56. The Life-Saving Power of Friendship with Eva Hagberg Fisher

The Power of Friendship Eva Hagberg Fisher ( https://www.evahagbergfisher.com/ ) is an author, educator, and media strategist. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Wallpaper, Dwell, Wired, Tin House, Guernica, and more. She holds degrees in architecture from Princeton and UC Berkeley, and a PhD in Visual and Narrative culture from UC Berkeley. How To Be Loved, about the life-saving power of friendship, is her debut memoir and was called “stunning” by the New York Times, “dazzling” by publishers weekly, and “surprisingly funny” by most readers. Discussed in this Episode: Brain surgeryMast Cell Activation SyndromeMold Toxicity and living in a tent in the desertElusive illness vs. traditionally accepted illnessesHow illness softens a personSurrendering to illnessThe healing power of friendship through illness Facing and healing intimacy issuesThe miracle that occurs when you need to ask for helpVulnerabilityThe need for reassurance and learning to trust yourselfEmotionally abusive relationshipsGrowth through difficult experiences Friendship with others who are sick vs. friendships with those who don't understandHow helpful social media is and the useful tool it is in healingEva's advice to those who don't have as strong of a support networkJudging the sick—we both did! Deep griefHealing illness PTSD with yoga teacher training and EMDR Resources Mentioned: How to Be Loved: A Memoir of Lifesaving FriendshipJen Brea's film, UnrestI am Lonely, I am Loved, the essayThe Two Kinds of Decay, the book Self-Care Tool: While the power of friendship is transformative and necessary sometimes it's good to have a reminder that you have everything you need already inside of yourself. Eva brings us the practice of placing a heavy hand on our chests in moments of desperation for external support, feeling your chest rise and fall and reminding yourself: I have everything I need inside.  You are powerful, my love. Go get 'em. Other Episodes like This: How to (Actually) Help a Sick Friend: Codependent to Supportive Lyme disease and How Community Helps us Heal Support this Podcast: Become a patronFollow me on IG @sheajackiesubscribe/rate/review on itunes or any other platformFollow me at www.jackieshea.comJoin the Healing Out Loud with Jackie Shea Facebook group  Happy Listening! With Fun + Love, Jackie