Read. Talk. Grow.

80. Explore Prosopagnosia Through Fiction: A Conversation with Katherine Center

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Katherine Center is the New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels. She writes deep, nuanced, laugh-and-cry rom-coms that brim with hope and healing. Her books have made countless best-of lists, including Amazon’s Top 100 Books of the Year, Barnes & Noble’s Best Books of the Year, the Indie Next Great Reads List, Goodreads’ Best Books of the Year, Library Reads Hall of Fame, People Best New Books, and more. Her spring 2026 book is The Shippers - and today we’ll be talking about Hello Stranger. Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband and their fluffy-but-fierce dog.
Dr. Keith Josephs is a Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience as well as the Ani Professor of Alzheimer’s Disease Research at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He is an internationally recognized leading experts in neurodegenerative diseases with research focusing on clinicopathological and neuroimaging aspects of the frontotemporal dementias and atypical Alzheimer’s disease with over 750 scientific peer-reviewed manuscripts, including the 2024 Prosopagnosia: face blindness and its association with neurological disorders published in the journal Brain Communications.

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The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not designed to replace the physician’s medical assessment and judgment. Information presented is not intended as medical advice. Please contact a healthcare professional for medical assistance with specific questions pertaining to your own health if needed.

79. Medically Unexplained Symptoms with Catherine Newman

Wed, 1 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We Talked With:

Catherine Newman has written a gazillion pieces (columns, articles, canned-bean recipes) for magazines and newspapers, in addition to two memoirs, two kids’ life skills books and a middle grade novel. We All Want Impossible Things was her first adult novel and was featured on “Read. Talk. Grow.” for an episode about being a friend to a friend who is dying. Her second novel, Sandwich, was released in 2024 to great acclaim. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. Listen to previous “Read. Talk. Grow.” Podcasts, Episode 14 and Episode 37, featuring Catherine.
Catherine Newman Author Website
Read. Talk. Grow. Podcast Episode 14
Read. Talk. Grow. Podcast Episode 37
Rebecca N. Thompson, MD, is a family medicine and public health physician in Portland, Oregon, where she specializes in women's and children's health. She's also the author of Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love, a decade long collaborative project about the joys, the challenges, and the everything in between of parenthood and family life, which was featured on episode 67 of “Read. Talk. Grow.”
Rebecca N. Thompson Author Website
Read. Talk. Grow. Podcast Episode 67

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BEST OF: Making a habit of happiness with Courtney Walsh

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

What makes you happy? Many people would answer with the basics: family, friends, good food, and (of course!) a good book. But what brings deep joy and purpose to your life? What little habits and practices could make a big difference in your mood and outlook? In this episode, author Courtney Walsh, author of “The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley,” and Mayo Clinic Medical Director of Joy and neuropsychologist Anni Shandera-Ochsner, Ph.D., L.P., encourage us to think deeper about what makes us feel alive and gives us meaning.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Courtney Walsh is the Carol award-winning author of several low spice, small town romance novels. She’s committed to creating stories that bring joy and always promises a happy ending. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book best-seller and a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. In addition, she has written two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she co-owns a performing arts studio and youth theatre with her business partner and best friend—her husband.
Anni Shandera-Ochsner, Ph.D., L.P., is an assistant professor of psychology at Mayo Clinic and a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist at Mayo Clinic Health System in Wisconsin. She is also the medical director of Joy for Mayo Clinic and directs the Midwest region's Mayo Clinic HABIT Healthy Action to Benefit Independence in Thinking®, which is a behavioral intervention program for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

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78. Running, resilience and breast cancer recovery with Josie Lloyd

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

What if running could help you heal? In this episode, Dr. Denise Millstine sits down with author Josie Lloyd and cancer rehabilitation expert Dr. Nandita Keole to explore the powerful intersection of breast cancer recovery and exercise through Josie’s uplifting novel The Bright Side Running Club. Inspired by her own diagnosis, Josie shares how journaling and joining a running group transformed fear into resilience and community, while Dr. Keole explains why movement—even during treatment—boosts strength, mood, and hope. Together, they remind us that thriving after cancer isn’t just possible—it starts with one step forward.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Josie Lloyd had been writing novels for twenty-five years. Mother of three daughters and a beloved dog, Ziggy, she lives in Brighton in the UK with her husband, Emlyn Rees. Together they have written seven internationally bestselling novels and their latest joint venture, You & Me & You & Me & You & Me is out in the US in February 2026. Josie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 after a routine scan. She wanted to read something positive, hopeful and uplifting about what she was going through, and so wrote 'The Cancer Ladies' Running Club' published in the states as 'The Bright Side Running Club'. She's also written the screen adaptation of her novel, which is in development as a feature film. When she's not writing, Josie loves travelling, cooking and is a keen sea swimmer and swims all year round no matter what the weather. She is also the patron of the charity Lobular Breast Cancer UK and regularly runs journalling and wellbeing workshops to help women going through a cancer diagnosis.
Dr. Nandita Keole is a cancer rehabilitation physician at the Mayo Clinic Arizona. She teaches at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and is the current chair of the Arizona Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

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77. Weightlifting for women with Casey Johnston

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Ready to rethink your workout? In the episode, we dive into the empowering world of weightlifting for women, inspired by Casey Johnston’s book A Physical Education: How I Escaped Diet Culture and Gained the Power of Lifting. Host Dr. Denise Millstine and guest expert Dr. Sonal Haerter join Casey to explore how shifting from calorie obsession to strength training transforms not only bodies but mindsets.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Casey Johnston is a bestselling author, writer, and cultural critic. Her work covers the intersections of a diverse range of topics, including politics, identity, health, technology, power, womanhood, and embodiment, and has earned critical acclaim from numerous outlets.
Sonal Haerter, M.D., is an internal medicine physician in the department of Internal Medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. She is also an assistant professor for Creighton School of Medicine and Associate Program Director for the Department of Internal medicine at Creighton School of Medicine in Phoenix. She is double board-certified in internal medicine and obesity medicine. Dr. Haerter provides adult primary care services at the Internal Medicine Health Center. Her clinical interests include preventative medicine and women’s health.

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76. Living fully with celiac disease with Chloe Liese

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 3 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Ever wondered what happens when romance meets real-life health challenges? In this episode, Dr. Denise Millstine sits down with bestselling author Chloe Liese and gastroenterologist Dr. Lucinda Harris to explore celiac disease through the novel Once Smitten, Twice Shy. Together, they dive into the emotional and social impact of chronic illness, the importance of accurate representation in fiction, and practical knoweldge about celiac disease. This conversation reminds us that health struggles don’t diminish our worth — or our capacity for love.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Chloe Liese is a USA Today bestselling author who writes romantic fiction reflecting her belief that everyone deserves a love story. When not dreaming up her next novel, you'll find her reading, trying new recipes, savoring nature, and soaking up time with her big, beautiful family.
Lucinda Harris, M.S., M.D., is currently a Professor of Medicine at Mayo School of Medicine and a consultant in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. She is a Masterof the American College of Gastroenterology, and a fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association as well as the American College of Internal Medicine. She is a passionate advocate for her patients and her special clinical and research interests are in IBS, gastroparesis, chronic constipation and pelvic floor disorders as well as celiac disease and autonomic disorders. She has also written and lectured extensively on these topics.

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BEST OF: Be a plant-based woman warrior

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000

You probably know that a plant-based diet is a healthy, environmentally-friendly and often economical way to eat. But the benefits don't end there. Authors Jane and Ann Crile Esselstyn guide us through their book "Be a Plant-Based Woman Warrior: Live Fierce, Stay Bold, Eat Delicious." Along with Mayo Clinic's Dr. Dawn Mussallem, the three walk us through the research and their personal love affairs with plants.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Ann Crile Esselstyn has been called "the Julia Child of plant-based-cooking." Ann's singular focus is on creating recipes to prevent and reverse heart disease, and she collaborates with her husband, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., in counseling patients.
Jane Esselstyn, R.N., is a nurse, researcher, middle school sex ed teacher and mother of three. She created the recipes for the #1 New York Times bestseller "Plant-Strong." She coauthored "The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet" with her brother, Rip Esselstyn and "The Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook" with Ann. Ann and Jane host a popular YouTube channel featuring heart-healthy recipes.
Dawn Mussallem, D.O., is a consultant in the Department of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic and an assistant professor of medicine. She has over 25 years of patient-centered clinical wellness experience and is nationally recognized in the field of breast medicine, lifestyle medicine, integrative oncology and cancer survivorship. Dr. Mussallem has a unique personal experience as a stage IV cancer patient diagnosed three months into medical school and as a heart transplant recipient.

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Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

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We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

75. Talking breasts with Sarah Thornton

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000

What do 700 slang words, strip clubs and breast cancer surgery have in common? They all reveal how society — and medicine — views women’s breasts. In this episode, host Dr. Denise Millstine dives into Sarah Thornton’s provocative book Tits Up: The Top Half of Women’s Liberation with author Sarah Thornton and breast cancer surgeon Dr. Barbara Pockaj. Together, they explore the cultural baggage surrounding breasts, the language we use, and the deeply personal decisions women face in breast health and reconstruction.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Sarah Thornton is a sociologist and author of four critically acclaimed books, including the international bestseller Seven Days in the Art World. A scholar-in-residence at University of California, Berkeley, for three years while writing Tits Up, she lives in San Francisco, California.
Barbara Pockaj, M.D., is a surgical oncologist who has a strong clinical and research interest in breast cancer and malignant melanoma. Dr. Pockaj's research focuses not only on clinical studies but also translational science. Dr. Pockaj is also the chair of the Breast Cancer Interest Group, which is a partnership with researchers at Arizona State University. The cooperation focuses on using the state-of-the-art genomics infrastructure and a high-quality breast cancer tumor biorepository.

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73. Teen addiction and alcohol use with Kathleen Glasgow

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 5 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000

What makes a teenager turn to alcohol — and how can we help them find their way back? In this episode, Dr. Denise Millstine talks with bestselling author Kathleen Glasgow and Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Dr. Eric Noble to explore THE GLASS GIRL, a gripping young adult novel about 15-year-old Bella’s struggle with alcohol addiction. We unpack the emotional roots of addiction, the realities of rehab and recovery, and the importance of empathy, boundaries and open communication.

This episode was made possible with the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Kathleen Glasgow is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Girl in Pieces, The Glass Girl, You'd Be Home Now, and How to Make Friends With the Dark. Her latest novel, The Glass Girl, is a New York Times bestseller and was named Target's Young Adult Book of the Year.
Dr. Eric Noble is a board-certified psychiatrist who trained at UCLA. He’s also board-certified in Addiction Medicine. He received his Bachelors Degree from Brown University, and his Doctorate of Medicine from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. He is a staff physician at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

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72. Surviving social anxiety with Natalie Sue

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Ever felt awkward in a meeting or anxious at a party? You're not alone. Host Dr. Denise Millstine is joined by author Natalie Sue and psychologist Dr. Craig Sawchuk to discuss Natalie’s book HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL, which features a protagonist with social anxiety. The conversation delves into how anxiety manifests in everyday interactions, explains coping mechanisms like avoidance and alcohol use, and emphasizes that social anxiety is common, treatable — and often misunderstood.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Natalie Sue is the bestselling and award-winning author of I Hope This Finds You Well. She is a Canadian author of Iranian and British descent. When she’s not writing, she enjoys bingeing great and terrible TV, attempting pottery, and procuring houseplants. She lives in Calgary with her husband, daughter, and dog.
Craig Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P., is a psychologist and the chair of the Division of Integrated Behavioral Health within the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is also the co-chair for Clinical Practice in the department and a professor of psychology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. His research aims to improve the treatment of anxiety and depression in primary care. Dr. Sawchuk and his colleagues are developing and evaluating mental health care delivery models that can help manage the growing need for effective behavioral and pharmacologic treatments in the primary care setting.

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BEST OF: Navigating breast cancer risk with Ellie Palmer

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In honor of breast cancer awareness month, listen to one of our favorite episodes!

A rom-com that thoughtfully addresses death, grief and breast cancer risk? We’re in! Alison, the protagonist in the romance novel “Four Weekends and a Funeral,” is pretending that she was still dating her ex-boyfriend at the time of his death. (It’s complicated.) On top of that, she’s recently undergone a double mastectomy after finding out she a gene variant that puts her at high risk for breast cancer. Author Ellie Palmer, who has the same variant, and Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Jessica Fraker join us to talk about navigating breast cancer risk and life post-mastectomy.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Ellie Palmer is the author of “Four Weekends and a Funeral,” a carrier of the BRCA1 mutation, and a prototypical Midwesterner who routinely apologizes to inanimate objects when she bumps into them. When she’s not writing romantic comedies featuring delightfully messy characters, Ellie’s at home in Minnesota, eating breakfast food, watching too much reality television, and triple texting her husband about their son.
Jessica Fraker, M.D., is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician with a clinical focus on breast medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Dr. Fraker's clinical practice is focused on the care and evaluation of patients with breast concerns, including but not limited to breast pain, masses, and skin changes, nipple changes, nipple discharge and abnormal imaging. She also sees patients with elevated risk for developing breast cancer and guides decisions regarding screening imaging for early detection, as well as strategies to reduce risk of breast cancer.

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Purchase “Four Weekends and a Funeral.”
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Purchase the Mayo Clinic book “Beyond Breast Cancer,” a supportive, practical guide to navigating life after breast cancer diagnosis and initial treatment.

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Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

71. Embarrassment, bathrooms and IBS with Susan Mallery

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Romance and bathroom habits may not seem like they go together, but somehow bestselling author Susan Mallery managed it in her novel ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY. We talk to Susan and Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Dr. Tisha Lunsford to explore irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the accompanying physical, logistical and emotional challenges of managing a chronic gastrointestinal condition. Susan shares her personal connection to her character’s symptoms, while Dr. Lunsford provides clinical insights into IBS diagnosis, treatment options, and the importance of patient-centered care.

The episode was made possible through the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that shape women's lives — family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations," and readers seem to agree — 40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live. She’s passionate about animal welfare, which shows in the many quirky animal characters she has created. Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband.
Tisha Lunsford, M.D., is a gastroenterologist with specialty interest and expertise in disorders of gut-brain interaction and gastrointestinal motility disturbance. Dr. Lunsford's clinical practice focuses on the treatment of patients with functional bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, fecal incontinence, bloating, functional dyspepsia, visceral pain and nausea and vomiting. Dr. Lunsford is Director of the Motility Section at Mayo Clinic Arizona and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team dedicated to ongoing holistic care including dietitians, physical therapists and clinical health psychologists.

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70. Misunderstandings about Munchausen by proxy with Andrea Dunlop

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 8 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000

What if the person a child should trust the most is the one causing them harm? In this episode, host Dr. Denise Millstine speaks with author Andrea Dunlop and pediatrician Dr. Katie Johnson about The Mother Next Door, Andreas’ book on real cases of Munchausen syndrome by proxy — also known as medical child abuse. We explore how caregivers, often mothers, manipulate the medical system to fabricate or induce illness in children. The conversation sheds light on the emotional, legal, and medical complexities of this abuse, while offering hope through advocacy, education, and the courage of professionals who speak up to protect vulnerable children.

The episode was made possibly through the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Andrea Dunlop is the author of four novels, including She Regrets Nothing and Women Are the Fiercest Creatures, and the host and creator of Nobody Should Believe Me, an award-winning investigative true crime podcast about Munchausen by proxy. Andrea is the founder of Munchausen Support, the nation’s only non-profit dedicated to supporting survivors and families affected by MBP, and a member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children’s MBP committee, where she serves alongside the country’s foremost experts. She lives in Seattle with her husband and two children.
Katie Johnson, M.D., is a child abuse pediatrician at the Mayo Clinic Center for Safe and Healthy Children and Adolescents. She completed her medical school and pediatric residency at Mayo Clinic and her fellowship in child abuse pediatrics at the University of Washington, Seattle Children’s Hospital. With a passion for medical education, she has developed a widely-used interactive curriculum in child abuse pediatrics and was the recipient of the inaugural Ray E. Helfer Society Early Career Award for her contributions to medical education in the field. Dr. Johnson has published articles in the peer-reviewed literature about medical child and presented on the topic at several grand rounds and medical conferences across the country.

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BEST OF: The alcohol-breast cancer connection with Clare Pooley

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Denise Millstine, Clare Pooley, Karen Anderson) — Wed, 1 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, listen to one of our favorite episodes!

