In this episode, Camille discusses the pros and cons of hiring a virtual assistant. This episode provides thoughts on how having an assistant may support solo practitioners reallocate time to seeing clients, content creation, or better work-life balance. 

Camille discusses common misconceptions about virtual assistants, shares her personal journey in integrating virtual help into her practice, and offers practical tips on assessing readiness for hiring a virtual assistant. Discover how even small task delegations can significantly boost productivity and well-being. 

Learn more about the upcoming mini-course on getting started with a virtual assistant [https://www.camillefreeman.com/vacourse/], or take this short quiz [https://www.camillefreeman.com/2025/06/are-you-ready-to-hire-a-virtual-assistant/] to find out if you're ready to hire an assistant. 

88 | When is it Time to Consider Working with a Virtual Assistant?

Get a behind the scenes peek as Camille reflects on the 'Take Your Tonic' program run through Bloom & Grow this spring. In this episode, she provides a transparent debrief of her pilot project that aimed to support participants amidst challenging times. Discover the motivations behind launching this free program, its key objectives, and the feedback received after the program ended.

Camille shares the challenges faced by participants and the things she'll do differently when running the program again in the fall. She reflects on the importance of simplicity and the difficulties inherent in maintaining long-term self-care practices. This episode underscores the value of consistency in holistic practices and offers a glimpse into potential future enhancements for the program, including the possibility of introducing a modest fee to encourage active participation.

87 | Reflections on the Take your Tonic program

In this episode, Camille engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Kevin Spelman, a highly experienced Ayurvedic practitioner, researcher, and phytotherapist with decades of experience in clinical trials and education.

Dr. Spelman shares his insights on the significance of personalized medicine, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of patients beyond "cookie-cutter" herbal solutions. Together, they explore the challenges of clinical education and the importance of critical thinking in integrative practices. Their discussion also delves into philosophical perspectives and the role of herbal energetics in forming a comprehensive approach to patient care.

This episode invites listeners to rethink traditional educational models and encourages embracing a more holistic and individualized approach in clinical herbalism. Join them as they navigate the evolving landscape of herbal medicine education, offering food for thought for clinicians and educators.

Dr. Spelman taught a class on medicinal mushrooms [https://academy.camillefreeman.com/courses/medicinal-mushrooms] as part of the 2025 Immune Deep Dive. [https://www.camillefreeman.com/immune]

Books Recommended by Dr. Spelman Philosophy
 * Tao Te Ching [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9781611807240] by Lao Tzu
 * Meditations [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9780812968255]by Marcus Aurelius
 * The Tree of Knowledge [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9780877736424] Maturana and Varela
 * Learned Optimism [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9781400078394] Martin Seligman
 * Food of the Gods [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9780553371307] Terrance McKenna
 * Wisdom: From Philosophy to Neuroscience [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9780307389688] By Stephen Hall
 * The Systems View of Life [https://www.amazon.com/Systems-View-Life-Unifying-Vision/dp/1316616436] By Capra & Luisi

Medical History
 * Doctors [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9780679760092]By Sherwin Nuland
 * The Mysteries Within [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9780684854878] By Sherwin Nuland
 * Epidemics and History [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9780300080872] By Sheldon Watts
 * The Origins of Human Diet & Medicine [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9780816516872] By Timothy Johns
 * The Magical Staff [https://www.amazon.com/Magical-Staff-Vitalist-Tradition-Medicine/dp/1556431279] By Matthew Wood
 * Why Some Like It Hot [https://www.amazon.com/Why-Some-Like-Hot-Diversity/dp/1597260916] By Gary Nabhan
 * Edible Medicines [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9780816527489] By Nina Etkin
 * Biochemical Individuality [https://bookshop.org/a/89432/9780879838935] By Roger Williams

Learn more about Dr. Kevin Spelman at www.phytochemks.com [http://www.phytochemks.com] 

 

86 | Moving away from "cookie cutter" clinical practice with Dr. Kevin Spellman

Are you someone who works in a healing or clinical field and struggles to explain what you do? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll tackle the common challenge of describing your professional role in a way that feels clear and authentic - especially in social settings.

I’ll share insights from a recent workshop and share a few reflections on how teaching in real time can spark new ideas, deepen understanding, and lead to meaningful connections.

