In this episode of Second Opinion, Christina Farr and Luba Greenwood discuss men's health with Saad Alam, co-founder and CEO of Hone Health. They cover the rapid cultural shift in attitudes toward men's wellness, Alam's personal journey with hormone imbalances, and the emerging trends in health treatments for men, including testosterone therapy and lifestyle changes.—📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse  —SPONSOR: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.—RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod —LINKS: Hone Health: https://honehealth.com/ Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/saad-alam-a146b311/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: Saad Alam started Hone Health after personally experiencing dismissive medical care when seeking help for his hormone-related health issues at age 35. Modern men have 26% less testosterone and 50% fewer sperm compared to men 30 years ago. Hone's treatment approach starts with lifestyle fundamentals (sleep, hydration, stress, movement) before considering medication. The company performs comprehensive testing of 50 biomarkers and requires double testing before prescribing treatment. Men's health stigma has decreased significantly in the past 4-5 years, partly due to influencers normalizing hormone discussions. Men are increasingly open to wellness treatments like contrast therapy and Botox, with male Botox being the fastest-growing category. The average Hone patient is 39 years old, significantly younger than the national average testosterone user age of 52. Men strongly prefer testosterone treatment over weight loss medications, with 80% rejecting weight loss prescriptions. Urban living is associated with a 30-40% higher likelihood of hormone imbalance due to environmental contaminants. Hone conducts 45-minute consultations to create a safe space for men to discuss their health concerns openly. Treatment monitoring includes regular checks for estrogen-related side effects and red blood cell counts. Environmental factors like plastics, phthalates, and PCBs can significantly disturb hormone production. The top concerns for male patients are energy, muscles, and libido, while women prioritize brain fog, night sweats, and mood. The standard starting dose for testosterone treatment is 50-75mg per week, far lower than the 1000-2000mg used by bodybuilders.

Ash Zenooz and Luba Greenwood interview Dr. Dean Ornish, a cardiologist, researcher, and advocate for lifestyle medicine who notably treated Bill Clinton. They discuss his journey into preventative medicine, the development of the Ornish Diet, and his data showing reversal of chronic diseases and improving overall health and longevity.—📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse  —SPONSOR: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.—LINKS: Ornish Lifestyle Medicine: https://ornish.com/ Michael E. DeBakey, M.D.: https://www.bcm.edu/about-us/our-campus/debakey-museum/legacy-of-excellence Books by Dr. Ornish (mentioned):Love and Survival: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Survival-Scientific-Healing-Intimacy/dp/0060172134 Undo It: https://www.amazon.com/Undo-Lifestyle-Changes-Reverse-Diseases/dp/052547997X The Spectrum: https://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-Scientifically-Proven-Program-Better/dp/0345496310 Eat More, Weigh Less: https://www.amazon.com/Eat-More-Weigh-Less-Abundantly/dp/006109627X  Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-ornish-m-d-1057167/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/preventive-medicine-research-institute/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: Dr. Ornish took a year off medical school to conduct a pilot study, finding that 8 out of 10 patients showed improved blood flow to their hearts through lifestyle changes alone. The landmark Lifestyle Heart Trial proved that arteries could become less clogged through lifestyle changes. The program crystallized into four key elements: whole foods plant-based diet, moderate exercise, stress management through meditation/yoga, and social support groups. It took 16 years of effort to get Medicare to cover the program, demonstrating that changing medical practice required changing reimbursement structures. The program achieved a remarkable 93% completion rate because participants felt better quickly, compared to only one-third of people staying on statins after a few months. Research with Nobel laureate Elizabeth Blackburn showed these lifestyle changes could lengthen telomeres, potentially reversing aging at a cellular level. Recent studies demonstrated the same program could stop or reverse early-stage Alzheimer's progression in 71% of participants within 20 weeks. Data from health insurers showed significant cost savings: 80% of cardiac patients avoided surgery, saving $30,000 per patient in the first year. Studies of over 20,000 participants revealed a nearly 50% reduction in depression scores through the program. President Clinton's adoption of the program helped demonstrate its effectiveness to a broader audience and influenced healthcare policy. The program's core philosophy emphasizes joy and immediate benefits over fear of future consequences, making the changes more sustainable. For disease reversal (versus prevention), patients need 80-100% adherence to the program's principles.

