In this wide-ranging and deeply reflective episode, Frank Lawton speaks with naturopathic doctor and integrative healer Erica Matluck about how healing unfolds beyond conventional ideas of safety, diagnosis, and even root causes. Erica shares her journey from energy work and anthropology to Western medical training and integrative practice — shaped not by rigid ideology, but by lived experience and practical discernment. She challenges the dominant frameworks of both conventional and alternative medicine, especially the oversimplification of healing into singular “root causes.” Instead, she invites a systems-level approach that honors complexity, pattern recognition, and the interplay of physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual health. Frank and Erica explore the limits of titles, the over-reliance on modalities, and the importance of discernment in the healing process. They discuss how imbalance itself is a guidepost toward equilibrium, and how transformation often requires us to trust the unknown. From discerning unconscious patterns to reframing symptoms as messages rather than malfunctions, this conversation invites listeners to look deeper and wider than any one model can offer. Mindform is an exclusive membership platform that gives you access to an ever-expanding toolkit for mental mastery and a community of passionate psychitects. Apply to join Mindform or get the free Psychitect’s Toolkit at https://mindform.io/podcast