Just Cut It Out Podcast

Dr. Kimberly Brown, MD FACS

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Education

Dr. Brown interviews patients, families and healthcare team members about how their experience with cancer has made them think differently about what it means to live a good life.

5d ago · Video

Cut It Out Podcast | When You're Empowered, It's Easy to Care: A Breast Cancer Nurse Practitioner's Story

What happens when a nurse practitioner who spends her days caring for women with breast cancer suddenly becomes the patient? Kimmie Ellison has lived a life full of unexpected turns. She worked in the White House under President George W. Bush, served in the Peace Corps in Ghana, and eventually found her calling as a nurse practitioner caring for women facing breast cancer. But in 2020, Kimmie's professional and personal worlds collided when she received her own breast cancer diagnosis. In this episode of Just Cut It Out, surgical oncologist Dr. Kimberly Brown sits down with her colleague, breast cancer survivor and nurse practitioner Kimmie Ellison, for a conversation about career changes, cancer, compassionate healthcare, and finding happiness through helping others. From the White House to Healthcare In her early twenties, Kimmie had what she calls a "quarter-life crisis." While working in Washington, D.C., she began wondering whether a successful career in politics would give her the sense of purpose she wanted later in life. So she made a bold decision. She left the White House, returned to Texas, and pursued a career as a nurse practitioner. Her journey eventually took her to Ghana with the Peace Corps, where she worked alongside a midwife in a rural village and later taught nursing students. Those experiences helped shape her belief that a meaningful life is built through service, connection, and caring for others. When the Caregiver Becomes the Patient Kimmie knew breast cancer from the healthcare provider's perspective. She understood the diagnosis, treatment options, and difficult decisions women face every day. Then she received her own diagnosis. Despite having a normal screening mammogram, additional imaging revealed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a very early form of breast cancer, in her left breast. Kimmie shares why she chose a bilateral mastectomy, how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced her decisions, and what it felt like to navigate cancer as someone who already understood the medical system. Her experience also gave her a deeper appreciation for the challenges patients face, especially those who lack access to timely care, reliable transportation, insurance, or a strong support system. Finding Joy in Helping Others One of the most meaningful parts of Kimmie's story isn't just what she's accomplished or overcome. It's how she approaches everyday life. "If you want peace, bring peace to another." — Kimmie Ellison Kimmie believes that helping other people find happiness, comfort, and support is one of the best ways to create a fulfilling life. Whether she's advocating for a patient, encouraging a coworker, watching birds, or spending time with people she loves, she finds joy in the little things. And her message is one we can all learn from: Living a good life doesn't require extraordinary accomplishments. Sometimes it simply means showing up for others. In This Episode, You'll Hear About: Why Kimmie walked away from a career in the White House to become a nurse practitionerWhat living in Ghana with the Peace Corps taught her about community and serviceHow her breast cancer was discovered despite a normal screening mammogramHer decision to undergo a bilateral mastectomyHow becoming a cancer patient changed the way she cares for women with breast cancerThe importance of healthcare access and listening to patientsWhy finding joy in your work can make life more meaningfulHow small acts of kindness can make a lasting differenceWhy we shouldn't let anxiety about tomorrow steal today's happinessAbout Kimmie Ellison Kimmie Ellison is a doctorate-prepared nurse practitioner specializing in breast care in Austin, Texas. Before entering healthcare, she worked in the White House during the George W. Bush administration and later served in the Peace Corps in Ghana. Today, she combines her professional expertise with her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor to provide compassionate care and advocate for women navigating breast health concerns and cancer diagnoses. How to Connect with Kimmie https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-ellison-58772730/ About Just Cut It Out Just Cut It Out is hosted by surgical oncologist Dr. Kimberly Brown and explores one powerful question: How has your experience with cancer changed the way you think about living a good life? Through conversations with patients, survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, Dr. Brown uncovers lessons about resilience, relationships, gratitude, purpose, and finding joy in everyday life. Watch and Listen: Find Just Cut It Out on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Want to Be a Guest on Just Cut It Out? Do you have a cancer story worth sharing? We'd love to hear it! Whether you're a cancer survivor, caregiver, family member, or healthcare professional, your experiences and perspective could inspire someone else. Visit www.justcutitoutpod.com to tell us your story and apply to be a guest! Love the Podcast? Leave Us a 5-Star Review! If Just Cut It Out has made you laugh, think differently, or feel a little less alone, we'd love your support! Leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps more people discover these meaningful conversations and reminds us why sharing these stories matters. Don't forget to follow, subscribe, and share your favorite episode with someone who needs to hear it! Join the Conversation: What is one small thing you do to bring peace or happiness to someone else's life? Subscribe and follow Just Cut It Out for more conversations about cancer, life, and what matters most.
Oct 29 · Video

Just Cut It Out Podcast | Breast Reconstruction, Finding Your Voice & Changing Healthcare | Dr. Elisabeth Potter

