The Natalie Tysdal Podcast

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.

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.
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.

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.
Seeking Health has high-quality supplements for managing stress and supporting your system. Use code NATALIE10.
Auro Wellness has a glutathione formula I recommend when women are doing serious detox work.
For energy and focus: ENERGYbits are spirulina tablets that are a fast, clean energy boost. Use code NatalieTysdal.
Amino Club has peptides if you're interested in that space. Use code NatalieT
For recovery and movement: Block Therapy fascia tools help with mobility and tension relief. Get your kit through the link in the show notes. Kineon makes red light therapy devices that the research actually backs up. Use code NatalieT.
PRN Vision has eye care supplements and products that work. Amare makes science-backed wellness products I recommend, especially their mental health line.
Function Health makes getting serious bloodwork and health testing actually easy and affordable. 
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.
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.

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.
https://emotionalsobrietycoaching.com
https://www.natalietysdal.com
https://www.instagram.com/ntysdal
https://www.tiktok.com/@ntysdal
https://www.facebook.com/NatalieTysdal
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.
Seeking Health has high-quality supplements for managing stress and supporting your system. Use code NATALIE10.
Auro Wellness has a glutathione formula I recommend when women are doing serious detox work.
For energy and focus: ENERGYbits are spirulina tablets that are a fast, clean energy boost. Use code NatalieTysdal.
Amino Club has peptides if you're interested in that space. Use code NatalieT
For recovery and movement: Block Therapy fascia tools help with mobility and tension relief. Get your kit through the link in the show notes. Kineon makes red light therapy devices that the research actually backs up. Use code NatalieT.
PRN Vision has eye care supplements and products that work. Amare makes science-backed wellness products I recommend, especially their mental health line.
Function Health makes getting serious bloodwork and health testing actually easy and affordable. 
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.
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.

Is it possible to age well while still living fully, rather than giving in to confusing and conflicting health advice? For women in midlife, practical, trustworthy guidance on hormones, metabolism, and longevity feels more essential than ever. This episode explores what really works to support your health as you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and the changes that come with this life stage, with a close look at peptides and regenerative medicine.
If you are hearing about peptides, stem cells, and innovative treatments for inflammation, weight management, or energy, but are unsure what is safe and what truly helps, you're not alone. Dr. Jeff, a neurological surgeon and expert in regenerative and anti-aging medicine, joins Natalie for a clear, journalistic look at the science, safety, and real-world benefits behind these newer therapies. With experience rooted in evidence and concern for women's lived realities, Dr. Jeff shares what he sees working now for women in midlife, and the questions everyone should ask before trying new approaches.
What you'll learn:
Which lifestyle factors play a proven role in aging well, and how to think strategically about exercise, sleep, and stress
What peptides are, how they work in the body, and where they fit for women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s
How to weigh the risks and benefits of peptide therapies, including GLP-1 medications like semaglutide, and why medical supervision matters
How to evaluate online sources and navigate the confusing supplement market
The role of muscle, bone, and mitochondrial health in midlife longevity
Strategies for deciding if regenerative or peptide therapies make sense for your unique situation
Aging is both physical and emotional. This conversation avoids hype and instead offers clear, actionable, and grounded advice so you can feel informed about options as science evolves. You'll come away with a firmer sense of what's real, what's probably not, and how to make confident, evidence-based decisions for your own well-being.
More Info: https://www.natalietysdal.com/post/peptides-menopause-weight-gain
Dr. Jeff Gross Website: https://recellebrate.com
Natalie's Website: 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.