The Cultivating Tradition Podcast

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.

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.

Fresh from presenting at the World Conference of Traditional Medicine in Beijing, BAcC CEO Alex Jacobs interviews professor of anthropology, Wu Kai about his journey from biology into an interest in how acupuncture has developed around the world. Learn about some of the most important Western sinologists, such as Georges Soulie de Mourant and Joseph Needham and the impact that they had, not only on the West, but on China itself.

Alex Brazkiewicz is a prolific teacher of acupuncture and tuina massage as well as a first aid trainer. Alex shares his insights on practice and his journey from working as a police officer and a paramedic into acupuncture. He explains the multidisciplinary approach that he takes in the treatment of musculo-skeletal complaints, using the shoulder as an example.

All Taiwanese citizens can access high quality acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatment at low cost on the national health. Taiwan represents a powerful vision for the possibility of Chinese medicine for Western countries. Dean of Taichung China Medical University and fully qualified Western and Chinese doctor, Dr Hung-Rong Yen explains the achievements that Taiwan has made and shares some of the key lessons that he has learned.

Yair Maimon is the president of the European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ETCMA). He is also an experienced clinician and academic who has run large-scale Chinese medicine initiatives in national healthcare and has been published in numerous academic journals. CEO of the BAcC, Alex Jacobs interviews Yair about his career and about the challenges of pushing acupuncture and Chinese medicine forward on a global level.

Part of the BAcC Cultivating Tradition series, BAcC CEO, Alex Jacobs took the opportunity to speak to beloved practitioner, author and BAcC fellow, Charlie Buck about the differences in the public and practitioner understanding of acupuncture. Throughout his career, Charlie Buck has developed a deep appreciation for the rigorous scientific and technological underpinning of Chinese medicine. His book 'Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine : Roots of Modern Practice' is one of the most authoritative and accessible overviews on Chinese medicine history. In this interview, he gives his thoughts on the misperception of acupuncture in the popular mind which holds it back from its full potential.

Part of the BAcC's Cultivating Tradition Series, BAcC CEO, Alex Jacobs interviews BAcC fellow, Professor Volker Scheid FBAcC about some of the most important ideas and themes in his career as an academic. Volker has dedicated his career to understanding and making sense of the flow of history in Chinese medicine and the diversity of ideas and approaches. In this interview, he interweaves stories from his development as both an academic and a practitioner with some of the important frameworks he has developed to help us all engage with the full range of what Chinese medicine has to offer.(Recorded in Tuscany - August 2024)

Part of the BAcC Cultivating Tradition Series, BAcC CEO, Alex Jacobs, interviews beloved teacher, Cinzia Scorzon, about her development as an acupuncturist and the field work that she conducted interviewing key figures in 20th century acupuncture in China. Cinzia also shares some of her personal philosophy about practice and teaching.Recorded in Tuscany - August 2024 (crickets and all!)

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.