How Risk Averse Are You?
Start
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Listening Comprehension 1
Listening Comprehension 2:Class Puzzle
Listening Comprehension 3: Conclusion
Final Task
CLOSE
Part 1
INTRODUCTION
Health Trends in 2026
Raise your hand if you have a smart watch
What do you use it for?
Raise your hand if you take vitamins or supplements
Do you notice a difference? Explain.
What are some more current health trends?
Red light Mask
Fasting
Discuss the questions with a partner.
PAIRWORK #1
You should both speak as much as possible.
- What aspects of your health do you track on a daily basis? (sleep, steps, calories, heart rate?) Explain your approach. If you don't track, why not?
- Have you ever taken a vitamin or health supplement (sleep aid, etc.)? Why did you start? Do you notice a difference? If you don't take them, why not?
- What’s something other people do for their health that you find a bit weird? (For example: cold plunge, fasting, etc.) Explain.
- When it comes to health trends, do you think it’s better to be an early adopter or to "wait and see"? Explain your approach with examples.
Discuss the questions with a partner.
PAIRWORK #1
You should both speak as much as possible.
- What aspects of your health do you track on a daily basis? (sleep, steps, calories, heart rate?) Explain your approach. If you don't track, why not?
- Have you ever taken a vitamin or health supplement (sleep aid, etc.)? Why did you start? Do you notice a difference? If you don't take them, why not?
- What’s something other people do for their health that you find a bit weird? (For example: cold plunge, fasting, etc.) Explain.
- When it comes to health trends, do you think it’s better to be an early adopter or to "wait and see"? Explain your approach with examples.
Share something you learned about your partner.
Discuss the questions with a NEW partner.
PAIRWORK #2
You should both speak as much as possible.
- If you could improve one aspect of your physical or mental performance, what would it be? Explain what and why.
- On a scale of 1–10, how much do you like experimenting with your body or lifestyle? Why? Explain.
- As humans, do you think we have a responsibility to improve ourselves? Or is it okay to accept natural limits? Explain.
- Do you think people have the right to do whatever they want with their own bodies, even if it carries some risk? Explain.
Discuss the questions with a NEW partner.
PAIRWORK #2
You should both speak as much as possible.
- If you could improve one aspect of your physical or mental performance, what would it be? Explain what and why.
- On a scale of 1–10, how much do you like experimenting with your body or lifestyle? Why? Explain.
- As humans, do you think we have a responsibility to improve ourselves? Or is it okay to accept natural limits? Explain.
- Do you think people have the right to do whatever they want with their own bodies, even if it carries some risk? Explain.
Share something you learned about your partner.
Discuss the questions with a NEW partner.
PAIRWORK #3
You should both speak as much as possible.
- When you have a health question, where do you go first? A doctor, Google, AI, or someone you know? Explain your approach.
- Do you think official health guidelines are always right, or sometimes too cautious? Explain.
- Do you think the government prioritizes the public's best interests when it comes to healthcare? Explain.
Discuss the questions with a NEW partner.
PAIRWORK #3
You should both speak as much as possible.
- When you have a health question, where do you go first? A doctor, Google, AI, or someone you know? Explain your approach.
- Do you think official health guidelines are always right, or sometimes too cautious? Explain.
- Do you think the government prioritizes the public's best interests when it comes to healthcare? Explain.
Share something you learned about your partner.
VOCABULARY
What is "biohacking"?
An approach you can take to improve your performance, longevity, appearance, or general health.
VOCABULARY
What are some examples of "biohacking"?
exercising
monitoring stress levels
using fitness trackers
taking supplements
making changes to your diet
trying to optimize sleep
CULTURAL FIGURES
Who's the most famous biohacker influencer?
Bryan Johnson
What do you know about him?
BRYAN JOHNSON, THEN & NOW
2017
2023
Reading Comprehension
- Read the document about Bryan Johnson's new Immortality program.
- Answer the Comprehension Questions.
