“Paraben-free,” “non-comedogenic,” “medical-grade skincare,” "collagen-boosting," "benzene-free," “fragrance-free,” and “dermatologist-tested” are among the most commonly used terms in cosmetic and skincare marketing worldwide. These familiar labels are often treated as shortcuts for trust, quality, and clinical legitimacy—yet without consistent regulation, their meanings can be surprisingly fluid. Do they carry meaningful weight from a scientific and dermatologic standpoint, or are they simply marketing buzzwords that blur the line between evidence and persuasion?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Michelle Wong, PhD. Dr. Wong is a Chemistry PhD, beauty and cosmetic science communicator, and author based in Sydney, Australia. She is known online as Lab Muffin Beauty Science, having amassed over 1.5 million followers by educating the public about the science behind beauty products and ingredients.

Dr. Wong received her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Sydney, with a dissertation focused on cyclic peptide-based structures for medicinal and supramolecular applications. She then received the Diploma of Personal Care Formulation from the Institute of Personal Care Science. Since then, Dr. Wong has written two books: ‘The Science of Beauty' and ‘The Lab Muffin Guide to Basic Skincare.' She also co-founded BeautySciComm, an online initiative to increase the quality, volume, and reach of accurate beauty science content.

Dr. Wong is a trusted voice, featured as a media expert on The New York Times, The Atlantic, HuffPost, Daily Mail, ABC News, ELLE France/Canada, Well+Good, IFLScience, Wired, and The Cut.

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube

In today's skin-obsessed world, we are met with ever-emerging beauty trends, viral products, and buzzy cosmetic treatments that aim to do one thing: delay and reverse the dermal signs of aging, while preserving and nourishing the skin barrier. From beef tallow to NAD+ IV therapy to rosemary oil for hair loss and even what seems to be more benign marketing like "clean beauty" claims, how can we determine what truly keeps skin healthy versus what’s simply trending?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Connie Yang, MD, FAAD. Dr. Yang is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of medicine based in New York City. Dr. Yang received her MD from Boston University School of Medicine, spent a dedicated research year focused on pigmentary disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School Department of Dermatology, and completed her Dermatology residency at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she served as Chief Resident of Cosmetics in her final year. Currently, Dr. Yang serves as a physician at PFRANKMD by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank and an assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine Department of Dermatology.

Dr. Yang has been featured on Vogue, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Popsugar, The New York Post, Allure, NBC News, Well+Good, and RealSelf.

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube

How far are people willing to go for glass skin and a clear face? For years, we have witnessed adventurous — and sometimes extreme — pursuits within skincare and cosmetic treatments in the quest for ageless beauty. We’ve heard it all: the Vampire Facial, human placenta for collagen, snail slime, and, in recent years, salmon sperm DNA. From celebrities like Jennifer Aniston to Kim Kardashian, salmon sperm facials have become the latest craze promising skin regeneration, brightening, and that coveted youthful glow. But what exactly is salmon sperm DNA therapy, and does it actually work — or is it just another viral beauty trend swimming through social media?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Lanna Cheuck, DO, FACS. Dr. Cheuck is a board-certified urologic surgeon specializing in aesthetics and sexual health and is the CEO and Medical Director of LC Medical Aesthetics, a medical spa empire with multiple locations specializing in cosmetic surgery, injectables, sexual health.

Dr. Cheuck received her DO from the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed her Urology Residency at Brown University, and pursued a Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery Fellowship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Currently, Dr. Cheuck is an Assistant Professor of Head and Neck Facial Anatomy at Montefiore Hospital, National Trainer for Galderma Aesthetics (a center of education for GAIN training), Owner and National Trainer for FACE Med-Spa Training, Co-Founder of FACE Med Store, and the Host and Co-Founder of Future of Aesthetics Global Summit (an inclusive network for virtual aesthetics)

Dr. Cheuck has been featured on Forbes, Cosmopolitan, New York Post, Well+Good, RealSelf News, Global Woman Magazine, Asian Hustle Network, and NewBeauty.

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube

Korean skincare and cosmetics have truly become a global phenomenon, taking the beauty world by storm. Rooted in the preventive philosophies of Hanbang (한방), or Traditional Korean Medicine, Korean beauty has introduced a cultural mindset of proactive skincare, consistent routines, and understanding your skin’s needs before issues arise. Now, as it intersects with Western aesthetic methodologies and AI-powered formulations, one question remains: do these ancient theories of beauty still hold their value today?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Young Ho Park, L.Ac. Dr. Park is a board-certified acupuncturist and herbalist from the esteemed National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and the founder and owner of RAUM, a medical aesthetics and wellness spa in New York City.

