Before he became a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Doc Mitchell was a curious kid learning the names of plants in the forests of California.

In this first conversation, Doc shares stories from his early life, his travels through South America, encounters with curanderas, and the experiences that ultimately led him toward a lifelong study of healing. Along the way, we explore the role of plants, observation, discipline, and how unexpected moments can shape the direction of a person's life.

This episode traces the roots of a journey that would eventually lead Doc to become a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a senior professor at Five Branches University.

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