by Mary Burrell
Heart2Heart Talk is a place for honest conversations about living with heart valve disease. Hosted by hospice survivor and patient Mary Burrell, we bridge the gap between clinical data and the human experience. Join patients, caregivers, and experts for raw conversations on symptoms, clinical trials, and the fears no one whispers out loud. From navigating doctors to finding your voice, we share the stories behind the diagnosis. Where we speak from the heart, for the heart.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
6/1/2025
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July 8, 2026
<p><strong>Episode: #4</strong></p><p><strong>Guest: Dr. Prashanth Venkatesh</strong></p><p><strong>Topic: Healthcare Navigation | Cardio-Oncology | Heart Valve Disease</strong></p><p>The treatments that saved your life shouldn't be the ones that sideline your heart. If your symptoms are being dismissed as 'stress' or 'aging,' it’s time to change the conversation.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, host Mary Burrell sits down with <strong>Dr. Prashanth Venkatesh (Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai) </strong>to uncover the "hidden whispers" of the heart. We’re diving into why past radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy often leave structural signatures that standard tests miss and how to ensure you aren't lost in the "diagnostic gap" of heart valve disease.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Why This Episode is Essential:</strong></p><p>The "Lost Decade": Why a delay in medical screening guidelines means survivors must now take a strategic approach to cardio-oncology.</p><p><br></p><p>Beyond the Standard Echo: Discover the structural "red flags" and advanced imaging clues that reveal the true impact of past cancer treatments.</p><p><br></p><p>The Advocacy Pivot: Learn the exact, high-impact question to ask your doctor to ensure your oncology history stays at the center of your cardiovascular care.</p><p><br></p><p>Don’t let your history be a footnote. Learn how to architect a resilient model of care that protects your heart for the long term.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in to shift the narrative from fragmented survival to strategic advocacy. Let’s build the bridge the system forgot.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Clinical Resources.</strong></p><p><strong>The Self-Advocacy Masterclass: </strong><a href="https://canceradvocacy.org/resources/cancer-survival-toolbox/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=6568854879" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Cancer Survival Toolbox </strong></a><strong>— </strong>Free audio lessons on navigating the system and solving medical challenges.</p><p><strong>The Clinical Roadmap:</strong> <a href="https://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/cancer-treatment-and-your-heart" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">CardioSmart: Cancer Treatment and Your Heart<strong> </strong></a><strong> </strong>Provides a visual and easy-to-understand breakdown of why the heart needs monitoring after treatment and exactly what symptoms to watch for.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Explore the Whole Picture:</strong></p><p><strong>Learn more about our Guest: </strong><a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/provider/prashanth-venkatesh-3320116.html" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Dr. Venkatesh</a></p><p><strong>Visit our Website: </strong><a href="https://www.maryburrell.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.maryburrell.com/</a></p><p><strong>Connect with Us: </strong>info@maryburrell.com</p><p><strong>Subscribe to the Show: </strong><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1OYO7svDCyjf8jwb1ivpAe" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Heart2Heart Talk</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Championing the whole heart—yours, ours and theirs.</strong></p><p>#Heart2HeartTalk #CardioOncology #PatientAdvocacy #CedarsSinai #HeartValveDisease #IntegratedCare</p>
June 10, 2026
<p><strong>Episode: #3</strong></p><p><strong>Guest: MARY BURRELL</strong></p><p><strong>Topic: Healthcare Navigation, Caregiving & Invisible Labor</strong></p><p>When the system fails to communicate, the caregiver becomes the bridge. But what happens when that bridge is stretched to the breaking point?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, host Mary Burrell addresses the "empty chair" at the table, a powerful metaphor for the invisible labor and exhaustion that define the modern caregiving experience. We’re shining the light on the high-stakes project management that families are forced to master overnight just to keep their loved ones from falling through the systemic cracks.</p><p><br></p><p>Why You Need to Listen:</p><p>The "Invisible Labor": Recognizing the shift from family member to "Clinical Coordinator" and the mental load that follows.