Lifers with Christina Farr

This week on Second Opinion, we're sharing an episode from Peter Lee's Microsoft Research Podcast with guests Dave deBronkart and Christina Farr. They examine how AI has transformed healthcare since GPT-4's launch two years ago, with Dave and Chrissy sharing insights on patient empowerment through AI tools and the evolving digital health business models in specialized care areas. This episode was originally published in the Microsoft Research Podcast: ⁠https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/podcast/the-ai-revolution-in-medicine-revisited-empowering-patients-and-healthcare-consumers-in-the-age-of-generative-ai/?OCID=AIRevolutionPod_SecondOpinion⁠   —📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  — SPONSOR:🏋🏻‍♀️Strengthen your cells from the inside-out with Fatty15, a pure C15 supplement proven to boost energy, improve sleep, and support metabolic, heart, and liver health – without the downsides of fish oil. Ready to restore your long-term health? Get 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit at https://fatty15.com/secondopinion  using code SECONDOPINION at checkout. —LINKS:e-Patient Dave: https://www.epatientdave.com/  Patients Use AI: https://patientsuseai.substack.com/  Meet e-Patient Dave (TED Talk): https://www.ted.com/talks/dave_debronkart_meet_e_patient_dave  “Let Patients Help”: A Patient Engagement Handbook: https://www.epatientdave.com/let-patients-help/ There's about to be a lot of Al capital incineration: https://secondopinion.media/p/there-s-about-to-be-a-lot-of-ai-capital-incineration  A letter to my kids about last week: https://secondopinion.media/p/a-letter-to-my-kids-about-last-week  The AI Revolution in Medicine: GPT-4 and Beyond: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/publication/the-ai-revolution-in-medicine-gpt-4-and-beyond/   Christina Farr's Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterlee4  https://www.linkedin.com/in/epatientdave/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/    —HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:Dave de Bronkart's Segment:• Diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer in 2007 with 24-week survival expectation.• Online patient community proved crucial to his survival.• Community had treatment knowledge not available in medical literature.• Always verified community information with clinicians before acting.• Sees AI as tool for patients to explore health questions without using doctor's time.• Believes AI won't replace doctors but will help patients solve more issues independently.• Advocates for patient access to their complete medical data. Chrissy Farr's Segment:• AI startups struggle because healthcare systems can't effectively integrate their tools.• Prefers businesses using AI within care delivery over standalone AI tools.• Healthcare tech works best during "high engagement" moments like pregnancy or cancer diagnosis.• Health systems struggle to justify new technology investments.• Women's health is fertile for digital innovation due to multiple engagement points.• Text messaging services offer better experiences than apps.• Many consumers shifting to cash-pay subscription models.• Short employee tenure challenges employer healthcare investments.• Elder care technologies present significant opportunities.• Healthcare change can come from both outside advocates and inside employees.

This week on Second Opinion, Christina Farr and Ash Zenooz interview Seraphina Therapeutics CEO Steph Venn-Watson, unpacking why men dominate the longevity space, the cellular secrets of aging, and C15:0’s potential to boost health. —📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  —SPONSOR:🏋🏻‍♀️ Strengthen your cells from the inside-out with Fatty15, a pure C15:0 supplement proven to boost energy, improve sleep, and support metabolic, heart, and liver health – without the downsides of fish oil. Ready to restore your long-term health? Get 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit at https://fatty15.com/secondopinion using code SECONDOPINION at checkout. 🏥 Thatch makes it easy to give your team great healthcare. Save ~$1620 per employee yearly while giving them customizable plans. Visit https://thatch.ai/HR  for a demo and receive a $100 gift card. —LINKS:  The Longevity Nutrient: https://www.amazon.com/Longevity-Nutrient-Unexpected-Holds-Healthy/dp/1668063549 Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/  —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanievennwatson/https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/  —HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz and Seraphina Therapeutics CEO Stephanie Venn-Watson explore women's perspectives on longevity versus the male-dominated "influencer" space in this field. Stephanie explains that traditional "longevity" focused on living forever doesn't resonate with most women, who instead want quality years. Stephanie reveals concerning data that people born after 1990 are showing aging-related diseases at younger ages than previous generations. While studying Navy dolphins, Stephanie's team discovered that a molecule called C15:0 (pentadecanoic acid) was linked to healthier aging. C15:0 is a saturated fat primarily found in dairy fat, which has been significantly reduced in American diets since 1977 dietary guidelines. The 1977 congressional guidelines recommended decreasing saturated fat intake, leading to widespread adoption of low-fat dairy. This dietary shift doubled down in the 1990s when pediatricians began recommending switching children from whole milk to low-fat milk at age two. People born since the 1990s have grown up in what Stephanie calls a "C15:0 deficient world." The good news is that C15:0 supplementation can help reverse some of these conditions according to clinical trials. C15:0 levels can also be increased through diet (especially grass-fed dairy), exercise, and consuming fiber.

