The Natalie Tysdal Podcast

If you've ever wondered whether there's a practical route to more consistent energy, deeper sleep, and improved well-being in midlife, you're not alone. So many women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s are searching for grounded ways to support their health, from hormones to brain fog to the daily realities of menopause symptoms. Today's episode explores one scientist's journey from research lab to real-world solutions, centered on a Nobel Prize-winning molecule and the hard-earned lessons behind it.
Chris Burris, mechanical engineer, entrepreneur, and author of "Live Longer and Better," steps out from behind the lab bench to offer a candid, evidence-based look at the daily realities of longevity, sleep, headaches, and navigating the supplement industry. His experience spans decades of manufacturing, product safety, and the often-overlooked realities women face as hormone shifts and sleepless nights arrive. This conversation unpacks what's possible with science, what still demands more answers, and how the right information can lead to meaningful day-to-day change.
By listening, you'll learn:
• What a Nobel Prize-winning molecule actually is, how it works in the body, and why it matters for women in midlife
• How sleep, energy, and hormone balance are connected and what the latest research reveals about practical steps forward
• Why so many midlife women experience new headaches or fatigue, and how to approach these changes with clarity, not confusion
• Real-life insight into the supplement industry, including quality concerns, what to look for, and how to make informed choices
• How scientific discovery translates (or doesn't) to trustworthy options for women navigating menopause and perimenopause
This episode delivers clarity, possibility, and validation for any woman feeling stuck between headlines, hormone shifts, and a changing body. You'll walk away with a deeper understanding grounded in science and lived experience about supporting your energy, sleep, and long-term health in ways that feel both reasonable and real.
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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.

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.

Hot flashes, stubborn fatigue, unexplained weight changes, so many midlife women notice these shifts but struggle to find clear answers about what's really happening in their bodies. What if the real root isn't just "hormones," but a small brain region called the hypothalamus? Discover why caring for your hypothalamus might be the true missing piece for feeling steady, rested, and well through perimenopause and beyond.
Many women enter midlife juggling work, relationships, family, and changing health. Aches, irritability, and brain fog often get brushed off or labeled as "just getting older." But research is increasingly showing that the hypothalamus, your body's master regulator, could explain much of what you're experiencing. Joining Natalie is Deborah Maragopoulos, FNP, an integrative hormone expert known as "The Hormone Queen," who brings decades of clinical experience on what actually supports midlife energy, metabolism, and emotional balance. Her practical insight offers a refreshing roadmap for women tired of quick fixes and unclear advice.
What you'll learn:

• How the hypothalamus drives hormones, hunger, sleep, and mood during midlife with signs you might be experiencing hypothalamic dysfunction
• Why quality sleep and light exposure directly shape hormonal health and daytime energy
• Plainspoken ways to adjust your daily nutrition, meal timing, and evening routines to better support your hypothalamus (without dieting or deprivation)
• The surprising effects of chronic stress and blue light on your body's natural rhythms—and realistic steps to restore balance
• How mindset and self-trust can help you listen to (and meet) your body's real needs in this season
• When it makes sense to seek practitioner support, and what labs or resources can help you advocate for your own care
Getting clear on what your body is asking for isn't wishful thinking, it's the foundation of empowered midlife health. This conversation validates the challenges midlife women face, replaces confusion with insight, and arms you with actionable changes that respect both your biology and your life.
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.

