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PODCAST

Read. Talk. Grow.

Mayo Clinic Women"s Health

A podcast where we talk about books — especially fiction, memoir and narrative nonfiction — that deal with important health topics. In each episode, host Dr. Denise Millstine invites an author and a medical expert into conversation on subjects like miscarriage, cancer, relationships, mental health and more. In the same way that books can transport us to a different time, place, or culture, Read.Talk.Grow. demonstrates that books can also give a new appreciation for health experiences.

health & fitness medicine

All Episodes

00:43:32

80. Explore Prosopagnosia Through Fiction: A...

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2026/04/08

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

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00:48:17

79. Medically Unexplained Symptoms with Catherine Newman

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2026/04/01

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

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00:41:41

BEST OF: Making a habit of happiness with Courtney Walsh

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/12/24

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

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00:44:07

78. Running, resilience and breast cancer recovery...

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/12/17

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

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00:49:53

77. Weightlifting for women with Casey Johnston

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/12/10

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

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00:49:06

76. Living fully with celiac disease with Chloe Liese

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/12/03

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

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00:38:07

BEST OF: Be a plant-based woman warrior

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/11/26

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

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00:42:19

75. Talking breasts with Sarah Thornton

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/11/19

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

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00:40:42

74. Traditional healing and Native medicine with...

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/11/12

What if the path to healing isn’t just through Western medicine, but through tradition, spirit and community? In this episode, Dr. Denise Millstine hosts a powerful conversation with author Aaron John Curtis and Dr. Patricia StandTal Clarke, exploring traditional Native healing through Curtis’s debut novel Old School Indian. As they unpack the journey of protagonist Abe Jacobs — a man navigating a mysterious autoimmune illness and rediscovering his voice — the episode dives deep into the role of

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00:41:53

73. Teen addiction and alcohol use with Kathleen Glasgow

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/11/05

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

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00:45:50

72. Surviving social anxiety with Natalie Sue

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/10/29

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

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00:34:48

BEST OF: Navigating breast cancer risk with Ellie Palmer

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/10/22

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

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00:46:32

71. Embarrassment, bathrooms and IBS with Susan Mallery

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/10/15

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

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00:37:44

70. Misunderstandings about Munchausen by proxy with...

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/10/08

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

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00:34:32

BEST OF: The alcohol-breast cancer connection with...

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/10/01

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

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00:44:38

69. Anxiety, panic attacks and putting everyone else...

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/09/24

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

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00:38:37

68. Breast cancer in the middle of everything else...

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/09/17

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

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00:40:47

67. Finding community on the complicated path to...

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/09/10

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

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00:38:18

Onyi Nwabineli on unanswerable questions after suicide

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/09/03

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

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00:38:00

66. Jonathan Evison on caregiving through oral cancer

Read. Talk. Grow. ·

2025/08/27

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,

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96 results

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