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Lost or Found — Health & Fitness
Lost or Found

My name is Dr. Michelle Choi, and I’m an Internal Medicine doctor in Santa Cruz, CA. I left my medical career in September, 2020, to become a podcaster. I practiced medicine in the inpatient and outpatient settings for over 10 years, before making the major life decision to leave my traditional career as a doctor. I do not believe that we’re doing enough to get to the underlying causes of what is causing illness. And the way in which healthcare is structured in our nation, if doctors simply don’t have the time to talk with our patients, or if it’s much easier to get insurance coverage for a pill for depression rather than counseling, whom are we really helping? Why not do more than just putting a band-aid on the issue?

After years of frustration, I decided to leave the career I’d worked my whole life for, in search of what may contribute to our feeling whole. I believe that we all have the capacity to be who we really are, not just a whiff of who we are. And perhaps by being honest with ourselves, can we unlock the key to our own healing, and find our path to a meaningful life. Join me on the Lost or Found podcast, as we contemplate the components of true health. Be your true advocate! Dare to be inspired!!

Copyright: © 2020 Lost or Found Productions L.L.C.

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 102: The Highly Sensitive Person with Colleen Murphy Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever been told that you’re “too sensitive” or that you “shouldn’t think so much,” particularly by people who strike you as too insensitive or who you believe should think a little more? You may be a highly sensitive person, or HSP.

Are you easily overwhelmed by such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens nearby?

We base our discussion on Dr. Elaine Aron’s book, The Highly Sensitive Person, who first coined the term in the 1990s, when she began researching high sensitivity. There are many others who share similar characteristics and it's thought that 15-20% of the population are HSPs.

Highly sensitive people notice more stimuli in their environment, even lower threshold ones, and are more sensitive to pain, hunger, lights, and noise; have increased responsiveness to both positive and negative influences; and get easily overwhelmed. And let’s be honest, this sensitivity is viewed differently in different cultures, and this trait is often misunderstood.

While highly sensitive people are sometimes negatively described as being “too sensitive," it is a personality trait that brings both strengths and challenges.

And these are just some of the traits. Colleen Murphy, who was previously on the podcast talking about Parenting on episode 97, is here today to discuss the Highly Sensitive person. She is a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator as well as Parent coach, and now teaching parenting classes and workshops at Live Oak Family Resource Center. You can find her at fromtheheadtotheheart.com. And check out Dr. Elaine Aron’s website hsperson.com!

Ep. 101: Anger during Springtime with Dr. Lishanna Emmert Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

I’m excited to speak with Dr. Lishanna Emmert! She had been on the show previously, in episode 65, when she spoke about acupuncture. The truth is, I’m interested in all modalities of healing. I think the combination of holistic medicine and western medicine can offer such a broad array of options for one’s healing. There is really so much that we can learn from each other.

Today Dr. Emmert talks about anger, rage, and resentment. As in Chinese medicine, human emotions are reflective of energies in nature, and it is thought that one sees a lot of rage during the springtime. I’m also a mom and a wife. I can understand rage. The season of the spring is considered wood energy, which was previously at rest and storing, concentrating its energy, as it now bursts forward with rebirth, and new buds. Perhaps we are not separate from nature. What does this surge in energy activate for you? Anger has power.

You can find Dr. Emmert at solis.care.

Episode 100: The Myth of Normal with Dr. Dave Clarke May 25, 2023

Show notes

Hello folks, can you believe, we are on episode 100!!! It's been fun having meaningful and open conversations as I try to understand and grow, while trying to understand and grow some more. I hope that these conversations have become meaningful in your life, and help you to think about things.

Today I have Dr. Dave Clarke back on the show, and we’ll be discussing Dr. Gabor Maté's bestseller book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture. Maté has come to recognize the prevailing understanding of “normal” as false, neglecting the roles that trauma and stress, and the pressures of modern-day living, exert on our bodies and our minds at the expense of good health. Maté brings his perspective to the great untangling of common myths about what makes us sick, connects the dots between the sicknesses of individuals and the declining soundness of society. As he writes, "Much that passes for normal in our society is neither healthy nor natural."

But what’s fun about these discussions is our interpretation of the book- I enjoy this the most. I don’t know where the conversation will go, ever, but we go someplace safe together and share our thoughts. I really also enjoy talking with Dr. Dave Clarke, a retired ICU and Internal Medicine doc. He's hella smart, he's a man who still reads books (!?!!), and discusses with an open heart. And if I may also add - he's been very popular with female listeners. Check him out in his past episodes, Ep. 85: 8 Dates & Ep. 70: When Things Fall Apart.

I also wanted to thank you for listening to the show. I am super grateful. And thank you to my sound producer Will Mitchell from Hands on Sound in the background, as well as Katherine Hallissy Ayala, my website designer and my technically savvy person and friend.

Ep. 99: Chosen Family with Oriana Gliessman May 18, 2023

Show notes

There are times when we find family, elsewhere. And that’s okay. I think it’s healthy.

Experts in the field have defined chosen families as “nonbiological kinship bonds, whether legally recognized or not, deliberately chosen for the purpose of mutual support and love.” Basically, these are the people who understand you, lift you up, celebrate you, help you, and love you, even without biological ties.

I think the truth is, we all need each other. Sometimes it may not be possible in your family of origin. And I wonder if it’s a survival of the fittest thing to try find that meaningful connection elsewhere. It’s easier when you have someone whom you can depend on, love, and who will also root for you.

I’m discussing today’s topic with my good friend Oriana Gliessman, who has become my Chosen Family. I love her despite not having a biological tie with her, and I love that she’s never afraid to get real.

