Office Hours with Angelique and Toby

About Office Hours with Angelique and Toby

Office Hours with Angelique and Toby is an invitation to enjoy a cup of tea with two passionate (and occasionally irreverent) practitioners as they dive into the world of Chinese medicine. Join newly minted acupuncturist Angelique and seasoned practitioner Toby as they share clinical experiences, tough cases, and in-depth explorations of classical theory. With a mix of humor, insight, and real-world clinical talk, they aim to have discussions that will help you become a better healer for your patients.

Publisher

Toby Daly

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Apr 2025

Latest episode

22 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

30 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Office Hours episode 30: Patient Empowerment and Clinical Observation

   Thanks so much to our sponsor, Classical Pearls. In this episode of Office Hours, Angelique and Toby talk through the practical realities of clinical decision-making—from reading a patient’s body and recognizing subtle changes during treatment to knowing when to step back and let the patient become the authority on their own experience. The conversation begins with a case from Dr. Angela C. Wu involving a patient with a history of recurrent miscarriage who is unsure whether a recent episode of bleeding represents another miscarriage or simply a menstrual period. The case opens a broader discussion about an important clinical principle: whenever possible, we should give patients the tools to recognize and understand their own bodies rather than taking that authority away from them. The conversation then turns to the pace of clinical practice. The practitioners discuss taking a few breaths between patients, slowing down enough to actually observe what is happening in the room, and using the moments after treatment to notice changes in complexion, expression, and relaxation. A Daoist image of drawing back an arrow before releasing it becomes a useful metaphor for the value of pausing before moving forward. The episode also includes a sponsor conversation about Classical Pearls and the transition from initial hesitation to actually incorporating the formulas into clinical practice. Angelique shares experiences using Wind Pearls for allergies and Bamboo Pearls for warm, achy joint pain. The episode closes with a look at the work of building a new acupuncture school—and the financial challenge of creating an educational model that doesn't simply pass startup costs on to students. Key Topics * A clinical case involving recurrent miscarriage, irregular menstruation, and uncertainty about the meaning of unexpected bleeding * Dr. Wu's approach to helping a patient determine what her own body is telling her * Why clinicians should be careful about taking diagnostic authority away from patients * Using pulse diagnosis alongside the patient's own embodied experience * The value of taking a few breaths between patients to reset and become fully present * How slowing down can actually improve the rhythm and quality of a busy clinic * The Daoist image of pulling back an arrow before releasing it * Observing changes in complexion, facial expression, and relaxation during treatment * How to observe a patient carefully without making them feel watched * Moving from hesitation to practical use of Classical Pearls * Clinical experiences with Wind Pearls and Bamboo Pearls * A Saam acupuncture case involving a gallbladder excess presentation * Adjusting treatment after an initial experience of excessive needle pain * Using a patient's own journal to recognize changes following treatment * The relationship between clinical expertise and the body's own signals * The challenges of building a new Chinese medicine school and funding its launch

2. 

   26 Aug 2026

   Office Hours episode 29: Roots, Trunks, and the Foundation of Yin and Yang with Sabine Wilms

   In this episode of Office Hours, Toby and Angelique sit down with Sabine Wilms, PhD to explore classical Chinese medicine, translation, and the deeper meaning behind foundational texts. Sabine shares how her background in East Asian studies, anthropology, and medicine led her to a lifelong practice of translating and teaching ancient Chinese texts. A major theme of the conversation is the difference between literal translation and lived interpretation. Sabine explains how her book Humming with Elephants grew out of years of teaching and how it aims to bring the Su Wen out of an overly dry academic setting and into a more practical, resonant clinical context. She also breaks down why terms like ben and gen matter, and how small translation choices can completely change how practitioners understand core ideas like “the root” and “the foundation.” The discussion also goes deep into Sun Simiao’s work, especially the ten months of pregnancy in Yang Tai, postpartum care, and the broader importance of nurturing not just the fetus, but the mother, the family, and the whole cycle of life. Sabine shares that her upcoming projects include a pregnancy volume and a book on Yang Xing (self-cultivation, longevity, and moral/spiritual care). Another rich thread in the episode is self-cultivation. Sabine reflects on moderation, rest, activity, qigong, swimming, farming, service, and the importance of listening to the body and the seasons. The conversation closes with reflections on presence, silence, poetry, and the deep connection between Buddhism and Chinese medicine. Topics Covered Sabine Wilms’ path into Chinese medicine and translation How translation shapes clinical understanding The meaning of ben, gen, and bing Pregnancy, postpartum care, and nurturing the mother Sun Simiao, Yang Xing, and self-cultivation Balance, moderation, and seasonal living Buddhism, Chinese medicine, and presence in care Notable Quotes “It’s not correspondences, it’s resonances.” “You must pursue it in the foundation.” “You should feel the classics, not analyze them.” Key Takeaways Classical Chinese medicine is about more than formulas and point prescriptions; it’s about resonance, context, and worldview. Translation is interpretive work, and a single character can shift the entire meaning of a text. Pregnancy and postpartum care in early Chinese medicine place equal importance on the mother, not just the baby. Self-cultivation is a daily practice of moderation, presence, and listening to the body. Links: Sabine’s books and classes: happygoatproductions.com (http://happygoatproductions.com) cmbenevolentacademy.org (http://cmbenevolentacademy.org)

3. 

   12 Aug 2026

   Office Hours episode 28: The Dao of Medical Insurance Billing with Eoin Gregory

   Insurance billing can be one of the most frustrating and financially consequential aspects of running an acupuncture practice. In this episode of Office Hours, Dr. Eoin Gregory of Family Billing Solutions explains what practitioners need to know before they sign an insurance contract, submit a claim, or hand their billing over to someone else. Eoin draws on his background as a retired chiropractor and former educator to explain when to bill yourself, when to hire help, and how to avoid the documentation and compliance mistakes that can trigger denials, recoupments, or audits. We discuss what providers should look for in insurance contracts, why medical necessity matters so much, and how to protect both your practice and your patients when dealing with payers. Key topics Dr. Eoin Gregory shares why he moved from clinical practice and teaching into medical billing after an injury ended his chiropractic career. He explains why new solo practitioners should often bill themselves first, at least long enough to understand coding, documentation, and the real workload involved. Eoin breaks down why submitting a claim is the easy part, while appeals, benefit checks, follow-up calls, and payer inconsistencies create most of the burden. He warns providers to be careful with advice from other clinicians, especially when it comes to noncompliant or potentially fraudulent billing strategies. The conversation covers how to read payer participation agreements, fee schedules, reimbursement caps, and payment policies before signing anything. Eoin stresses that providers should understand whether a plan is regulated by the state or by ERISA, since that changes who can help when problems arise. He outlines what to look for in a billing company: transparency, acupuncture-specific experience, availability, manpower, and clear pricing. The episode highlights why every claim matters for small practices, especially when insurers misstate benefits or recoup money later. Eoin explains medical necessity in practical terms and why treatment plans, re-exams, and functional goals help support coverage. He cautions against using mental health diagnoses casually, noting that inaccurate diagnoses can follow patients for years and affect future coverage. The discussion closes on the importance of educating providers and patients about what insurance actually covers versus what a practice can ethically provide. Link https://www.familybilling.com/ (https://www.familybilling.com/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Contact Office Hours with Angelique and Toby

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.