Beauty & The Brain®

Join Dr. Chris Croley and Nurse Practitioner Jerry Drinkard as they discuss restorative aesthetics and scar treatment. Discover how modern aesthetic procedures are changing lives, boosting confidence, and helping people overcome physical and emotional challenges. In this eye-opening episode: Learn about innovative scar treatments for acne, tummy tucks, and more Hear inspiring patient stories, incl...

Welcome to the first Beauty & The Brain episode of 2026. In this reflective and wide-ranging conversation, we rewind 2025 and unpack the ideas, stories, and challenges that shaped the year — from controversial discussions around sexual wellness to deeply personal stories of resilience and reinvention. You’ll hear: Why female sexual dysfunction is defined differently than any other medical cond...

It’s officially the season of Peppermint Lattes & Panic Appointments 🎄 In this holiday episode of Beauty & The Brain , Dr. Chris Croley and NP Jerry Drinkard sit down with NP Allie Ballew to talk about why the end of the year sends so many people into aesthetic overdrive — and how to approach holiday treatments without stress, regret, or unrealistic expectations. We cover: Why people sudd...

Is spray tanning actually safe — and why does proper training matter more than the solution itself? In this episode of  Beauty & The Brain , hosts  Dr. Chris Croley  and  Jerry Drinkard, NP  welcome  Stacey Fike , founder of  Glo Girl  and creator of  GloPro Training , to explore the science, safety, and business of modern sunless tanning. With more...

This week on  Beauty & The Brain , Dr. Chris Croley, NP Jerry Drinkard, and NP Allie Ballew have an unfiltered conversation about something most MedSpa owners  think  they’ve mastered… but rarely have a system for: 👉  Clinic Culture — the real driver of patient experience, trust, retention, and referrals. They break down: • How patients instantly sense stress, chaos, or te...

This week on  Beauty & The Brain , Dr. Chris Croley and NP Jerry Drinkard unpack one of the most controversial — and misunderstood — topics in aesthetics:  Who is the safest, most qualified injector? A patient recently called the clinic requesting “physician-only” injections, and that simple request sparked a deep conversation about  titles, training, competency, and why consume...

It’s our favorite tradition—our annual “What We’re Thankful For” episode! This week, Dr. Chris Croley, Jerry Drinkard, and Allie Ballew share the heartfelt, hilarious, and totally unexpected things they’re grateful for in 2025. Inside this episode: • The weirdest things we’re thankful for (yes, Taylor Swift + countertop drama included) • Big wins at Skin & Tonic and the patients who feel like...

Why does beauty look different in Miami than in the Midwest? Why is Korea the global leader in skincare, injectables, and advanced esthetic innovation? And are some beauty preferences  universal —wired into the brain—regardless of where you’re born? In this week’s episode of  Beauty & The Brain , Dr. Chris Croley, NP Jerry Drinkard, and NP Allie Ballew unpack how culture, environment...

In this episode of  Beauty & The Brain , Dr. Chris Croley and NP Jerry Drinkard break down the most in-demand medications in modern weight loss and metabolic health:  GLP-1 medications , including semaglutide, tirzepatide, Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound. Together, they explore how these drugs actually work, who they help most, and the unexpected ways they impact the body far beyond we...

Do “pretty people” really have an advantage in life, work, and relationships? In this episode of  Beauty & The Brain , Dr. Chris Croley and NP Jerry Drinkard unpack the psychology, neuroscience, and cultural patterns behind  beauty bias  — the unconscious (and sometimes unfair) preference society gives to more attractive individuals. You’ll hear real-world examples from the exam...

This week on  Beauty & The Brain , Dr. Chris Croley, NP Jerry Drinkard, and NP Allie Ballew tackle common aesthetic misconceptions—perfect for Halloween season. From the fear that  Botox is toxic  or “kills empathy,” to worries that  dermal filler always looks fake , the hosts break down the science behind the most persistent myths in cosmetic medicine. They also explore&nb...

In this episode, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard tackle one of the biggest controversies in aesthetics right now — PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor) . Is it a breakthrough or a legal gray zone? From under-eye rejuvenation to hair growth and even sexual wellness, this episode breaks down what PDGF is, how it compares to PRP and PRF, and why it has injectors across the country debating safet...

Dr.  Chris Croley  and  Jerry Drinkard , hosts of  Beauty & The Brain , sit down to explore how  artificial intelligence  is reshaping the way we work, think, and even connect emotionally. In this first part of a two-part series, they unpack the rise of  AI therapy ,  AI relationships , and how platforms like  ChatGPT ,  Jasper , and  Podi...

