This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex Thiersch, JD, speaks with Lisa Lickstein, MSW, MBA, co-owner and COO of Lickstein Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa. She previews her upcoming talk at the 2025 Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference and shares how the concept of “unreasonable hospitality,” inspired by Will Guidara’s renowned book, has reshaped her approach to leadership, team development and the patient experience. This conversation includes: How clinical director Christina Hobgood Naugle, ...
Jul 02, 2025•42 min•Ep. 380
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Lori Werner, founder and chief marketing whiz at Medical Marketing Whiz, a woman-led marketing agency that specializes in marketing for wellness and medical aesthetics practices. They talk about her path from medical device sales to entrepreneurship and how her team helps med spas get discovered online using answer engine optimization (AI-SEO). How she transitioned from medical device sales to founding a woman-led marketing agenc...
Jun 25, 2025•40 min•Ep. 379
This week, AmSpa President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, celebrated entrepreneur, founder of BrainTrust and author of The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow and Accelerate Your Brand. They discuss her entrepreneurial journey from building brands to owning in the beauty space, how she evaluates opportunities, and the ways she protects her mental wellness with the help of her community. Listen for: Aligning opportunities with her four pillars: community, mentorship, ...
Jun 18, 2025•43 min•Ep. 378
In this Medical Spa Show edition of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa’s Alex Thiersch, JD, speaks with Shannon Blake, director of medical spa partnerships at Podium. They chat about what makes MSS her favorite aesthetic conference and trade show, along with the exciting new voice capabilities Podium is building into its AI-powered lead management and client communication platform. Listen to hear: What made MSS2025 Podium’s favorite show so far; How Avery is solving the issue of speed to lead; Building ...
Jun 11, 2025•14 min•Ep. 377
“For med spas, it’s so important to know who you are, what you stand for, and deliver on that with discipline.” This week, AmSpa’s Alex Thiersch sits down with Lowinn Kibbey, President of North America at Cynosure Lutronic, to discuss the landmark merger of two global energy-based device leaders and what it means for the future of medical aesthetics. They talk about: The historic merger of Cynosure and Lutronic, one year in; Navigating the unique dynamics of the aesthetics industry; Why brand id...
Jun 04, 2025•42 min•Ep. 376
What if your med spa data could talk? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Alex Lirtsman, founder and CEO of CorralData, to explore how medical spas can unlock real-time, HIPAA-compliant insights without changing their existing systems. CorralData integrates everything from your EMR to marketing, payroll, and finance systems, giving med spas the ability to uncover actionable insights that drive profitability, patient retention, and scalable growth. Listen for strat...
May 28, 2025•42 min•Ep. 375
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Emma Snowball-Robinson, APRN, founder of PURE Medical Aesthetics and PURE Evolution Academy. They chat about her incredible journey from modeling and marrying a rock star to putting herself through nursing school and founding a thriving aesthetic practice. Emma opens up about her reinvention and why “keep showing up” has been her guiding motto. Listen to hear: Emma’s path from modeling to regenerative medicine and wellness; Over...
May 21, 2025•38 min•Ep. 374
In this special MSS edition of Medical Spa Insider, Michela Bailey sits down with AmSpa State Chapter leaders from California and Utah, recorded live at Medical Spa Show 2025! Meet California co-chair Sahar Saghezchi, of Cupertino Facial Esthetics; Utah co-chair Terri Hancock, DNP, ACNP-BC, of Bellissima Medical Aesthetic; and Utah co-chair Amanda Hopper, of St. George Med Spa. They share their excitement to reconnect at MSS and the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference (WALC), and the ways ...
May 16, 2025•40 min•Ep. 373
Join AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, as he discusses with Courtney Smith, account executive, and Jon Romano, SVP of sales at Darwill, how med spas can leverage data-driven direct mail to overcome digital fatigue and achieve significant growth. Recorded at AmSpa’s Chicago headquarters, this episode explores the evolution of traditional marketing and how direct mail can create genuine, lasting impressions that boost ROI when integrated with CRM and digital strategies. Key insights inc...
May 14, 2025•43 min•Ep. 372
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Dr. Christopher C. Surek, DO, FACS—board-certified plastic surgeon, internationally recognized facial anatomist, and founder and director of the Academy for Injection Anatomy (AIA)—to discuss the new AIA Alumni Reunion and Refresher course. Designed exclusively for advanced cadaver training alumni, this event offers a higher level, more intense training experience with live full face injections, layered and cross-sectional di...
May 09, 2025•28 min•Ep. 371
In this episode, AmSpa’s Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and Cathy Christensen join Dr. Kay Durairaj, internationally recognized facial plastic surgeon and founder of Beauty by Dr. Kay live from Las Vegas at the Medical Spa Show 2025 to talk about Biohacking Beauty: The science shaping the future of biohacking and regenerative aesthetics. From GLP-1s and “Ozempic face” to collagen stimulation, exosomes, polynucleotides and peptide stacks, Dr. Kay demystifies the research-backed tools med spa professionals...