</p><p><br></p><p>The Systemic Disconnect: Why experts staying in their "lanes" forces you to become the primary investigator of your own health.</p><p><br></p><p>Infrastructure vs. Advocacy: Understanding the gap between medical treatment and the actual navigation of a fragmented system.</p><p><br></p><p>If you’ve ever felt like the only thing holding a medical journey together is your own persistence, this episode is your validation. Tune in to shift the narrative from fragmented survival to strategic advocacy. Let’s build the bridge the system forgot.</p><p><br></p><p>Explore the Whole Picture:</p><p><br></p><p>Visit our Website: <a href="https://www.maryburrell.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.maryburrell.com/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Us: info@maryburrell.com</p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to the Show: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1OYO7svDCyjf8jwb1ivpAe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://tinyurl.com/5xhk3pr7</a></p><p><br></p><p>Championing the whole heart—yours, ours and theirs.</p><p><br></p><p>#Heart2HeartTalk #PatientAdvocacy #CaregiverSupport #HeartValveHealth #IntegratedCare</p>
May 13, 2026
<p><strong>Episode: #2</strong></p><p><strong>Guest: Ken Aster</strong></p><p><strong>Topic: Carcinoid Heart Disease, Rare Disease Advocacy & Invisible Battle</strong></p><p>When a neuroendocrine tumor silently triggers a 'hormone storm,' your heart valves become the collateral damage. How do you lead a business when your body is fighting a war no one can see?</p><p><br></p><p>In Episode 2, host Mary Burrell is joined by Ken Aster, Co-Founder of Prosum and a Southern California business leader. Ken’s journey is a masterclass in integrated leadership balancing a high-stakes career with the sudden reality of Carcinoid Heart Disease.</p><p><br></p><p>After a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) began damaging his heart valves from the inside out, Ken underwent two transcatheter valve replacements. Today, he pulls talks about the "Invisible Illness" experience looking perfectly healthy to the outside world while navigating a life-threatening medical crisis.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Strategic Insights from This Episode:</strong></p><p>The Internal Storm: A breakdown of how hormones cause heart valves to become thick and stiff, and why these symptoms are so often missed.</p><p><br></p><p>The "Invisible" Burden: The emotional and physical weight of managing a rare diagnosis while maintaining professional and family responsibilities.</p><p><br></p><p>The Advocacy Protocol: Mary and Ken discuss the specific clinical "hard stops"—including the 5-HIAA urine test and NT-proBNP blood test—that every patient needs to secure their own roadmap to care.</p><p><br></p><p>Rarity is never an excuse for a missed diagnosis. Tune in to learn how to turn a "random Tuesday" struggle into a strategic fight for your life.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Explore the Whole Picture:</strong></p><p><strong>Connect with our Guest: </strong>Learn more about Ken’s professional work at <a href="https://www.prosum.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Prosum</a>.</p><p><strong>Visit our Website: </strong><a href="https://www.maryburrell.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.maryburrell.com/</a></p><p>Connect with Us: info@maryburrell.com</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Resources for Patients & Families:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.thehealingnet.org/medical-hub" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>The Healing NET Foundation</strong></a><strong>: Access the Medical Hub for guides on Carcinoid Heart Disease.</strong></p><p><strong>NET Research Foundation (NETRF): Comprehensive Patient Guides and specialist databases.</strong></p><p><strong>LACNETS: Expert Video Library on "invisible" symptoms.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in to shift the narrative from fragmented survival to strategic advocacy. Let’s build the bridge the system forgot.</strong></p><p><strong>Championing the whole heart—yours, ours and theirs.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>#Heart2HeartTalk #CarcinoidHeartDisease #NETCancer #PatientAdvocacy #InvisibleIllness #HeartValveHealth #RareDisease #StructuralHeart</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
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Heart2Heart Talk is a place for honest conversations about living with heart valve disease. Hosted by hospice survivor and patient Mary Burrell, we bridge the gap between clinical data and the human experience.
Join patients, caregivers, and experts for raw conversations on symptoms, clinical trials, and the fears no one whispers out loud. From navigating doctors to finding your voice, we share the stories behind the diagnosis.
Where we speak from the heart, for the heart.
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