The Science of Rebooting Your Life: Dopamine, Dating & Doing Things Differently

Ever feel like you're the one holding it all together, while someone else creates the chaos? Tamsen sits down with Dr. Lindsay Gibson, clinical psychologist and author of the New York Times bestselling book Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, to talk about the emotional patterns we carry from childhood into midlife, and what happens when they start to crack. They break down the four types of emotionally immature parents: the emotional, the driven, the passive, and the rejecting. And how each one leaves its mark on your confidence, your relationships, and the way you see yourself. In this episode they uncover: – Why high-functioning women still feel “not good enough” – The deep loneliness that shows up in midlife (even when you're surrounded by people) – The role of “healing fantasies” and why they keep us stuck – What brain scramble is and how to protect your peace in tough conversations – How to finally stop carrying emotional responsibility for everyone elseThis one gets to the heart of those quiet insecurities we don’t always say out loud, but feel deeply. ⁠Watch full video episodes HERE⁠ Want more from Dr. Lindsay Gibson? Get her book: Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents Visit her website Get Tamsen’s new book, ⁠How To Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before⁠ ⁠Follow The Tamsen Show on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Tamsen on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Tamsen on TikTok⁠ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Urinary leakage. Painful sex. That pressure you can’t explain. If you've been told these are just “normal” parts of getting older or having kids, this episode will open your eyes. Tamsen sits down with board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Sara Reardon (known online as The Vagina Whisperer) to get honest about the symptoms women are still suffering through in silence. From perimenopause to postpartum, Dr. Reardon shares how pelvic floor dysfunction shows up, why it's more common than you think, and what you can actually do about it. No shame, no confusion. Just real answers for women who are ready to feel strong in their bodies again. In this episode, they cover: – What the pelvic floor actually is and how it supports your core health  – How perimenopause and hormonal shifts impact bladder control and sexual function  – Why pelvic pain, leakage, and pressure are common but not normal  – What pelvic floor therapy looks like and how to know if you need it  – The truth about Kegels and why they’re not always the answer  – How posture, stress, and childbirth affect your pelvic health at every age  – When to ask for help and how to find the right pelvic floor specialist Loving The Tamsen Show podcast? If you have a moment, your review could be the reason another woman finally hears the thing she’s been needing. Watch full video episodes HERE Want more from Dr. Sara Reardon? Get her book Floored: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Health Visit her website Get Tamsen’s new book, How To Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before Follow The Tamsen Show on Instagram Follow Tamsen on Instagram Follow Tamsen on TikTok Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You’ve heard the headlines. Ozempic, Wegovy, GLP-1s. But what is actually happening inside your body when you take them? In this episode, Tamsen sits back down with Triple Board-Certified Endocrinologist and Belly Fat Expert Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen to get real, science-backed answers. They break down how these medications work, why muscle loss is a real risk, and how hormone therapy plays a role in your overall metabolic health. This conversation goes beyond quick fixes and tackles what sustainable, medically informed weight loss really looks like. It’s about body composition, long-term health, and understanding the emotional impact of a changing body. This episode will cover: -How GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy work in the gut, brain, and pancreas -The connection between GLP-1s, visceral fat, and insulin resistance -Why you may be losing muscle instead of fat if not monitored properly -What "Ozempic butt" really means and how to prevent it -The truth about hair loss, protein intake, and rapid weight loss -When to combine GLP-1s with hormone therapy and how to approach it safely -Why weight loss isn't just physical and the emotional impact many women aren't prepared for Dr. Rocio is the founder of New York Endocrinology and a leading voice in obesity medicine. Her upcoming book, Weightless: A Doctor's Guide to GLP-1 Medications, Sustainable Weight Loss, and the Health You Deserve will cover everything she shares in her practice and more. Loving The Tamsen Show podcast? If you have a moment, your review could be the reason another woman finally hears the thing she’s been needing. ⁠Watch full video episodes on YouTube⁠ Get Tamsen’s new book, ⁠How To Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before ⁠ ⁠Follow The Tamsen Show on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Tamsen on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Tamsen on TikTok⁠ ⁠Want more from Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen? Visit here website⁠ ⁠For the latest updates on her upcoming book, follow her on social media.