SuperFeast Podcast

This one's a ripper, legends. I sat down with Dr. MG McCullough, a classical acupuncturist who trained under Ann Cecil-Sterman in the Jeffrey Yuen lineage, and we went deep - like, Jenga-block-pulled-from-the-middle deep - on what modern acupuncture school actually leaves out. MG's whole thing is that we didn't just simplify Chinese medicine when it got exported West, we pulled the center block out of the tower. The primaries got taught, the channels, sinews, luo vessels, divergences and eight extraordinaries got filed under "extra," and now most acupuncturists are running triage clinics instead of practicing the full system. We get into why that matters, why it's not anyone's fault, what it'd take to rebuild the whole thing from the ground up, and where MG's taking her own practice next.
Dr. MG & Mason discuss:
The Jenga analogy - how acupuncture education pulled the center block (the classical framework) and left everyone thinking they had the full foundation when they didn't

Why the "secondary" channels - sinews, luo vessels, divergences, eight extraordinaries - aren't extra at all, they're there to protect the primaries, and skipping them is the whole problem

The barefoot doctor origin story, self-colonization of TCM in the '50s, and why triage-model training became the default for an entire profession

The Santa Claus story - MG's honest reckoning with believing "the system" works the way she was taught, and what it took to let that go

Why 20% of US acupuncture schools have closed since 2020, and whether that's a crisis or an opening to rebuild the whole model

"It's not magic, it's just medicine" - why full-system results look magical when they're actually just complete

The starfish story - high-volume triage practice vs. slower, deeper healing work, and why both have a place

The retreat model MG's brainstorming - five-day intensives built for real neuroplastic change, so people go home actually different, not just patched up for an hour

Full circle on the barefoot doctor thread - what home visits taught MG about how nothing in someone's life stays hidden once a doctor actually shows up

"Are you a stress denier?" - why "everything's fine" is often the biggest red flag in the room

Guest Bio
Dr. MG McCullough is a classical acupuncturist who trained under Ann Cecil-Sterman - a teacher in Jeffrey Yuen's lineage who's been on the SuperFeast podcast before, so go dig up those episodes if this one hits. MG's outspoken about the structural gap she sees in acupuncture education, and she's in the middle of a big life transition - moving to the south of France, just north of Montpellier - as she reshapes her practice toward teaching and retreat-style intensives. She also hosts her own show, The Original Medicine Podcast.
Resources Mentioned
MG's website: drmgmccullough.com

Instagram & Facebook: @drmgmccullough

Her podcast: The Original Medicine Podcast (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube)

Reviving Classical Acupuncture with Ann Cecil-Sterman (EP#208)
Why Chinese Medicine Is Failing Us with Rhonda Chang (EP#80)
YinYang Wuxing For Inner Harmony with Rhonda Chang (EP#89)
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This one starts light and ends deep.
We get into Gynostemma - one of those rare herbs you can take daily without throwing yourself off. Proper longevity tonic, not hype. Then Asparagus Root ("Heavenly Gate") - big for adrenals, reproductive health, and actually getting some perspective when life's a bit chaotic.
But the real thread here is the liver.
There's a clear pattern right now-people sitting on a lot of anger, resentment, frustration… and trying to "let it go" without ever working with it. Problem is, that's not junk-it's energy. Life force.
So instead of suppressing it, we flip it:
anger becomes information,
resentment becomes direction.
It tells you what matters and where your boundaries are.
That's where liver health comes in. It's the "general"-the system that gives you clarity and direction. When it's sluggish, everything feels stuck.
We also get into liver/gallbladder flushes-not as some extreme detox, but as basic upkeep (if done properly). Prep matters. No shortcuts.
Underneath all of it:
you can't think your way into health.
You've got to feel it, move it, and actually live in your body.
 
In this episode, we covered:
Gynostemma (The Longevity Legend): We chatted about why this tonic is the absolute "blue zone" powerhouse you need in your daily rotation. It's more adaptogenic than ginseng, and it's one of those rare herbs that's safe for constant, daily consumption.

