Sex Birth Trauma with Kimberly Ann Johnson

EP 222: "The Body is a Doorway: A Memoir - A Journey Beyond Healing, Health, and the Human" with Sophie Strand

Mar 20, 2025

In this insightful conversation, Sophie Strand, a poet and writer who explores spirituality and ecology, dives into her memoir, The Body is a Doorway. She shares her journey post-diagnosis, discussing the nocebo effect and the power dynamics within doctor-patient relationships. Sophie highlights the societal pressures of identity labels and the significance of community support for those with chronic illness. The dialogue encourages embracing vulnerability, fostering deeper connections, and advocating for a more holistic approach to health and understanding.

51:05

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Episode guests

Sophie Strand

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Quick takeaways

Emphasizing a mysterious and individualized approach to health can lead to authentic healing beyond conventional narratives.

Shifting from limiting narratives to empowering stories enables individuals to redefine their health journeys and maintain resilience.

Deep dives

The Power of Attention and Healing

Focusing attention on the right aspects of life can significantly impact healing and well-being. Emphasizing a move away from standardized expectations of health towards a more mysterious, individualized approach allows for more authentic healing. This perspective recognizes that healing experiences are often unpredictable and not tied to conventional medical narratives. By embracing the unknown, individuals can maintain hope and resilience rather than succumbing to limiting beliefs about their health.

Intro

2min

The Complexities of Chronic Illness

7min

Navigating Conversations Around Grief and Vulnerability

2min

Embracing Sensitivity: Struggles and Support

11min

The Power of Oral Culture

8min

Beyond Labels: Embracing Relational Identities

4min

Navigating Perspectives and Life's Uncertainties

17min

In this episode, Kimberly and return guest Sophie Strand celebrate publishing week for Sophie’s extraordinary new book The Body is a Doorway: A Memoir: A Journey Beyond Healing, Hope, and the Human. They discuss where Sophie currently finds herself in a post-diagnosis reality and what writing the book taught her about the mysteries of illness. She emphasizes the complex power of doctor relationships and medical information on the body through the nocebo effect. Kimberly and Sophie talk through what it looks like to support someone dealing with illness day to day. Sophie shares her personal and social experiences with chronic illness, as well as the contemporary cultural pressures to intertwine identity with labels. She also highlights the role of community, creativity and bad story on diagnoses and treatments. This open-hearted conversation touches on the broader implications of health, identity, and the need for a more open and relational approach to care and self-understanding.

Bio

Sophie Strand is a poet and writer with a focus on the intersection of spirituality, storytelling, and ecology. Her poems and essays have appeared in numerous projects and publications, including Spirituality & Health, Atmos, Braided Way, and Art PAPERS. She is the author of The Flowering Wand and The Madonna Secret, and the creator of the popular Substack “Make Me Good Soil.” She lives in the Hudson Valley of New York.

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