- Get ready to answer the Discussion Questions.
Reading Comprehension
Comprehension Questions
Next
How Risk Averse Are YOu?
Go to the slide & do the Reading Comprehension tasks.
DISCUSSION QUESTION #1/6
Would you describe Bryan Johnson as a scientist, an entrepreneur, an influencer, or something else? Explain.
DON'T DIE
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #2/6
Johnson says the long-term goal is "universal access."Do you believe him? Why or why not?
DON'T DIE
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #3/6
Johnson gets blood transfusions from his teenage son. Where do you draw the line? Explain.
DON'T DIE
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #4/6
1,500 people applied for the 3 spots in the Immortals program in the first 30 hours. Are you surprised? Why or why not?
DON'T DIE
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #5/6
Why do you think Silicon Valley billionaires in particular seem obsessed with living forever?
DON'T DIE
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #6/6
If it was affordable, would you consider following a program like this? Be honest!Where would you draw the line?
DON'T DIE
Next
CLOSE
Objectives
Cultural Awareness
Speaking & Discussion
Reading & Listening
Seeing Silicon Valley culture from the inside.
Making sense of a strange American trend & understanding why maybe it isn't that strange after all.
Figuring out where you stand on risk, freedom & progress.
Where is California?
Name some cities in California.
What is Silicon Valley?
Silicon Valley
Part 2
LISTENING COMPREHENSION 1
Listening: Introduction
Jasmine Sun, journalist
PJ Vogt, host
Introduction, Part 1
What's the episode about?
Listen and answer the question.
What are Chinese peptides?
Introduction, Part 2
Meet Jasmine Sun and discover her beat.
Listen and answer the questions.
- PJ says this is an anthropological story, not a medical story. What's the difference, and what is he actually trying to understand?
- What is Jasmine Sun's job?
- What part of the tech world is she particularly interested in?
- Jasmine mentions the Black Panthers, the Sierra Club, and "blood boys." What do these 3 things have in common, according to her?
- How does Jasmine describe the mentality in California?
- What 2 things make California the perfect laboratory for crazy ideas?
Introduction, Part 3
What exactly are Chinese peptides?
Listen and answer the questions.
- What is a peptide?
- In the biohacking or health trend context, what peptides are people using?
- What do peptide users claim they can do for their health?
- How did China become America's peptide supplier?
- When Jasmine asked her contacts in China about peptides, what was their reaction? What does that tell us?
- Why are Americans buying directly from Chinese suppliers?
- What does PJ want to understand from talking to Jasmine?
CLOSE
Part 3
LISTENING COMPREHENSION 2: Class Puzzle
References
What you need to know before listening.
What's the French equivalent?
How do French people feel about it? Do you trust it?
HHS
The U.S. government department that oversees public health, medical research, and social services, including the FDA.
What's the French equivalent?
Director of HHS
Robert Kennedy, Jr.
RFK, Jr.
What do you know about RFK, Jr.?
He's a prominent critic of the pharmaceutical industry & government health agencies.
What does this acronym stand for?
What does the movement promote?
Alternative approaches to health. It's skeptical of big pharma & government health agencies.
Would France ever appoint someone who distrusts the system to run the system?
Stéphanie Rist
What are the benefits and drawbacks of appointing someone who distrusts the system to run the system?
Stéphanie Rist
SEC
What's the French equivalent?
Balaji Srinivasan, guest
Influential investor and executive in Silicon Valley
Famous quote from an August 2024 episode:
"Just like the SEC is protecting you from getting wealthy, the FDA is protecting you from getting healthy."
"Just like the AMF is protecting you from getting wealthy, the ANSM is protecting you from getting healthy."
What do you know about Ozempic (or GLP-1s)?
It's a prescription injectable drug that became hugely popular for weight loss & made self-injection mainstream.
Listening: Parts 1 & 2
Jasmine Sun, journalist
PJ Vogt, host
Ezra Marcus, journalist
LISTENING Comprehension
- Listen to your part of the document.
