The Collective Podcast

Hosted by Jessica Christy

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The Collective Podcast is hosted by Jessica Christy, founder of Culture Collective — home to Beauty Culture, Cultured Wellness, and Nova Culture. Evidence-based conversations on aesthetics, hormones, and longevity, breaking down the science behind looking and feeling your best — clearly and honestly. Education, not medical advice. We inspire confidence.

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September 1, 2026Episode 511 min

GLP-1 Microdosing: The Conversation Mainstream Medicine Won't Have

Somewhere between "you don't qualify" and "here's your full dose," there's a whole conversation nobody is having. GLP-1 microdosing has quietly become one of the most requested and least understood protocols in metabolic medicine. Patients are asking for it. Clinics are offering it. The research to fully back it doesn't exist yet. We get honest about all three at once. We cover what microdosing actually means, why the approved doses are the approved doses, why so many women in perimenopause feel the standard protocol wasn't built for their body, and where the real risk lives — which is almost never where people think it is. Not a pitch. Not a warning label. The conversation you'd get with ninety minutes instead of eleven. Book a consultation: HERE · Follow: @culturecollectivebrands The new Wellness aesthetic Fusion Method: HERE Education only, not medical advice. GLP-1 receptor agonists are prescription medications with real contraindications. Talk to your own licensed provider.

August 18, 2026Episode 414 min

Compounded BHRT vs FDA-Approved HRT

Twenty years ago, one study scared a generation of women off hormones — and we're still paying for it. But here's what almost nobody explains: not all hormones are the same, and "bioidentical" doesn't mean what most people think. In this episode, Jessica Christy untangles two questions people constantly blur together: bioidentical vs. synthetic (the molecule), and FDA-approved vs. custom-compounded (the source). They're not the same question — and knowing the difference changes the conversation you have with your provider. She walks through the WHI backstory fairly (what that 2002 study actually used, and why its findings got over-generalized to all hormone therapy), what the clot-risk data really shows by molecule and by route, and where custom-compounded hormones do — and don't — fit, according to ACOG and the Endocrine Society. In this episode: Why "bioidentical" does NOT mean "compounded" — and why many bioidentical hormones are FDA-approved The real story behind the 2002 WHI study and the harm of over-generalizing it Molecule matters: estradiol and micronized progesterone vs. older CEE/MPA Route matters: why oral vs. transdermal changes the risk picture Where custom-compounded hormones, pellets, and saliva testing actually fit The smart questions to ask your provider before starting hormone therapy The goal isn't a miracle — it's the right molecule, the right route, the right dose, monitored over time. If you've been scared off hormones, or told "you're too old," the real answer depends on your molecule, route, dose, and risk factors. Book a Cultured Wellness hormone evaluation to see if — and which — hormone therapy fits you. BOOK NOW This episode is education, not medical advice — always loop in your own provider. Because at Culture Collective, we inspire confidence.

August 4, 2026Episode 311 min

Why Your Skin Isn't Improving

You're buying the products. You're following the routine. And your skin still isn't improving. Before you add one more serum to the cabinet, listen to this. In this episode, Jessica Christy — former dermatology PA with years in aesthetics — breaks down the real reasons a "good" skincare routine still doesn't work. It's usually not that your skin is broken. It's the strategy. She covers the most common mistakes quietly sabotaging your skin: inconsistency, layering too many or too-strong actives at once, over-exfoliating until the barrier is stripped, skipping daily SPF, and one-size single-brand thinking. Then she goes deeper — to the root causes topicals can't fix, like hormones, gut health, and the skin microbiome. Jessica also shares her own story: fighting cyclical, hormonal acne while being the "skin authority" in the room, and the turning point that finally changed her skin — a curated, customized plan instead of one miracle product. In this episode: Why consistency beats a 10-step routine every time How too many actives wreck your skin barrier (and how to build in retinoids the right way) The "squeaky clean" myth and what over-exfoliation really does Why skipping SPF undoes everything else you're doing When a skin problem is actually a hormonal or gut problem Jessica's personal acne story and the strategy that fixed it What a real, customized skin plan looks like If your skin isn't improving, you don't need more products — you need a plan. Ready for the next step? Book a skin consult or facial at Beauty Culture, or start the Clear Skin program, for a routine built for your skin. BOOKING LINK HERE This episode is education, not medical advice — always loop in your own provider. Because at Culture Collective, we inspire confidence.