In her memoir, "The Sober Diaries," Clare Pooley details the first year of her life after deciding to stop her heavy drinking. In that same year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Like many people, she had no idea about the connection between the two. In this episode, Clare talks about the many, many benefits of sobriety that she's discovered — even beyond a lower breast cancer risk — and Dr. Karen Anderson provides her oncology expertise.

This episode was made possible with the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Clare Pooley graduated from Newnham College, Cambridge, before spending nearly 20 years in the heady world of advertising. Clare worked hard, played hard and drank even harder. By the time she was 46 years old she knew she had to go sober. She started a blog called Mummy was a Secret Drinker by way of therapy. That blog went viral and became a memoir: "The Sober Diaries." Clare then started writing fiction. Her debut novel — "The Authenticity Project" — is a New York Times bestseller and is published in 30 languages. Her second novel — "Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting" — is out now.
Karen Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., is an associate professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. She's a medical oncologist and researcher. She focuses on breast cancer, particularly immunotherapy, treatments to reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence and using genomics to guide treatment decisions. She received her M.D. and Ph.D. from Duke University School of Medicine and was trained at the Brigham and Women's Hospital as well as Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Am I an alcoholic? Clare spent a lot of time Googling this question until she realized the better question was "Is alcohol proving detrimental to my life?" The word "alcoholic" has so much stigma it prevents people from getting the help they need for fear of such a serious label. Clare kept trying to moderate her drinking, but when she found herself drinking out of a "World's Best Mum" mug before noon, she realized it was time to quit.
Breast cancer and alcohol. Alcohol is a carcinogen, and elevates risk of breast cancer as well as other types of cancer. But Clare — as well as many other educated people — have no idea about the link. And it's unclear if alcohol use among survivors increases risk of recurrence.
The opposite of addiction is connection. Through her blog, Clare found an online community of people like her who helped support her in her drinking recovery. When she was tempted to start drinking again, she thought, "I can't let these people down." If you're thinking of giving up drinking, you don't have to do it alone! There are many people going through a similar journey.

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69. Anxiety, panic attacks and putting everyone else first with Julie Chavez

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Have you ever felt like you're doing everything for everyone — but losing yourself in the process? Author Julie Chavez joins us to discuss her memoir Everyone But Myself, a candid exploration of anxiety, burnout, and the emotional toll of spreading yourself thin. Along with Dr. Bisi Alli, we unpack the realities many women face when constantly caring for others, the importance of seeking help, and how therapy, medication and self-compassion can lead to healing. This heartfelt conversation is a reminder that prioritizing your own well-being isn’t selfish — it’s essential.

This episode was made possible by generous support from Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Julie Chavez is the author of the USA Today Bestselling memoir Everyone But Myself, and her writing has been featured in Real Simple Magazine and The New York Post. Julie is a former elementary school librarian living in Northern California with her husband and sons (when they don't have other plans). She organizes her books by color.
Bisi Alli, DO, MS, dipABLM, FACP, FAMWA; LEAN Six Sigma Black Belt; Principal, WellNEST Medicine & Chief Wellness Officer, Seeds to Inspire Foundation: Dr. Bisi Alli is a dual board-certified physician in Internal and Lifestyle Medicine with over a decade of experience transforming patient care and healthcare systems. A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and recognized leader in quality improvement, she serves as Quality Improvement Faculty and Coach for the American College of Physicians (ACP). Dr. Alli holds faculty appointments at Creighton University School of Medicine and the University of Arizona College of Medicine and leads a nationally funded initiative to improve obesity care in Arizona through Food as Medicine, impacting communities statewide. She is the author of Tayo and the Super Produce Pals at the Grocery Store!, a Top 100 children’s book that uses stories, recipes, and fun weekly missions to inspire kids and adults to build healthier, plant-powered habits together. Tayo and the Super Produce Pals at the Grocery Store! is available where books are sold and through www.wellnestmedicine.com/books. Through her passion for clinical care, quality improvement, and community health, Dr. Alli is dedicated to making whole-person wellness practical, accessible, and empowering across communities.

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As promised, a date and nut-butter recipe.

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68. Breast cancer in the middle of everything else with Katie Yee

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000

A breast cancer diagnosis turns your world upside down, and yet, the rest of your life doesn’t stop. How do you manage diagnosis and treatment in the midst of caring for kids — or in the case of this episode’s novel, after your husband tells you he’s cheated on you? We’re joined by Katie Yee, author of “Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar,” and Mayo Clinic breast cancer expert Dr. Lida Mina, to explore how Katie’s book illuminates the emotional and medical realities of a breast cancer diagnosis.

This episode was made possible by generous support from Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Katie Yee is a writer from Brooklyn. She has received fellowships from the Center for Fiction, the Asian American Writers' Workshop, and Kundiman. By day, she works at the Brooklyn Museum. By night, she writes, usually under the watch of her judgmental rescue dog, Ollie. Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar is her first novel.
Lida Mina, M.D., is an associate professor of internal medicine in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and chair of the Mayo Arizona Breast cancer and GYN disease working groups. Dr. Mina has more than 45 publications and has a special interest in developing new treatment strategies for metastatic breast cancer.

Purchase “Maggie”

From Barnes & Noble.
From Bookshop.org.

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67. Finding community on the complicated path to motherhood

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Today's conversation explores the emotional and medical complexities of motherhood, particularly for professional women. Dr. Denise Millstine hosts Dr. Rebecca Thompson, author of Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love, and Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Molly Kraus. We discuss the diversity of paths to motherhood — including adoption, surrogacy, pregnancy and fertility challenges. Dr. Kraus reflects on her own experiences and advocacy for reproductive planning among women physicians. Together, they emphasize the importance of storytelling, listening and community in navigating grief, resilience, and the unpredictable nature of family-building.

This episode was made possible through the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Rebecca N. Thompson, M.D., is a family medicine and public health physician who specializes in women’s and children’s health. Throughout her career, she has sought opportunities to use written and spoken words to make complex medical topics accessible to a wide range of audiences. Dr. Thompson trained at Harvard, Stanford, and Oregon Health & Science University and now lives in Portland, Oregon, where she spends her free time wandering through green spaces, reading in cozy nooks, playing unreasonably complicated board games, repurposing found objects, and accompanying her husband and children on all-weather adventures near and far.
Molly Kraus, M.D., is a consultant in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Dr. Kraus is an assistant professor of anesthesiology in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, and is an advocate for women in medicine across their reproductive lives.

Purchase a copy of Held Together with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Postpartum Support International and their work in maternal and family mental health:

From Bookshop.org
From Amazon

Purchase a signed copy of Held Together for shipping anywhere in the US (please specify SIGNED on checkout page notes):

From indie bookstore Annie Bloom's

Visit Dr. Thompson's website, where you can explore in-person gathering opportunities and recorded media, find reviews and endorsements, read the full introduction and other excerpts from Held Together, and get in touch if you'd like to talk about ideas for collaboration: www.rebeccanthompson.com

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Onyi Nwabineli on unanswerable questions after suicide

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 3 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000

When someone dies by suicide, their loved ones are often left asking questions like “How could this have happened?” The protagonist in Onyi Nwabineli’s debut novel “Someday, Maybe,” wrestles with these questions after the untimely death of husband. Onyi and Mayo Clinic psychologist Dr. Craig Sawchuk discuss processing grief, loss and guilt – and the importance of showing up and supporting those who are grieving.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

For immediate help

If you're feeling overwhelmed by thoughts of not wanting to live or you're having urges to attempt suicide, get help now.

Call a suicide hotline.
- In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat at 988lifeline.org/chat/. Services are free and confidential.
- If you’re a U.S. veteran or service member in crisis, call 988 and then press 1, or text 838255. Or chat using veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/.
- The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454.
Call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number immediately.

We talked with:

Onyi Nwabineli is a Nigerian British head-wrap aficionado. Born in Benin, Nigeria, she grew up in Glasgow, the Isle of Man and Newcastle, and now lives in London. Onyi is the cofounder of Surviving Out Loud, a fund that provides fiscal support for survivors of sexual assault, and the founder of Black Pens (black-pens.com), a writing retreat for Black womxn. Someday, Maybe is her debut novel.
Craig Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P., is a psychologist and the chair of the Division of Integrated Behavioral Health within the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is also the co-chair for Clinical Practice in the department and a professor of psychology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. His research aims to improve the treatment of anxiety and depression in primary care.

We talked about:

Purchase “Someday Maybe.”

More resources:

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66. Jonathan Evison on caregiving through oral cancer

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Dr. Denise Millstine is joined by bestselling author Jonathan Evison and radiation oncologist Dr. Samir Patel to explore the emotional and medical journey of oral cancer through Evison’s novel The Heart of Winter. Inspired by his mother’s diagnosis and his own caregiving experience, Evison crafts a poignant love story between Ruth and Abe Winter, a couple navigating the unexpected upheaval of oral cancer in their later years. The conversation delves into the realities of diagnosis, treatment and recovery from head and neck cancer with clinical insights from Dr. Patel, and highlights the often-overlooked role of caregivers.

This episode was made possible by generous support from Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Jonathan Evison is the New York Times best-selling author of many novels, including All About Lulu, West of Here, The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving, This is Your Life Harriet Chance, Legends of the North Cascades, Small World, Again and Again, and Lawn Boy – a sharp-eyed, side-splittingly funny examination of class divides and white privilege on Bainbridge Island. His third novel was adapted into a feature film, The Fundamentals Of Caring, starring Selena Gomez, Paul Rudd and Craig Roberts. His latest novel is The Heart of Winter.
Samir Patel, M.D., is Clinical Practice Chair and Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. He specializes in the use of radiation therapy for complex cancers of the head and neck and skin. He understands how to apply the latest in radiation therapy technology including proton beam therapy to treat these cancers. An important theme of his clinical and research work is the importance of improving clinical outcomes for head and neck cancers particularly focusing on minimizing side effects.

Purchase “The Heart of Winter.”

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Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

65. Georgia Cloepfil on soccer, stress and losing your period

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000

We’re exploring the intersection of elite athletics and women's health with author and former professional soccer player Georgia Cloepfil and Mayo Clinic women's health expert Dr. Chrisandra Shufelt. Using Georgia’s book The Striker and the Clock: On Being in the Game as our lens, we delve into the emotional and physical toll of high-level sports, particularly the underrecognized condition of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA), a type of absence of menstruation. We discuss the cultural silence around menstruation in sports, the physiological consequences of FHA, and the need for more research, awareness and support for women navigating intense physical demands in both sports and professional life.

This episode was made possible with the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Georgia Cloepfil’s writing can be found in The Yale Review, The New York Times Magazine, and The Washington Post, among other places. Select essays have been featured on Longreads, The Rumpus, and WBUR Boston’s Only a Game. She holds an MFA from the University of Idaho and works at Whitman College. The Striker and the Clock is her nonfiction debut.
Chrisandra Shufelt, M.D., M.S., is Professor and Chair of the Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Associate Director of the Women's Health Research Center for Mayo Clinic Enterprise. Dr. Shufelt is a women's health internist with fellowship training in vascular biology and women's health and a certified menopause practitioner.

Purchase “The Striker and the Clock.”

To learn more about Dr. Shufelt’s studies:

ARCH: https://noperiod.info/arch
REVEAL: http://noperiod.info/reveal

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Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

64. Stem cell transplant, leukemia and a love story with Allison Ashley

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Dr. Denise Millstine is joined by author Allison Ashley and hematologist Dr. Jeanne Palmer to explore the emotional and medical journey of leukemia treatment and stem cell transplantation through the lens of Allison’s romance novel IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES The conversation touches on the steps of bone marrow and stem cell blood donation, the anxiety and worry following transplant, and the power of human connection.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Allison Ashley is a science geek who enjoys coffee, craft beer, baking and love stories. When she's not working at her day job as a clinical oncology pharmacist, she pens contemporary romances, usually with a medical twist. She lives in Oklahoma with her family and beloved rescue dog. Her books are filled with lots of happiness, love and laughter.
Dr. Jeanne Palmer serves as the Vice Chair, and Section Chief for Hematology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. She also is the Program Director for the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. She teaches at the Mayo Clinic Medical School and University of Arizona in Phoenix. Her clinical interests include bone marrow transplantation, where she strives to offer innovative therapies to patients.

Purchase “If Tomorrow Never Comes.”

From Bookshop.org.
From Barnes & Noble.

Got feedback?

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Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

63. Chronic lung disease and caregiving with Julia Phillips

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 6 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Dr. Denise Millstine hosts author Julia Phillips and pulmonologist Dr. Ana Zamora explores the emotional and clinical realities of interstitial lung disease through the lens of Phillips’ novel BEAR. As we discuss the story of two sisters caring for their ailing mother, listeners can gain insight into the complexities of chronic illness, caregiving and the socioeconomic pressures that shape health outcomes.

This episode was made possible with the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Julia Phillips is the author of the bestselling novels Bear and Disappearing Earth, which was a finalist for the National Book Award and one of The New York Times Book Review’s 10 Best Books of the Year. A 2024 Guggenheim fellow, she lives with her family in Brooklyn
Ana Zamora Martinez, M.D., is the Medical Director of the Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Clinic at the Mayo Clinic Arizona, where she treats patients with, among other conditions, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, familiar pulmonary fibrosis, short telomere biology, collagen vascular disease associated ILD, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and diffuse cystic lung diseases. She is the co-director of the autoimmune ILD Clinic, where she collaborates with rheumatologists to diagnose and manage patients with this condition in real time.

Purchase “Bear.”

From Barnes & Noble.
From Bookshop.org.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

62. Contraception and choice with Laura Anthony

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Contraception is commonplace in many countries — but that wasn’t always the case. In today’s episode, author Laura Anthony and Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Paru David join us to explore Laura’s gripping historical novel The Women on Platform Two. Set against the backdrop of 1970s Ireland, the book explores the barriers women faced in accessing contraception and asserting bodily autonomy. We talk about the evolution of contraceptive access and the deeply personal and political dimensions of women’s health. It’s a tribute to the resilience of women past and present and a call to continue the conversation.

We talked with:

Laura Anthony is a pseudonym for a published author of emotional women’s fiction. She lives in Kildare, Ireland, with her husband and children.
Paru David, M.D., is a Consultant and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic where she is the current Vice-Chair of Women’s Health Internal Medicine. She has been a Fellow of the American College of Physicians since 2006 and a Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner since 2003. She has published research and given lectures in the areas of menopause, contraception, menstrual migraine and sexual health

Purchase “The Women on Platform Two.”

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61. Aneurysm and life after near death with Sebastian Junger

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Acclaimed journalist Sebastian Junger and interventional radiologist Dr. Indravadan Patel join us to explore Junger’s harrowing brush with death, chronicled in his memoir In My Time of Dying. What begins as a mysterious abdominal pain spirals into a life-threatening medical emergency, revealing the miraculous precision of interventional radiology and the fragile line between life and death. We delve into the mysteries of consciousness, the power of modern medicine, and the profound questions that arise when one stares into the abyss.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Sebastian Junger is the New York Times bestselling author of Tribe, War, Freedom, A Death in Belmont, Fire, and The Perfect Storm, and codirector of the documentary film Restrepo, which was nominated for an Academy Award. He is also the winner of a Peabody Award and the National Magazine Award for Reporting.
Indravadan Patel, M.D., is a board certified interventional and diagnostic radiologist, currently serving as Chair of Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. His clinical focus includes expertise in management and treatment of vascular malformations; use of locoregional therapies to patients with liver and renal cancer; cutting edge use of MRI for diagnosis and treatment of patients with prostate cancer; and treatment of complex venous disease. In addition to his clinical activities, Dr. Patel is active in both research and education, providing mentorship to medical students, residents and fellows.

Purchase “In My Time of Dying.”

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Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

60. The family dynamics of Huntington's disease with Lisa Genova

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Bestselling author Lisa Genova and Mayo Clinic neurologist Dr. John Caviness join us to explore the emotional and medical complexities of Huntington’s disease through Genova’s novel Inside the O’Briens. The conversation delves into the science behind the disease, the complicated question of genetic testing, and the profound psychological toll on families. With powerful insights into caregiving, resilience, and the healing potential of storytelling, this episode is both a heartfelt tribute to those affected by Huntington’s and a compelling call to action for awareness and empathy.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Lisa Genova, Ph.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice, Left Neglected, Love Anthony, Inside the O’Briens, and Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting. Still Alice was adapted into an Oscar–winning film. Lisa graduated valedictorian from Bates College with a degree in biopsychology and holds a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard University. She is featured in the documentary films To Not Fade Away and Have You Heard About Greg. Her TED talks on Alzheimer’s disease and memory have been viewed over eleven million times.
John Caviness, M.D., is a professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and a consultant in the Department of Neurology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. His clinical practice focuses on movement disorders, electrophysiology of movement disorders and interpretation of electroencephalography. His main research interest is cortical dysfunction in movement disorders.

