Dr. Lisa Lichtig is a family physician, midwife and herbalist with over 30 years of experience, also serving as a traditional healer and ceremonial leader. After a rigorous and long apprenticeship under the guidance of elders, she was initiated as a mara’akame (healer) in the Huichol healing tradition. She specializes in functional medicine, chronic illness healing, while also being a firekeeper for Sacred Fire, a non-for-profit community.
In this episode, we talk about Lisa’s journey as an archaeologist and anthropologist and the reasons and feelings that led her to become a doctor. We discuss the need to go outside the walls of medical institutions to strengthen what medicine is and the importance of building relationships with patients and communities, including indigenous peoples. She reflects on the evolving practices in medical education, highlighting the need for collaboration, permission, and emotional connection in scientific inquiry. Lisa shares insights from her career as a traditional healer and ceremonial leader and her commitment to community-oriented care. We also explore the intersection of science and spirit, advocating for a more relational approach to healthcare that honors the interconnectedness of all beings.