Read. Talk. Grow.

Afleveringen

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  89. Integrative Medicine in Action: A Conversation with Dr. Victoria Maizes 10.06.2026 38min

  What if your body is far more capable of healing than you’ve ever been told? In this episode, Dr. Denise Millstine sits down with integrative medicine pioneer Dr. Victoria Maizes to explore the science and wisdom behind her new book "Heal Faster: Unlock Your Body’s Rapid Recovery Reflex." Together, they unpack what integrative medicine really means, why lifestyle is a powerful driver of health, and how healing is an innate biological capacity we can learn to support. From menopause and hormone therapy to breast cancer recovery, elimination diets, environmental exposures, and the role of ritual in navigating illness, the conversation blends evidence, clinical insight, and decades of experience. It’s a grounded, hopeful look at how people can reclaim agency in their health—no matter where they are on their journey.
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  88. Rom Com Meets Real Life: What Fiction Teaches Us About Type 1 Diabetes 03.06.2026 46min

  A rom com that teaches you about type 1 diabetes without ever feeling like homework. In this episode, Dr. Denise Millstine chats with author Cynthia Timoti and nurse practitioner Mary Boyle about “Salty, Spiced and a Little Bit Nice,” a warm, funny love story rooted in Timoti’s real life experience raising a child with type 1 diabetes. Together they unpack the book’s authentic portrayal of diagnosis, daily management, cultural expectations, and the power of supportive relationships, showing how fiction can illuminate chronic illness with heart and clarity.
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  87. Love, Loss, and Rethinking How We Age: A Conversation with Lisa Ridzén 27.05.2026 48min

  What does it really feel like to grow older? This week, host Dr. Denise Millstine dives into “When the Cranes Fly South” with author Lisa Ridzén and geriatrician Dr. Erum Jadoon, exploring aging, dignity, care-giving, and the unexpected power of companionship - especially the four legged kind. A tender, eye opening conversation you won’t want to miss.
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  86. The Remarkable Life of Dr. Sterling Bunnell: A Conversation with Dr. Anthony Smith 20.05.2026 33min

  Hand surgery may be one of medicine’s most overlooked specialties and in this episode it becomes a riveting story of innovation, war, adventure, and the remarkable life of Dr. Sterling Bunnell, the founding father of the field. Dr. Denise Millstine sits down with Mayo Clinic hand surgeon, Dr. Anthony Smith to explore Bunnell’s extraordinary path from bird obsessed boyhood naturalist to World War I neurosurgery trainee, pioneering combat surgeon, and ultimately the architect of modern hand surgery. Dr. Smith reveals how Bunnell’s curiosity, precision, and relentless commitment shaped a specialty that blends orthopedics, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery into one intricate art. The episode celebrates both the history of the field and the passion that continues to drive hand surgeons today.
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  85. Restorative Writing as a Healing Tool with Dr. Carolyn Roy Bornstein 13.05.2026 44min

  This episode of “Read. Talk. Grow.” explores restorative writing as a healing tool for burnout, especially among healthcare professionals. Host Dr. Denise Millstine speaks with two leading voices in narrative medicine and expressive writing: Dr. Carolyn Roy Bornstein, pediatrician and author of “A Prescription for Burnout: Restorative Writing for Healthcare Professionals,” and Sandra Marinella, writing teacher and author of “The Story You Need to Tell.”
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  84. Understanding Epilepsy Through Story: A Conversation with Katherine Center 06.05.2026 45min

  What if joy were something you chose on purpose, even while living with epilepsy? In this illuminating episode of Read. Talk. Grow., Dr. Denise Millstine sits down with novelist Katherine Center and neurologist Dr. Katherine Noe to explore how What You Wish For brings the often‑hidden world of epilepsy into the light. Using Sam - the novel’s vibrant, joy‑seeking librarian who quietly manages a seizure disorder - as a lens, the conversation blends storytelling with medical insight to unpack stigma, resilience, and the emotional terrain of living with an unpredictable condition. Center shares how real‑life conversations with a close friend inspired Sam’s journey, while Dr. Noe explains key concepts like auras, the realities of driving, treatment, and safety. Together, they highlight how knowledge combats stigma, how joy can be an act of courage, and why -as Dr. Noe reminds listeners, “the fear… can be much more disabling than the seizures themselves.”
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  83. The Condition No One Talks About: A Conversation with Maya Van Wagenen 29.04.2026 48min

