Midlife Conversations with Natalie Jill

Natalie Jill

Welcome to Midlife Conversations. On this podcast Natalie Jill does what she does best - taking complicated information that is relevant to us (women entering Midlife) NOW, and breaking it down simply with actionable steps you can implement to level up your life in your BEST YEARS to come. I also regularly interview some of the most inspiring people living their best Midlife years. On this show, I cover topics about our shifting hormones, weight struggles, our mood and focus changes, raising teenagers, our relationships, career changes, beauty and more. If you are new here, Natalie Jill encourage's you to go back and listen from episode one, when this podcast was previously called "Listen UP" for the full transformative experience!

  1. 2D AGO

    501: Overactive Bladder, Prolapse and Leakage…Is Our Vagina Aging Well with The Vagina Coach Kim Vopni

    Did you know that 46% of women completely stop exercising because of pelvic floor problems and most wait nearly 7 years before seeking help? If you've been waking up multiple times every night to pee, crossing your legs when you sneeze, or planning your entire day around bathroom locations, this episode is about to change your life. And no, the answer isn't just "do more Kegels." In this conversation with Kim Vopni, also known as The Vagina Coach, to uncover the shocking truth about what's really happening to your pelvic floor in midlife and why everything your doctor told you might be wrong. Kim reveals why most women are doing Kegels completely incorrectly, making their problems worse instead of better. She explains the real reasons you're waking up at night (hint: it's probably not your bladder), and shares the one appointment every woman should schedule annually that most have never even heard of. You'll discover why bladder leaks aren't just an inconvenience but a cascade effect that's destroying your sleep, your exercise routine, your sex life, and your confidence. Kim breaks down the difference between normal aging and actual pelvic floor dysfunction, revealing that what you've accepted as "just part of getting older" is actually completely reversible in most cases. From the truth about vaginal estrogen and the black box warning that's medically inaccurate, to hypopressives and vaginal red light therapy, this conversation goes deep into solutions that actually work. Kim explains why surgery and medication should never be your first option, shares the retraining technique that stops night waking in as little as one night, and reveals the hidden connection between your nervous system and every single pelvic floor symptom. Whether you're dealing with stress incontinence, urgency, pelvic organ prolapse, or you're just exhausted from getting up six times a night, this episode gives you the roadmap to reclaim your pelvic health (and your life). Because hiding from photos, avoiding social events, and wearing black leggings every day isn't the solution.  Ready to stop planning your life around bathrooms?   Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube    Learn More About Kim Vopni Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/VaginaCoach  Website ➜   http://vaginacoach.com/   Thank you to our show sponsors! TIMELINE: Timeline is offering 20% off your order of Mitopure! Go to https://timeline.com/NATALIEJILL Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com   Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit   For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/  Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen.  Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.

    57 min
  2. 12/30/2025

    500: What Our Intrusive Worries and Thoughts Are Trying To Tell Us with Dr. Yasmine Saad

    What if the negative thoughts keeping you awake at 3 AM aren't trying to torture you—but are actually messengers with critical information about what you need most? If you've ever felt consumed by worries about money, regrets about parenting, or fears about aging, you're not alone. But according to Dr. Yasmine Saad, one of New York's top three psychologists, everything we've been taught about handling these thoughts is backwards. In this conversation, Dr. Saad reveals why midlife creates the perfect storm for mental overwhelm, how hormonal changes directly affect your thought patterns, and why fighting your negative thoughts might be the worst thing you can do. She introduces a revolutionary five-step method for decoding the messages your mind is desperately trying to send you—and why understanding these messages is the key to transformation. We dive deep into the mind-body connection through traditional Chinese medicine, exploring how physical symptoms like hives, shoulder pain, and digestive issues are directly connected to the emotions you've absorbed and the mental patterns you're running. Dr. Saad explains why meditation and positive thinking often backfire, what your "energy signature" reveals about how you should approach healing, and the critical differences between psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and coaches. This isn't another conversation about "managing" your mental health. This is about understanding why your mind works the way it does in midlife, what it's trying to tell you, and how to use that information to create the life you actually want. If you're ready to stop fighting yourself and start listening to what your mind and body are trying to communicate, this episode will change everything. Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube    Learn More About Dr. Yasmine Saad Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/dr.yasminesaad Website ➜   https://www.dryasminesaad.com/ | https://madisonparkpsych.com/dr-yasmine-saad-phd/    Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com   Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit   For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/  Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen.  Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.

