The Natalie Tysdal Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Why Balancing Hormones Is Hard (and What Really Works), with Dr. Mike Fortunato Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Feeling stuck between "normal" lab results and not feeling like yourself? You are not alone. Hormone health in midlife is one of the biggest challenges women face, yet answers and solutions remain confusing and often out of reach. If you have ever wondered why your bloodwork says you are fine but you still feel exhausted, foggy, or not quite right, this episode is for you. Walk away with clarity on the real issues behind hormone imbalance, why standard medical care might not be enough, and what it truly means to find balance.

Hormone shifts touch every part of our lives as women, from sleep and energy to mood, memory, and bone health. But the way hormones are measured and treated often leaves women underserved or misinformed, sometimes for years. In this conversation, Dr. Mike Fortunato shares straight answers from his experience as a physician who transitioned from conventional anesthesiology into hormone optimization after facing his own health struggles. With plain language and an evidence-focused approach, Dr. Fortunato addresses why so many women are dissatisfied with the usual "your labs are normal" explanation and what options exist for personalized care.

Why typical lab "normal ranges" do not always reflect true hormone health for women in midlife
The hidden reasons you might still feel fatigued, anxious, or unwell, even with reassuring test results
The impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on women's health and why hormones are changing across generations
Clear differences between synthetic and bioidentical hormones, and how each can affect safety and results
What to ask your doctor (and how to recognize if you are getting the right kind of prevention-focused support)
The practical realities of finding expert care outside the typical insurance model, including telemedicine options

If you are navigating midlife changes and feeling uneasy about the advice you are getting, you are not imagining things. Having information you can trust, delivered with respect for your lived experience, is a powerful first step. This episode offers validation and practical insight for women who want real solutions, not just reassurance.

More info and links:

https://www.natalietysdal.com/post/feel-awful-perimenopause

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DISCLAIMER: Natalie Tysdal is a health journalist, not a licensed medical professional. The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

How to Cut Back on Drinking in Midlife, with Colleen Freeland Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

If you have ever wondered if your glass of wine at night is just a way to unwind, or if it is become a habit you have less control over than you thought, you are not alone. Many high-achieving midlife women juggle endless responsibilities and turn to alcohol as a tool for relief, even as they question whether their relationship with drinking still works for them. This episode explores the real reasons behind the push-pull with alcohol and offers a grounded path toward a healthier, more self-compassionate approach to mindful drinking.

Navigating midlife brings changes in hormones, identity, and the daily demands that make slowing down difficult. Journalist Natalie Tysdal sits down with Colleen Freeland, founder of Emotional Sobriety Coaching and host of the Not About the Alcohol podcast, who draws on her own lived experience as a high-functioning, daily drinker. Colleen challenges traditional narratives around alcohol and shares why the key to change is not about labels or willpower, but about getting upstream of the habit. Her practical, science-informed approach meets women exactly where they are, with respect for the complexity of midlife and a deep understanding of high achievers.

What you will learn:

Why many high-functioning women fall into the "hamster wheel" trap of using alcohol to relax, and how this shapes habits over time
How to recognize the difference between drinking for pleasure and drinking to cope, and why that distinction matters for your brain and well-being
The real meaning of "mindful drinking," and simple exercises for shifting your default habits without shame or rigidity
Practical strategies like the Delay, Don't Deny method that help you rewire routines gently and sustainably
Insight into setting healthy boundaries for yourself and in relationships when a partner's drinking patterns affect you
How to start tuning back in to your real needs, especially if you have spent years putting yourself last

For women in midlife, this episode brings a clear, non-judgmental look at alcohol through the lens of self-care, neuroscience, and honest storytelling. If you have ever felt the tension between wanting to let loose and wanting to feel in control, this conversation offers both validation and practical tools to help you feel more at home in your own life, on your own terms.

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