dermatological conditions and develop a very successful herbal clinic in the UK.Peter developed the beloved Journal of Chinese Medicine and went on to be a leading global teacher in both yangsheng and qigong. One thing that unites them is their passion and dedication to excellence and self-development. This is a rare opportunity to see the pair together and find inspiration to develop your own passion, and chart your own course through the landscape of your career. 

"What comes through your door you may never see in a book, and what you see in a book may never come through your door." – Paul Johnson FBAcC Every now and then a conversation comes along that captures what it's really like to become an acupuncturist. In this beautifully honest episode of Cultivating Tradition, experienced practitioner and teacher Paul Johnson reflects on more than 25 years in practice, why studying acupuncture is one of the hardest things you'll ever do, why it's also one of the most rewarding, and how the journey never really ends. Paul's reflections beautifully illustrate why becoming an acupuncturist is about so much more than learning theory. It takes time to absorb the medicine, develop practical skills, refine your touch, and learn to understand the person in front of you—not just the condition described in a textbook. That depth of learning is why accredited, degree-level acupuncture courses are designed to give students the time, support and clinical experience needed to grow into safe, confident and compassionate practitioners. It's a journey that simply can't be rushed. Whether you're thinking about studying acupuncture, are just beginning your training, or have been in practice for decades, this is a conversation that will leave you inspired. 🎧 Watch or listen now. Considering studying acupuncture? The British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB) accredits degree-level acupuncture courses that meet the highest standards of education and professional training in the UK. Explore accredited colleges and discover where your own journey could begin. #StudyAcupuncture #Acupuncture #ChineseMedicine #HealthcareCareers #NaturalHealthcare #BAAB #BAcC#CareerChange 

What role do academic journals play in shaping the future of Traditional East Asian Medicine? Why do they matter to practitioners, researchers and, ultimately, our patients?In this unique and fascinating conference panel discussion, editors from some of the profession’s leading journals share the stage together — a rare opportunity to hear these voices in conversation at the same time. Bringing together perspectives from different publications, traditions and editorial approaches, they explore the challenges and opportunities facing academic publishing today. From peer review and research quality to AI, digital publishing and the future of print, they offer an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring trusted knowledge into the hands of practitioners.More importantly, the conversation highlights how journals do far more than publish articles. They preserve clinical wisdom, encourage innovation, strengthen professional identity, inspire new authors, and provide a platform for sharing the evidence, ideas and experiences that help Traditional East Asian Medicine continue to evolve.Whether you’re an experienced practitioner, a researcher, a student, or someone who’s never considered writing for a journal, this discussion is an inspiring reminder that every published article helps build the profession’s collective knowledge and raises its profile on the world stage.Featuring: Chaired by Daniel Maxwell MBAcC MRCHM – Journal of Chinese MedicineDr Mike Cummings – Acupuncture in Medicine (British Medical Acupuncture Society)Jasmine Uddin FBAcC – European Journal of Oriental Medicine (BAcC)Wu Di PhD MBAcC – Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine JournalSteve Woodley MBAcC MRCHM – Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine JournalIf you’ve ever wondered how knowledge becomes evidence, how ideas become published, or why professional journals remain as important as ever in the age of AI, this is a conversation well worth watching.#ChineseMedicine #Acupuncture #TraditionalEastAsianMedicine #Research #Podcast #ProfessionalDevelopment

Susan Woodhead: Being humbled to stand in the long, long line that goes back thousands of years.  Alex sat down with one of our wonderful founding members, and fellow, Susan Woodhead to record a brilliant edition of the Cultivating Traditions podcast.Susan has been a practitioner since 1984 since qualifying from Lemington Spa as a Five Element practitioner. I love her statement: it is a privilege to be with people, to witness and never judge them. She is super passionate about the profession and has worked with many practitioners over her fifteen years on the BAcC Member’s practitioner support service, supporting members at their darkest times of need. In the podcast Susan speaks of the importance of supporting the new generations of acupuncturists to help ensure the profession continues to grow, thrive and retain the high-quality standards in training and professional practice. This conversation, really looks at the heritage of Traditional Acupuncture and how we continue to build on it to honour it into the future. Are you a UK-based acupuncturist with degree-level qualifications in acupuncture? If so, and you’d like to join our network of professional practitioners to elevate your practice and enhance your skills with free CPD (including additional content available exclusively to members), click here to find out if you qualify - ⁠https://acupuncture.org.uk/join-the-bacc/⁠ If you are not an acupuncturist but are interested in studying acupuncture to degree-level qualifications, click here - ⁠https://www.baab.org.uk/accredited-courses.html⁠ If you’re simply interested in receiving acupuncture, please check out our register of highly qualified and professionally recognised acupuncturists here - ⁠https://acupuncture.org.uk/find-an-acupuncturist/⁠#BAcC#Acupuncture

