Guest: Liz Baron Cohen — acupuncturist, psychotherapist (transpersonal), Five Rhythms teacher, author, plant-medicine facilitator, trauma-informed therapist… and one of the kindest humans I know.

Episode theme: How Liz is meeting a stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis with courage, curiosity, and a mission: to build a bridge between Western oncology and complementary care—and to reclaim joy along the way.

Donate here: GoFundMe — Aliza's Healing Journey

Quick Take

Liz spent her first year post-diagnosis pursuing non-medical routes; the tumours grew (didn't spread). She then started chemotherapy—and feels stronger on it than expected.
She's fundraising to rent a home hyperbaric oxygen chamber (£1,300–£1,500/month; purchase can be £48k–£100k). Having it at home means daily use for Liz and opening her doors so local cancer patients who can't afford clinic sessions (£150 each, ~3x/week) can benefit too.
Core insight: it's not "alternative versus" Western—it's both/and. Let's get the two worlds holding hands for patients.
Deep work: reclaiming her name ("Elisa" = joy), learning to let love in, setting boundaries for empathy, and living for herself—beyond titles and roles.

Listen Highlights (Chapters)

00:00 – Why this conversation matters; introducing Liz.
01:09 – Diagnosis (June; ~14 months in). What she tried first, and why.
03:14 – Starting chemo—and the surprise: "I actually feel really good on it."
03:45 – Why hyperbaric oxygen? Costs of clinics vs. home rental; sharing access.
05:20 – Work on pause, reality of bills, and pouring inheritance into healing.
06:26 – Liz's mum, a pioneer (70s aerobics, early whole-foods); family history.
07:27 – Chemo fears, misinformation, and nuance beyond Instagram hot takes.
08:31 – The dream: integrating complementary & Western medicine.
10:15 – BLISS in Notting Hill: a creative health centre (healing meets culture).
12:21 – Pete's story about Hannah: "Draw Your Future" & envisioning outcomes.
13:30 – Liz's north star: reclaiming joy (and what joy really is).
16:45 – Alignment: the projected self vs. the inner world.
17:52 – Radical generosity & being part of each other's stories.
20:39 – "Alternative" vs. "complementary" and why labels get in the way.
21:43 – Hitting emotional bottom; grief, daily tears, and what moved through.
23:17 – The warrior in her; Jewish ancestry and survival threads.
24:22 – From fighting to surrendering; allowing support.
24:52 – The true cost: £150k+ spent; redefining luxury (to sit, walk, eat).
27:59 – Family constellations: restoring the flow of love in systems.
29:05 – Who am I without titles? Identity after stopping work.
33:14 – "When you're ill you have one problem." Perspective reset.
34:18 – "I can see the spirit in your eyes." What that means to Liz.
35:20 – Spirit having a human experience? Indigenous circles & being heard.
38:00 – Realising spirit is there to help her, too.
39:07 – Why telling our stories matters (and stops sleepwalking).
40:12 – Sitting with the underdog; human connection as medicine.
41:49 – Trust issues, patriarchy, Western medicine—and choosing chemo.
43:26 – Chemo-sensitivity testing (~£5,000) and personalising treatment.
49:20 – "Empathy without boundaries is self-harm."
51:08 – What the cancer taught her: joy, trust, letting love in.
52:13 – How to reach Liz & how we can help (together).

📝 Note: Timestamps are approximate to guide your skim & re-listens.

Key Ideas & Quotes

Both/And Healing: "The only people who suffer when the two worlds split are the patients. My dream is to get them holding hands."
Joy as a Practice: "My name, Elisa, means joy. I'm reclaiming my name."
Receiving Love: "I knew spirit existed to help others through me. I didn't realise spirit existed to help me, too."
Boundaried Empathy: "Empathy without boundaries is self-harm."
Perspective: "When you're well, you've a thousand problems; when you're ill, you've one."

How You Can Help Liz (and Others)

Donate to the Hyperbaric Fund: Help rent a home chamber so Liz can use it daily and offer sessions to local cancer patients who can't afford clinic prices.
- Goal: cover a 6-month minimum rental (est. £1,300–£1,500/month).
- Donate here: GoFundMe — Aliza's Healing Journey
Bridge-Builders Wanted: If you're an oncologist, nurse, researcher, integrative clinician, or complementary practitioner, reach out to help convene a joint event/working group for practical collaboration.

Resources & Contacts

Email: liztheurbandoctor@yahoo.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliza_bc/
GoFundMe:

Leaning In with Liz Baron Cohen: Cancer, Joy & Joining Worlds