Episodes

Everything you think you know about weight loss might be wrong, and that's actually great news. From "my metabolism is broken" to "I just need more willpower," the weight loss world is full of statements that sound completely reasonable, get repeated constantly, and quietly keep people stuck. The problem isn't that people aren't trying hard enough. It's that they're working from a playbook full of myths, half-truths, and oversimplifications. Join Holly and Jim as they turn the podcast into a g...

You already know that what you eat matters. But what about how you season it? Most of us reach for the salt shaker without a second thought, but hiding in your spice rack right now could be some of the most powerful, most overlooked tools in nutrition science. Join Holly and Jim as they sit down with two leading researchers from Penn State University, Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, one of the most decorated nutrition scientists in the field of diet and cardiovascular health, and Dr. Kristina Petersen...

The questions people asked about GLP-1 medications a year ago: Do they work? Are they safe? has been answered. However, a new wave of questions is now emerging, and they're more complex, personal, and in some cases, more surprising than anyone had expected. Something has shifted in the conversation, and Holly and Jim are paying close attention. When the questions change, that's where the real tension lives. People on these medications are reporting feeling emotionally flat. Others are quietly w...

Most people spend years chasing the “right” weight loss plan, the one diet, the one program, the one secret that finally makes everything fall into place. But what if the reason nothing has stuck isn’t a lack of willpower or effort? What if it’s because you’ve been following someone else’s plan? Holly and Jim are pulling back the curtain on one of the most liberating truths in weight loss science: maintenance isn’t one-size-fits-all, and the sooner you stop looking for a universal formula, the ...

If you're on a GLP-1 medication or thinking about starting one, there's a good chance you're only seeing half the picture. The media is full of before-and-after stories, but what happens after the after? Most people don't find out until it's too late. The truth is, GLP-1 medications are genuinely remarkable tools. But tools only work when you know how to use them. And right now, millions of people are stopping their medications, regaining the weight, and walking away convinced the drugs "didn't...

Weight loss isn’t just about the number on the scale. It’s about reclaiming your life. When you’ve been carrying excess weight for years, it’s easy to start accepting limitations as your new normal. Skipping events because of walking. Staying in the car while others explore. Wondering if you’ll see your future grandchildren grow up. But what if the right support could help your body work with you instead of against you? What if losing weight didn’t have to mean constant hunger and willpower bat...

Have you ever done everything right, eaten well, moved your body, maybe even started a new medication, and still felt like the system wasn’t working for you? You’re not alone. And the reason might not be what you think. Join Holly and Jim as they sit down with Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, and one of the boldest voices shaping how we think about obesity care today. Dr. Stanford treats obesity as the complex, chronic di...

New Year’s resolutions often start with motivation and willpower, but how long does that really last? What if the problem isn’t your discipline, but the world you’ve built around yourself? Your refrigerator, your bedroom setup, even the people you spend time with, are quietly shaping every choice you make. Join Holly and Jim as they reveal why an environmental detox might be the smartest move you can make this year. Forget juice cleanses and deprivation, this is about redesigning your space and...

Going vegan for weight loss? You might be in for a surprise. Despite what social media influencers claim, switching to a plant-based diet doesn’t guarantee the pounds will melt away. In fact, many vegans struggle with weight gain even when they think they’re eating healthy. The truth is, whether you’re eating steak or tofu, the same principles of weight management still apply. You can absolutely lose weight and thrive on a vegan diet, but it requires the same intentionality, planning, and under...

The GLP-1 medications transforming weight loss didn’t appear overnight. They’re the result of decades of groundbreaking research that fundamentally changed how we understand appetite and obesity. But how did scientists first discover that this hormone could help people lose weight? And what does this history mean for anyone using these medications today? Join Holly and Jim as they sit down with Dr. Arne Astrup, one of the pioneering researchers who helped uncover GLP-1’s role in appetite regula...

Food noise. If you’ve heard the term, you probably know exactly what it means. If you haven’t, you might be about to have a lightbulb moment. It’s that relentless mental chatter about food, not hunger, not cravings, but constant, unwanted thoughts that just won’t quit. For years, people struggling with this phenomenon didn’t even have words for it. They thought it was a willpower problem. It wasn’t. And now, thanks to groundbreaking research, we finally have a way to understand, measure, and po...

For decades, people with obesity were told the solution was simple: eat less, move more, try harder. When that didn’t work, they were blamed. But science has always told a different story: obesity is a chronic, biologically driven disease, just like diabetes or hypertension. And right now, we’re witnessing the most significant transformation in obesity medicine that has ever happened. The new GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound are making headlines everywhere, but with breakthrough treat...

