The Nervous System Eats First: Autism Spectrum, Menopause & Beyond

There's a specific kind of pain that shows up in midlife—burning feet at 2am, aching joints that won't settle, restless legs stealing your sleep. Your labs are fine, but your body is screaming. This episode is for you.Dr. Njideka Olatunde brings 40+ years of reflexology wisdom to teach you:• Why deep breathing (5-5-5) is your body's circuit breaker for pain • Hand reflexology technique for immediate relief • The pain-stress connection: why stress exits through your body • "Aging is blossoming"—the vintage wine reframe • Generational trauma and why "we're due our healing" • Listening as touch therapy—the #1 treatment for pain • FREE gift: Medication-free pain relief posterAfter losing family to the opioid crisis, Dr. Njideka created Touchology—a medication-free approach teaching people to use their own hands as first-line defense against chronic pain.For women navigating menopause pain, weight changes, GLP-1 considerations, and bodies that feel foreign—this is medicine.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS[00:00] Cold Open: When Pain Won't Sleep [03:00] Meet Dr. Njideka Olatunde [05:00] Origin Story: From Social Work to Touchology [08:00] The Opioid Crisis: Why Touch Became First-Line Defense [10:00] The Pain-Stress Connection: Why They're Inseparable [14:00] Empowerment: You Must Participate in Your Healing [16:00] Midlife Wisdom: Aging as Vintage Wine [22:00] Nervous System 101: The Elbow Example [28:00] Practical Tool #1: Deep Breathing (5-5-5 Technique) [30:00] Practical Tool #2: Hand Reflexology Tutorial [35:00] Generational Trauma & Healing: "We're Due Our Healing" [40:00] Making New Traditions: Adding Newness to Foundation [45:00] Nourish or Numb Segment [51:00] The Touch of Gratitude: Dr. Njideka's Personal Practice [53:00] African Tradition: The Gift (Free Pain Relief Poster) [55:00] Resources & ClosingResources: Dr. Njideka Olatunde: • Website: https://focusonhealing.com • Podcast: Touchology Wellness Experience • FREE Pain Relief Poster: https://touchologyreflexology.com • Contact: Available through website Dr. Stacey Denise: • Free Quiz: "What Kind of Menopause Burnout Are You?" → https://drstaceydenise.com/take-the-quiz• Instagram: @drstaceydenise• Newsletter: https://drstaceydenise.com/newsletter• Website: https://drstaceydenise.comPodcast: The Nervous System Eats FirstHost: Dr. Stacey Denise | The Neuroaesthetic MDGuest: Dr. Njideka N. Olatunde | Pioneering Holistic Pain Relief Through Touchology™ Using the Power of TouchEpisode: 18

"Janice has always been a wish. From the moment she was born, she was a wish."These are the words Dr. Janice Campbell's mother said when she learned about her daughter's autism diagnosis at age 50. That moment of being truly SEEN is what this episode is about.Dr. Janice Campbell—doctor of acupuncture, Five Element practitioner, former theater stage manager, and late-diagnosed autistic woman—teaches us:• Five Elements Explained: How Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water map your nervous system • The Christmas Party Game: Real-time nervous system regulation demonstration • "Chi Follows the Mind": Why body safety requires life belonging first • "Remember When It Was Easier?": Your nervous system's call for help • Autism + Menopause: Why you need BOTH hormonal AND nervous system support • Verbal Needles: How language shifts physical states • Aging as Adventure: Designing your elder selfFor women who've spent decades feeling like a "turtle without their shell"—performing belonging instead of embodying it—this episode is your roadmap home.Late-diagnosed autistic women in menopause, women who've been masking their whole lives, anyone whose body feels like foreign territory: You don't need to fix yourself. You need to remember you've always been a wish.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS[00:00] Cold Open: The "Wish" Story [03:00] Meet Dr. Janice Campbell [05:00] Theater Stage Manager to Acupuncturist Journey [10:00] Late-Diagnosed Autism at 50 [15:00] Five Element Medicine: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water [22:00] The Christmas Party Game (Nervous System Demo) [28:00] "Chi Follows the Mind": Energy & Belonging [33:00] Verbal Needles: Language as Medicine [38:00] Back-Body Awareness Practice [43:00] Autism & Menopause Intersection [48:00] "Remember When It Was Easier?" as Nervous System Signal [52:00] Nourish or Numb Segment [58:00] Designing Your Elder Self Concepts Mentioned: • Five Element Theory (Traditional Chinese Medicine) • Chi/Qi (life force energy) • Acupuncture meridians • Diagnostic interaction • Verbal needles • Back-body awarenessResources & ReferencesConnect with Dr. Janice Campbell: • Website: http://www.drjanicecampbell.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-janice/ • Podcast: Once Upon A Moment • The Octopus Movement (Founding Member)Dr. Stacey Denise: • Free Quiz: "What Kind of Menopause Burnout Are You?" → https://drstaceydenise.com/take-the-quiz • Instagram: @drstaceydenise • Newsletter: https://drstaceydenise.com/newsletter • Website: https://drstaceydenise.comPodcast: The Nervous System Eats FirstHost: Dr. Stacey Denise | The Neuroaesthetic MDGuest: Dr. Janice Campbell | Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental MedicineEpisode: 17

