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Welcome to The Informed Chiropractor, the go-to podcast for neurologically based chiropractors who are ready to make chiropractic relevant again. Hosted by Dr. Don MacDonald, a 26+ year chiropractor, speaker, and creator of the MacDonald Safety Corridor Protocol, this show blends vitalistic chiropractic principles with modern neuroscience through the lens of the Polyvagal Theory.
Every week, we explore how to shift from a mechanistic model to a salutogenic, nervous system-forward approach that fosters true regulation, coregulation, and healing. Whether you’re navigating burnout, refining your adjusting, or searching for a clearer way to communicate the value of chiropractic, this podcast is your home.
You’ll hear interviews with global experts, real talk from Dr. Don and Brandi MacDonald, and actionable tools to build a practice rooted in safety, interoception, and chiropractic certainty.
👉 If you’re a purpose-driven chiropractor who wants to lead with connection, adjust with clarity, and reclaim the art of healing, you’re in the right place.
Key themes covered:
Neurologically based chiropractic care
Chiropractic and the Polyvagal Theory
Creating safety and co-regulation in practice
Coregulation and the social engagement system
The salutogenic model of health
Interoception and the nervous system
Practice growth without burnout
Subscribe now and join thousands of chiropractors worldwide reimagining what’s possible through a nervous system forward practice.
Episodes
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
After a short summer hiatus, Dr. Don MacDonald returns with a nervous-system-forward reset for the season. We unpack how to balance predictability without stagnation, why co-regulation is your real growth engine, and how to prune distractions so your adjusting gets more focused, consistent, and effective.
What you’ll learn
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Why “boring consistency” (predictable, regulated presence) builds trust and retention
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How polyvagal theory explains connection vs. “going through the motions”
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A fall reset playbook: from unstructured summer to clear routines
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Pruning non-essentials to free up focus and volume
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Training a new grad/locum while preserving flow, priorities, and connection
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Practical co-regulation cues you can use table-side—no scripts
Chapters
0:00 -1:00 Welcome back & why we pause in summer
1:11 -1:20 Predictability vs. stagnation (polyvagal lens)
2:30 -3:50 Seasonal reset: routines, families, and stressors
7:49 - 8:00 Pruning distractions to sharpen adjusting
8:40 - 9:10 Training the new chiropractor & maintaining connection
10:54 - 11:50 September game plan + what’s coming next including "Healing the Chiropractor"
Upcoming on the podcast
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Dr. Kelly Holt (New Zealand College of Chiropractic): research & AI in chiropractic
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Dr. Peter Amlinger: philosophy + nervous-system-forward practice (Toronto Super Conference)
Links & resources
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The Informed Chiropractor Super Conference — Toronto, Dec 6:
https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/toronto -
Join The Informed Chiropractor mentorship waitlist:
https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/the-informed-chiropractor -
Free “Intro to the Polyvagal Lens” (for Chiropractors):
https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/introduction-to-chiropractic-through-a-polyvagal-lens
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