How a Columbia-Trained Researcher Discovered Healing Touch

What happens when a science-driven researcher begins feeling energy in her hands, before she even knows what energy healing is?

In Episode 3 of The Energy Healing Podcast, host Leila Briggs sits down with Renata Maniachi to share the story of how Healing Touch became the bridge between logic, lived experience, and spiritual truth in her life.

Renata reflects on her academic path, her unexpected awakening to sensing energy during graduate school, and the moment Healing Touch entered her world and changed everything. What began as a search to understand how energy works quickly became a profound remembering of who she truly is and a catalyst that helped her step into a more aligned life.

Together, Leila and Renata explore how Healing Touch provides a grounded and ethical foundation for navigating spirituality, leadership, discernment, and purpose—while honoring both science and soul.

This episode is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about intuition, divine timing, and allowing your path to unfold without regret.

⏱ Episode Chapters & Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Renata & why her story matters
01:30 – Who Renata was before Healing Touch
02:50 – Columbia grad school & sensing energy unexpectedly
04:30 – Feeling energy without training: curiosity meets science
06:00 – “I can’t wait 30 years to understand this”
07:30 – Exploring Reiki & needing the “how” behind it
09:00 – Discovering Healing Touch & the Level 1 turning point
11:00 – Remembering, not learning: the feeling of coming home
12:30 – Leaving public health & trusting the turning point
15:00 – Fear and doubt—before the leap
16:30 – After the decision: clarity, alignment, and not looking back
18:00 – Returning to academia with a transformed perspective
20:00 – Healing Touch as foundation for teaching and leadership
22:00 – Ethics, boards, and service within Healing Touch
24:00 – Healing Touch as a gateway: following the next “divine dots”
26:00 – Advice for incoming healers: grounding, intuition, and trust
27:30 – Closing reflections & gratitude

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

Feeling energy before having language—or training—for it
Bridging public health, research, and spirituality
Why Healing Touch answered the how behind energy healing
Leaving a traditional career without regret
Healing Touch as experiential learning and leadership training
Ethics, discernment, and spiritual maturity
Why no part of your journey is a mistake
Following intuition while staying grounded and centered

About Our Guest: Renata Maniachi

Renata Maniachi explores the intersections of science and spirituality and shares her discoveries with anyone curious enough to look deeper.

A Columbia University–trained public health researcher, Renata’s journey into energy medicine began when she unexpectedly started sensing energy in her hands during graduate school. Her search to understand how and why led her to the Healing Touch Program, which became the foundation that bridged her scientific background with lived spiritual experience.

Renata has served in multiple leadership roles within the Healing Touch community, including teaching, ethics work, and foundation service. She is currently a member of the CMA International Foundation executive team and host of the Let’s Get Metaphysical podcast, where she explores how consciousness evolves and how we can actively participate in that evolution.

Currently pursuing her doctorate at Maharishi International University, Renata traces her path back to Healing Touch as the catalyst that first revealed the power of the unseen world. Through her podcast and research, she’s dedicated to making it visible for others.

About Your Host: Leila Briggs

Leila Briggs is the host of The Energy Healing Podcast: Exploring Stories, Practices & Science, presented by the Healing Touch Program. A Healing Touch Certified Practitioner since 2015, Leila brings a lifetime of intuitive experience into grounded, heart-centered conversations about energy healing, healing spaces, and lived spiritual practice.

Her work focuses on creating safe, ethical, and supportive environments for individuals and families, especially those raising intuitive children. Leila is currently studying to become a Healing Touch Mentor and offers intuitive sessions by appointment.

About the Podcast

The Energy Healing Podcast is where science meets the heart—sharing real stories, expert insights, and practical tools to help you explore Healing Touch and energy medicine in everyday life.

If you’re seeking healing, learning to heal, or simply curious about energy, you’re in the right place.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this video is provided only as general information and for educational purposes only. It does not offer medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for qualified medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please take responsibility for your own health!

🌐 Explore Healing Touch training: https://www.healingtouchprogram.com

💚Find a Practitioner: https://www.healingtouchprogram.com/find-a-practitioner

📚 Get certified in Healing Touch: https://www.healingtouchcertification.com/

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