Episode SummaryHave you ever reached a point where your body simply refused to keep going? Where the usual tricks—green juice, journaling, sheer grit—just stopped working? In this powerful episode, Dr. Stacey Denise sits down with Cassandra Love Lambert—globally recognized somatic transformation coach, bestselling author, and founder of the Pain Into Power Process—to explore what it means to move from survival to sovereignty.Cassandra shares her raw journey: how becoming a mother surfaced unhealed childhood trauma, why all the healing work she did in her 20s (talk therapy, Landmark, shamanic circles) didn't reach the roots, and the moment EFT tapping changed everything. Through evidence-based somatic practices including EFT tapping, brain spotting, parts work, and somatic attachment therapy, she now helps high-achieving women—especially those in perimenopause and menopause—finally feel safe to be fully seen.This conversation explores how perimenopause strips away the mask, why rage shows up during midlife (and why that's healthy), the connection between boundaries and self-love, and why healing isn't about fixing yourself—it's about coming home to your body.Key Topics & Timestamps0:00 – Cold Open: When Your Body Says "No More"5:30 – The Rupture: Becoming a Mother and Facing Unhealed Trauma11:20 – What Cassandra Tried That Didn't Work16:24 – The Moment Somatic Work Changed Everything18:41 – When Your Body Becomes Your Teacher20:58 – The Birth of the Pain Into Power Framework24:17 – Parts Work and Inner Child Integration27:30 – Perimenopause: When the Mask Cracks28:23 – Why Rage Shows Up in Midlife (The Rage EFT Tapping Circle)31:04 – Menopause as Rite of Passage and Rebirth34:15 – The Five-Phase Method: Awareness, Balance, Regulation, Safety, Belief38:00 – EFT Tapping, Brain Spotting, and Somatic Practices ExplainedResources & ReferencesConnect with Cassandra Love Lambert:Website: cassandralovelambert.comInstagram: @c_love_lambertPain Into Power CoachingRage EFT Tapping Circle for WomenBook: "Into the Light: Becoming My Own Hero" (Number One Bestseller, February 2025)Practices Mentioned:EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique)Brain SpottingParts Work (Internal Family Systems)Somatic Attachment TherapyConnect & CommunityListen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / YouTubeSubscribe to the show for updates and new episodesJoin our newsletter for science and stories at drstaceydenise.comFollow us: @drstaceydenise on InstagramShare your story: Tag @drstaceydenise and @c_love_lambertTake Dr. Stacey's free quiz: FIND YOUR MENOPAUSE SLEEP PATTERNPodcast: The Nervous System Eats FirstHost: Dr. Stacey Denise | The Neuroaesthetic MDGuest: Cassandra Love Lamber | Somatic Transformation CoachEpisode: 16

