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.

Alisha Bridges was seven years old when a bout of chicken pox triggered psoriasis across 90% of her body &mdash; 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 &mdash; 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.

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

Plants, Pageants, and Policy: Alisha Bridges on Psoriasis, Advocacy, and Building a Tribe

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/97db0fb3-9d04-4a3a-ba35-b464013d6e19/transcript