If you've ever noticed more hair in your brush or shower drain and wondered if it's just midlife or something more, you're not alone. Hair loss can feel personal, even alarming, but it's also a powerful signal from your body. This episode explores how midlife women can decode what hair changes reveal about our health, hormones, and wellbeing, so you can move forward with clarity and practical next steps.
Hair is deeply tied to our identity, confidence, and sense of vitality, which is why unexpected shedding often stirs worry or frustration. But thinning hair or increased shedding doesn't have to be a mystery, nor is it always inevitable with age. Guest nutritionist and autoimmune specialist shares evidence-based insight and lived experience including overcoming decades of autoimmune hair loss herself. With warmth and authority, we disentangle what's normal, what's cause for concern, and what you can actually do to support healthier hair growth in midlife.
What you'll learn:
• How to recognize the difference between normal hair shedding and patterns that signal something deeper
• The surprising links between stress, gut health, inflammation, and hair changes in women over 40
• Realistic dietary and lifestyle strategies including which nutrients and foods to prioritize, and which habits might be sabotaging your efforts
• How processed foods and hidden sugars impact hair health and what to choose instead
• Insight into the genetic, hormonal, and autoimmune factors unique to women's hair loss in the midlife years
• When it's time to seek help or testing, and how to approach possible solutions with self-compassion
For midlife women, this conversation offers practical perspective and evidence-based options for navigating hair loss without fear or shame. You'll find useful next steps no matter where you are on your journey from subtle changes to more significant challenges anchored in trust and validation for women who want to feel well and stay informed.
Episode website: https://www.natalietysdal.com/podcast
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.

Feeling overloaded by conflicting health advice or worried about what might be happening inside your body as you move through midlife? Wondering if there's a way to get clear answers about cancer and chronic disease risks before symptoms start? This episode explores what a preventive MRI cancer screening can (and cannot) tell you, and how new technology is giving women more agency in their preventive health decisions.
Today, journalist Natalie Tysdal sits down with Dr. Danna Chung, Chief Medical Officer at Ezra, to discuss the realities of proactive cancer screening with advanced MRI imaging. If you crave practical, evidence-driven insights about early detection and managing your health risks as you age, this conversation offers needed perspective, without hype or sensationalism. Dr. Chung's commitment to making screening more accessible stems from her own experience as a parent and physician navigating cancer in her family, making her a thoughtful guide through both the data and the emotions of screening.
What you'll learn:
• What MRI scans can detect, including early signs of cancer in up to 13 organs, as well as early indicators of chronic diseases like fatty liver and heart risk
• How artificial intelligence is being used to improve the clarity, speed, and affordability of MRI-based cancer screening
• Who can benefit from these screenings, how the process works, and what to expect—especially if you have fears about MRI or worries about "too much information"
• The real limitations of MRI scans, including which cancers they're best at finding and which traditional screenings (like mammograms or colonoscopies) you still need
• How annual health tracking empowers you to catch changes early and make informed decisions, not just for you but for those who depend on you
Midlife is a season of valued responsibilities and sometimes-invisible health shifts. Practical, nuanced information can be empowering, especially when it is free from hype and fear. This episode is here to offer solid answers and calm, trustworthy context so you can make preventive choices that fit your real life and priorities.
Episode Website
 
📅 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.

Gut symptoms are common, but that does not mean they are normal.
In this episode, Natalie talks with gut health expert Josh Dech about the digestive issues so many women brush off, including bloating, constipation, diarrhea, belly pain, urgency, and that nagging feeling that something is not right. Josh shares the deeply personal story that led him into gut health, including his mother's serious bowel issues and his own struggle with severe digestive symptoms, anxiety, and health breakdown.
Together, Natalie and Josh unpack why so many gut problems are dismissed, why "normal" is not the same as optimal, and how diet, toxins, stress, sleep, environment, and lifestyle may all play a role in gut health. Josh also explains why he believes many people need to look deeper than a diagnosis and start asking what may be driving their symptoms.
This conversation is honest, direct, and practical. It is not about panic. It is about paying attention to your body, asking better questions, and taking small steps toward better health.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why constipation, bloating, and belly pain should not be ignored
The difference between "common" and "normal" gut symptoms
Josh's personal story with severe gut health issues
How toxins, microbes, and deficiencies may affect digestion
Simple ways to reduce toxic load in your food, home, and daily life
Why lifestyle basics like sleep, stress, sunlight, and clean food matter
How to start thinking about root causes instead of only symptom control
Learn more about Josh Dech at gutsolution.ca.
For more conversations on women's health, wellness, and how to cut through the noise, visit NatalieTysdal.com.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk with your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health plan.