Asparagus Root ("Heavenly Gate"): The ultimate Yin-Yang balancer for your adrenals and uterus. It's your go-to for getting perspective and flying above the "10,000 things" that keep you stuck.

The Big Rebrand: We're retiring "I Am Gaia" - stay tuned for the new rhythm, officially becoming "Women's Rhythm." Sometimes you just need to update the energy to align with the truth.

Anger as Life Force: Forget the "just let it go" advice. We're reframing resentment. It's essential information that defines your boundaries. Use it.

The Flush is Foundational: We're deep-diving into why liver/gallbladder flushes are essential, modern maintenance. Forget the conspiracies; this is about clearing the sludge so your gallbladder can actually fire.

The 9v9 Prep: You can't just jump into the deep end. We broke down why the "9v9" veggie challenge (9 cups, 9 days) is the non-negotiable sweep-out your gut needs before you start clearing the sludge.

Embodiment is the Goal: True healing is an inside job. It's time to move from "head-based" thinking to feeling your way through the matrix.

Links & Resources:
Find Helen: Check out Well Embodied for bookings, courses, and more info on the upcoming flush.

The Community Flush: Get your gallbladder firing and connect with a community that's doing the real, visceral work. The next round kicks off August 24th!

Kid's Immunity & Liver Flushing with Helen Padarin (EP#125)

Right, we're kicking off this new series on the Three Treasures - Jing, Qi, and Shen - and I've brought in an absolute legend to help us navigate this. Benny is a fixture around here, living just a stone's throw from the studio, and he's the perfect guide for this series. He comes from a hardcore performance background - sports, movement, the works - but he's spent years deep in the trenches of neurosomatic movement and nervous system work, which makes him the perfect bridge between high-level performance and ancient Taoist principles.
We're starting with Jing, but forget the dusty, abstract textbook definitions. Benny's all about the "slow melt." He's here to talk about why we've all been drifting out of alignment and calling it "normal." We've basically turned the health space into another arena of performance where we're constantly searching for the next "optimal" diet or training style to fix us, while our nervous system - the canary in the coal mine - is trying to whisper that we're burning the candle at both ends. We're overriding fatigue, pushing through tension, and treating our body like a project rather than a relationship.
Benny's work is all about coming back home to the body. He challenges us to stop treating stillness as just another "de-stress" ritual to check off a packed calendar. Instead, he reframes cultivation as gardening: it's about pulling the weeds - those unresolved tensions and habits - so you can actually grow something. It's not about adding more; it's about clearing space.
We dig into why we're so good at ignoring those early signals, and how to stop treating your body like a problem to solve. It's an eye-opening conversation on remembering what's already there - protecting your base, honoring the whispers, and building a life that doesn't drain you dry. It's not easy, but it is real. Let's get to it.

Key Points We Touch On
Why the Three Treasures offer a different way of understanding health
Cultivation as a lifelong relationship, not another wellness practice
Coming home to your body instead of outsourcing your health
Why stillness is essential for self-awareness
The body as a relationship, not a problem to solve
Learning to listen before trying to fix
Protecting your essence in a world that constantly drains it
How identity, conditioning, and performance disconnect us from ourselves
Authenticity as the foundation of genuine health
Preparing the ground for the journey through Jing, Qi, and Shen
Resources:
Websites / Platforms
movementmonk.xyz - Benny's website
Courses / Programs
The Body Trust Experience - a new offering Benny's launching to help establish the foundations of this work
Explore Our Transformative Program
Onboarding/intro courses
Practice Material 
(EP#56) Embodied Movement with the Movement Monk Benny Fergusson

[TRIGGER WARNING]: This episode includes discussion of a traumatic car crash and associated trauma (TBI). Listener discretion is advised, especially for those with past experiences related to car crashes.