What happens when you stop focusing on everything that's wrong and start doing something about what matters most? Dr. Elisabeth Potter has never been afraid to challenge the way things are done. As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Austin, Texas, she's spent her career helping women navigate some of the most personal decisions they will ever face following a breast cancer diagnosis. But her commitment to making a difference extends far beyond the operating room. In this episode of Just Cut It Out, Dr. Kimberly Brown sits down with her longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Elisabeth Potter, for a conversation about breast reconstruction, patient advocacy, challenging the healthcare system, and finding the courage to stand up for what you believe in. Elisabeth grew up surrounded by people who believed in hard work, caring for others, and doing the right thing even when it wasn't easy. Her father was a physician, her mother was a nurse, and her grandmother was a nurse anesthetist who served during World War II. That upbringing helped shape her approach to medicine and life. During medical school, Elisabeth witnessed a mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction using the patient's own tissue. In that moment, she knew she had found her calling. Today, she helps women navigate decisions about mastectomy, breast reconstruction, implants, using their own tissue, and choosing to remain flat. But Dr. Potter believes the most important part of her job isn't telling patients what to do. It's listening. She and Dr. Brown discuss why women deserve to understand all their options, why a second opinion can make a difference, and how patients can feel empowered to make decisions that reflect their own priorities rather than the expectations of others. They also explore what happens when partners or family members have strong opinions about a woman's surgical choices—and why the patient's voice must always come first. For Elisabeth, advocating for patients doesn't end when she leaves the operating room. Frustrated by parts of a healthcare system that can prioritize efficiency over people, she built Redbud, her own surgery center, around a different vision: one where patients receive thoughtful care, healthcare workers feel valued, and doing what's right matters more than simply doing what's expected. And when Dr. Brown asks how caring for women facing cancer has changed her own perspective on life, Elisabeth shares a powerful philosophy: "I want to know what you're for, and if you don't know what you're for, I don't think you know who you are." Rather than spending her energy focused on what she's against, Elisabeth chooses to put that energy into creating something better. She also talks about the importance of exercise, rescue dogs, quiet reflection, and giving herself the space to recharge so she can continue doing meaningful work. This conversation isn't just about breast reconstruction or changing healthcare. It's about knowing what matters to you, finding your voice, and having the courage to turn your beliefs into action. Because sometimes the most meaningful thing we can cut out of our lives is the energy we spend being against something—and make room for what we're truly FOR. In This Episode How Dr. Potter's family shaped her values and approach to medicineThe moment she discovered her passion for breast reconstructionUnderstanding breast reconstruction options after mastectomy, including implants, tissue-based reconstruction, and flat closureWhy patients should feel comfortable asking questions and seeking second opinionsNavigating pressure from partners and family members during treatment decisionsHow women discover their strength through breast cancerWhy Dr. Potter built Redbud to create a more patient-centered healthcare experienceChoosing what you're FOR instead of focusing on what you're againstFinding balance through exercise, rescue dogs, rest, and quiet reflectionHow caring for people with cancer changes the way we think about living a meaningful lifeAbout Dr. Elisabeth Potter Dr. Elisabeth Potter is an Austin-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon, patient advocate, and founder of Redbud Surgery Center. Passionate about breast reconstruction and patient-centered care, she empowers women to make informed decisions while challenging the status quo to create better healthcare. Connect with Dr. Elisabeth Potter: Instagram: @drelisabethpotter Facebook: @drelisabethpotter Website: https://www.drpotter.com/ About Just Cut It Out Hosted by surgical oncologist Dr. Kimberly Brown, Just Cut It Out features real conversations with patients, families, and healthcare professionals about cancer, the choices we make, and what it means to live a good life. Subscribe to Just Cut It Out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube, and share this episode with someone who may benefit from Dr. Potter's perspective on patient advocacy, personal choice, and meaningful change. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always discuss personal medical concerns and treatment decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.
Oct 22 · Video

Just Cut It Out Podcast | 69 Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer & Living with Purpose

