Tech Talk with OptimalRx – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Tech Talk by OptimalRx, Andrew Whitfield-Cook sits down with herbalist and naturopath Michelle Cose to explore the power of collaboration within the natural medicine profession. Drawing on more than 30 years of clinical experience, Michelle shares why connection, mentorship and community are essential for both practitioner growth and the future of herbal medicine.

Together, they discuss the isolation many practitioners face, the importance of sharing knowledge across generations, and why collaboration, not competition, strengthens the entire industry. Michelle also highlights the value of creating supportive practitioner communities, nurturing students entering the profession, and preserving the wisdom of experienced clinicians before it is lost.

This is an inspiring and thought provoking conversation about leadership, legacy, professional connection and the future of natural healthcare.

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In this episode of Tech Talk with OptimalRx, Andrew Whitfield-Cook chats with naturopath Raul Pastrana about the often-overlooked role of male fertility.

Raul Pastrana, a recognised expert in fertility and reproductive health with a strong focus on male fertility. Known for his practical, inclusive approach, Raul combines evidence-based nutrition, herbal medicine, and lifestyle strategies to help individuals and couples optimise their reproductive outcomes, while making complex health topics accessible and relevant in everyday practice.

Raul shares his journey into naturopathy and how he came to focus on supporting men with fertility concerns, an area that’s frequently under-represented in clinical conversations. He talks through some of the key factors he sees in practice impacting sperm health, including metabolic issues, stress, and lifestyle, and why these need to be addressed early.

The discussion covers Raul’s approach to testing, particularly the importance of blood work to uncover underlying drivers such as insulin resistance and cardiovascular health. He also touches on how he uses herbal medicine in clinic, including herbs like Fenugreek, Rhodiola, and Vitex, depending on the individual case.

A key theme throughout the episode is the need to look at both sides of the fertility equation, and to support men in taking a more active role in the process. Raul also introduces his book, The Male Factor, which is designed to help educate men around their contribution to fertility outcomes.

A practical and insightful conversation for practitioners wanting to better support male fertility in clinic.

To purchase Raul Pastrana's Book, The Male Factor - Fertility is a Shared Responsibility:  https://www.rhreproductivehealth.com/bookstore

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Kristin and Julianne speak with Janella Purcell, a pioneer in Australia’s Health and Wellness industry with over 25 years of clinical experience as a Naturopath, Herbalist and Nutritionist.  Janella rose to prominence as a whole-food TV chef on shows like Good Chef Bad Chef, The Biggest Loser, and What’s Good For You, and has since become a sought-after public speaker, retreat facilitator, and healer in private practice. Janella is also the award-winning author of five best-selling books, widely used in Natural Health Colleges and wellness communities. In this podcast, Janella shares her knowledge of the Traditional Chinese Medicine concept, the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). She discusses each element and their corresponding season, taste and attributes, and provides examples of herbal medicines that may be supportive for each element and season. Janella’s podcast beautifully rounds out our Traditional Herbalism podcast series which have provided insights into this month’s (July 2025) webinar series, “Traditional Herbal Medicine Series – Roots and Remedies: Essentials of Traditional Herbal Prescribing”.

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Kristin and Julianne speak with Rebecca Holly, a Naturopath, Astrologer, and Green Witch practicing Folk Herbalism in an earth-centred and heart-led way.  In this podcast, Rebecca explores some of the language and concepts in Astrological energetics, differentiates Western and Vedic Astrology, and discusses herbal medicine prescribing using Astrology, particularly focusing on the properties of solar herbs and their capacity to act as antidepressants.  Rebecca generously shares patient case examples which incorporate Astrological energetic concepts and offers her wisdom to practitioners who would like to incorporate Astrology into their clinical practices.  Through this podcast, Rebecca provides our practitioners with an insight into her upcoming webinar “Astrology - The Missing Energetic Map of Western Herbalism” as part of our July 2025 webinar series, “Traditional Herbal Medicine Series – Roots and Remedies: Essentials of Traditional Herbal Prescribing”.

