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Ever wondered why some diets work while others fail? Why nutrition advice seems to constantly contradict itself? Or why those GLP-1 medications everyone's talking about are causing such a stir in the wellness world?

In this enlightening conversation with Mayo Clinic nutrition expert Tara Schmidt, we dive deep into the complex realities of weight management, exploring everything from persistent nutrition myths to revolutionary medication approaches. Tara brings refreshing clarity to topics often clouded by misinformation, sharing insights that challenge conventional thinking while remaining grounded in evidence.

The discussion tackles head-on the uncomfortable truth about weight stigma in healthcare settings, where patients often face their most damaging experiences of bias. We explore the concept of "food noise"—that constant mental chatter about food that many experience—and how newer medications are helping some people quiet those thoughts for the first time. Throughout, Tara emphasizes the importance of individualized approaches, noting that adherence to any dietary pattern matters far more than which specific diet you choose.

Perhaps most valuably, Tara offers practical guidance rooted in simplicity rather than sensation. She suggests focusing on what you can add to your diet rather than what to eliminate, considering how your environment shapes your choices, and recognizing the power of small, consistent changes over time. Her approach reminds us that sustainable wellness isn't about perfection but about finding patterns that work within your unique life circumstances.

Whether you're curious about intermittent fasting, wondering about hydration guidelines, or simply trying to navigate contradictory nutrition headlines, this episode provides thoughtful perspective from someone who's dedicated her career to helping people build healthier relationships with food. Subscribe now and join our growing community of listeners seeking evidence-based approaches to wellness that acknowledge both science and lived experience.

Tara Schmidt/Mayo Clinic Resources:

• Tara Schmidt - LinkedIn
• Mayo Clinic Diet’s homepage - Weight Loss Program – The Mayo Clinic Diet
• Tara Schmidt, Host - Mayo Clinic on Nutrition Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts

A few of Tara's most listened-to episodes:

• Obesity is Not a Moral Failing

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Contact Wellness Musketeers:

Email Dave at davidmliss@gmail.com with comments, questions, and suggestions for future guests.

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In an instant, trauma changes everything.

In this episode of Wellness Musketeers, co-hosts "Aussie" Mike James and interviewer David Liss is joined by two leading experts: trauma surgeon Dr. Babak Sarani and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Marc Chodos of George Washington University Hospital. Together, they take you inside the trauma care system — from emergency scenes to operating rooms — and reveal why trauma is often a preventable public health crisis, not just a random accident.

🩺 What you’ll learn:

• What happens during the critical "golden hour" after serious injury
• Why most trauma is preventable — and how simple steps save lives
• How battlefield medicine revolutionized modern trauma care
• What patients, caregivers, and families should know before an emergency ever happens

This episode is packed with real-world insights for anyone who drives, parents, cares for aging loved ones — or simply wants to understand how trauma medicine works when seconds matter most.

🎧 Listen to more episodes of Wellness Musketeers:⁠https://wellnessmusketeers.buzzsprout.com/⁠

Dr. Marc Chodos Orthopedic Surgeon, GW Medical Faculty Associates⁠https://gwdocs.com/find-a-doctor/marc-j-chodos-md⁠

Dr. Babak Sarani Director, Center for Trauma and Critical Care, GW Hospital⁠https://gwdocs.com/find-a-doctor/babak-sarani-md⁠

If you would like to connect with the staff at The George Washington University Hospital for care, information, or appointments, you can:

🌐 Visit: ⁠https://www.gwhospital.com⁠ 📞 Call Physician Referral: 1-888-4GW-DOCS (1-888-449-3627) 📍 The George Washington University Hospital 900 23rd Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 Main Hospital Line: 202-715-4000

#trauma #traumacare #emergencymedicine #goldenhour #injuryprevention #publichealth #healthpodcast #wellnesspodcast #firstresponders #orthopedics #traumasurgery #firearminjuries #traumasystem #patienteducation #wellnessmusketeers #medicalpodcast #healthcarepodcast

Support the show

Contact Wellness Musketeers:

Email Dave at davidmliss@gmail.com with comments, questions, and suggestions for future guests.

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• Bluesky
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Support our Sponsor:

• Elite Sports: https://www.elitesports.com

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• Contact our co-host "Aussie" Mike James and sign up for our newsletter: Wellness Musketeers Newsletter

Send us a text

The alcoholic beverage in your glass has shaped cultures, sparked celebrations, ruined lives, and sparked fierce debate for millennia. In this illuminating conversation, our panel of experts cuts through the noise to deliver evidence-based insights about alcohol's true impact on our bodies and society.

Medical expert Dr. Richard Kennedy lays out the science with crystal clarity: "Probably the most important point is that alcohol in moderation is okay." He defines moderation precisely—one daily drink for women, two for men—while explaining the fascinating biological reasons behind these gender differences. The doctor doesn't shy away from alcohol's darker side either, linking excessive consumption to increased cancer risks while debunking common myths about alleged health benefits.

Our economist Kettle Hviding quantifies what many fail to consider: alcohol abuse costs societies approximately 2.5% of GDP—billions upon billions in healthcare burden, lost productivity, and human suffering. Yet banning it outright, as Prohibition demonstrated, creates its own problems. The panel explores how different cultures develop healthier relationships with alcohol, contrasting France's integration of wine with meals against the weekend binge-drinking patterns common in Nordic countries and America.

For fitness enthusiasts, fitness expert, "Aussie" Mike James delivers hard truths about alcohol's impact on physique goals and athletic performance. Beyond the obvious caloric content, he explains how alcohol compromises recovery and fine motor skills, noting elite athletes increasingly abstain entirely during competitive seasons.

Perhaps most compelling are the psychological insights—how alcohol reduces inhibitions through an initial euphoric state, explaining both its appeal as a social lubricant and its role in disastrous decision-making. Dr. Kennedy's emergency room stories, including a 350-pound intoxicated man who jumped from a three-story building on a $10 bet, vividly illustrate the point.

Whether you're reassessing your relationship with alcohol or simply curious about its true effects, this episode provides the balanced, evidence-based perspective you need to make informed choices. Subscribe now and join the conversation about one of humanity's most complex relationships.

Support the show

Contact Wellness Musketeers:

Email Dave at davidmliss@gmail.com with comments, questions, and suggestions for future guests.

Follow us on our social media:

• Bluesky
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• YouTube

Support our Sponsor:

• Elite Sports: https://www.elitesports.com

Subscribe to our newsletter:

• Contact our co-host "Aussie" Mike James and sign up for our newsletter: Wellness Musketeers Newsletter