- Answer the Comprehension Questions.
Objective: Be able to summarize your part.
Part 1
Part 2
THE HISTORY OF PEPTIDES & THE INTERNET
MAHA GETS ON BOARD
Part 1
The history of peptides & the internet.
Listen and answer the questions.
- Who were the earliest adopters of peptides?
- What characterizes this community?
- How did peptide use expand to other communities?
- What role did Ozempic play?
- Summarize the spread of peptides between different communities in your own words.
Next
Part 2
MAHA gets on board
Listen and answer the questions.
- Who is Gary Brecka and what role does he play in spreading peptide use?
- What do peptides represent for people?
- What role did Covid play in reducing Americans' trust in the medical establishment?
- According to Jasmine, how do many Americans feel about institutions like the FDA? What do they believe these institutions are really doing?
- What does "do your own research" mean in this context?
- Why are Americans buying peptides directly from Chinese suppliers rather than going through official American channels?
- What have peptides meant for MAHA?
Next
Meet with a student who listened to the same part as you.
Group Work #1
- Share and compare your answers to the comprehension questions.
- Be ready to summarize your part orally.
Part 1
Part 2
THE HISTORY OF PEPTIDES & THE INTERNET
MAHA GETS ON BOARD
Meet with a student who listened to a different part.
Group Work #2
Summarize your part, without reading. Listen to each other.
Part 1
Part 2
THE HISTORY OF PEPTIDES & THE INTERNET
MAHA GETS ON BOARD
Part 4
LISTENING COMPREHENSION 3: Conclusion
Conclusion
How risk tolerant are you?
Listen and answer the questions.
- Has Jasmine tried any gray market peptides? What does she think of people who use them?
- When it comes to the "do your own research" mentality, what's Jasmine's point of view?
- What role can Silicon Valley play?
DISCUSSION QUESTION #1/5
Jasmine says we need people who are prepared to take crazy risks so the rest of us can benefit later. Do you agree? Explain.
How peptides conquered the internet
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #2/5
Is "do your own research" a sign of intelligence and independence, or a sign that something has gone wrong in society? Explain your point of view.
How peptides conquered the internet
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #3/5
Who should decide what risks adults are allowed to take with their own bodies: the individual, their doctor, or the government? Explain.
How peptides conquered the internet
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #4/5
Is Silicon Valley changing the world for the better, or is it just a sandbox for billionaires? Explain your point of view and be specific.
How peptides conquered the internet
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #5/5
Think about what kind of engineer you're going to become. Where is the line between innovation and responsibility? Explain with concrete examples.
How peptides conquered the internet
Next
CLOSE
Part 5
Final Task
SPEED DATING
So, how risk averse are you?
SPEED DATING: INSTRUCTIONS
- You have 5 minutes per question.
- Discuss with your partner.
- There are no right or wrong answers.
- Try to avoid black & white thinking. Explore the gray areas.
- Listen to your partner's point of view. Do you agree?
- If you both agree, push further. Try to find the limit of your agreement, or play devil's advocate.
Speed Dating ROUND #1
You find out that a colleague who's outperforming you at work is taking a peptide that sharpens focus and reduces sleep needs. It's unregulated but not illegal. Do you want to know more? Explain.
Speed Dating ROUND #1
You find out that a colleague who's outperforming you at work is taking a peptide that sharpens focus and reduces sleep needs. It's unregulated but not illegal. Do you want to know more? Explain.
Speed Dating ROUND #2
A family member has been struggling with a chronic health problem for years. Doctors haven't solved it. They've been taking a gray market peptide for 3 months and feel better than they have in a decade. What do you think about that?
Speed Dating Round #2
A family member has been struggling with a chronic health problem for years. Doctors haven't solved it. They've been taking a gray market peptide for 3 months and feel better than they have in a decade. What do you think about that?
Speed Dating Round #3
Jasmine says informed adults have the right to experiment on their own bodies. But what if their choices affect others? (their families, their colleagues, healthcare systems?) Where does individual freedom stop?
