Hello, and welcome!
Thank you for subscribing to the Odyssey of the Body newsletter, run by Brianne Alcala, a writer/editor/creative human in the Hudson Valley of New York.
This newsletter explores the journeys of our bodies, which is to say, our lives — the ups and downs, through wellness and illness, and the tools and wisdom that can help.
Here are a few back issues you might be interested in:
My personal view is that modern medicine is incredible. It also can be fraught and difficult, and is never the entire answer.
By that I mean, even if your illness is diagnosed correctly, treated quickly, and you heal, you are still changed. You still need all the human things outside of the medical system — to process what happened, to rest, to be connected to other caring humans, to grieve what you lost, to create, to thrive, and so on.
Why is this called Odyssey of the Body?
You have your own odyssey, your neighbor has theirs, I have mine. For better or worse, we are the centerpiece of our lives. Our daily tasks can feel like a bore, anything but epic. BUT — I do think there is something special in our lives, in a tiny sip of sublime soup, or the connection across the table through another human’s eyes, or the feeling of relief when the pain finally slips away. I’m hoping this is a place where we can pause long enough to look closer and notice our own particular odyssey and learn from other people’s odysseys, too.
So … are you a doctor?
No, I’m not a doctor, a nurse, or any kind of medical professional, and there will be no medical advice in this newsletter. Please ask your doctor if you have any medical questions.
I am a human who has been very sick and who has been very well, and who has learned a few things along the way. My background is in journalism, with many years as a newspaper editor, so I also bring editorial experience and an inclination toward curiosity. For the past 6 years, I’ve worked at a healthcare nonprofit, leading their communications efforts, and I’ve learned a lot about humanism in healthcare. This newsletter is separate from my position there, though I occasionally share related public opportunities or news that I think you’d find interesting.
Is there an archive?
Yes! You can read past issues here.
How do I reply to you?
You can comment on any post, and I’ll see it. Or, if you’d rather talk to me privately, you can reply straight to any Odyssey of the Body email in your inbox, and it will come to me, or email me at brianne (at) odysseyofthebody.com.
Thank you for being here!