Receiving certification from the Korean Facial Rejuvenation Association in both Korea and Taiwan, Dr. Park is a renowned specialist in facial rejuvenation. Dr. Park is also well-versed in sports medicine, having completed his team doctor program and working alongside athletes on and off the court, including as part of the medical team at the U.S. Open.

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube

In many East Asian cultures, childbirth marks not just a beginning, but a sacred period of recovery known as Zuò Yuè Zi, or “sitting the month.” Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this postnatal confinement practice emphasizes rest, warmth, and nourishment to restore balance and vitality after delivery, which is said to deplete the mother's qi, or vital life force. In the modern and busy world of working mothers with unpaid maternity leave, is it possible to incorporate facets of an ancient rejuvenating practice into the home?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kristal Lau, MBBS, MPH, BMedSc. Dr. Lau is a board-certified physician with over a decade of experience, the leading postpartum wellness consultant, author of 'Postpartum 30' (double winner at the NYC Big Book Award), and the founder of Bridges in Health and Mama's Wing Woman, a consulting company that creates wellness experiences for individuals and families and provides postpartum planning, coaching, and wellness programs to new parents and their families.

Dr. Lau received her MBBS from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, MPH in Health Care Organization and Policy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and General Medicine residency in Australia. Dr. Lau has then become an expert in postpartum practice, having served as an Advisor and the Co-Chair of the Women’s Health Lifestyle Medicine Initiative at European Lifestyle Medicine Organization, Postnatal Retreat Development Consultant at Sanu, Family Resiliency Expert at the United States Army, and Director of Education at the Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum Coalition.

Dr. Lau has been featured on Goop, Medium, CEO Weekly, KTLA, Exeleon Magazine, EIN Presswire, and ABNewswire.

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube

Originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1960s, ketamine has reemerged as one of modern psychiatry’s most promising tools for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Its superpower lies in working with your brain's glutamate receptors to create antidepressant effects. What does the future of psychedelic-assisted mental health care hold? Could this once-stigmatized molecule represent the future of mental health care and healing the mind from within?

Dr. Mai Shimada, M.D., MBA, FAAEM, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician with over a decade of experience and is the founder and CEO of Isha Health, an online at-home ketamine clinic dedicated to providing safe and effective treatments for depression and anxiety.

Dr. Shimada received her MD from the University of Tokyo, Emergency Medicine residency in the United States, and later on, completed the Psychedelic Facilitation Certification Program at the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics in two areas and the Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Training Program at Polaris Insight Center. Currently, alongside Isha Health, Dr. Shimada is a study physician for psychedelic medicine clinical trials at Open Mind Collective, a Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (FAAEM), a member of The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM), and a visiting professor of Medicine at Tohoku University in Japan. Dr. Shimada has been featured on Forbes Japan.

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube

Ayurveda, often referred to as the “science of life,” is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, with origins dating back over 5,000 years to ancient India. From understanding the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—that govern our physical and emotional states, to the powerful cleansing and rejuvenating process known as Panchakarma. Ayurveda is rooted in harmony between mind, body, and spirit, and it views health as a dynamic balance rather than the mere absence of disease. Can this ancient system continue to offer profound guidance for holistic wellness in the modern world?

In this episode, we are joined by Nisha Saini, CHHP. Nisha is the Founder and Director of the award-winning New York Ayurveda & Panchakarma Center in 2006, and is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Panchakarma Specialist, and licensed holistic esthetician. Nisha and New York Ayurveda have been featured on Vogue and NPR.

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube

For thousands of years, humans have sought healing from within — through breath, movement, and energy. Practices like Qigong, yoga, and, more contemporarily, Reiki have emerged from traditions as powerful ways to restore balance, vitality, and inner peace. Qigong uses slow, intentional movement and breath to cultivate life force energy, while yoga unites body and mind through postures and controlled breathing. Reiki, rooted in Japanese energy medicine, offers gentle, hands-on healing by channeling universal energy. In our current world of constant changes, stressors, and stimulations, are these ancient grounding practices for healing and harmony still viable?

In this episode, we are joined by three expert guests within the tenets of Qigong, yoga, and Reiki. Firstly, Lisa Li is the founder of The Qi (a flowering tea wellness company) and a certified Qigong instructor, having trained in the traditional Chinese practice for 7 years. Lisa and The Qi have been featured on New York Magazine, Bon Appétit, Architectural Digest, Food & Wine, and Good Housekeeping.

Melissa Jeng is a decade-long yoga and mindfulness teacher based in New York City. Trained through Yogamaya and with Jules Mitchell, Melissa pursued advanced training in biomechanics, meditation, trauma-informed yoga, and breath work.

Margaret Wang is a Usui/Tibetan Reiki practitioner, having completed her training at The International Center for Reiki Training.

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube