Fighting Ultra-Processed Foods: Todd Wagner on Health, Wellness, and Combating Obesity with FoodFight USA

01/24/25 • 67 min

In this episode of the Pop Culture Podcast , Dr. Eric Smith and Laura welcome entrepreneur and health advocate Todd R. Wagner. As the co-founder of Broadcast.com and founder of Charity Network, Todd has always been a trailblazer. Now, he’s focusing on addressing one of America’s most pressing health crises—obesity —through his platform, FoodFight USA .

Obesity affects millions of Americans and is fueled by the prevalence of ultra-processed foods that dominate the U.S. food supply. Todd shares his personal battle with migraines, which vanished during trips to Europe, and how this led him to uncover the alarming differences in food regulations. He exposes how harmful chemicals, dyes, and additives in processed foods contribute to chronic diseases, metabolic disorders, and weight gain.

Dr. Eric Smith connects Todd’s mission to his own work with patients, emphasizing that “it’s not you, it’s the food.” Together, they explore how better nutrition can help individuals regain control of their health and combat the cycle of obesity. They also discuss the importance of educating athletes and everyday consumers about the hidden dangers in their diets and promoting healthier eating habits.

Todd highlights the support of Governor Schwarzenegger in advancing a legislative movement to reduce the impact of ultra-processed foods. He also shares practical solutions for choosing healthier alternatives, raising awareness, and taking a stand against the obesity epidemic in the USA.

Key Topics Covered:

Todd Wagner’s journey from tech innovator to health advocate
The mission of FoodFight USA to fight obesity and ultra-processed foods
The connection between ultra-processed foods and obesity in America
How European food regulations prioritize health over profit
Simple steps to reduce processed food consumption and improve wellness
Dr. Eric Smith’s insights on patient care and nutrition

Whether you’re looking to better understand the root causes of obesity, learn about healthier eating options, or take control of your wellness, this episode is packed with expert insights and actionable advice.

Explore Todd’s impactful work at FoodFightUSA.com.

If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind ultra-processed foods and their impact on health, check out the book Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken.

Take charge of your health by downloading the YUKA app to scan your products and ensure their quality.

Key Topics Covered:

Todd Wagner’s journey from tech innovator to health advocate
The mission of FoodFight USA to fight obesity and ultra-processed foods
The connection between ultra-processed foods and obesity in America
How European food regulations prioritize health over profit
Simple steps to reduce processed food consumption and improve wellness
Dr. Eric Smith’s insights on patient care and nutrition

Explore Todd’s impactful work at FoodFightUSA.com.

If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind ultra-processed foods and their impact on health, check out the book Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken.

Take charge of your health by downloading the YUKA app to scan your products and ensure their quality.

Previous Episode

Health, Wellness, and Weight Loss: Exploring GLP-1 Medications and Obesity Solutions

In this episode of The Pop Culture Podcast , Laura interviews Dr. Eric Smith to discuss health, wellness, and transformative weight-loss strategies. Dr. Smith, a leading surgeon and Medical Director for Pop Recovery Systems, shares his insights on tackling obesity, navigating the complexities of insurance, and the groundbreaking role of GLP-1 medications in weight management.

During their conversation, Dr. Smith reflects on his career milestone of surpassing 5,000 robotic procedures and offers valuable perspectives on choosing the right approach for weight loss—whether surgery or medication. They also dive into the mental health challenges of obesity, the impact of food and chemical addictions, and the importance of educating both patients and healthcare providers on sustainable wellness solutions.

Key Topics Covered:

Laura interviews Dr. Eric Smith on health and wellness breakthroughs
GLP-1 medications and their role in weight-loss journeys
The obesity epidemic: surgery vs. medication as effective solutions
Mental health and its connection to achieving lasting wellness
Tackling food and chemical addictions in modern diets
Understanding insurance challenges (Medicare vs. Medicaid)

Join Laura and Dr. Smith for an inspiring and informative discussion packed with insights to motivate your own journey toward health and well-being.

Read the full article from Pop Recovery Systems here: https://www.newsweek.com/

Next Episode

Revolutionizing Weight Loss and Wellness with Dr. Jonathan Kaplan on GLP-1 Medications, Bariatric Surgery, and Lifestyle Changes

In this episode of the Pop Culture Podcast, Dr. Eric Smith and Laura are joined by Dr. Jonathan Kaplan, plastic surgeon and founder/CEO of DrWell, to discuss the latest trends in health, wellness, and fitness. With a deep-rooted passion for medicine, Dr. Kaplan shares his expertise on the growing obesity epidemic and how innovative solutions like GLP-1 medications, bariatric surgery, and long-term lifestyle changes are transforming weight loss and overall health.

In 2022, Dr. Kaplan’s team at DrWell began noticing a rise in patients with high BMI, prompting them to expand their services to include weight loss coaching, non-surgical treatments, and wellness medications. DrWell, a leading Provider-to-Consumer (PTC) platform, is revolutionizing how patients access healthcare by offering consultations, digital prescriptions, and continuous support for a healthier lifestyle.

Key topics covered in this episode:

The role of GLP-1 medications in weight loss and wellness
The benefits of bariatric surgery in managing obesity
The importance of long-term lifestyle changes for sustainable fitness
How health insurance is evolving to cover bariatric surgery and wellness treatments
The future of Provider-to-Consumer (PTC) models in health and wellness
How DrWell is reshaping fitness, health, and wellness care for better access and results

If you’re interested in health, wellness, fitness, and the latest weight loss solutions, this episode offers expert insights into how new treatments, technologies, and lifestyle approaches are changing the way we approach fitness and well-being.

Follow Dr. Jonathan Kaplan on Instagram @realdrbae and TikTok @drwellrx