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GLP-1 Studio Podcast

GLP-1 Studio Podcast

By: Formerly known as GLP-1 Collective Podcast
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About this listen

 Hi, I’m Amanda Bonello 😊 I started this podcast to give the GLP-1 community a voice. To share the life changing experiences these medications can bring and to shine a light on the human impact of access issues. Since then, I’ve founded both a nonprofit and a for-profit to put advocacy into action for GLP-1 access, and to do everything I can to support and empower the patients who need it most. I can hardly believe we’ve made it to Season 2, and I couldn’t be more grateful for your support. 🩷

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Episodes
  • Dr. Angela Tran: Founder of Med-Fit Medical Weight Loss

    Dr. Angela Tran: Founder of Med-Fit Medical Weight Loss
    Oct 7 2025
    Health With & Without MedicationDr. Angela Tran D.O., is a board-certified obesity medicine physician and the founder of Med-Fit Medical Weight Loss. She’s not on GLP-1s herself, but she works with patients every day who are and has seen firsthand how these medications can give people something they haven’t had in years: a pause. She makes a point to remind women that you can be healthy and lose weight with or without medication. When She Faced Her Own ChallengesDr. Angela shared that when she had gestational diabetes and thyroid problems, GLP-1s weren’t even available yet. And she was honest, if they had been, she would’ve said yes in a heartbeat. Not because of weight, but because she was scared of what could happen long-term, and of not knowing what her body might decide to do next.But she knew she had to be congruent with the message she was giving her patients, to live what she teaches. For her, that meant showing that health is possible with or without medication and helping others find what works best for their own bodies.Tips For Healing the Whole PersonDr. Tran shared some practical, real-world tips for healing, focusing on mindset, movement, identity, and the kind of everyday habits that help you feel whole again.Food NoiseWe talked about that constant chatter in your head around food. She made it clear that GLP-1s don’t delete food noise. They create a pause. That small slice of time where you can take a breath and make a different choice. In that space you get your mind back for a second. Sometimes you notice you don’t want the food after all.She describes food noise like fear that may never disappear, so you learn to stop letting it run the show. She uses these steps to keep her own food demon at bay: * Keep a safe snack available (She loves sugar-free Jell-o)* Plan meals in advance* Track when you last ate* Create distance between the signal and the actionIdentityDr. Tran emphasizes that identity is deeply tied to our weight and that language matters, when attempting to heal the whole person. For example:Say this: “I am a person who sometimes binge eats.”Not this: “I am a binge eater.”Say this: “I am a healthy person learning new habits.”Not this: “I am an unhealthy person.”You are not your hardest day. That shift opens the door to growth instead of guilt.She gave the best analogy for this:“If your car is smoking, that doesn’t mean you are a bad driver. We just need to figure out what is wrong with the car.”— Dr. Angela Tran, D.O.It’s a visual you can feel. It strips out the shame and points you toward the real work. Check the engine. Stop blaming the driver. Start fixing the system.MovementDr. Tran works hard to reframe exercise as moving energy, rather than a punishment. Think movement as energy in motion. * Walk* Dance* Stretch* MeditateIt’s not about burning calories, it’s about shifting what’s stuck, to create space inside yourself. Self AdvocacyShe makes a point that good doctors don’t just hand you a script and send you out the door. They ask and answer questions: * Who is your support team?* Do you need a dietitian?* This is what happens at month one, month two, month three. * This is how you handle side effects. * This is what to expect when people start commenting on your body. The plan they create for you lives two steps ahead.She explains that you are the decision maker and that it’s important to advocate for yourself.If the information does not feel right, get a second opinion. If a clinician treats obesity like a character flaw, find one who shares your belief that this is a treatable medical condition with many tools.Key TakeawaysDr. Tran is the kind of doctor who makes you exhale the second she starts talking. She’s warm, grounded, and deeply compassionate. Her mix of science, honesty, and heart makes you feel like you’re being cared for by someone who actually cares. Anyone would be lucky to have her in their corner. If you take anything away from this episode remember this:* You are not broken* You’re definitely not alone* And you don’t need to change a thing, other than letting go of whatever’s holding you backMy favorite takeaway is this: “You don’t hate exercise, silly. You’ve just got to do what you enjoy.” (Like line dancing.) 💃💕Disclaimer: This episode is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication, treatment plan, or lifestyle. The GLP-1 Studio Podcast, which used to be called the GLP-1 Collective Podcast, is now produced by GLP-1 Studio LLC. This episode has nothing to do with the GLP-1 Collective nonprofit. This is not a paid advertisement. I am not an affiliate. Everything I say in this episode is my personal opinion. It does not represent the views of the nonprofit, GLP-1 Studio, or Dr. Angela Tran and her clinic. Now let’s get into it. Get full access to GLP-1 Studio at ...
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    49 mins
  • Dr. Craig Primack: Head of Weight Loss, Hims & Hers