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Kristin and Julianne speak with Dr. Jimi Wollumbin, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor and a registered medical practitioner with AHPRA, regarding the depth and richness of traditional medicine systems, including TCM, Ayurveda and Western Herbalism. Since completing his TCM internship in Beijing in 2002, Dr. Jimi has pursued extensive research across India, Tibet, Mongolia, Persia, and Siberia, exploring diverse healing traditions and integrating the wisdom of these traditions into his practice clinically and soulfully. In this podcast, Dr. Jimi discusses the meaning behind the term “Energetics”, compares and contrasts different traditional healing systems, and generously shares his case taking fundamentals and patient case examples which incorporate energetic concepts from traditional paradigms. Through this podcast, Dr. Jimi provides our practitioners with an insight into his upcoming webinar “Traditional Herbal Prescribing – Incorporating TCM, Ayurveda, and Western Energetics” as part of our July 2025 webinar series, “Traditional Herbal Medicine Series – Roots and Remedies: Essentials of Traditional Herbal Prescribing”.

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Kristin and Julianne speak with Amanda Trieger, an experienced Naturopath, Doula and Women’s Health Educator.  Amanda has a deep connection to Earth Medicine and cyclical living and in this podcast Kristin and Julianne discuss with Amanda how practitioners, and their patients, can thrive by aligning their lives and businesses with the natural rhythms of the seasons, the moon, and the menstrual cycle.  Amanda discusses the use of herbal medicine in promoting both physical and emotional balance across the seasons, and how herbal medicine can support women in different lunar phases and through different hormonal transitions.  Amanda is a passionate advocate for women’s health and wellbeing, and this podcast gives us a brief insight into her upcoming webinar “Harnessing the Rhythms Around Us: Herbal Wisdom Through Seasonal, Lunar, and Menstrual Phases” as part of our  upcoming webinar series, “Traditional Herbal Medicine Series - Roots and Remedies: Essentials of Traditional Herbal Prescribing” to be held in July 2025.

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In this podcast, Kristin and Julianne follow on from last month's Part 1 of Prescribing Medicinal Mushrooms by further discussing how they individually prescribe medicinal mushrooms based on the mushroom's clinical affinities and therapeutic actions.  Kristin and Julianne differentiate the use of specific medicinal mushrooms in both cardiometabolic and nervous system/mood patient presentation, as well as provide the key clinical pictures for each of OptimalRx's eleven medicinal mushroom extracts. 

To learn more about our medicinal mushrooms and to obtain your free copy of the medicinal mushroom educational resource pack, please log into your OptimalRx account online. 

-- Available to registered practitioners only.

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In this podcast, Kristin and Julianne discuss the clinical use of medicinal mushrooms with a focus on how the individual mushrooms can be a part of a wider herbal medicine dispensary, the impact of mushroom polysaccharides on the immune system, and how their individual immune nuances lead to efficacious prescribing.

To learn more about our medicinal mushrooms and to obtain your free copy of the medicinal mushroom educational resource pack, please log into your OptimalRx account online. 

-- Available to registered practitioners only.

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 In this podcast, Kristin and Julianne delve into four unique phytomedicines, Houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata), Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum), Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis), and Red Root (Ceanothus americanus). They discuss the characteristic ways in which they dispense these herbs, while also noting research insights to their clinical application.

• Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) - 00:25
• Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis) - 10:50
• Red Root (Ceanothus americanus) - 21:32
• Houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata) - 36:00

For more information about these phytomedicines, and to access the free educational resources, please log into your account on our website. 

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In this podcast, Kristin and Julianne delve into four unique phytomedicines, Burr Marigold (Bidens species), Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), and Kudzu (Pueraria lobata). They discuss the characteristic ways in which they dispense these herbs, while also noting research insights to their clinical application.

Timestamps:

• Burr Marigold (Bidens species) - 1:40
• Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) - 15:08
• Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) - 32:17
• Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) - 45:50

For more information about these phytomedicines, and to access the free educational resources, please log into your account on our website. 

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