Category: Podcast

Hey Heart Buddies! Boots Knighton speaks with Lucinda McDermott about navigating heart health after discovering a severely leaking tricuspid valve. Lucinda shares her journey, from initial chest pain and fainting to being diagnosed with a heart murmur by her OB GYN. After mitral valve replacement in 2017, Lucinda faced additional challenges, including fragmented healthcare and…

Hey Hey Heart Buddies and Happy New Year! Season 5 of Open Heart Surgery with Boots is here. Wow. Thank you for being along for the ride that is this life and this podcast. I had the honor of interviewing Jeremy Rothenberg who shares his incredible journey, which began with an Apple Watch alert and…

Hey Heart Buddies! For the last episode of 2024, I bring you one more bonus episode that was the most downloaded episode of 2024. Thank you to my childhood friend, Todd Sykes, for your willingness to tell your story. I love you. Todd Sykes is a survivor and thriver of endocarditis, a stroke, and a…

Hey Heart Buddies! For the remainder of the year, I am bringing back the most downloaded episodes of the year. First up is Joel Oliver! His “easy peasy” heart surgery story might surprise you. Joel takes us step by step through his mitral valve replacement journey, revealing moments of doubt, resilience, and unexpected challenges along…

Hey Heart Buddies! Wow! This week’s episode is what I needed when I was facing heart surgery and I know you’ll find it super helpful too. I interview Dr. Laura Suarez Pardo, a psychocardiologist from Mayo Clinic! Together, she and I explore how mental health impacts cardiac health. Dr. Suarez emphasizes the need for support…

Hey Heart Buddies! I welcome back Robyn Peacock for an update on her incredible journey for “Hope for the Holidays.” This conversation is packed with Robyn’s reflections on her battles with an aortic aneurysm and bicuspid aortic valve. Learn about her physical triumphs and the often-overlooked mental health challenges that many heart patients face post-treatment.…

Hey Heart Friends. I sit down with previous guest, Jeff Holden, to explore the profound changes heart surgery brings into one’s life. Jeff recaps his own battle against myocardial bridging, recounting the gratitude he feels every day. From open-heart surgery to life-altering dreams, Jeff unpacks the layers of his experiences, revealing how overcoming a near-fatal…

Hey Heart Buddies! I am back for part two of Hope for the Holidays with Lisa Mihan who returns to share her incredible progress post-myectomy. Lisa was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but never gave up. She has transformed from struggling with daily symptoms to thriving on the tennis court and embracing a more vibrant life.…

Hey Heart Buddies! I’m Boots Knighton, your guide through our special holiday series, “Hope for the Holidays.” Today, we’re revisiting a truly inspiring story that embodies resilience and hope in its purest form. Our guest is none other than Bill Wingate, a remarkable individual hailing from Birmingham, Alabama. Bill’s journey is a testament to the…

Hello Heart Buddies! This is our 5th and final installment of the Empower Your Heart Health Series! Cardiac dietitian, Michelle Routhenstein, comes back for one more powerful episode of how to take control of your heart health through science-based nutrition. She shares inspiring success stories, including a client who dramatically improved her heart function and…