What does it mean to live a good life when you know your cancer cannot be cured? Susan Dawson faced 69 brain metastases, five craniotomies, chemotherapy, radiation, and years of treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Yet through it all, she continued working, traveling, advocating for others, and finding purpose in the life she was living. In this episode of Just Cut It Out, Dr. Kimberly Brown sits down with Susan, an engineer, entrepreneur, mother, and community leader whose approach to living with stage 4 breast cancer challenges the idea that a serious diagnosis must define your life. Susan was first diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2016. After chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries, she believed the worst might be behind her. But in 2019, abdominal discomfort led to scans revealing cancer throughout her liver. Concerned about preserving her ability to think critically and solve problems, Susan advocated for a brain MRI. It revealed 19 brain metastases. Over the years, she would face 69. But Susan wasn't willing to let cancer become the center of everything. Instead, she continued focusing on what gave her life meaning: her family, her work improving education in Texas, and her commitment to making a difference in her community. Susan and Dr. Brown discuss the importance of hope, seeking multiple medical opinions, exploring treatment options, and advocating for yourself throughout cancer care. They also have a candid conversation about end-of-life planning. Susan shares why she documented her medical wishes in detailed spreadsheets, how she defined quality of life for herself, and why having difficult conversations with family before a crisis can be an extraordinary act of love. And when Dr. Brown asks what Susan has chosen to cut out of her life, her answer is surprisingly simple: working fewer hours, making more time for travel and reading, and continuing to invest in the people and causes that matter most. Susan's story isn't just about living with metastatic breast cancer. It's about choosing what deserves your time, finding meaning beyond a diagnosis, and continuing to make a difference even when the future is uncertain. Because living a good life isn't about controlling how much time we have. It's about what we choose to do with it. In This Episode Susan's breast cancer diagnosis and the discovery of metastases in her liver and brainLiving with metastatic breast cancer while maintaining hope and purposeWhy second and third medical opinions matterThe importance of patient advocacy and exploring treatment optionsHaving honest conversations about advance directives and end-of-life wishesDefining quality of life on your own termsFinding meaning through family, community, and serviceWhat Susan chose to cut out to make more room for what matters mostIn Loving Memory of Susan Phillips Dawson (1963–2026) Since recording this conversation, Susan has passed away. We are honored to share her story and celebrate a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to family, community, and making a difference. Susan founded E3 Alliance, transforming educational opportunities across Texas. She also helped raise funds to relaunch The Big Pink Bus, expanding access to mobile mammograms throughout Central Texas. Her family invites those wishing to honor her legacy to support these two organizations: E3 Alliance: https://e3alliance.org The Big Pink Bus: https://www.bigpinkbenefit.org/ Susan's courage, wisdom, and commitment to helping others remind us what it truly means to live a meaningful life. About Just Cut It Out Hosted by surgical oncologist Dr. Kimberly Brown, Just Cut It Out shares real conversations with patients, families, and healthcare professionals about cancer, the choices we make, and what it means to live a good life. Subscribe to Just Cut It Out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube, and share Susan's story with someone who might need to hear it. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always discuss personal medical concerns and treatment decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.
Oct 15 · Video

Just Cut It Out Podcast | Lady Madelyn Patterson: Breast Cancer, Finding Her Voice & Giving Herself Grace

