Category Archives: medicine

Mid-Year Book List, 2026

Posted on by
Reply
Hodges Figgis, Dublin, Ireland

Greetings from Ireland, friends! Delayed post due to travel!

Daughter is here for a five week archaeology/osteology course, on a dig in an old castle–how amazing is that? I took it as an excuse to ‘drop her off’ and spend a few days by myself, walking around looking for bookstores and coffee shops in Dublin. It is positively glorious.

In the past week I have finished about four audiobooks and started a new book in print. After walking over 12K steps the last two days, I think tomorrow I may feel okay about planting myself in the shops I found to just read and write the hours away. Afternoon tea and a hotel gym workout are my only plans. More gloriousness!

Since I have loved so many books this year already, I decided to post a mid-year list, so I can write a little something about some of my favorite ones, if they don’t already have a dedicated post. I feel my book consumption pattern changing a little again, leaning toward more complex stories in fiction/romance, and returning to my psychology interests again in non-fiction. AJ, Donna, and I will discuss The Deal by Elle Kennedy, then Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, and then Outlander by Diana Gabaldon in our next few gatherings.

The first 16 books on this year’s list are left over from prior years. It took me two years to finish listening to 1.The Fourth Turning, and I still want to read it, as the density made it hard to absorb everything audibly. But what a fascinating and prescient concept: the intersections of the four cyclic turnings of Western history (crisis, high, awakening, unraveling) and the four phases of a human lifespan (childhood, early adulthood, middle age, elderhood), how they influence our leadership and culture, and perpetuate the cycles!

I finally abandoned 2. Outlive after three years; got about 70% through, listening at 2x speed, before stopping. I found 71. Spring Chicken because I like Jeremy Arthur’s voice and narration style and I recommend both it and 36. The Cure for Everything! (also read by Arthur) before Outlive. Chicken was published in 2015, maybe at the beginning of our current obsession with longevity (subtitle “Stay Young Forever (Or Die Trying)”, and cites many of the same studies as Outlive, though much more concisely and with better storytelling. Cure was initially published in 2011, with updates in 2020 and 2023. Outlive came out in 2023. All three books essentially address the same question: What can we do to stay healthy for life? Timothy Caulfield, an academic and the author of Cure, queried his fellow academics in fitness, nutrition, genetics, and medicine, then followed and wrote about the effects of their evidence-based advice for healthy habits. Bill Gifford, writer and author of Chicken, likewise interviewed researchers in aging and medicine, and also applied credible recemmendations to his own life. In the end both authors conclude that living well and long is not rocket science: Don’t eat too much. Move a lot most days and lift heavy things often. Stay connected to people you care about and who care about you. Enjoy your life. Supplements, complex diagnostic tests, and the latest trends in biometric tracking move the needle very little if you’re already following these basic principles.

My two top priority non-fiction listens this summer are The Way of Excellence by Brad Stulberg (I still recommend Master of Change to patients every week) and Inside the Box by David Epstein (I also still recommend Range reguarly). What I love about these authors is their thoughtfulness, humility, and how they advocate for a mindset rather than a method. And all they’re selling is books, not overpriced products or exclusive, overindulgent services.

On the fiction side, I have already written about my very favorite novels of the year to date: The Crowns Trilogy by Nicola Tyche (29. North Queen, 26. Shadow Queen, and 27. War Queen–the last of which is essentially my comfort audio anymore) here, here, and here. I eagerly await the next two books in this saga, Blood King Parts I and II, which Zach Lazar Hoffman is currently recording. He reads live on TikTok sometimes; how fun to watch my favorite voice actors work! This series continues to make me both feel and think, every time I listen. Like 60. Never After and 74. Something Extraordinary by Alexis Hall, which I have also reviewed here this year, these stories remind me to always put our shared humanity in front when faced with disagreement or conflict. We are all here doing our best trying to get our most fundamental needs met, some more effectively than others. 30. Love Your Enemies by Arthur Brooks also centers on this point–another book I share often and posted about here.

Here at the end of Pride Month, I highly recommend 75. Daughter of Tides by Kit Rocha. Another MMF romantasy I found through Shane East, the premise makes me think and imagine: How would Love incarnate manifest? Shane plays Aleksi, god of Love in human form, who falls in love himself with the sea god and water nymph he intends to matchmake, all while they three defend against unknown assassins in a world of post-war intrigue.