Episode SummaryHave you ever walked into a room and instantly felt calmer? Or caught a scent that made you feel safe for the first time in weeks? In this episode, Dr. Stacey Denise sits down with Amy Anthony—one of New York City's top certified clinical aromatherapists and founder of NYC Aromatica—to explore how scent can be medicine for women whose nervous systems have forgotten how to rest.For late-diagnosed autistic women navigating perimenopause and menopause, aromatherapy offers something talk therapy alone cannot: a pathway back to your body that doesn't require language. Learn how inhalation of essential oils activates your parasympathetic nervous system, reduces cortisol, increases vagal tone, and directly modulates emotional states—especially for women struggling with alexithymia, brain fog, hot flashes, and the exhaustion of decades of masking.Amy blends scientific literacy with poetic connection, teaching evidence-based protocols for nervous system repair, emotional regulation, and sensory attunement through private practice, corporate wellness, and public workshops at the New York Botanical Gardens.Key Topics & TimestampsCold Open: When Scent Becomes MedicineIntroduction: Meet Amy Anthony, Clinical AromatherapistThe Science: How Aromatherapy Activates Your Nervous SystemAromatherapy for Menopause Symptoms (Hot Flashes, Brain Fog, Night Sweats)Scent for Alexithymia: Healing Below the Level of LanguageEssential Oils for Sensory Overwhelm and BurnoutCreating Boundaries with AromatherapyMorning and Evening Aromatic RitualsWhich Essential Oils Work for YOUR Nervous SystemGentle Invitations: Two-Minute Scent Check-InResources, Connect with Amy, and ClosingResources & ReferencesConnect with Amy Anthony:Website: https://nycaromatica.com/Instagram: @NYC_AromaticaEmail: info@nycaromatica.comServices: Private aromatherapy consultations, corporate wellness programs, public workshops at NYC Botanical GardensConnect & CommunityListen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / YouTubeSubscribe to the show for updates and new episodesJoin our newsletter for science and stories at drstaceydenise.comFollow us: @drstaceydenise on InstagramShare your story: Tag @drstaceydenise and @NYC_AromaticaTake Dr. Stacey's free quiz: What Kind of Menopause Burnout Are You?Podcast: The Nervous System Eats FirstHost: Dr. Stacey Denise | The Neuroaesthetic MDGuest: Amy Anthony | AromatherapistEpisode: 15

Episode SummaryIn this powerful episode, Dr. Stacey sits down with Celeste Barbier—professional vocalist, certified sound healer, ordained officiant, and sacred spaceholder—to explore the liminal space where sound becomes sanctuary. Discover how grief, trauma, and identity shifts can be held and softened through vibrational healing, especially for autistic and neurodivergent women navigating sensory overwhelm, emotional disconnection, and the unspoken grief of midlife transitions.Celeste shares her journey from childhood trauma to using her voice as medicine, her profound work with end-of-life transitions, and practical tools for using sound to regulate your nervous system when words fail. Whether you're struggling with alexithymia, burnout, or simply feeling disconnected from your body, this episode offers gentle, accessible pathways back to embodiment through vocal healing.Key Topics & TimestampsOpening: Sound as sanctuary for grief and traumaCeleste's origin story: Childhood trauma and discovering her healing voiceWhen performance becomes medicine: The shift to intentional sound healingThe difference between singing songs and sound healing vocal toningHolding space at end of life: Music as a bridge between worldsPairing with mediums and creating sacred transitionsThe science behind sound healing: Vagus nerve, nervous system regulationWorking with grief, alexithymia, and emotional numbnessCreating death rituals to close old identity chaptersSound healing for sensory overload and autistic burnoutHow to use your voice at home: Humming, toning, and sacred practiceColor, scent, and vibration: Layering sensory healingNourish or Numb Segment: Rapid-fire sound healing wisdomReclaiming your voice: Literal and metaphorical pathwaysResources & ReferencesCeleste's Website: celestebarbier.com (Resté Sound Healing portal)Instagram: @restesound & @celestebarbiereventsLinkedIn: Celeste BarbierEmail: celestebarbierevents@gmail.comUpcoming Thailand Women's Wellness Retreat (2026) with wife René Cosby, HHPForthcoming book: The Caterpillar CodeConnect & CommunityListen: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platformsSubscribe: Never miss an episode—get weekly nervous system medicineJoin the Newsletter: Science-backed tools and stories for autistic women in midlife at drstaceydenise.comFollow Dr. Stacey: Instagram, YouTube, LinkedInDownload the Free Guide: 3 Questions That Change Your Menopause ConversationPodcast: The Nervous System Eats First Host: Dr. Stacey Denise | The Neuroaesthetic MD Guest: Celeste Barbier | Sound Healer, Vocalist, Sacred Spaceholder Episode: 14

