Weight loss drugs are reshaping everything from retail to relationships - here's how
In this episode of Follow the Rabbit, Igor and Johannes are joined by Susan Cox-Smith to explore the far-reaching implications of GLP-1 medications beyond their medical applications. The conversation examines how these drugs are reshaping everything from retail and relationships to identity and social dynamics.
The discussion begins with concrete market impacts: McDonald's potentially redesigning products, major retailers adapting clothing lines, and airlines recalculating fuel consumption based on predicted population weight loss. But the conversation quickly moves to deeper cultural implications, including:
- How GLP-1 drugs are creating new social divides between those who can and cannot access them
- The complex relationship between weight, class, and identity in a world where size increasingly becomes a choice
- Unexpected psychological benefits reported by users, including improved outlook on life and increased confidence
- The potential future of these medications, from black markets to psychiatric applications
- How these drugs might reshape our relationship with food, fitness, and self-image
With insights from Havas's consumer research and emerging market signals, the episode reveals how GLP-1 medications are becoming more than just weight loss drugs – they're catalysts for fundamental social change. The discussion highlights both the promise and perils of this transformation, raising important questions about healthcare access, beauty standards, and the future of wellness.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction & Market Disruptions
07:22 Identity Shifts & Cultural Impact
16:09 Access & Social Implications
27:40 Future Scenarios & Challenges
38:50 Psychological Effects & Society
49:18 Concluding Thoughts on Health as Luxury
Susan Cox-Smith is partner at Changeist
Susan on LinkedIn
Susan on BlueSky
---
Follow the Rabbit on Spotify
Follow the Rabbit on Apple Podcasts
Follow the Rabbit on Youtube
Follow the Rabbit is a Known Unknowns production
Known Unknowns on YouTube
Known Unknowns on Instagram
Follow the Rabbit is hosted by Igor Schwarzmann & Johannes Kleske
Find out more about Igor Schwarzmann
Find out moire about Johannes Kleske
