Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Wellness Unmasked Weekly Rundown: Inside the Latest Weight-Loss Breakthrough and CDC Backlash
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Dr. Nicole Saphier (segment: Wellness on Mass)

Episode Overview

This week’s “Wellness on Mass” segment, hosted by Dr. Nicole Saphier, takes on two timely health topics:

1. A groundbreaking new weekly injectable weight-loss drug and the context of the expanding obesity treatment market.
2. The controversy surrounding the CDC’s recent changes to its vaccine safety webpage, particularly in the political context of RFK Jr.’s leadership at HHS.

With a blend of medical insight and candid opinion, Dr. Saphier delivers her analysis with characteristic wit and skepticism, especially regarding politicization of public health institutions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New Weight-Loss Medication Breakthrough (03:02–05:22)

• Details of the New Drug:

  • A once-weekly injectable similar to GLP-1s, but “works a little bit differently.”
  • Clinical trial results: People on the drug lost about 20% of their body weight—comparable to today’s leading options.
  • Oral (tablet) alternatives are also being tested.

• Commentary on Treatment Options and Market Dynamics:

  • Saphier lauds the introduction of new options to avoid pharmaceutical monopolies.
  • "The more medications that come that can help people to lose weight, in my opinion, the better." (Dr. Nicole Saphier, 03:53)

• Emphasis on Lifestyle Foundations:

  • Warns listeners these medications are not “magic drugs” and should not be used as substitutes for healthy habits—including real food, movement, sleep, and stress management.

• Cautions and Risks:

  • Concern over rapid weight regain and even “rebound” weight gain after stopping medication.
  • Notes many users appear to be opting for lifetime use, though long-term safety is unknown.
  • "We don’t really have that long term safety data to show that lifetime use of this medication is okay. So I find that a little bit concerning." (Dr. Nicole Saphier, 04:46)
  • Known side effects are already evident; further risks may yet surface.

2. CDC Backlash & Vaccine Webpage Changes (05:23–08:46)

• CDC Quietly Alters Vaccine Safety Webpage:

  • Dr. Saphier notes the CDC has changed its language regarding vaccine safety—a change coinciding with RFK Jr.’s leadership as Secretary of HHS.
  • She approaches the topic with sarcasm and skepticism, saying, "It's kind of funny. I roll my eyes at it. And when I say funny, I don't really mean funny haha, but funny in like a chaotic way that again makes me roll my eyes." (05:23)

• Political Backstory:

  • Describes how RFK Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, had promised Senator Bill Cassidy during confirmation hearings not to change the CDC’s website language—a promise now apparently broken.
  • Shares details of Cassidy's “trepidation” and the significance of his swing vote in RFK Jr.'s confirmation.

• Critique of the New Wording:

  • Dr. Saphier objects to the new, less scientific language.
  • "It sounds like someone without a science background wrote it ... I really just think this was a way to, you know, appease his supporters who have been very outspoken, saying that he isn't doing anything for vaccine, just changing the verbiage on the webpage." (06:47)
  • Suggests the change is mere posturing and will not truly influence public opinion but does damage CDC credibility.

• Concerns Over Politicization:

  • Expresses deep frustration with the CDC being used as a “political arm” rather than a neutral, science-driven authority.
  • "I can't wait until we get back to the place where the CDC is evidence based, science based, and not functioning as a political arm of the administration." (07:40)

• Rebuttal to Misinformation:

  • Refutes claims circulating on social media that the CDC is “finally admitting” to a link between vaccines and cancer.
  • Emphasizes this is the result of the current administration’s influence, not an “admission” from CDC as a neutral scientific body.

Notable Quotes

• On the limits of medication:

  • "These are not magic drugs, okay? They cannot replace the basics of real food, movement, sleep and stress management."
    – Dr. Nicole Saphier (04:05)

• On long-term medication use:

  • "Once they go off the medications, not only do they gain their weight pretty much right back, oftentimes they gain more weight than they started with... We don’t really have that long term safety data to show that lifetime use of this medication is okay. So I find that a little bit concerning."
    – Dr. Nicole Saphier (04:32–04:46)

• On CDC website changes:

  • "Do I like the new wording of the CDC webpage? No, I don't. It sounds like someone without a science background wrote it. Certainly is not evidence based."
    – Dr. Nicole Saphier (06:32–06:50)

• On CDC as a political entity:

  • "This is not a neutral body anymore... It hasn't been for probably over a decade, if it ever was."
    – Dr. Nicole Saphier (08:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• New Weight-Loss Medication Deep Dive: 03:02–05:22
• Risks and Long-Term Concerns: 04:25–05:22
• CDC Website Controversy Introduction: 05:23–06:20
• Political Backstory and Cassidy’s Role: 06:21–06:50
• Critique of Language Changes: 06:50–07:27
• Concerns Over CDC’s Credibility: 07:28–08:15
• Social Media Reactions & Final Thoughts: 08:16–08:46

Memorable Moments

• Dr. Saphier apologizes for her raspy voice, blaming bronchitis, but humorously insists on going ahead: "I'm going to start by apologizing for my voice. I… don't have one... but we're doing the rundown because you deserve it." (03:02)
• The phrase "funny in like a chaotic way that again makes me roll my eyes" (05:24) encapsulates her exasperation with Washington's maneuvering.

Conclusion

This brisk, insight-laden episode presents critical perspectives on recent health breakthroughs and the integrity of public institutions. Dr. Saphier advocates for nuanced medical progress—balancing hope for new treatments with strong caveats—and voices open frustration at politicization of science. Listeners are left with a plea for evidence-based policy and a reminder: healthy habits remain the cornerstone of wellness, regardless of headlines.