In this episode, we sit down with ETCMA Susan Evans MBAcC, Vice Chair of the Executive Committee and newly elected President Ricardo Teixeira to explore the quiet but powerful work shaping the future of Chinese medicine in Europe.From its role as a unifying hub for 30 organisations, to the behind-the-scenes collaboration that strengthens advocacy, education, and professional standards, this conversation reveals why “together we are stronger” is more than just a tagline—it’s a necessity.We reflect on the successes of initiatives like the Future Leaders Project, the importance of finding a collective voice for thousands of practitioners, and the realities of building influence in a complex, ever-changing landscape.Looking ahead, the focus shifts to sustainable growth: supporting practitioners in their early careers, creating meaningful professional pathways, engaging the next generation, and choosing the kind of long-term projects that will shape the profession for years to come.This is a conversation about leadership, collaboration, and legacy—planting the seeds now for a future the profession can grow into.Are you a UK-based acupuncturist with degree-level qualifications in acupuncture? If so, and you’d like to join our network of professional practitioners to elevate your practice and enhance your skills with free CPD (including additional content available exclusively to members), click here to find out if you qualify - https://acupuncture.org.uk/join-the-bacc/ If you are not an acupuncturist but are interested in studying acupuncture to degree-level qualifications, click here - https://www.baab.org.uk/accredited-courses.html If you’re simply interested in receiving acupuncture, please check out our register of highly qualified and professionally recognised acupuncturists here - https://acupuncture.org.uk/find-an-acupuncturist/#BAcC#ETCMA#Acupuncture

In this special Cultivating Tradition podcast episode, BAcC CEO, Alex Jacobs sits down with Colette Assor (first recorded in February 2025), a fellow of the British Acupuncture Council, who has dedicated over 25 years to advancing acupuncture as a trusted, evidence-based profession. Colette shares her journey — from her early training in traditional Chinese medicine to becoming a passionate advocate for integrated healthcare, where acupuncture works hand-in-hand with conventional medicine to support patients’ physical and emotional wellbeing. Together, we explore how acupuncture is making a real difference — in mental health, fertility care, menopause management, and beyond — and why regulation, education, and professional standards are vital for the future of this ancient yet evolving practice.  This is a conversation about trust, collaboration, and the power of holistic care — where tradition and modern healthcare come together for the benefit of every patient.  Are you a UK-based acupuncturist with degree-level qualifications in acupuncture? If so, and you’d like to join our network of professional practitioners to elevate your practice and enhance your skills with free CPD (including additional content available exclusively to members), click here to find out if you qualify - https://acupuncture.org.uk/join-the-bacc/ If you are not an acupuncturist but are interested in studying acupuncture to degree-level qualifications, click here - https://acupuncture.org.uk/about-acupuncture/becoming-an-acupuncturist/ If you’re simply interested in receiving acupuncture, please check out our register of highly qualified and professionally recognised acupuncturists here - https://acupuncture.org.uk/find-an-acupuncturist/

Have you ever wondered what the difference between the way Chinese, Ayurveda and Western herbalists think? Chinese herbalist and CEO of the British Acupuncture Council*, Alex Jacobs hosts a unique cross-herbal tradition roundtable discussion with Ayurveda practitioner, Dr Ayu Sathyavathi S. and pan-herbal tradition expert Simon Mills at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden (recorded in May 2024). The three experienced herbal practitioners discuss how they use the same herbs in different ways in their own traditions. Herbs discussed include ginger, cinnamon, fennel seed and turmeric.*Note: at the time of recording Alex Jacobs was the CEO of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine.

The Cultivating Tradition podcast: new episode available!We're thrilled to share our latest podcast episode with you - a panel discussion from The UK Conference of Chinese Medicine 2025: 'The global future of Chinese medicine' Chinese medicine has the potential to revolutionise healthcare. Everyone has a personal view of how it has transformed countless lives. So, why does it often feel like a struggle to really help it to land fully in modern Western society? We have made progress, but we can go so much further. The room heard from John Hughes PhD, head of the WHO co-operating centre for Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) in the UK, as he explained the soon-to-be-published 10 year WHO strategy on TCIM. John was then joined for a further panel discussion on the global future of Chinese medicine, by representatives from the BAcC, RCHM, ETCMA and ATCM and it is this panel discuss that we bring to you this week.  Subscribe to the podcast to catch up on previous episodes and be notified when new ones are released.

Recorded live at the UK Conference of Chinese Medicine 2025 on 7 June 2025. This is a panel discussion featuring one of the most famous authors and teachers of Chinese medicine in the West, Elisabeth Rochat de la Valee, leading clinician and researcher and president of the European TCM Association, Yair Maimon and popular teacher and practitioner, Conny Cooper. Hosted by BAcC CEO, Alex Jacobs, the panel discusses the conference theme of 'Cycles of Life' and how it relates to life and Chinese medicine practice. A special thank you is given to fellow of the BAcC, Mark Bovey, who has given an enormous contribution to acupuncture in the UK over his lifetime.

John and Angie Hicks are two of the most beloved and instrumental figures in the development of Chinese medicine and acupuncture in the UK. Many of their ideas were so influential that they have become part of the way that we think about the medicine today. More than that, the college that they founded has trained countless generations of acupuncturists who have gone on to treat countless more patients over multiple decades. BAcC CEO, Alex Jacobs, interviews John and Angie about their lives in acupuncture and education.