Purchase “Inside the O’Briens.”

Learn more from the Huntington’s Disease Society of America

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59. Making a habit of happiness with Courtney Walsh

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 9 Jul 2025 14:52:17 +0000

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Courtney Walsh is the Carol award-winning author of several low spice, small town romance novels. She’s committed to creating stories that bring joy and always promises a happy ending. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book best-seller and a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. In addition, she has written two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she co-owns a performing arts studio and youth theatre with her business partner and best friend—her husband.
Anni Shandera-Ochsner, Ph.D., L.P., is an assistant professor of psychology at Mayo Clinic and a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist at Mayo Clinic Health System in Wisconsin. She is also the medical director of Joy for Mayo Clinic and directs the Midwest region's Mayo Clinic HABIT Healthy Action to Benefit Independence in Thinking®, which is a behavioral intervention program for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

Purchase “The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley.”

From Barnes & Noble.

From Amazon.

From Bookshop.org.

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58. Traditional healing and chicken soup with Lynda Cohen Loigman

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 2 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000

This episode explores the rich tapestry of traditional healing and integrative medicine through Linda Cohen Loigman’s novel “The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern.” Joined by Linda and integrative medicine expert Dr. Jodi Patel, the conversation delves into herbal remedies, generational wisdom, the healing power of listening and the enduring magic of chicken soup.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Lynda Cohen Loigman graduated from Harvard College and Columbia Law School. She has written four novels: her debut, USA Today bestseller, The Two-Family House, The Wartime Sisters, The Matchmaker’s Gift, and, the book we'll be discussing today, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, which was a September Book of the Month Club Pick.
Jyoti Patel, M.D., is a trailblazing triple board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Integrative Medicine, whose groundbreaking work merges functional medicine, mindfulness, and community wellness. Her personal journey through illness transformed her approach to healing, prioritizing root causes, prevention, and the power of lifestyle medicine. Dr. Patel’s accolades, from Top Doc honors to her leadership in Fountain Hills’ community garden, reflect her unwavering commitment to redefining health beyond the prescription pad.

Purchase “The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern.”

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If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
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57. Beyond the gender binary with Laurie Frankel

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Bestselling author Laurie Frankel and Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Robert Horsley join us to explore Laurie’s deeply moving novel “This Is How It Always Is.” Through the lens of Frankel’s story about a young transgender girl and her loving family, the conversation delves into gender identity, the nuances of gender expression, and the real-world challenges faced by transgender individuals and their loved ones. It’s a thoughtful discussion that underscores how fiction can illuminate the most pressing health and social issues.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Laurie Frankel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of five novels. Her writing has also appeared in The New York Times and other publications. She is the recipient of the Washington State Book Award and the Endeavor Award. Her novels have been translated into more than twenty-five languages and been optioned for film and TV. A former college professor, she now writes full-time in Seattle, Washington where she lives with her family and makes good soup.
Robert Horsley, M.D., is an internist in the department of Community Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. He specializes in HIV/AIDS and LGBTQIA+ care. After his Internal Medicine residency, he worked in Maricopa County at the McDowell Clinic, where he gained specialty training in HIV/AIDS and transgender care while providing primary care services. His clinical and research interests are HIV/AIDS, LGBTQIA+ care, and health care disparities.

Purchase “This Is How It Always Is.”

From Bookshop.org.
From Barnes & Noble.

Got feedback?

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We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

56. Addressing physician burnout with Maggie North and Dr. Jessi Gold

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In this powerful episode of Read. Talk. Grow., host Dr. Denise Milstine is joined by author and anesthesiologist Dr. Maggie North and fellow author and psychiatrist Dr. Jesse Gold to explore the emotional and systemic roots of physician burnout through the lens of North’s romance novel “The Ripple Effect.” The conversation dives into the hidden grief of leaving medicine, the gendered realities of burnout, and the importance of reclaiming humanity in healthcare — and offers a deeply resonant look at what it means to care for others while learning to care for yourself.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Dr. Maggie North is a doctor by day, author by night. She lives in Ottawa, Canada with the man she met in ninth grade, their kid, and a rotating cast of hypoallergenic aquarium friends. She enjoys being autistic a lot more since she received her diagnosis as an adult. Her books include Rules for Second Chances (2024) and The Ripple Effect (2025).
Dr. Jessi Gold is the inaugural Chief Wellness Officer for the University of Tennessee (UT) System and an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). Dr. Gold works clinically as an outpatient psychiatrist and focuses her work on students, faculty, and healthcare workers. She is also the author of the national best seller HOW DO YOU FEEL?: One Doctor’s Search for Humanity in Medicine.

Purchase “The Ripple Effect.”

Purchase "How Do You Feel?: One Doctor’s Search for Humanity in Medicine."

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

Best of: Susan Lieu on searching for answers after a fatal surgery

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode, author Susan Lieu discusses her memoir, “The Manicurist’s Daughter,” which explores her mother’s death during an elective surgical procedure. Mayo Clinic physician Dr. Alyssa Janousek provides her anesthesiology expertise to help listeners navigate and make sense of surgical procedures.

We talked with:

Susan Lieu, a Vietnamese-American author, playwright, and performer, tells stories that refuse to be forgotten. A daughter of nail salon workers, she took her autobiographical solo theater show 140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother on a 10-city national tour with sold out premieres and accolades from L.A. Times, NPR, and American Theatre. Her debut memoir, The Manicurist’s Daughter has been featured on The New York Times, NPR Books, and The Washington Post. Also, Lieu is the co-host of The Model Minority Moms podcast and board member for international NGO Asylum Access. Susan and her sister co-founded Socola Chocolatier, an artisanal chocolate company based in San Francisco. Susan lives with her husband and son in Seattle where they enjoy mushroom hunting, croissants, and big family gatherings.

Alyssa Janousek, M.D., is an anesthesiologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. She received her Medical Degree from University of Arizona-Phoenix, followed by residency in Anesthesiology at University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston with distinction as Chief Resident. She practiced at UTMB in Galveston until 2020 when she moved home to Phoenix and began a private practice career. She has been at Mayo Clinic since May 2023 and has a special interest in graduate medical education, clinical education research, and quality and safety. She is married to her husband, Derrick, and they have two daughters, Eleanor (5) and Clara (2).

Can't get enough?

Purchase “The Manicurist’s Daughter”

Information from Mayo Clinic about general anesthesia

Information from Mayo Clinic about cosmetic surgery

What to do — and avoid — before anesthesia

Anesthesia 101 – American Society of Anesthesiologists

Preparing for Surgery – American Society of Anesthesiologists

How to Make Peace with Your Belly Fat talk by Susan Lieu

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If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
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Best of: Alexandra Tanner on hives, shame and self-blame

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 4 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Chronic illness can come with seemingly endless doctor’s visits, treatment trials and insurance battles. On top of that, people with chronic conditions often experience some degree of shame or blame for their condition – from their social circles, healthcare providers or themselves. Unfortunately, the resulting emotional distress may aggravate physical symptoms. One of the sisters in Alexandra Tanner’s novel “Worry” experiences this distress due to chronic hives that are hard to hide, hard to treat, and come with flare-ups that are impossible to predict. Alexandra and Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Rohit Divekar help us understand what it’s like to live with this kind of condition, remove the blame and offer hope for relief.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Alexandra Tanner is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn, NY. Her work appears in Granta, The New York Times Book Review, The Baffler, and Jewish Currents, among other outlets. She is a graduate of the MFA program at The New School and a recipient of grants and fellowships from MacDowell, The Center for Fiction, and Spruceton Inn’s Artist Residency. Her first novel is Worry.
Rohit Divekar, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., is an allergist-immunologist, internist and chair of Practice in the Division of Allergic Diseases at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He received his medical degree from the University of Mumbai and his doctorate in microbiology and immunology from the University of Missouri – Columbia. His areas of focus include hay fever, inflammation, rhinitis, asthma attack, chronic hives and chronic sinusitis.

Purchase “Worry.”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

Best of: Abby Jimenez on kidney disease and the transformative power of transplant

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Abby Jimenez, Mira Keddis, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 28 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Abby Jimenez is a New York Times bestselling author and Food Network champion living in Minnesota. Abby founded Nadia Cakes out of her home kitchen back in 2007. She is also the author of five bestselling novels. Abby loves a good romance, coffee, doglets and not leaving the house. "Yours Truly" is her latest book.
Mira Keddis, M.D., is a consultant and associate professor of medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Keddis is passionate about education and supporting and advocating for patients, learners and faculty.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

The silent nature of kidney disease. Unfortunately, kidney disease often does not have obvious symptoms. Instead, symptoms may be gradual and attributed to stress or exhaustion. Most standard lab tests can quickly identify if something is wrong with your kidneys. But if you're not receiving regular medical checkups, problems may fly under the radar.
The mental burden of chronic disease. Chronic diseases such as kidney disease can exacerbate mental health challenges and lead to depression and anxiety. Even in the early stages of disease, the "what ifs" can get to you, Abby says: What if I can't eat my favorite foods? What if I need to go on dialysis?
The transformative power of kidney transplant. Facing a lifetime of dialysis is a traumatic proposition, Dr. Keddis says. Abby's book portrays the transformative power and hope that a kidney transplant can bring. We break down the types of kidney transplants and what transplant entails.

Can't get enough?

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We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

Best of: Beth Macy believes we all have a role in ending the opioid crisis

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Beth Macy, Holly Geyer, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 21 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Beth Macy is a Virginia-based journalist with three decades of experience and an award-winning author of three New York Times bestselling books: "Factory Man," "Truevine" and "Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America." Her newest book is "Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice, and the Future of America's Overdose Crisis."
Dr. Holly Geyer is an addiction medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Her work focuses on care of complex patients in the hospital with a focus on quality of life and the best use of nondrug interventions for treating symptoms, including pain. She is the author of "Ending the Crisis: Mayo Clinic's Guide to Opioid Addiction and Safe Opioid Use."

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Addiction as a medical condition. Opioid use disorder (OUD) isn't a moral weakness, and it's not just a social problem or a mental health disorder. It's a health condition, and everyone is at risk.
The need for nonjudgmental, evidence-based care. Many people with OUD think they can't get better. Beth Macy argues this is partially because they've never been able to access evidence-based care. Holly argues it's time to stop battling against opioids and start battling for the people impacted by them.
Hope for healing. Ending the opioid crisis may seem like an impossible task, but both of these books offer ideas and solutions for battling and preventing opioid addiction. Beth Macy's book looks at the heroes on the front lines — sometimes in unexpected locations like a McDonald's parking lot. They say that ultimately, we all have a role to play.

Can't get enough?

Purchase Dr. Geyer's book "Ending the Crisis: Mayo Clinic's Guide to Opioid Addiction and Safe Opioid Use."
Purchase Beth Macy's book "Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice, and the Future of America's Overdose Crisis."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Barnes & Noble
- From Amazon
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

Best of: Allison Fallon and Sandi Marinella want to help you write your story

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 14 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Writing your life story be a healing process – even if you have zero intention of ever publishing it. But many people who want to write don’t know how to get started. We talk to expert storytellers Allison Fallon, author of “Write Your Story,” and Sandi Marinella, author of “The Story You Need to Tell,” to give us some expert writing insight and advice.

This episode was made possible by generous support from Ken Stevens.

In this episode, we talked to:

Allison Fallon is an author, speaker, and founder of Find Your Voice, a community that supports anyone who wants to write anything. In addition to her books “Write Your Story: A Simple Framework to Understand Yourself, Your Story, and Your Purpose in the World,”“The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life,” “Packing Light” and “Indestructible: Leveraging Your Broken Heart to Become a Force of Love & Change in the World,” she has ghostwritten 11 books and has collaborated on countless others. She has lived all over the country in the past decade but now lives in Nashville, Tenn., with her husband and two kids, Nella and Charlie. You can follow Allison at allisonfallon.com.
Sandra Marinella is an award-winning writing teacher and author. She has taught story-sharing and writing to thousands of students, professionals, and cancer patients for over three decades. When she faced breast cancer, Sandra turned to her personal writing as a way of healing. The experience inspired her to teach “writing to heal and transform” to patients, veterans, and those in life-altering situations at many nonprofits and hospitals, including Mayo Integrated Medicine in Phoenix. As she watched expressive writing transform lives, Sandra wrote “The Story You Need to Tell,” acclaimed as the go-to-guide for writing to heal and grow.

Purchase “Write Your Story.”

Purchase “The Story You Need to Tell.”

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Structure can help. Writing and crafting your narrative can be a healing process, but for many people, it’s not as simple as putting pen to paper and just letting your thoughts flow. Many of us need a structure or framework to enable us to translate the feelings in our bodies to the written word.
Reclaim your story. If you’re experiencing writer’s block, it might be because the topic is a trauma that you’re not quite ready to write about yet. And that’s OK! But once you are ready, writing it down can help you reframe it and heal from it. This can also help you reclaim your agency and tell your own story — rather than having someone else tell the story about you.
You’re the flawed hero of your story. If you’re considering penning a memoir, you may feel strange referring to your flawed self as the “hero.” But the hero is simply the main character who is transformed by the problems they face. Problems are essential, and often, the juiciest part of the story. You may not be “heroic” or make perfect decisions, but you were changed by your experience. When you begin to see your life through the lens of narrative structure, it can help you reach resolution.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.

We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

Best of: Dolen Perkins-Valdez on the sad reality of forced sterilization

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Swapna Reddy, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 7 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the New York Times bestselling author of "Wench," "Balm," and most recently "Take My Hand." In 2011, she was a finalist for two NAACP Image Awards and the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award for fiction. Dolen is the current chair of the board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. She is currently associate professor in the Literature Department at American University and lives in Washington, D.C., with her family.
Swapna Reddy, J.D., DrPH, M.P.H., is a clinical associate professor at Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions. At Arizona State University, Dr. Reddy teaches undergraduate and graduate coursework — including as faculty at Arizona State University's Barrett, the Honors College in Medical Studies. Additionally, she is an adjunct assistant professor in Health Care Administration at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Reddy also was named a Fulbright Specialist.

Purchase "Take My Hand."

Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

Best of: Stacey Swann is challenging assumptions about infidelity

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Stacey Swann, Jennifer Vencill, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Stacey Swann holds an MFA from Texas State University and was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. Her fiction has appeared in multiple journals, and she is a Contributing Editor of American Short Fiction. Her first novel "Olympus, Texas" has received critical acclaim.
Jennifer Vencill, Ph.D., L.P., is an assistant professor, board certified clinical health psychologist and AASECT certified sex therapist. Dr. Vencill spends the bulk of her time providing integrated sexual health care in the Menopause and Women's Sexual Health Clinic. She's currently working on her first popular press book, a guide for managing sexual desire discrepancies in relationships — to be published in summer 2023!

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Infidelity is a health issue. Infidelity is a common experience that can greatly affect interpersonal and intimate relationships — and by extension, your mental health — with collateral damage for kids, friends and communities.
The definition of infidelity is personal. "Cheating" means different things to different people. A lot depends on what you've agreed to in your relationship … or what you assume your partner has agreed to.
Judge not. This novel brings the complexities of affairs to life. People may not cheat (or be "the other woman" or stay with a cheating partner) for the reasons that you think. We discuss some of the characters who don't fit the mold.

This concludes Season One. To sign up for emails with more information about future releases and other women's health content, click here.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "Olympus, Texas."
- From Bookshop.org.
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- From Barnes & Noble.
Pre-order Dr. Vencill's book: "Desire: An Inclusive Guide to Navigating Libido Differences in Relationships."
- From Bookshop.org.
- From Amazon.
- From Barnes & Noble.
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

Best of: Kirsten Miller wants to rebrand menopause

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Kirsten Miller, Paru David, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Kirsten Miller is a groundbreaking feminist author in YA literature, best known for her popular Kiki Strike series. In addition to writing novels, Kirsten spent 25 years as a strategist in the advertising industry. During that time she worked for some of the largest agencies in the world, as well as boutique agencies and an eight-person startup. She's proud to have quit at least two of those jobs over ads and incidents described in "The Change."
Paru David, M.D., is a consultant and assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic. After her internal medicine residency at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, she joined Women's Health Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in 1999. She has published research and given lectures in the areas of menopause, contraception, menstrual migraine and sexual health. She's a contributor to the Mayo Clinic Press book "The Menopause Solution."

