The Tamsen Show

Bethany Joy Lenz, star of One Tree Hill and author of the new novel The Betrayal of Cora Wexford, spent years on TV every week while secretly living inside a cult. She opens up about why becoming a mother gave her the reason to leave, why the leaving was survival and the real healing came after, and how being on set kept her grounded through it all. Tamsen and Joy talk about why so many capable women end up doubting themselves, why psychological abuse behind closed doors is so rarely taken seriously, and how her new novel, set in 1888, mirrors so much of her real life. In this episode, you'll learn: - How a good thing can slowly turn into control - Her rule now: "If you feel like something's weird, it's weird" - The 1 question that reveals how someone really treats you, and the response to watch for - How to trust your gut again after years of second-guessing yourself - What her late ADHD diagnosis taught her about how hyperactivity shows up in women If you liked this episode, listen to: The Narcissist Decoder: How Smart Women Get Trapped in Emotional Abuse If you want a say on our upcoming guests, fill out ⁠this form Stay connected with Tamsen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠How To Menopause⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Tamsen  Watch all the episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Tamsen Show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Joy on Instagram Visit Joy's website Get Joy's debut novel, The Betrayal of Cora Wexford Sponsors: If you have an iPhone, head to https://ladder.fit/TAMSEN and take a quick quiz to find your perfect Ladder plan. Use my link and get a free 7-day trial with NO credit card, and $10 off your first month if you join Start your free trial of Perplexity Computer today at https://www.PPLX.ai/tamsen and experience the next phase of AI. #ad 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

Is walking enough? Is Pilates enough? How heavy should you actually be lifting? If you’ve ever wondered which exercise really protects your brain as you age, especially through perimenopause and menopause, this conversation gives you the exact weekly plan. In this episode, Tamsen sits down with clinical neurophysiologist and Alzheimer’s researcher Louisa Nicola, founder of Neuro Athletics and host of The Neuro Experience podcast, to talk about why she calls exercise medicine for the brain. Louisa explains that, outside of medication, exercise is the most powerful intervention we have to lower our risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, a disease that affects far more women than men. Tamsen opens up about the short-term memory loss and brain fog that scared her during perimenopause, and Louisa breaks down what happens inside your brain when you walk, sprint and lift, from BDNF and lactate to the myokines your muscles release. Then she builds out a workout plan for your brain: two days a week of heavy compound lifting at around 80% of your one-rep max, one Norwegian 4x4 interval session, zone 2 cardio and 10,000 steps a day. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why exercise is the best non-drug intervention for lowering Alzheimer’s risk - How heavy to lift for brain health, and why compound moves like squats and deadlifts matter most - Why Pilates is a great add-on, but not enough on its own - The surprising link between leg strength and brain aging: “the larger the legs, the larger the brain” - What zone 2 training (about 65% of your max heart rate) does for the hippocampus and memory - How to raise your VO2 max with the Norwegian 4x4, how to estimate it with the 12-minute Cooper test, and why she wouldn’t rely on your wearable - What she says about creatine for the brain, omega-3s, and the p-tau217 blood test and APOE4 gene test you can ask your doctor about If you’ve ever wondered whether your workouts are doing anything for your brain, this episode will help you build a plan that protects your memory now and decades from now. If you liked this episode, then you’ll like: How Getting Stronger as You Age Can Change Everything with The Muscle Doctor, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and The #1 Pharmacist Phil Cowley: Creatine, Greens, Electrolytes, What’s Worth Buying and What Isn’t For everything mentioned in this episode, click this link If you want a say on our upcoming guests, fill out ⁠this form Stay connected with Tamsen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠How To Menopause⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Tamsen  Watch all the episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Tamsen Show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠  FOLLOW LOUISA NICOLA: - Follow Louisa on Instagram - Follow Louisa on X - Connect with Louisa on LinkedIn - Listen to Louisa’s podcast, The Neuro Experience - Watch TNE with Louisa Nicola on YouTube - Subscribe to Louisa’s Neuro Athletics newsletter MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: - Dr. Lisa Mosconi on The Tamsen Show - Walking and hippocampus study (Erickson et al., PNAS, 2011) - Leg power and cognitive aging in older female twins (Steves et al., Gerontology, 2016) - The Norwegian 4x4 interval study (Helgerud et al., Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2007) - The 12-minute Cooper test (Cooper, JAMA, 1968) - Creatine monohydrate pilot study in Alzheimer’s (Smith et al., 2025) - Creatine and sleep deprivation study (Gordji-Nejad et al., Scientific Reports, 2024) - FDA clears the first blood test used in diagnosing Alzheimer’s (p-tau217) - APOE4 and Alzheimer’s genetics (Alzheimer’s Association) - The 14 modifiable dementia risk factors (2024 Lancet Commission) - Sleep regularity and mortality study (Windred et al., Sleep, 2024) Sponsors: If you have an iPhone, head to ladder.fit/TAMSEN and take a quick quiz to find yourperfect Ladder plan. Use my link and get a free 7-day trial with NO credit card, and $10 off your first month if you join Get 15% off OneSkin with the code TAMSEN at https://www.oneskin.co/TAMSEN #oneskinpod Get $25 off your first purchase when you go to TheRealReal.com/tamsen It’s time to get back to feeling like you again. Visit joinmidi.com right now to book your first visit today. Insurance coverage varies. Check with your plan for coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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

