Our Skin: A Personal Discovery Podcast

Alisha Bridges was seven years old when a bout of chicken pox triggered psoriasis across 90% of her body — and she spent the next decade hiding it, until a beauty pageant, a department-store makeup counter, and a grandmother who refused to let her quit changed everything. In this episode, Alisha talks about turning shame into a platform, taking her story to Capitol Hill, and why mental health and diversity in research sit at the heart of her advocacy work. Plus, Holly digs into the surprisingly recent legal history that made it illegal to fire someone for having psoriasis — from an outrageous 1989 termination letter in the UK to the courtroom fight that finally forced American law to recognize chronic illness as the disability it actually is.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Model, actress, and stunt driver Ivy Smith first noticed psoriasis after the birth of her second child, but it took years, another pregnancy, and mounting pain before she finally got a diagnosis. In this episode, she opens up about battling stigma on set, the slow journey to show her skin with pride, and how adrenaline-fueled stunt driving became a surprising outlet. Plus, we rewind to the 1960s to uncover how a single classified ad led to the creation of the National Psoriasis Foundation–and forever changed the landscape of patient advocacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diagnosed with psoriasis at age five, Lianne Hunter grew up learning to explain, defend, and sometimes hide her skin. Today, she’s built an online community, FixMyPsoriasis, and co-leads the Get Your Skin Out campaign, turning personal vulnerability into collective strength. Lianne opens up about raising her son with honesty and empathy, navigating tough moments in public, and why community is the key to living openly with psoriasis. And in our skin history segment, we uncover the story of Josh White—the groundbreaking blues guitarist whose psoriasis shaped both his career and a one-of-a-kind partnership with Ovation Guitars.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jess Tran was 24, thriving in her career, and training as a powerlifter when a mysterious rash changed everything. It turned out to be guttate psoriasis—and it forced her to rethink everything from ambition to self-image. In this episode, Jess shares how she learned to listen to her body, why visibility can be both empowering and exhausting, and what she wants to change about the wellness industry. Plus, a scientific journey into the immune system—and the breakthrough that changed how we treat psoriasis today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DaQuane Cherry was once the kid who wore a hoodie to hide skin flare-ups in school. Now he’s an artist and advocate helping others feel seen. He reflects on his psoriasis journey, the power of small joys, and why loving yourself first isn’t a cliché—it’s essential. Plus, a deep dive into the history of La Roche-Posay’s legendary spring.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After being diagnosed with psoriasis as a teen, Joni Kazantzis has tried just about every treatment one can to get comfortable in her skin. Her blog, Just a Girl with Spots, became a platform for Joni to shed light on the struggles, triumphs, and everything in between. Listen in as we explore her dedication to helping others find their path to treating their own chronic illness, and strength in the support of others who get it. In our history segment, learn about the development of one of the most modern–and effective–treatments for psoriasis: biologics!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reena Ruparelia has lived with psoriasis since she was in high school. But she didn’t start sharing about her experience until 20 years later. Stigma played a role in her hesitancy to speak out, but a major factor was the difficulty in finding a doctor who really listened, and a treatment that worked. Until patients find treatment, it can feel like their life is on hold–but Reena has a message of hope for anyone still looking. Reena’s story ties in perfectly to the history in this episode, which goes step by step through the evolution of psoriasis treatment, from ancient times to our modern medicines today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Activist and Hollywood producer Holly Dillon was diagnosed with psoriasis when she was just 14 years old and, at 20, was told by a doctor that there was no help for her–that her body had “failed.” Devastated but not deterred, Holly launched Get Your Skin Out, a visual campaign and online community of people sharing about their skin disorders, and looking beautiful doing it. As we step back in skin history, we examine the lives of Benjamin Franklin and Elizabeth Siddal, suspected psoriasis patients, who wrote extensively about how their symptoms affected them. We see they faced many of the same challenges people do today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Our Skin, a Personal Discovery Podcast. Each week, host Holly Frey showcases a personal story from someone who lives–and thrives!--while managing psoriasis. Being diagnosed with a chronic skin condition can throw anyone off track, but Our Skin guests have a message of hope: a diagnosis can be an opportunity to discover new things about ourselves, our grit, and our power. In addition to these tales of hope, Frey and her guests plunge into the jaw-dropping, bizarre, and occasionally poisonous chronicles of our approach to skin conditions – unveiling a history that's far from straightforward! They explore everything from ancient remedies like snake oil to modern dermatology breakthroughs. Whether you’re looking for inspiration on your own skincare journey or are curious about the sometimes strange history of how we treat our skin, you’ll find genuine, empathetic, transformative conversations here on Our Skin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.