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, narrated by the great David Morse, started out slow but interesting enough to keep me listening the whole thirteen hours. The premise of sitting down with strangers to get to know them, as the main character does with a widely disperate set of folks in a small Georgia town, intrigued and hooked me. The intertwined relationships and transformations that ensue, and the plot twist at the end, made the long, languid listen well worth the time spent, and I imagine this story will occur to and influence me often hereafter.

Finally, I hope to write here soon about Tea & Alchemy by Sharon Lynn Fisher. Another Shane East performance with Marisa Calin (they also narrate Kerri Maniscalco’s Prince of Sin series–“Think Bridgerton in Hell”–also among my favorites, see 31. Throne of Nighmares), this slow burn, low spice, heartwarming love story between a reclusive, benevolent ‘alchemist’ and a budding tea leaf reader points to all the ways we humans reject and harm one another by default, and how we can choose openness, generosity, kindness, and compassion to overcome those destructive tendencies and make a better world. I have connected with Sharon Lynn Fisher herself, and hope to interview her about the story’s inception and evolution, and what she wishes for the characters and us readers from it.

I don’t formally review all the books I love, much less all that I consume, but I’m happy to discuss any of them with anyone. Which titles interest you from the list below? Which have you read/listened to and what was their impact on you?

Oh, and I definitely recommend the movie Heart of Champions, starring Michael Shannon and Charles Melton. Son and I found it while scrolling our streaming platform and we both immediately jumped at it. Teamwork, leadership, integrity, and resilience: it’s all here, the models and the foils. Tragically evocative, thought provoking, and an excellent conversation starter.

What books and media have got your attention lately? What do you recommend?
Happy reading and listening, my friends.

Key:
Bold = favorite
[Open bracket = stopped but not yet abandoned
[Closed bracket = abandoned]
–Hypenated = repeat listen; plus –times repeated
ALC = Advance Listener Copy

Books & Media of 2026

  1. The Fourth Turning, William Strauss/Neil Howe
  2. [Outlive, Peter Attia]
  3. [The Art of Quiet Influence, Jocelyn Davis
  4. [Born Liars, Ian Leslie
  5. [Connie: A Memoir, Connie Chung
  6. [Want: Sexual Fantasies by Anonymous, Gillian Anderson
  7. [Possible, William Ury]
  8. [Lust for Life, Irving Stone]
  9. [The Biology of Desire, Marc Lewis
  10. [True Love, Robert Fulghum
  11. [Moral Ambition, Rutger Bregman]
  12. [The Well at the World’s End, AJ Mackinnon]
  13. [Existential Kink, Carolyn Elliott, PhD
  14. Romancing the Shadow, Dr. Connie Zweig & Dr. Steve Wolf
  15. Careless People, Sarah Wynn-Williams
  16. [Letters to a Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, translation by MD Herter Norton
  17. Hathor and the Prince, JJ McAvoy
  18. The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes, Leonard Goldberg
  19. Between the Cracks, Helena Hunting
  20. Unwanted Love, L. Steele
  21. The Virgin’s Fake Fiancé, Kim Loraine
  22. A Study in Treason: A Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Leonard Goldberg
  23. Better Than a Box of Chocolates, Emily March
  24. The Keeper’s Legacy, Meg Anne
  25. The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth: A Daughter of S Holmes Mystery, L Goldberg
  26. –Shadow Queen, Nicola Tyche-4
  27. –War Queen, Nicola Tyche-6
  28. The Order of Time, Carlo Rovelli
  29. –North Queen, Nicola Tyche-2
  30. Love Your Enemies, Arthur C Brooks
  31. Throne of Nightmares, Kerri Maniscalco
  32. Viciously Yours, Jamie Applegate Hunter
  33. Watch Me: Private Listing, CS Berry
  34. –Priest, Sierra Simone
  35. –Midnight With the Devil, Emma Castle
  36. The Cure for Everything!, Timothy Caulfield
  37. Duke of Eccess, Mariah Stone
  38. Tea & Alchemy, Sharon Lynn Fisher
  39. Crescent Kingdom, Tessa Hale
  40. Mountain Fire, Donna Grant
  41. Hidden Potential, Adam Grant
  42. [What the F, Benjamin K Bergen
  43. [The Meaning of Your Life, Arthur Brooks
  44. –Never the Roses, Jennifer K Lambert
  45. American Queen, Sierra Simone
  46. –Sinner and Saint, Sierra Simone—exerpts only
  47. The Coffee Shop, Rosaline Jay
  48. Of Prophecies and Pomegranates, TC Kraven
  49. Of Death and Desires, TC Kraven
  50. –Two Pretty Lies, Kelleigh Claire–1
  51. Cross Me, Geneva Lee
  52. Prince of Seduction, Donna Grant
  53. Holy Hearts, Amanda Richardson
  54. Hollen the Soulless, Sven the Collector, Denali Day
  55. Erik the Tempered, Denali Day
  56. Ivan the Bold, Denali Day
  57. Seaside Serenade, Melissa Foster
  58. –Sanguine, Sierra Simone-4
  59. –The Lady’s Command, Stephanie Laurens
  60. Never After, Alexis Hall-2
  61. The Unwilling Love, L Steele
  62. The Correspondent, Virgina Evans
  63. One Summer Day in Rome, Mark Lamprell
  64. [West of Wicked, Nikky St. Crowe
  65. The Marriage Proposal, Kim Loraine
  66. –Big Deck Energy, Kim Loraine
  67. The Baby Proposition, Kim Loraine
  68. The Sideways Life of Denny Voss, Holly Kennedy
  69. Embracing Hope, Viktor Frankl
  70. [Handmade, Gary Rogowski
  71. Spring Chicken, Bill Gifford
  72. [The Boys in the Boat…, Daniel James Brown
  73. What If I Say Yes?, Harlow Scott, alpha reader copy
  74. Theo of Golden, Allen Levi
  75. Something Extraordinary, Alexis Hall
  76. Daughter of Tides, Kit Rocha
  77. The Good Witch’s Guide to Bad Choices, Sarah Piper, ALC
  78. One Hot Favor, Anna Durand
  79. [Hidden Treasures, Michelle Adams
  80. Messages From the Mafia Boss, Evie Rose
  81. The Skull and The Nightengale, Michael Irwin