May 07, 2025•40 min•Ep. 370
In this special MSS edition of Medical Spa Insider, Michela Bailey sits down with the Tennessee, Georgia and Florida state chapter leaders, recorded live at Medical Spa Show 2025! Meet Tennessee chair Courtney D. Walker, Esq., of Smiley Aesthetics; Georgia chair Martina Kolovich, NP, of Altera Aesthetix; Florida co-chair Michael Zanetti of Erasable Med Spa, and Florida secretary Adrienne Lloyd, MHA, FACHE, of Med Spa Optimization. They talk about taking a proactive approach to med spa regulation...
May 02, 2025•25 min•Ep. 369
“All medical providers just aren't taught the skills to own and operate a business successfully.” This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Mary Smiley Ford, MSN, APRN, CRNA, and Carla Pierson, DNP, MBA, RN, identical twins and co-founders of Smiley Aesthetics in Nashville, Tennessee. They explore how their mission to empower med spa providers through compliance, clinical training and business support has fueled the growth of a platform powering over 140 independent med...
Apr 30, 2025•37 min•Ep. 368
In this special MSS edition of Medical Spa Insider, Michela Bailey sits down with the leaders of the Texas State Chapter, recorded live at Medical Spa Show 2025! Meet Texas co-chairs S. Alexis Gordon, MD, FACS, of Renew MD Facial Aesthetics, and Celeste Cisneros, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, of Solas Health and Wellness; and secretary Tammy Pendygraft, CLHRP, of Revive Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine. They share what motivated them to lead, how they’re championing safe practices in medical aesthetics...
Apr 25, 2025•18 min•Ep. 367
This week on the podcast, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Coordinator, Michela Bailey, speaks with Victoria “Vicki” Senyk, MSN, AGNP-C, LE, founder of Aesthetics Temple in Northbrook, Illinois. They talk about centering patient wellbeing in this conversation that includes: How she found AmSpa’s compliance education; Teaching kids skin care with community outreach; What motivates her “make it happen” mindset; Safety first with comprehensive patient care; Regenerative skin care, her aesth...
Apr 23, 2025•30 min•Ep. 366
This week, AmSpa President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Linder, founder of Linder Health and former owner and chief scientific officer of PCA Skin. They chat about her entrepreneurship journey with skin care science, the benefits of noninflammatory chemical peels and hot topics in longevity medicine. Listen for more on: How melasma skin care sparked her entrepreneur journey; Embracing longevity medicine to target the 12 hallmarks of aging; Ed...
Apr 16, 2025•46 min•Ep. 365
This week AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Bobbi Bullock, NP-C, founder of Bobbi Bullock Medical Esthetics. They talk about how she got her start in medical aesthetics, the unique health challenge that led her to groundbreaking research on facial asymmetry, and how she builds community to grow stronger together. Listen to hear more about: How she got into aesthetic medicine from corporate health care; Going from one room in a salon to growing a fully booked business; Pros...
Apr 09, 2025•55 min•Ep. 364
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Tyler Weinberg, CEO of Aviva Aesthetics, and Dan Hosler, chairman of the board at Aviva and managing partner of DuneGlass Capital. They discuss how Aviva is implementing an innovative approach to business growth that provides med spa owners a pathway to long-term success—offering a unique alternative to traditional private equity. Learn how their model empowers growth-minded med spa owners to scale, retain control and prepare...
Apr 02, 2025•37 min•Ep. 363
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Sara Cole, AGACNP-BC, CANS, Siren Medical Spa; Chakika Williams, DNP-L, MBA/HCM, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FPA, SkyRose Rejuvenation Clinic & Spa; Alexander Rivkin, MD, Westside Aesthetics; Alyssa Rapp, Empower Aesthetics; Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS, CLT, Gorgeous Aesthetic Bar; Jenna Hilton, PA-C, Vibrant Skin Bar. They share their biggest wins, lessons learned, and must-know insights for conference attendees. Don’t miss their sessions at Medical...
Mar 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 362
Would you learn another fine injection technique to access a patient population of 30 million? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Keetha Hanlin, RN, LME, senior clinical advisor at Methapharm, distributor of sclerosing agent Asclera. Drawing on her 20 years of experience, Hanlin discusses sclerotherapy as a treatment for spider and reticular veins in the lower extremity, and how to incorporate cosmetic vein treatment in your aesthetic practice. Listen to hear mor...