Episode 14: Hot Flashes at Night? Breath As MedicineGuest: Angelia Abouhassan — founder of The Breath Lady Project, trauma-informed breathwork facilitator, stroke survivor, and Hatha yoga teacher Release Date: November 4, 2025 Length: ~40 minutesEpisode SummaryYou’ve been told to “just breathe”—but what if that makes things worse? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Stacey sits down with Angelia Abouhassan, a trauma-informed breathwork guide who rebuilt her body and emotional safety after a stroke.Together, they unpack breathwork that won’t trigger your nervous system, including the double-exhale pattern that can support hot flash recovery and sensory regulation. This episode is especially for women navigating perimenopause, masking fatigue, and neurodivergence, who need somatic healing that’s safe, slow, and mapped to your lived experience.What You’ll LearnWhy “just breathe” often backfires—and how trauma-informed cues really workThe double-exhale breath to interrupt hot flash cascades (short inhale, longer exhale)The power of low-dose, consistent breathwork over high-intensity interventionsHow to recognize high-activation methods (like Wim Hof) that may overwhelm the systemSafer options for alexithymia, masking, and sensory burnout (mirror work, Yoga Nidra, guided breath scans)Chapter Markers00:00 – From Stroke Survivor to Breath Work Practitioner 06:54 – The Role of Breath in Healing and Safety 08:42 – Reframing Trauma and Healing 10:41 – Understanding Interoception and Proprioception 12:36 – Neuroplasticity and Breath Work 16:29 – Breath Work for Women in Perimenopause 18:46 – Trauma-Informed Breath Work Explained 20:53 – Designing Practices for Overloaded Clients 22:23 – Breath Work for Hot Flashes 24:49 – Breath Work for Neurodivergent Women 26:02 – Nourishing vs. Numbing the Nervous System 27:58 – Adapting Breath Work for Different Needs 30:52 – Choosing a Breath Work Practitioner 33:27 – Nourish or Numb: Everyday Patterns 40:04 – Practical Techniques for Managing Hot FlashesResources MentionedThe Breath Lady Project – Angelia AbouhassanWebsiteInstagramFacebook CommunityLinkedInFree Quiz – What kind of menopause burnout are you? → drstaceydenise.com/menopause-burnout-quiz💌 Connect with Dr. Stacey DeniseInstagram @DrStaceyDeniseBlog + NewsletterWaitlist for Upcoming MasterclassPrograms + tools → drstaceydenise.com

Podcast: The Nervous System Eats FirstEpisode: Eating Feels Impossible? 3 Food-Environment Fixes for Perimenopausal Neurodivergent WomenGuest: Michael Lawrence — Master Chef (World Master Chef Society), Licensed ArchitectEpisode summary:Have you noticed the same meal is comforting in one space but exhausting in another? Chef–Architect Michael Lawrence joins Dr. Stacey to reveal how light, sound, temperature, color, and texture shape your appetite, attention, and digestion before the first bite. You’ll learn three food-environment fixes and a 60-second sensory reset you can apply tonight—at home or out—so eating feels calmer and more nourishing, especially in perimenopause. Key topics & timestamps:00:00 — Why eating feels “impossible” (it’s not your fault) 01:24 — Who this is for: late-diagnosed, high-masking autistic women in midlife 02:28 — Michael’s dual lens: Master Chef + Architect (sensory-first design) 06:20 — The room speaks first: invisible sensory cues (light/sound/texture) 07:48 — Fix #1: Quiet the Room (soften light, reduce noise, steady temperature) 08:25 — Fix #2: On-Plate Design (color + texture → grounding & satiety) 20:11 — Fix #3: 60-Second Sensory Reset (pre-bite downshift ritual) 20:23 — Nourish or Numb lightning round: car eating, candlelight, “perfect bowl” 24:24 — One gentle ritual if you’ve been eating in survival mode 25:24 — Where to find Michael + free quiz & resources Takeaways:Environment is medicine: Your eating space can up- or down-regulate your nervous system. Perfect Bite > willpower: Pair warm/soft with crisp/fresh to invite appetite gently. Rituals beat rules: A 60-second pre-bite reset changes how your body receives food. Resources & links:Free “Menopause Burnout” Quiz → https://drstaceydenise.com/menopause-burnout-quiz/Watch the video podcast → https://drstaceydenise.com/video-podcast/Listen to the audio podcast → https://drstaceydenise.com/audio-podcast/Guest — Michael Lawrence: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lawrence-ml-design-studio/ • Site → https://ml-design-studio.webnode.page/Credits & CTA:Hosted by Dr. Stacey Denise, Lifestyle Medicine Physician & Neuroaesthetic MD. If this helped, share it with a friend who’s eating on survival mode.Subscribe on YouTube and your favorite podcast app, and take the free quiz to get your personalized reset rituals.

