39 GEN - a Yo San University podcast

Adaptive Medicine: Systems Thinking, Feminism, and Midlife Women's Health with Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson

In this episode of the Yo San University 39GEN podcast, host Emily Von Urff sits down with clinician-scientist and acupuncturist Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson to explore the powerful intersection of systems thinking, feminism, and East Asian medicine in midlife women’s healthcare. As an "academic unicorn" with 17 years of private practice and a PhD from the University of Washington, Dr. Taylor-Swanson discusses the systemic underfunding of women's health research and details her journey in creating MENOGAP — an innovative, group-visit intervention model designed to bridge the massive gaps in conventional menopausal care by combining evidence-based education, social support, and acupuncture.

The Healing Art: Finding Power in Clinical Vulnerability with Dr. Andrea Thorpe

In this episode of the 39GEN  podcast, host Emily sits down with Dr. Andrea Thorpe, acupuncturist, herbalist, and newly appointed faculty member at Yo San University. Andrea shares profound insights from her decades-long journey in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), explaining why it is fundamentally a healing art rather than just a set of clinical protocols. She dives deep into the clinical reality of female hormonal and menstrual health, contrasting the limitations of allopathic medicine with the root-cause, deeply validating approach of Chinese medicine. Ultimately, Andrea delivers a powerful message to students and seasoned practitioners alike: the most potent tool you have is your own vulnerability, curiosity, and authenticity.

From the CDC to the Clinic: Bridging Public Health and Chinese Medicine with Dr. Anisa Kassim

In this episode of the 39GEN Podcast, Emily sits down with Dr. Anisa Kassim, Chief Academic Officer at Yo San University, to explore her journey through the global healthcare landscape. From serving in Afghani refugee camps and working as a fellow at the CDC to becoming an acupuncturist with a specialty in pediatrics, Anisa shares her unique perspective on why every TCM practitioner is, at their core, a public health advocate. The conversation dives into the intersection of global health sustainability, the fundamental pillars of public health like biostatistics and environmental health, and Anisa’s personal pivot from federal government work to clinical practice. She also discusses her deep passion for pediatric acupuncture and the rewarding challenge of treating the next generation, ultimately illustrating how individual wellness ripples out to improve society as a whole.

The Policy Pivot: Loans, Legislation, and the Future of Acupuncture With CSOMA

In this special edition of the Yo San University 39GEN Podcast, Emily sits down with CSOMA board members Dr. Julie Tran, Dr. Ra Adcock, and Dr. Robert Hoffman for a deep dive into the ‘perfect storm’ hitting acupuncture schools in 2026. This episode explores the critical impact of the RISE Act and the impending end of Grad Plus loans on July 1st, alongside the controversial California bill AB 2668, which threatens to drive up student debt by mandating a doctorate for entry-level licensure. Together, the panel discusses the urgent need for competency-based education, national exam standardization, and strategic advocacy to protect the future of integrative medicine and the next generation of practitioners.

Dual Cultivation: Dr Robert Hoffman on Integrating Identity + Profession in Times of Change

This episode features Dr. Robert Hoffman, President and CEO of Yo San University, in conversation with host 39GEN Emily. Dr. Hoffman shares his remarkable transition from a high-stakes, 30-year career in the music industry—where he worked as a producer and engineer for icons like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Quincy Jones—to becoming a leader in the field of Chinese medicine. He discusses how the lifestyle of the music business and a transformational relief trip to Sri Lanka following the 2004 tsunami led him to pursue acupuncture at age 40. Throughout the interview, Dr. Hoffman explores the parallels between being a music producer and a medical practitioner, the importance of surrounding oneself with a talented team, and how Daoist philosophy (specifically the concepts of Xing and Ming) guides his approach to leadership and personal destiny.