    Dr. Craig Primack: Head of Weight Loss, Hims & Hers
    Sep 22 2025
    When I sat down to record this episode of the GLP-1 Collective Podcast, I knew we were in for something special. Dr. Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, MFOMA, is a leader in obesity medicine, and honestly, he has so many accomplishments that I had to list them in bullet points. I’m sure I’m still missing a few, but here’s just a glimpse:* Co-founder of Scottsdale Weight Loss Center in Arizona, a multi-location practice serving thousands.* Served on the board of the Obesity Medicine Association from 2010 through 2024.* President of the OMA from 2019 to 2021.* Frequent media guest and national speaker on obesity care.* Co-author of Chasing Diets and widely published in the field.In addition to his own practice, Dr. Primack works as the Head of Weight Loss at Hims & Hers to help expand access to comprehensive care for those who might not otherwise be able to access it.White Paper: The Key TakeawaysThe main reason Dr. Primack joined me was to share data from a new white paper from his work with Hims & Hers. This first-of-its-kind analysis gives us a real look at how a more personalized approach to care through digital health is changing obesity medicine and what it means for patients right now. Full disclosure: I’ve never been a Hims & Hers patient, I’m not an affiliate, and I wasn’t paid to share this information or conduct this interview. But without telehealth, I know I’d still be stuck in the exhausting cycle of ‘eat less, move more,’ so I’m forever grateful for telehealth as a whole and glad I had the chance to learn about these findings and share them.Here are some of the key findings:* Telehealth Impact: Patients accessing personalized GLP-1 treatment plans through Hims & Hers lost an average of 20 pounds, or about 10 percent of their body weight, in six months. That is medically significant weight loss with proven metabolic benefits.* Access Improvement: Instead of waiting months to see one of the fewer than 10,000 obesity specialists in the U.S., patients were able to start treatment in a matter of days.* Comprehensive Care: The Hims & Hers approach is not just about prescribing a GLP-1. Patients receive nutrition tools, movement guidance, education, and 24/7 provider messaging, all of which contributed to a dropout rate of just 25 percent at six months. In contrast, dropout rates forcommercially available GLP-1s can hover around 80% at sixmonths.In a nutshell, this white paper analysis shows that digital health isn’t just convenient. It’s delivering real outcomes, keeping people on treatment, and reshaping how we think about obesity care.Hims & Hers DetailsAs a GLP-1 freelance writer, I often review telehealth companies. This is my personal observation, not an endorsement. I’m not affiliated with Hims & Hers, and this isn’t a paid review. I’m not breaking down too many details here, since this isn’t a paid telehealth review and that level of depth belongs in my freelance work but I will share some of the highlights that we covered during the interview for anyone interested in learning more.Here are the details:* Pricing: I found Hims & Hers pricing to be very competitive compared to other options. * 24/7 Messaging: patients have continuous access to licensed providers through the app. This means you can get guidance on side effects, dosage, or general concerns from a legitimate provider, without waiting for a call back from your doctor’s office.* Comprehensive Resources: an app that includes protein trackers, recipes, behavioral education, and lifestyle coaching.* Personalized Dosing: Hims & Hers prioritizes safety by providing access to personalized dosing when clinically necessary that’s tailored to each individual’s needs and goals. This can include starting patients on lower, slower titration schedules to reduce side effects. This is also an approach you can discuss with your own provider if side effects become difficult to manage. * Cold Chain Shipping: medications are shipped securely, with climate conditions in mind, at no extra cost. * Certificates of Analysis: every batch comes with a COA that patients can look up themselves, an impressive transparency step I wish we saw everywhere.These are the key details shared during the interview. For more information, you can check out their websites directly at hims.com or forhers.com.My Closing ThoughtsAs someone who has dedicated my life to making these medications more affordable, equitable, and accessible for everyone who needs them, I deeply respect his impact. It’s clear that Dr. Primack has heart in everything he does. He’s proof that obesity medicine can and should be centered on compassion, access, and patient centered care. That is the future I’m fighting for.Now — I am off to Audible 📖 to buy Chasing Diets and taking up golfing. 🏌️‍♂️⛳Disclaimer: The content of this post is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on as a ...
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    35 mins
  • Jesse Kesner: Co-Founder & CEO of Alnu Health