Episode summaryTemple Grandin and Dr. Stacey Denise outline digital-hygiene rules for autistic adults: what the algorithm rabbit hole does to mental health, the one-hour screen rule, how to curate your feed, and simple swaps for real-world connection that lowers anxiety and improves sleep—vital during perimenopause/menopause. EDUCATIONAL SUMMARY1.Social media can lead to isolation for autistic individuals.2.Real-life activities are essential for building connections.3.Slow transitions are crucial for autistic individuals to adapt.4.Shared interests can help form friendships among autistic individuals.5.Real activities can help reduce anxiety and improve mental health.6.Creating a safer digital environment is necessary for young people.TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Social Media Isolation and Its Impact02:35 — The Importance of Real-Life Connections05:18 — Practical tools: Checklists and Independence06:51 — Temple Grandin’s Anxiety Journey08:14 — How parents balance Independence with safety10:02 — How to build Lasting Friendships11:37 — Risks, Mentorships and Community Repair14:20 — Digital Isolation impact on mental health15:40-    How to ensure young people Learn the skills they need17:40 -   Parents Safety & Real Activities23:22-    Creating a Safer Digital Environment25:10-    Communities & Retirees27:52-    Take Away28:20 -   Nourish or NumbRESOURCESTemple Grandin : Website: https://www.templegrandin.com/Facebook : https://web.facebook.com/drtemplegrandin/X                :  https://x.com/DrTempleGrandinWORK WITH ME / LINKS▸ Start your Neuroaesthetic Reset Blueprint™ →https://drstaceydenise.com/menopause-burnout-quiz/▸ Learn more about Autism & Menopause →https://drstaceydenise.com/audio-podcast/▸ Join the Newsletter for tools + research →https://drstaceydenise.com/waitlist/ ▸ Follow on Instagram & YouTube → drstaceydenise.comDISCLAIMER Educational only; not medical advice.#drstaceydenis #Autism #MentalHealth #SocialMedia CreditsHost: Dr. Stacey Denise. Produced by TNSEF—The Nervous System Eats First.

Welcome to The Nervous System Eats First — a podcast where science, story, and sensory wisdom meet to help neurodivergent women in midlife and menopause reclaim energy, intimacy, and emotional clarity. I’m Dr. Stacey Denise, a physician-artist and Neuroaesthetic MD. After years of bridging medicine, neuroscience, and color psychology, I created the Neuroaesthetic Reset™ to support women who feel “tired but wired,” emotionally flatlined, or disconnected in their most important relationships. Here, we explore three essential journeys:   1.       Resilience & Calm: Nervous System Adaptation for Neurodivergent Women Over 40: Exhausted, But Not Broken→ Why you’re always tired even when labs are “normal,” and how nervous system rituals, hormone literacy, and color-based resets restore vitality.   2.      Energy, Sleep & Hormone Rituals for Neurodivergent Women Over 40: Healing Emotional Numbness & Identity Loss→ What alexithymia and sensory overwhelm look like in menopause, and how interoception, art, and ritual help you name and feel again.   3.       Regulation & Pleasure Rituals: Sensory Self-Intimacy Tools for Menopausal, Autistic & BIPOC Women: No More Numb, No More Shame→ How hormones, trauma, and touch aversion affect midlife desire — and what neuroaesthetic rituals can do to rebuild intimacy, without pressure or shame. Expect candid solo episodes, healing memoir interviews, and expert guest conversations blending evidence with lived wisdom. Each episode closes with a Neuroaesthetic Reset Ritual you can try right away — because healing isn’t just knowledge, it’s sensory practice. If you’re a high-functioning, neurodivergent, or BIPOC woman in menopause who is done with surface-level hacks and ready for embodied, beautiful solutions — this podcast is your sanctuary. 📌 Take the free quiz: What Kind of Menopause Burnout Are You?  You don’t need to perform your peace. You just need space to return to it. 

