Shows
Read. Talk. Grow.57. Beyond the gender binary with Laurie FrankelBestselling 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...2025-06-2546 min
Read. Talk. Grow.56. Addressing physician burnout with Maggie North and Dr. Jessi GoldIn 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 b...2025-06-1844 min
Read. Talk. Grow.Best of: Alexandra Tanner on hives, shame and self-blameChronic 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...2025-06-0438 min
Read. Talk. Grow.Best of: Abby Jimenez on kidney disease and the transformative power of transplantWe 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.2025-05-2834 min
Read. Talk. Grow.Best of: Beth Macy believes we all have a role in ending the opioid crisisWe 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...2025-05-2139 min
Read. Talk. Grow.Best of: Dolen Perkins-Valdez on the sad reality of forced sterilizationWe 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...2025-05-0738 min
Read. Talk. Grow.Best of: Stacey Swann is challenging assumptions about infidelityWe 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...2025-04-3029 min
Read. Talk. Grow.Best of: Kirsten Miller wants to rebrand menopauseWe 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...2025-04-2340 min
Read. Talk. Grow.Best of: Melissa Bond's journey out of benzodiazepine dependenceThe 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. I...2025-04-1641 min
Read. Talk. Grow.54. It's never too late to create communityEpisode 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 w...2025-04-0248 min
Read. Talk. Grow.53. Human connection in the hospital: The unique patient-nurse relationshipWhen 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 De...2025-03-2644 min
Read. Talk. Grow.52. Science or snake oil? Examining the wellness industryAre 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 Rear...2025-03-1943 min
Read. Talk. Grow.51. Embracing poetry and releasing perfectionDon’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 beh...2025-03-1239 min
Read. Talk. Grow.50. The gift-curse of fully inhabited griefGrief 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...2025-03-0549 min
Read. Talk. Grow.49. Listening to people with speech differencesChildren 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 Literatur...2025-02-2638 min
Read. Talk. Grow.48. More than a headache: How migraine can disrupt your lifeMigraines 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 w...2025-02-1939 min
Read. Talk. Grow.47. Coping with grief and unanswerable questions after suicideWhen 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 helpIf you're feeling overwhelmed by thoughts of not wanting to live or you're having urges t...2025-02-1238 min
Read. Talk. Grow.46. Beyond the stigma of bipolar disorderAmid 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 Alic...2025-02-0548 min
Read. Talk. Grow.45. Not your typical adoption storyEither 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, Publ...2025-01-2943 min
Read. Talk. Grow.44. Hope for the long road after strokeStroke 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 psyc...2025-01-2235 min
Read. Talk. Grow.43. Sitting with the fear of deathWhile 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...2025-01-1537 min
Read. Talk. Grow.42. Shame, mystery and misinformation about women’s bodiesHistorically, 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...2025-01-0836 min
Read. Talk. Grow.Best of: What you stand to gain when you give up drinkingIf 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...2025-01-0143 min
Read. Talk. Grow.Best of: Embracing a personal, purpose-focused approach to wellnessWe 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...2024-12-2531 min
Read. Talk. Grow.41. A dog, a disability and a journey to independenceStephen 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 "Eavesdr...2024-12-1836 min
Read. Talk. Grow.40. Breaking through shame and self-blame: Hope for hives and other chronic conditionsChronic 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...2024-12-1138 min
Read. Talk. Grow.39. Examining diet culture, shame and desireIn 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...2024-12-0445 min
Read. Talk. Grow.38. Dealing with delusions: When family members have fixed, false beliefsSevere 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...2024-11-2735 min
Read. Talk. Grow.37. Menopause: Surprising symptoms and mixed emotionsYou 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 Yo...2024-11-2041 min
Read. Talk. Grow.35. Psychedelics: Helpful, healing or harmful?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 t...2024-11-0647 min
Read. Talk. Grow.34. What you weren’t expecting: The weird, painful and surreal sides of pregnancy and fertilityAuthor 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...2024-10-3042 min
Read. Talk. Grow.33. Navigating breast cancer risk, BRCA and blossoming romanceEpisode 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-maste...2024-10-2334 min
Read. Talk. Grow.31. Escaping the grip of benzodiazepinesThe 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. I...2024-10-0938 min
Read. Talk. Grow.30. Feeling the rage of the menopause transitionFor 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, Amazi...2024-10-0251 min
Read. Talk. Grow.28. Embracing a personal, purpose-focused approach to wellnessWe 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...2023-11-0833 min
Read. Talk. Grow.27. The challenges and costs of chronic illness in the U.S.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 vari...2023-11-0148 min
Read. Talk. Grow.26. The power of plants — Above and below the beltWe 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...2023-10-2538 min
Read. Talk. Grow.25. Making mom friends when you don't fit inWe 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...2023-10-1834 min
Read. Talk. Grow.24. The pain of being passed over professionallyWe 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...2023-10-1140 min
Read. Talk. Grow.23. Beating burnout with self-acceptanceWe 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."...2023-10-0443 min
Read. Talk. Grow.20. The mystery, mayhem and joys of middle age and beyondWe 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...2023-09-1347 min
Read. Talk. Grow.19. How to survive — or even thrive — as a medical professionalWe 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 f...2023-09-0649 min
Read. Talk. Grow.18. The care and keeping of friendsWe 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...2023-08-3051 min
Read. Talk. Grow.16. Imagining a more inclusive world for people with autismWe 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...2023-08-1640 min
Read. Talk. Grow.15. Breaking the mold: Gender diversity, pregnancy and parentingWe 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...2023-08-0943 min
Read. Talk. Grow.14. Discovering the loss, pain and beauty at the end of lifeWe 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...2023-08-0240 minRead. Talk. Grow.When women talk, do doctors listen?We talked with:Deborah Copaken is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including "Shutterbabe," "The Red Book," "Between Here and April," and "Ladyparts," her most recent memoir of bodily destruction and resurrection during marital rupture.Mary I. O'Connor, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon, health equity leader, health care entrepreneur and leader of the national nonprofit coalition Movement is Life.Kanwal L. Haq, M.S., is a medical anthropologist, community organizer and nonprofit consultant. She currently leads the NYC women's health programs at the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of...2023-07-2646 min
Read. Talk. Grow.12. Flipping the script on menopauseWe 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...2023-07-1940 min
Read. Talk. Grow.11. What you stand to gain when you give up drinkingWe 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...2023-07-1245 min
Read. Talk. Grow.10. Chronic kidney disease and the transformative power of transplantWe 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.2023-07-0534 min
Read. Talk. Grow.9. Unlocking the mysteries of perimenopauseWe 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...2023-06-2834 min
Read. Talk. Grow.8. Based on a true story: The sad reality of forced sterilization in the U.S.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...2023-06-2137 min
Read. Talk. Grow.6. Is it cheating? Challenging assumptions about infidelityWe 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...2023-04-1929 min
Read. Talk. Grow.5. Weathering the storm of chronic racism and oppressionWe 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...2023-04-1235 min
Read. Talk. Grow.4. We need everyone's help to end the opioid crisisWe 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...2023-03-3039 min
Read. Talk. Grow.3. Uprooting racism in health careWe 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:Th...2023-03-2244 min
Read. Talk. Grow.2. Trust yourself: It's not 'all in your head'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...2023-03-1535 min
Read. Talk. Grow.1. It's complicated: Making decisions about your reproductive healthWe 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...2023-03-0727 min