Narrative Medicine, Writing & Healing With Dr. Danielle Ofri

32min | 02/26/2026

Description

What happens when medicine meets storytelling? Dr. Danielle Ofri — physician, author, and founder of the Bellevue Literary Review — joins Prescribing Possibility for a conversation that will stay with you.

From asking patients what it's actually like to be sick, to 125 people walking past a wall of missing persons posters on October 9th, 2001 and choosing, in their grief, to gather and listen to poetry — this episode is a beautiful reminder of why the arts belong at the heart of medicine.

Dr. Ofri shares how a simple question to medical students ("just tell the patient what it's like to have diabetes") sparked a literary journal that is now celebrating its 25th anniversary and 50th issue. She also opens up about her forthcoming book on facing our fears of death — and why leaning into that conversation might be the most universal thing we can do.

Her dose of inspiration? You don't have to publish something for it to be meaningful to have written.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

01:25 – How the Bellevue Literary Review was born

05:00 – Celebrating 25 years & Issue 50

06:17 – Launching the journal on October 9th, 2001

07:37 – Why we turn to the arts in times of vulnerability

08:22 – Dr. Ofri's unexpected path to writing

13:09 – How BLR evolved after COVID

23:59 – BLR Writing Studio & upcoming events

26:34 – Celeste Ng, Abraham Verghese & the writers BLR helped launch

30:34 – Dr. Ofri's new book on facing the fear of death

32:44 – Dose of Inspiration: put your thoughts on the page

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED

Bellevue Literary Review → blreview.org

Subscribe to the BLR Weekly Newsletter → https://blreview.org/product-category/subscriptions/

BLR Upcoming Events: https://blreview.org/blog/#events

BLR Writing Studio (launching soon)

✨ CONNECT WITH DR. DANIELLE OFRI

Website: danielleofri.com

Bellevue Literary Review: blreview.org

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/blreview/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/danielle_ofri/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/bellevue-literary-review/

🎙️ CONNECT WITH PRESCRIBING POSSIBILITY

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dympnaweil/

Website: https://www.dympnaweil.com/

Subscribe so you never miss an episode ❤️

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About PRESCRIBING POSSIBILITY™

Prescribing Possibility is hosted by physician, writer, and master coach Dr. Dympna Weil, MD. It’s a space for real, reflective conversations that inspire deep healing, bold growth, and a more harmonious way of living. Whether you’re navigating life in medicine, feeling pulled in a thousand directions, or simply searching for steadiness in a chaotic world, Prescribing Possibility offers stories, strategies, and soulful support. Settle in for your weekly dose of thoughtful dialogue and personal transformation, and the gentle reminder that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Special thanks to @Bright_Sighted Media and @creatorstudiosaratoga for the opportunity to learn & create in their warm, cozy, and welcoming Bright Sighted Studio. As a Founding member of the Creator Studio, it is an honor to work with them & remind myself that I still can learn new things (albeit at a slower pace...).

Shoutout and gratitude to Megan Sasarek, the most incredible Podcast Editor EVER!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About PRESCRIBING POSSIBILITY™

Prescribing Possibility is hosted by physician, writer, and master coach Dr. Dympna Weil, MD. It’s a space for real, reflective conversations that inspire deep healing, bold growth, and a more harmonious way of living. Whether you’re navigating life in medicine, feeling pulled in a thousand directions, or simply searching for steadiness in a chaotic world, Prescribing Possibility offers stories, strategies, and soulful support. Settle in for your weekly dose of thoughtful dialogue and personal transformation, and the gentle reminder that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Special thanks to @Bright_Sighted Media and @creatorstudiosaratoga for the opportunity to learn & create in their warm, cozy, and welcoming Bright Sighted Studio. As a Founding member of the Creator Studio, it is an honor to work with them & remind myself that I still can learn new things (albeit at a slower pace...).