We talked about:

It's time to talk about menopause. Despite the fact that menopause happens to roughly half the population, it's shrouded in secrecy and even shame. That means most people who experience menopause walk into it blind and are surprised by the changes they experience. Dr. David and Kirsten Miller want to change that.
Menopause isn't the end. Life, careers, interests, relationships — and yes, sex — can extend far beyond middle age. For some women, middle age is a renaissance where they're most comfortable with themselves and thrive in ways they didn't in their 20s or 30s. Kirsten Miller talks about "rebranding" menopause in her book as a time of newfound power.

Can't get enough?

Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book "The Menopause Solution."
Purchase Kirsten's book "The Change."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

Best of: Melissa Bond's journey out of benzodiazepine dependence

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000

The opioid epidemic is now a well-known phenomenon, drawing justified attention in medicine, politics and pop culture. But how much do you know about benzodiazepine dependence? In this episode, author Melissa Bond tells us how she unintentionally ended up becoming deeply dependent on benzos, a journey chronicled in her memoir “Blood Orange Night.” Mayo Clinic pharmacist Dr. Michael Campbell joins us to provide expert insight on this complex issue.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

In this episode, we talked to:

Melissa Bond is a narrative journalist and poet. In the years of her dependence on benzodiazepines, Melissa blogged and became a regular contributor for Mad in America. ABC World News Tonight interviewed her for a piece in January 2014. Her memoir “Blood Orange Night” was selected by the New York Times as one of the best audiobooks of 2022. Bond has been featured on PBS Story in the Public Square, Radio West, the podcasts Risk!, Endeavors, Psychology Unplugged, The New York Times Podcast, RadioWest and Mom’s Don’t Have Time to Read Books. She lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and five wild teenagers.
Dr. Michael Campbell is a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist. He works under a collaborative practice agreement with Mayo Clinic Providers to improve patient outcomes in a wide variety of disease states. Largely his focus involves resolving medication-related problems for individuals with hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression, anxiety and obesity.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

An onslaught of symptoms. After getting hit with severe, unrelenting insomnia, Melissa was prescribed benzodiazepines — and a lot of them — to help her sleep. She didn’t realize that the side effects of these drugs were responsible for her rapidly deteriorating quality of life.
Struggling to find understanding and support. It was hard to find a healthcare professional who could help her get off the drugs while avoiding the dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Even her friends didn’t understand, suggesting she go to rehab and “sweat it out” — a potentially life-threatening method for those with benzodiazepine dependance.
Hope for recovery. Today, Melissa is free of benzodiazepines. She offers hope of healing for those on similar journeys.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “Blood Orange Night.”

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If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.

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55. Sarah Sawyer on postpartum depression and the intensity of early parenthood

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 9 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000

You’re sore, you’re sleep deprived and you’re responsible for a new life – what if you’re also struggling with your mood, depression or anxiety? In this episode, we’re talking to author Sarah Sawyer, who portrays the guilt, shame and exhaustion of postpartum depression in her novel “The Undercurrent.” Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Dr. Neeta Jain helps us understand what postpartum depression is and what you can do about it.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

Learn more about postpartum depression, anxiety and mood changes.
Learn how to cope with intrusive thoughts.
Learn about thyroid problems during pregnancy and postpartum.
Symptoms of postpartum depression are listed below, along with information about when to see a doctor.

We talked with:

Sarah Sawyer is a graduate of Amherst College and the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. She teaches English at a boarding school in Western Massachusetts, where she lives with her husband and two children. THE UNDERCURRENT is her first book.
Neeta Jain, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. Her interests include mood and anxiety disorders, integrated behavioral health, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Purchase “The Undercurrent.”

From Bookshop.org.

From Amazon.

From Barnes & Noble.

Resources

Postpartum depression symptoms

Postpartum depression may be mistaken for baby blues at first — but the symptoms are more intense and last longer. These may eventually interfere with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Symptoms usually develop within the first few weeks after giving birth. But they may begin earlier — during pregnancy — or later — up to a year after birth.

Postpartum depression symptoms may include:

Depressed mood or severe mood swings
Crying too much
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Withdrawing from family and friends
Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
Inability to sleep, called insomnia, or sleeping too much
Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy
Less interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Intense irritability and anger
Fear that you're not a good mother
Hopelessness
Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
Restlessness
Severe anxiety and panic attacks
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

It is always important to rule out medical causes for and contributors to depressive symptoms such as hypothyroidism, anemia and vitamin D deficiency. Ask your healthcare team if further workup is appropriate.

When to see a doctor:

If you're feeling depressed after your baby's birth, you may be reluctant or embarrassed to admit it. But if you experience any symptoms of postpartum baby blues or postpartum depression, call your primary health care provider or your obstetrician or gynecologist and schedule an appointment. If you have symptoms that suggest you may have postpartum psychosis, get help immediately.

It's important to call your provider as soon as possible if the symptoms of depression have any of these features:

Don't fade after two weeks.
Are getting worse.
Make it hard for you to care for your baby.
Make it hard to complete everyday tasks.
Include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

If you have suicidal thoughts:

If at any point you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, immediately seek help from your partner or loved ones in taking care of your baby. Call 911 or your local emergency assistance number to get help. Also consider these options if you're having suicidal thoughts:

Seek help from a health care provider.
Call a mental health provider.
Contact a suicide hotline. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.

Helping a friend or loved one:

People with depression may not recognize or admit that they're depressed. They may not be aware of signs and symptoms of depression. If you suspect that a friend or loved one has postpartum depression or is developing postpartum psychosis, help them seek medical attention immediately. Don't wait and hope for improvement.

Got feedback?

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Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

54. It's never too late to create community

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 2 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Episode summary: Older adults often experience loneliness due to factors like retirement, limited mobility, and the deaths of their peers. Author Simon Van Booy’s novel “Sipsworth” portrays an older woman who is lonely and alone — until she forms a connection with a mouse and adopts it as a pet. Mayo Clinic geriatrician Dr. Erum Jadoon tells us about the serious health consequences of isolation — and we discuss the richness, beauty and joy that social connection can bring at any age.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Simon Van Booy is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than a dozen books for adults and children, including The Illusion of Separateness and The Presence of Absence. Simon is the editor of three volumes of philosophy and has written for The New York Times, The Financial Times, The Washington Post, and the BBC. His books have been translated into many languages and optioned for film. Raised in rural North Wales, he currently lives in New York where he is also a book editor and a volunteer E.M.T. crew chief.
Erum Jadoon, M.D., is a geriatrician, internist and an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Her interests include nutrition, bone health and geriatric medicine with an emphasis on functional status, unintentional weight loss and frailty. She is on faculty with the Academy of Communication in Healthcare and teaches communication to Mayo Clinic with faculty, physicians in training and medical students.

Purchase “Sipsworth.”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

53. Human connection in the hospital: The unique patient-nurse relationship

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000

When you wind up in a hospital, you’re suddenly surrounded by – and often, dependent on – health care workers like nurses. Garth Greenwell explores the relationships between a patient and his medical team in his novel “Small Rain.” Mayo Clinic nursing administrator Melania Flores joins us to discuss the importance of nurses and the unique connection, humanity and support they can provide to patients.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Garth Greenwell is the author of What Belongs to You, which won the British Book Award for Debut of the Year, was longlisted for the National Book Award, and was a finalist for many other awards, including the PEN/Faulkner Award, the LA Times Book Prize, and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. His second book, Cleanness, was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award and was longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize, the Joyce Carol Oates Prize, and the Prix Sade, among others. His cultural criticism has appeared widely, and he writes regularly about books, music, and film for the Substack newsletter To a Green Thought. A 2020 Guggenheim Fellow and recipient of the 2021 Vursell Award for prose style from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, he is currently a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University.
Melania Flores has been in healthcare since 1991. Her clinical time was predominantly spent in Intensive Care and Progressive Care Cardiac Units. Since 2001 she has held progressive leadership positions at Mayo Clinic in Arizona serving in Administration overseeing ambulatory, procedural and inpatient practices. She is passionate about mentoring and in her free time loves to trail run.

Purchase “Small Rain.”

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If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

52. Science or snake oil? Examining the wellness industry

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Are you eager to try the latest serum or supplement — or are you suspicious of every wellness influencer who crosses your social media feed? Either way, there’s much to learn and consider in Kelsey Rae Dimberg’s novel “Snake Oil” about the wellness industry. Kelsey and Mayo Clinic integrative medicine expert Dr. Brent Bauer give us a nuanced view of integrative medicine and the business of wellness.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Kelsey Rae Dimberg is the author of Snake Oil and Girl in the Rearview Mirror. She received an MFA from the University of San Francisco and is a recipient of the Swarthout Award in Writing. She was the Editor-in-Chief of Arizona State University’s literary magazine, Lux. Before writing novels, she worked for startups like Google and Groupon. Born in Seattle, she’s moved all over the West and Midwest and currently lives in Chicago.
Brent Bauer, M.D., is board certified in internal medicine. He is the research chair for Mayo Clinic Integrative Medicine and Health and a doctor in the Division of General Internal Medicine. He is also a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Dr. Bauerfocuses on the scientific evaluation of integrative medicine therapies. He has served as medical director of Rejuvenate, the first spa at Mayo Clinic, and of the Well Living Lab, a collaboration between Delos and Mayo Clinic that is exploring the impact of the indoor environment on wellness.

Purchase “Snake Oil”

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We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

51. Embracing poetry and releasing perfection

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Don’t consider yourself a poetry person? You might be surprised! Comedy writer and poet Lyndsay Rush joins us to talk about her book “A BIT MUCH” and the power of poetry to think, process and heal. Dr. Shelley Noland, medical director for the Center for Humanities in Medicine at Mayo Clinic, helps us better understand how poetry and other art can improve our wellness.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Lyndsay Rush is a comedy writer, cofounder of the branding agency Obedient, and the poet behind the popular Instagram account @maryoliversdrunkcousin. Her debut book of poems, A BIT MUCH was an instant USA Today Bestseller and her writing has been featured in Reductress, McSweeney’s, New York magazine, and The New York Times. Lyndsay spent most of her adult life freezing in Chicago, but currently swelters in Nashville with her husband and young son.
Shelley S. Noland, M.D., is a hand and peripheral nerve surgeontreating hand and wrist conditions, brachial plexus injury, peripheral nerve injuries, peripheral nerve tumors and Dupuytren’s disease. She has been in practice for more than 10 years and collaboratively studies new and innovative nerve repair methods. She also focuses on surgical ergonomics and surgical diversity. She is the medical director for the Center for Humanities in Medicine at Mayo Clinic.

Purchase “A Bit Much.”

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We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

50. The gift-curse of fully inhabited grief

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 5 Mar 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Grief from an unexpected, tragic or too-early death is devastating. And all too often, loved ones don’t know how to deal with someone else’s deep, uncomfortable and “unfixable” sadness. Memoirist Amy Lin talks about the trauma of suddenly losing her husband with grief researcher and author Dr. Joanne Cacciatore. They help us understand what Dr. Cacciatore calls "the gift-curse of fully inhabited grief," and how we can better support our grieving friends and loved ones.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Amy Lin completed her MFA at Warren Wilson College and holds BAs in English Literature and Education. Her work has been published in places such as Ploughshares and she has been awarded residencies from Yaddo and Casa Comala. She writes the Substack At The Bottom Of Everything where she wonders: how do we live with anything? Here After is her first book.
Joanne Cacciatore, Ph.D., is a bereaved mother and the founder of the MISS Foundation, an international NGO that serves families whose children have died, and the Selah Carefarm, a sustainable restorative community that provides aid to anyone suffering traumatic grief. She is also a Professor and Senior Scholar in the Wrigley Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University, spearheading the Graduate Certificate in Trauma and Bereavement. Her best selling book, Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief, is a national award winning best seller that has helped revolutionize the way our culture thinks, and feels, about grief.

Purchase “Here After”

Purchase “Bearing the Unbearable.”

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We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

49. Listening to people with speech differences

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Children who stutter have historically been met with impatience, derision or disregard when they can’t quickly express their thoughts and emotions. That’s the case for Maggie, the protagonist of author C.C. Harrington’s book WILDOAK, which urges us to listen to and support those with communication challenges. Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Heather Clark joins us to share her clinical expertise as a speech language pathologist.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Christina Harrington graduated from Oxford University with a degree in English Literature and has since worked for a national newspaper, studied printmaking and taught literacy to children with learning differences. She now lives in Maryland with her family and a dog who loves to eat manuscripts. WILDOAK is her first book.
Heather M. Clark, Ph.D., is a speech-language pathologist serving children and adults with communication, cognitive, and/or swallowing difficulties. In addition to her clinical activities, Dr. Clark is active in research and education, providing mentorship to residents and fellows.

Purchase “WILDOAK.”

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We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

48. More than a headache: How migraine can disrupt your life

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:48:28 +0000

Migraines can be absolutely debilitating, and many people with migraine live in fear of the next migraine attack. But when they try to talk about their symptoms, they may not be believed … or they might be told to take some ibuprofen and get over it. C. Michelle Lindley shows us what it’s like to live with migraine in her novel “The Nude.” She joins us with Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Rashmi Halker Singh to talk about migraine and its common misconceptions.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

C. Michelle Lindley’s work can be found in Conjunctions, The Georgia Review, and elsewhere. She is a National Endowment for the Arts Fellow for 2024 and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Cornell University and a BA in English and Art History from the University of California at Berkeley. “The Nude” is her first novel.
Rashmi B. Halker Singh, M.D., is a neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. She studies primary and secondary headache disorders, including migraine and chronic daily headache.

Purchase “The Nude.”

Resources:

Got feedback?

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47. Coping with grief and unanswerable questions after suicide

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:00:00 +0000

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

For immediate help

If you're feeling overwhelmed by thoughts of not wanting to live or you're having urges to attempt suicide, get help now.

Call a suicide hotline.
- In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat at 988lifeline.org/chat/. Services are free and confidential.
- If you’re a U.S. veteran or service member in crisis, call 988 and then press 1, or text 838255. Or chat using veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/.
- The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454.
Call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number immediately.

We talked with:

Onyi Nwabineli is a Nigerian British head-wrap aficionado. Born in Benin, Nigeria, she grew up in Glasgow, the Isle of Man and Newcastle, and now lives in London. Onyi is the cofounder of Surviving Out Loud, a fund that provides fiscal support for survivors of sexual assault, and the founder of Black Pens (black-pens.com), a writing retreat for Black womxn. Someday, Maybe is her debut novel.
Craig Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P., is a psychologist and the chair of the Division of Integrated Behavioral Health within the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is also the co-chair for Clinical Practice in the department and a professor of psychology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. His research aims to improve the treatment of anxiety and depression in primary care.

We talked about:

Purchase “Someday Maybe.”

More resources:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
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46. Beyond the stigma of bipolar disorder

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 5 Feb 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Amid rising understanding and support for mental health disorders, some — like bipolar disorder — remain heavily shrouded in stigma. Author and neuroscientist Lisa Genova’s new book, “More or Less Maddy,” tackles this subject with accuracy and compassion. We talk to Lisa and Mayo Clinic licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Lorelei Rowe about how bipolar can affect those with the disorder and their loved ones. TW: self-harm, suicidal thoughts.

This episode was made possible with the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Lisa Genova, Ph.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice, Left Neglected, Love Anthony, Inside the O’Briens, and Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting. Still Alice was adapted into an Oscar–winning film. Lisa graduated valedictorian from Bates College with a degree in biopsychology and holds a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard University. She is featured in the documentary films To Not Fade Away and Have You Heard About Greg. Her TED talks on Alzheimer’s disease and memory have been viewed over eleven million times.
Lorelei S. Rowe, Ph.D., L.P., is a licensed clinical psychologist and clinical director of the Adult Transitions Program at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester. Dr. Rowe's clinical practice focuses on recovery from an acute mental health crisis and treatment of chronic mental health conditions. She has expertise in cognitive behavioral therapies for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and couple relationship functioning, couple therapy, and group therapy.

Purchase “More or Less Maddy”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

Resources:

Mayo Clinic resources:

45. Not your typical adoption story

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 21:33:54 +0000

Either your family is messy and complicated at times or you’re lying. Author Laurie Frankel talks us through her wonderfully complex novel exploring adoption and the very concept of family. Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Dr. Sandra Rackley gives us her perspective on the nuanced realities of family relationships.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Laurie Frankel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of five novels. Her writing has also appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, Poets & Writers, Publisher’s Weekly, People Magazine, Lit Hub, The Sydney Morning Herald, and other publications. She is the recipient of the Washington State Book Award and the Endeavor Award. Her novels have been translated into more than twenty-five languages and been optioned for film and TV. A former college professor, she now writes full-time in Seattle, Washington where she lives with her family and makes good soup.

