NOURISH MD: Doctor Dietitian Dialogues

Calming the Body: Practical Stress Reduction for Everyday Health | Nourish MD Podcast S03-E05

Stress shapes how we think, react, and move through daily life — and chronic stress can quietly shift the body into survival mode. In this episode, Meg talks with Dr. Courtney Harkins, Psy.D., MFT about how unprocessed emotions show up physically, why therapy isn’t only for moments of crisis, and how simple, accessible tools can help regulate the nervous system and build resilience. They explore the mind‑body connection, the impact of long‑term stress, and practical ways to create more calm and awareness in everyday routines. Dr. Harkins is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in trauma, child and adolescent mental health, and family systems. She leads a private practice in Newport Beach, is expanding into Neurofeedback and Brainmapping, supervises a high‑school counseling program, teaches parent‑education seminars, and provides therapy in a trade‑school setting. Her work has been featured in Parenting OC, OC Family, and Raising Winners. Meg brings her blend of nutrition science, behavioral psychology, and compassion‑driven communication to help listeners build sustainable habits with clarity, humor, and a progress‑over‑perfection mindset.

Advances in Menopause Care: One Size Does Not Fit All | Nourish MD Podcast S03-E04

In this episode, Meg Tancredi, MS, RD talks with UCI Health OB‑GYN Dr. Rebecca Sauer about what women truly experience during peri‑, meno‑, and post‑menopause — and why no two journeys look the same. Dr. Sauer explains how symptoms can vary widely, why women’s concerns are often dismissed, and what individualized, evidence‑based menopause care should include. They also discuss practical ways to advocate for yourself, ask clearer questions, and get the support you deserve. Dr. Sauer is a board‑certified obstetrician‑gynecologist and Assistant Professor at UCI School of Medicine whose clinical work spans abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, hormone therapy, menopausal symptoms, adolescent gynecology, and minimally invasive surgery. Meg brings her blend of nutrition science and behavioral psychology to help listeners navigate health with clarity, compassion, and progress over perfection.

Why Nutrition Advice Is So Confusing (and What Actually Matters) | S03-E03 Nourish MD Podcast

Registered dietitian Meg Tancredi, MS, RD breaks down what RDs actually study, why their training matters, and how to make sense of a world full of conflicting nutrition information. She explains why weight loss is more complex than “calories in, calories out,” what metabolism really does, how to think about supplements, and why sustainable change comes from habits and mindset rather than extremes. Meg’s background in Educational Psychology and Nutrition, Healthspan, and Longevity at USC shapes her evidence‑based approach to helping people build realistic, sustainable health habits grounded in clarity and compassion.

Rethinking Pain and Spine Surgery with Dr. Burak Ozgu | Nourish MD Podcast S03-E02

In this episode, Meg talks with Dr. Burak Ozgur, Medical Director of the Hoag Spine Institute and a nationally recognized neurosurgeon, about what pain really means — and why it doesn’t always signal damage. Dr. Ozgur explains how modern spine care blends conservative therapies, diagnostics, rehabilitation, and minimally invasive surgical options, and why surgery should be a thoughtful tool rather than a default. They discuss building trust in patient care, making confident decisions about spine treatment, and what it looks like when a physician prioritizes transparency, compassion, and patient‑centered planning. Dr. Ozgur is double board‑certified, widely published, and known for his leadership in restorative spine surgery, helping patients move better, hurt less, and return to the lives they love.

Beyond Willpower: The Science Behind Behavior Change | Nourish MD Podcast S03-E01

In this episode, Meg Tancredi, MS, RD talks with psychologist and Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Dr. Kristen Kvamme about what truly drives lasting behavior change. They explore why willpower isn’t the answer, how all‑or‑nothing thinking gets in the way, and why small, consistent actions create the biggest results. You’ll hear about the role of tracking, shifting negative self‑talk, and building identity‑based habits that stick. Dr. Kvamme specializes in helping people create realistic routines around nutrition, movement, and self‑care using evidence‑based psychology and incremental change, with an emphasis on consistency over perfection and habits that fit real life.