The Territory and the Map

The Territory and the Map

The Territory and the Map is a podcast presented by the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation featuring Executive Director Andrea Buchanan and trauma therapist Dr. John Reiman in conversation about the complex realities of living with a spinal CSF leak.

The Territory and the Map podcast

You can find “The Territory and the Map” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and Pocketcasts

 

This podcast is informational and educational in nature and not intended to be a substitute for or construed as professional medical advice, individual therapy, help, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you have an emergency, please call your doctor or emergency services immediately. If you are experiencing mental health distress in the US, please dial 988 to connect with The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to741741; internationally, you may find a list of emergency lifelines here.

Meet the hosts

Andrea J. Buchanan, executive director of the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation, is a New York Times bestselling author whose latest book is the novel FIVE-PART INVENTION. Her memoir THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING, about her experience with spinal CSF leak, was a finalist for the 2019 PEN/E.O. Wilson Award for Literary Science Writing. Her other work includes the internationally bestselling THE DARING BOOK FOR GIRLS and nine other books.

Dr. John Reiman has over 30 years of licensed mental health professional experience directly supporting individuals from all walks of life in post-trauma stabilization and long-term stress and coping. In this work, he focuses on being skillfully present with individuals in physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pain. Dr. Reiman presently maintains a waitlist for services. A description of his work with those navigating life during or following a spinal CSF leak may be requested by emailing john@jreiman.com.

Episodes, Show Notes, and Transcripts

Episode 01: Storytelling to Survive

In this inaugural episode, New York Times bestselling author Andrea J. Buchanan and trauma therapist Dr. John Reiman—both of whom have experienced spinal CSF leak—talk about the ways we tell ourselves stories to understand and survive the challenging things that happen to us.

 

Episode 02: Navigating Leak Land

In our second episode, New York Times bestselling author Andrea J. Buchanan and trauma therapist Dr. John Reiman discuss some strategies and practices for navigating life in—as Dr. Reiman calls it—Leak Land.

 

MENTIONED IN TODAY’S SHOW:

TOOLS

Dr. Reiman covered several tools for navigating pain and anxiety:

  1. An invitation to consider an act of self-compassion
  2. Four steps to chill unhelpful recycling thoughts
    1. Liberating from fusion
    2. Allowing the pain
    3. Grounding in the present moment
    4. Opening to the observing self
  3. Finding refuge in the breath
  4. Crying/shaking/yawning

 

BOOKS

Here are links to the two books mentioned about acceptance and commitment therapy, both by Russ Harris:

 

THE WORK

More about Byron Katie’s “The Work” and those four fundamental questions—Is it true? Can you absolutely know it’s true? How do you react when you believe that thought? Who would you be without that thought?—may be found online at The Work.

 

JODI ETTENBERG

And here is Jodi Ettenberg’s Patreon post about what she calls “four-lung breathing,” and a general link to her Patreon, where she shares tips and resources about spinal CSF leak and chronic pain.

 

MORE:

Episode 03: The Challenges and Rewards of Self-Compassion

In our third episode, New York Times bestselling author Andrea J. Buchanan and trauma therapist Dr. John Reiman talk about the challenges—and rewards—of self-compassion.

 

MENTIONED IN TODAY’S SHOW:

Episode Time Codes:
00:00 Introduction to the episode
00:24 What on earth is a military piano?
02:41 The importance of joy in difficult times
06:03 Understanding self-compassion
07:13 The role self-compassion in healing
15:18 Challenges in practicing self-compassion
30:49 Practical exercise for cultivating self-compassion
42:22 What about those military pianos?
43:35 Closing remarks

MORE:

Episode 04: Assertive Communication in Leakland

In our fourth episode, Dr. John Reiman walks Spinal CSF Leak Foundation executive director Andi Buchanan through four steps of assertive communication to learn about its importance for those living with spinal CSF leaks.

MENTIONED IN TODAY’S SHOW:

Episode Time Codes:
00:00 Introduction and Warm-up
00:43 Welcome to Episode 4: Assertive Communication in Leakland
02:08 Understanding the Importance of Assertive Communication
04:22 Challenges of Assertive Communication in Leakland
06:42 Understanding Passive, Aggressive, and Assertive Communication
09:52 The Four-Step Process for Assertive Communication
19:14 Applying the Four-Step Process: A Personal Example
34:24 Applying the Four-Step Process: A Medical Scenario
47:52 Conclusion and Contact Information

MORE: