The Natalie Tysdal Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Midlife Weight Gain, Hunger, and Cravings with Kasper Wickzén Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

Many women in midlife notice weight that seems to appear overnight, struggle with unpredictable hunger, and feel frustrated that familiar routines no longer work. This conversation explores why midlife weight gain happens, how hunger and cravings shift, and what new strategies may help you feel more in control.

Full show notes, key takeaways, and transcript: https://www.natalietysdal.com/post/midlife-weight-gain-cravings

Kasper Wickzén draws on 15 years in the food industry and is now CCO of Sigrid Therapeutics, a company focused on metabolic health. After watching his own father develop diabetes despite an average diet, he began to question how modern food shapes our bodies and what it means to eat well, especially for busy women in their 40s and 50s.

He talks candidly about the challenge of eating "normally" when many foods on grocery store shelves are designed for taste and convenience rather than well-being, why cravings and energy dips can worsen in midlife, and the small shifts he believes can make everyday meals work better for you.

What you'll learn:

Why hunger and cravings can intensify during perimenopause and menopause
How processed foods affect your body's energy balance
Why quick, easy carbs and low-fiber foods can make weight gain more likely
Strategies to feel fuller, manage blood sugar, and reduce cravings without an extreme diet
Why muscle and gentle movement matter for metabolic health, even if gyms aren't your thing
What to consider when coming off GLP-1 medications

Midlife is full of change, and the old advice to "eat less and move more" often falls short. This conversation offers clarity, compassion, and practical ideas for working with your body during a season of real life and real change.

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🎙️ Listen now and take the next step toward feeling your best. 📅 New episodes drop every Monday, subscribe for weekly conversations that support women in midlife.

Natalie Tysdal is a health journalist, not a licensed medical professional. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Nutrition and DNA Testing: What Genetics Reveal About Midlife Health Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

Many women in midlife experience unexplained fatigue, sleep problems, or symptoms that standard tests can't explain. This episode looks at how nutrition and DNA testing can help women understand why they don't feel their best and how personalized nutrition choices might help, especially after 40.

Full show notes, key takeaways, and transcript

Kim Ressler, founder and CEO of SNiP Nutrigenomics, shares her journey from years of post-pregnancy fatigue to discovering nutrigenomics, the study of how nutrition interacts with our genetic blueprint. Kim explains how personalized testing can identify individual needs and address issues that standard approaches may miss, drawing on her own experience of finding answers after years of normal lab results.

What you'll learn:

How nutrition and DNA testing differs from standard blood work
Examples of common midlife symptoms that may be linked to genetics
What methylation is and why it matters for anxiety, hormones, and more
How knowing your vitamin D gene can influence your health decisions
Why off-the-shelf diet trends may not work for everyone
Practical steps to get started if you want to take charge of your own health

This episode is for midlife women seeking clarity and agency over their health, especially if standard approaches have left you with more questions than answers. It offers insight into why your symptoms might not match your lab results and how a more individualized approach could support your well-being as you age.

SNiP Nutrigenomics Natalie: https://www.natalietysdal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ntysdal TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ntysdal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatalieTysdal

🎙️ Listen now and take the next step toward feeling your best. 📅 New episodes drop every Monday, subscribe for weekly conversations that support women in midlife.

Natalie Tysdal is a health journalist, not a licensed medical professional. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Longevity Medicine for Women: Building Cellular Health After 40 with Dr. Monisha Bhanote Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Confused by the avalanche of health advice as you navigate midlife? You're not alone. As women, we want to feel good, look good, and age well, but conflicting trends and information can leave us wondering what truly matters for our health and longevity. In this episode, we cut through the noise and focus on what really drives meaningful, sustainable wellness for women over 40, with longevity medicine as our focus keyword.

Modern wellness can feel overwhelming, especially with social media suggesting quick fixes and one-size-fits-all solutions. Dr. Monisha Bhanote brings rare clarity, combining her five board certifications in medicine with a practical, integrative approach to women's health. She's diagnosed illness at the cellular level for decades and knows disease can begin long before we feel symptoms. Here, she breaks down how our cells influence aging, what tests and foundational habits matter, and why so many "healthy" routines miss the mark. You'll gain insight into the realities of women's bodiesbeyond trends, beyond hype and learn how to listen to your own.

What you'll learn: • The real cellular drivers behind fatigue, aging, and "mysterious" symptoms in midlife women—and how to address them • Why hustle culture and instant solutions may be sabotaging your health, and what to do instead • The truth about nutrition dogmas (like low fat or carb-phobia) and how to nourish your cells for real longevity • How targeted testing and intentional daily practices can support hormone balance, gut health, metabolism, and energy • Concrete mistakes most women make with health routines and where to focus for long-term wellbeing

This episode matters because midlife is a time of transition, pressure, and too many mixed messages. Reliable, evidence-based clarity is essential now—whether you're feeling overwhelmed, seeking resilience, or simply want to understand your body's needs so you can age with confidence and vitality. You deserve straight talk and actionable insight, not more confusion.

Episode website: https://www.natalietysdal.com/post/womens-health-cellular-longevity-dr-bhanote

🎙️ Listen now and take the next step toward feeling your best.

📅 New episodes drop every Monday—subscribe for weekly conversations that support women in midlife.

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.

Reversing Type 2 Diabetes After 40 Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

If you've ever been told "your blood sugar is creeping up" or left a doctor's office with more confusion than answers about managing type 2 diabetes, you're not alone. Many women in midlife face hidden risks, conflicting health advice, and a sense that lifelong medication is the only path forward. What if taking charge could start with a few simple, evidence-backed tweaks and real-world strategies? In this episode, the focus keyword "type 2 diabetes" comes into clear, practical focus for real life.

Type 2 diabetes is often considered a progressive, incurable condition, especially for women over forty facing hormonal changes, family history, or creeping health concerns. But guest Chris Reed, author and entrepreneur, shares his journey of reversing type 2 diabetes after a life-changing diagnosis at age forty-five. Without drastic deprivation or complicated rules, Chris explains step by step how he used everyday foods, habit changes, and self-compassion to regain his health, energy, and peace of mind. His experience, grounded in lived research and honest self-reflection, offers reassurance and real options for midlife women who wonder whether lasting change is possible.

What you'll learn:• What A1C numbers really mean and why so many miss early signs of type 2 diabetes • The role of soluble fiber in managing blood sugar and how to find it in familiar foods • Why most medications (including GLP-1s) require ongoing commitment—and what you can do if you want to minimize dependence • How simple adjustments, like eating order or a short walk after meals, can make a measurable difference • Practical, judgment-free strategies to build healthy habits without intense willpower or giving up favorite foods

Midlife can be a crossroads for health, identity, and daily rhythms, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed or discouraged by rules that don't fit real life. This conversation centers the lived wisdom of women navigating midlife, replacing shame and perfectionism with realistic choices, evidence, and practical encouragement. If you want clarity, options, and grounded hope about type 2 diabetes, even if it runs in your family or feels inevitable, this episode offers validation and actionable insight.

more info:

https://www.natalietysdal.com/post/lower-blood-sugar-after-40

https://www.natalietysdal.com https://www.instagram.com/ntysdal https://www.tiktok.com/@ntysdal https://www.facebook.com/NatalieTysdal

🎙️ Listen now and take the next step toward feeling your best.

📅 New episodes drop every Monday, subscribe for weekly conversations that support women in midlife.

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. Natalie Tysdal is a health journalist, not a licensed medical professional. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Dense Breasts and Mammograms: What Women Need to Know About Screening and Risk Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

You are not alone if your mammogram says you have dense breast tissue but no one ever really explained what that means. Nearly half of women receive this label on their report, yet practical, clear guidance rarely follows. What does breast density actually mean for your health, your risk, and the decisions you make with your doctor? This episode unpacks what every woman should know about dense breasts, so you can walk into your next appointment informed and confident. Focus keyword: dense breasts.

Full show notes, key takeaways, and transcript

Breast cancer screening brings layers of uncertainty, especially for women in midlife. New national rules require that all mammography reports use the same wording to describe breast density, but few women are told what to do with that information. We'll break down why this change matters, how breast density impacts screening and risk, and what practical steps you can take. Hear the story behind the law, the evidence and debates around extra tests, and the real-world impact on your routine care and insurance coverage. This is journalism-first health information, grounded in evidence and nuance.

What you'll learn:

What dense breasts are and why this matters for mammograms and risk
The four categories of breast density and how to find your own report details
Why mammograms and ultrasounds are used together for women with dense breasts
The pros and cons of additional screening (ultrasound, MRI), and how recommendations vary based on your individual risk
Recent changes in insurance coverage for supplemental breast imaging
Three questions to ask at your next appointment so you know your options

Dense breasts are common in midlife and are not a reason for alarm or shame. Gaining clarity empowers you to make decisions in partnership with your provider, not in confusion or fear. This conversation replaces overwhelm with trustworthy guidance and helps you understand how these changes affect real women's lives, including your own.

https://www.natalietysdal.com https://www.instagram.com/ntysdal https://www.tiktok.com/@ntysdal https://www.facebook.com/NatalieTysdal

🎙️ Listen now and take the next step toward feeling your best.

📅 New episodes drop every Monday, subscribe for weekly conversations that support women in midlife.

Natalie Tysdal is a health journalist, not a licensed medical professional. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

The businesses I trust actually make this podcast possible. If you use any of these, you're supporting the show and getting something I genuinely use and recommend.

For gut health and probiotics: BioTiQuest makes probiotics I trust. Use code NATALIETYSDAL for a discount.

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For energy and focus: ENERGYbits are spirulina tablets that are a fast, clean energy boost. Use code NatalieTysdal.

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Everything I recommend here, I use myself. None of this replaces medical care or sound advice from your doctor. But if you're ready to take your health seriously, these are tools that have made a real difference for me and for listeners. And yes, when you use these links, you're directly supporting the show.

🎙️ Listen now and take the next step toward feeling your best.

📅 New episodes drop every Monday—subscribe for weekly conversations that support women in midlife.

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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