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

Dr. Stacey Denise | The Neuroaesthetic MD
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The Nervous System Eats First is the podcast for neurodivergent, high-functioning women navigating menopause, fatigue, emotional numbness, and intimacy loss. Created especially for Black women, women of color, and others whose nervous systems were never centered — each episode blends science, sensory rituals, and story to help you reset energy, reclaim emotional clarity, and restore intimacy without shame. Hosted by Dr. Stacey Denise — The Neuroaesthetic MD™ — this show offers candid conversations, evidence-based insights, and embodied rituals designed for sensitive, creative women in midlife. Because regulation isn’t a reward — it’s the requirement.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    Stop the Rabbit Hole: Autism & Social Media Rules — Temple Grandin

    Episode summary Temple 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.   Key takeaways Algorithms pull you into overload; design frictionOne-hour/day is enough for most—protect your attentionSafe-feed checklist: follow/mute/block with intentionReplace scrolling with real activities + older mentorsA 7-day boundary plan you can adjust to your life  Guest: Temple Grandin — bestselling author and autism advocate.   Links Temple Grandin resources: https://www.templegrandin.com/Connect with Dr. Stacey Denise / TNSEF: https://drstaceydenise.com/  Chapters Intro • Rabbit hole explained • Time limits • Curate your feed • Real activities • Week-one plan   Credits Host: Dr. Stacey Denise. Produced by TNSEF—The Nervous System Eats First.

    37 min

  2. SEP 21

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

    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.

    4 min

  3. SEP 16

    Do You Feel Emotionally Numb or Disconnected in Midlife? You’re Not Alone

    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.    🧠 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 through👩🏾‍⚕️ 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

    37 min

  4. SEP 2

    Stop Starving Your Brain: Food, Flexibility & Burnout Recovery with Dr. Franklin

    🎧 Episode 8: Beyond the Bowl — How Flexibility, Flavor & Feeling Your Way Through Food Can Reset Your Brain Host: Dr. Stacey Denise Guest: Dr. Nina Cherie Franklin Duration: ~85 minutes Listen 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. 💡 Inside This Episode: 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 truths📘 Mentioned in This Episode: The Build Your Bowl Salad Cookbook by Dr. Nina Cherie FranklinDr. Franklin’s website: ThatSaladLady.comFollow her on Instagram: @that.salad.lady🧠 For Listeners Navigating: Emotional dysregulation and eating cyclesBurnout, brain fog, and “wired-but-tired” patternsMenopause, ADHD, or sensory processing challengesIdentity loss around food, body, or energy📣 Share Your Story: What’s one food ritual that nourishes you—or one you’re ready to release? Message us or tag @drstaceydenise to continue the conversation. You are never alone in this journey.

    1h 23m

  5. AUG 26

    Still Burned Out? Light a Ritual with Tameka Tate

    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. 💡 What You’ll Learn:– How scent heals where language can’t– Candle rituals that soothe burnout– Sensory strategies for dementia, menopause, and grief– Why emotional safety starts with sensory rhythm– How to reclaim your identity through ritual 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & iHeart Radio🔗 All links: drstaceydenise.com/podcast 📍 Connect with Tameka Tate:Website: mdcandlebar.comInstagram & TikTok: @mdcandlebarLocation: 1564 A Street, Castro Valley, CAEmail: meltdowncandlebar@mdcandlebar.com 🎙 Hosted by Dr. Stacey Denise, MD | PhD(c) | Founder of The Reset™ MethodSubscribe for more episodes exploring brain health, neuroaesthetics, and ritual-based healing.

    32 min

  6. JUL 29

    Paint to Remember: How Abstract Art Anchors Emotion, Memory & Ritual with Ann Yakimovicz

    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 life Ritual to Try: The Paint Chip Practice Go 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.

    1h 5m

  7. JUL 12

    Color Is a Reset: How to Use Color to Calm Your Nervous System with Dr. Stacey Denise

    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 Denise Subscription, links & Email List ⁠YouTube⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠Socials ⁠Dr. Stacey's LinkedIn⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Instagram⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Facebook ⁠⁠Website⁠

    7 min
  8. The Nervous System Eats First: Why Your Body Can’t Digest Kale in Fight-or-Flight

    JUL 1

    The Nervous System Eats First: Why Your Body Can’t Digest Kale in Fight-or-Flight

    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 Channel Subscription, links & Email List ⁠YouTube⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠Socials ⁠Dr. Stacey's LinkedIn⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Instagram⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Facebook ⁠⁠Website⁠Programs & Trainings ⁠Discover the 15 Neuroaesthetic Tools curated for high-achieving women like youThe Neuroaesthetic Reset™ (Beta) ⁠🎧 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.

    47 min

  9. JUN 24

    ERASED: How AI Bias Impacts Beauty, Identity & Belonging

    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 tech Connect with Douglas Moore Jr. on IG Subscription, links & Email List ⁠YouTube⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠Socials ⁠Dr. Stacey's LinkedIn⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Instagram⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Facebook ⁠⁠Website⁠

    35 min

  10. JUN 17

    Own Your Image — Technocolonialism, AI Beauty & Sensory Sovereignty

    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 List ⁠YouTube⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠Socials ⁠Dr. Stacey's LinkedIn⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Instagram⁠⁠Dr. Stacey's Facebook ⁠⁠Website⁠

    23 min

  11. JUN 4

    The Aesthetic Revolution You Didn’t See Coming

    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 List YouTubeBlogNewsletterSocials Dr. Stacey's LinkedInDr. Stacey's InstagramDr. Stacey's Facebook Website

    7 min

  12. EPISODE 1

    Welcome: Podcast trailer

    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.

    1 min

Trailer

About

The Nervous System Eats First is the podcast for neurodivergent, high-functioning women navigating menopause, fatigue, emotional numbness, and intimacy loss. Created especially for Black women, women of color, and others whose nervous systems were never centered — each episode blends science, sensory rituals, and story to help you reset energy, reclaim emotional clarity, and restore intimacy without shame. Hosted by Dr. Stacey Denise — The Neuroaesthetic MD™ — this show offers candid conversations, evidence-based insights, and embodied rituals designed for sensitive, creative women in midlife. Because regulation isn’t a reward — it’s the requirement.

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