Sandy Rackley, M.D., is a psychiatrist within the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Her clinical practice focuses on care of children and teens presenting to the Emergency Department in a psychiatric crisis, and of youth who need psychiatric care while undergoing inpatient treatment for medical or surgical conditions. Dr. Rackley is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and the Assistant Dean for Trainee Well-Being for the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education.

This episode references another RTG episode, listen here: 1. It's complicated: Making decisions about your reproductive health

Purchase “Family Family.”

From Bookshop.org.

From Amazon.

From Barnes & Noble.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.

We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

44. Hope for the long road after stroke

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Stroke is an often sudden and scary experience — and it can be followed by months of uncertainty about recovery. Tracey Lange depicts the aftermath of stroke, including the disruption of daily life and changing relationship dynamics, in her new novel “What Happened to the McCrays?” Mayo Clinic neurologist Dr. Courtney Hrdlicka joins to lend her stroke expertise.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Tracey Lange was born and raised in New York City. She graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in psychology before owning and operating a behavioral healthcare company with her husband for fifteen years. While writing her debut novel, We Are the Brennans, she completed the Stanford University online novel writing program. She currently lives in Bend, Oregon with her husband, two sons, and beloved German Shepherd.

Courtney Hrdlicka, M.D. is a neurologist with subspecialty expertise in stroke and cerebrovascular disorders at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Her clinical focus includes expertise in management of both acute and chronic neurologic illnesses, cerebrovascular diseases, acute stroke treatments, and telemedicine in stroke treatment. In addition to her clinical duties, Dr. Hrdlicka is active in research and education, working with medical students, residents and fellows. She authors expert content and publishes in scientific journals.

Purchase “What Happened to the McCrays?”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.

We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on

Mayo Clinic Connect

, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

43. Sitting with the fear of death

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000

While most people avoid talking or even thinking about death, Clover, the protagonist in Mikki Brammer’s novel “The Collected Regrets of Clover,” is a death doula. She sits with people as they die, offering them conversation, company and compassion. Mikki and hospice and palliative care expert Dr. Ann Marie Chiasson join us to consider how we approach the deaths of our loved ones – and ourselves.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Mikki Brammer is an Australian journalist and author from Tasmania, Australia. She is now based in Brooklyn, New York—by way of France and Spain—where she writes about design, architecture and art for publications such as Architectural Digest, Dwell and ELLE Decor. The Collected Regrets of Clover, her debut novel, is being published in 26 languages and territories and was named a Best Book of 2023 by NPR.
Ann Marie Chiasson, M.D., M.P.H., is the Director of Education and the Fellowship at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of Arizona. She is board certified in Integrative Medicine, Family Medicine, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Chiasson currently serves on the American Board of Integrative Medicine. She has practiced Integrative Family Medicine in the United States and Canada and has served as a medical director for Valor Hospice, as an associate medical director for Casa De La Luz Hospice, and as the medical director of The Haven – a Women’s Addiction Recovery Center in Tucson, Arizona.

Resources:

Purchase “The Collected Regrets of Clover”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

42. Shame, mystery and misinformation about women’s bodies

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 8 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Historically, the medical system was not designed to prioritize — or many times, even consider — women patients and providers. Dr. Elizabeth Comen wrote the book “All in Her Head,” to examine this troubled history and help educate and empower women to get the healthcare they deserve. Dr. Comen and Dr. Deborah Bartz join us to discuss how to break through the shame and misinformation surrounding women's bodies.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Elizabeth Comen, M.D., has dedicated her medical career to saving the lives of women. An award-winning, internationally sought-after clinician and physician-scientist, Dr. Comen is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer and an Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone.
Deborah Bartz, M.D., M.P.H., is an obstetrician-gynecologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School. Her current research program focuses on the development, assessment, and propagation of best educational practices of women’s health curricula.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “All in Her Head.”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

Best of: What you stand to gain when you give up drinking

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Holly Whitaker, Kristen Schmidt, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 1 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000

If you're considering giving up drinking, you've probably been deterred by all you would be, well, giving up. Author Holly Whitaker and addiction psychiatrist Kristen Schmidt, M.D., flip the script on this discouraging outlook as they talk about everything you stand to gain.

We talked with:

Holly Whitaker is a writer, researcher, teacher, student and the author of the wildly popular, New York Times Bestseller, "Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol."
Kristen Schmidt, M.D., is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist at Park Nicollet.

Can't get enough?

Purchase Holly's book "Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

Best of: Embracing a personal, purpose-focused approach to wellness

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Gladys McGarey, Larry Bergstrom, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Gladys McGarey, M.D., was a pioneer in allopathic and holistic medical movements and practiced medicine even when she was over 100 years old. She was a founding diplomat of the American Board of Holistic Medicine. She was the cofounder and past president of the American Holistic Medical Association. She cared for thousands of patients and people all around the world and across all life stages from birth to death, where she inspired what she calls "living medicine."
Larry Bergstrom, M.D., is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona in the Division of Consultative Medicine. He is the past chair of general internal medicine in Mayo Clinic in Rochester and moved to Mayo Clinic Arizona 2006 to start the integrative medicine program. Dr. Bergstrom sees patients for whom conventional medicine has had insufficient answers, including those with chronic fatigue, chronic pain, autoimmune disease. He tells his patients that he is not so much focused on treating their disease but rather trying to find ways of helping them become healthy.

Can't get enough?

Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book “Live Younger Longer.”
Purchase “The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age.”
- From Bookshop.org.
- From Amazon.
- From Barnes & Noble.
Want to read more about health topics? Check out our blog.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

41. A dog, a disability and a journey to independence

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Stephen Kuusisto has been blind since birth, and he didn’t grow up in a time (or household) that accepted or accommodated his disability. Later in life, he partnered up with a guide dog, Corky, which opened up doors for greater adventure and independence. We discuss his memoir “Have Dog, Will Travel,” guide dogs, stereotypes about blindness and more with Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Brittni Scruggs.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Professor Stephen Kuusisto, who has been blind since birth, is the author of "Eavesdropping: A Memoir of Blindness and Listening" and the acclaimed memoir "Planet of the Blind", a New York Times “Notable Book of the Year”. He has also published "Only Bread, Only Light", a collection of poems from Copper Canyon Press. Recognized by the New York Times as “a powerful writer with a musical ear for language and a gift for emotional candor,” Steve has made numerous appearances on programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dateline NBC, National Public Radio and the BBC. His newest memoir is “Have Dog, Will Travel.”
Brittni Scruggs, M.D., Ph.D., is a board-certified adult and pediatric vitreoretinal surgeon. Her clinical expertise includes retinal diseases, including retinopathy of prematurity. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Scruggs teaches medical students, graduate students, residents, and fellows, and she participates in several clinical trials for inherited retinal diseases. As one of the Principal Investigators in the Mayo Retinal Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Dr. Scruggs focuses on the optimization of gene therapy and cell-based therapy for improved safety and efficacy in patients with retinal degeneration. She is a member of the Mayo Gene Therapy Working Group.

Purchase “Have Dog, Will Travel.”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
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Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

40. Breaking through shame and self-blame: Hope for hives and other chronic conditions

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Alexandra Tanner is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn, NY. Her work appears in Granta, The New York Times Book Review, The Baffler, and Jewish Currents, among other outlets. She is a graduate of the MFA program at The New School and a recipient of grants and fellowships from MacDowell, The Center for Fiction, and Spruceton Inn’s Artist Residency. Her first novel is Worry.
Rohit Divekar, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., is an allergist-immunologist, internist and chair of Practice in the Division of Allergic Diseases at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He received his medical degree from the University of Mumbai and his doctorate in microbiology and immunology from the University of Missouri – Columbia. His areas of focus include hay fever, inflammation, rhinitis, asthma attack, chronic hives and chronic sinusitis.

Purchase “Worry.”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

39. Examining diet culture, shame and desire

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 4 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we dig into two topics that can provoke feelings of shame: sex and food. But in Chana Porter’s speculative, fictional world, their roles are flipped — eating, not sex, is the cultural taboo. Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Lesley Williams joins us as we discuss disordered eating and the dynamics of restraint, pleasure, shame and desire.

We talked with:

Chana Porter is an author, playwright, teacher, MacDowell fellow, and cofounder of The Octavia Project, a STEM and writing program for girls, trans, and nonbinary youth that uses speculative fiction to envision greater possibilities for our world. She lives in Los Angeles, California, and is the author of the highly acclaimed novel “The Seep.” Her second novel, “The Thick and The Lean” is a 2024 finalist for the Lambda Literary award and was named the Best Science Fiction of the year by The Times of London.

Lesley Williams, M.D., is a family medicine physician with an expertise in eating disorders at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she resides with her husband and three children. She serves as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer on the Academy of Eating Disorders Board of Directors. She is an advocate for health equity and inclusion and author of a children's book Free To Be Me celebrating size diversity.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “The Thick and the Lean.”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

38. Dealing with delusions: When family members have fixed, false beliefs

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Severe mental health disorders can complicate relationships. That goes double for families, when genetic predispositions and generational trauma can come into play. And it’s even more complicated when a loved one’s mental illness disconnects them from reality. In this episode, we’re talking about delusions with author and pharmacist Ruth Madievsky. Her book ALL-NIGHT PHARMACY explores how the mental health of parents — and their attitudes toward health and healthcare — can shape the experiences and wellbeing of their children. Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Robert Bright draws upon his psychiatry expertise to help tease out these often-complex dynamics.

We talked with:

Ruth Madievsky, Pharm.D., is the author of national bestselling novel, All-Night Pharmacy. Her fiction, nonfiction, and poetry appear in The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times, Harper's Bazaar, and elsewhere. She is a founding member of the Cheburashka Collective, a community of women and nonbinary writers whose identity has been shaped by immigration from the Soviet Union to the United States. She has recently completed a second poetry collection and is at work on a second novel. Originally from Moldova, she lives in Los Angeles, where she works as an HIV and primary care clinical pharmacist.

Robert Bright, M.D., is the chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. He is also assistant dean of Student Advising in the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and an assistant professor of psychiatry. He is the 2018 recipient of the Mayo Clinic Arizona Distinguished Educator of the Year award. He attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill for his undergraduate studies and medical school.

Can’t get enough?

Purchase “All-Night Pharmacy.”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

37. Menopause: Surprising symptoms and mixed emotions

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000

You might not fully understand the menopause experience unless you go through it — but author Catherine Newman’s latest novel “Sandwich,” might get you pretty close. Catherine and Mayo Clinic menopause expert Dr. Taryn Smith join us to discuss the book, which wonderfully captures the complicated feelings and sometimes surprising symptoms of menopause.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Catherine Newman has written numerous columns, articles, and canned-bean recipes for magazines and newspapers, and her essays have been widely anthologized. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Sandwich” and the novel “We All Want Impossible Things,” the memoirs “Waiting for Birdy” and “Catastrophic Happiness,” the middle-grade novel “One Mixed-Up Night,” and the bestselling kids’ life-skills books “How to Be a Person” and “What Can I Say?” She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Dr. Taryn Smith is a board-certified internal medicine physician, women's health specialist and certified menopause practitioner. She completed her internal medicine training at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida before completing a two-year women's health fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Her clinical areas of interest include menopause, sexual health, complex contraception and gender-based differences in medicine. Dr. Smith has been active in research, education and community service. She is also the author of several scientific publications. Dr. Smith strives to provide individualized care based on the unique needs of her patients.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “Sandwich."

Learn more about menopause:

Read the Mayo Clinic Press book, "The New Rules of Menopause."

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

36. Searching for answers after a fatal surgery

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Can't get enough?

Purchase “The Manicurist’s Daughter”

Information from Mayo Clinic about general anesthesia

Information from Mayo Clinic about cosmetic surgery

What to do — and avoid — before anesthesia

Anesthesia 101 – American Society of Anesthesiologists

Preparing for Surgery – American Society of Anesthesiologists

How to Make Peace with Your Belly Fat talk by Susan Lieu

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

35. Psychedelics: Helpful, healing or harmful?

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 6 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000

It seems like psychedelics have never been more popular, buoyed by clinical trials, popular media and international psychedelic retreats. They’re sometimes marketed as a fast-acting panacea for mental health struggles, but the truth is far more complicated — and mysterious. New York Times national correspondent and author Ernesto Londoño and psychiatrist Dr. Eric Noble join us to talk about the potential risks and benefits of psychedelics.

We talked with:

Ernesto Londoño is a national correspondent at the New York Times, where he has worked since 2014. He was born and raised in Colombia and has spent the past two decades covering some of the most important stories of his generation. His assignments included covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Arab Spring, serving on the editorial board of the New York Times, and running the newspaper’s bureau in Brazil.
Dr. Eric Noble is a board-certified psychiatrist who trained at UCLA. He received his Bachelors Degree from Brown University, and his Doctorate of Medicine from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. He is a staff physician at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and has participated in medical studies on psychedelic use in mental health.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “Trippy: The Peril and Promise of Medicinal Psychedelics”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

34. What you weren’t expecting: The weird, painful and surreal sides of pregnancy and fertility

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Author Danielle Valentine joins us to discuss her book “Delicate Condition,” a pregnancy horror book that depicts the darker sides to fertility, pregnancy and healthcare. Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Ali Ainsworth joins to help us understand more about the logistical and emotional challenges of fertility journeys and assisted reproductive technology.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

TW: Miscarriage, pregnancy loss, infertility

We talked with:

Danielle Valentine is the New York Times bestselling author of books for adults and teens, including the Barnes & Noble YA Book Club Pick Two Sides to Every Murder, and Delicate Condition, which was adapted by Ryan Murphy into American Horror Story: Delicate, starring Emma Roberts and Kim Kardashian. Danielle is also the author of The Merciless series under the name Danielle Vega. She lives outside of New York City with her husband, daughter, and two ornery cats.
Alessandra (Ali) Ainsworth, M.D., is an assistant professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology, specializing in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She completed medical school at the University of Kansas, and both residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Mayo Clinic. During her fellowship, Dr. Ainsworth obtained a master's degree in biomedical science. Her clinical interests include infertility, fertility preservation, premature ovarian insufficiency, and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Dr. Ainsworth is also active in clinical research and education.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “Delicate Condition.”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
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Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

33. Navigating breast cancer risk, BRCA and blossoming romance

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Episode summary: A rom-com that thoughtfully addresses death, grief and breast cancer risk? We’re in! Alison, the protagonist in the romance novel “Four Weekends and a Funeral,” is pretending that she was still dating her ex-boyfriend at the time of his death. (It’s complicated.) On top of that, she’s recently undergone a double mastectomy after finding out she a gene variant that puts her at high risk for breast cancer. Author Ellie Palmer, who has the same variant, and Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Jessica Fraker join us to talk about navigating breast cancer risk and life post-mastectomy.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Ellie Palmer is the author of “Four Weekends and a Funeral,” a carrier of the BRCA1 mutation, and a prototypical Midwesterner who routinely apologizes to inanimate objects when she bumps into them. When she’s not writing romantic comedies featuring delightfully messy characters, Ellie’s at home in Minnesota, eating breakfast food, watching too much reality television, and triple texting her husband about their son.
Jessica Fraker, M.D., is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician with a clinical focus on breast medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Dr. Fraker's clinical practice is focused on the care and evaluation of patients with breast concerns, including but not limited to breast pain, masses, and skin changes, nipple changes, nipple discharge and abnormal imaging. She also sees patients with elevated risk for developing breast cancer and guides decisions regarding screening imaging for early detection, as well as strategies to reduce risk of breast cancer.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “Four Weekends and a Funeral.”
- From Bookshop.org.
- From Amazon.
- From Barnes & Noble.
Purchase the Mayo Clinic book “Beyond Breast Cancer,” a supportive, practical guide to navigating life after breast cancer diagnosis and initial treatment.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.
Connect with others talking about the podcast in the Read. Talk. Grow. group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Connect is free, trusted, moderated, welcoming, safe and easy-to-use.

32. Writing to heal: Using story to make sense of your life

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

This episode was made possible by generous support from Ken Stevens.

