On today’s episode, I am speaking with Dr. Jessica Zucker. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of the award-winning books NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women’s Lives and I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement. Jessica is the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Vogue, and Harvard Business Review, among others. She’s been featured on NPR, CNN, The Today Show, and Good Morning America and earned advanced degrees from New York University and Harvard University. Jessica is also a breast cancer survivor and shares her personal experience including the challenges of post treatment life, endocrine therapy, and survivorship.

Follow Jessica on Instagram

Jessica’s Website

Follow Dr. Teplinsky on Instagram @drteplinsky, on TikTok, YouTube, or on any other social media platform. You can also visit her website at http://www.drteplinsky.com.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

On today’s episode, I speak with Maimah Karmo. Maimah is the CEO and Founder of Tigerlily Foundation, a national women’s health and oncology organization providing education, awareness, advocacy and hands-on support to young women before, during and after cancer. She founded Tigerlily Foundation after being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at age 32 and seeing firsthand the importance of this work. Maimah is a fierce advocate, a bestselling author, mother, speaker, transformational coach, and philanthropist. On today’s episode, we talk about the work she is doing, the challenges she’s faced, how Tigerlily came to be and how this incredible organization empowers and educates women every single day.

Follow Maimah on Instagram

Maimah’s Website

Follow Dr. Teplinsky on Instagram @drteplinsky, on TikTok, YouTube, or on any other social media platform. You can also visit her website at http://www.drteplinsky.com.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

On today’s episode, I speak with Dr. Alexandra Sowa. Dr. Sowa is a board certified internal medicine physician and obesity medicine specialist and the author of The Ozempic Revolution, a comprehensive user guide to GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound. She is also the founder of the SoWell Method: a 360 degree treatment plan for obesity that includes the use of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications. On today’s episode, we talk all about weight loss medications, how they should be used, what to reasonably expect, who can use them, side effects and more!

Follow Dr. Sowa on Instagram

Dr. Sowa’s Website

Follow Dr. Teplinsky on Instagram @drteplinsky, on TikTok, YouTube, or on any other social media platform. You can also visit her website at http://www.drteplinsky.com.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

On today’s episode, I speak with Dr. Krystle Zuniga and we are talking all about cancer nutrition. Dr. Zuniga has a PhD in Nutritional Sciences and is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian. She is a board certified specialist in oncology nutrition, an educator, scientist and science communicator. On today’s episode, we talk everything you need to know about oncology nutrition and the evidence-based recommendations. We break down common myths and misinformation that circulates around cancer nutrition, talk about supplements, and talk about every day actions you can take to support your health and optimize quality of life.

Follow Dr. Zuniga on Instagram

Dr. Zuniga’s Website

Follow Dr. Teplinsky on Instagram @drteplinsky, on TikTok, YouTube, or on any other social media platform. You can also visit her website at http://www.drteplinsky.com.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

On today’s episode, I speak with Melissa Berry, also known as the Cancer Fashionista. Melissa is a 12 year TNBC survivor, a BRCA mutation carrier and the founder of Cancer Fashionista. She is a passionate advocate in the breast cancer community and works to help those affected by cancer maintain their sense of self and style throughout cancer and find beauty during treatment and beyond. On today’s episode, we talk about her diagnosis and treatment, how Cancer Fashionista was born, parenting and the conversations she has had with her daughters, dating after cancer, body image, mental health and finding yourself throughout it all.

Cancer Fashionista

Follow Dr. Teplinsky on Instagram @drteplinsky, on TikTok, YouTube, or on any other social media platform. You can also visit her website at http://www.drteplinsky.com.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

On today’s episode, I speak with Brooke Laster, LCSW on mental health and cancer. Brooke is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist with a virtual private practice serving adults in NJ and NY that are living with cancer, chronic illness, chronic pain, and grief and loss. With over 18 years in the oncology and general medicine field, Brooke’s mission is to empower patients as they navigate difficult life altering diagnoses by helping them to find ways to cope with the mental health struggles that often arise. Brooke is passionate about educating her patients to better understand the way their brain and body works, teaching them strategies and skills to self manage the complicated emotions and challenges that arise so they can live life more fully even when it looks different.