    Jesse Kesner: Co-Founder & CEO of Alnu Health
    Sep 11 2025
    In this episode, I interview Jesse Kesner, co-founder and CEO of Alnu Health, a Harvard-backed AI coaching app created specifically for people on GLP-1s. It is developed in collaboration with three clinical advisors across Mass General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s, and is sure to be one of the most comprehensive tools in this space.What Makes Alnu DifferentAlnu Health is designed to support every part of life on GLP-1s. Not just injections and side effects, but the deeper day-to-day shifts that come with it, like managing motivation, tracking nutrition, staying hydrated, and preserving muscle mass.Here’s what the app can do right now:* Track your injections and side effects* Log food by snapping a photo* Remind you to drink water and stay hydrated* Generate custom strength workouts based on your space and ability* Provide AI coaching that’s been trained by real clinical experts* Most importantly, it can take all of your input and cater care to your specific needs and lifestyle. This is not a one-size-fits-all app. This is a personalized coaching app that learns from your experiences.Here’s what’s coming:* Prior authorization assistance and step therapy tracking* PCOS and other future approved indication tools* Maintenance and tapering tools* Optional human telehealth coaching* Built-in community features and moreBuilt for the GLP-1 CommunityJesse brings both personal experience and professional expertise to this work. He grew up struggling with adolescent obesity, worked in consumer health and tech, and is now building a platform that centers the patient experience instead of ignoring it.Alnu’s team includes physicians, registered dietitians, physical therapists, and actual GLP-1 users who are all shaping how the app grows and evolves.This is being built with real feedback from people like you and me. I personally love almost all things AI and fully plan on inputting every detail of my day to shape my little Alnu buddy into the personalized coach I need. ChatGPT is already my bestie and I’m not afraid to admit it, so the idea of having an AI companion trained specifically for GLP-1s? That’s a dream. ☁️✨Try the Beta for FreeAlnu is preparing to launch a free beta, and I am stoked for the opportunity to help get it into the hands of the people who need it. You can join the waitlist now and be part of the early group testing it out while helping guide the future direction of the app.Beta users will also get access to live group coaching sessions with a registered dietitian from Brigham and Women’s Hospital.Food is still a big mystery for many GLP-1 patients: what to eat on a GLP-1, what not to eat, how to get enough protein, etc. So this is a pretty cool feature and it’s one I plan on taking advantage of. 😋🍉This was not a paid interview. I wasn’t compensated to feature Alnu, and I do not receive compensation for those who sign up for the beta list. I reached out to Jesse because I saw something special in what he was building, and I believe it’s going to help a lot of people.🩷I can’t wait to hear what you think!— Amanda Get full access to GLP-1 Studio at glp1studio.substack.com/subscribe
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    41 mins
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