In this episode, we talked to:

Allison Fallon is an author, speaker, and founder of Find Your Voice, a community that supports anyone who wants to write anything. In addition to her books “Write Your Story: A Simple Framework to Understand Yourself, Your Story, and Your Purpose in the World,”“The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life,” “Packing Light” and “Indestructible: Leveraging Your Broken Heart to Become a Force of Love & Change in the World,” she has ghostwritten 11 books and has collaborated on countless others. She has lived all over the country in the past decade but now lives in Nashville, Tenn., with her husband and two kids, Nella and Charlie. You can follow Allison at allisonfallon.com.
Sandra Marinella is an award-winning writing teacher and author. She has taught story-sharing and writing to thousands of students, professionals, and cancer patients for over three decades. When she faced breast cancer, Sandra turned to her personal writing as a way of healing. The experience inspired her to teach “writing to heal and transform” to patients, veterans, and those in life-altering situations at many nonprofits and hospitals, including Mayo Integrated Medicine in Phoenix. As she watched expressive writing transform lives, Sandra wrote “The Story You Need to Tell,” acclaimed as the go-to-guide for writing to heal and grow.

Purchase “Write Your Story.”

Purchase “The Story You Need to Tell.”

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Structure can help. Writing and crafting your narrative can be a healing process, but for many people, it’s not as simple as putting pen to paper and just letting your thoughts flow. Many of us need a structure or framework to enable us to translate the feelings in our bodies to the written word.
Reclaim your story. If you’re experiencing writer’s block, it might be because the topic is a trauma that you’re not quite ready to write about yet. And that’s OK! But once you are ready, writing it down can help you reframe it and heal from it. This can also help you reclaim your agency and tell your own story — rather than having someone else tell the story about you.
You’re the flawed hero of your story. If you’re considering penning a memoir, you may feel strange referring to your flawed self as the “hero.” But the hero is simply the main character who is transformed by the problems they face. Problems are essential, and often, the juiciest part of the story. You may not be “heroic” or make perfect decisions, but you were changed by your experience. When you begin to see your life through the lens of narrative structure, it can help you reach resolution.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.

We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

31. Escaping the grip of benzodiazepines

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 9 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

In this episode, we talked to:

Melissa Bond is a narrative journalist and poet. In the years of her dependence on benzodiazepines, Melissa blogged and became a regular contributor for Mad in America. ABC World News Tonight interviewed her for a piece in January 2014. Her memoir “Blood Orange Night” was selected by the New York Times as one of the best audiobooks of 2022. Bond has been featured on PBS Story in the Public Square, Radio West, the podcasts Risk!, Endeavors, Psychology Unplugged, The New York Times Podcast, RadioWest and Mom’s Don’t Have Time to Read Books. She lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and five wild teenagers.
Dr. Michael Campbell is a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist. He works under a collaborative practice agreement with Mayo Clinic Providers to improve patient outcomes in a wide variety of disease states. Largely his focus involves resolving medication-related problems for individuals with hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression, anxiety and obesity.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

An onslaught of symptoms. After getting hit with severe, unrelenting insomnia, Melissa was prescribed benzodiazepines — and a lot of them — to help her sleep. She didn’t realize that the side effects of these drugs were responsible for her rapidly deteriorating quality of life.
Struggling to find understanding and support. It was hard to find a healthcare professional who could help her get off the drugs while avoiding the dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Even her friends didn’t understand, suggesting she go to rehab and “sweat it out” — a potentially life-threatening method for those with benzodiazepine dependance.
Hope for recovery. Today, Melissa is free of benzodiazepines. She offers hope of healing for those on similar journeys.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “Blood Orange Night.”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.

We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

30. Feeling the rage of the menopause transition

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 2 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

For many women, midlife take the shape of a perfect storm: High-stress careers, kids transitioning out of the home, and then an onslaught of (sometimes severe) hormonal symptoms. For the protagonist of “Amazing Grace Adams,” it’s all too much. Author Fran Littlewood explains how her protagonist breaks out of the “good-girl narrative” and unleashes her suppressed rage, with expert menopause insight from Dr. Lisa Larkin.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

Fran Littlewood is the author of the New York Times bestseller, and Read With Jenna Today Show pick, Amazing Grace Adams. The novel, her debut, will be translated into thirteen languages, and has been optioned for television. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London, and before that, worked as a journalist, including a stint at The Times. She lives in London with her husband and their three daughters.

Dr. Lisa Larkin is a board-certified internist and midlife women’s health expert. Considered a national expert in menopause management, sexual medicine, breast cancer risk assessment, prevention and genetics, Dr. Larkin is Founder and CEO of Ms.Medicine, a national health care organization dedicated to advancing women’s health on a broader scale through innovation in care delivery models and consumer and clinician education through a weekly virtual education platform, ProvidHERS. She is also Founder and President of Concierge Medicine of Cincinnati, an independent, multispecialty practice.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Shame around symptoms. Symptoms can be severe and life-altering. Sometimes it feels like bodily aging changes come overnight. But many people don’t talk about these symptoms because they’re ashamed of them. They may not realize these symptoms are due to menopause — or if they do, they may be dismissed by their healthcare providers when they try to get treatment.
Feeling the rage. The book starts with Grace getting out of her car, abandoning it, deciding to walk across London, and letting out all her rage. We discuss how menopause can come with all sorts of mood disturbances: rage, anxiety, depression.
Seeking relief. Many women feel much better after the waves of perimenopause — but we talk about effective treatments that can help in the meantime.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “Amazing Grace Adams.”

Learn more about menopause:

The Mayo Clinic Press book, “The New Rules of Menopause.”

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.

We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

29. Mysteries and missing memories: Living with dementia

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Mayo Clinic Women's Health) — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000

In mystery novels, the detective often has special abilities: an exacting eye for detail, a talent for getting people talking, or a mind for puzzles. In Emily Critchley’s book “One Puzzling Afternoon,” the protagonist trying to solve the murder has dementia. Emily and Mayo Clinic dementia expert Dr. Dixie Woolston join us to explore how Emily’s realistic portrayal of the disease helps illustrate the humanity, capabilities and challenges of those with cognitive decline.

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

Emily Critchley is a fiction writer living in the UK. “One Puzzling Afternoon,” her latest novel, was Indie Book of the Month, and named a must-read book of the fall by People Magazine. She has also written a YA/crossover novel, “Notes on My Family,” the novel “The Tiny Gestures of Small Flowers,” and the children’s book “The Bear who sailed the Ocean on an Iceberg.” Emily has a first class BA in Creative Writing from London Metropolitan University and an MA with distinction in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London.
Dixie Woolston, Ph.D., is the neuropsychology division chair and the interim health psychology division chair at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Dr. Woolston’s expertise is in all things clinical; she assists with awake brain mapping and fMRI/DTI brain mapping of patients undergoing neurosurgery for brain problems such as epilepsy or a brain tumor, supports the Mayo Clinic Concussion Program, and enjoys working with patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, MS, neuro-viral issues, and mild cognitive concerns.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

The desire for autonomy and agency. In the book, Edie wants to solve a mystery — partially to prove that she’s still a capable adult. People with dementia often struggle with losing independence, which is why activities such as driving can quickly turn into a contentious point between those with dementia and their loved ones.
The ups and downs of dementia. Dementia is progressive, but it doesn’t progress in a straight line. We see Edie have good days and bad days — as do most people with dementia. This can be confusing and, at times, frustrating for their loved ones.
The challenges of caregiving. Caregivers are often loving, patient and compassionate. But they’re not immune to frustration. Edie’s beloved granddaughter reaches this point when it’s all too much. It’s important to have compassion for caregivers, Dr. Woolston says. In her book, Emily shows the love and frustration from the people who know Edie best.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “One Puzzling Afternoon.”

Learn more about dementia.

Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book “Day to Day: Living with Dementia.”
Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book “Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias.”
Listen to the Read. Talk. Grow. episode: The weighty decisions around dementia and accompanied death.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

28. Embracing a personal, purpose-focused approach to wellness

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Gladys McGarey, Larry Bergstrom, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 8 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Gladys McGarey, M.D., is a pioneer in allopathic and holistic medical movements and continues to practice medicine even now that she is over 100 years old. She is a founding diplomat of the American Board of Holistic Medicine. She is the cofounder and past president of the American Holistic Medical Association. She lives and works in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has cared for thousands of patients and people all around the world and across all life stages from birth to death, where she inspires what she calls living medicine.
Larry Bergstrom, M.D., is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona in the Division of Consultative Medicine. He is the past chair of general internal medicine in Mayo Clinic in Rochester and moved to Mayo Clinic Arizona 2006 to start the integrative medicine program. Dr. Bergstrom sees patients for whom conventional medicine has had insufficient answers, including those with chronic fatigue, chronic pain, autoimmune disease. He tells his patients that he is not so much focused on treating their disease but rather trying to find ways of helping them become healthy.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

The limits of conventional medicine. Conventional medicine can be passive, Dr. Bergstrom says: You go to the doctor and get a prescription. Dr. Bergstrom and Dr. Gladys believe in empowering their patients, engaging with them and giving them tools to improve their wellness.
A personal approach. Stress has important negative effects on health, but you can’t simply direct someone to “Be less stressed.” In fact, Dr. Bergstrom says you can’t address stress until you fully understand someone’s story: Who they are, how they got there, what’s happened to them, and how that’s affected their ability to live.
Finding your “juice.” Dr. Gladys wants everyone to recognize their “juice” — her term for your reason for living, your source of joy and purpose, and what gets you out of bed in the morning. Physicians often shy away from addressing this aspect of spiritual wellness, Dr. Bergstrom says, because it’s messy. But it’s essential to understand for whole-person wellness.

Can't get enough?

Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book “Live Younger Longer.”
Purchase “The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age.”
- From Bookshop.org.
- From Amazon.
- From Barnes & Noble.
Want to read more about health topics? Check out our blog.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

27. The challenges and costs of chronic illness in the U.S.

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Nicole Chung, Brenda Ernst, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 1 Nov 2023 11:44:00 +0000

We talked with:

Nicole Chung is the author of “A Living Remedy” and “All You Can Ever Know.” “A Living Remedy” was a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice and has already been named a Best Book of 2023 by Time, Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, USA Today, and Booklist, among others. Chung’s 2018 debut, the national bestseller “All You Can Ever Know,” landed on over 20 Best of the Year lists and has been translated into several languages.
Brenda Ernst, M.D., is a hematologist and oncologist at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Phoenix, Arizona. She cares for patients with various types of malignant cancers, especially breast and ovarian cancer. After earning her medical degree at St. George's University School of Medicine in Bay Shore, New York, Dr. Ernst completed an internal medicine residency at the Orlando Regional Medical Center and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she was Chief Fellow.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

The high cost of illness — and healthcare. When Nicole’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, Nicole was of course most worried about her mother’s life. Only later did she realize the financial fallout: insurmountable medical debt.
When care comes too late. Many people struggling with money and healthcare coverage put off receiving earlier treatment or preventive care. Nicole’s father didn’t receive crucial treatment until the last possible moment in his diabetes, and he needed to be on dialysis. What would her parent’s lives have looked like if he had access to treatment years before?
The tricky nature of caretaking for your caretakers. It’s a struggle to try to help parents, especially when parents want to protect their children from their hardships. Dr. Ernst says that it can be hard to ask for help if your identity is “the caretaker” or “the parent.” When we come up against a crisis, we want to reassure ourselves that we are who we have always been, but crisis changes us and our roles.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “A Living Remedy.”
- From Bookshop.org.
- From Amazon.
- From Barnes & Noble.
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

26. The power of plants — Above and below the belt

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 15:33:31 +0000

We talked with:

Ann Crile Esselstyn has been called "the Julia Child of plant-based-cooking." Ann's singular focus is on creating recipes to prevent and reverse heart disease, and she collaborates with her husband, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., in counseling patients.
Jane Esselstyn, R.N., is a nurse, researcher, middle school sex ed teacher and mother of three. She created the recipes for the #1 New York Times bestseller "Plant-Strong." She coauthored "The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet" with her brother, Rip Esselstyn and "The Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook" with Ann. Ann and Jane host a popular YouTube channel featuring heart-healthy recipes.
Dawn Mussallem, D.O., is a consultant in the Department of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic and an assistant professor of medicine. She has over 25 years of patient-centered clinical wellness experience and is nationally recognized in the field of breast medicine, lifestyle medicine, integrative oncology and cancer survivorship. Dr. Mussallem has a unique personal experience as a stage IV cancer patient diagnosed three months into medical school and as a heart transplant recipient.

We talked about:

You may feel and function better if you start eating a healthier, whole-food, plant-heavy diet. In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

"Above the belt" plant benefits. Dr. Mussallem outlines all the potential benefits for breast health, particularly as this may affect breast cancer survivors.
"Below the belt" plant benefits. The crew talks us through many other potential health benefits of eating plant-based foods, including benefits to cardiovascular, renal and vaginal health.
No perfectionists here. Taking on more plants in your diet is a process. You don't have to start a 100 miles per hour, 180 degree shift in your eating. Baby steps and slip-ups are expected.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "Be a Plant-Based Woman Warrior: Live Fierce, Stay Bold, Eat Delicious."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

25. Making mom friends when you don't fit in

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Helena Andrews-Dyer, Angela Mattke) — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Helena Andrews-Dyer is an award-winning culture reporter for The Washington Post, covering the intersection of popular culture, race, politics and art. She's the author of "Bitch is the New Black," "Reclaiming Her Time," and this episode's focus: "The Mamas: What I Learned about Kids, Race, and Class from Moms Not Like Me." She lives in D.C. with a husband whose laugh can be heard for miles and two carefree little brown girls.
Angela Mattke, M.D., is a pediatrician in the Division of Community Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Mayo Clinic Children's Center in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Mattke is the medical editor of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child" and co-medical editor of the Parenting channel on the Mayo Clinic Press website. In her daily work, Dr. Mattke enjoys seeing her patients smile and helping families who are struggling with health challenges.

We talked about:
In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

The need for solidarity. Motherhood is a time when you reach for friends with kids so you can complain, compare and question what's "normal." These friendships can be a big help, but sometimes parenthood is all you have in common. Helena talks about how George Floyd's murder highlighted the differences between the mothers, as she learned who she could trust as a Black mom.
The need to talk about race. Our guests say that parents of every race need to talk to their kids about the role of race in society. But talking isn't enough: You have to put your values into action. Your kids notice what you do and who your friends are.
The need to build resilient kids. It's important to help your kids learn how to express and cope with their emotions. You can't protect your kids from every bad thing — including racism or more general bullying — but you can build their confidence and resiliency.

Can't get enough?

Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book "Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child."
Purchase Helena's book "The Mamas: What I Learned about Kids, Race, and Class from Moms Not Like Me."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

24. The pain of being passed over professionally

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Lynn Cullen, Shikha Jain, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Lynn Cullen is a bestselling author of several historical novels including "The Sisters of Summit Avenue," "Twain's End," "Mrs. Poe," "Reign of Madness," and "I Am Rembrandt's Daughter." Lynn's novels have been translated into 17 languages. Her latest book is "The Woman with the Cure."
Dr. Shikha Jain is a board-certified hematology/oncology physician. She is a tenured associate professor of medicine at the University of Illinois Cancer Center in Chicago. She joins us today as the founder and chair of the Women in Medicine Summit, and founder and president of the nonprofit organization Women in Medicine.

We talked about:
In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Where are the women? When we look through history at incredible accomplishments, they're often credited to men. But where are the women? Usually they were in the background, generating work, ideas and discoveries that provided critical links to success and progress — but their contributions were downplayed, stolen or erased from the history books.
We've come so far, we've got so far to go. While many more women are employed in the science and medical fields today, there are still plenty of instances of bias and discrimination when it comes to promotion, pay, credit and leadership roles. You've probably heard personal stories to this effect, and there's data and research on these topics as well. As Dr. Jain says, "It's a slow, slow, slow train moving toward progress."
We've got to work together. As cliche as it sounds, women have to support other women and minority gender identities — and need to find male allies. Highlight other women's accomplishments when they're not in the room and speak highly of their work. And help yourself — ask for awards, promotions and raises — hopefully backed up by your allies.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "The Woman with the Cure."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book "You're the Leader. Now What?"
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:
- Leadership check-in: Are you the leader you intend to be?
- Balancing life as a busy professional and a mom

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

23. Beating burnout with self-acceptance

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Amelia Nagoski, Cynthia Stonnington, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 4 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Amelia Nagoski, D.M.A. (it stands for Doctorate of Musical Arts) is the co-author, with her sister Emily, of the New York Times bestselling "Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle" and the "Burnout Workbook."
Dr. Cynthia Stonnington is a professor of psychiatry and the associate medical director of the Office of Joy and Wellbeing at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. She is the previous chair of Psychiatry & Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, where she remains an active staff member. She's the author of "Burnout in Women Physicians: Prevention, Treatment, and Management."