Movies
Heart of Champions, 2021

Social Media Accounts I Recommend for Health and Fitness

Posted on by
Reply

Friends, how do you use social media? Is it a major source of information? Confusion? Connection? Thought provocation? Stress?

This year I find myself recommending specific accounts on Instagram regularly, so I thought I’d share them here on the blog. This post covers health and fitness entities I follow and recommend. I will share other topics in future posts. Which accounts do you follow and how do they serve you? At seven accounts, the list below is far from exhaustive. But whenever anything from each of these accounts emerges on my feed, I engage, and I am never disappointed. I have no financial or other interests in any of them.

The complexity of our world accelerates exponentially now, and we all have to learn how to filter and integrate all kinds of media assailing us all the time. Sensory overload is real and detrimental, and our management skills lag far behind their requirement. These accounts, in my opinion, help us cut through misinformation, inviting and guiding us to think for ourselves. They facilitate self-efficacy, which protects us from falling victim to those who would prey on our fears and uncertainties. I hope this list proves helpful and empowering:

Built With Science
Founded by Jeremy Ethier, whom I found on YouTube for his excellent videos on how to lift heavy in the gym safely, BWS is my first online recommendation for evidence-based and accessible information on fitness and high level performance nutrition. It is truly founded in science, applied honestly and practically. Posts include primary literature citations, which I have not seen anywhere else. I did the two week free trial fo the BWS app, and I would use it if I were not already in love with my gym.

Nikki Georgeson
Nikki is a former coach at my gym. She programs both exercise and nutrition, and I find her to be knowledgeable, honest, practical, and inspiring. Her advice is both relatable and evidence-based. Like BWS, Nikki’s posts educate, inform, encourage, and do not sugar coat or make false promises.

Sean Casey
This young man impresses me to no end. He shares his own health transformation, and now leads an international community of folks from all walks of life. Like Jeremy and Nikki, his approach is one of self-efficacy, practicality, and community support. His posts are focused but nuanced, acknowledging the complexities and challenges of living healthy in an unhealthy world. The Glean app also has a free trial period which I highly recommend.

