What Your Provider Is Actually Thinking When You Walk Through The Door

You don't have to know exactly what you want to walk into a consultation. You just have to show up. In this episode, Jillian sits down with two of our most versatile providers for a genuinely honest conversation about what aesthetic medicine looks, feels and sounds like — from both sides of the treatment chair.

Paige Brudzinski, RN, and Andie Schroeder, LME, cover everything from cosmetic tattooing and scar camouflage to neurotoxin, laser treatments and skincare — while Dr. Marguerite Weston, MD, IFMCP, joins as a fellow curious patient with some pretty direct questions of her own.

This episode is for anyone who's aesthetically curious but not quite sure where to start — or who's been curious for a while but hasn't made the call yet.

Everything We're Covering:

• What Paige and Andie actually do all day (and why "punished by Paige" is the best reputation to have)
• How cosmetic tattooing (from nano brows to lip blushing) can genuinely simplify your morning routine
• Lip blushing vs. lip filler: the order of operations that most patients don't know about
• What scar camouflage is, what scars can be treated, and the emotional weight that comes with that work
• The lesser-known places you can get Botox — including some that go well beyond looking refreshed
• Dynamic vs. static wrinkles: when to start neurotoxin and how to start gradually
• How Paige and Andie collaborate on patient treatment plans — and why working somewhere with no commission policy changes everything
• What happens when patients get anxious in the chair (spoiler: there's a whole system, and it involves Jolly Ranchers)
• Sunscreen: medical-grade vs. drugstore, SPF numbers that actually matter, and why "find one you'll wear" is valid advice
• The art of reading a patient's face before you've even done anything
• Natural results defined: undetectable vs. just-had-a-great-night's-sleep
• The consultation: why Andie finds the idea of treating someone without one "unfathomable."

"Emotionally, a lot goes into a scar, especially a self-harm scar. It's like a new chapter — ending that identity that you had."

Meet Your Experts:

• ⚕️ Paige Brudzinski, RN, BSN — Aesthetic provider specializing in injectables, laser treatments and body contouring. Former NICU nurse. Known for precision, patience and a treatment philosophy that patients lovingly describe as "punished by Paige."
• ⚕️ Andie Schroeder, LME — Licensed cosmetic tattoo artist and medical aesthetician specializing in lip blushing, permanent brows, scar camouflage and paramedical tattooing. Obsessively committed to natural, undetectable results.
• ⚕️ Marguerite Weston, MD, IFMCP — Dual board-certified functional medicine physician and resident aesthetics patient with very reasonable sunscreen opinions.
• 🎙️ Jillian Birkle — Aesthetic medicine patient, endlessly busy woman & host of the Asking For a Friend podcast.

Gynecomastia affects far more men than we realize. And the worst part? You can’t always diet or lift your way out of it.

In this episode of Asking For A Friend, our experts sit down with a real patient to talk honestly about men’s health, confidence, hormones and the plastic surgery procedure that profoundly changed one firefighter’s life.

This episode is for any man who’s ever hidden behind 2 T-shirts, questioned his body or wondered what options actually exist — & for anyone supporting the men in their lives.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Jarrad’s real-life gynecomastia journey, from childhood to adulthood
• How to tell the difference between body fat and true gynecomastia
• Why you cannot outlift gynecomastia — & why weight loss can sometimes worsen its appearance
• Gynecomastia surgery explained (including when it can be done under local anesthesia)
• The most common procedures men choose today at our practice
• Some of the more extreme surgical procedures that we don’t offer
• How men’s hormones shift over time — & how that change impacts energy, focus, body composition & signs of aging
• Preventative aesthetic treatments men are actually doing to enhance their appearance & their skin health

Meet The Cast:

• Carrie Esposito — Host, asking the questions men rarely hear asked out loud
• Jarrad Tracey — Firefighter and patient sharing his unfiltered experience
• Jeffrey Donaldson, MD — Board-certified plastic surgeon in Columbus, Ohio specializing in gynecomastia surgery
• Marguerite Weston, MD, IFMCP — Functional medicine physician focused on men’s hormones and health
• Stacie Isler, PA-C — Renowned aesthetics provider, with a unique eye for male facial balancing & other nonsurgical skin health enhancements

How Three Experts Took Different Paths To Create “Desired Healthcare”

A great practice starts with great people. And so, this time, we’re doing a little consultation of our own to meet the minds behind Donaldson.