Why do we keep choosing emotionally unavailable partners? And why is it so hard to break unhealthy relationship patterns, even when we know better? In this episode of The Tamsen Show, dating and relationship expert Sabrina Zohar joins Tamsen Fadal to explain anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, relationship anxiety, and how childhood experiences shape the way we love, date, and connect with others. Tamsen opens up about her own history of chasing unavailable men, including her real-life Mr. Big, and how finding a secure relationship later in life changed her understanding of love. Sabrina, author of Why Am I Like This?, breaks down the four attachment styles, why anxious and avoidant partners get caught in painful relationship cycles, and why some of us keep choosing people who can’t give us what we need. More importantly, she explains how to recognize these patterns and start changing them. You’ll learn: - The four attachment styles and how they affect your relationships - Why anxious and avoidant partners get caught in a painful push-and-pull cycle - Why you keep attracting emotionally unavailable people - How childhood experiences can influence your adult relationships - The question to ask yourself when rejection or abandonment triggers you - How to build a more secure attachment style - What to know before dating again after divorce or heartbreak - Why choosing to stay single can sometimes be rooted in fear Whether you’re single, dating, married, or starting over, this conversation will help you understand the patterns you bring into relationships and how to stop repeating the ones that hurt you. If you liked this episode, listen to: The Narcissist Decoder: How Smart Women Get Trapped in Emotional Abuse If you want a say on our upcoming guests, fill out ⁠this form Stay connected with Tamsen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠How To Menopause⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Tamsen  Watch all the episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Tamsen Show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Sabrina on Instagram Get Sabrina's book, Why Am I Like This? Sponsors: Unlock your best skin with @iRestorelaser and save on the new Laser Face Mask Pro! Use code TAMSEN at iRestore.com/TAMSEN. #irestorepod Use code TAMSEN at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Gift with your first purchase! #JonesRoadBeauty #ad Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/TAMSEN #rulapod Learn more about your ad choices, click here 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

What do women need to know about menopause care, menopause treatment, insurance coverage and their rights in the workplace? Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, attorney, women’s health advocate and author of When in Menopause, joins me to talk about the systems surrounding perimenopause and menopause that most of us never think about until we need them. Jennifer has spent years fighting for women, from helping lead the movement to end the tampon tax to advocating for better menopause care, research, treatment access and workplace protections. In this conversation, we break down what is changing, where women are still falling through the cracks and what we can actually do about it. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why menopause care and treatment still aren’t uniformly covered by health insurance - Why vaginal estrogen isn’t currently covered by Medicare - What states are doing to expand access to menopause treatment - What rights women actually have when it comes to menopause in the workplace - Why workplace accommodations without discrimination protections can be complicated - What to consider before disclosing menopause symptoms at work - How to better advocate for yourself in the doctor’s office - How to navigate the explosion of menopause supplements, creams and products being marketed to women - Why Jennifer believes better care, education, research and treatment access could make a bigger difference than workplace accommodations alone - How women can get involved in menopause advocacy without becoming policy experts This is one of those conversations that makes you realize how much of the menopause experience is shaped by systems most women have never been taught to think about. The more we understand how they work, the better equipped we are to ask for what we need. Learn more about menopause advocacy, policy, and how to drive change HERE If you liked this episode, you'll love: Estrogen 101: What I Learned From the World’s Top Menopause Doctors If you want a say on our upcoming guests, fill out ⁠this form Stay connected with Tamsen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠How To Menopause⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Tamsen  Watch all the episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Tamsen Show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Jennifer on Instagram Sponsors: Head over to https://bombas.com/tamsen and use code TAMSEN for 20% off your first purchase! Taking care of your health just got easier – start here with Zocdoc:https://zocdoc.com/TAMSEN #sponsored Machine Washable Rugs, Made Better. For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off + free shipping at tumbleliving.com/TAMSEN #Tumble #ad Our listeners can buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/TAMSEN — and using our link helps support the show. #WarbyParker #ad Learn more about your ad choices, click here 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

Breast cancer is rising in younger women, but why? And what do plastics, alcohol, fragrance, deodorant, PFAS, pesticides, and other everyday exposures actually have to do with breast cancer risk? In this episode of The Tamsen Show, Tamsen Fadal sits down with medical oncologist Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky to separate breast cancer facts from fear and misinformation. They break down what the science actually says about everyday products and environmental exposures, plus the breast cancer risk factors women should be paying attention to. You’ll learn: - Why breast cancer rates are rising in women under 50 - What we know about plastics, PFAS and environmental exposures - The connection between alcohol and breast cancer risk - Why dense breasts can increase risk and make breast cancer harder to detect - What women should know about mammograms, ultrasounds and breast cancer screening - How family history and genetic testing affect your risk - How to better understand your personal breast cancer risk - The lifestyle changes that actually matter If you’ve ever wondered what you can actually do to lower your breast cancer risk, what’s worth worrying about, and what the science says you can stop stressing about, this episode is for you. If you liked this episode, you'll love The Truth About Mammograms, Hormones and Dense Breasts If you want a say on our upcoming guests, fill out ⁠this form Stay connected with Tamsen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠How To Menopause⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Tamsen  Watch all the episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Tamsen Show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Dr. Teplinsky on Instagram Get Dr. Teplinksy's book, Beyond the Pink: Navigating Life, Health, and Breast Cancer Sponsors: Learn more about your ad choices, click here 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