In this episode of Second Opinion, hosts Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz, and Luba Greenwood discuss the latest trends in healthcare, including conferences, the economic impact on health tech and biotech sectors, the potential for AI to reduce administrative burdens, and the dynamics of the IPO market.—📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess  —SPONSORS:🏋🏻‍♀️ Strengthen your cells from the inside-out with Fatty15, a pure C15 supplement proven to boost energy, improve sleep, and support metabolic, heart, and liver health – without the downsides of fish oil. Ready to restore your long-term health? Get 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit at http://fatty15.com/secondopinion using code SECONDOPINION at checkout. 👩‍⚕️ 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 https://joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.—LINKS: Health Evolution Summit (HES): https://www.healthevolution.com/summit/ Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Delivery Systems: Early Applications and Impacts (PHTI research): https://phti.org/ai-adoption-early-applications-impacts/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: The economy is currently experiencing significant turbulence, with biotech stocks particularly affected by recent market conditions. Tariffs are causing severe economic uncertainty, especially impacting pharmaceuticals since India and China make up more than half of the US generic drug supply. The pharmaceutical industry relies heavily on global sourcing, making it particularly vulnerable to tariff impacts that will likely increase costs for consumers. The hosts expressed frustration that healthcare organizations weren't better prepared for tariffs given that they were a central policy point for the Trump administration. A recent report on AI scribing technologies in healthcare revealed mixed results regarding cost savings, with many health systems seeing no actual cost reduction despite improvements in physician satisfaction. Luba argued that hospitals' resistance to reducing administrative bloat is a key reason why AI hasn't led to cost savings in US healthcare. Countries like Singapore and Korea have successfully implemented AI in hospitals to reduce administrative staff while maintaining focus on clinical care. CMS recently announced a significant five percent payment increase for Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, injecting approximately $25 billion into insurers. The hosts expressed concern about potential reduced federal spending on Medicaid under the current administration. Hinge Health, poised to be the first major digital health IPO in years, is now reportedly reconsidering due to economic uncertainty. The success or failure of Hinge Health's IPO could have significant implications for funding across the entire digital health sector. Peter Marks, the FDA's vaccine chief, recently left, sending shockwaves through the biotech industry. China is gaining dominance in biotech development largely due to lower regulatory hurdles that allow much faster clinical trial progression compared to the US. Ash emphasized the need for better FDA-CMS coordination, noting that it typically takes 17 years from innovation to patient access partly because CMS coding delays follow FDA approvals.

Dr. Jeff Wessler, cardiologist and CEO of Heartbeat Health, dives into the pivotal role of preventative measures in cardiovascular wellness. He discusses the myth that heart attacks are random, shedding light on advancements in diagnostic technology. The conversation explores the challenges and complexities of behavior change post-heart events and the skepticism surrounding digital health solutions. Wessler also highlights the groundbreaking C15 fatty acid, its health benefits, and the impact of AI in discerning health information, especially for longevity-driven health strategies.