In this special episode of Asking For A Friend, host Carrie Esposito sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Donaldson, Dr. Michelle Sieffert and Dr. Marguerite Weston to explore how three very different career paths and upbringings came together to redefine what modern medicine can look like.

This episode is for anyone curious about careers in medicine, the art of plastic surgery, the science of functional medicine or simply what they may be missing out of their own patient experience as they seek a more collaborative approach to their own care (instead of a compromise).

Everything We’re Covering:

• How Dr. Donaldson went from family medicine provider to plastic surgery entrepreneur
• How Dr. Sieffert turned her childhood hobby of knitting & organic instinct to help people into surgical artistry
• The vital differences between cosmetic and plastic surgery
• Dr. Weston's path from doing homework in the waiting room while waiting for her mother to get off her shift, to being the director of functional medicine at Donaldson
• What makes a great functional medicine provider & why specific credentials matter (a lot!)
• What rap song did Dr. Weston perform at her wedding?
• Why is there often hip-hop playing in the operating room?
• How combining plastic surgery and functional medicine is helping create “Desired Healthcare” — not just required care

Meet Your Experts:

• Jeffrey Donaldson, MD – Board-certified plastic surgeon, founder of Donaldson Plastic Surgery, and leader of the team redefining what a personalized patient experience looks like.
• Michelle Sieffert, MD – Board-certified plastic surgeon, celebrated for her precision, bedside manner and mastery of anatomy — known regionally for her natural, life-enhancing results and innovative surgical artistry, especially when it comes to facelift surgery.
• Marguerite Weston, MD, IFMCP – Double board-certified functional medicine physician helping patients uncover root causes and bridge the gap between traditional care and total wellness.
• Hosted by Carrie Esposito – The voice of Asking For A Friend, connecting expert insights with real stories and plenty of curiosity.

The Intimate Connection Between Digestion Issues, Acne Breakouts & Feeling Better In Your Skin

If your gut’s a mess and your skin is too — you’re totally not imagining it! In this episode, we connect the dots between digestion, inflammation and acne to help you understand what your body’s been trying to say all along.

Our skincare and functional medicine experts break down the science (and the symptoms) behind that stubborn skin and why your next step to clear, glowing skin might start in your stomach.

This episode is for anyone struggling with GI issues, acne, or both — and ready to finally get real answers instead of quick fixes.

Everything We’re Covering:

• How specific gut disorders are diagnosed (and what a GI Map test reveals)
• The rise of food sensitivities — and what’s really driving them
• The science-backed benefits of intermittent fasting & how to personalize it
• Why hormonal acne flares before your period (plus probiotics & omega-3s that help)
• The direct connection between gut health and acne breakouts
• The “Keto Smell” & what it says about your digestion and detox pathways
• Why energy drinks may be sabotaging your skin health
• How functional medicine and skincare teams collaborate to treat root causes
• A story that reminds us clear skin is about confidence, not perfection

Meet Your Experts:

• Dr. Marguerite Weston, MD, IFMCP – Double board-certified in family and sports medicine, now focusing on functional medicine to uncover the root causes of gut and hormone imbalances.
• Colleen Bush, RDN, LDN, IFNCP – Gut health dietitian with 16+ years of experience. After navigating her own autoimmune diagnoses (Hashimoto’s and rheumatoid arthritis), she now helps others find healing through functional nutrition.
• Nikki Rucinsky, LME – Licensed medical aesthetician and creator of the Adult Acne Bootcamp at Donaldson, specializing in customized skin plans that address diet, hormones and stress for long-term results.
• Hosted by Carrie Esposito – The voice of Asking For A Friend, connecting expert insight with real-world questions - and plenty of empathy (and wine).