Speed Dating Round #3
Jasmine says informed adults have the right to experiment on their own bodies. But what if their choices affect others? (their families, their colleagues, healthcare systems?) Where does individual freedom stop?
Speed Dating Round #4
Bryan Johnson says his generation will be the first not to die. Jasmine says we need risk-takers so the rest of us can benefit safely. Are these risk-takers heroes, crazy, or just very rich people with too much time? Explain.
Speed Dating Round #4
Bryan Johnson says his generation will be the first not to die. Jasmine says we need risk-takers so the rest of us can benefit safely. Are these risk-takers heroes, crazy, or just very rich people with too much time? Explain.
Speed Dating Round #5
You're back to the scale of 1 to 10 (how risk averse are you?) from the beginning of the lesson. Has it moved for you? Why or why not? Explain.
Speed Dating Round #5
You're back to the scale of 1 to 10 (how risk averse are you?) from the beginning of the lesson. Has it moved for you? Why or why not? Explain.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2025/07/08/what-is-biohacking https://www.businessinsider.com/bryan-johnson-before-and-after-anti-aging-longevity-supplements-2023-8 https://www.inc.com/kevin-haynes/bryan-johnsons-new-immortality-program-costs-1-million-and-people-are-lining-up-for-it/91303673 https://jasmi.news/p/bio-acc-dictionary https://www.searchengine.show/how-peptides-conquered-the-internet/ https://app.podscribe.com/episode/149507498?transcriptVersionReqId=ad08d932-30d0-441e-ae0f-98b0c30f4d0c https://sfstandard.com/2025/09/14/everyone-has-chinese-peptide-dealer-now/ https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/peptides-from-instagram-china-wellness-cure.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvWMcRRkuak https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/business/chinese-peptides-silicon-valley.html https://www.npr.org/2026/01/09/nx-s1-5670240/chinese-peptides-ozempic-biohacking
THE END
- What is the Immortals program and how much does it cost?
- What does Bryan Johnson personally do to try to live longer? Give at least 3 examples.
- Explain his core philosophy.
- What does Johnson say about his generation?
- Johnson says the cost of his program will evolve. What does he promise for the future?
- Which other Silicon Valley billionaires are investing in living longer, and what are they funding?
gray market
where you can buy things that are not illegal, but not endorsed.
How Risk Averse Are You?
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Transcript
How Risk Averse Are You?
Start
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Listening Comprehension 1
Listening Comprehension 2:Class Puzzle
Listening Comprehension 3: Conclusion
Final Task
CLOSE
Part 1
INTRODUCTION
Health Trends in 2026
Raise your hand if you have a smart watch
What do you use it for?
Raise your hand if you take vitamins or supplements
Do you notice a difference? Explain.
What are some more current health trends?
Red light Mask
Fasting
Discuss the questions with a partner.
PAIRWORK #1
You should both speak as much as possible.
Discuss the questions with a partner.
PAIRWORK #1
You should both speak as much as possible.
Share something you learned about your partner.
Discuss the questions with a NEW partner.
PAIRWORK #2
You should both speak as much as possible.
Discuss the questions with a NEW partner.
PAIRWORK #2
You should both speak as much as possible.
Share something you learned about your partner.
Discuss the questions with a NEW partner.
PAIRWORK #3
You should both speak as much as possible.
Discuss the questions with a NEW partner.
PAIRWORK #3
You should both speak as much as possible.
Share something you learned about your partner.
VOCABULARY
What is "biohacking"?
An approach you can take to improve your performance, longevity, appearance, or general health.
VOCABULARY
What are some examples of "biohacking"?
exercising
monitoring stress levels
using fitness trackers
taking supplements
making changes to your diet
trying to optimize sleep
CULTURAL FIGURES
Who's the most famous biohacker influencer?
Bryan Johnson
What do you know about him?
