The medicine and the message: Unpacking the chatter around GLP-1s

On this week’s episode of Let's Talk In this episode, we're talking about GLP-1 medications, the drugs originally developed for diabetes that are now used more widely for weight loss.

We've all seen how these medications have been changing bodies, but they're also raising some questions: What about medical ethics, implications of new identities, and the impacts on body image and eating disorders? Also, who's really benefitting from this medical breakthrough?

There's no question the significance of GLP-1s, both personally and culturally, is complex and nuanced. For this reason, we've invited two experts with professional insight and personal experience to share their insights. Chevese Turner is a long-time advocate for body liberation who uses a GLP-1 medication for diabetes while also navigating their recovery from an eating disorder. Kathryn MacKay is the Program Director and Senior Lecturer in Bioethics at the University of Sydney, whose work focuses on body image, health, gender, and the cultural forces that shape how we understand "wellness" and worth.

We're talking about how these drugs intersect with diet culture, capitalism, medical gatekeeping, and social belonging, and why the hype around rapid weight loss can come with some costs.

More importantly, Chevese and Kathryn, without judgement, share their views on safeguards and when honest conversations are needed, especially as these medications become more accessible and more visible in everyday life.

Resources:

• Butterfly National Helpline: 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE)
• Chat online
• Learn more about Chevese Turnerhere.
• Learn more about Kathryn MacKayhere.
• Search ourReferral Database for professional support.

Follow Yvie Jones on Instagram here

Follow Butterfly Foundation on Instagram here

Production Team:

• Produced by Yvie Jones and Sam Blacker from The Podcast Butler
• Executive Producer: Camilla Becket
• Supported by the Waratah Education Foundation

For more information about this episode, visit www.butterfly.org.au/podcast and click through to this episode.

If you're concerned about an eating disorder for yourself or someone you care about, please reach out to the Butterfly National Helpline or chat online with one of their specialist counsellors. Recovery is possible with the right support.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.