In this podcast episode, Mitch Albom, best-selling author, journalist, and radio and TV broadcaster, discusses how his philanthropy and writing have informed each other, his experiences with doctors as a patient and more.

• Intro :02
• Welcome to this episode of Gut Talk :23
• About Albom :30
• The interview :40
• Where did you grow up? :52
• Why do you think that [less people knowing their neighbors today] has happened? 2:07
• You obviously have had incredibly rich interpersonal relationships that influenced who you became. Are those people that you grew up and interacted with characters in your books? 4:34
• Are there philosophies that you learned as a student or growing up that inform, more than just the characters, but the recurring themes in your books? 7:12
• How did you become such an avid philanthropist? Tell us about that journey. 11:02
• How can we, as we’re interacting with young people, help them to understand that it’s not just about money? 16:08
• How would you say philanthropy has impacted your writing since Tuesdays with Morrie? 20:16
• What about the reverse? How does writing your books and your stories change your perspective on the lesson you’re trying to impart on your readers? 22:29
• About Albom’s work in Haiti and introducing his kids to the new orphanage 26:15
• Were there any insights that you gleaned from that experience [recent medical experiences and colonoscopy]? 36:51
• Thank you, Mitch 46:15
• Thanks for listening 46:36

Mitch Albom is a Best-selling author, journalist, and radio and TV broadcaster.

We’d love to hear from you! Send your comments/questions to [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter @HealioGastro @sameerkberry @umfoodoc. For more from Mitch Albom, visit mitchalbom.com, saydetroit.org and havefaithhaiti.org.

Disclosures: Albom, Berry and Chey report no relevant financial disclosures.