Your favorites of 2023
Plus, some hidden gems you might have missed
Welcome! This is The Heart Dialogues, a free newsletter for people born with heart conditions (and the people who care about them). Join this community by adding your email below. Every other week, you’ll get an edition in your inbox with candid conversations, essays, links, recommendations, reader threads and other good stuff about what it’s really like to live with a weird and special heart.
We’re in the thick of the holiday season, and the last days of 2023 are quickly dwindling down. In the spirit of looking back on the year that was, I wanted to bring you 10 favorite editions from 2023—the ones that you read, shared and commented on the most—as well as some hidden gems you might not have caught the first time around. The Heart Dialogues has grown exponentially since my first edition in early February, so I’m hoping that some of these will be new to many of you. You can always see the full archives on the website and read more about me and my work here.
On a related note, I can’t thank you enough for being a part of this newsletter, building this community and supporting this work—reading, sharing, leaving comments, writing me notes, donating to the cause, texting with me when my heart is on the fritz…. It is all so meaningful. I especially want to thank everyone who has done an interview with me; I am so lucky to hear your stories and your insights. This newsletter has truly reshaped the way I think about my heart, my health and my writing.
I hope it has brought something to you too, whether a new perspective, a sense of camaraderie, a bigger awareness of congenital heart disease, even an unexpected laugh or a good, let-it-all-out cry. I’ve got so much planned for the new year. From my weird-ass heart to yours, happy holidays and have a healthy, fruitful, restful and joyful new year.
As always, if you have thoughts on anything, simply hit reply to any email, leave a comment or email me at theheartdialogues@substack.com.
A guide to more effective, less stressful cardiology visits
Advocate for yourself, manage your emotions and get the information you need
“You got a bum ticker.”
A history professor talks about traveling abroad with CHD and the funny thing about having a weird heart.
A doctor opens up about her heart for the first time
Sara Taher doesn't tell most colleagues or patients about her heart condition, worried they'll treat her differently. Now, she's ready to share.
Don't call me a warrior
Describing someone with an illness as a "warrior" or "hero" makes me cringe. Why is that?
"I'm 29. I have to advocate for myself."
Jake Chico on the perils of transitioning from pediatric care, plus why he's "pretty lucky."
How a rare heart defect changed one woman's idea of her body
Born with Shone’s complex, Mallory Stanek discusses the pressure to be thin and healthy with a heart condition, and how she moved forward from sexual assault.
7 decades after heart surgery, a retired lawyer leads a normal life
Bill Causey had an early "blue baby" operation for a congenital heart condition; getting older is "exhilarating."
Meet the model embracing "scar inclusivity"
Andrianna Acosta had open heart surgery at 8 months old. Her zipper scar is not a flaw.
“We're allowed to be mad at our bodies”
A former TV news reporter opens up about having a congenital heart condition in the public eye.
Thank you for your inspiring work for all with CHD!