 Have you ever said, “I don’t even recognize myself anymore” — but your labs come back “normal”? That gap between how you feel and what you can explain isn’t weakness. It has a name: interoception — the body’s hidden sense that helps you feel safe, centered, and alive. When menopause, neurodivergence, or trauma mutes that internal signal, your nervous system loses its compass. The result? Alexithymia, shutdown, and emotional disconnection. In this conversation, Dr. Stacey Denise sits down with Dr. Kelly Mahler, award-winning occupational therapist and interoception researcher, to unpack the sensory and emotional truth behind why midlife can feel so flat — and what it takes to feel again. Primary keywords: autistic women, interoception, alexithymia, menopause, neurodivergence, trauma-informed care, sensory regulation, burnout, emotional numbness.  What You’ll Learn: What interoception is — and why it disappears in midlifeHow alexithymia shows up in high-functioning womenWhy trauma, stress, and ND masking blunt your body’s signalsThe difference between nourishing and numbing ritualsGentle ways to rebuild body trust and emotional access (no perfection required) This Is For You If:You feel emotionally numb, flat, or “not yourself”You shut down under stress or can’t explain how you feelYou’ve been told “everything looks normal” — but it isn’tYou’re navigating menopause and feeling disconnected from your bodyYou’re ND, sensory-sensitive, or just deeply tired of powering throughTIMESTAMPS00:00 —  What is Interoception01:40 —  Grounding the Science02:30 —  Dr. Kelly Mahler03:39 — Defining Interoception05:43 — Trauma Complex Post- Traumatic stress disorder10:46 — How to better discuss emotions12:21 — How to intercept interoception with mainstream16:22 — Double Empathy Problem21:24 — Basic scoresheet for body disconnection25:06-    Translation into Healthy Living29:40-    Can Interoception help women in menopause32:23-    Nourishing or Numb35:33-   Take a free quizLINKS & TOOLS Take the free quiz: What kind of menopause burnout are you? → https://drstaceydenise.com/take-the-quiz Join the newsletter (monthly micro-practices + sensory tools) → https://drstaceydenise.com/blog/ Join the waitlist for the upcoming masterclass → https://drstaceydenise.com/waitlist/  RESOURCESWebsite : https://www.kelly-mahler.com/Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-mahler/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelly_mahler/👩🏾‍⚕️ Hosted by: Dr. Stacey Denise, The Neuroaesthetic MD Founder of The Neuroaesthetic Reset Method™ and SDM Medical PLLC Website: www.drstaceydenise.com Instagram: @drstaceydenise 👤 Featured Guest: Dr. Kelly Mahler, OTD, OTR/L 🌍 www.kelly-mahler.com 📸 @kelly_mahler 📚 Resources: 💡 Take the free quiz: What’s Blocking Your Menopause Energy & Intimacy?🎧 Listen to more episodes: The Neuroaesthetic MD™ Podcast 🧠 Join the email list: drstaceydenise.com/podcast 

🎧 Episode 8: Beyond the Bowl — How Flexibility, Flavor & Feeling Your Way Through Food Can Reset Your BrainHost: Dr. Stacey DeniseGuest: Dr. Nina Cherie FranklinListen on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, iHeart Radio Episode Summary:What if the way you build a salad could help rebuild your nervous system?In this soulful and science-woven episode, Dr. Stacey Denise sits down with clinical nutritionist and That Salad Lady founder Dr. Nina Cherie Franklin to explore what nourishment really means in midlife—especially for women navigating brain fog, shutdown cycles, emotional fatigue, and sensory overwhelm.Together, they move beyond diets, detoxes, and default wellness rules into a rhythm-based, symptom-informed approach to eating—one rooted in clarity, flexibility, and truth.Dr. Franklin shares the origin story behind her Build Your Bowl framework and how her new book (The Build Your Bowl Salad Cookbook) is helping women across the country stop numbing with food and start feeding their energy, intuition, and emotional regulation with care.Primary keywords: nutrition, food stories, OCD, empowerment, salad making, emotional eating, intermittent fasting, women's health, brain fog, nourishment, nutrition, mindful eating, intermittent fasting, food pairing, weight loss, nourishment, diet, health, wellness, food trends Inside This Episode You will Learn:Why clean eating isn’t always clear or calmingThe link between food sensitivities, stress, and shutdownFlexitarian nourishment for neurodivergent and midlife womenRituals to soften food guilt and reclaim intuitive structureA live “Build Your Bowl” reflection for mood and energyOur signature Nourish or Numb? segment with surprising food truthsTIMESTAMPSTIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction to Nourishment 04:18 The Lived Experience: Why Food Stories Matter09:44 Understanding OCD and Food Addiction13:51 Food for the tired brain20:03 The Art of Salad Making: A Personal Journey27:09 Understanding Emotional Eating28:30 Rythm, Ritual & Flexibility29:08 Breaking Free from Food Guilt31:07 The Balance of Enjoyment and Nutrition33:25 How to keep mind clear, bones and muscles intact35:32 Personalizing Your Diet37:59 The Journey of Dietary Choices38:13 Ritual for burnout43:11 Nourishment and Intermittent Fasting46:10 The Importance of Food Pairing50:46 Mindful Eating Practices55:21 Intentional Eating and Food Choices56:42 Simple Steps to Start Mindful Eating59:16 Nourish or NumbLINKS & TOOLS Take the free quiz: What kind of menopause burnout are you? → https://drstaceydenise.com/take-the-quiz Join the newsletter (monthly micro-practices + sensory tools) → https://drstaceydenise.com/blog/ Join the waitlist for the upcoming masterclass → https://drstaceydenise.com/waitlist/RESOURCESWebsite: https://thatsaladlady.com/Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ThatSaladLadyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/that.salad.lady/DISCLAIMER: The content shared on this channel is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Can lighting a candle be a form of healing? In this episode of The Neuroaesthetic MD™ Podcast, Dr. Stacey Denise sits down with TEDx speaker and Meltdown Candle Bar founder Tameka Tate for an immersive conversation on ritual, scent, and sensory care for the overwhelmed nervous system.Whether you’re neurodivergent, menopausal, or just tired of "wellness performance," this episode is a soft place to land.Primary Keywords: autistic women, autism, menopause, hormone health, sensory overload, trauma, burnout, BIPOC women, neuroaesthetic, scent therapy, aromatherapy, candle ritual, emotional regulation, sensory healing, sensory rituals, scent and memory, limbic system activation, somatic grounding, sensory overwhelm, emotional exhaustion, invisibility in midlife, sensory spaces, cognitive care, dementia care, sensory identity, color and scent, sensory safety, sensory rituals for burnout 💡 What You’ll Learn:What burnout really feels like in neurodivergent & midlife bodies• The emotional connection between scent, memory & safety• Why “boundaries” aren’t always cognitive — they’re sensory too• Tameka’s candle-making practice as a nervous system ritual• Why community is the true medicine for burnout recoveryTimestamps0:00 – Introduction0:56 – What burnout looks like in autistic & midlife women2:15-     Guest Introduction3:01-  Background of scenic candles and aromatherapy4:07 – When Words Won’t Work  use Scent as Emotional Language8:50 – Rituals for Sensory Safety & Regulation12:36 – Identity, Color & Community17:44 – Live Candle Ritual20:24 – Nourishing Or NumbingFree quiz & resources:• Free “Menopause Burnout” Quiz → https://drstaceydenise.com/menopause-burnout-quiz/• Video podcast hub → https://drstaceydenise.com/video-podcast/• Audio podcast hub → https://drstaceydenise.com/audio-podcast/RESOURCESWebsite: https://www.mdcandlebar.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdcandlebar/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdcandlebarDisclaimerEducation only. This is not medical advice. Please work with your clinician for personal recommendations.

