The Science of Rebooting Your Life: Dopamine, Dating & Doing Things Differently
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:
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Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com
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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
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42:39
The #1 Breast Cancer Doctor on the Truth About Mammograms, Hormones & Dense Breasts
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/
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Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com
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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
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1:03:01
Reshma Saujani: Imposter Syndrome Is a Lie
This week, Tamsen is joined by Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, CEO of Moms First, podcast host of My So-Called Midlife. This powerful conversation that flips the script on imposter syndrome, midlife reinvention, and the unrealistic pressures women face at every stage of life.
Reshma shares her personal journey—from running for office and founding global movements to discovering her purpose in the midst of racism and rejection. She reminds us that midlife is a mindset, not a number, and that your best work is still ahead of you.
From dealing with perimenopause in the workplace, to the toxic myth of “work-life balance,” this episode is a fierce call to action for women to stop hiding their dreams and start owning their voice, no matter what your age.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re too late, too much, or not enough, this conversation is for you.
What you’ll learn:
Why “imposter syndrome” is a lie and where it actually comes from
How to figure out what’s next when you feel stuck or lost in midlife
The power of choosing bravery over perfection
Why we must stop minimizing women’s pain—especially in perimenopause
How failure can become your superpower
Why your best work is still ahead of 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:
Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com
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Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal
You can find Reshma here:
Instagram: @reshmasaujani
Website: https://www.reshmasaujani.com
Podcast: https://lemonada.lnk.to/mysocalledmidlifehs
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
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53:04
Stacy London: Reinvent Yourself (and Your Style) in Midlife
Why are women still expected to “stay in their lane”? Tamsen sits down with Stacy London, CEO, author, and former co-host of What Not to Wear. Now with her own QVC fashion line and decades of experience helping women feel seen, Stacy unpacks the emotional toll of high-functioning depression and why conversations about menopause are still considered risky in the professional world.
Stacy gets vulnerable, sharing why community and friendship are more essential than having a partner, and how to let go of outdated identities. Together, they dive into the messy, transformative beauty of midlife, exploring the unspoken truths about living in fear, reinvention, and how clinging to old clothes can keep you stuck. Stacy opens up about closing her business, redefining success at 55, and why evolution means saying yes, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Stacy shares her expert advice on getting comfortable with your naked body in the mirror is the key to personal freedom and good style.
If you’ve ever wondered if your best years are behind you, this episode is here to tell you: absolutely not!
What You'll Learn:
How to break free from the social pressure to stay in your lane
Why community and friendship are more important than romantic relationships
Curating a new wardrobe that reflects your body now
Why holding onto old clothes is psychological torture
Success isn’t defined by titles, possessions, or external validation
Why women need to talk more openly about money.
How fear keeps you stuck and why getting older is the perfect time to be braver
Why it’s never too late to reinvent yourself
How to let go of the "expiration date" mindset
Watch the Full Episode and Subscribe to Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/@TamsenFadalTV
Follow Stacy on Social: https://www.instagram.com/stacylondonreal
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:
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Follow Tamsen Fadal:
Website: https://www.tamsenfadal.com
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Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamsenfadal
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
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1:02:05
The #1 Ozempic Doctor Reveals The Truth About GLP-1s and Microdosing
Is Ozempic the answer to lasting weight loss, or is there more to the story?
In this episode of The Tamsen Show, Tamsen speaks with Dr. Alexandra Sowa, a board-certified physician specializing in metabolic health, to unpack the truth about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic.
We explore how these drugs work, the emotional realities of weight loss, and why most people who start Ozempic may stay on it for life. Dr. Sowa also addresses the risks of misuse, the rise of compounding pharmacies, and why sustainable habits like strength training and food tracking are essential alongside medication.
If you're curious about Ozempic, its effects on menopause, or the future of GLP-1 drugs, this episode delivers the facts and insights you need.
What You'll Learn:
How do GLP-1 medications like Ozempic work?
Why weight loss isn't just about strong willpower
The importance of healthy habits and food tracking if you take Ozempic
The rise of compounding pharmacies and the larger risks involved
How Ozempic interacts with menopause and hormone therapy
Why strength training and whole foods are crucial for long-term health
The emotional toll of body dysmorphia, navigating aging body image
Can you realistically stop taking GLP-1 drugs once you start?
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
Today's episode is sponsored by Field of Greens! Get 20% off your first order! Just use code TAMSEN at fieldofgreens.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
For more insights, check out Dr. Sowa’s book ‘The Ozempic Revolution’ https://getsowell.com
Find Dr. Sowa here: https://alexandrasowamd.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
Life doesn’t follow a set timeline—so, what comes next? Emmy-winning journalist, filmmaker, and best-selling author Tamsen Fadal is here to help you navigate every stage of life with confidence. From career pivots to menopause, and from relationships to reinvention, Tamsen tackles the conversations that women actually need, featuring real talk from experts, science-backed wellness advice, and no filters. Follow along at @tamsenfadal Starting March 12th, with new episodes every Wednesday.