How Do Weight Loss Medications Work?

How Do Weight Loss Medications Work?

Author: Sony Music Entertainment / Jonathan Van Ness January 8, 2025 Duration: 50:39
GLP-1 medications are everywhere—on your FYPs, on the evening news, and, as JVN shares, in your own weekly routine. But what do these drugs really do? In this no-holds-barred conversation with Dr. Terry Simpson, a surgeon and culinary medicine expert, JVN dives deep into the science, the side effects, and the cultural firestorm surrounding GLP-1s like Ozempic. Are they the future of weight loss and metabolic health—or just another wellness trend? Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about eating disorders, body image, and weight loss medications. Please listen with care. Dr. Terry Simpson, MD is a physician, research scientist, weight loss surgeon, cook, author, dad, and a proponent for healthy eating. "And not in that order.” He received his undergraduate, graduate, and medical degrees from The University of Chicago. When he became a fellow of the American College of Surgeons he was the 22nd Native American to become a surgeon and the first Alaska Native to become one. He was the first surgeon to be certified in the field of Culinary Medicine - which means not only is he up to date with the latest nutrition research but he can cook too! When not in clinic, you’ll find him on social media with more than 1 million followers, battling medical misinformation, inspiring healthy habits. You can find Dr. Terry Simpson on Instagram @drterrysimpsonmd and TikTok @drterrrysimpson Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com. Find books from Getting Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. Our senior producer is Chris McClure.  Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Our theme music is “Freak” by QUIÑ; for more, head to TheQuinCat.com. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You know that feeling when you’re just trying to figure it all out, and you need a guide who’s equal parts insightful and hilarious? That’s the space where Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness lives. Hosted by the beloved Jonathan Van Ness of Queer Eye, this podcast turns genuine curiosity into a powerful engine for personal growth. Each episode feels like a vibrant conversation with a deeply empathetic friend who isn’t afraid to ask the big, awkward, or wonderfully silly questions. Jonathan sits down with a diverse array of experts, authors, and thinkers, weaving together discussions that are as enlightening as they are unexpectedly funny. The result is a unique blend of education, comedy, and culture that tackles everything from societal issues to the intimate details of self-improvement. You’ll find yourself laughing one moment and having a profound revelation the next, all while feeling less alone in the challenges of modern life. This isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about the ongoing, messy, and beautiful process of understanding ourselves and the world. Produced in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment, the podcast delivers consistently engaging audio experiences that are both a lifeline and a joy. Tune in for a weekly dose of warmth, wit, and the kind of conversations that leave you feeling genuinely better equipped to navigate your own path.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness
Podcast Episodes
Are Mushrooms Truly Magic? with Dr. Patty Kaishian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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What do Enlightenment-era paintings, 19th-century American fashion magazines, and Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” have in common? They’re all strong examples of what fatphobia has to do with race, class, and gender discr…
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Duration: 1:04:39
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Does Curiosity Grow On Trees? with Professor Beronda Montgomery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:33
*A note from Jonathan and the Getting Curious team: We are covering the latest SCOTUS developments on Instagram and Twitter @CuriouswithJVN. Head there for insights from past guests, resources, and relevant episodes from…
Who Were History’s “Female Husbands”? with Professor Jen Manion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:55
What was it like to trans gender if you were living in 18th or 19th century England or America? This week, Professor Jen Manion joins Jonathan to explore the world of “female husbands,” people who were raised as girls bu…
How Did You Become A Superstar? with Molly Shannon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:36
Sometimes, when we get real excited about an episode, we stick our hands under our armpits and SNIFF ’EM! And this week, we’re real excited, because we have none other than THE superstar Molly Shannon on the show. Listen…
What’s A Day In The Life Of A Coral Reef? with Dr. Juli Berwald [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:19
Coral are teeny tiny animals just two layers thick, and yet they create the biggest structures made by any biological creatures on the planet—like, the size of Italy big. Literally HOW! This week, Dr. Juli Berwald and Jo…