Alright everybody, that was a ripping chat with Damien Cole, who is an absolute legend and hammering towards his destiny. The core thread we pulled on was the difference between external labels—like his name, Damien or Damo—and what's actually going on inside, which led us into this heavy territory about whether love or blood ties should carry more gravitas when talking about family roles.
The dude got real about escaping the Society Lie and the ideologies that trap you, pointing out that our society is just one option out of infinite possibilities. Damien's main approach to life, rooted in a Walt Whitman quote, is: Be curious, not judgmental. He was living this fear-based life for his entire 20s, working in the offshore mining industry and making "ridiculous money," which he called Escaping Blood Money. He finally bailed at 28 to jokingly/sincerely "save the world".
We talked about his environmental Hippie Roots—his dad Maurice Cole co-founded Surfrider Foundation Europe in 1991, and Damien's first protest was at age 8 against French nuclear bombing. This led to a key takeaway on how to deal with overwhelming global crises like the Pacific Garbage Patch: don't get frozen by fear, you gotta Localize the Impact—think global, but act local. We shut down the haters who call you a hypocrite when you change your path, recognizing that a commitment to growth means you Embrace Evolution.
The biggest piece of gold came when Damo shared the story of his traumatic car crash (which gave him a TBI) and the moment in a San Pedro ceremony where he chose Forgiveness is Self-Care. He realized holding onto anger toward the drunk driver, Samantha Hartwell, was just keeping a "black ball" of hatred inside himself. The final kernel of wisdom, mate, is that while we don't control outside things, we get to choose whether we react (leading with emotion and losing control) or respond (maintaining control and taking a beat). Pull your finger out of your ass, get engaged, and go do something!

Damo & Mason Discuss:

Ditch the Labels: Damien started leaning into his full name, Damien, as a new chapter, realizing that a name—or any external label—doesn't matter as much as what's going on internally. You are so much more than just your name.
Love Over Blood: We dove into whether love should carry more gravitas than blood ties, especially when talking about family roles and who really steps up. It's about the energetic role, not just the blood role.
The Society Lie: Don't get trapped by ideologies! The world we live in is just one option out of infinite possibilities, so you've got to be aware and curious about what could have been.
Curiosity is the Key: Damien lives by the Walt Whitman quote: "Be curious, not judgmental." Every choice strips back to one core approach: lead with love or lead with fear (which breeds jealousy, anger, and frustration).
Escaping Blood Money: Damo spent his entire 20s in the offshore mining industry making "ridiculous money," but it was "soul destroying" and led to low self-worth. He finally bailed at 28 to jokingly/sincerely "save the world".
The Hippie Roots: This dude was influenced by his huge-character dad, Maurice Cole, who co-founded Surfrider Foundation Europe in 1991. Damien's first protest was at age 8 against French nuclear bombing, showing that connection between surfers and farmers.
Localize the Impact: Don't get frozen by fear over the global plastics crisis (like the huge Pacific Garbage Patch). Think global, but act local. If you pick up a few bits of rubbish, that's four less bits that won't go into a turtle—that small action is where the true power is.
Embrace Evolution: Don't let the haters call you a hypocrite! When people questioned Damien's jump from the mines to environmentalism, he shut them down—it's called evolution, and it's a never-ending path of growth. It's okay to fail and be wrong.
Forgiveness is Self-Care: Damien talked about the gnarly car crash that gave him a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and led to a moment in a San Pedro ceremony where he chose to forgive the drunk driver, Samantha Hartwell. He realized holding onto anger was just keeping a "black ball" of hatred inside himself.
Respond, Don't React: This is the kernel of wisdom, mate. We don't control outside things, but we choose whether to react (leading with emotions and losing control) or to respond (maintaining control and taking a beat).
 
References:
Guest Links
DAMIEN COLE - CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY
Damo Instagram
 
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The chat features Sara Murdock, an award-winning pharmacist and key integrator on the front line of modern health, addressing the reality that people actively use both pharmaceuticals and natural therapies.
 
The central challenge is ensuring this dual approach is done safely, a dilemma highlighted by Sara's inability to recommend beloved products like turmeric due to potential harmful interactions with certain medications. This underscores her definition of Integrative Healthcare: leveraging the best of both worlds with structure, accountability, and paramount safety. 
 