What if your nervous system didn’t need words to heal—but color, texture, and ritual instead?In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Ann Yakimovicz, an Austin-based abstract artist whose work gently unravels the threads between art, nature, and emotional regulation. Her background in landscape architecture adds a unique layer to how she creates—not just for the eye, but for the body. Each piece invites you to feel your way back into the sensory world you may have forgotten.We talked about what it means to have a “nature’s heartprint”—those deeply personal, embodied memories that live in texture, scent, and shape. Ann’s artwork speaks to that inner archive. And whether you consider yourself neurodivergent or simply exhausted from the noise of modern life, I know this conversation will offer a tender point of return.One of my favorite moments? When Ann shared a simple but powerful ritual with paint chips—yes, those little color swatches from the hardware store—as a tool for emotional clarity and grounding. It’s low-cost, accessible, and incredibly nourishing.Inside this episode, we explore:• How abstract art helps us regulate emotion and process sensory overload• The intuitive rituals Ann uses to begin her painting practice• Why texture matters—for memory, for healing, and for neurodivergent care• What art can teach us about grief, connection, and environmental well-being• How to bring more observation and reverence into daily lifeRitual to Try:The Paint Chip PracticeGo to your local hardware store and pick out 8–10 paint swatches that you’re drawn to. Each day, choose one. Ask: What does this color invite me to feel? Where do I see it in my life? Then let that color walk with you—through your home, your commute, or your breathwork.Let’s Stay in Ritual:If this episode spoke to you, please subscribe, leave a review, or forward it to a friend who could use a soft landing today. You can find The NeuroaestheticMD™ Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.And if you’d like to explore Ann’s beautiful work, visit annyakiart.com. Her site is a retreat in itself.Closing Note from Me to You:Art doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes healing begins in a whisper—a shift in color, a new way of seeing a tree, a memory stirred by touch. This week, I hope you let beauty be part of your medicine.Ready to personalize your own Color Reset journey?If today’s episode spoke to you, let’s explore what your nervous system is really asking for. The 4-week Neuroaesthetic Reset™ Starter is the first step—a gentle, structured path into visual healing, emotional clarity, and sensory sovereignty.I invite you to book a private call with me to explore whether it’s the right fit.