Lasers. Fillers. Cosmetic Tattooing. What's Worth Your Time, Money & Discomfort?

You should be skeptical of any new TikTok trend that no one has ever heard of but promises results!

In this episode of Asking For A Friend, Carrie Esposito sits down with Columbus’s go-to aesthetics dream team to unpack the lasers, injectables, facials and tattooing treatments that actually move the needle (literally and figuratively).

This episode is for anyone who wants a year-long plan for skin health, real answers about lasers and injectables, and an honest take on the fads flooding your feed.

Everything We’re Covering:

• Why the best treatments aren’t always the most comfortable — or as the experts like to say "spicy"
• Ultrasound-guided filler: how precision improves results & safety
• Lasers for fine lines, laxity, hyperpigmentation, scarring & hair removal
• What the MOXI Laser is best used for & who benefits the most from it
• Building a year-long, layered treatment plan that makes sense
• Why filler has been unfairly vilified — & what good technique looks like
• Cosmetic tattooing explained: lip blushing, brows, eyeliner & scar revision
• “Regenerative” buzzwords decoded: PRF, PRP, exosomes, salmon sperm facials
• TikTok Trends Ranked: red light masks, jaw bras, beef tallow, estrogen cream, microcurrent gadgets & more

Meet Your Experts:

• Carrie Esposito – Host, patient & the one who asks the questions you’re already thinking, but haven't been able to ask yet.
• Adrienne Yanich, APRN – Master injector, national aesthetics treatment trainer & filler/neuromodulator artist known for natural, balanced results & a transparent approach to each session.
• Stacie Isler, MS, PA-C – Experienced aesthetics provider offering Botox, filler, laser therapy, liquid rhinoplasty & cellulite treatments — along with an unfiltered understand about what each do.
• Andie Schroeder, LME – Licensed medical aesthetician, cosmetic tattoo artist & rising star in the aesthetics industry, specializing in skin health, facials & paramedical tattooing for scars & beyond.

Your Unblushing Foray Into Women's Sexual Health
Women’s sexual health deserves straight answers, minus the shame and side-eye. In this episode, we get clear on what’s normal, what’s treatable and what actually helps you feel comfortable and confident in your body.

🌟 Everything We’re Covering:

• OB/Gyn vs. Uro/Gyn vs. Functional Medicine: who is responsible for what & and how the functional medicine approach connects hormones, lifestyle and outcomes.
• Pelvic Floor 101: what it is, how it works, and why it matters for leaks, pleasure, and support.
• Common Concerns, Real Causes: incontinence, UTIs, odor/BV, discharge, yeast infections, low libido and difficulty reaching orgasm.
• Vaginal Atrophy: what drives it (estrogen decline, time, stress) and what actually helps.
• Treatments That Move the Needle: O-Shot/PRP, diVa/Ariessence, vaginal estrogen, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), prescriptions, probiotics, cranberry and when to use each.
• Hormones & Gut Health: why estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and your microbiome shape symptoms.
• Kegel Exercises: what they are, when they help and when you need PT instead.
• Childbirth & Recovery: what changes, what you can do before pregnancy and how to heal afterward.

The Labiaplasty Deep Dive With Dr. Donaldson:
We go deep on what labiaplasty surgery is, who it actually helps and how Dr. Donaldson is able to perform it comfortably in an office vs. having to go to a surgery center. He breaks down our signature wedge technique and how it differs from a trim and what recovery really looks like, including realistic timelines for walking, workouts, tampon use and, of course, sex.