  What happens when a 15-year-old is handed a diagnosis she's never heard of — and told to just deal with it? In this episode of "Read. Talk. Grow.," host Dr. Denise Millstine sits down with "New York Times" bestselling author Maya Van Wagenen and Mayo Clinic urologist Dr. Aqsa Khan to explore interstitial cystitis through the lens of Maya's award-winning YA novel, "Chronically Dolores." Maya opens up about how her own teenage diagnosis inspired the story of Dolores Mendoza — a girl navigating chronic bladder pain alongside the everyday chaos of adolescence, family stress, and fractured friendships. Dr. Khan brings the medical perspective, breaking down what IC actually is, why it's so often misunderstood, and the real treatments available beyond the restrictive diets and dismissive advice many patients receive. Together, the three unpack the emotional weight of living with an invisible chronic illness — the isolation, the humor as a survival tool, and the critical role that curiosity, support, and hope play in building a meaningful life when a condition isn't going away. It's a conversation that's equal parts funny, heartfelt, and eye-opening, and a powerful case for why stories like Dolores's belong on every bookshelf.
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  82. A Conversation with Kathleen Glasgow on Writing the Pain We Hide 22.04.2026 51min

  What if a single missed moment of connection could spark a story that reaches millions? In this episode of Read. Talk. Grow., Dr. Denise Millstine sits down with author Kathleen Glasgow and psychiatrist Dr. Eric Noble to explore the emotional landscape behind Girl in Pieces, a novel that has become a lifeline for readers navigating trauma and self-harm. Together, they unpack the origins of Charlie Davis’s character, the stigma and history surrounding self-harm, the nuances of diagnosis, and the complex ways young people cope when the world feels unbearable. Through personal reflection, clinical insight, and compassionate conversation, the episode illuminates how storytelling can validate lived experience, expand understanding, and open doors to healing.
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  81. A Family's Deadly Medical Mystery: Conversation with Lawrence Ingrassia 15.04.2026 52min

  When cancer strikes generation after generation in the same family, is it merely tragic coincidence or something written in our genes? In this powerful episode of the Read. Talk. Grow. podcast, host Dr. Denise Millstine welcomes Lawrence Ingrassia, author of the award-nominated A Fatal Inheritance, and Mayo Clinic oncologist Dr. Aadel Chaudhuri to explore Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare hereditary cancer condition caused by a mutation in the p53 gene. After losing his mother, both sisters, his brother, and nephew to various cancers, Ingrassia embarked on a journey to understand the genetic inheritance that shaped his family's fate. This conversation weaves together heartbreaking personal loss, groundbreaking scientific discovery, and hope for families living with inherited cancer risk. A must-listen episode about resilience, memory, and the power of living fully in the face of genetic uncertainty.
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  80. Explore Prosopagnosia Through Fiction: A Conversation with Katherine Center 08.04.2026 43min

  What happens when a portrait artist can no longer recognize faces? In this fascinating episode of “Read. Talk. Grow.,” Dr. Denise Millstine welcomes New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center and Mayo Clinic neurologist Dr. Keith Josephs to explore prosopagnosia, face blindness, through Center's novel Hello Stranger. The conversation delves into the medical reality behind this rare neurological condition, where Center shares how a podcast love story inspired her to write about a portrait artist who develops acquired face blindness after brain surgery. Dr. Josephs, who praised the book's scientific accuracy, explains the different types of prosopagnosia, the brain regions involved, and how patients can adapt using other senses and coping strategies. The discussion beautifully blends fiction with medical expertise, revealing how face blindness, while challenging, can lead to unexpected connections when patients learn to recognize people through voice, gait, and other unique identifiers - and perhaps even treat everyone with the warmth of a friend.
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  79. Medically Unexplained Symptoms with Catherine Newman 01.04.2026 48min

  What happens when a novelist, two physicians, and a mysterious rash collide? This episode of “Read. Talk. Grow.” dives into Catherine Newman’s novel Wreck, using its plotline of medically unexplained symptoms as a springboard for a rich, empathetic conversation about the emotional weight of ambiguous diagnoses and the lived experience behind fiction. Host Dr. Denise Millstine and guests, author, Catherine Newman and Dr. Rebecca Thompson explore how Newman’s autofiction mirrors real patient journeys - full of anxiety, humor, waiting, and the emotional chaos of not having clear answers. Together, they unpack everything from pathology reports and the pitfalls of instant test-result access to the tenderness of caregiving, and the delicate dance between believing patients and navigating the unknown. The result is a thoughtful, deeply human discussion about how we make meaning, and find connection, when the body refuses to give clear answers.
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  BEST OF: Making a habit of happiness with Courtney Walsh 24.12.2025 41min

  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.
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  78. Running, resilience and breast cancer recovery with Josie Lloyd 17.12.2025 44min

  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.
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  77. Weightlifting for women with Casey Johnston 10.12.2025 49min

  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.
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  76. Living fully with celiac disease with Chloe Liese 03.12.2025 49min

  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.
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  BEST OF: Be a plant-based woman warrior 26.11.2025 38min

  For Thanksgiving, we're returning to one of our favorite episode about food! (But think more "tofu" than "turkey.") 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.
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  75. Talking breasts with Sarah Thornton 19.11.2025 42min

  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.
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  73. Teen addiction and alcohol use with Kathleen Glasgow 05.11.2025 41min

  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.
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  72. Surviving social anxiety with Natalie Sue 29.10.2025 45min

  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.
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  BEST OF: Navigating breast cancer risk with Ellie Palmer 22.10.2025 34min

  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.