    50 min
  3. 12/23/2025

    499: Anxiety, Depression & Nervous System Regulation for Midlife Women with Dr. Kristine Gravino

    If you're lying awake with racing thoughts, feeling constant overwhelm, or wondering if your midlife anxiety is "normal" or something more serious, this conversation will change how you think about mental health. Dr. Kristine Gravino, a psychologist specializing in midlife women, reveals why one out of two women struggle with anxiety and depression during this phase and it's directly connected to your dropping estrogen levels. We're diving deep into the questions you're actually asking: When is Xanax okay? Is that nightly wine helping or hurting? What does "regulating your nervous system" actually mean beyond the trendy Instagram posts? And most importantly, what CAN you do about racing thoughts and constant anxiety without buying more gadgets or taking more pills?  Dr. Gravino shares the breathing technique you're probably doing wrong (hint: it's not the inhale that calms you down), why your brain desperately needs carbohydrates even though you've been told to fear them for 30 years, and the bare minimum strategies that actually work when you're feeling completely paralyzed by overwhelm. Plus, I'm opening up about my recent health journey with histamine intolerance and how it completely changed my understanding of the nervous system-cortisol-anxiety connection. This isn't just another conversation about "self-care", rather, it's about understanding what's actually happening in your body and getting real, science-backed tools to feel better now.   Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube    Learn More About Dr. Kristine Gravino Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/DrKGravinoWellness  Website ➜   https://drkgravinowellness.com/    Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com   Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit   For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/  Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen.  Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.

    52 min
  4. 12/16/2025

    498: The Hidden Connection Between Long COVID, Mold, and Mast Cell Activation with Dr. Tania Dempsey

    What if the random symptoms you've been told are "all separate" – the hives, exhaustion, brain fog, and digestive chaos – are actually ALL connected through one dysfunctional system in your body that affects 1 in 5 people? When Dr. Tania Dempsey left traditional medicine after being told she wouldn't get bonuses for patients with cholesterol over 200, she discovered something revolutionary: conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, long COVID, and mysterious autoimmune markers might all trace back to the same source: dysfunctional mast cells. In this conversation, Dr. Dempsey reveals why your mast cells (your body's security guards) might be stuck in overdrive, leaking over 1,200 different inflammatory chemicals throughout your body. She explains why perimenopausal women and adolescents are hit hardest, how hormones trigger these cellular explosions, and why that positive thyroid antibody test might not mean what you think. Most shocking? The conventional medical system's approach of treating symptoms separately might be exactly what's keeping you sick. Dr. Dempsey shares her personalized protocol that's helping patients reclaim their lives, but warns that you can't supplement your way out of this without addressing one crucial system everyone overlooks. If you've been gaslit by doctors, told your labs are "normal" despite feeling terrible, or you're navigating mysterious symptoms that worsen with hormonal changes, this conversation will help everything make sense.   Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube    Learn More About Dr. Tania Dempsey   Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/drtaniadempseymd  Website ➜   https://drtaniadempsey.com/    Thank you to our show sponsors! TIMELINE: Timeline is offering 20% off your order of Mitopure! Go to https://timeline.com/NATALIEJILL Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com   Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit   For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/  Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen.  Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.

    1h 9m
  5. 12/12/2025

    497: The Weight Loss Industry Has Gone Crazy

    Join Total Body Thrive https://totalbodythrive.com/ and use code PODCAST at checkout to save  Did you know that many of those "perfect" fitness transformations flooding your social media feed aren't even real people? They're computer-generated robots designed to make you feel inadequate about your body. Why is everyone suddenly afraid of vegetables? Why are influencers celebrating their hair falling out in clumps? And why are we calling starvation "wellness" again?  After decades of helping women transform their health, I am breaking my silence on the disturbing "ick" I'm feeling about today's diet culture. From AI-generated fake influencers to the terrifying return of "skinny is back," this episode is exposing the dangerous trends that made me cancel my annual January Total Body Thrive Live Fat Loss Group Launch for the first time ever. What pushed me over the edge? Why am I calling out the carnivore craze, the protein obsession, and the normalization of eating disorders disguised as "discipline"? And what does the revival of nicotine patches for weight loss say about how far we've fallen?!  This unfiltered episode will make you question everything you're seeing online and might just explain why you've been feeling so confused and frustrated with conflicting health advice.   Join Total Body Thrive https://totalbodythrive.com/ and use code PODCAST at checkout to save    Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com   Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit   For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/  Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen.  Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.

