Departure Menopause: Neurodivergent-Affirming & Weight-Inclusive Care

Melinda Staehling
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MEDICINE

🌙 Departure Menopause is a podcast about health change and body image from a neurodivergent-affirming and weight-inclusive approach.  Our host, Melinda Staehling, MS, CNS, discusses compassionate health and positive body image change through education, practical steps, and a gentle approach.  📩 To stay connected and go deeper, head to the show notes to subscribe and download the FREE Regular Eating Guide at departuremenopause.club/regular-eating-guide. 

Episodes

  1. 08/07/2025 · BONUS

    ⛱️ Summer Break ⛱️

    A quick announcement that we're Departing on Holiday until September ⛱️ In the meantime, catch up or re-visit Season 1: 🌀Our Menopause Venn Diagram: Weight-Inclusive Care, Neurodivergence, and Body Image 🪟Looking Through the Window of Vulnerability - Menopause & Eating Disorders 🥨 Assessing Your Eating Pattern and Naming Emotions with the Regular Eating Guide 👓 Recognizing the Challenges of Regular Eating in Menopause Mindset Shifts 🕰️ Working with a Regular Eating Structure 🌊 Figuring Out ADHD & Perimenopause with Robin Gatter 💓 The Heart is a House with Amy Chadwick 🔍Discovering the Lost Generation: Melinda’s AuDHD Diagnosis Story 🧺Intuitive Eating & Building Resilience with Amber Hanson Take care and see you in September, Melinda

    2 min

  2. 07/24/2025

    🧺Intuitive Eating & Building Resilience with Amber Hanson

    One of the big questions of Departure Menopause is how we can support deep health during the menopause transition, without the focus on weight. Intuitive Eating, a model of non-diet nutrition, was created in the 1990s by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. It’s been the subject of hundreds of research studies. This week, I’m thrilled to have Amber Hanson, LN, CNS, join us on the show to discuss her work, which focuses on improving people's relationships with food and their bodies through a weight-inclusive approach grounded in Intuitive Eating principles.  Tune in to hear: 🪴 An understanding of the principles of Intuitive Eating 🪴 Examples of Intuitive Eating in practice 🪴 How we might engage with Intuitive Eating if our interoceptive awareness is different with neurodivergence 🪴 Amber’s experience of perimenopause 🪴 Our discussion on the cringe-ier aspects of “nervous system healing” and what’s feeling helpful here 🪴 Melinda and Amber’s low-caffeine and alcohol journeys LINKS: 🍝 Download the FREE Regular Eating Guide 🔎 Check out the EPISODE References & Shownotes Podcast Art: Barb Burwell DISCLAIMER: Melinda is a Certified Nutrition Specialist but not a member of your healthcare team. The information provided in this podcast is not intended as individualized medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have a health concern, go to your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical or mental health treatment.

    49 min

  3. 07/10/2025

    🔍Discovering the Lost Generation: Melinda’s AuDHD Diagnosis Story

    👋 I’m back on the mic this week with a solo episode. 🔮 This week, I'm sharing what I've been discovering the past couple of years as I go deeper into perimenopause, and that crystallized in April with an autism diagnosis. So, with my previous diagnosis of ADHD, this makes for what we call AuDHD, which is a whole new lens to look at life. This episode walks you through my story, from the time that I first learned about lesser-known presentations of autism in highly masked adults, especially women and AFAB people. I share the resources and support throughout my diagnosis process, and where I’m at today, three months later. LINKS: 🍝 Download the FREE Regular Eating Guide 🔎 Check out the EPISODE References & Shownotes Podcast Art: Barb Burwell DISCLAIMER: Melinda is a Certified Nutrition Specialist but not a member of your healthcare team. The information provided in this podcast is not intended as individualized medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have a health concern, go to your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical or mental health treatment.