Lady Madelyn Patterson has always been someone who keeps moving forward. She's a woman of faith, a natural storyteller and someone who loves bringing people together. Whether through her career, her church or her community, Madelyn has always found purpose in showing up for others. But life has challenged her in ways she never expected. Years before her breast cancer diagnosis, Madelyn experienced a traumatic assault that eventually led to serious airway complications. In 2015, she underwent an emergency tracheostomy and spent four months unable to speak. For someone whose life included public speaking, singing in church and leading others, losing her voice was devastating. She was angry. She questioned her faith. And she wondered how she could continue doing the things she believed she was meant to do. Over time, Madelyn began to find peace through her faith and a new understanding of what it meant to trust God when life didn't go according to plan. Then, in 2019, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Madelyn underwent a double mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. What she expected to be a temporary interruption became a much longer journey, complicated by surgical recovery and the ongoing challenges of living with a tracheostomy. At the time, Madelyn had spent 24 years working for the IRS. She was determined to return to her career and the life she knew. But that wasn't how things unfolded. Eventually, she had to step away from the career that had been such an important part of her identity. Looking back, Madelyn recognizes something she didn't understand at the time. She was grieving. Grieving the changes to her body. The loss of her career. And the life she thought she would return to. Instead of allowing herself to experience those emotions, she kept pushing forward, convinced she needed to be strong and keep going. In this episode of Just Cut It Out, Madelyn and Dr. Kim Brown talk about faith, grief, resilience and what happens when the life you've always known changes in ways you cannot control. But Madelyn's story is also about discovering a new purpose. During cancer treatment, she began documenting her experience. That creative outlet eventually helped inspire her to start a production company dedicated to telling stories of courage, resilience and people whose voices might otherwise go unheard. And while living with a tracheostomy changed the way Madelyn speaks, it also gave her another opportunity to help others. When children notice the tube in her neck, she doesn't want them to be afraid or embarrassed to ask questions. She wants them to be curious. That experience inspired her to write a children's book encouraging children to ask questions and better understand people who may look or sound different. Madelyn also shares how journaling, prayer and what she calls "mirror moments" help her stay grounded through difficult days. She and Dr. Brown explore the difference between happiness and joy, and how finding peace doesn't mean pretending that everything is okay. Perhaps one of Madelyn's biggest lessons has been learning that she doesn't have to be everything to everybody. She doesn't have to attend every event. She doesn't have to accomplish everything in a single day. And she doesn't have to feel guilty when she needs to rest. For Madelyn, living a good life no longer means constantly pushing herself to do more. It means recognizing the value of the life she has today, making room for the things that matter and giving herself the same grace she has always extended to others. In This Episode Madelyn's breast cancer diagnosis in 2019Double mastectomy, DIEP flap reconstruction, chemotherapy and radiationSurgical complications and the unexpected challenges of cancer treatmentLeaving a 24-year career and learning to redefine her identityLiving with a tracheostomy and spending four months without a voiceFaith, frustration and finding peace through difficult circumstancesThe difference between happiness and joyJournaling, prayer and Madelyn's daily "mirror moments"Why Madelyn wrote a children's book encouraging kids to ask questionsStarting a production company to share stories of courage and resilienceRecognizing grief and learning to process the losses that come with cancerLearning to prioritize herself instead of trying to be everything to everybodyGiving herself grace and letting go of harsh self-criticismWhy Dr. Kim Brown chose surgical oncology and what inspired Just Cut It OutChapter Markers 00:00 Welcome to Just Cut It Out 00:32 Meet Lady Madelyn Patterson 01:00 Why Madelyn started a production company 02:15 Breast cancer diagnosis and finding a new purpose 03:53 Double mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction 04:10 Surgical complications, chemotherapy and radiation 05:30 Cancer, identity and unrecognized grief 07:00 Finding community after breast cancer 08:15 The coworkers who supported Madelyn through treatment 09:00 Recognizing grief and learning to process loss 10:28 The trauma that led to her tracheostomy 11:21 Losing her voice and questioning her faith 12:25 Finding peace through faith 13:46 The difference between joy and happiness 14:54 Journaling, prayer and mirror moments 16:28 Finding purpose through difficult circumstances 17:47 Learning to live safely with a tracheostomy 18:30 Teaching children that it's okay to ask questions 19:32 Why Madelyn loves telling untold stories 20:00 Preserving the history of Atlantic Beach 21:58 Sharing stories of courage and resilience 23:30 What Madelyn would tell herself at diagnosis 25:00 Allowing yourself to experience grief 27:00 Building habits that prepare you for hard times 28:45 What Madelyn decided to cut out 29:49 Learning to prioritize herself 30:12 Giving herself grace and letting go of perfectionism 31:43 Why Dr. Kim Brown chose surgical oncology 34:55 The inspiration behind Just Cut It Out 37:17 Madelyn's experience on the other side of the camera About Just Cut It Out Hosted by Dr. Kimberly Brown, Just Cut It Out explores how the experience of a cancer diagnosis can change the way we think about what it means to live a good life. Through honest conversations with patients, their families, and the healthcare professionals who care for them, Dr. Brown brings together practical wisdom and the bigger questions that can emerge when life changes unexpectedly: What really matters? What deserves our time? What can we let go of? And what does it mean to live a good life? About Dr. Kimberly Brown Dr. Kimberly Brown is a physician who cares for people facing cancer and helps patients and families understand complex medical information so they can make informed decisions about their care. Her approach recognizes that caring for someone with cancer goes beyond treatment—it also means being present with patients and families as they navigate difficult decisions, uncertainty and a life-changing diagnosis. As host of Just Cut It Out, Dr. Brown brings her experience as a physician into conversations about cancer, survivorship, family, faith, relationships, grief and the lessons people discover about living well. Connect With Dr. Kimberly Brown & Just Cut It Out Have a question, a story to share, or an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email: kim@justcutitoutpod.com Enjoyed This Episode? If Just Cut It Out has encouraged you, taught you something, or helped you see life a little differently, please follow or subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Reviews help more people discover Just Cut It Out and allow these conversations to reach patients, families, caregivers and others who may need them. And if someone came to mind while you were listening, share this episode with them. One conversation can make a difference. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always discuss personal medical concerns and treatment decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.
Oct 8 · Video

Just Cut It Out Podcast | Breast Cancer, Bald Parties, Boundaries & Always Going to the Show

