Read. Talk. Grow.

What if your body is built to heal faster than you think?  Dr. Denise Millstine and Dr. Victoria Maizes dive into integrative medicine, menopause, breast cancer recovery, and the science of supporting your body’s natural healing reflex. A hopeful, practical conversation for anyone craving better health. This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.  We talked with: Dr. Vic...

What happens when a romance novel becomes a doorway into understanding type 1 diabetes? In this warm and insightful episode of Read. Talk. Grow. , Dr. Denise Millstine sits down with author Cynthia Timoti and Mayo Clinic nurse practitioner Mary Elizabeth Boyle to explore Salty, Spiced and a Little Bit Nice,  a rom‑com inspired by Timoti’s real‑life experience parenting a child with type 1 diabetes...

Aging isn’t just a medical journey - it’s a human one, and this episode brings that truth vividly to life.  In a warm, deeply reflective conversation, Dr. Denise Millstine, novelist Lisa Ridzén, and geriatrician Dr. Erum Jadoon explore “ When the Cranes Fly South ,” a novel that captures the emotional terrain of growing older through the story of Bo, an elderly Swedish man navigating loneliness, a...

The Remarkable Life of Dr. Sterling Bunnell: Father of Hand Surgery  Meet the pioneer who shaped an entire field. In this episode, Dr. Denise Millstine and Dr. Anthony Smith dive into the extraordinary life of Dr. Sterling Bunnell — adventurer, innovator, and the founding father of hand surgery. This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.  We talked with: Dr. Anthony Smi...

Burnout is real - and writing can help. In this episode, Dr. Denise Millstine talks with Dr. Carolyn Roy‑Bornstein, “ A Prescription for Burnout ” and Sandra Marinella, “ The Story You Need to Tell ” about how restorative writing helps clinicians process stress, grief, and emotional exhaustion. A powerful conversation on healing, meaning‑making, and reclaiming your story. This episode was made pos...

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 Grea...

Chronically Dolores — Interstitial Cystitis, Invisible Illness & the Power of Storytelling Dr. Denise Millstine is joined by NYT bestselling author Maya Van Wagenen and Mayo Clinic urologist Dr. Aqsa Khan for a conversation about interstitial cystitis — a chronic bladder condition that's widely misunderstood and often dismissed. Maya shares the personal experience behind her award-winning YA novel...

This episode was made possible by 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. Kathleen Glasgow...

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.  We talked with: Lawrence Ingrassia  is a former award-winning editor at the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times . The coverage he directed won five Pulitzer Prizes in addition to other prestigious awards.  A Fatal Inheritance,  his second book, was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award...

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 Grea...

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 episod...

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 neuropsyc...

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 fe...

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 min...

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...

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 affair...

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 surr...

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...

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 us...

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 m...

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 he...

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...

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...

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...

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 M...