    27 min

  4. 06/26/2025

    💓 The Heart is a House with Amy Chadwick

    One thing about the menopause transition - it prompts many of us to reevaluate different aspects of our lives.  Paying more attention to hormones (I mean, for a lot of us, how can we not), means taking a closer look at the rest of our greater health picture. Heart health is — complex. There are a lot of moving parts, and understanding our personal risk factors often can be a challenge. With that, I’m excited to drop our newest episode of Departure Menopause with my friend, Amy Chadwick, RN, BSN, CPT. Amy is a Heart Failure Nurse Navigator, bringing her years of experience to provide us with education and practical tips on assessing our heart health. Tune in to hear:💓 About Amy’s role in the hospital system as a Heart Failure Nurse Navigator 💓 An understanding of heart failure and heart disease 💓 Learn the key heart health markers to monitor 💓 Understand why stress management in perimenopause is a key heart health behavior 💓 Hear Amy’s personal journey through perimenopause - which, spoiler alert, does not involve hormone therapy References: HAES® / Health at Every Size® Health Sheets  - Weight -inclusive education and interventions for heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure Declining Rates of Heart Disease Awareness Study LINKS: 🍝 Download the FREE Regular Eating Guide 🔎 Check out the EPISODE References & Shownotes Podcast Art: Barb Burwell DISCLAIMER: Melinda is a Certified Nutrition Specialist but not a member of your healthcare team. The information provided in this podcast is not intended as individualized medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have a health concern, go to your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical or mental health treatment.

    42 min

  5. 06/12/2025

    🌊 Figuring Out ADHD & Perimenopause with Robin Gatter

    This week on Departure Menopause, I’m thrilled to welcome our first guest to the show, Robin Gatter, MS, CNS, LDN, NBC-HWC. Our conversation weaves together what I’ve been talking about so far on the show, this intersection of neurodivergence, perimenopause, food, and body image.  Robin shows up as her brave, wise self. Tune in to hear:🌊 Robin’s transition from professional chef to eating disorder nutritionist  🌊 Her late ADHD diagnosis and reconsidering challenges around traditional education  🌊 ADHD meal planning tips from the lens of a trained chef 🌊 How a “mise en place mentality” can change your meal prep game And ..  🌊 Robin’s journey so far through perimenopause One thing that came through for us was how a late ADHD diagnosis and co-existing perimenopause can feel like a parallel experience, in the context of the women’s health information gap. Thank you, Robin, for joining me in this conversation, and you, listeners, for your continuing support of the show. REFERENCES & LINKS 🌊 Robin's Website 🍝 Download the FREE Regular Eating Guide 🔎 Check out the EPISODE References & Shownotes Podcast Art: Barb Burwell DISCLAIMER: Melinda is a Certified Nutrition Specialist but not a member of your healthcare team. The information provided in this podcast is not intended as individualized medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have a health concern, go to your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical or mental health treatment.

    1 hr

  6. 05/29/2025

    Mindset Shifts 🕰️ Working with a Regular Eating Structure

    We've reached Episode 3/3 of our Regular Eating series, and the outcome of our program, which involves selecting a structure for daily eating. From what you can see over the last few episodes, I think we need to spend a little more time on the deeper Why behind our eating patterns. And now that we’ve given things some thought, let’s pick that structure and get to practice. Tune in to hear some key mindset shifts around regular eating patterns: 🕰️ Releasing perfection around our daily eating pattern 🕰️ Sticking with your new structure for longer than you think 🕰️ Eating in the early part of the day, even if that means giving the cold shoulder to the anti-processed foodies Then, we get down to business and choose a visual, abstract structure, something we can picture throughout the day.  And finish it all off with a practical and straightforward plan. Now, it's your time to practice! REFERENCES & LINKS 🍝 Download the FREE Regular Eating Guide 🔎 Check out the EPISODE References & Shownotes Podcast Art: Barb Burwell DISCLAIMER: Melinda is a Certified Nutrition Specialist but not a member of your healthcare team. The information provided in this podcast is not intended as individualized medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have a health concern, go to your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical or mental health treatment.

    15 min

  7. 05/15/2025

    👓 Recognize the Challenges of Regular Eating in Menopause

    When we approach a new way of doing things without acknowledging the difficulties, we can get caught up in romanticizing the future.  Kind of like buying a new planner with that new planner energy, but without a strategy to implement its use.  In today's episode, we're sitting in the messy middle of the challenges behind change, including the realities of a neurodivergent perimenopause. Tune in to hear: 🍦 How we can lean into softness over extremes when approaching nutrition 🍝 A check-in around common Regular Eating concepts 🍇 Reasons and Obstacles to Regular Eating in Perimenopause -  Neurodivergent Eating DifferencesHormonal & Physiological ChangesEmotionsEnvironmental & Social PressuresHabits & PatternsREFERENCES & LINKS 🍝 Download the FREE Regular Eating Guide 🔎 Check out the EPISODE References & Shownotes Podcast Art: Barb Burwell DISCLAIMER: Melinda is a Certified Nutrition Specialist but not a member of your healthcare team. The information provided in this podcast is not intended as individualized medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have a health concern, go to your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical or mental health treatment.

