Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. 

Guests: Jake Eide, M.D. & Rijul Kshirsager, M.D. 

Skull base tumors are not commonly seen in a primary care practice, yet it’s important for us to recognize them when they do present. These tumors can be either benign or malignant, however because of their proximity to important structures in the brain, even benign tumors can cause serious complications. Their presentation can be subtle, and they are frequently mistaken for other more commonly seen health problems. Which presenting symptoms should give us concern? What are some common physical exam findings associated with these tumors, and what’s the best initial imaging study to order? These are some of the questions I’ll be asking my guests, Dr. Jake Eide and Dr. Rijul Kshirsagar, both surgeons in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Mayo Clinic as we tackle “Skull Base Tumors.” 

Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. 

Guest: Regis Fernandes, M.D. 

We’ve known for some time that patients who have hypertension and diabetes are at increased risk for developing subsequent cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. It’s now being thought that these health problems are related and interconnected, representing Kidney-Cardiovascular Metabolic Syndrome. They form a pathophysiologic triad driven by shared mechanisms where disease in one system accelerates dysfunction in the others. So, what does this mean for primary care clinicians? Traditionally, we’ve managed hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease as separate health conditions. It’s now felt that there may be a better approach. The topic for this podcast is “Kidney-Cardiovascular Metabolic Syndrome”, and my guest is Dr. Regis Fernandes, a preventive cardiologist at the Arizona campus of the Mayo Clinic. We’ll discuss the science, clinical implications, and recommended management strategies for this health condition. 

Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. 

Guest: Joshua M. Romero, M.D. 

Pickleball has become one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S., especially among older adults. This rapid rise in popularity has also resulted in a significant number and variety of sports-related injuries. It’s important for primary care clinicians to recognize the most common injuries and their risk factors. We should also discuss preventive strategies with our patients to reduce their risk of injury. Is pickleball so dangerous or do the many injuries result from the popularity of the sport? What health conditions often seen in older individuals place them at increased risk of injury? What are some practical preventive strategies we can recommend to our patients who are planning to start playing the sport? I’ll get answers to these questions from my guest, Dr. Joshua Romero, a sports medicine physician in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic. 

Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. 

Guest: Stacey Rizza, M.D. 

Although vector-borne illnesses can be acquired by travel to distant parts of the world, some can be acquired here in the U.S. As a result, these infections become pertinent to primary care clinicians as they can produce serious complications. When should we suspect a vector-borne illness in a patient? How do we distinguish it from other viral syndromes? What are some of the serious complications that can occur? In today’s podcast, we’ll be discussing three vector-borne illnesses including Zika virus, West Nile virus, and Dengue Fever. My guest is an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Stacey Rizza from the Mayo Clinic as we discuss “Vector-Borne Illnesses”. 

Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. 

Guest: Stacey Rizza, M.D. 

Lyme Disease is a tick-borne illness commonly seen in various parts of the country. Despite its common occurrence in the primary care practice, it’s associated with confusion and controversy. From the presenting symptoms, occasional ambiguous serologic results, to managing patients with persistent symptoms following treatment, primary care clinicians are often frustrated with the management of patients who have or are concerned they have Lyme Disease. In today’s podcast, we’ll discuss what we know about Lyme Disease, what’s still uncertain, and how we should approach this health problem in our patients. Joining me for this podcast is Dr. Stacey Rizza, an infectious disease specialist at the Mayo Clinic. 

Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. 

Guest: Stacey Rizza, M.D. 

We’ve now had our second outbreak of a potentially deadly infectious disease. Hantavirus has been diagnosed in several individuals and most recently just under 100 cases of Ebola Virus have been confirmed along with several hundred suspected cases. Ebola virus is caused by several species of the Ebola Virus and is frequently fatal.  Early symptoms are non-specific and similar to other common viral infections, making an early diagnosis challenging. Who’s at risk of acquiring Ebola Virus? How is it spread from person to person? How deadly is the virus and finally, does it have the potential to become our next pandemic?  In this podcast, we’re going to learn more about Ebola Virus. My guest is an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Stacey Rizza from the Mayo Clinic. 

Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. 

Guest: Benjamin Lai, M.D. 

Substance use disorders are chronic and often relapsing conditions associated with compulsive substance use. They result from a complex interaction of chemistry within the brain, often combined with genetic and environmental issues. Common substances involve alcohol, stimulants, sedatives and opioids; opioids commonly prescribed by health care clinicians. Early identification of patients and care coordinated with behavioral health specialists is the best approach to improved patient outcomes. The topic for this podcast is “Addiction Care and Empowering Non-Specialists”, and my guest is Dr. Benjamin Lai, A Family Medicine physician from the Department of Family Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. 

We encourage you to consider attending the upcoming CME course, Essentials of Addiction Care: Empowering Non-Specialists 2026, taking place July 17–18, 2026 and led by Course Director Dr. Benjamin Lai. To learn more visit ce.mayo.edu. 

Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. 

Guest: Michael Mueller, M.D. 

Fibromyalgia is a chronic health problem commonly seen in a primary care setting. It can be challenging to diagnose and even more so to manage. It can have a devastating effect on a patient’s lifestyle, and patients will commonly go from provider to provider seeking relief for their chronic symptoms. We now have a better understanding of the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia; unfortunately, the treatment remains less than optimal. What do we know regarding the cause of the symptoms in fibromyalgia? How can we efficiently establish a diagnosis in patients with the condition without excessive testing? How do we explain the disorder to patients and what’s the long-term outlook for patients? These are some of the questions I’ll be asking my guest, Dr. Michael Mueller, an internist in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic as we discuss “Fibromyalgia”. 

Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D 

Guest: Mark D. Tyson, III, M.D., M.P.H. 

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and primary care clinicians are often the first to evaluate patients with bladder cancer. The symptoms are usually subtle and may include either gross or microscopic hematuria. The decision in whether to investigate these presenting symptoms can often impact early diagnosis and the patient’s outcome. When should we investigate hematuria? What should an evaluation of hematuria consist of? What is the treatment for bladder cancer? How should patients with recurrent bladder cancer be managed? What role does the primary care clinician play in the long-term management of patients? I’ll be asking these questions and more of my guest, Dr. Mark Tyson, a urologist at the Mayo Clinic as we discuss “Bladder Cancer”. 

Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. 

Guest: Stacey Rizza, M.D. 

Hantavirus has been in the news lately. Although it’s rare, it can cause serious disease which can be life-threatening.  Early symptoms are similar to other common viral infections including fever, myalgias, headache, and fatigue. As a result, the ability to establish an early diagnosis is challenging. Who’s at risk of acquiring Hantavirus? Does it have the potential to become our next pandemic? How likely is human-to-human transmission? Is there any effective treatment and what preventive measures should one take to minimize the acquisition of the disease? I’ll get answers to these questions in this podcast as we discuss Hantavirus. My guest is an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Stacey Rizza from the Mayo Clinic. 

Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development