Luba Greenwood and Ash Zenooz interview Jonathan Bush. Jonathan is the CEO of a16z-backed Zus Health, Executive Chairman of Firefly Health and a co-founder of Athena Health. They discuss how the real opportunity lies in using AI to tackle healthcare's mundane "shit work" - like automating administrative tasks and streamlining data entry - rather than pursuing moonshot goals like curing cancer. —📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse  —SPONSOR: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.—RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod —LINKS: Zus Health: https://zushealth.com/ Firefly Health: https://www.firefly.health/ Athena Health: https://www.athenahealth.com/ Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanbushjr/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: Jonathan Bush cuts through the AI hype with characteristic candor. He argues that everyone's getting healthcare AI wrong: The industry is chasing moonshots when the real opportunity lies in automating the mundane administrative work plaguing the system. The problem is painfully basic: patients still write their name and birthday hundreds of times because health data remains trapped in silos. Jonathan sees platforms like Zus, which can consolidate patient records in minutes, as the unglamorous but essential future of healthcare tech. Following the digital health funding frenzy of 2021, Jonathan notes we're now in the "post-beach party" phase – companies are sobering up, focusing on gross margins, and accepting that those sky-high valuations weren't sustainable. Healthcare's obsession with "A students" is stifling innovation. The industry needs both methodical executors and risk-taking "C students" who aren't afraid to push boundaries and hear "no" repeatedly. To founders in the trenches, Jonathan offers sobering advice: get comfortable being "lonely and afraid for a very long time." Healthcare transformation isn't for the faint of heart – but for those willing to tackle unsexy problems, the opportunity remains massive. As healthcare tech enters its next phase, Jonathan’s pragmatic approach to innovation feels particularly timely. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come not from chasing the next shiny object, but from solving the basic problems that have frustrated the industry for decades.

In this episode of Second Opinion, Christina Farr is joined by John Zutter, CEO of Lantern, and Matt Harmon,  a long time benefits executive who's worked at fortune 100 companies to discuss the rising costs of healthcare, focusing on how large employers are addressing the financial impacts of treatments like cell and gene therapies and medications such as GLP-1s while exploring the challenges, strategies, and ethical implications of providing affordable healthcare.—📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse —SPONSOR:  👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.—RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod—LINKS: Lantern: https://lanterncare.comSubscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-zutter-687000a/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattharmon/https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: Healthcare costs for employers are rising dramatically, with some Fortune 100 companies seeing 18% increases in a single year, amounting to hundreds of millions in additional spending. Million-dollar claims, once rare, are now common due to advanced cell and gene therapies (costing up to tens of millions per patient), new expensive medications like GLP-1s, complex surgeries and treatments, and rising rates of cancer and chronic conditions. Smaller employers often can't afford high-cost treatments and may exclude coverage while large employers have more resources to implement specialized programs and networks. About 60% of Americans get healthcare through employers. High employee turnover at some companies (35% annually) makes long-term health investments difficult. GLP-1 Medications Emerging Challenges: High member demand driven by marketing and physician recommendations, long-term ROI unclear due to medication newness, employers implementing prior authorization and step therapy requirements, and alternative access through compounding pharmacies and direct programs.

In this episode of Second Opinion, Christina Farr and Luba Greenwood chat with Mike Desjadon, CEO of Anomaly Health, about the state of American healthcare heading into 2025. Mike breaks down how health insurance companies actually make money and explains why we spend $500 billion just processing medical bills. They discuss the security concerns around J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference after a tumultuous 2024, explore why pharma companies really aren't making money from vaccines, and unpack how Ozempic transformed endocrinology from an overlooked specialty to the most coveted medical fellowship in the country. The conversation wraps with realistic predictions for healthcare in 2025. Thanks to our sponsor, Midi Health.—📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse —SPONSOR:  👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.—RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod—LINKS: Anomaly: https://www.findanomaly.com/Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-desjadon-4a0a21a/https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: 2024 was marked by several major healthcare events including a massive Change Healthcare cybersecurity breach, increased PBM scrutiny, Trump's election, and the tragic shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. While security concerns exist for the upcoming JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, high hotel costs remain the primary deterrent for attendees, with many companies opting for nearby meetings instead of conference attendance. The Change Healthcare hack exposed a critical transparency issue when Americans learned that a single company had access to half of the nation's health data. The U.S. healthcare system spends $4 trillion annually, with $500 billion going to administrative costs in a complex third-party payment system where insurance companies operate on 4-6% margins and health systems on 0-4% margins. While the U.S. healthcare system is more expensive and less efficient than other countries', it offers advantages like shorter wait times and fewer age-based restrictions on procedures. The pharmaceutical industry faces significant challenges in drug development, with high failure rates and complex manufacturing processes for modern drugs, while vaccines typically don't generate major profits. For 2025, industry experts predict an increase in biotech IPOs, expansion of Medicare Advantage, potential separation of PBMs from vertically integrated entities, and greater scrutiny of PBM relationships by employers. The healthcare industry needs better transparency in pricing and in insurance plan coverage. The system incentivizes volume-based care rather than preventive care, which is evident in both payment structures and professional specialization trends. The rise of GLP-1 drugs has transformed endocrinology from one of the least desired medical specialties to the most coveted fellowship program.