Kasey McKenney
Kasey is the Director of Treatment at Ethos Training Systems in Chicago, my own gym. I share patients with Kasey and the Ethos team regularly. I most appreciate that Kasey brings together Traditional Chinese Medicine (which she has both mastered and can actually explain to the rest of us) and sports physiology. She practices a truly integrative and holistic form of physical medicine, and her posts and stories reflect this philosophy.

Will Flanary, Dr. Glaucomflecken
Follow Doc Glauc for humorous and spot-on parodies of medical subspecialty personalities, lay explanations of the latest scientific research published in the New England Journal of Medicine as well as random medical topics we all had to study for our board exams, and strong advocacy for a more just and transparent healthcare system.

Dr. Jen Gunter
I need to update my menopause post from 2024, but for now let me just recommend that we all follow Dr. Gunter. Subscribe to The Vajenda on Substack to receive her weekly newsletter on all things women’s health. Her most recent piece, “The Attention Economy of Menopause Medicine“, describes how the pendulum of menopause awareness and advocacy has now swung past useful education and application and well toward predatory hypercapitalist moneymaking. Her opinions are her own, they are strong, and they are evidence-based. She cites primary research literature and provides excellent context for her arguments and recommendations.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ACOG
It is not an overstatement that women’s health is under threat in the United States. ACOG is the medical professional society at the forefront of protecting and advocating for autonomy and access for women and their healthcare teams. ACOG posts about policy and educates about what is at stake for women when legislation and judicial position changes.

DIY Pep Talk

Posted on by
3

“Wait, I have mantras for this!”

How are you affected by anxiety, rumination, or otherwise tenacious yet counterproductive thoughts and feelings in life? Many of us lose sleep. We lie awake, before falling asleep or having awoken at night, or both. I talk with patients about this regularly, a common problem that manifests for each of us in our own unique way.

Recently a patient mentioned it to me during a routine visit. After decades of stress-induced insomnia of various causes, there was a sense of placid acceptance in his tone and posture, and also hope that he may still find a way to overcome. He listed some prior life stressors, none of which had turned out nearly as badly as he had ‘unncessarily worried.’ He said when he remembers this, he is able to de-escalate in general, but it doesn’t necessarily help him at night. Since meeting me he had also been practicing box breathing to relax and calm his nervous system, which sometimes helps him sleep. So we agreed he could try to combine the two when insomnia hits: Breathe intentionally and rhythmically while repeating a reassuring, de-escalating mantra of his choosing. I’m excited to hear how this goes for him.

For some months I had been ruminating on and off about friction in a longstanding relationship. I journaled, spoke to multiple friends, and also lost sleep, which happens to me rarely. I entertained exiting the relationship altogether, but that was neither justified nor productive. I saw it as a personal challenge to walk my talk of showing up, sticking with it, and being my best relational self, despite feeling unappreciated and disrespected. What other story could I tell about this person and our relationship? The day before an upcoming encounter I felt almost squirelly from anticipation and ambivalence about how to approach the meeting. Then it hit me: I have mantras for this.

  1. I’d rather regret being too kind than not kind enough.
  2. Strong back, soft front.
  3. Do no harm, take no shit.

And just like that my conscience cleared, fight or flight turned off, and dread transformed into optimistic anticipation. I marvel still at how I recite my mantras everywhere to patients, on this blog, in social media posts and comments–I have even made stickers of them–and yet they escaped me when I needed them in a period of distress. I am all about relationships and yet this one flummoxed me–significantly. The mantras saved me–better late than never, and even better just in the nick of time!

I can neither prove nor disprove, but I tell the story that because I presented with honest equanimity and humbly confident professionalism, the encounter went smoothly. The relationship might even have improved? …I can’t say. I think I generally show up this way by nature and practice, but this time I had to talk myself into it. So I wonder, in all these years of friction (at least on my side) in this relationship, how much was actually mine to own, or in my imagination? This dynamic is definitely an outlier, so I don’t want to fixate on it; yet sometimes the exceptions point to areas of deeper potential insight and learning, no? Regardless, I’m grateful for how this episode has illuminated a new awareness for me and sharpened my attention to my own default attitudes and assumptions.

So what are your DIY pep talk methods? How did you come across them and why do they work so well? What mantras hold you up?

Happy Sunday, friends. Have a great week!