Puzzle Exchange

A sleep psychiatrist and a Chinese medicine doctor sit down to answer the question we both hear every week: why can't I sleep, and why does everything I try make it worse? Dr. Nishi Bhopal MD is a psychiatrist and sleep medicine physician in the Bay Area. I'm Dr. Deb Ma (PhD, LAc, OMD), an acupuncturist in San Francisco. We treat the same 3am patients from two directions, and we kept landi...

Everyone in the room had a wearable. The 3 doctors on stage didn't. That gap is the whole conversation. This is the Executive Longevity Lab, the first in a new series from Puzzle Exchange. Cross discipline, clinician led, and a room small enough to actually think. 3 founders from 3 different practices sit down to pull apart what longevity has become in San Francisco, and what it actually takes...

I hosted a panel in SF with a therapist, a philosopher, and an engineer. Three takes that almost agreed, then sharply didn't. David Khalili (therapist): VCs are buying therapy session data. The pitch to therapists is free premium software in exchange for access to every client session. John Coyle (philosopher and engineer): "Every question of technology is a political question." Push...

00:00 Introduction 00:35 Therapeutic Approaches in Gaming 00:53 Understanding the Geek and Gamer Community 02:58 The Role of Creativity in Therapy 05:08 Challenges Faced by Gamers and Artists 07:28 Parental Perspectives on Gaming 09:40 The Impact of Gaming on Mental Health 12:16 Building Relationships Through Gaming 14:47 The Importance of Communication in Therapy 17:07 Exploring the Game: Source...

Burnout doesn’t always look like collapsing. Sometimes it looks like pushing through… until you can’t. In this panel, 3 clinicians unpack what burnout actually is, why it can be hard to recognize in time, and what helps in real life. What we cover: How clinicians define burnout (and why it’s more than “stress”) Why burnout can feel sneaky—and the early warning signs people miss The “system” piece:...

What if the reason your sciatica isn’t improving is simply that you’re doing the wrong exercises: too many, too soon, without knowing what helps? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Ashley Mak, a physical therapist who specializes in sciatica pain. Dr Ashley breaks down his simple “test–retest” approach: try one movement, observe what changes, and double down on what reduces symptoms. Dr Ashley als...

In this episode of Puzzle Exchange, we sit down with Caitlin Blair, a psychotherapist and founder of Tiny Cottage Therapy, to talk about the real (often invisible) weight of burnout, cultural identity, and the unique pressure many AAPI caregivers carry. In this conversation, we cover: Why AAPI caregiving expectations can be heavier, and how to set boundaries without collapsing into guilt How stres...

Guest: Belinda Hanart Host: Dr Deb 00:00 Opening Thoughts and Reflections04:42 First Experience with Acupuncture05:38 Understanding Acupuncture Techniques08:01 Exploring Emotional Connections to Physical Pain08:29 Transitioning from Corporate to Holistic Healing12:29 Reflexology and Body Awareness12:43 The Power of Acknowledgment14:42 Understanding Body Signals22:02 Crystals and Energy Protection2...

A candid conversation about cancer support, resources, and integrated medicine. This episode honors the complex, layered, and deeply human journey of cancer survival—from diagnosis through long-term recovery. In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked aspects of cancer recovery—the emotional, psychological, and identity shifts that happen during and after treatment. Our guest Elizabeth share...

Join Dr. Deb, a modern TCM doctor with 17 years of clinical experience, as she sits down with Dr. Cory Shank, a non-traditional chiropractor redefining what chiropractic care can be. In this episode, we explore the evolution of chiropractic and acupuncture, moving beyond traditional approaches into specialized techniques for infants, prenatal/postnatal care, and holistic healing. Learn how light-t...

I just had this rare & honest chat with Dr. Kim Makoi that most practitioners avoid: death, grief, vulnerability, and the messy, magical human experience we're all navigating. In this episode of Puzzle Exchange Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Kim Makoi, a chiropractor and Neuroemotional Technique (NET) specialist, to explore how our deepest emotional wounds show up physically—and how we can r...

Discover the connection between your mind, emotions, and fertility journey. In this episode, we explore how emotional blocks and childhood trauma can directly impact conception with Lucy Yaldezian , a hypnotherapist specializing in mind-body work for fertility. Host: Dr Deb Read more: https://www.puzzlesf.com/blog/hypnotherapy-for-smoking-fears-fertility-eft-tapping-acupuncture-in-san-francisco

I know complaining about the insurance system is a cliché. To doctors, the medical insurance system is like a KPI system that goes too far. It sets incentives for "someone" to get paid instead of for fixing patients. Talking to Dr. Lindsay Stephens , founder of Motus Clinic , I discovered how she's able to work outside of the system while building a sustainable practice that actually...

Dr. Lailah Kara-Newton shares her journey from OBGYN residency to AI healthcare startup founder, tackling patient communication challenges.

Two medical practitioners examine the intersection of traditional healing modalities and modern healthcare challenges. Debbie, a TCM doctor trained in Beijing for 17 yrs, and Kathleen Scheible, a former semiconductor engineer turned homeopath, discuss their clinical approaches and patient care philosophies.

Walking through San Francisco's Chinatown feels like stepping into a time capsule taking you 30 years back in time. The SF Chinatown become an outdated, even embarrassing representation of modern China. The same problem exists with Traditional Chinese Medicine in America: with only a 3-year master's degree required to practice, the quality of care is significantly lower than what you'd...