Mar 26, 2025•38 min•Ep. 361
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Gretchen Frieling, MD, of GfaceMD; Christal Parker, FNP-C, APRN, of Savvy Beauty and Wellness; Blakelee Paige Smith, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, NP-C, of Skin + Aesthetics; Rana Kennelly, AGNP-C, CANS, of The Confidence Bar; and Molly Bailey, PA-C, of Face Forward Aesthetics. They share their biggest wins, lessons learned, and must-know insights for conference attendees. Don’t miss their sessions at Medical Spa Show 2025 , from April 10 - 13, 2025! Gre...
Mar 21, 2025•27 min•Ep. 360
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex Thiersch, JD, speaks with Kiiyonna Jones, PhD, FNP-C, founder of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Boutique. They chat about how she uses artificial intelligence to reclaim her time and how AI automations are transforming the future of medical spas. Everybody needs to know and understand AI, Dr. Jones says—start here! How AI has been a game-changer in her business; The exact framework Dr. Jones uses to prompt ChatGPT; AI’s power to compress time for tasks, from busi...
Mar 19, 2025•40 min•Ep. 359
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from W. Chistopher Croley, MD, of Skin & Tonic; Cary Deuber, CRNFA, CANS, of Lemmon Avenue; George Baxter-Holder, DNP, APRN, CANS, of SkinSpirit; Katie Duke, NP-BC, of KD Creative; Riley Worth, NP, of Elase Medical Spa; and Nicole Gregory of Urban You. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025 , from April 10 - 13, 2025! W. Christopher Croley, MD S...
Mar 14, 2025•29 min•Ep. 358
This week, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Randi Boyette, PhD, CEO of Spark Medical Marketing and CMO of NewBeauty, to explore her inspiring career journey and vision for the future of the medical aesthetics industry. As Corporate Development Advisor at AmSpa, she shares her passion for elevating the industry by focusing on compliance, culture, and collaboration. Tune in to hear about making your own opportunities, maintaining a strong business culture, and why AmSpa is pivotal in shaping the ...
Mar 12, 2025•35 min•Ep. 357
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Kim Burke, APN, FNP-C, of Kiss Aesthetics; Julie Bass Kaplan, FNP-BC, CANS, of Disappearing Act Medical Aesthetics; Kiiyonna Jones, PhD, FNP-C, of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Boutique; Josie Tenore, MD, of Trevi Longevity & Aesthetics; and Audrey Neff, of PatientNow. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025 , from April 10 - 13, 2025! Kim Burke,...
Mar 07, 2025•28 min•Ep. 356
What is a realistic investment from seed to success? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Ashley James, CEO of DermAesthetic Consulting and MedSpa Mobile Solutions. They discuss the financial must-knows when opening a medical spa for the first time. Their conversation includes: The unique challenges of running an aesthetic business; Hidden costs that could derail your business plan; Equipment purchasing dos and don’ts; What services to bring on based on ROI and dir...
Mar 05, 2025•47 min•Ep. 355
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Erika Barry, NP-C, of Resculpt Aesthetics; Savanna Boda, LE, of Savanna Boda Aesthetics; Jacklyn Halpin, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, of Aesthetic Couture Medical Spa and Skin of Color Aesthetics; Rana Kennelly, AGNP-C, CANS, of The Confidence Bar; and Steven Sorr, NMD, of Source of Health. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025 , from April 10 - 13, 2025...
Feb 28, 2025•25 min•Ep. 354
In this special milestone episode, we’re celebrating over 300 episodes of Medical Spa Insider, a journey that started in 2018. AmSpa’s Alex R. Thiersch, JD, Cathy Christensen, and Michela Bailey reflect on their favorite moments, from their very first episode to unforgettable conversations with guests who’ve gone on to achieve incredible success in the industry. Tune in for a look back at the most memorable episodes, evolving industry trends, and what excites them for the future—plus a sneak pee...
Feb 26, 2025•48 min•Ep. 353
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Dr. Kay Durairaj, of Beauty by Dr. Kay; Leslie Fletcher, NP-BC, of InjectAbility; Sahar Saghezchi, LPN, of Cupertino Facial Esthetics; Grace McLaurin, DMSc, PA-C, of Vitality Anti-Aging Center; and Suzanne Munshower, RN, of Beauty Marx Aesthetic MedSpa. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025 , from April 10 - 13, 2025! Dr. Kay Durairaj Friday, ...
Feb 21, 2025•23 min•Ep. 352
How do we build a culture where ideas have a fighting chance? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and AmSpa president and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speak with Kyle Scheele, author and upcoming keynote speaker at Medical Spa Show 2025. Deemed “the patron saint of crazy ideas,” Scheele shares his entrepreneurial journey, the power of outside perspectives, and how we can stop talking ourselves out of ideas to move the ball forward. They talk about: Embracing crazy ideas and accide...
Feb 19, 2025•48 min•Ep. 351