Grief doesn’t only happen when someone dies. We can grieve a divorce, a changing body, an aging parent, a career, a relationship or even the person we used to be. In this episode of The Tamsen Show, Tamsen Fadal sits down with grief therapist and expert Meghan Riordan Jarvis to unpack what grief actually does to the body, why the five stages of grief don’t tell the whole story, and how to process loss instead of simply pushing through it. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why grief can show up after divorce, career changes, aging and other non-death losses - How grief can affect sleep, brain fog, anxiety, mood and the body - The truth about the five stages of grief - How to recognize grief you may not realize you’re carrying - Meghan’s six-part Grief Mentor Method for processing loss - What to actually say and do when someone you love is grieving - Why perimenopause, menopause and midlife can bring unexpected grief - Practical ways to process grief instead of ignoring it - How mindfulness, movement, nourishment, nature, rest and ritual can support the grieving process Whether you’re grieving the death of someone you love, a divorce, an aging parent, a changing body or a version of your life that no longer exists, this conversation offers a different way to understand what you’re feeling and what to do with it. If you liked this episode, then you’ll like: What No One Tells You About Grief After Losing Your Mother If you want a say on our upcoming guests, fill out ⁠this form Stay connected with Tamsen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠How To Menopause⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Tamsen  Watch all the episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Tamsen Show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Meghan on Instagram Get Meghan's book, Can Anyone Tell Me?: Essential Questions about Grief and Loss Sponsors: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code TAMSEN at https://www.oneskin.co/TAMSEN #oneskinpod Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/TAMSEN #rulapod #ad Learn more about your ad choices, click here 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

Why do your joints suddenly hurt more than they used to? In this episode of The Tamsen Show, Tamsen Fadal sits down with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jason Snibbe to talk about joint pain, muscle loss, bone health, frozen shoulder, and what women can do now to stay strong and mobile as they age. Dr. Snibbe explains why changing hormones can affect inflammation and recovery, why muscle is so important for protecting your joints, and how to know when normal soreness has turned into something you should actually get checked out. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why joint pain and stiffness can increase in midlife How muscle helps protect your knees, hips, shoulders and back The strength training habits that support mobility and bone health What to know about frozen shoulder When joint pain is a sign it’s time to see a doctor What Dr. Snibbe says about PRP, cortisone, weighted vests, supplements and avoiding unnecessary surgery If your body feels achier, stiffer, or slower to recover than it used to, this episode will help you understand what may be changing and what you can start doing about it. For everything mentioned in this episode, click this link If you liked this episode, you will love: The #1 Longevity Doctor: How Women Can Burn Fat, Build Muscle & Age Strong If you want a say on our upcoming guests, fill out ⁠this form Stay connected with Tamsen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠How To Menopause⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Tamsen  Watch all the episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Tamsen Show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Dr. Snibbe on Instagram Sponsors: Head over to https://bombas.com/tamsen and use code TAMSEN for 20% off your first purchase! Unlock your best skin with @iRestorelaser and save on the new Laser Face Mask Pro! Use code TAMSEN at iRestore.com/TAMSEN. #irestorepod Learn more about your ad choices, click here 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

Narcissistic relationships, narcissistic behavior, emotional manipulation and relationship red flags can be incredibly difficult to recognize, especially when you're the one living them. In this solo episode, Tamsen Fadal shares the relationship lessons she learned the hard way after years of interviewing leading psychologists and reflecting on her own experiences. She breaks down the subtle signs of narcissistic behavior, why so many smart, successful women get caught in these patterns, how gaslighting and blame-shifting slowly erode your confidence, and the practical tools she now uses to recognize emotionally healthy relationships. In this episode, you'll learn: - The relationship red flags Tamsen wishes she'd recognized sooner - Why narcissistic behavior is often so difficult to spot - How emotional manipulation makes you question yourself - The difference between genuine apologies and blame-shifting - Practical ways to rebuild self-trust and set healthier boundaries If you've ever wondered, How did I not see it? This episode will help you understand why and how to trust yourself again. If you liked this conversation, check this out: What I Wish I Knew at 35: 7 Hard Truths That Changed My Life If you want a say on our upcoming guests, fill out ⁠this form Stay connected with Tamsen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠How To Menopause⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Tamsen  Watch all the episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Tamsen Show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠  Sponsors: Use code TAMSEN at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Gift with your first purchase! #JonesRoadBeauty #ad Learn more about your ad choices, click here 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