Is “ crunchy ” the new cool — or just confusing? 🥦💉 In this lively episode of  Beauty & The Brain , hosts  Dr. Chris Croley  and  Nurse Practitioner Jerry Drinkard  are joined by  Allie Ballew, NP , for a candid conversation about  crunchy culture , clean living, and where we all draw the line between “natural” and “necessary.” They unpack the  modern...

What happens when life forces you to reinvent yourself? In this empowering episode of  Beauty & The Brain , hosts  Dr. Chris Croley  and  Nurse Practitioner Jerry Drinkard  sit down with  Lori McDowell , a PhD chemical engineer turned mindset coach, author, and retreat planner. After three decades in the corporate world, Lori shares how being fired became her grea...

Struggling with sagging jowls or a jawline that’s lost its definition?  In this episode of  Beauty & The Brain , Dr. Chris Croley and Nurse Practitioner Jerry Drinkard break down everything you need to know about  non-surgical jowl treatments  and  jawline contouring options . From  Sculptra® for collagen stimulation , to  Ultherapy® skin tightening ,  p...

In this special behind-the-scenes episode of  Beauty & The Brain , co-hosts Dr. Chris Croley and Nurse Practitioner Jerry Drinkard sit down with fellow provider and fan-favorite guest  Allie Ballew  to unpack the rising influence of  podcasting in aesthetic medicine, wellness marketing, and patient education . Whether you're a skincare enthusiast, medical injector, or podca...

In this episode of Beauty & The Brain, hosts Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard, FNP sit down with industry leader Dr. Mark Tager to explore the rising movement of integrative aesthetics—the powerful blend of functional medicine and aesthetic treatments. 💡 You’ll learn: How “Beauty From Within” is reshaping the future of aesthetics Why nutrition, lifestyle, and personalized care are key to b...

✨ Welcome back to  Beauty & The Brain  with Dr. Chris Croley and NP Jerry Drinkard! In this special episode, we’re joined by our very own nurse practitioner,  Allie Ballew , for a candid conversation about her journey from small-town roots to critical care nursing — and eventually into the world of aesthetics. Allie opens up about: Why she chose nursing school and her early dre...

What happens when two leaders in aesthetics step off the clinic floor? In this special behind-the-scenes episode, Dr. Chris Croley and NP Jerry Drinkard invite you to their farm— The Rose House —to reveal a side of their lives you’ve never seen. From chasing escaped lambs to sharing skincare routines for farmers, this episode blends laughter, real-life farm chaos, and thoughtful conversations abou...

Welcome back to Part 2 of our inspiring conversation with serial entrepreneur and founder of Combat Syndicate, Sam Lionelli . In this episode of Beauty & The Brain, hosts Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard go even deeper into Sam’s personal story of resilience, transformation, and purpose-driven business. 🎙️ After sharing his entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Combat Syndicate in Par...

In this powerful episode of Beauty & The Brain, hosts Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard sit down with Sam Lionelli — serial entrepreneur, founder of Combat Syndicate, and owner of multiple businesses — to share his raw, unfiltered story of resilience, grit, and success. From a childhood marked by homelessness, instability, and adversity to building thriving businesses including a jiu-jitsu &...

In this candid and thought-provoking continuation of last week’s conversation, Beauty and the Brain hosts Dr. Chris Croley and NP Jerry Drinkard welcome back the legendary Dr. Charles Runels, creator of the O-Shot®, P-Shot®, Vampire Facelift®, and pioneer in sexual wellness and regenerative medicine. This episode dives deeper into: The science and training behind platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatme...

In this powerful and intimate episode, Dr. Chris Croley and Jerry Drinkard welcome a true pioneer in aesthetic medicine— Dr. Charles Runels , the creator of the world-renowned Vampire Facelift®, O-Shot®, and P-Shot® . Together, they reflect on their two-decade-long friendship and professional journey that started with personal Botox appointments and evolved into becoming educators for Dr. Runels'...

In this week’s episode of  Beauty & The Brain , Dr. Chris Croley and Nurse Practitioner Jerry Drinkard are joined by fellow injector and trainer,  Allie Ballew , for a deep dive into one of the most buzzed-about concepts in aesthetics right now:  face mapping . Whether you're an experienced injector, a new provider, or a curious client, this episode breaks down how looking at th...