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Just Cut It Out Podcast

Just Cut It Out Podcast

By: Dr. Kimberly Brown MD FACS
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Summary

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.

© 2026 Just Cut It Out Podcast
Episodes
  • Cut It Out Podcast | When You're Empowered, It's Easy to Care: A Breast Cancer Nurse Practitioner's Story

    Cut It Out Podcast | When You're Empowered, It's Easy to Care: A Breast Cancer Nurse Practitioner's Story
    5 Nov 2026
    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 HealthcareIn 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 PatientKimmie 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 OthersOne 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 EllisonKimmie 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 EllisonKimmie 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 Kimmiehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-ellison-58772730/About Just Cut It OutJust 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 ...
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    37 min
  • Just Cut It Out Podcast | Breast Reconstruction, Finding Your Voice & Changing Healthcare | Dr. Elisabeth Potter

    Just Cut It Out Podcast | Breast Reconstruction, Finding Your Voice & Changing Healthcare | Dr. Elisabeth Potter
    29 Oct 2026
    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 EpisodeHow 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 PotterDr. 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: @drelisabethpotterFacebook: @drelisabethpotterWebsite: https://www.drpotter.com/About Just Cut It OutHosted 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 ...
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    39 min
  • Just Cut It Out Podcast | 69 Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer & Living with Purpose

    Just Cut It Out Podcast | 69 Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer & Living with Purpose
    22 Oct 2026

    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 brain
    • Living with metastatic breast cancer while maintaining hope and purpose
    • Why second and third medical opinions matter
    • The importance of patient advocacy and exploring treatment options
    • Having honest conversations about advance directives and end-of-life wishes
    • Defining quality of life on your own terms
    • Finding meaning through family, community, and service
    • What Susan chose to cut out to make more room for what matters most

    In 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.
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    27 min
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