    18 min

  8. 05/01/2025

    🥨 Assessing Your Eating Pattern and Naming Emotions with the Regular Eating Guide

    Ever looked at the clock and realized, omg. I forgot to eat? It happens. And the impacts on energy, focus, and well-being are real.  I’m excited to share the first episode in a three-part series on regular eating, which includes a closer look at a free training I’m offering: the Regular Eating Guide. This process is designed to help you assess your eating patterns and provide tools to create a gentle schedule that nourishes both your body and mind. Tune in to hear: Why beginning with an assessment is an essential step to starting behavior changeHow concepts like Intuitive Eating and Mindful Eating don’t always connect if you’re neurodivergentAn exploration of alexithymia, or difficulty naming our emotions, as an important piece of neurodivergent eatingHow to mark the beginning of this new phase with some ritual or magicThe assessment and journaling prompts to begin the Regular Eating process REFERENCES & LINKS 🍝 Download the FREE Regular Eating Guide 🔎 Check out the EPISODE References & Shownotes Podcast Art: Barb Burwell DISCLAIMER: Melinda is a Certified Nutrition Specialist but not a member of your healthcare team. The information provided in this podcast is not intended as individualized medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have a health concern, go to your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical or mental health treatment.

    14 min

  9. 04/17/2025

    🪟 Looking Through the Window of Vulnerability - Menopause & Eating Disorders

    Most often, eating disorders don’t look like the stereotypes we’ve come to hold.  Menopause and midlife can be a time of increased risk of eating disorders and disordered eating.  We’re often left without the words and resources to talk about this challenging subject. Let’s change that. Tune in to this episode to hear -  An exploration of eating disorder facts & mythsWhy eating disorder awareness is crucial within the neurodivergent communityRecognition of the research gap in menopause and eating disordersExploring menopause and eating disorders through a biopsychosocial lensNext steps to assess and raise awareness around menopausal eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image distressREFERENCES & LINKS 🍝 Download the FREE Regular Eating Guide 🔎 Check out the EPISODE References & Shownotes Podcast Art: Barb Burwell DISCLAIMER: Melinda is a Certified Nutrition Specialist but not a member of YOUR healthcare team. The information provided in this podcast is not intended as individualized medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have a health concern, go to your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical or mental health treatment.

    29 min

  10. 04/03/2025

    🌀 Our Menopause Venn Diagram: Weight-Inclusive Care, Neurodivergence, and Body Image

    How might we look at menopause differently? In the first episode, we focus on an understanding and the intersections of weight-inclusive care, a neurodivergent-affirming approach, and body image.  We’ll explore: What is weight-inclusive care?How does a neurodivergent-affirming approach relate to menopause?What exactly is body image?Why is body image so super important to consider in menopause?How these ideas overlapThe menopause experience can be a massive shift in physical and emotional changes. How can we take more care of our approach? REFERENCES & LINKS 🍝 Download the FREE Regular Eating Guide 🔎 Check out the EPISODE References & Shownotes Podcast Art: Barb Burwell DISCLAIMER: Melinda is a Certified Nutrition Specialist but not a member of YOUR healthcare team. The information provided in this podcast is not intended as individualized medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have a health concern, go to your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical or mental health treatment.

    24 min

  11. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    🚀 Welcome to Departure Menopause!

    🎇Welcome to Departure Menopause! This podcast is about health change and body image in the menopause transition from a neurodivergent-affirming and weight-inclusive approach. If you want to connect with menopause beyond dieting and drop the Big Menopause Wellness, this podcast is for you. 👋About Melinda: Melinda Staehling, MS, CNS®, is a menopause educator, coach, and Certified Nutrition Specialist®. Melinda specializes in eating disorders and disordered eating in menopause. 😴She’s also highly perimenopausal and would love a few extra hours of sleep. You can learn more about Melinda HERE. 🍝 Click thru to download the FREE Regular Eating Guide. This training includes questions and reflections to step out of your day-to-day and discover why eating might feel challenging with neurodivergence and perimenopause. You’ll develop your personalized structure for regular eating. Podcast Art by Barb Burwell DISCLAIMER: Melinda is a Certified Nutrition Specialist but not a member of YOUR healthcare team. The information provided in this podcast is not intended as individualized medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have a health concern, go to your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical or mental health treatment.

    3 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

🌙 Departure Menopause is a podcast about health change and body image from a neurodivergent-affirming and weight-inclusive approach.  Our host, Melinda Staehling, MS, CNS, discusses compassionate health and positive body image change through education, practical steps, and a gentle approach.  📩 To stay connected and go deeper, head to the show notes to subscribe and download the FREE Regular Eating Guide at departuremenopause.club/regular-eating-guide. 

Information