Read. Talk. Grow.

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...

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 wh...

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...

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 func...

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...

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...

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 t...

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 del...

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, r...

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...

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...

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...

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 o...

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...

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 Tan...

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 medic...

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 medic...

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 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...

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 A...

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 tw...

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...

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 wha...

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 —...

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 patien...