BRYAN JOHNSON, THEN & NOW
2017
2023
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
Comprehension Questions
Next
How Risk Averse Are YOu?
Go to the slide & do the Reading Comprehension tasks.
DISCUSSION QUESTION #1/6
Would you describe Bryan Johnson as a scientist, an entrepreneur, an influencer, or something else? Explain.
DON'T DIE
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #2/6
Johnson says the long-term goal is "universal access."Do you believe him? Why or why not?
DON'T DIE
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #3/6
Johnson gets blood transfusions from his teenage son. Where do you draw the line? Explain.
DON'T DIE
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #4/6
1,500 people applied for the 3 spots in the Immortals program in the first 30 hours. Are you surprised? Why or why not?
DON'T DIE
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #5/6
Why do you think Silicon Valley billionaires in particular seem obsessed with living forever?
DON'T DIE
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #6/6
If it was affordable, would you consider following a program like this? Be honest!Where would you draw the line?
DON'T DIE
Next
CLOSE
Objectives
Cultural Awareness
Speaking & Discussion
Reading & Listening
Seeing Silicon Valley culture from the inside.
Making sense of a strange American trend & understanding why maybe it isn't that strange after all.
Figuring out where you stand on risk, freedom & progress.
Where is California?
Name some cities in California.
What is Silicon Valley?
Silicon Valley
Part 2
LISTENING COMPREHENSION 1
Listening: Introduction
Jasmine Sun, journalist
PJ Vogt, host
Introduction, Part 1
What's the episode about?
Listen and answer the question.
What are Chinese peptides?
Introduction, Part 2
Meet Jasmine Sun and discover her beat.
Listen and answer the questions.
Introduction, Part 3
What exactly are Chinese peptides?
Listen and answer the questions.
CLOSE
Part 3
LISTENING COMPREHENSION 2: Class Puzzle
References
What you need to know before listening.
What's the French equivalent?
How do French people feel about it? Do you trust it?
HHS
The U.S. government department that oversees public health, medical research, and social services, including the FDA.
What's the French equivalent?
Director of HHS
Robert Kennedy, Jr.
RFK, Jr.
What do you know about RFK, Jr.?
He's a prominent critic of the pharmaceutical industry & government health agencies.
What does this acronym stand for?
What does the movement promote?
Alternative approaches to health. It's skeptical of big pharma & government health agencies.
Would France ever appoint someone who distrusts the system to run the system?
Stéphanie Rist
What are the benefits and drawbacks of appointing someone who distrusts the system to run the system?
Stéphanie Rist
SEC
What's the French equivalent?
Balaji Srinivasan, guest
Influential investor and executive in Silicon Valley
Famous quote from an August 2024 episode:
"Just like the SEC is protecting you from getting wealthy, the FDA is protecting you from getting healthy."
"Just like the AMF is protecting you from getting wealthy, the ANSM is protecting you from getting healthy."
What do you know about Ozempic (or GLP-1s)?
It's a prescription injectable drug that became hugely popular for weight loss & made self-injection mainstream.
Listening: Parts 1 & 2
Jasmine Sun, journalist
PJ Vogt, host
Ezra Marcus, journalist
LISTENING Comprehension
Objective: Be able to summarize your part.
Part 1
Part 2
THE HISTORY OF PEPTIDES & THE INTERNET
MAHA GETS ON BOARD
Part 1
The history of peptides & the internet.
Listen and answer the questions.
Next
Part 2
MAHA gets on board
Listen and answer the questions.
Next
Meet with a student who listened to the same part as you.
Group Work #1
Part 1
Part 2
THE HISTORY OF PEPTIDES & THE INTERNET
MAHA GETS ON BOARD
Meet with a student who listened to a different part.
Group Work #2
Summarize your part, without reading. Listen to each other.
Part 1
Part 2
THE HISTORY OF PEPTIDES & THE INTERNET
MAHA GETS ON BOARD
Part 4
LISTENING COMPREHENSION 3: Conclusion
Conclusion
How risk tolerant are you?