On today’s episode, we talk about managing the mental health challenges that arise at different stages of cancer diagnosis and treatment – from early stage to metastatic disease. We discuss strategies for effective communication with loved ones, the importance of self-compassion and mental health support, parenting with cancer and so much more. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or healthcare provider, this conversation offers practical wisdom on mental health and cancer.

Episode Highlights:

Resources Mentioned:

Follow Dr. Teplinsky on Instagram @drteplinsky, on TikTok, YouTube, or on any other social media platform. You can also visit her website at http://www.drteplinsky.com.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

On this episode, Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky sits down with Dr. Rebecca Knackstedt. Dr. Knackstedt is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in implant-based and microsurgical breast reconstruction. She is currently an Assistant Professor in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery at Duke University. She completed her MD/PhD at Medical University of South Carolina where her PhD thesis focused on Vitamin D and inflammation. She pursued an integrated plastic surgery residency and microsurgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic during which she also became certified in Function Medicine. Her research interests are prehabilitation for breast cancer, particularly for women undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

On this conversation, we talk about everything related to breast reconstructive surgery, including flaps, implants, and topics such as implant rupture concerns, breast implant associated lymphoma (linked to textured implants) and breast implant illness. In the second half of the episode, we talk about functional and integrative medicine exploring evidence based supplements such as creatine, optimization for surgery and surgical recovery, research on red light therapy, the importance of finding trusted sources for medical information on social media and more!

Follow Dr. Teplinsky on Instagram @drteplinsky, on TikTok, YouTube, or on any other social media platform. You can also visit her website at http://www.drteplinsky.com.

Follow Dr. Knackstedt on Instagram and on her surgical recovery page on Instagram.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

On this episode, Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky sits down with Dena Goldberg, MS, CGC. Dena is a board-certified genetic counselor and the founder of Malibu Genetics, where she offers a concierge-style approach with comprehensive genetic testing services. She uses her genetic expertise to educate and share content online as @dena.dna. On today’s episode, we talk all about genetic testing, what results you can get including a VUS (variant of unknown or uncertain significance), polygenic risk scores, differences between germline and somatic (tumor) testing and more. We discuss common misconceptions about genetic testing, including concerns about cost and insurance coverage and topics such as the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and its protections, and direct-to-consumer genetic testing. This is an excellent episode full of all the information you want – and need – to know about genetic testing,

Follow Dr. Teplinsky on Instagram @drteplinsky, on TikTok, YouTube, or on any other social media platform. You can also visit her website at http://www.drteplinsky.com.

Follow Dena Goldberg on Instagram @dena.dna or on her website.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

In this episode, Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky speaks with Dr. Fumiko Chino. Dr. Chino is a radiation oncologist, a cancer researcher and Assistant Professor in Breast Radiation Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her research focuses on the financial toxicity of cancer care, health care disparities, equity and access to care. On today’s episode, Dr. Chino provides an in-depth look at breast cancer radiation therapy. She discusses why radiation is recommended, different types of radiation therapy, potential short-term and long-term side effects, cutting-edge treatments, shortened radiation courses, and the latest research developments. In the second half of the conversation, we talk about the financial toxicity of cancer treatment, healthcare equity in cancer care and practical tips for navigating the financial aspects of cancer. This conversation provides essential information to better understand breast cancer radiation treatment and cancer care accessibility.

On this episode, I sit down with Claire Bidwell Smith, a leading therapist specializing in grief and loss.

Recognized as one of today’s foremost experts on grief, Claire Bidwell Smith is a licensed therapist, international speaker, and the author of five books published in 22 countries. Led by her own experience in grief and fueled by her work in hospice and private practice, Claire strives to provide support for all kinds of people experiencing all kinds of loss.

She has spent nearly two decades helping people process some of life’s hardest moments and today, we are talking about grief and cancer. We talk about grief related to navigating a cancer diagnosis, adjusting to a new reality after treatment, dealing with the loss of security and identity and living with metastatic breast cancer. Claire shares powerful insights on how to process the loss of identity, security, and control that can accompany illness, and offers practical strategies like mindfulness, writing, and creating rituals to help navigate these difficult emotions. We discuss anticipatory grief, how to have hard conversations with loved ones, and why acceptance doesn’t mean being “okay” with what’s happened — it’s about learning to live with your new reality. This episode is a must listen for anyone affected by cancer or any major life shift.