You’ve done it. You’ve lost the weight. But then something shifts. The hunger gets louder. Food becomes more tempting. The scale starts creeping back up. You’re doing everything right, yet your body seems to be fighting you at every turn. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and more importantly, it’s not your fault. The truth is, after weight loss, your body launches a powerful biological response designed to bring that weight back. It’s not about willpower or discipline. It’s about surv...

You’ve heard it everywhere: “You can’t outrun a bad diet.” Or maybe it’s “Exercise doesn’t matter for weight loss.” Or wait, is it “Just lift weights and you’ll be fine”? The conflicting advice is enough to make anyone throw their hands up in frustration. What if the real answer isn’t choosing between diet and exercise, but understanding how they work together? Join Holly and Jim as they sit down with Robert Ross, one of the rare researchers who has spent over three decades studying both sides ...

Writing a book isn’t just about putting words on a page. It’s about translating decades of research into something that can actually change lives. After two years of late-night rewrites, deleted chapters, and countless debates over how to explain complex science in simple terms, Holly and Jim are finally ready to pull back the curtain on their new book, Losing the Weight Loss Meds. This episode is different. Instead of diving into weight loss science, Holly and Jim are taking you behind the sce...

2026 is about to bring a massive surge of people starting GLP-1 medications. Maybe you're one of them. These powerful drugs can deliver incredible weight loss results, but here's what nobody talks about: starting the wrong way can cost you muscle, money, and momentum before you even get going. Most people unknowingly sabotage their success, not because they're doing something wrong, but because no one taught them how to start smart. The difference between struggling and thriving on GLP-1s often...

Ever wonder why you lose weight everywhere except where you actually want to? Or why your body seems to have "favorite spots" for storing fat? It's not in your head, and it's not random. Join Holly and Jim as they sit down with Dr. Mike Jensen, one of the world's leading experts on body fat distribution from the Mayo Clinic. His groundbreaking research has revolutionized how doctors understand fat, revealing that where your body stores it matters just as much as how much you have. You'll discov...

The holidays are here, and so is the annual tug-of-war between enjoying festive foods and dreading the scale come January. But what if you didn't have to choose? What if you could indulge in grandma's famous pie, raise a glass with loved ones, and still walk into the new year feeling great? Join Holly and Jim as they tackle the science behind holiday weight gain and, more importantly, how to outsmart it. They're bringing in reinforcements this time: Kelly Berg and Maddison Garcia from UAB's Met...

You're doing everything right. You've been consistent with your plan, staying active, watching what you eat. But then it happens, the scale refuses to budge. For days. Then weeks. The frustration creeps in, and suddenly you're wondering if all your effort is even worth it. Here's the truth: when your weight loss stalls, it doesn't mean you've failed. It means your body is doing exactly what it's designed to do. The plateau you're experiencing isn't a roadblock. It's actually a sign that somethi...

What if you could sit down with your younger self and share everything you've learned about weight loss? Not the textbook advice, but the hard-won wisdom that only comes from living it. The kind of insights that make you think, "I wish someone had told me this years ago." Join Holly and Jim as they share powerful reflections from state-of-slimmers and listeners who've been through the journey. You'll hear honest, transformative advice about what really matters when it comes to losing weight a...

Ever wondered why your body does strange things during weight loss, but felt too awkward to ask? You're not alone. From unexpected physical changes to confusing emotional responses, weight loss brings surprises nobody warns you about. These unspoken questions deserve genuine answers, free from judgment and shame. Join Holly and Jim as they tackle the questions people whisper about but rarely say out loud. They're diving into the weird body stuff, the mental games, and the relationship shifts th...

The supplement aisle seems to promise everything: rapid fat burning, appetite suppression, effortless weight loss. With billions of dollars spent annually and 60% of Americans taking supplements regularly, the questions are endless. Do they actually work? Are they safe? And how do you separate the science from the marketing hype? Join Holly and Jim as they tackle the complex world of weight loss supplements with one of the nation's leading experts. You'll discover why the supplement industry op...

You've got questions. Lots of them. And if you've been trying to lose weight or keep it off, chances are you've Googled these same burning questions at 11 p.m., desperately searching for answers that actually make sense. From "Do I really have to give up bread?" to "What do I do when the scale isn't moving?" - these are the questions that keep showing up in Holly and Jim's clinics, programs, emails, and even chance encounters at the grocery store. The questions that make you laugh, make you thi...

"I just need more willpower." If you've ever said this to yourself, you're not alone. It's one of the most common beliefs in weight loss: that success comes down to having iron-clad self-control and the ability to resist every temptation that comes your way. But what if willpower isn't the secret weapon you think it is? What if, depending on it, is actually setting you up for failure? Holly and Jim are about to shatter one of the biggest myths in weight management and show you a completely diff...