Ash Zenooz and Luba Greenwood interview Andrea Ippolito about her extensive career in healthcare spanning academia, government, and the private sector, as well as her current role as founder and CEO of SimpliFed. They discuss the intricacies of government roles, the importance of women's health, and the evolving landscape of maternal health care and entrepreneurship. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/2c96255c-b8e5-4469-855f-dc5c22f6a339—📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse —RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod—SPONSORS: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.—LINKS: SimpliFed: https://www.simplifed.com/Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreakippolito https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(02:04) Andrea's government experience(02:41) Impact of political transitions(03:25) Challenges and opportunities in women's health(10:52) SimpliFed: A journey in women's health(14:12) Scaling SimpliFed(16:43) Fundraising in women's health(20:55) The future of women's health(23:09) Impact of abortion regulations on valuations(23:56) Trends in fertility and IVF(24:22) High-risk conditions in maternal health(25:14) Veterans' healthcare benefits(26:20) Advocating for change through Congress(29:53) Drug pricing and international policies(39:37) Encouraging innovation in women's health(41:11) The Debrief

Luba Greenwood and Ash Zenooz discuss the evolving biotech landscape, the impact of AI on drug discovery, the importance of using real-world evidence in drug development, and personal motivations for continuing efforts in the biotech field. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/f4d42739-65df-42d9-a6b4-6c1327705d7a —📰Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  —RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod—SPONSORS: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.📝 Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/upstreampod 🕵️‍♂️ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code ECON102 at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/econ102—LINKS:Gallup Oncology: https://www.galloponcology.com/PureTech Health: https://www.puretechhealth.com/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/

Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz, and Luba Greenwood are joined by Zeke Emanuel, a prominent oncologist, bioethicist, and influential voice in healthcare to discuss the impact of GLP-1 drugs, healthcare affordability, Trump's appointments, and AI in medicine. The second half of the episode was recorded a week after Trump's election victory. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/dd71470c-2a01-4cfa-a011-5597a86efdf5—🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse.—RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Unpack PricingDive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg—SPONSORS: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.📝Notion offers powerful workflow and automation templates, perfect for streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for AI-driven automation. With Notion AI, you can search across thousands of documents from various platforms, generating highly relevant analysis and content tailored just for you - try it for free at notion.com/upstreampod —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeke-emanuel-6ab78a1b0/https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/

Christina Farr and Ash Zenooz discuss the recent departures of prominent female CEOs from major healthcare companies and explore why progress in female leadership representation has been challenging in the healthcare industry. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/f0e550de-d7d5-49bd-96ea-700dde222ccc —📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  —RECOMMENDED PODCAST:🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg—SPONSORS: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.__LINKS:HLTH: https://www.hlth.com/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/

In this episode of Second Opinion, hosts Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz, and Luba Greenwood interview Rob Perez, founder of Life Science Cares, about his work bridging the biotech industry with poverty alleviation efforts. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai.com/share/f3eb77b0-b71c-40fe-817e-bd3c1b4dc5b4 —RECOMMENDED PODCAST:🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765716600Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38DK3W1Fq1xxQalhDSueFg__SPONSOR: 👩‍⚕️ Hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog? You don't have to accept these as just another part of aging. Midi Health is the virtual care clinic for women navigating midlife hormonal transition, offering FDA-approved medications, supplements and lifestyle coaching - all covered by insurance. Visit joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.__LINKS:Life Science Cares: https://lifesciencecares.org/Project OnRamp: https://lifesciencecares.org/project-onramp/Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-perez-93707916/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/