This week on Second Opinion, Christina Farr interviews Liana Douillet Guzmán, CEO of FOLX, about the healthcare challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. They discuss systemic discrimination, the growing demand for inclusive care, and the importance of patient-centered, community-based healthcare solutions tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals.—📰 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  —SPONSORS:🏥 Thatch makes it easy to give your team great healthcare. Save ~$1620 per employee yearly while giving them customizable plans. Visit https://thatch.ai/HR for a demo and receive a $100 gift card.🏋🏻‍♀️ Strengthen your cells from the inside-out with Fatty15, a pure C15 supplement proven to boost energy, improve sleep, and support metabolic, heart, and liver health – without the downsides of fish oil. Ready to restore your long-term health? Get 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit at https://fatty15.com/secondopinion using code SECONDOPINION at checkout. 👩‍⚕️ 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 https://joinmidi.com to book your virtual visit today.—LINKS: FOLX Health: https://www.folxhealth.com/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lianaguzman https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: FOLX is a virtual clinic providing healthcare specifically for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The current healthcare system was not built for LGBTQIA+ individuals and is often openly discriminatory. 40% of LGBTQIA+ community avoids seeking medical care due to fear of discrimination. 10% of US adult population identifies as queer, while 25%+ of Gen Z identifies as queer. LGBTQIA+ community has higher rates of mental health challenges due to societal stress. Most clinicians graduate with only five hours of LGBTQIA+ training. FOLX started as a direct-to-consumer service for gender-affirming care and expanded to serve the broader LGBTQIA+ community. The company added insurance acceptance and employer partnerships to increase accessibility. The current political climate has created increased demand for FOLX's services. Patient-centered care should value the patient's expertise about their own experience. Liana believes "you can do good and do well at the same time." FOLX positions itself as a smart business decision rather than just a DEI initiative.

Dr. Asima Ahmad, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Carrot, shares her insights as a fertility specialist and entrepreneur. The discussion highlights the urgent need for early fertility education and how technology is revolutionizing access to care. They tackle the rising trend of 'revenge egg freezing' in response to recent job layoffs, examining its implications for equity in fertility treatment. Ahmad emphasizes the importance of mentorship and addresses the shortage of specialists in reproductive health, advocating for accessible solutions.

This week on Second Opinion, we're featuring Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz, and Luba Greenwood's conversation with Sami Inkinen, CEO of Virta Health. They discuss the company's mission to reverse type 2 diabetes and obesity through personalized nutrition and intensive telemedicine.—📰 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 https://www.joinmidi.com/ to book your virtual visit today.—LINKS: Virta Health: https://www.virtahealth.com/ PHTI: https://phti.org/ Caroline Pearson on Second Opinion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbo3T654g6c —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/samiinkinen/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: Sami Inkinen is an "accidental healthcare entrepreneur" who founded Virta Health after discovering he was pre-diabetic despite being a world championship triathlete. Sami's key insight was that "you cannot outrun a bad diet" – excessive processed carbohydrates lead to insulin resistance regardless of exercise level. Virta Health's mission is to reverse type 2 diabetes and obesity in 1 billion people through nutrition, lifestyle changes, and telemedicine support. Virta spent five years running clinical trials that demonstrated they could reverse type 2 diabetes and deliver sustained weight loss (13% at one and two years). They highly individualize treatment plans based on each person's circumstances, whether they're eating from a casino, a 7-Eleven, or McDonald's. Unlike traditional quarterly doctor visits, Virta provides 2-3 interactions daily, monitoring biomarkers and adjusting in near real-time. Their approach doesn't rely on willpower – patients eat to satiety, which is key to long-term success. Patients typically get free access to Virta, with employers or health plans paying because Virta saves them about $600/month per patient. The Peterson Health Technology Institute found Virta was the only digital diabetes program that actually worked. Sami believes the ideal obesity treatment combines nutrition (as first-line defense) with GLP-1 drugs when necessary, not an either/or approach. Virta employs full-time doctors and coaches who form long-term relationships with patients, empowered by software and AI. The company is focusing on scaling their current services, becoming profitable in 2025, and potentially becoming a public company.