If you missed the workshop on how to describe what you do, you can still access the recording [https://academy.camillefreeman.com/courses/describe-what-you-do]($25).

If you have a question for a future episode, please submit it here: https://www.intheclinic.com 

 

85 | A tip on describing what you do

In this episode, I’m answering a question from an upcoming Q&A session: What does my morning routine look like? I give a few details about how I start my day, including the balance between finding time alone and juggling homeschooling, caregiving, and household responsibilities. I find that many morning routines I hear or read about are unrealistic for my particular situation. 

You'll hear about the differences between what I'd like to do and what actually happens most mornings. I also share more about how I've adapted the one the one thing I do pretty much every morning - a daily walk with my dog - into a tiny morning routine of sorts. 

If you’ve struggled to create a morning routine that feels realistic and meaningful, I hope this episode gives you ideas for starting your day in a way that works for you or at least takes away some of the pressure to have an elaborate/extended morning routine. 

Got a question you’d like me to answer in a future episode? Submit it at www.intheclinic.com [http://www.intheclinic.com] - I'd love to hear from you. 

84 | On Morning Routines

Is pursuing an advanced degree like a doctorate necessary? In this episode, we'll explore the various factors that come into play when deciding whether to pursue additional education, including financial considerations, personal goals, and the true impact of additional credentials on clinical practice.

I share my personal experiences with advanced degrees and a few tips from my many years of experience as a professor in a graduate program. In short: consider your motivations for seeking further education, think about potential financial implications, and question whether additional credentials will actually enhance your practice. 

Do you have a question you'd like me to address in a future episode. I'd love to hear from you: https://www.intheclinic.com 

83 | Should you go back to school or get another credential?

It can feel inappropriate or uncomfortable to promote yourself when things are falling apart around you. It's tempting to think that your work doesn't matter much in the big scheme of things. In the episode, we'll talk about how it matters to show up for your community when things are hard. Our work matters, and by helping people feel better individually, we are increasing capacity to make changes in the world that are so desperately needed. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one 💚

Camille

Upcoming at Bloom & Grow: 
 * Workshop on how to describe what you do [https://www.camillefreeman.com/2025/02/describewhatyoudo/] (March 6th from 12-1 pm ET; free or $25)
 * Spring Dreaming & Planning for Practitioners [https://www.camillefreeman.com/seasonaldreaming] (March 13 from 12-12:30 pm ET; free)
 * Seasonal Allergies: Immune Deep Dive [https://academy.camillefreeman.com/courses/seasonal-allergies] (March 10 from 5-6:30 pm ET) 
 * Herbal Observation Group [https://www.camillefreeman.com/mentoring/herbal-case-observation-groups/]: March 25 & 27th at 12 pm ET

82 | Promoting your work when the world is on fire

In this episode, Camille sits down with herbalists Ember Peters and Oren Hercz from Nova Scotia, exploring their innovative intermediate herbal program offered through the Maritime School of Holistic Herbalism [https://www.maritimeherbschool.com/intermediate].

Ember and Oren share more about their collaboration, lessons learned from marketing their program, thoughts on accessibility and pricing, and more. If you've ever thought about collaborating with another practitioner or about running your own educational program, you'll find value in exploring the dynamics of working with others, marketing a program, and reaching your ideal students.

For more about Ember and Oren, including their professional backgrounds, be sure to visit the In the Clinic website. 

81 | Starting and marketing an herbal program: Insights with Ember Peters and Oren Hercz

In this episode, Camille discusses how to handle negative feedback from newsletter subscribers and emphasizes the importance of remaining authentic. Drawing from her personal experiences, Camille offers practical advice for responding (or not responding) to unpleasant messages and highlights why it's crucial not to let such interactions deter you from being yourself.

Additionally, Camille introduces her upcoming book, "Write Better Newsletters [https://www.writebetterletters.com]," available for pre-order, to help practitioners enhance their newsletter writing skills.

Please send in your questions for upcoming episodes: https://www.intheclinic.com 

80 | On Negative Feedback about your Newsletter

In response to a listener question, Camille shares her thoughts on insurance options for clinical herbalists.

Submit your own questions: https://www.intheclinic.com 

79 | Navigating Insurance as a Clinical Herbalist

Short clinical tidbits for practitioners with clinical herbalist and nutritionist Camille Freeman.

Camille Freeman

Shows