We talked about:
In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Stress is a cycle. Amelia breaks down the difference between what's causing your stress (stressors) and the physical effect on your body (the stress). To stop the stress cycle, you might need to start listening to your body.
Why women (and gender diverse people) are prone to burnout. Our guests discuss the historical and systemic reasons that women tend to burn out, including their role as caregivers and their propensity to pick up the "invisible" household work that needs to get done.
Accept yourself. By refusing to judge yourself by external standards, you can more easily say "no" when tempted to take on commitments and tasks that won't fit in your life. Our guests also discuss how body acceptance plays a role in battling burnout.

Can't get enough?

Purchase Amelia's book "Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

22. The weighty decisions around dementia and accompanied death

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Amy Bloom, Joan McGregor, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Amy Bloom is the author of four novels: "White Houses," "Lucky Us," "Away," and "Love Invents Us"; and three collections of short stories: "Where the God Of Love Hangs Out," "Come to Me" (a finalist for the National Book Award), and "A Blind Man Can See How Much I Love You" (a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award). She is the director of the Shapiro Center at Wesleyan University. Her most recent book is the widely acclaimed New York Times bestselling memoir, "In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss."
Joan McGregor, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy at Arizona State University where she researches questions in moral and legal philosophy. She researches bioethics and sustainability — and has published more than 50 academic articles and book chapters, several of which focused on end-of-life care.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

The trickiness of dementia diagnosis. Dementia is often realized in retrospect. At first, it's easy to excuse symptomatic behavior as a personality quirk or fatigue. And the person themselves may not fully recognize that their abilities and capabilities are changing. Dementia also looks different person-to-person — affecting executive function, memory and personality to various degrees.
The fight for medical autonomy. The rights for medical autonomy have increased. You can refuse care and you can create directions for medical professionals to follow if you become unable to make those decisions for yourself. But those advanced directives aren't always taken seriously, and even states that allow physician-assisted death come with many conditions.
Facing the end. Our guests emphasize how important it is to have discussions with your loved ones about what you and they want for end-of-life care — regardless of your age or health status.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book "Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias."
Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book "Day to Day: Living with Dementia."
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

21. Getting real about breast cancer

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Liza Marshall, John Marshall, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Liza Marshall is a writer and community leader and volunteer. She graduated from Duke University and the University of Virginia School of Law. She helped to found a cancer support organization, Hope Connections for Cancer Support in Bethesda, Maryland. She continues to serve in leadership roles with Hope Connections, her church, and in her community. In 2006 when she was forty-three years old, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, the most deadly form of breast cancer. In 2021 she and her husband published a book about their experiences with Liza's cancer and how it impacted their lives and their family.
John Marshall, M.D., received his training at Duke University, the University of Louisville, and Georgetown University. Dr. Marshall is an internationally recognized expert in new drug development for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. In 2009, he established the Otto J. Ruesch Center for the Cure of GI Cancers, an organization solely focused on improving the lives of GI cancer patients through innovative research, personalized medicine and focused advocacy. In 2015, Dr. Marshall both established and directed the Precision Oncology Alliance, a national alliance established to study the impact of molecular profiling on cancer research, value and outcomes. He currently is serving as the Oncology CMO for Indivumed, creating a global precision medicine research network.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Screening is important, but not perfect. Liza did all the right things: Annual mammograms, regular health visits and even monthly breast self-exams. But one day, she realized one breast was larger than the other. Diligent screening is important, but it doesn’t protect you from bad outcomes — and it doesn’t always catch cancer. Along with screening, it’s important to trust your intuition when it feels like something is off.
The frantic search for a cure. After her diagnosis, Liza and John found themselves acting “irrationally” — asking if she could try a drug that hadn’t been proven for her type of cancer. Fear can make people — even very informed patients like John and Lisa — willing to try almost anything to cure their cancer or improve their chances of survival. It’s an understandable impulse, and something that patients can hopefully openly discuss with their healthcare team in order to sift through the evidence together.
Navigating cancer as a couple: The real deal. John and Liza’s book doesn’t hide the frustrations and tensions that can occur in a couple during the stress of cancer treatment. Importantly, it also touches on how cancer affects your sex life. By sharing these personal details, they hope to give readers a better idea of what it’s realistically like to navigate cancer — as both a patient and a caregiver.

Can't get enough?

Purchase “Off Our Chests: A Candid Tour Through the World of Cancer.”
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon.
- From Barnes & Noble.
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

20. The mystery, mayhem and joys of middle age and beyond

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Laurie Notaro, Erum Jadoon, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Laurie Notaro has been fired from seven jobs, laid off from three and voluntarily liberated from one. Despite all that, she has managed to write a number of New York Times bestselling essay collections, including "The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club," "Autobiography of a Fat Bride," and "Housebroken." She lives with her husband in Oregon. Her most recent book, "Excuse Me While I Disappear," is based on what happened when her husband started to receive AARP memberships materials.
Erum Jadoon, M.D., is a geriatrician, internist and an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Her interests include nutrition, bone health and geriatric medicine with an emphasis on functional status, unintentional weight loss and frailty. She is on faculty with the Academy of Communication in Healthcare and teaches communication to Mayo Clinic with faculty, physicians in training and medical students.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

The mystery of older age. Many people enter middle age and are blindsided by the changes to their bodies. Others have difficulty even describing themselves as "aging."
The assumptions of ageism. Ageism is real, and it comes with assumptions — "You don't have anything to contribute," "Your life is behind you," or even "You're a nonsexual being." These may just seem annoying or insensitive, but ageism can actually have negative effects on your health and wellbeing! And those assumptions are not true — many people find greater confidence, enjoyment and freedom as they age.
The call to respect your elders! It's often not until you reach older ages that you look back and wish you had listened to your parents or grandparents — and asked them more questions! Laurie advocates for having "the talk" with middle-aged women about what they can expect in the next phase of life.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "Excuse Me While I Disappear: Tales of Midlife Mayhem."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book The New Rules of Menopause.
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

19. How to survive — or even thrive — as a medical professional

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Anthony Chin-Quee, Alyx B. Porter, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 6 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Anthony Chin-Quee, M.D., is a board-certified otolaryngologist with degrees from Harvard University and Emory University School of Medicine. An award-winning storyteller with The Moth, he has been on the writing staff of Fox's "The Resident" and a medical adviser for ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." He is the author of the memoir "I Can't Save You."
Alyx B. Porter, M.D., is a neurologist who subspecializes in neuro-oncology. Her clinical focuses include tumors of the brain and spinal cord; neurological complications of cancer and cancer treatment including brain metastases. Dr. Porter is the most senior Black female adult neuro-oncologist in the country. She is passionate about physician workforce diversity. She is a noted philanthropist, having endowed a scholarship at her alma mater, Spellman College, and created ElevateMeD, a nonprofit to support the next generation of diverse physician leaders.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Numbing yourself is not the answer. Dr. Chin-Quee's book talks about how drugs, alcohol or sex are used to numb the stress and strain of medical training and work. Another coping strategy is to emotionally disassociate from your patients. But Dr. Porter argues she's a better doctor when she cares — and patients can tell when you don't. The challenge is to care without letting these feelings consume you.
Dealing with medical fatigue. Sometimes you don’t know you’re about to burn out until it happens. Dr. Porter starts look for any shift in pattern among learners — are they starting to come in later? Are they getting a little more irritable with patients or colleagues? It’s important to really ask, “How are you doing?” and if necessary, ask them multiple times.
Create spaces for underrepresented groups in medicine. Despite all the progress (and lip service) paid to diversity, equity and inclusion in medicine, it's still essentially a "club for white guys," Dr. Chin-Quee says. It's important to admit the medical world wasn't made for you, Dr. Chin-Quee says, so you can carve out your own place in it. Dr. Porter talks about systemic changes needed to better support women and people of color in medicine — including scholarships, mentorships and leadership development — which is why she founded ElevateMeD.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "I Can't Save You."
- From Bookshop.org.
- From Amazon.
- From Barnes & Noble.
Want to read more about health topics? Check out our blog.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

18. The care and keeping of friends

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Laura Tremaine, Judith Engelman, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Laura Tremaine is an author, podcaster and influencer. She launched the "10 Things To Tell You" podcast, a show born from her realization that sharing herself online and in person pulled her out of a long season of loneliness. From the "10 Things To Tell You" podcast came her first book "Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First: 10 Questions to Take Your Friendships to the Next Level." Her second book released in 2023 and is titled "The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs."
Judith Engelman, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist who has practiced in Phoenix and Scottsdale for 40 years. Based on her vast experience in running therapy and support groups, Dr. Engelman was asked to collaborate in developing and facilitating the "Authentic Connections" groups in a research study with Mayo Scottsdale Department of Psychiatry and Arizona State University Department of Psychology. Blending her interests in individual, group and family therapy, psychopharmacology, yoga and spirituality, Dr. Engelman has always advocated for an integrative approach to healing.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Friendship is an action. Friendship means showing up and supporting the ones you love. So if communication doesn't come naturally to you, you may want to add friendship tasks (checking in, phone calls, texts) to your to-do list. To some, that may seem like you're making friendship a chore, but it's an actionable way to make your friends a priority.
Friendships have a spectrum of intimacy. Not every friendship has to be the soul-baring kind. Laura wants to highlight the value of relationships with co-workers, fellow soccer moms or online friends obsessed with the same TV show as you. One person can't fulfill every friendship need: Maybe you need one fun friend, a friend who brings you soup when you're sick and another friend with kids the same age.
How do we make new friends? Though we often think of making new friends as an exhausting burden, Laura encourages us to see it for the exciting prospect it is: Finding someone who likes the most current version of you. And she encourages us to chill out a bit — aim for one good conversation with each outing. That's enough!

Can't get enough?

Purchase "The Life Council."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more about health topics? Check out our blog.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

17. The alcohol-breast cancer connection

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Clare Pooley, Karen Anderson, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Clare Pooley graduated from Newnham College, Cambridge, before spending nearly 20 years in the heady world of advertising. Clare worked hard, played hard and drank even harder. By the time she was 46 years old she knew she had to go sober. She started a blog called Mummy was a Secret Drinker by way of therapy. That blog went viral and became a memoir: "The Sober Diaries." Clare then started writing fiction. Her debut novel — "The Authenticity Project" — is a New York Times bestseller and is published in 30 languages. Her second novel — "Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting" — is out now.
Karen Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., is an associate professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. She's a medical oncologist and researcher. She focuses on breast cancer, particularly immunotherapy, treatments to reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence and using genomics to guide treatment decisions. She received her M.D. and Ph.D. from Duke University School of Medicine and was trained at the Brigham and Women's Hospital as well as Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Am I an alcoholic? Clare spent a lot of time Googling this question until she realized the better question was "Is alcohol proving detrimental to my life?" The word "alcoholic" has so much stigma it prevents people from getting the help they need for fear of such a serious label. Clare kept trying to moderate her drinking, but when she found herself drinking out of a "World's Best Mum" mug before noon, she realized it was time to quit.
Breast cancer and alcohol. Alcohol is a carcinogen, and elevates risk of breast cancer as well as other types of cancer. But Clare — as well as many other educated people — have no idea about the link. And it's unclear if alcohol use among survivors increases risk of recurrence.
The opposite of addiction is connection. Through her blog, Clare found an online community of people like her who helped support her in her drinking recovery. When she was tempted to start drinking again, she thought, "I can't let these people down." If you're thinking of giving up drinking, you don't have to do it alone! There are many people going through a similar journey.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "The Sober Diaries: How one woman stopped drinking and started living."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

16. Imagining a more inclusive world for people with autism

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Laurie Frankel, Andrea Huebner, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Laurie Frankel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of four novels. Her writing has also appeared in The New York Times and other publications. She is the recipient of the Washington State Book Award and the Endeavor Award. Her novels have been translated into more than twenty-five languages and been optioned for film and TV. A former college professor, she now writes full-time in Seattle, Washington where she lives with her family and makes good soup.
Andrea Huebner, Ph.D., is a Mayo Clinic pediatric neuropsychologist and autism expert. Dr. Huebner has performed diagnostic evaluations for thousands of children with autism and is still fascinated by the uniqueness of each child’s autism experience. She is involved in advocacy aimed at prompting communities to recognize the enormous potential contributions of individuals with autism.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

The many faces of autism. Using Dr. Huebner’s expertise and Laurie’s characters, we reflect on the range of features that can show up in someone with autism spectrum disorder. Autism can look very different in different people, but there are common themes that can help us better understand this kind of neurodivergence.
Seeing the strengths. Rather than pathologizing Monday's autistic characteristics, Laurie sees them as simple differences — and in some cases, as strengths. Getting to know someone with autism spectrum disorder (whether in fiction or real life) can help us better understand these differences.
Imagining a better world. Laurie’s book is set in an inclusive community that has been set up with a universal design to accommodate people of different abilities. We consider how we could make the real world more accommodating for people of all abilities.

Can't get enough?

Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press children’s book “My Life Beyond Autism.”
Purchase “One Two Three.”
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon.
- From Barnes & Noble.
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:
- Early signs of autism
- Autism: Diagnosis before kindergarten has therapy benefits

Got feedback?

If you’ve got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

15. Breaking the mold: Gender diversity, pregnancy and parenting

Wed, 9 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Krys Malcolm Belc is the author of "The Natural Mother of the Child: A Memoir of Nonbinary Parenting." His essays have been featured in Granta, Guernica, The Rumpus and elsewhere.
Caroline Davidge-Pitts, M.D., is an associate professor of medicine and associate practice chair of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition at Mayo Clinic Rochester. She is the medical director of the Transgender and Intersex Specialty Care Clinic.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Navigating nontraditional parenthood. From defying your parents' expectations to strange looks from strangers to having to adopt your own children, Krys talks about his experience with fertility treatment, pregnancy care and parenting as a transmasculine parent.
Navigating the health care system. How can health care providers make parenthood more accessible and comfortable for gender diverse people? Krys and Dr. Davidge-Pitts have some ideas.

Can't get enough?

Purchase Krys' book "The Natural Mother of the Child: A Memoir of Nonbinary Parenting."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

14. Discovering the loss, pain and beauty at the end of life

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Catherine Newman, Maisha T. Robinson, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 2 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Catherine Newman is a writer who has written a gazillion columns, articles, and canned-bean recipes for magazines and newspapers. Her essays have been widely anthologized. She is the author of the memoirs "Waiting for Birdy" and "Catastrophic Happiness," the middle-grade novel "One Mixed-Up Night," and the bestselling kids' life-skills books "How to Be a Person" and "What Can I Say?" "We All Want Impossible Things" is her first adult novel. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts where she is the secretary of Creative Writing at Amherst College. Oh, and she has a Ph.D.
Maisha T. Robinson, M.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at Mayo Clinic in Florida, with a joint appointment in the Department of Internal Medicine. Upon joining the staff of Mayo Clinic, she established the clinic's first neuropalliative care program and she currently serves as the chair of the Division of Palliative Medicine and as the program director for the Palliative Medicine Fellowship. Dr. Robinson has spoken nationally and internationally on neuropalliative care, she edited a book titled Case Studies in Neuropalliative Care, and she is a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine Approval Committee on Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

The shift from fighting for life to getting ready for death. Entering hospice care requires a mental shift. But Catherine says this shift can be a relief as the dying person releases the pressure to "get better." Dr. Robinson says hospice can improve quality of life — for the person who is dying and for friends and family — and prepare everyone for the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges in the coming disease stages.
The shift from caregiving to grieving. If you're caring for someone in hospice, you may experience anticipatory grief. But the grief that comes after death may be quite different from your feelings from before they died, sometimes in surprising ways. You may also struggle to adjust to the abrupt end of your identity as a caregiver.
The shifts from crying to laughing. Being a friend to someone as they die often means reminiscing, and that's oftentimes funny. This levity can be a gift for everyone involved. Our guests also talk about practical ways to support loved ones and caretakers during the last stages of life.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "We All Want Impossible Things."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

12. Flipping the script on menopause

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Kirsten Miller, Paru David, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Kirsten Miller is a groundbreaking feminist author in YA literature, best known for her popular Kiki Strike series. In addition to writing novels, Kirsten spent 25 years as a strategist in the advertising industry. During that time she worked for some of the largest agencies in the world, as well as boutique agencies and an eight-person startup. She's proud to have quit at least two of those jobs over ads and incidents described in "The Change."
Paru David, M.D., is a consultant and assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic. After her internal medicine residency at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, she joined Women's Health Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in 1999. She has published research and given lectures in the areas of menopause, contraception, menstrual migraine and sexual health. She's a contributor to the Mayo Clinic Press book "The Menopause Solution."