Mason and Sara connect this caution to the Taoist principle of Fú Zhèng (Protect the Upright), advocating a pivot away from interactive single herbs toward general, harmonizing options (like yin tonics or non-interactive mushrooms) to build resilience. Pharmacists and GPs are framed as the necessary societal bridge, authorizing patients to add supportive tools (like magnesium or a probiotic) to build health and diminish long-term drug reliance. Sara calls her dedication to continuous growth "skill stacking," embodying true intelligence by integrating opposing ideas—the "chemistry queen" who loves science/math, and the deep soul who leads with heart. 
 
The conversation lands on the essential requirement for all healthcare providers to practice "the healing of the healer," prioritizing their own health and grounding rituals (nature, quiet moments, exercise) to prevent burnout.
 
Sara & Mason Discuss:
Integration is Key: Patients are actively using both pharmaceuticals and natural therapies, making safety checks and collaboration essential for frontline professionals.
Holistic Foundation: When patients are anxious or chronically sick, health professionals must inquire about the core non-negotiables: sleep, hydration, gut health, and vitamin D.
Safety First: Integrative care is defined by leveraging the best of both worlds under conditions of structure, accountability, and paramount safety.
The Bridge Role: Pharmacists and GPs are positioned to bridge the knowledge gap, authorizing patients to safely add supportive tools to build health and reduce reliance on drugs.
Taoist Caution: The principle of Fú Zhèng (Protect the Upright) guides pivoting away from interactive herbs (like turmeric) toward non-interactive, harmonizing options to support the body's metabolic capacity to heal.
Skill Stacking: True intelligence requires integrating seemingly opposing ideas, such as loving rigorous science/math while simultaneously leading with heart and a deep soul.
Healing the Healer: Recognizing the necessity of grounding rituals—quiet moments, nature, and exercise—is essential for healers to maintain health and prevent burnout.
About Sara:
 
Sara is an experienced pharmacist, community health advocate, and the Lead Pharmacist at Pharmacy 777 Pascoe Vale in Victoria. With over 20 years in the profession, Sara has played a significant role in advancing local healthcare delivery through clinical leadership, service development, and strong community partnerships.
 
In 2025, Sara was recognised as the VIC Pharmacist of the Year by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the National Winner of the Outstanding Community Pharmacist Award by Patients Australia. Recently, Sara also was awarded the 2025 International Pharmacist of the Year by the Pharmacy Innovation Assembly, are acknowledgements that reflect her growing impact across pharmacy practice.
 
Sara is a passionate advocate for accessible healthcare, full scope pharmacy practice, and inclusive community services. She has led major health initiatives, including school-based immunisation programs, chronic disease prevention efforts, aged care outreach, and student mentoring programs. She also established the first pharmacist-led vaccination clinic at the local neighbourhood house, expanding care to vulnerable and underserved populations.
 
Beyond the dispensary, Sara is a key contributor to the national Pharmacy 777 Retail Services Pharmacy Owners Working Group. She collaborates on strategies for patient-centric care, retail innovation, and sustainable business models that support both pharmacists and consumers across Australia.
 
Her leadership also extends far beyond the pharmacy walls. Sara is an active Rotarian and Chair of Community Services for her local Rotary Club. She is a trusted speaker at Rotary events, parliamentary forums, health panels, universities, and grassroots community gatherings, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise to the conversation.
 
As a solo mother of two and a dedicated health professional, Sara brings compassion, experience, and clarity of purpose to her work. She is especially committed to supporting the next generation of pharmacists and advocating for systems that deliver better outcomes for patients and communities alike.
 
Sara's voice is one of resilience. At just 12 years old, she was smuggled from war-tom Iraq through mountains and borders, arriving in Australia as a child refugee. Her early experiences shaped her enduring belief in equitable healthcare and the power of service, Today, she continues to build a career and legacy rooted in care, contribution, and connection, proving that it's possible to lead with strength while remaining grounded in humanity.
 
References:
Guest Links
Sara's Website
Sara's Instagram
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