The endocrine system consists of eight major organs that produce and regulate hormones, the chemical messengers that keep the body in balance. Hormones quietly orchestrate everything from our energy and metabolism to mood, sleep, and resilience, acting as an internal communication network that responds to stress, environment, and lifestyle. From cold plunges and saunas to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, even small daily inputs are said to shift this delicate signaling. How does stress really affect our bodies? Does “adrenal fatigue” exist? Is it actually possible to “biohack” our hormones?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Priya Jaisinghani, MD, ABIM, DABOM, a triple board-certified Endocrinology, Obesity Medicine, and Internal Medicine physician from New York City.

Dr. Jaisinghani received her MD from Rutgers/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she also completed her Internal Medicine Residency, Endocrinology and Obesity Medicine Fellowships at Weill Cornell Medicine. Currently, Dr. Jaisinghani is a Diabetes, Metabolism, and Obesity Medicine attending physician at NYU Langone Health, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and a Medical Unit Contributor at ABC News.

Dr. Jaisinghani has been featured on CNN, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Men's Health, FOX 5 News, and Medscape,

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube

Food is such an integral part of not just culture, but of life in itself. It is the fuel that allows our hearts to beat, our lungs to breathe, and our cells to metabolize—powering every physiological process that sustains us. But with so much conversation surrounding food, from restrictive diet culture to viral wellness trends, nourishment can become clouded by confusion, fear, and misinformation. How many meals should we actually eat per day? What are seed oils, and should we really avoid them? Are artificial sweeteners truly a better choice than sugar? Do green juice cleanses actually work?

In this episode, we are joined by Stephanie Chen, MS, RDN, LDN, a Boston, MA-based registered dietitian and nutritionist trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E) and the Family-Based Treatment (FBT).

Stephanie earned her MS in Clinical Psychology (with research on novel body image) from Missouri State University and later earned a second MS in Nutrition Science from Boston University. Currently, Stephanie is a practicing dietitian and partner at Lori Lieberman and Associates, where she aligns with Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size® and specializes in kidney and heart disease, diabetes, GI issues, weight management, and eating disorders. Stephanie is also the founder of Boston Asian Food Network, which highlights Boston's AAPI food community and is the home of Boston Asian Restaurant Week.

Outside of dietetics, Stephanie is a freelance editorial and runway fashion model, having been featured on WBZ News/CBS Boston, Harper's BAZAAR Vietnam, Tatler Philippines, and MEGA Magazine.

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube

The human heart is a tireless biomechanical marvel—an exquisitely engineered pump powered by both mechanical precision and an intrinsic electrical system, beating over 100,000 times a day to sustain life. But like any machine, despite having an electrical mind of its own, it is not infallible—when its rhythm drifts or its mechanics strain, the impact is felt far beyond the chest. From more complex cases like heart failure and detrimental arrhythmias to the more-known feared heart attack caused by high cholesterol, it leads to questions — What can we do to safeguard the health of our heart? What should one do when they experience chest pain? And how do we learn to listen to the heart’s warning signs before they become life-altering events?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Diala Steitieh, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and assistant professor of clinical medicine, focusing on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and sports cardiology, based in New York City.

Dr. Steitieh received her MD from Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar and completed her Internal Medicine Residency and Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College. Currently, Dr. Steitieh serves as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine and Principal Investigator of clinical studies at Weill Cornell Medical College and the Director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program in the Division of Cardiology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Dr. Steitieh has been featured on Yahoo!, SELF Magazine, Qatar Tribune, MSN, TCTMD, and The Peninsula Qatar.

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube

From microplastics and “forever chemicals” in household items—from our kitchens to our bathrooms—to the charred bits of meat on a barbecue grill, to the smoke and fumes we inhale simply by walking through a city, and recently even kimchi (?!), concern about cancer risk seems to be everywhere. Like cancer metastasis itself, the conversation is rapidly spreading across social media and online forums. But how many of these so-called “carcinogens” are truly worth our time, apprehension, and caution?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Timothy Tiutan, MD (known online as Dr. Tim), a board-certified internal medicine physician, oncology/cancer hospitalist, author of 'The Mediterranean Diet,' and assistant medical professor based in New York City. With nearly two million followers on social media, Dr. Tiutan's unique "edutainment" style delivers pertinent general health and cancer-prevention education to his online audience.

Dr. Tiutan received his BA/BS in Spanish and Physiology and MD from the University of Arizona College of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Weill Cornell Medical College. Currently, he is an oncology specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Medical Contributor at CBS News, the official media spokesperson of the American Cancer Society, and a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Fides Network, a select group from around the world that combats misinformation in the media and supports health initiatives for communities globally.

Dr. Tiutan has been featured on the New York Post, HuffPost, Yahoo!, Daily Record, UNILAD, LADBible, The Independent, Times of India, CBS News, and Daily Mail.

Follow Friends of Franz Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook

Follow Christian Franz (Host): Instagram, YouTube

“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 has been featured on Vogue Singapore, 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