Mindworks in Conversation with Ssanyu Birigwa - Healing as a Whole Person in a Fragmented World
Click to listen to a conversation with Ssanyu Birigwa—healer, educator, and founder of Narrative Bridge, LLC—about what it means to pursue wholeness in a world that often feels divided.
A lecturer in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University and the holder of a Master of Science from its program, Ssanyu weaves together Western medicine, ancestral knowledge, spiritual practice, breathwork, and indigenous healing traditions. Her global upbringing—spanning Uganda, Kenya, and the U.S.—shapes a deeply integrative view of health and care.
In this conversation, we explore:
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How stillness and story offer tools for personal and collective transformation
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What birth and death work share in spiritual healing
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The importance of ritual, presence, and imagination in clinical care
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Teaching empathy in modern medical education
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Cultural wisdom and deep listening as paths to healing
From leading maternal health initiatives in Uganda to cultivating sacred space in healthcare, Ssanyu’s work reminds us that narrative medicine is more than words—it’s about presence, story, and soul.
"We are all healers—we all have the ability to self-heal."
"The first opinion is me. I am my primary consultant."
"Our indigenous wisdom lives in the tongue—when we listen deeply, it activates the soul."
Coming soon: The Quantum Bridge – Ssanyu’s newest platform sharing global stories of healing, connection, and care.