⁠ If you loved this episode, you're going to love our ⁠hour long episode about Hormone Therapy with leading OBGYN Dr. Sharon Malone. ⁠ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You’re eating healthy. You’re working out. You’ve cut sugar, carbs, and wine. But the belly fat is still there and no one is giving you answers. This episode connects all the dots. Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, a triple board-certified endocrinologist, joins Tamsen to explain exactly what’s happening inside your body during midlife and what you can finally do to feel better in it. Hormones. Insulin. Thyroid. Stress. Sleep. It’s all part of the story, and Dr. Rocio gives women the real talk they’re not getting in most doctors’ offices. This is the episode that clears the confusion and gives you the clarity you’ve been craving. What they talk about: -Why fat accumulates around the belly in perimenopause and how to reverse it -The exact lab markers to request to check for insulin resistance and early prediabetes -How to know if your thyroid is working against you, even with “normal” results -What visceral fat is, why it's so dangerous, and the proven ways to reduce it -How stress, poor sleep, and cortisol spikes make weight loss nearly impossible and how to fix it -What to eat (and when) to balance blood sugar and reduce inflammation -How to advocate for better care if your doctor won’t dig deeper Loving The Tamsen Show podcast? If you have a moment, your review could be the reason another woman finally hears the thing she’s been needing. Watch full video episodes on YouTube Get Tamsen’s new book, How To Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before Follow The Tamsen Show on Instagram Follow Tamsen on Instagram Follow Tamsen on TikTok Want more from Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen? Visit here website For the latest updates on her upcoming book, follow her on social media. If you loved this episode, you're going to love our hour long episode about Hormone Therapy with leading OBGYN Dr. Sharon Malone. Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you the one who always says yes? Who fixes, accommodates, anticipates, and quietly resents it later? In this week’s episode, Tamsen sits down with psychotherapist and bestselling author Terri Cole to talk about the hidden habits of high -functioning codependents, especially in midlife, during perimenopause, or after a major life shift. In this episode, you'll learn: - What high-functioning codependency actually looks like and why most women don’t recognize it -How menopause can be a wake-up call for self-abandonment -Why so many women feel emotionally drained in midlife and what to do about it -How to unpack the patterns we learn in childhood that shape how we caretake and over-function -The scripts and boundary tools to help you say no, protect your energy, and finally consider yourself This is a must-listen for anyone who feels like they’re doing it all, but losing themselves in theprocess. Watch the full video episode here Get Tamsen's new book, How To Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before. 💖 Follow The Tamsen Show on Instagram Follow Tamsen on Instagram Follow Tamsen on TikTok Find more about Terri Cole and her work on her website Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’ve ever wondered why certain relationships feel so hard or why you’ve spent a lifetime craving a kind of love you can’t quite name, this special Mother’s Day edition will give you language for what you’ve lived. Tamsen sits down with licensed professional counselor and bestselling author Kelly McDaniel to talk about Mother Hunger, a term she coined to describe the deep, often hidden longing many women carry from not getting the love, protection, or guidance they needed as daughters. They talk about: - Why so many women struggle with emotional eating, self-worth, and romantic patterns—and how it ties back to early attachment - What “mother hunger” really means, and why most women don’t recognize it until midlife - How your earliest experiences shape your relationships, your body image, and your ability to trust - The emotional cost of caring for a mother who couldn’t care for you - What it means to crave love that feels safe, steady, and nourishing - How to begin healing, even if your mother is gone, unavailable, or unwilling - Why midlife is often the moment women finally face the grief they’ve been carrying for decades - How unresolved mother hunger can show up in love, sex, food, and friendships and what to do about it - Whether forgiveness is necessary in order to move on and what to do if an apology never comes This episode is for every woman who has ever said “I’m fine” when she wasn’t and is finally ready to tell herself the truth. Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal You can find Kelly Here: https://kellymcdanieltherapy.com/ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've ever questioned your reality, blamed your hormones, or been told you’re “too sensitive,” this conversation will change how you see everything. Tamsen sits down with world-renowned psychologist and narcissism expert Dr. Ramani Durvasula, author of the New York Times bestseller It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People, to decode the emotional warfare so many women face in toxic relationships, especially in midlife. They talk about: How narcissists twist your words and make you question your memory-The subtle ways they use your hormones and emotions against you-Why smart, self-aware women stay in toxic relationships longer than they should-The early red flags that feel easy to dismiss but matter most-What love bombing actually looks like (and why it works so well)-Why midlife often becomes the breaking point for women in these dynamics-How to rebuild your confidence and sense of reality after emotional abuse This episode is a wake-up call and a roadmap to help you stop second-guessing yourself and start trusting what you know. Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: FREE resourcesWebsite: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal You can find Dr Ramani here:  https://doctor-ramani.com/ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you think it’s too late for love, think again. In this powerful conversation, Tamsen sits down with leading Relationship Expert Jillian Turecki to find out what she’s learned after coaching thousands of couples, hosting over 150 episodes of her hit podcast Jillian on Love, and writing her game-changing New York Times bestselling book It Begins With You: The 9 Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Life. We get into: Why real love starts with you (not someone else) The #1 dating mistake people are still making in 2025 How to tell if it’s real love or just temporary lust Why chasing someone never leads to true connection How to rebuild your confidence after heartbreak, divorce, or midlife changes Why feeling "not good enough" keeps you stuck (and how to break that cycle) How to date smarter without feeling burned out or discouraged-Why settling feels safer, but costs you everything How to fill your own cup first so you attract healthy love This episode is your roadmap to stop settling, break old patterns, and finally find the connection you deserve. Real love is possible, but it begins with you. Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal You can find Jillian here: Website: https://www.jillianturecki.com/ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Routine might feel safe, but for your brain, it can become a prison. This week, Dr. Yalda Safai joins Tamsen to talk about the science of novelty and why trying something new is the most powerful way to spark dopamine, reboot your mindset, and shift out of midlife stagnation.  Tamsen and Dr Safai share dating experience and the benefits of meeting a partner later in life. Plus why women are staying single longer and why we should avoid subpar relationships at all costs!  We dive deep into what high-functioning depression really looks like in successful women. From the quiet symptoms of anhedonia and mood disorders to undiagnosed thyroid issues and the hormonal shifts of perimenopause. Dr. Safai breaks down the medical, emotional, and social blind spots that keep so many of us suffering in silence. What you’ll learn;  Why novel experiences are a natural antidepressant The mental health cost of playing it safe and sticking to routine Chronic unhappiness and the silent pain of high-functioning women Anhedonia: the medical term for when nothing feels good anymore How thyroid issues and perimenopause are often misdiagnosed as mood swings Why your second act isn’t about accumulation, it’s about experience The pressure to partner up and how it leads to compromising your worth Why you should never date to fill a void What ghosting really says about emotional maturity How to build self-worth before dating again Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal You can find Dr Safai here:  Website: yaldasafaimd.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaldasafaimd Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the episode to send to every woman you love. Tamsen sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a leading breast oncologist, Harvard Medical School graduate, and author of the bestseller ‘All in Her Head’, for a myth-busting conversation about breast cancer, early detection, and why advocating for yourself could save your life. Dr. Comen shares how far we've come in treatment and breast reconstruction, the emotional toll of diagnosis, and why a breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence today. Tamsen opens up about losing her own mother to breast cancer, and how that grief has shaped her own choices. This episode is packed with information that could change — or save — a life, breaking down exactly when to start getting mammograms, what dense breasts mean (and what to do about them), and the truth about alcohol, hormones, and the rising rates of cancer in younger women. You’ll learn:  The latest guidelines for screenings  The difference between local and systemic disease    What metastatic breast cancer really means The real link between alcohol and breast cancer How and when to check your own breasts Why you should not be apologetic to Doctors Breast cancer myths debunked from deodorant to bras Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool: https://bcrisktool.cancer.gov/          Watch the Full Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV Get my new book, How To Menopause, Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life and Feel Even Better Than Before 💖 http://www.howtomenopause.com  Follow The Tamsen Show:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetamsenshow/ Follow Tamsen Fadal: Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenfadal Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal Today's episode is sponsored by Field of Greens! Get 20% off your first order! Just use code TAMSEN at fieldofgreens.com. You can find Dr. Elizabeth Comen here:  Website: www.drelizabethcomen.com Book: https://www.drelizabethcomen.com/book Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drelizabethcomen Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices