Brian Lehrschall was thirteen when psoriasis arrived, and it moved fast — from a single scalypatch on his arm to more than ninety percent of his body in six months. Psoriatic arthritisfollowed soon after. What he did next set the pattern for the next thirty years. He asked hisdoctor at Duke to explain exactly what was happening in his body and why, and Brian hasn’tstopped asking the hard questions ever since. In this episode, Brian talks with Holly about self-advocacy, from the exam room to capitol hill, where Brian has campaigned for Step Therapyreform and other legal protections for his community. Plus, Holly tells the story of how psoriasisstopped being filed under "cosmetic" — a fight the psoriasis community has waged, one denialletter, one Capitol Hill meeting, and one state law at a time.

Brian Lehrschall was thirteen when psoriasis arrived, and it moved fast &mdash; from a single scalypatch on his arm to more than ninety percent of his body in six months. Psoriatic arthritisfollowed soon after. What he did next set the pattern for the next thirty years. He asked hisdoctor at Duke to explain exactly what was happening in his body and why, and Brian hasn&rsquo;tstopped asking the hard questions ever since. In this episode, Brian talks with Holly about self-advocacy, from the exam room to capitol hill, where Brian has campaigned for Step Therapyreform and other legal protections for his community. Plus, Holly tells the story of how psoriasisstopped being filed under "cosmetic" &mdash; a fight the psoriasis community has waged, one denialletter, one Capitol Hill meeting, and one state law at a time.

Hosted by Holly Frey of Stuff You Missed in History Class, Season 3 of Our Skin: A Personal Discovery Podcast expands the conversation to spotlight the real, unfiltered stories of people living with psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and other conditions that show up on the skin—and what it means to navigate life in a body that others (and you!) don’t always understand.

Each episode, we pull up a seat for people who’ve been there: through the appointments, the flare-ups, the questions, and the quiet moments in between. These are honest, practical conversations about what actually helps: how to advocate for yourself, how to leave a doctor’s office feeling heard and taken seriously, and how to navigate the hard parts without having to figure it all out on your own. Because here, you’re not learning the hard way; you’re learning from people who already have.

Next, we zoom out to explore the wild, weird, and sometimes complicated history of skincare and treatment—from ancient remedies to modern breakthroughs that are still evolving.

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 not the only one in the room… and you never have to feel that way again.

Hosted by Holly Frey of Stuff You Missed in History Class, Season 3 of Our Skin: A Personal Discovery Podcast expands the conversation to spotlight the real, unfiltered stories of people living with psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and other conditions that show up on the skin&mdash;and what it means to navigate life in a body that others (and you!) don&rsquo;t always understand.
Each episode, we pull up a seat for people who&rsquo;ve been there: through the appointments, the flare-ups, the questions, and the quiet moments in between. These are honest, practical conversations about what actually helps: how to advocate for yourself, how to leave a doctor&rsquo;s office feeling heard and taken seriously, and how to navigate the hard parts without having to figure it all out on your own. Because here, you&rsquo;re not learning the hard way; you&rsquo;re learning from people who already have.
Next, we zoom out to explore the wild, weird, and sometimes complicated history of skincare and treatment&mdash;from ancient remedies to modern breakthroughs that are still evolving.
Because when we share our stories with people who understand them we create something bigger than awareness. We create community. A place where you&rsquo;re not the only one in the room&hellip; and you never have to feel that way again.

Our Skin: A Personal Discovery Podcast

Explain This to Me: Brian Lehrschall on Self-Advocacy, From a Doctor's Office to Capitol Hill

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bf737cbb-51bc-48d3-8a3b-b4ac013a42ed/transcript