The ASHHRA Podcast
The ASHHRA Podcast is where healthcare HR leaders come to connect, learn, and lead.
Hosted by Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan of The Bo & Luke Show, each weekly episode dives into the real challenges and innovations shaping today’s healthcare workforce. From leadership development and employee engagement to workforce strategy, policy updates, and the latest HR data, this podcast brings practical insights straight from the experts who are redefining what it means to work in healthcare.
Through authentic conversations with CHROs, executives, and industry change-makers, The ASHHRA Podcast helps listeners bridge the gap between strategy and people, turning big ideas into action. Whether you’re leading a hospital HR team, managing talent acquisition, or simply passionate about the future of healthcare work, this show gives you the tools, stories, and inspiration to drive meaningful impact.
Listen weekly for fresh perspectives, timely news drops, and powerful stories from the frontlines of healthcare HR.
The ASHHRA Podcast
#196 - The Science and Economics of GLP1s
In one of our most eye-opening conversations yet, Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with clinical pharmacist Langley Kyle to unpack the truth behind GLP-1 medications—Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, tirzepatide, and their compounded counterparts. Whether you're an HR leader, benefits strategist, or simply trying to understand why GLP-1s dominate workplace conversations, this episode breaks it all down with clarity, expertise, and a surprising amount of laughter.
From skyrocketing utilization to social-media-driven demand, Langley reveals what she’s seeing across employer plans nationwide…and what’s coming next.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
1️. Why GLP-1 Coverage Is So Complicated
Only 20–30% of self-insured employers currently cover weight-loss GLP-1s. Langley explains why cost, demand, and new FDA indications (sleep apnea, cardiovascular risk reduction, MASH) are forcing employers to rethink their approach.
2️. Compounded GLP-1s: Benefits, Risks, and the FDA Crackdown
With compounding pharmacies filling the gap during shortages, Langley outlines the regulatory gray zones, quality concerns, and why the FDA is beginning to tighten oversight.
3️. The Retention Strategy No One Expected
Luke and Bo share firsthand experiences using compounded tirzepatide—and reveal why GLP-1 coverage may soon become a powerful recruitment and retention tool, particularly in healthcare organizations competing for scarce talent.
4️. The Real Problem: Maintenance vs. Cure
Most members stay on GLP-1s long-term. Langley discusses behavior change, wellness integration, and why employers must pair medication access with coaching, nutrition, and lifestyle programs to create sustainable health outcomes.
5️. The Future of Pharmacy Costs
From oral GLP-1s to AI-accelerated drug development, the trio explores how innovation—and litigation—may reshape pricing, access, and plan design over the next decade.
💬 Quote to Remember:
“GLP-1s aren’t going anywhere. The conversation just keeps getting louder.”
🎧 Why This Episode Matters
GLP-1s are no longer a fringe benefit topic. They are transforming employee expectations, affecting plan costs, and reshaping how HR leaders think about population health. Langley’s insights provide a roadmap for making smarter, more sustainable decisions in 2025 and beyond.
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