Shoutout and gratitude to Megan Sasarek, the most incredible Podcast Editor EVER!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Description

What happens when medicine meets storytelling? Dr. Danielle Ofri — physician, author, and founder of the Bellevue Literary Review — joins Prescribing Possibility for a conversation that will stay with you.

From asking patients what it's actually like to be sick, to 125 people walking past a wall of missing persons posters on October 9th, 2001 and choosing, in their grief, to gather and listen to poetry — this episode is a beautiful reminder of why the arts belong at the heart of medicine.

Dr. Ofri shares how a simple question to medical students ("just tell the patient what it's like to have diabetes") sparked a literary journal that is now celebrating its 25th anniversary and 50th issue. She also opens up about her forthcoming book on facing our fears of death — and why leaning into that conversation might be the most universal thing we can do.

Her dose of inspiration? You don't have to publish something for it to be meaningful to have written.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

01:25 – How the Bellevue Literary Review was born

05:00 – Celebrating 25 years & Issue 50

06:17 – Launching the journal on October 9th, 2001

07:37 – Why we turn to the arts in times of vulnerability

08:22 – Dr. Ofri's unexpected path to writing

13:09 – How BLR evolved after COVID

23:59 – BLR Writing Studio & upcoming events

26:34 – Celeste Ng, Abraham Verghese & the writers BLR helped launch

30:34 – Dr. Ofri's new book on facing the fear of death

32:44 – Dose of Inspiration: put your thoughts on the page

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED

Bellevue Literary Review → blreview.org

Subscribe to the BLR Weekly Newsletter → https://blreview.org/product-category/subscriptions/

BLR Upcoming Events: https://blreview.org/blog/#events

BLR Writing Studio (launching soon)

✨ CONNECT WITH DR. DANIELLE OFRI

Website: danielleofri.com

Bellevue Literary Review: blreview.org

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/blreview/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/danielle_ofri/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/bellevue-literary-review/

🎙️ CONNECT WITH PRESCRIBING POSSIBILITY

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dympnaweil/

Website: https://www.dympnaweil.com/

Subscribe so you never miss an episode ❤️

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About PRESCRIBING POSSIBILITY™

Prescribing Possibility is hosted by physician, writer, and master coach Dr. Dympna Weil, MD. It’s a space for real, reflective conversations that inspire deep healing, bold growth, and a more harmonious way of living. Whether you’re navigating life in medicine, feeling pulled in a thousand directions, or simply searching for steadiness in a chaotic world, Prescribing Possibility offers stories, strategies, and soulful support. Settle in for your weekly dose of thoughtful dialogue and personal transformation, and the gentle reminder that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Special thanks to @Bright_Sighted Media and @creatorstudiosaratoga for the opportunity to learn & create in their warm, cozy, and welcoming Bright Sighted Studio. As a Founding member of the Creator Studio, it is an honor to work with them & remind myself that I still can learn new things (albeit at a slower pace...).

Shoutout and gratitude to Megan Sasarek, the most incredible Podcast Editor EVER!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About PRESCRIBING POSSIBILITY™

Prescribing Possibility is hosted by physician, writer, and master coach Dr. Dympna Weil, MD. It’s a space for real, reflective conversations that inspire deep healing, bold growth, and a more harmonious way of living. Whether you’re navigating life in medicine, feeling pulled in a thousand directions, or simply searching for steadiness in a chaotic world, Prescribing Possibility offers stories, strategies, and soulful support. Settle in for your weekly dose of thoughtful dialogue and personal transformation, and the gentle reminder that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Special thanks to @Bright_Sighted Media and @creatorstudiosaratoga for the opportunity to learn & create in their warm, cozy, and welcoming Bright Sighted Studio. As a Founding member of the Creator Studio, it is an honor to work with them & remind myself that I still can learn new things (albeit at a slower pace...).

Shoutout and gratitude to Megan Sasarek, the most incredible Podcast Editor EVER!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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