We talked about:

It's time to talk about menopause. Despite the fact that menopause happens to roughly half the population, it's shrouded in secrecy and even shame. That means most people who experience menopause walk into it blind and are surprised by the changes they experience. Dr. David and Kirsten Miller want to change that.
Menopause isn't the end. Life, careers, interests, relationships — and yes, sex — can extend far beyond middle age. For some women, middle age is a renaissance where they're most comfortable with themselves and thrive in ways they didn't in their 20s or 30s. Kirsten Miller talks about "rebranding" menopause in her book as a time of newfound power.

Can't get enough?

Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book "The Menopause Solution."
Purchase Kirsten's book "The Change."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

11. What you stand to gain when you give up drinking

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Holly Whitaker, Kristen Schmidt, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 17:20:00 +0000

We talked with:

Holly Whitaker is a writer, researcher, teacher, student and the author of the wildly popular, New York Times Bestseller, "Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol."
Kristen Schmidt, M.D., is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist at Park Nicollet.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests talk about:

Reframing sobriety. It's hard to face quitting drinking when you focus on everything you'll lose: The taste, the social acceptance, the ability to relax in social situations. We'll talk instead about the many benefits to your physical, social and emotional health.
Reframing alcohol. Sipping a cocktail or choosing a bottle of wine for the table are actions laden with meaning. Alcohol can frame you as fun, sexy, successful or social. Holly Whitaker helps take some of the power away from what she calls "just a liquid."
Reframing community. Finding a community to support your recovery and sobriety can be difficult — and in some cases, impossible. But community can take many different forms, and we've got some ideas on what those could be.

Can't get enough?

Purchase Holly's book "Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

10. Chronic kidney disease and the transformative power of transplant

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Abby Jimenez, Mira Keddis, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 5 Jul 2023 17:20:00 +0000

We talked with:

Abby Jimenez is a New York Times bestselling author and Food Network champion living in Minnesota. Abby founded Nadia Cakes out of her home kitchen back in 2007. She is also the author of five bestselling novels. Abby loves a good romance, coffee, doglets and not leaving the house. "Yours Truly" is her latest book.
Mira Keddis, M.D., is a consultant and associate professor of medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Keddis is passionate about education and supporting and advocating for patients, learners and faculty.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

The silent nature of kidney disease. Unfortunately, kidney disease often does not have obvious symptoms. Instead, symptoms may be gradual and attributed to stress or exhaustion. Most standard lab tests can quickly identify if something is wrong with your kidneys. But if you're not receiving regular medical checkups, problems may fly under the radar.
The mental burden of chronic disease. Chronic diseases such as kidney disease can exacerbate mental health challenges and lead to depression and anxiety. Even in the early stages of disease, the "what ifs" can get to you, Abby says: What if I can't eat my favorite foods? What if I need to go on dialysis?
The transformative power of kidney transplant. Facing a lifetime of dialysis is a traumatic proposition, Dr. Keddis says. Abby's book portrays the transformative power and hope that a kidney transplant can bring. We break down the types of kidney transplants and what transplant entails.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "Yours Truly."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more about health topics? Check out our blog.

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

9. Unlocking the mysteries of perimenopause

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Heather Corinna, Jewel Kling, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 17:20:00 +0000

We talked with:

Heather Corinna is the author of "What Fresh Hell Is This? Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities and You." They are the founder and director of Scarleteen, the pioneering inclusive sexuality, relationships and health education resource for young people established in 1998, and the current sexuality chair at Our Bodies, Ourselves Today.
Dr. Jewel Kling is a professor of medicine, chair of the Division of Women's Health Internal Medicine, assistant director of the Women's Health Center and associate chair of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity for the Department of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her clinical and research interests are in menopause, sexual health and LGBT care.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Navigating the unknown. When it comes to perimenopause, there's a lot that a lot of us don't know. Women, nonbinary people — and yes, sex educators and physicians — can be surprised by their perimenopausal experience.
Navigating the treatment maze. We know you've heard it a million times, but health basics (like getting enough sleep, managing stress, etc.) are actually really important in this phase of life. And our guests offer reassurance that hormone therapy is not a big, scary thing. Like any other medication, it comes with risks and benefits, and it's not for everyone.
Navigating a new sex life. Sex may be different during perimenopause and beyond — but that could be a good thing. If certain types of sex don't work as well for you after the menopause transition, you may need to explore new, satisfying facets of your sexuality. There's no normal!

Can't get enough?

Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book "The Menopause Solution."
Purchase Heather's book "What Fresh Hell Is This? Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities and You."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

8. Based on a true story: The sad reality of forced sterilization in the U.S.

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Swapna Reddy, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the New York Times bestselling author of "Wench," "Balm," and most recently "Take My Hand." In 2011, she was a finalist for two NAACP Image Awards and the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award for fiction. Dolen is the current chair of the board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. She is currently associate professor in the Literature Department at American University and lives in Washington, D.C., with her family.
Swapna Reddy, J.D., DrPH, M.P.H., is a clinical associate professor at Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions. At Arizona State University, Dr. Reddy teaches undergraduate and graduate coursework — including as faculty at Arizona State University's Barrett, the Honors College in Medical Studies. Additionally, she is an adjunct assistant professor in Health Care Administration at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Reddy also was named a Fulbright Specialist.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Historical fiction that's not that historical … or fictitious. "We're still living many of the issues that are being discussed in this book," Dr. Reddy says. Women and girls are still fighting for the right to control their own reproductive choices — whether that's to reproduce or not to reproduce.
The need to feel heard. There are too many anecdotes about women not being heard in the doctor's office. You may know Serena William's story of repeatedly asking doctors to take her risk of blood clots seriously after giving birth, but you probably know someone much closer to you who's experienced the same thing.
The road to hell … How could so many people allow the forced sterilization of women to happen in the U.S.? In Dolen's book (as in life) good intentions aren't a barrier to doing real harm. We talk about the need to examine our own culpability in harmful systems.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "Take My Hand."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

7. Breaking the silence surrounding miscarriage

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Jackie Polzin, Denise Millstine, Kate White) — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 21:38:11 +0000

We talked with:

Jackie Polzin lives in West St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband and two children. Her first novel, "Brood," won the Sue Kaufman First Fiction Prize and the L.A. Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction, and was shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. Her writing has appeared in O, The Oprah Magazine, Literary Hub and The Idaho Review.
Kate White, M.D., M.P.H., is an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Boston University School of Medicine and the vice chair of academics in the OB-GYN department at Boston Medical Center. A board-certified OB-GYN, Dr. Kate has been caring for women for more than 20 years, helping them navigate periods, childbirth, pregnancy loss and every other stage leading up to menopause. She's the author of the Mayo Clinic Press books "Your Sexual Health" and "Your Guide to Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss."

We talked about:

Silence. Though miscarriage is incredibly common, we don't talk about it much as a society. Sometimes people don't talk about miscarriage because they don't want to make others uncomfortable. Sometimes friends and family are afraid of saying the wrong thing. This makes grief lonely and means many people don't get the support they need.
Slowness. Trying to rush through grief and "get it over with" probably won't work. Dr. Kate and Jackie talk about sitting with the loss, as well as how to remember and honor their losses — plus, how you can support someone who has experienced a loss.
Guilt. Many people who experience a miscarriage need to know: It's not your fault. Dr. Kate wants you to know that there's no place for guilt — and it makes grief worse.

Can't get enough?

Purchase Kate's books, "Your Sexual Health" or "Your Guide to Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss."
Purchase Jackie's book "Brood."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Other books on miscarriage mentioned in this episode include:
- "Dept. of Speculation" by Jenny Offill
- "Swimming Back to Trout River" by Linda Rui Feng.
- "Motherhood" by Shelia Heti
- "The White Book" by Han Kang
- "I Had a Miscarriage" by Jessica Zucker
- "An Exact Replica Of A Figment Of My Imagination" by Elizabeth McCracken
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

6. Is it cheating? Challenging assumptions about infidelity

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Stacey Swann, Jennifer Vencill, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 14:07:05 +0000

We talked with:

Stacey Swann holds an MFA from Texas State University and was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. Her fiction has appeared in multiple journals, and she is a Contributing Editor of American Short Fiction. Her first novel "Olympus, Texas" has received critical acclaim.
Jennifer Vencill, Ph.D., L.P., is an assistant professor, board certified clinical health psychologist and AASECT certified sex therapist. Dr. Vencill spends the bulk of her time providing integrated sexual health care in the Menopause and Women's Sexual Health Clinic. She's currently working on her first popular press book, a guide for managing sexual desire discrepancies in relationships — to be published in summer 2023!

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Infidelity is a health issue. Infidelity is a common experience that can greatly affect interpersonal and intimate relationships — and by extension, your mental health — with collateral damage for kids, friends and communities.
The definition of infidelity is personal. "Cheating" means different things to different people. A lot depends on what you've agreed to in your relationship … or what you assume your partner has agreed to.
Judge not. This novel brings the complexities of affairs to life. People may not cheat (or be "the other woman" or stay with a cheating partner) for the reasons that you think. We discuss some of the characters who don't fit the mold.

This concludes Season One. To sign up for emails with more information about future releases and other women's health content, click here.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "Olympus, Texas."
- From Bookshop.org.
- From Amazon.
- From Barnes & Noble.
Pre-order Dr. Vencill's book: "Desire: An Inclusive Guide to Navigating Libido Differences in Relationships."
- From Bookshop.org.
- From Amazon.
- From Barnes & Noble.
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

5. Weathering the storm of chronic racism and oppression

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:11:30 +0000

We talked with:

Dr. Arline T. Geronimus, author of "Weathering: The Extraordinary Stress of Ordinary Life in an Unjust Society," is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine. She is a Professor at the University of Michigan with appointments in the School of Public Health and the Institute for Social Research and is affiliated with the Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health. Dr. Geronimus originated the biopsychosocial theory of “weathering.”
Sumedha G. Penheiter, Ph.D., has a doctoral degree in biochemistry and genetics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her postdoctoral work at Mayo Clinic was focused on cancer biology, where she researched signaling pathways in carcinogenesis. Subsequently she worked as a program manager within research administration at Mayo Clinic, with a focus on health disparities research.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

The toll of weathering. The term, coined by Dr. Geronimus, posits that it’s chronically stressful to be part of an oppressed group, and this has consequences for your physical, emotional and mental health. The term is also meant to convey the strength of those that have been weathered and persevere.
The blame game. Many times, people are blamed for their health conditions, whether its high blood pressure, diabetes or weight. It's assumed they’re “not taking care of themselves.” Weathering argues against this individualistic perspective. Health issues often stem from greater societal issues — including how society treats certain people, not how those people treat themselves.
Hope on the horizon. Recognizing the physical toll of chronic oppression is an important first step, but it’s not enough. Policy-wide changes are needed, often requiring legislative changes. And health care systems can explore some direct ways to improve health care access — like providing childcare and reimbursing travel costs for treatment.

Can't get enough?

Purchase "Weathering: The Extraordinary Stress of Ordinary Life in an Unjust Society."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon.
- From Barnes & Noble.
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

4. We need everyone's help to end the opioid crisis

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Beth Macy, Holly Geyer, Denise Millstine) — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 14:00:08 +0000

We talked with:

Beth Macy is a Virginia-based journalist with three decades of experience and an award-winning author of three New York Times bestselling books: "Factory Man," "Truevine" and "Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America." Her newest book is "Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice, and the Future of America's Overdose Crisis."
Dr. Holly Geyer is an addiction medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Her work focuses on care of complex patients in the hospital with a focus on quality of life and the best use of nondrug interventions for treating symptoms, including pain. She is the author of "Ending the Crisis: Mayo Clinic's Guide to Opioid Addiction and Safe Opioid Use."

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

Addiction as a medical condition. Opioid use disorder (OUD) isn't a moral weakness, and it's not just a social problem or a mental health disorder. It's a health condition, and everyone is at risk.
The need for nonjudgmental, evidence-based care. Many people with OUD think they can't get better. Beth Macy argues this is partially because they've never been able to access evidence-based care. Holly argues it's time to stop battling against opioids and start battling for the people impacted by them.
Hope for healing. Ending the opioid crisis may seem like an impossible task, but both of these books offer ideas and solutions for battling and preventing opioid addiction. Beth Macy's book looks at the heroes on the front lines — sometimes in unexpected locations like a McDonald's parking lot. They say that ultimately, we all have a role to play.

Can't get enough?

Purchase Dr. Geyer's book "Ending the Crisis: Mayo Clinic's Guide to Opioid Addiction and Safe Opioid Use."
Purchase Beth Macy's book "Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice, and the Future of America's Overdose Crisis."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Barnes & Noble
- From Amazon
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

3. Uprooting racism in health care

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Linda Villarosa, Amaal Starling, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Linda Villarosa is a journalist, an educator and a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine. She covers the intersection of health and medicine and social justice. Her book "Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation" was published in June 2022.
Amaal Starling, M.D. is an associate professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. She is an expert in concussion and headache — particularly in women.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests talk about:

The problems start at birth. Linda talks about her reporting on disparities in pregnant women and their babies — but the problems of racism in medicine don't stop there. The guests explain how chronic stress from racism and bias accelerates aging and contributes to disparities.
The problems are often ignored. All too often Black people seek care and are ignored, disrespected, misdiagnosed or blamed for their medical problems.
The problems have solutions. There's hope! Our guests talk about personal and political solutions. They've seen medical trainees and residents challenge practices and push change to correct systemic problems.

Can't get enough?

Purchase Linda Villarosa's book "Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation"
- From Bookshop.org
- From Barnes & Noble
- From Amazon
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

2. Trust yourself: It's not 'all in your head'

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Lauren Bosworth, Jodie Horton, Denise Millstine) — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Lauren Bosworth is the founder and CEO of total-body care brand, Love Wellness. Since launching the company in 2016, she has expanded Love Wellness to include vaginal health, gut health and ingestible beauty. Lo is seeking to change the narrative around self-care culture and empower others to feel supported, welcomed and safe during their own wellness journeys.
Jodie Horton, M.D., is a board-certified OB-GYN practicing in Washington, DC. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Medical College of Virginia. She combines holistic and western medicine to provide the best care for her patients and is a medical expert for Love Wellness.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discussed:

Empowered self-advocacy. Lo was written off or dismissed by too many doctors on her journey to wellness. She's here to teach you what to watch for and how to be your own advocate — inside and outside the doctor's office.
Keeping it simple. Lo jokes that her role is to ask health professionals, "But why, exactly?" By breaking down the body and its processes into simple pieces, it helps women understand and accept their bodies. She keeps it simple with her advice for lifestyle changes — offering doable and gradual strategies to help turn the tide of your health.

Can't get enough?

Purchase the Mayo Clinic Press book "Taking Care of You."
Purchase Lo's book "Love Yourself Well: An Empowering Wellness Guide to Supporting Your Gut, Brain, and Vagina."
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion are voluntary.

1. It's complicated: Making decisions about your reproductive health

readtalkgrow@mayo.edu (Kate White, Susan Wiggs, Denise Millstine) — Tue, 7 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

We talked with:

Susan Wiggs is the author of more than 50 novels, including the beloved Lakeshore Chronicles series and the instant New York Times bestseller "Family Tree." Her award-winning books have been translated into two dozen languages. She lives with her husband on an island in Washington State's Puget Sound.
Kate White, M.D., M.P.H., is an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Boston University School of Medicine and the vice chair of academics in the OB-GYN department at Boston Medical Center. A board-certified OB-GYN, Dr. Kate has been caring for women for more than 20 years, helping them navigate periods, childbirth, pregnancy loss, and every other stage leading up to menopause. She's the author of the Mayo Clinic Press books "Your Sexual Health" and "Your Guide to Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss."

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

There is hope after trauma. Many women and people experience life-altering trauma, which can lead to depression and feelings of hopelessness. But healing is possible — and this is a romance book, so you know there's a happy ending coming.
Reproductive rights are real life. Susan talks about how she pulled from her friends' lives and stories straight from the headlines to inform the writing of her book.

Can't get enough?

Purchase Dr. Kate's books
- Your Sexual Health
- Your Guide to Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss
Purchase Susan Wigg's book "Sugar and Salt"
- From Bookshop.org
- From Amazon
- From Barnes & Noble
Want to read more on the topic? Check out our blog:

Got feedback?

If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at readtalkgrow@mayo.edu.
We invite you to complete the following survey as part of a research study at Mayo Clinic. Your responses are anonymous. Your participation in this survey as well as its completion is voluntary.