In this Fireside episode, David Bernard sits down with John Jaarsveld, a Dutch acupuncturist, researcher, educator, Kiiko Matsumoto style practitioner, and former head of research for the European TCM Association.

John brings three decades of personal study, 18 years of clinical experience, and a rare blend of critical thinking, philosophical depth, and practical insight. What unfolds is a profound dialogue on the true purpose of medicine, the business and ethics of practice, the gaps in modern healthcare systems, and the sacred exchange that happens between practitioner and patient.

Together, David and John explore:

• The difference between nourishing life and fighting disease

• How Chinese medicine fills the enormous gaps left by modern allopathic care

• Why the infrastructure—not the science—is the real strength of Western medicine

• The sobering reality that acupuncturists must navigate in business, money, and ethics

• How to practice integrity in a world where the patient is also a customer

• Why pricing carries psychological and energetic significance

• The tension between service, integrity, and the need for financial survival

• The future of the profession across Europe, the U.S., and the world

• The role of community clinics and low-cost care

• Why commodifying human relationships is a danger to both patients and practitioners

• How to use money ethically, consciously, and as part of a healing relationship

This conversation weaves together philosophy, clinical insight, economics, ethics, and the lived reality of being a practitioner in the modern world.

If you're a clinician, student, or someone navigating the intersection of healing and business, this episode will challenge you, inspire you, and give you a deeper understanding of what it really means to practice medicine.