Just Cut It Out Podcast | Breast Cancer, Bald Parties, Boundaries & Always Going to the Show Deb Coulter has always been a doer. She’s the person who steps in, solves the problem, takes care of everyone else and keeps moving forward. So when Deb found a lump in her breast over Labor Day weekend in 2013, she did what came naturally: she took action. Deb was diagnosed with stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma and began chemotherapy before surgery. But as a mom with two children at home, one of her first concerns wasn’t herself. It was how to tell her kids that their mom had breast cancer—and how to make the experience less frightening for them. With help from Wonders & Worries, Deb and her husband found the words to talk to their children about her diagnosis and treatment. And when chemotherapy meant Deb was going to lose her hair, she decided to take some of the fear out of that, too. She threw a “bald party.” Neighborhood kids came over for pizza and cake, took turns cutting Deb’s hair, and eventually her own children helped shave the rest. That instinct to make things easier for everyone else followed Deb throughout treatment. But cancer also began teaching her something much harder: how to let other people show up for her. Friends wanted to bring meals. Coworkers wanted to support her. People wanted to help. At first, Deb resisted. She was used to being the caregiver, not the person being cared for. Eventually, she began saying yes—and discovered how meaningful accepting help could be for both her and the people who loved her. In this episode of Just Cut It Out, Deb and Dr. Kim Brown talk about the experiences that changed the way Deb thinks about taking care of others, setting boundaries and living a good life. Deb also speaks candidly about a decision she made during treatment. After chemotherapy, she chose to have a double mastectomy, even though only one breast needed to be removed. Thirteen years later, she wishes she had made a different choice. Deb talks openly about losing sensation after surgery and the impact that decision had on intimacy and her sex life. She knows no one could have talked her out of the decision at the time. But she hopes sharing what she knows now might help another woman ask different questions as she considers her own options. The conversation also explores the work Deb has done since cancer to understand why taking care of everyone else In This Episode Finding a breast lump and being diagnosed with stage 2B invasive ductal carcinomaHelping young children understand a parent’s cancer diagnosisHow Wonders & Worries helped Deb’s family navigate difficult conversationsTurning hair loss into a “bald party” for family and friendsLearning to accept help when you’re used to taking care of everyone elseDeb’s decision to have a double mastectomy and what she wishes she had knownSensation, intimacy and the long-term effects of breast surgeryLearning to set boundaries after cancerRecognizing when caring for others comes at the expense of caring for yourselfWhy Deb believes you should “always go to the show”Chapter Markers 00:00 Welcome to Just Cut It Out 00:32 Deb’s breast cancer story begins 02:00 Finding a lump and getting answers quickly 04:30 How do you tell your children you have cancer? 06:30 Chemotherapy and the fear of losing her hair 08:54 Turning hair loss into a “bald party” 10:00 Learning to accept help from other people 12:23 Why Deb always felt responsible for everyone 13:48 Deb 2.0: Therapy, boundaries and learning to say no 16:00 Looking back at her double mastectomy decision 19:30 Making cancer decisions when statistics feel personal 21:00 The importance of patient support and navigation 23:00 “Always go to the show” 24:30 Creating the Macklin Woods Grief Resource Center 26:02 Helping families navigate death and funeral decisions 29:24 What Deb decided to “cut out” 30:30 Dr. Brown answers Deb’s question 32:40 Stop spending energy on what you can’t control 34:00 What we can and cannot control About Just Cut It Out Hosted by Dr. Kimberly Brown, Just Cut It Out explores how the experience of a cancer diagnosis can change the way we think about what it means to live a good life. Through honest conversations with patients, their families, and the healthcare professionals who care for them, Dr. Brown brings together practical wisdom and the bigger questions that can emerge when life changes unexpectedly: What really matters? What deserves our time? What can we let go of? And what does it mean to live a good life? About Dr. Kimberly Brown Dr. Kimberly Brown is a physician who cares for people facing cancer and helps patients and families understand complex medical information so they can make informed decisions about their care. Her approach recognizes that caring for someone with cancer goes beyond treatment—it also means being present with patients and families as they navigate difficult decisions, uncertainty and a life-changing diagnosis. As host of Just Cut It Out, Dr. Brown brings her experience as a physician into conversations about cancer, survivorship, family, faith, relationships, grief and the lessons people discover about living well. Connect With Dr. Kimberly Brown & Just Cut It Out Have a question, a story to share, or an idea for a future episode? We’d love to hear from you. Email: kim@justcutitoutpod.com Enjoyed This Episode? If Just Cut It Out has encouraged you, taught you something, or helped you see life a little differently, please follow or subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Reviews help more people discover Just Cut It Out and allow these conversations to reach patients, families, caregivers and others who may need them. And if someone came to mind while you were listening, share this episode with them. One conversation can make a difference. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always discuss personal medical concerns and treatment decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.
Oct 4 · Video

Just Cut It Out Podcast | When Breast Cancer Changes a Family: Love, Loss & Finding Purpose

