Tune In
The Apricot Grove Podcast
With Dr. Edward Neal and Mel Hopper Koppelman
Join us in retelling our human story through conversations that weave together Chinese medicine, nature, society, and creativity. Hosted by Edward Neal and Mel Hopper Koppelman, The Apricot Grove Podcast explores the living wisdom of the Neijing tradition through interviews, reflections, and thought-provoking dialogue. These episodes offer fresh perspectives on ancient teachings and their relevance to the modern world.
About the Hosts
Dr. Edward Neal, MD
For the past two decades, Dr. Neal has developed a novel approach to classical text research based on reinvestigations of basic character and text meaning and has used these techniques to reconstitute the essential meaning of these remarkable writings. As a physician educated in both Western and Chinese medicine, Dr. Neal is widely acclaimed as a global expert in early Chinese medical texts. He has special proficiency in using these ancient practices in the aid of those with complex and serious health issues. Working in this capacity, he has acted as a consultant to the World Health Organization and as a Visiting Scholar in East Asian Medicine at the University of San Diego Medical School. Dr. Neal serves as the Director and primary teacher for Neijing Nature-Based Medicine 2-Year Postgraduate Mentorship Training and Advanced Clinical Training programs, located on this website.
Mel Hopper Koppelman, DAc
Mel Hopper Koppelman integrates systems biology, Neijing medicine, developmental neurology, and pragmatic herbs based on medical first principles. She earned her MSc in Acupuncture from the Northern College of Acupuncture (UK) in 2012 and a second MSc in Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States (USA) in 2015. A reviewer for several peer-reviewed medical journals, Mel has published extensively on acupuncture research. She is a student of Ed’s and teaches at the Apricot Grove. Her blog, essays.synthesishealth.co, offers insights on various health topics and evidence-based medicine. Mel also leads a global online community dedicated to reversing complex chronic illnesses at synthesishealth.co.
Episodes
Episode 1: The Original Meaning of the Five Phases (Wuxing 五行)
What are the origins and original meanings of the concept of the Five Phases (五行 Wuxing)? What is the role of storytelling in healing? Why is breathing the essential pattern of the universe? These idea's and more are explored in our inaugural episode.
Episode 2: Blood Rivers and Channels
Join us as we delve into the story behind acupuncture channels. Discover how the Neijing describes these channels, potentially as blood vessels, and the implications for modern practice.
Episode 3: The Natural Ecology of the Acupuncture Points
In this episode, we begin to unearth how the Neijing describes a complete physiological understanding of the human body, with the points being anatomical descriptions and not just numbers on a line.
Episode 4: The Sacred Dance of the Seasons
In this week’s episode we discuss how the Neijing describes seasonal patterns and changes in relation to our bodies’ natural patterns. What does it mean to breathe with the seasons? When we learn to live with the seasons we learn to go with the flow of life.
Episode 5: Decoding Nature with the Neijing
Join us this week as we decode nature with the Neijing, and discover what the cyclical patterns of nature have to do with global economic systems, human health, and starting a new career. At this pivotal moment in human history, let’s draw wisdom from ancient understanding of transformation and nature to navigate towards a harmonious future.
Episode 6: Light and Breath
In today’s conversation, we have a very special guest Pere Garcia from Barcelona, who has had extensive experience in the practice of Sufism and Neijing Medicine. He will join us for a great conversation on “Light and Breath”.
Episode 7: Virtual Brunch #1
In this episode, we sit down for a ‘light and loose’ conversation about neurology, the state of the world, and how our bodies move like plants.
Episode 8: Neijing Neurology
Dr. Neal and Mel discuss what Neijing Nature-Based Medicine has to say about modern brain science and discusses what steps we may be able to take to bridge the gap between our tech-obsessed societies and our slowly evolving primitive brains.
Episode 9: School’s Closed – The Future of Acupuncture Education
Join Dr. Edward Neal and Mel Hopper Koppelman as they explore the challenges facing acupuncture education in America and discuss potential new directions for the field.
Episode 10: Primitive Brain Reflexes
Dr. Neal and Mel discuss how primitive brain reflexes play a vital, yet often overlooked role in our health, from childhood development to adulthood.
Episode 11: Menopause and Aging
Dr. Edward Neal and Mel Hopper Koppelman explore menopause not as a disease but as a natural life transition described in the Neijing over 2,000 years ago. They discuss why hormones are the spice, not the meal, how lost rhythms drive most symptoms, and why the stories we tell about aging and womanhood may be the most powerful medicine of all.
Episode 12: The Arrow of Time
In today's conversation, Dr. Neal and Mel delve into the concept of 'time sickness,' discussing how the irregularities in natural and technological rhythms have impacted human health.
Episode 13: The Vestibular System
Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of the vestibular system! In this episode, Dr Neal and Mel unravel the complexities of this crucial part of our neurology, explaining its development, function, and its impact on our balance and movement.
Episode 14: Breathing with AI
Join Dr. Neal and Mel as they discuss the rapidly evolving world of AI, its philosophical implications, and its comparison to human consciousness.
Episode 15: Neijing Brain Balancing
Join us as we discuss brain laterality, balancing the left and right hemispheres, and how these dynamics influence our lives.
Episode 16: Klamath River Restoration
In this episode, we dive into the inspiring story of the Klamath River’s restoration and what it means—ecologically, culturally, and personally—when dams come down.
Episode 17: What is Qi?
In this episode, Dr. Neil and Mel explore what the Neijing says about Qi, how modern technology might be disrupting natural rhythms, and how ideas from modern physics could intersect with ancient wisdom.
Episode 18: Homecoming
In this heartfelt episode, the hosts are joined by Kanisha Tiedeman, Ancestral Skin Marker and Quyanaa (Birth and Maturation) Practitioner, discusses the profound connections between place, memory, and being.