July 21, 2026Episode 221 min

The Gut-Skin Axis

You can spend $300 on serums and still break out — because the problem was never on your face. In this episode, Jessica Christy breaks down the gut-skin axis: the two-way conversation between your digestion and your complexion, and why acne, redness, and reactive skin that "won't calm down" so often start on the inside. Drawing on her own experience with cyclical, hormonal acne as a former dermatology PA, she explains why no topical can out-run an internal driver — and what actually moves the needle. In this episode: Why your skin is a mirror of your gut, and how microbiome imbalance and inflammation show up as breakouts, rosacea, and eczema The diet levers that matter most: high-glycemic foods, dairy, and fatty foods vs. the protective power of fiber, fruits, and vegetables The honest nuance most people skip — the link is well-documented, but "leaky gut" is a proposed mechanism, not settled science Why a great routine alone keeps failing when the real driver is gut, diet, or hormones How Beauty Culture and Cultured Wellness work the problem from the inside out, and what to realistically expect from inside-out work Education, not medical advice — always loop in your own provider. If your skin keeps relapsing no matter what you put on it, stop fighting your face and start looking at your gut. 👉 Book a Cultured Wellness consult and let's treat your skin from the inside out: Book Here

July 7, 2026Episode 128 min

Your Labs Are Normal — So Why Don't You Feel Like It?

Your bloodwork came back "normal" — so why do you still feel exhausted, foggy, or just off? In this first episode of The Collective Podcast, Jessica Christy — founder of Culture Collective — unpacks the difference between "normal" and "optimal" lab results, and why a number inside the reference range doesn't always mean everything's fine. What we cover: - Why standard lab "reference ranges" are broad — and what that actually means for you - The gap between "normal" and "optimal," and why symptoms matter as much as numbers - Common markers worth looking at more closely when you don't feel your best - How to have a more informed conversation with your provider about your results This episode is education, not medical advice. Always consult your own provider before making changes to your health. 🎧 Listen & subscribe: Apple Podcasts and culturecollectivebrands.com 📍 Culture Collective — Bloomfield Hills, MI Music from Uppbeat. The Next Step Start the Conversation Have a question an episode raised for you? Let's talk it through. Book Now Because at Culture Collective, we inspire confidence!

September 18, 202521 min

The Growth Factor Glow-Up: Ariessence® PDGF for Faster Healing, Fuller Hair & Longer-Lasting Botox

Pure Growth Factor, Pure Confidence: How Ariessence® PDGF Is Changing Skin, Hair & Botox Longevity After a summer break, Jessica Christy, PA-C, is back with a deep dive into one of the most exciting tools in modern aesthetics— Ariessence® pure PDGF+ . In this episode of The Curated Beauty Podcast , Jessica unpacks the brand-new white paper on the safety of exogenously applied rhPDGF-BB , debunks old cancer myths, and explains how recombinant technology means no donor blood or stem cells—just pure, pharmaceutical-grade growth factor . Jessica shares detailed, practice-tested protocols, including her Hair Renew scalp injections, under-eye and midface rejuvenation with Skinvive + PDGF , and her innovative forehead Vitti Pure blend that may even help Botox last longer through myomodulation. Listeners will also hear how Ariessence accelerates healing and amplifies results after lasers and microneedling—from Moxi and Halo to SylfirmX and SkinPen —while staying fully compliant and cost-effective. Explore more science at Lynch Regenerative Medicine , and if you're curious which treatments are right for you, take our quick Aesthetic Quiz . Whether you're a patient curious about regenerative skin care or a provider ready to elevate your treatments, you'll learn why Jessica calls Ariessence a platform product that works better than it should —backed by science, safety, and spectacular real-world results.

June 16, 202512 min

A Lesson in Owning Your Moment: Take Up Space Like You Mean It

Recently, I was in Sedona on a visionary integrator retreat with my COO Julia. The whole point of the trip was to take a pause, think big, and get aligned. In the development of Beauty Culture and what it may become, we've tossed around a lot of different ideas. Julia loves the mountains, and with her encouragement, we decided to go on the Devil's Bridge hike while we were there. We finally made it to the bridge, which is majestic, Instagram worthy, and totally narrow. There was a line to take photos, and at one point these older women had their turn, but they were holding up the line. Someone across the canyon yells "hurry up," and one of the women turns around and says "I was once where you are—across the bridge—and now I'm here! So shut the F up!" Part of me was embarrassed for her, but the other part of me was obsessed with the audacity she had to take up space. As women, we are conditioned to apologize for our success, shrink when we're shining, and to snap the picture and get out of the way. We don't want to inconvenience anyone else. But if you've put in the work, you've earned the photo. You didn't climb this far to rush the moment. When you meet a goal, take a moment of reverence and honor the mountain you've just climbed. You don't owe anyone speed (even when your people-pleasing tendencies sneak up on you). Reclaiming space is about unlearning the narrative that you should just be small. You deserve the spotlight. www.beautyculturespa.com @beautyculture.medspa

June 9, 202522 min

Refusing to Accept "Just Autism": Inflammation, Root Causes, and the Power of Functional Medicine