Just Cut It Out Podcast | When Breast Cancer Changes a Family: Love, Loss & Finding Purpose What happens when breast cancer doesn't affect just one person but changes the course of an entire family? In this episode of Just Cut It Out, Dr. Kimberly Brown sits down with Leisha Johnson, whose life has been profoundly shaped by the breast cancer journeys of two family members. Leisha first encountered breast cancer more than 30 years ago when her sister was diagnosed at age 45. Years later, her niece Lyndsay received a breast cancer diagnosis at just 32 years old while raising two children. Leisha shares how her family rallied around Lyndsay through chemotherapy, surgery, additional treatment, and eventually metastatic disease. From coordinating meals and transportation to helping care for the children, they learned that supporting someone through cancer often means showing up in practical, everyday ways. But this is also a conversation about listening. Leisha reflects on the things she wishes she had understood when Lyndsay began saying she was tired of treatment and why conversations about a patient's goals, quality of life, and palliative care matter. Even as her disease progressed, Lyndsay continued setting goals, spending time with her family, and refusing to let cancer define her. Her family helped make one particularly important memory possible: a trip to Disney World with her children. After Lyndsay's death, Leisha began looking differently at her own time and priorities. She chose to step away from her career and devote more of her life to breast cancer advocacy and helping ensure that others don't have to navigate cancer alone. In This Episode Supporting a loved one through breast cancerBreast cancer in younger women and patient self-advocacyHow family and community can provide meaningful supportMetastatic breast cancer, palliative care, and listening to the patientGrief, priorities, and finding purpose after lossLeisha's story is a reminder that when time becomes precious, what matters most can become remarkably clear: the people we love are the “big rocks” and they have to go in first. Chapter Markers 00:00 Opening and recording setup 01:33 Welcome to Just Cut It Out 02:17 Leisha’s sister’s breast cancer diagnosis 05:25 Lyndsay’s diagnosis at 32 07:56 Helping the children understand cancer 08:52 “I don’t want to lose another one” 09:25 How the family cared for Lindsay 13:40 Lyndsay pushes for scans 14:27 Learning the cancer had spread 15:25 Searching for a clinical trial 17:42 Their last Christmas together 18:40 How Lyndsay changed Leisha’s life 20:26 Making a Disney World memory 23:07 Supporting others through the Breast Cancer Resource Center 25:35 Learning to accept help 26:53 Conversations Leisha wishes they’d had 27:42 Palliative care and patient preferences 28:36 The goals Lindsay held onto 31:02 What Leisha chose to cut out 32:38 Leisha’s question for Dr. Brown About Just Cut It Out Hosted by Dr. Kimberly Brown, Just Cut It Out explores how the experience of a cancer diagnosis can change the way we think about what it means to live a good life. Through honest conversations with patients, their families, and the healthcare professionals who care for them, Dr. Brown brings together practical wisdom and the bigger questions that can emerge when life changes unexpectedly: What really matters? What deserves our time? What can we let go of? And what does it mean to live a good life? About Dr. Kimberly Brown Dr. Kimberly Brown is a physician who cares for people facing cancer and helps patients and families understand complex medical information so they can make informed decisions about their care. Her approach recognizes that caring for someone with cancer goes beyond treatment—it also means being present with patients and families as they navigate difficult decisions, uncertainty, and a life-changing diagnosis. As host of Just Cut It Out, Dr. Brown brings her experience as a physician into conversations about cancer, survivorship, family, faith, relationships, grief, and the lessons people discover about living well. Connect With Dr. Kimberly Brown & Just Cut It Out Have a question, a story to share, or an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email: kim@justcutitoutpod.com Enjoyed This Episode? If Just Cut It Out has encouraged you, taught you something, or helped you see life a little differently, please follow or subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Reviews help more people discover Just Cut It Out and allow these conversations to reach patients, families, caregivers, and others who may need them. And if someone came to mind while you were listening, share this episode with them. One conversation can make a difference. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always discuss personal medical concerns and treatment decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.
Oct 4 · Video

Just Cut It Out Podcast | Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Identity & Learning to Let People In

Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Identity & Learning to Let People In | Susan M. Gordon What happens when cancer treatment saves your life but changes the person you've always believed yourself to be? In this episode of Just Cut It Out, Dr. Kimberly Brown sits down with the Honorable Susan M. Gordon, whose career in the intelligence community culminated in serving as Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence. At 66, Sue noticed that her right breast was red, swollen, and painful. There was no lump, and she initially wondered if it might be an infection. When the symptoms didn't improve, a series of circumstances brought her to Dr. Brown's clinic, where she was ultimately diagnosed with triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer. Sue began chemotherapy and immunotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation. But during treatment, she developed a high fever, became confused, and grew critically ill. Her medical team ultimately determined that she was experiencing a serious autoimmune reaction affecting the lining around her brain. Her doctors had to make high-stakes decisions before they had perfect information. For Sue, that experience felt strangely familiar. She had spent much of her professional life making consequential decisions with incomplete information. Now she was experiencing uncertainty from the other side—as the person whose life depended on those decisions. Sue and Dr. Brown talk candidly about trust between patients and physicians, the limits of certainty in medicine, and the importance of having a healthcare team you trust when there isn't an obvious answer. But some of Sue's greatest challenges came after treatment. For much of her life, Sue believed part of what made her Sue was her ability to keep going. She could work harder, stay longer, fit “28 hours into every day,” and will herself through almost anything. Cancer changed that. Sue talks about struggling to accept that she can't always do what she once could and realizing that survivorship isn't necessarily about returning to the person you were before cancer. Sometimes it's about figuring out who you are now. That question became even more complicated because Sue had lost her husband and best friend of more than 40 years just a year before her cancer diagnosis. Cancer gave her something immediate to fight. Recovery finally gave her the quiet to begin processing everything she had lost. Today, Sue is thinking differently about her time, energy, and what she wants to do with both. She's also learning something that once felt almost impossible: letting people in. In This Episode • The unusual symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer • Triple-negative breast cancer and treatment • Making medical decisions without perfect information • Trust between patients and healthcare teams • When cancer treatment changes your sense of identity • Grief, survivorship, and figuring out who you are now • Learning to accept help and let people into the hard parts of life Sue's story raises a question that goes far beyond cancer: When you realize your time and energy aren't infinite, how do you decide what deserves them? Chapter Markers 00:00 Welcome to Just Cut It Out 01:23 How Sue’s Story Began 02:32 A Red, Swollen & Painful Breast 03:16 The Phone Call That Changed Her Path 04:37 Arriving at Dr. Brown’s Clinic 05:12 Understanding Inflammatory Breast Cancer 06:03 Biopsy & Getting the Diagnosis 09:13 Finding the Right Medical Team 12:08 When the Clock Is Ticking 13:30 Making a Treatment Plan Without Certainty 16:04 Building Trust With a Cancer Care Team 17:40 Chemotherapy & Immunotherapy 18:00 A Serious Treatment Complication 20:50 Making Medical Decisions Without Perfect Information 24:38 Recovering & Moving Forward Without Immunotherapy 25:48 Surgery & Radiation 26:36 Living With Lasting Treatment Side Effects 30:31 When Side Effects Affect Identity 31:12 Losing the Ability to Just Keep Going 34:12 Accepting She May Never Be Who She Was 36:29 Figuring Out Who Sue Is Now 38:20 Grief After Losing Her Husband 40:19 What Sue Chose to Cut Out 41:37 Learning to Let People In 43:35 Sue’s Question for Dr. Brown 44:12 How Doctors Build Trust With Patients 48:27 Final Takeaways About Just Cut It Out Hosted by Dr. Kimberly Brown, Just Cut It Out features honest conversations about cancer and how a diagnosis can change the way we think about time, relationships, fear, joy—and what it means to live a good life. Connect With Dr. Kimberly Brown & Just Cut It Out Have a question, a story to share, or an idea for a future episode? Email: kim@justcutitoutpod.com If this episode resonated with you, follow or subscribe to Just Cut It Out, leave a rating or review, and share this conversation with someone who might need it. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always discuss personal medical concerns and treatment decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.
Oct 4 · Video