    38 min
  6. 12/09/2025

    496: Reading Glasses, Dry Eyes, and Cataracts – What's Really Happening to Your Eyes with Dr. Rudrani Banik

    Can you remember the last time you could read a menu without squinting, holding it at arm's length, or borrowing someone's reading glasses? If you're wondering why your vision suddenly betrayed you in midlife (along with everything else changing in your body) this episode delivers answers you won't get at your typical eye exam. Dr. Rudrani Banik, a neuro-ophthalmologist with 20+ years of experience, reveals why our eyes go haywire during perimenopause and menopause, exposing the hormone connection your eye doctor probably never mentioned. Discover why dry eye isn't actually about tear production but about tiny glands with testosterone receptors, why those trendy eyelash extensions might be destroying your eye health, and the truth about whether sunglasses are really "endocrine disruptors" (spoiler: Dr. Banik tested it with a light meter). Learn the three-step eyelid hygiene routine that could save your vision, which eye drops actually work for presbyopia, and why that migraine aura isn't a stroke, even though it feels like one. Plus, get the insider truth about cataract surgery, when vision changes signal diabetes or serious neurological issues, and why you absolutely need a dilated eye exam (not just a glasses check). Dr. Banik shares her personal story of thinking she had a brain tumor at 54, only to discover it was her spine affecting her vision – proving everything really is connected in midlife.   Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube    Learn More About Dr. Rudrani Banik   Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik  Website ➜   https://www.drranibanik.com/    Thank you to our show sponsors! BIOPTIMIZERS: Get the digestive enzymes I take with every meal here https://www.bioptimizers.com/nataliejill Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com   Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit   For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/  Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen.  Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.

    1h 7m
  7. 12/02/2025

    495: "I Want To Want Him But I Do Not" - Why Your Intimate Life Feels Like It Has Died and What To Do About It with Susan Bratton

    Why does the thought of intimacy make you want to hide under the covers...alone? If you're a midlife woman who's lost that loving feeling, you're not broken (you're just like the rest of us) and we've been playing by the wrong rules. In this conversation, intimacy expert Susan Bratton exposes the truth about female arousal that nobody taught us (especially not those s3x-ed classes back in the day). We dive deep into why it takes women 20 minutes to achieve what men accomplish in 2 minutes, why "duty booty" is destroying relationships, and how to transform obligation into genuine desire.  Susan shares her personal journey from a s3xless marriage at 42 to having the best intimacy of her life at 64. We explore practical solutions like the yon! massage, why scheduling intimacy isn't unromantic, and which tools and supplements actually help. Plus, Susan reveals why everything you've seen about s3x is built for male pleasure and how to flip the script…for good.  This conversation will change how you think about your body, your relationships, and your right to pleasure: it's not about not loving your partner or not wanting connection, it's about that disconnect between what you wish you felt and what you actually feel.     Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube    Episode Links   http://orgasmicintercouse.com/  https://drivedesire.com/  http://soulmateembrace.com/  https://betterlover.com/  Learn More About Susan Bratton   Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/susanbratton  Website ➜  https://susanbratton.com/   Thank you to our show sponsors! KION: Visit https://getkion.com/nataliejill for 20% off your order of essential amino acids Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com   Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit   For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/  Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen.  Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.

    1h 1m
  8. 11/25/2025

    494: When Someone You Love Is Addicted and Why They Can't "Just Quit" with Chris Doyle

    What if your attempts to help someone with their addiction were actually making things worse? This conversation with addiction intervention specialist Chris Doyle shattered every assumption I had about addiction, from why some people can't stop after their first drink to why taking away privileges might be the worst thing you can do. We explore the complexities of addiction and its impact on families. Chris, sober 18 years himself, reveals the shocking truth that addiction starts at age 12 for most, affects 10-15% of those who experiment, and has nothing to do with bad parenting or weak character. We dive deep into the critical difference between dependency and addiction (hint: it's just two words), why your typical parenting strategies backfire catastrophically, and the "Connected Response Method" that actually works. Chris shares his mother's brilliant response when he came home drunk at 17, explains why addiction is like a shrimp allergy, and reveals the toxic relationship between codependency and addiction. Essential listening for any midlife parent, partner, or person touched by addiction -- which, statistically, is almost all of us.   Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube    Learn More About Chris Doyle   Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/whyintervention  Website ➜  https://www.whyintervention.com/   Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com   Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit   For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/  Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen.  Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.

    1h 13m
4.8
out of 5
608 Ratings

About

Welcome to Midlife Conversations. On this podcast Natalie Jill does what she does best - taking complicated information that is relevant to us (women entering Midlife) NOW, and breaking it down simply with actionable steps you can implement to level up your life in your BEST YEARS to come. I also regularly interview some of the most inspiring people living their best Midlife years. On this show, I cover topics about our shifting hormones, weight struggles, our mood and focus changes, raising teenagers, our relationships, career changes, beauty and more. If you are new here, Natalie Jill encourage's you to go back and listen from episode one, when this podcast was previously called "Listen UP" for the full transformative experience!

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