The Power of Story in Medicine and Grief Work

Laurel Braitman is a bestselling author, speaker, educator, and a leader in the field of medical storytelling. She serves as the Director of Writing and Storytelling at the Stanford School of Medicine, where she helps healthcare professionals harness the power of narrative to support healing and mental wellness. Laurel is the author of What Looks Like Bravery: An Epic Journey from Loss to Love and the acclaimed book Animal Madness. She holds a PhD in Science, Technology, and Society from MIT and is the founder of Writing Medicine, a global community for healthcare writers. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, Radiolab, and on platforms such as the BBC, NPR, and Good Morning America.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider talks with Laurel about how writing and storytelling help us to make sense of loss. As “meaning-making animals,” Laurel says we naturally seek connection through narrative, and writing allows us to become characters in our own lives—fostering both empathy and understanding. The duo discuss how suppressing grief can also mute our capacity for joy, and how nature, nonverbal relationships, and honest feedback from others are all essential to the healing process. Through story, reflection, and relationships, Laurel invites us to explore grief as a gateway to deeper connection and meaning.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Laurel here

• Check out her book, What Looks Like Bravery

• Read Animal Madness here

   

  This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity. 

  Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org