Hey love,What if color wasn’t just pretty—but a quiet medicine for your nervous system?In this gentle episode, we explore how certain hues can soothe, restore, and reconnect you to yourself. You'll learn how to discover your reset color, create small rituals for real-life healing, and remember: you don’t have to earn your rest.Share your color with me on Instagram or let it quietly guide your day. Whether it’s a post, a DM, or a private moment—you’re heard. I’m here, and I’m listening.With softness,Dr. Stacey DeniseSubscription, links & Email List⁠YouTube⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠Socials⁠Dr. Stacey's LinkedIn⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Instagram⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Facebook ⁠⁠Website⁠

Can you really digest kale if your body is in survival mode?In this truth-telling episode Dr. Stacey Denise sits down with movement educator and mindset coach Nadia Murdock to unpack how stress, body image, and emotional eating are connected through the Organ-Mind-Body Axis (OMBA).This conversation goes beyond food, it’s about how your nervous system receives nourishment. Because when you’re in fight-or-flight, even the “healthiest” wellness routines can backfire.Connect with Nadia Murdock Her Website Instagram Her Youtube ChannelSubscription, links & Email List⁠YouTube⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠Socials⁠Dr. Stacey's LinkedIn⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Instagram⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Facebook ⁠⁠Website⁠🎧 Tap play to explore how movement, mindset, and emotional safety shape your ability to heal.👉🏾 If this episode resonates, be sure to follow the show, rate it, and share it with someone who’s ready to move from depletion to deep nourishment.

In the final episode of our AI & identity series, Dr. Stacey Denise speaks with Douglas Moore Jr. data scientist and responsible AI advocate about how machines are trained to see beauty, emotion, and culture. From bias in datasets to the ethics of design, this is a conversation for anyone who wants tech to feel more human.Topics We Explore:How AI models learn bias — and how it feels when they get you wrongThe challenge of training machines to "see" beauty, culture, and emotionWhy neuroaesthetic design matters for mental and emotional wellnessWhat explainability and fairness really look like in responsible AIThe non-negotiables of ethical, inclusive, and emotionally intelligent techConnect with Douglas Moore Jr. on IGSubscription, links & Email List⁠YouTube⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠Socials⁠Dr. Stacey's LinkedIn⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Instagram⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Facebook ⁠⁠Website⁠

What happens when the mirror doesn’t reflect you and the algorithm doesn’t recognize you?In this episode, Dr. Stacey Denise explores how artificial intelligence, beauty standards, and racial bias intersect to shape not just our digital presence, but our nervous systems. Through a rich blend of personal narrative, neuroaesthetic insight, and an illuminating dialogue with Dr. Monique Akassi, we unpack the emotional toll of being digitally erased and how to reclaim visibility through what Dr. Stacey calls sensory sovereignty.You’ll hear how technocolonialism hides in plain sight, why AI-generated beauty often fails Black and neurodivergent women, and how tools like the Color Reset™ Method offer more than aesthetic correction, they offer emotional medicine.With excerpts from Dr. Akassi’s groundbreaking work and an invitation to imagine “healing tech,” this episode challenges listeners to ask not just what AI sees but who’s behind the screen.🎧 Tune in now to rediscover your image, restore your sensory safety, and rethink the digital future — on your terms.Subscription, links & Email List⁠YouTube⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠Socials⁠Dr. Stacey's LinkedIn⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Instagram⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Facebook ⁠⁠Website⁠

In this episode, Dr. Stacey Denise explores how biased AI, distorted imagery, and aesthetic misalignment impact emotional safety especially for neurodivergent women. From erasure in digital portraits to the healing power of color and design, this episode reveals how beauty can become medicine. Tune in to reclaim your sensory truth and reshape how you're reflected in the world.Subscription, links & Email ListYouTubeBlogNewsletterSocialsDr. Stacey's LinkedInDr. Stacey's InstagramDr. Stacey's Facebook Website

Welcome to The NeuroaestheticMD, where design meets healing, and science meets story.I’m Dr. Stacey Denise, board-certified physician, lifestyle medicine specialist, and sensory wellness futurist.This podcast is where we reimagine emotional well-being—not just as something we feel, but as something we shape.Each episode explores how our environments, identities, and everyday choices influence the nervous system. From symbolic color rituals and therapeutic sound to digital bias, burnout, and embodied healing—we unpack what it means to live well in a world that often misreads the body.Step into a space where beauty becomes biology and healing becomes a design you can live in.🔔 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and start your journey toward a more sensory-aligned life.