This episode is different.
It isn’t polished. It isn’t easy.
It’s honest.

After my recent Dragon Fire.Sides conversation with Dr. Gretchen Badami about school closures, federal pressure, and why so many acupuncturists are struggling, the comments section lit up.
One of the strongest and most thoughtful responses came from today’s guest, Dr. Mary (Molly) Cooke — and this episode is a direct response to that discussion.

Molly’s lived experience speaks directly to the silent crisis many practitioners face:

• Crushing student loan debt

• Few viable jobs

• Problematic work environments

• Lack of support after graduation

• Burnout, invisibility, and emotional exhaustion

Together, we explore:

• Why acupuncturists are being gaslit by the very systems meant to support them

• The brutal math of debt vs. actual practitioner income

• What’s really happening with school closures and institutional pressure

• Why so many acupuncturists feel abandoned, betrayed, or deceived

Is medicine a calling or a business?
What happens when a healer is forced to become an entrepreneur to survive?

• Why the public doesn’t understand acupuncture

• Why practitioners don’t agree on what acupuncture is

• How lack of standardization fuels confusion — and enables exploitation

This conversation builds on the themes from the episode with Dr. Gretchen Badami and pushes them further:
Acupuncture must become more visible, more unified, more empowered — or risk being sidelined and replaced by lesser-trained providers.

This episode is a call to action for practitioners who feel:

• Underpaid

• Undervalued

• Unseen

• Overwhelmed

• Burned out

• Or simply tired of pretending everything is fine

You are not alone.
You are not crazy.
And your voice matters.

Disclaimer:
This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, legal, business, or financial advice. Always consult relevant professionals regarding your unique circumstances.

🔥 The Crisis Behind the Curtain🔥 The Ethical Tension🔥 The Identity Crisis of the Profession🔥 The Path Forward