Just Cut It Out Podcast | Young Mom’s Breast Cancer Story: Faith, Family & Fighting for Answers

Just Cut It Out Podcast | Young Mom’s Breast Cancer Story: Faith, Family & Fighting for Answers What happens when you're 34, raising two young children, and the breast lump you were told was a hematoma turns out to be breast cancer? In this episode of Just Cut It Out, Dr. Kimberly Brown sits down with Joyanne Gerdes to share her deeply personal breast cancer story. From fighting for answers and receiving her diagnosis to chemotherapy, mastectomy, breast reconstruction, survivorship, and finding her way back to everyday life. Joyanne opens up about what it was like to undergo cancer treatment while raising a three-year-old and five-year-old, including the difficult conversations she and her husband had with their children. She shares how humor helped their family through some of the hardest moments and how her husband, church, and community surrounded them with practical and emotional support. Faith also became central to Joyanne's journey. She describes learning to live with what she calls “defiant trust”, doing everything she could to fight cancer while surrendering the things she couldn't control. Dr. Brown and Joyanne also discuss patient self-advocacy, treatment decisions, breast reconstruction, scan anxiety, fear of recurrence, and what survivorship looks like after treatment ends. One lesson has stayed with Joyanne: “Don't let the fear of the unknown steal the joy that you have today.” In This Episode • Breast cancer, self-advocacy, and fighting for answers • Motherhood, chemotherapy, and talking to young children about cancer • Faith, family, humor, and the power of community • Mastectomy, breast reconstruction, and reclaiming a sense of self • Scan anxiety, survivorship, and learning to be present Joyanne describes cancer as a season of “pruning”—one that changed how she thinks about relationships, time, energy, family, and what truly matters. Chapter Markers 00:00 Welcome to Just Cut It Out 01:30 Life Before Cancer 03:16 Finding the Breast Lump 05:27 The Cancer Diagnosis 08:45 Starting Treatment 10:35 Motherhood During Chemo 12:29 Talking to Kids About Cancer 14:35 Hair Loss, Humor & Family 16:25 Faith & Community 18:47 Choosing Defiant Trust 22:45 Surgery & Mastectomy 25:21 Breast Reconstruction 27:52 Survivorship & Scan Anxiety 30:16 Advice for Other Moms 32:29 What Cancer Taught Her 33:43 Joyanne Questions Dr. Brown 36:14 Final Takeaways About Just Cut It Out Hosted by Dr. Kimberly Brown, Just Cut It Out explores how the experience of a cancer diagnosis can change the way we think about what it means to live a good life. Through honest conversations with patients, their families, and the healthcare professionals who care for them, Dr. Brown brings together practical wisdom and the bigger questions that can emerge when life changes unexpectedly: What really matters? What deserves our time? What can we let go of? And what does it mean to live a good life? About Dr. Kimberly Brown Dr. Kimberly Brown is a physician who cares for people facing cancer and helps patients and families understand complex medical information so they can make informed decisions about their care. Her approach recognizes that caring for someone with cancer goes beyond treatment—it also means being present with patients and families as they navigate difficult decisions, uncertainty, and a life-changing diagnosis. As host of Just Cut It Out, Dr. Brown brings her experience as a physician into conversations about cancer, survivorship, family, faith, relationships, and the lessons people discover about living well. Connect With Dr. Kimberly Brown & Just Cut It Out Have a question, a story to share, or an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email: kim@justcutitoutpod.com Enjoyed This Episode? If Just Cut It Out has encouraged you, taught you something, or helped you see life a little differently, please follow or subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Reviews help more people discover Just Cut It Out and allow these conversations to reach patients, families, caregivers, and others who may need them. And if someone came to mind while you were listening, share this episode with them. One conversation can make a difference. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always discuss personal medical concerns and treatment decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.
Oct 2 · Video