This week on Second Opinion, Christina Farr sits down with healthcare investing legend Zen Chu, who shares his framework for backing resilient entrepreneurs and insights from early investments in companies like Abridge and PillPack.—📰 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 https://www.joinmidi.com/ to book your virtual visit today.—LINKS: Zen Chu (MIT): https://mitsloan.mit.edu/faculty/directory/zen-chu MIT Hacking Medicine: https://hackingmedicine.mit.edu/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hackmed/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: According to Zen, technology is essential to scale medicine and achieve the quadruple aim: better quality, lower cost, better access, and reduced burnout. When investing, Zen looks for entrepreneurs who have weathered crises and shown adaptability and resilience. He prefers "missionaries over mercenaries" - founders whose personal identity connects with their business mission. Zen believes in "founder-market fit" where entrepreneurs deeply understand the problems they're solving. Determined founders refuse to give up during challenging periods and find ways to pivot successfully. Zen highlights examples of his successful investments, including Abridge and PillPack. Zen recommends securing a personal "FU fund" that provides the financial security to take entrepreneurial risks. Investing in friends can be effective but may alter the dynamics of personal relationships. Zen advises investors to only put money in startups they're willing to lose entirely. Health systems make challenging customers because they often "pilot things to death." Most physicians aren't suited to be startup CEOs as they're typically trained for individual decision-making rather than collaborative leadership. The best physician entrepreneurs often come from resource-constrained healthcare settings. "Algorithmic care" enables automated, guideline-based treatment for patients who know what they need. The healthcare system frequently underestimates patients' understanding of their own health needs. In his rapid assessment, Zen considers AI in medicine appropriately hyped with incredible potential. He sees point solution care delivery businesses as likely overhyped with many failures ahead. Consumerization of healthcare is "about right" though possibly receiving too much funding. Medical devices are "under invested" with insufficient venture capital expertise in the sector. Many healthcare technology tools struggle as standalone products, pushing startups to vertically integrate and deliver care directly.

The week on Second Opinion, Christina Farr and Luba Greenwood sit down with Georgina McMillan to discuss the impact of celebrities and influencers on the healthcare and longevity sectors, exploring how their endorsements and social media presence can both promote health awareness and lead to misinformation, and the need for authentic and scientifically-backed partnerships.—📰 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 https://www.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: Headline: https://headline.com/ Apple Cider Vinegar (Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/title/81637595 Subscribe to Second Opinion Newsletter: https://secondopinion.media/ —FOLLOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgie-mcmillan/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafarr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashzenooz/—HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE: There's a distinction between celebrity doctors starting their own businesses and traditional celebrities getting involved in health companies. Social media has become crucial for healthcare distribution, allowing doctors to grow their practices by building online authority. Celebrity partnerships may solve rising customer acquisition costs by offering startups access to built-in audiences. Trust and authenticity are essential for effective celebrity involvement in healthcare. The longevity trend raises concerns, particularly when physicians promote products without clinical evidence. Social media rewards extreme content, which can lead to health misinformation. Vanity and aesthetics can positively motivate health behaviors. There's a trend shifting from artificial fillers toward natural-looking solutions based on real science. The beauty industry draws healthcare resources away from traditional care into more lucrative aesthetic practices. Celebrity motivations range from authentic interest to financial incentives. Olivia Munn's breast cancer diagnosis post demonstrates the powerful positive impact celebrities can have on public health education. Celebrity attention to rare diseases can be crucial for driving research and finding cures. Celebrities and influencers can be powerful patient advocates when connected to scientifically-backed products and services.

Saad Alam, the Co-founder and CEO of Hone Health, shares his inspiring journey from experiencing low testosterone to launching a platform for men's hormone optimization. He discusses the growing cultural shifts in men's wellness, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes before medication. Alam also addresses the younger generation's increasing interest in hormone care, the challenges men face in discussing health issues, and recent trends in nutrition and weight-loss medications. His insights illuminate the evolving conversation around men's health and well-being.