Episode 98: Marriages with Andre Decary May 11, 2023

Show notes

I’m excited about today’s interview because I’m speaking with a psychologist about the enigma of marriages. God love our partners - but marriage is work and patience, sometimes also requiring a lot of deep breathing.

I was introduced to our guest through a friend, who is also a client of his. Andre Decary has certainly led a very interesting life- he was a monk in the Hindu tradition, survived a near death experience, specialized in trauma, and is in private psychotherapy practice in Berkeley, CA. He states that he was wounded and had managed his wounds well until a breakdown in the Himalayas, which brought him to the field of psychology. It was the beginning of his introspection into himself, which led him to devote his time to helping others.

Join us as we talk about marriages!

And don't forget! If you are loving the podcast, don't forget to rate us or leave a review, and send your friend a favorite episode! Your support matters!

Ep. 97: Parenting with Colleen Murphy May 04, 2023

Show notes

The truth is everyone feels like they struggle as a parent. Let's be real, it's hard. And when we talk about it, we realize that we are not alone.

I've heard about Colleen Murphy and the amazingness that she is through several parents locally in Santa Cruz, and I figured that it was time that I sit down and chat with her!

Good parenting feels good and by learning to do it right, we can set the foundation. We can't control another human being because we can't control their thoughts, and thoughts fuel behavior. But behaviors are communication. Sometimes we label certain behaviors as bad, but it's not the essence of their soul, it's just communication. We can learn to rethink it, and think about what's fueling our children's behaviors, and the alien beings that they are, hahahaha.

Colleen Murphy is a parent coach, helping parents with support, finding new ideas and a different approach from the one they’re using or maybe parenting differently from the way they were parented. She is a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator and now teaching parenting classes and workshops at Live Oak Family Resource Center. The request from families for more one-on-one help led her to create her own parent coaching service. You can find her at fromtheheadtotheheart.com.

Episode 96: Man Living with Cancer with Trevor Maxwell Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

Today’s interview in my opinion, is a serious WOW. If you know a man with cancer or illness, you're going to want to share this interview with them.

Trevor Maxwell is on the show, and he wrote Open Heart, Warrior Spirit: A Man’s Guide to Living with Cancer. He is also the founder of Man Up to Cancer, inspiring men to connect and avoid isolation throughout their cancer journeys. He has also been living with stage IV colon cancer since March of 2018.

Man Up to Cancer is a leading support community for men impacted by cancer, as they offer peer-to-peer support, an annual retreat, chemo backpack program, learning opportunities, connection, and there are more than 30 local chapters geared toward improving the quality of life for their members. Trevor states that when faced with cancer, women tend to “reach out,” and men tend to “check out.” While all of us know someone with cancer, what I didn’t realize is how many men are impacted by isolation when facing cancer. This leads men down a path toward mental health problems, strained relationships, and poor medical outcomes.

Check out his podcast Man Up to Cancer and you can find him at manuptocancer.com.

Episode 95: Girl Talk- Love Languages and Attachment Styles! Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

On today's show, my girlfriends Oriana Gliessman and Carla Roa are back on the show as we talk about Love Languages and Attachment Styles! Based on Dr. Gary Chapman's book, the 5 love languages are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Have you ever wondered how you express and experience love, and how your partner experiences love? You may be seriously surprised! I was surprised!

Have you ever also noticed that you usually think and act in certain ways in romantic relationships? Maybe you're a bit jealous and afraid of being alone for too long. Or perhaps you feel confident and totally trust your partner. One explanation for these patterns is the attachment theory. Knowing your unique attachment style can help you become more self-aware and build healthier long-term partnerships.

A funny and upbeat conversation between girlfriends as we get real, laugh, learn together, and laugh again!

Ep. 94: Domestic Violence and Our Children, with Kalyne Foster Renda Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

Thanks for joining us today, and we have a great show lined up. It’s also a super important one. Kalyne Foster Renda from Monarch Services is here to talk about Intimate Partner Violence and our Youth. Intimate partner violence, or Domestic violence, is a societal problem, not only a family or private issue. With youth experiencing sexual assault, often times it's a friend, someone you know. That's why it's important to be in the know, because we can prevent this from happening.

The facts are alarming. And you may know already know someone in an abusive relationship.

Many children exposed to violence in the home are also victims of physical abuse. Children who witness domestic violence or are victims of abuse themselves are at serious risk for long-term physical and mental health problems. Children who witness violence between parents may also be at greater risk of being violent in their future relationships.

Kalyne has spent the past 25 years advocating for social justice and equity for historically marginalized individuals and communities through community organizing, policy advocacy and direct services. As the Chief Executive Officer at Monarch Services, Kalyne leads a team of service staff in providing prevention and intervention services focused on domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking serving over 5,500 community members each year. You can find her at Monarchscc.org. Please also consider donating to this wonderful and super impactful organization.

And if you’re loving the podcast, don’t forget to give us a great rating however you listen to podcasts. Believe me, it helps, and I am super grateful.

Episode 93: Self Empowerment with Crystal Robb Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

On today's show, we talk about self empowerment! Well-being starts with us. When we practice self empowerment, we make a conscious decision to take charge of our lives. It involves making positive choices, understanding our strengths and weaknesses, and continuing even when things feel rough. People who consciously decide to take control of their lives are often happier, more fulfilled, and more satisfied in their careers. Join us as Crystal Robb and I talk about self empowerment!

Crystal Robb has been actively working in the wellness community for over 10 years. She is a nutritionist, specializing in plant-based nutrition, culinary arts, and sustainable agriculture. Crystal is also a registered yoga teacher, and professional surf instructor. Crystal offers wellness consulting and coaching to inspire you to live your best life. You can find her at crystalrobb.com

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