Cutaneous Miscellaneous: The Dermatology Residents Podcast

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Mohs fellow Justin Marson, MD, and cosmetic fellow Saira Agarwala ,MD,  for a special live discussion recorded at the Real World Dermatology for Residents 2026 Conference on preparing for the APPLIED Exam. Sharing their own experiences and study strategies, they offer practical guidance on how APPLIED differs from t...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by Danny Zakria, MD, to recap highlights from the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in Denver, with a focus on how residents and early-career dermatologists can make the most of the experience. They begin with a board review of UV light and sunscreen fundamentals, covering key distinctions b...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by Erin Boh, MD, for a case-based discussion on selecting and managing biologics for psoriasis in a rapidly expanding treatment landscape. With more than a dozen biologic and oral options available, treatment selection increasingly requires a balance of clinical evidence, patient factors, and individualized strateg...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Peter Lio, MD, to examine the role of over-the-counter (OTC) skin care in everyday practice. They discuss evolving perceptions of “drugstore” products, explore what “sensitive skin” may actually represent clinically, and review emerging data on polymer-based cleansing technologies designed to support barrier integri...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by Vinh Chung, MD, dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, for a thoughtful conversation on burnout, physician well-being, and becoming the kind of doctor you want to be. They explore why burnout often emerges early in training, driven by workload, time pressure, and administrative demands, and how it can manifest as emoti...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Erik Domingues, MD, for a conversation on why practice culture matters and how residents and early-career dermatologists can start thinking about it long before they run their own clinic. The episode opens with a boards review on vitiligo, covering common triggers, genetic associations, major clinical subtypes, impo...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Shannon Trotter, DO, for a discussion on photodynamic therapy (PDT), a treatment many residents may receive limited exposure to during training. Dr Trotter shares how PDT fits into both preparing for board exams and clinical use, highlighting its versatility and importance in dermatology. They open with a board revi...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Meenal Kheterpal, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Duke University School of Medicine, for a comprehensive look at locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (laBCC) and the role of Hedgehog inhibitors (HHIs), a must-know topic for dermatology residents. Dr Brownstone opens with a board review of basal cell carc...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, speaks with Natasha Mesinkovska, MD, about diagnosing and managing alopecia areata (AA) with a focus on JAK inhibitors. Dr Mesinkovska shares diagnostic pearls, including full-body exam essentials, dermoscopy tips, recognition of key comorbidities, and the impact of AA on mental health. They also touch on less common subtype...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes pediatric dermatologist Lisa Swanson, MD, for a deeper look at advanced systemic therapy in pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD). They begin with a board review of transient skin diseases of the newborn. They cover key conditions including erythema toxicum neonatorum, transient neonatal pustular melanosis, congenital mi...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by Ryan Svoboda, MD, for an in-depth review of cutaneous lymphomas. They begin with a boards review of the four primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas—two indolent (follicle center, marginal zone) and two aggressive (diffuse large B-cell, intravascular B-cell). The discussion covers prognostic differences, biopsy strat...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes David Osborne, PhD, an industry expert in topical drug formulation, for an in-depth discussion on formulations and compounding in dermatology. Dr Brownstone begins with a board review on the structure and function of the epidermis, covering the 5 layers of the skin and key cellular junctions, with mnemonic tips to a...

In this live-recorded episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by Danielle Dubin, MD, assistant professor and assistant program director in the department of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Leena Ramani, MD, hair transplant fellow and dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, for a dynamic discussion recorded at t...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Aamir Hussain, MD, to discuss high-yield strategies for dermatology exam prep. They start with a board review on contact dermatitis, covering key allergens like paraphenylenediamine, methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone, propylene glycol, and bacitracin. Dr Hussain shares a structured approach to st...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by dermatologist and dermatopathologist Michelle Tarbox, MD, to break down a crucial resident skill: dermoscopy. They kick things off with practical board review on the busy dermis and vacuolar interface patterns, covering how to build a differential, what features not to miss (hello, sneaky metastases), and how to...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Theo Alkousakis, MD, to discuss an important topic not covered in dermatology training: how residents can navigate opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. They explore career pathways in industry, from medical affairs to R&D, and why some dermatologists make the transition. They also share practical ways to ge...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Naiem Issa, MD, for an in-depth discussion on topical therapies in dermatology, covering both traditional treatments and the latest innovations, focusing on tapinarof and roflumilast. The episode begins with a board review of eczematous and papulosquamous diseases, including CARP, asteatotic eczema, nummular dermati...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes James Del Rosso, DO, to discuss the value of dermatology residents engaging with professional societies and how it can benefit their careers and patients. They begin with a board review on topical and systemic retinoids, highlighting the common applications of the topicals tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene as wel...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes guest Stephanie Fabbro, MD, to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in dermatology, with practical applications for residents and early-career dermatologists. They begin with a board review on cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and its most common form, mycosis fungoides (MF), highlighting key dia...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Brad Glick, DO, to cover to an essential topic for residents and early-career dermatologists: practical approaches for incorporating the latest therapies and technologies into clinical practice. They begin with a board review on psoriatic arthritis. Dr Glick highlights the importance of early evaluation and preventi...

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, Dr. Nicholas Brownstone welcomes Dr Peter Lio, founding director of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center, to discuss the 3 FDA-approved biologics for atopic dermatitis, focusing on the latest addition, lebrikizumab. With more options for atopic dermatitis come new challenges for clinicians. Dr Lio offers practical insights on differentiating dupilumab,...

In episode 30 of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes April Armstrong, MD, Professor and Chief of Dermatology at UCLA, for a detailed discussion on oral therapies for psoriasis and their continued relevance in today's treatment landscape. They begin with a board review of 2 classic therapies, methotrexate and cyclosporine, breaking down their mechanisms of action, dosing...

In episode 29 of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, our host, Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by dermatologist Graham Litchman, DO, and Tobin Dickerson, PhD, chief scientific officer and cofounder of Mindera Health, to explore an innovative technology in psoriasis management. Drs Brownstone and Litchman begin with a board review on HPV and warts, highlighting key HPV types, their associated warts, and he...

In episode 28 of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, our host, Nicholas Brownstone, MD, gets to know Anthony Rossi, MD, dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and founder of his own skin care line Dr. Rossi DERM MD®. They start with a board review on Mohs surgery, covering critical indications and the appropriate use criteria from the American College of Mohs Su...

In episode 27 of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, our host, Nicholas Brownstone, MD, speaks with Stephen Lewellis, MD, PhD, FAAD, founder and owner of Above & Beyond Dermatology based in Wisconsin.  The episode begins with board review on the diagnosis and treatment of adult and pediatric pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP). Dr Brownstone offers a helpful way to remember the different pediatric forms of diseas...