Just Cut It Out Podcast | Breast Cancer in the Middle of Liver Failure: Jamie Lane’s Story

What happens when a breast cancer diagnosis arrives in the middle of an already life-changing health crisis? In this episode of Just Cut It Out, Dr. Kimberly Brown sits down with Jamie Lane: a wife, mother, breast cancer survivor, and two-time organ transplant recipient whose journey has required her to navigate an extraordinary amount of medical uncertainty. Jamie was living with polycystic liver and kidney disease when liver failure led her toward transplantation. During her transplant evaluation, a routine mammogram revealed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), an early form of breast cancer, in both breasts. Suddenly, Jamie was navigating breast cancer treatment while also trying to become healthy enough to receive the liver transplant she desperately needed. Jamie and Dr. Brown discuss the decisions surrounding lumpectomy versus mastectomy, radiation, and how Jamie's larger health picture influenced her breast cancer treatment. Jamie ultimately underwent treatment for breast cancer followed by a liver transplant—and later a kidney transplant. But Jamie's story goes far beyond her diagnoses. She opens up about living for years with anxiety and uncertainty, the impact of watching family members experience serious illness, and the work she's done to keep fear from controlling her life. She shares how therapy, movement, time outdoors, gratitude, and getting the right mental health support helped her change the way she responds to uncertainty. Throughout it all, Jamie has become a determined advocate for her own health. She believes in learning about your condition, asking questions, following up when something doesn't seem right, and working with your healthcare team—with persistence and kindness. In This Episode • Breast cancer during a liver transplant evaluation • Lumpectomy, mastectomy, radiation, and treatment decisions • Liver and kidney transplantation and chronic illness • Patient self-advocacy and navigating a complex healthcare system • Anxiety, gratitude, and focusing on what you can control Today, Jamie says she is better able to live in the present, appreciate the good moments, and cut out some of the worry about things she can't control. Her perspective is simple but powerful: “I am alive.” Chapter Markers 00:00 Welcome to Just Cut It Out 00:32 Meet Jamie Lane 02:21 Living with polycystic liver and kidney disease 05:52 When Jamie’s liver began to fail 06:33 Preparing for a liver transplant 07:23 Her daughter steps forward as a potential donor 08:36 A mammogram reveals breast cancer 09:39 Getting the diagnosis during a procedure 10:57 Choosing between lumpectomy and mastectomy 13:20 The liver transplant 13:51 Why Jamie later needed a kidney transplant 15:53 Losing family members to related health complications 18:53 Living with anxiety and fear 23:22 Finding ways to manage worry 24:35 The role of gratitude 27:46 Advocating for yourself with kindness 31:22 Getting more help for anxiety 35:53 What Jamie chose to cut out 39:55 Sharing her story to give others hope 44:38 Jamie’s question for Dr. Brown 45:48 Final takeaways About Just Cut It Out Hosted by Dr. Kimberly Brown, Just Cut It Out explores how the experience of a cancer diagnosis can change the way we think about what it means to live a good life. Through honest conversations with patients, their families, and the healthcare professionals who care for them, Dr. Brown brings together practical wisdom and the bigger questions that can emerge when life changes unexpectedly: What really matters? What deserves our time? What can we let go of? And what does it mean to live a good life? About Dr. Kimberly Brown Dr. Kimberly Brown is a physician who cares for people facing cancer and helps patients and families understand complex medical information so they can make informed decisions about their care. Her approach recognizes that caring for someone with cancer goes beyond treatment—it also means being present with patients and families as they navigate difficult decisions, uncertainty, and a life-changing diagnosis. As host of Just Cut It Out, Dr. Brown brings her experience as a physician into conversations about cancer, survivorship, family, relationships, health, and the lessons people discover about living well. Connect With Dr. Kimberly Brown & Just Cut It Out Have a question, a story to share, or an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email: kim@justcutitoutpod.com Enjoyed This Episode? If Just Cut It Out has encouraged you, taught you something, or helped you see life a little differently, please follow or subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Reviews help more people discover Just Cut It Out and allow these conversations to reach patients, families, caregivers, and others who may need them. And if someone came to mind while you were listening, share this episode with them. One conversation can make a difference. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always discuss personal medical concerns and treatment decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.

9 Episodes

Must listen to!!

Oct 5

MRW12345678

My new fave podcast. These stories are amazing!

Dr. Brown interviews patients, families and healthcare team members about how their experience with cancer has made them think differently about what it means to live a good life.

Creator

Dr. Kimberly Brown, MD FACS
Years Active

2026
Episodes

9
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Just Cut It Out Podcast
Show Website

Just Cut It Out Podcast

News Commentary

News Commentary

Updated Nov 3