Trends That We Debunk (& Some We Embrace):
✔ Vaginal steaming
✔ Jade eggs/balls
✔ “Private part" deodorants
✔ Refreshing wipes
✔ Toy hygiene
✔ Good lube & bad lube

🌟 Meet Your Experts:
⚕️ Marguerite Weston, MD, IFMCP: Double board-certified functional medicine physician in Columbus, Ohio, who is connecting hormones, metabolism, gut health and sexual wellness to treat root causes (not just symptoms).
⚕️ Courtney Gilbert, PA-C: Renowned physician assistant focused on women’s wellness and aesthetics, guiding patients through pragmatic, personalized plans for comfort, confidence and sexual health.
⚕️ Jeffrey Donaldson, MD: Board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in precise, patient-centered procedures including labiaplasty, with an emphasis on natural form, function and comfort.

This one is for anyone who is seeking validation about their situation and real solutions — isn't afraid to have a little laugh while learning about libido, comfort and vaginal health!

Tips, Triumphs & Real Talk About Balancing It All

Motherhood isn’t always picture-perfect. Sometimes? It’s pure survival mode!

In this episode, we’re sharing the real, unfiltered side of being a mom: the never-ending multitasking, the overlooked wins, the fails and the constant pressure to “do it all.”

This episode is for any mom who needs validation, support, and a reminder that it’s OK to not have it all figured out. If you’ve ever wondered, “How do women do this ... without other women?” — we've got you!

Everything We're Covering:

• Why it’s healthy to let your kids fail sometimes
• Understanding the different "seasons of motherhood"
• How to be more present and make the most of these fleeting memories
• Getting caught mid-intimacy — and our favorite excuses!
• The miracle of home delivery services
• Mom guilt, mom brain & choosing between that solo Target run or just taking a nap

Meet Your Experts:

Joining host Carrie Esposito (mom, podcast host, and functional & plastic surgery patient) is a powerhouse panel of mothers who get it — because they’re living it, too:

• Stacie Isler, PA-C – Mom of 3 and experienced physician assistant and aesthetic medicine professional who knows what it’s like to juggle family, thriving career and self-care.
• Dr. Marguerite Weston – Functional medicine expert, mom of 2 and trusted provider helping women optimize their health through all stages of life — from fertility to postpartum to menopause.
• Sami Bossert – Entrepreneur, mom and owner of PTULA athletic wear — with baby #3 on the way and an honest perspective on balancing business and motherhood.

Peeling Back The Curtain (& Bedsheets) To Highlight Misconceptions About Menopause!

We kicked off Asking For A Friend live with cocktails and a candid conversation about a topic that affects every woman eventually: menopause. In this special episode, we’re laying it all out with unfiltered insight and expert perspectives, along with some good laughs about sex, hormones and the real-life experience of aging in a woman’s body.

This episode is for anyone out there who wants honest answers about menopause, hormone health and intimacy — without the awkwardness!

Everything We're Covering:

• Why menopause happens
• Menopause vs Perimenopause: how to know what you're experiencing
• What a DUTCH test is and how it can reveal hormone imbalances
• Root-cause treatment options that go beyond symptom masking
• Is "Man O Pause" a real thing for men?
• The sad realization that alcohol and menopause don’t mix well
• The truth about declining libido and what to do about it
• Tips for navigating this new phase with confidence, connection and compassion

Meet Your Experts:

Joining host Carrie Esposito (who’s asking all the questions you’ve been too shy to bring up) are three bold and brilliant guests ready to make menopause make sense:

• Dr. Marguerite Weston – A double board-certified functional medicine physician helping women understand what’s really happening during menopause and how to get back to feeling like themselves again.
• Kim Pheiffer – Interior design CEO and empowered woman currently navigating her own menopause journey with honesty, humor and the perfect blend of HRT.
• Chris Ebert – Dentist, husband and hormone health advocate sharing what it’s like to support a partner through menopause while exploring his own path with hormone therapy.