On this episode of Curated Beauty we're talking about something that's deep and personal for me. My son Daniel, my first child, has shaped a lot of who I am. He is definitely a significant part of what led me on the path to functional medicine not just as a provider, but as a mother. When I was pregnant with Daniel, he was in breech position. For the safety of my baby, I was recommended for a C-section. After birth, he was given injections for hepatitis C and vitamin K, as well as administered antibiotics in his eyes. At one month old, he was jaundiced and had skin issues. He was given an IV, antivirals, and antibiotics, but was eventually sent home with doctors saying he just had baby acne. As much as I tried to avoid vaccinations, I found his medical professionals talking me into them every time. After his six-month vaccination, he developed a fever and screamed uncontrollably. While he didn't experience a massive regression, looking back I see that after this moment he was never the same. I eventually found someone who made me feel sane—a former OBGYN who went through a similar experience. Not only did he listen to me, but he also facilitated a ton of testing for neuroinflammation, parasites, gut dysbiosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. We also started working with a chiropractor who helped us too. I remember the first night Daniel stopped banging his head to sleep, and I began to have hope again. It took a lot of fighting, but I was able to build an army around us who believed that healing was possible. This has become my "why" and my son's story is no longer a tragedy—it's a triumph. www.beautyculturespa.com @beautyculture.medspa

June 2, 202524 min

When the Rash Won't Go Away: What Your Pediatrician Isn't Testing For

Today I'm opening up about something very personal. I want to share my daughter's story, because it's an example of how physical manifestations can signal something deeper. I'm going to use this as a jumping off point to explain how we would approach a situation like this in my business. A few years ago, our daughter was experiencing chronic hives (also called urticaria). We looked for triggers in her environment and her diet, as there are a lot of different possible triggers for inflammation. Functional lab testing is a great tool for taking a closer look at symptoms like these, and since I have access to this through my business, that's the avenue we pursued. Tests alone can help identify problems, but they can't solve them. Once the tests are complete and they have been interpreted professionally, it's important to come up with a plan. My daughter's tests revealed food allergies, gut dysbiosis, overgrowth of certain types of bacteria, and mold exposure. One of the changes we made was identifying a potential source of mold exposure—the cup she was using—and switched our brands for something that can come apart and be cleaned well. We also removed the foods that triggered her (corn, peanuts, cow's milk, and more). She's also on a gentle detox formula that's safe for kids. I also now have my daughter on a high dose of omega 3 fatty acids. This should improve the pro-inflammatory ratio from her testing. She also takes a multivitamin with methylated B-vitamins in it. If you're watching your child struggle with symptoms, I hope this inspires you to get to the root cause and make a plan based on data. 🩺 Ready to Get to the Root of Your Health Concerns? Book a functional medicine consultation with our team: 👉 https://bit.ly/3QHe7tT 💡 Curious About Adding Wellness to Your Aesthetics Practice? Start with Tier 1: The Foundations and see if the Wellness Aesthetic Fusion Method (WAFM) is right for your team: 👉 https://jessica-christy.mykajabi.com/the-wellness-aesthetic-fusion-workshop www.beautyculturespa.com @beautyculture.medspa

May 26, 202522 min

Peptide Stacks That Actually Work – A Functional Medicine Guide to Beauty, Recovery, and Longevity

Today we're talking about one of my favorite tools in functional and regenerative medicine, peptides. It's also quite the buzzword these days, but in this episode we're going deeper to explore how you can best stack them for your desired outcomes. You can think of peptide stacks as powerful curated treatment plans (without all the side effects you want to avoid!). When I first heard of peptides, I was so intrigued that I couldn't wait to experiment with them. In fact, I ordered thousands of dollars worth. I recently put together my own stack for surgery and recovery preparation. But there are many different outcomes you can stack for, including reducing inflammation, gut healing, anti-aging and longevity, and more. Peptides are just chains of amino acids that naturally occur. One powerful peptide is BPC-157, which is incredible for healing and nerve regeneration. When injected close to the site of an injury, it can help with all types of tissue and ligament damage. Thymosin alpha 1 is one of the most exciting peptides for immune dysfunction. It helps the immune system differentiate between friend and foe. Some peptides are better injected, but many can also be taken orally. GHK-copper can be used a few different ways, for instance, taken orally or used topically. It boosts collagen and reduces oxidative stress. Epitalon is associated with lowering all-cause mortality and is often used in anti-aging protocols. AOD9604 is a fragment of human growth hormone, and it promotes fat burning. One of my top peptides right now is MOTS-c, which supports insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial health, which is especially great for active people. The earlier you start using peptides, the more beneficial they can be for you in restoring and maintaining your beauty and health. www.beautyculturespa.com @beautyculture.medspa