Most of us have left a doctor's appointment with the thing we actually needed to say still stuck in our throat. Dr. Anna Chacon — board-certified dermatologist, psoriasis patient, and one of the few dermatologists working in rural New Mexico and Alaska — has spent her career thinking about exactly that problem. In this episode, she and Holly talk about how to prepare for an appointment, how to actually say the hard thing once you're in the room, and what it looks like when doctors genuinely try to meet patients where they are — and when they don't.

Plus: the story of a 1977 FDA policy that excluded women of childbearing potential from early-stage clinical trials, and the sixteen years it took to change the law. Holly traces the downstream effects — wrong dosing, missed symptoms, psoriasis presentations on darker skin that looked nothing like the textbook — and talks to Dr. Ana about what it means to be a dermatologist trying to fix, from the inside, a system with a very long institutional memory.

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Hannah Williams was twelve years old when what everyone assumed was dandruff turned out to be psoriasis — and by sixteen, it had covered nearly 95% of her body. For years, she wore long sleeves in summer and avoided mirrors. Then, slowly, in small steps, something shifted: a kids' camp in America, a cross-country trip, a decision to start an Instagram — and eventually, tattoos as acts of deliberate, joyful self-decoration on the skin she'd spent a decade trying to hide. In this episode, Hannah talks about what it actually takes to stop hiding, what it means to build community around visibility, and what she wants every newly diagnosed twelve-year-old to know. Plus, Holly traces the word "stigma" all the way back to its ancient Greek roots — where it literally meant a mark burned into skin — and follows the long, complicated history of how tattooing traveled from punishment, to shame, to one of the most powerful forms of self-reclamation we have. Including what happens when psoriasis decides to have its own opinion about the process.

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When Dayna Pham was diagnosed with severe psoriasis at 21, the hardest part wasn't the plaques. It was the staring, the dating she stopped doing, and the version of herself she had to grieve. A few years later, on her first day of medical school, psoriatic arthritis arrived too. Now a University of Chicago med student, NPF advocate, and mentor for chronically ill students, Dayna talks candidly about the internal stigma that follows you even when no one's watching, the full-time job of managing a chronic illness on top of everything else, and what kind of doctor she's determined to become. Plus, Holly tells the story of a 12th-century Persian physician who linked a patient's psoriasis to emotional conflict — and why it took Western medicine until practically yesterday to admit that the mind and body are linked.

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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.

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If you've ever felt like no one in the room really gets what you're going through — this season is for you. Holly Frey of Stuff You Missed in History Class returns with Season 3 of Our Skin, expanding the conversation to include psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and the full, complicated reality of living in a body that others don't always see clearly.

Each episode, we pull up a seat for people who've been there — through the appointments, the flare-ups, and everything in between. Honest, practical conversations about how to advocate for yourself, leave a doctor's office feeling heard, and navigate the hard parts without figuring it all out alone.
Then we zoom out — into the wild, weird history of how we've treated our skin, from ancient remedies to modern breakthroughs still being written.

Because when we share our stories with people who understand them, we create something bigger than awareness. We create community. A place where you're never the only one in the room.

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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 advocacy

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Victoria Voos was in college when her psoriasis “went full rampage,” setting off a cascade of diagnoses—from psoriatic arthritis to insulin resistance—that could have been overwhelming. Instead, she built online communities, mastered the art of the clap back, and became a fierce advocate for herself and others. In this episode, she shares how clinical trials gave her both hope and hard data, the boundaries that keep her online space safe, and why humor is one of her best defenses. Plus, the surprising story of the science behind monoclonal antibodies—and how they’re changing treatment for psoriasis.

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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.

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When Allison Sowle showed up to a model casting with oozing eczema and no makeup, she didn’t expect to be chosen out of 30,000 people. But her message was clear: “I’m proud to be myself.” In this episode, Allison talks about claiming space in the modeling world, surviving without insurance, and the beauty of showing up as you are. Plus, we look back at some of the most bizarre and misguided psoriasis treatments in history.

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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.

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India Bolton was first diagnosed with guttate psoriasis in college. Years later, that diagnosis expanded—through two pregnancies, psoriatic arthritis, and months-long flare-ups that covered her body. In this episode, India opens up about parenting through chronic illness, how she found strength in community, and why her children are part of her motivation to keep showing up. Plus, we dive into the science and history behind one of the world’s most effective natural treatments for psoriasis: the Dead Sea.

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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.

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We’re back! Welcome to Season 2 of Our Skin: A Personal Discovery Podcast with Holly Frey.

This season, we’re continuing the conversation about what it really means to live with psoriasis—through powerful, personal stories of resilience, self-advocacy, and finding freedom in the skin you’re in.

But we’re also zooming out. Each episode, we connect those lived experiences to the wild, weird, and sometimes toxic history of how we’ve treated our skin across centuries.

From ancient salves to modern science, Season 2 dives into the past to better understand the present—and to help us imagine a more compassionate, informed, and free future.

Let’s get into it.

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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!

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Andrea Wool is the founder of Autoimmune Strong, a community for those with autoimmune disorders seeking exercise that heals rather than harms. Andrea shares her experience with chronic pain, fatigue, and her quest to find a sustainable, gentle approach to fitness. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia and multiple autoimmune diseases, she turned her struggles into a mission, helping others transform their relationship with exercise and health. Stepping back into history, we trace the evolution of our understanding of autoimmune conditions through the work of three pivotal doctors.

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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. 

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When Jen Weaver was diagnosed with psoriasis in 2017 (after five years handling rheumatoid arthritis), she was 36 years old and had three busy kids. Her plaques were very visible?she said they covered her ?from head to toe?--and very painful. Psoriasis meant a step into a world where people noticed her auto-immune condition for the first time, and the reaction was far from comforting. So Jen found her people, and now runs a community and resource bank called ?My Spoonie Sisters? (Why spoons? Listen to find out!). In our step into history, we trace the origins of the stigma against psoriasis and the key figures in dispelling that stigma. History, and Jen, show us that education busts stigma. 

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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.

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In this episode of Our Skin, we're joined by world-class athlete Mandy Marquardt of the USA Cycling National Team to discuss her experience as an Olympic hopeful living with psoriasis.

Mandy shares how being diagnosed with psoriasis threw her for a loop, even as she continued to train at an elite level. Mandy also opens up about the importance of her support network and the role it played in helping her navigate this unexpected challenge.

But that sense of community wasn?t always available to people with chronic disorders. After Mandy?s inspiring story, host Holly Frey takes us through the little-known and emotional history of the isolation faced by those with psoriasis in the past and what we all can learn from the history of our skin.

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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.

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