Listen and answer the questions.
DISCUSSION QUESTION #1/5
Jasmine says we need people who are prepared to take crazy risks so the rest of us can benefit later. Do you agree? Explain.
How peptides conquered the internet
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #2/5
Is "do your own research" a sign of intelligence and independence, or a sign that something has gone wrong in society? Explain your point of view.
How peptides conquered the internet
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #3/5
Who should decide what risks adults are allowed to take with their own bodies: the individual, their doctor, or the government? Explain.
How peptides conquered the internet
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #4/5
Is Silicon Valley changing the world for the better, or is it just a sandbox for billionaires? Explain your point of view and be specific.
How peptides conquered the internet
Next
DISCUSSION QUESTION #5/5
Think about what kind of engineer you're going to become. Where is the line between innovation and responsibility? Explain with concrete examples.
How peptides conquered the internet
Next
CLOSE
Part 5
Final Task
SPEED DATING
So, how risk averse are you?
SPEED DATING: INSTRUCTIONS
Speed Dating ROUND #1
You find out that a colleague who's outperforming you at work is taking a peptide that sharpens focus and reduces sleep needs. It's unregulated but not illegal. Do you want to know more? Explain.
Speed Dating ROUND #1
You find out that a colleague who's outperforming you at work is taking a peptide that sharpens focus and reduces sleep needs. It's unregulated but not illegal. Do you want to know more? Explain.
Speed Dating ROUND #2
A family member has been struggling with a chronic health problem for years. Doctors haven't solved it. They've been taking a gray market peptide for 3 months and feel better than they have in a decade. What do you think about that?
Speed Dating Round #2
A family member has been struggling with a chronic health problem for years. Doctors haven't solved it. They've been taking a gray market peptide for 3 months and feel better than they have in a decade. What do you think about that?
Speed Dating Round #3
Jasmine says informed adults have the right to experiment on their own bodies. But what if their choices affect others? (their families, their colleagues, healthcare systems?) Where does individual freedom stop?
Speed Dating Round #3
Jasmine says informed adults have the right to experiment on their own bodies. But what if their choices affect others? (their families, their colleagues, healthcare systems?) Where does individual freedom stop?
Speed Dating Round #4
Bryan Johnson says his generation will be the first not to die. Jasmine says we need risk-takers so the rest of us can benefit safely. Are these risk-takers heroes, crazy, or just very rich people with too much time? Explain.
Speed Dating Round #4
Bryan Johnson says his generation will be the first not to die. Jasmine says we need risk-takers so the rest of us can benefit safely. Are these risk-takers heroes, crazy, or just very rich people with too much time? Explain.
Speed Dating Round #5
You're back to the scale of 1 to 10 (how risk averse are you?) from the beginning of the lesson. Has it moved for you? Why or why not? Explain.
Speed Dating Round #5
You're back to the scale of 1 to 10 (how risk averse are you?) from the beginning of the lesson. Has it moved for you? Why or why not? Explain.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2025/07/08/what-is-biohacking https://www.businessinsider.com/bryan-johnson-before-and-after-anti-aging-longevity-supplements-2023-8 https://www.inc.com/kevin-haynes/bryan-johnsons-new-immortality-program-costs-1-million-and-people-are-lining-up-for-it/91303673 https://jasmi.news/p/bio-acc-dictionary https://www.searchengine.show/how-peptides-conquered-the-internet/ https://app.podscribe.com/episode/149507498?transcriptVersionReqId=ad08d932-30d0-441e-ae0f-98b0c30f4d0c https://sfstandard.com/2025/09/14/everyone-has-chinese-peptide-dealer-now/ https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/peptides-from-instagram-china-wellness-cure.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvWMcRRkuak https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/business/chinese-peptides-silicon-valley.html https://www.npr.org/2026/01/09/nx-s1-5670240/chinese-peptides-ozempic-biohacking
THE END
gray market
where you can buy things that are not illegal, but not endorsed.