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

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 friction
  • One-hour/day is enough for most—protect your attention
  • Safe-feed checklist: follow/mute/block with intention
  • Replace scrolling with real activities + older mentors
  • A 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.

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

The Nervous System Eats First is a podcast about the midlife body—when masking stops working, menopause hits hard, and your nervous system demands more than just supplements and willpower.

Hosted by Dr. Stacey Denise, a board-certified physician and founder of the Neuroaesthetic MD™ method, this show invites listeners into a new kind of recovery: one where healing begins through the senses.

Each episode blends science, sensory ritual, and somatic insight to help women reclaim regulation—not as a reward, but as a requirement.

This is not “self-care.” This is nervous system nutrition for:

Autistic and ADHD women unmasking in midlife

Black women and women of color navigating medical gaslighting

Women in menopause who feel invisible, exhausted, and emotionally unmoored

Highly sensitive women trying to feel something without getting overwhelmed

If you’ve ever asked, “What is happening to my body?”—this podcast is your permission slip to find out, slowly and with grace.

🎧 The Nervous System Eats First
Where your body is the expert, and your senses are the medicine.