

Medical Spa Insider
American Med Spa Association - AmSpa
AmSpa Founder and CEO, Alex Thiersch, takes an in-depth look at today's aesthetic entrepreneurs and what makes them successful.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 19, 2025 • 48min
Harnessing Creativity to Drive Innovation with Kyle Scheele
How do we build a culture where ideas have a fighting chance? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and AmSpa president and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speak with Kyle Scheele, author and upcoming keynote speaker at Medical Spa Show 2025. Deemed “the patron saint of crazy ideas,” Scheele shares his entrepreneurial journey, the power of outside perspectives, and how we can stop talking ourselves out of ideas to move the ball forward. They talk about:
Embracing crazy ideas and accidental entrepreneurship;
The role of outsiders in driving innovation;
Building community to face challenges;
How to stay out of your own way;
Consistently taking small steps;
Creativity as a team sport;
And much more!
Bring home practical, tactical, tangible ideas to encourage creativity and innovation when you attend Scheele’s keynote “How to Turn Yourself (and Your Organization) Into an Innovation Machine” on April 10, 2025, at the Wynn Las Vegas. Register for Medical Spa Show 2025 to save your seat and start building a culture where innovation is a natural byproduct.
Music By Ghost Score

Feb 14, 2025 • 27min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Adam Haroun, Mary Smiley Ford, Carl Clarke, Kacie Avey
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Adam Haroun, founder of Aesthetic Altitude; Mary Smiley Ford, MSN, APRN, CRNA, founder of Smiley Aesthetics; Carl Clarke, MHS, RPA-C, founder of Diamond Works MedSpa; and Kacie Avey, RN, CANS, founder of Tailored Aesthetics. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Adam Haroun
Saturday, April 12: 1:40 - 2:05 p.m. | Your Brilliant Debut: How to Successfully Launch a Premium Treatment by Thinking Like Hollywood
Mary Smiley Ford, MSN, APRN, CRNA
Saturday, April 12: 10:35 - 11 a.m. | Male and Female Facial Balancing
Carl Clarke, MHS, RPA-C
Sunday, April 13: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | AIA Advanced Cadaver Course
Kacie Avey, RN, CANS
Sunday, April 13: 9 - 11:45 a.m. | Bridging the Divide: Conversations on Controversial Issues
Music By Ghost Score

Feb 12, 2025 • 37min
Greatest Hits: Healing Veterans Physically and Mentally
This week we return to a conversation between AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and two leaders of Operation Mend, a nonprofit UCLA Health program that provides specialized surgical and psychological care to post-9/11 military members, veterans and their caregivers. Executive Director Jo Sornborger, PsyD, and Christopher Crisera, MD, plastic surgeon and executive medical director, share the charity's mission and vision in a conversation that covers:
The origins of Operation Mend and the importance of their work with veterans;
The intersection between mental health needs and reconstructive surgery;
How involving caregivers in the program led to better outcomes;
How needs are assessed;
Why there is so much difficulty in getting treatment for veterans;
How trauma can affect the entire family unit;
The personal impact from working with Operation Mend; and
How listeners can become involved in their mission.
From February 10-17, 2025, $75 of every ticket sold for the Medical Spa Show will be donated to Operation Mend, with matching contributions from AmSpa and ByrdAdatto. Make a difference for a wounded veteran with your registration this week at www.medicalspashow.com/operation-mend.

Feb 7, 2025 • 26min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Jennifer Hartley, Amie Martin, Erica Crawford
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Jennifer Hartley, ACNP, founder of Skin Synthesis Clinic & Spa; Amie Martin, RN, founder of Aesthetic Mentor; and Erica Crawford, president of Influx Marketing. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Jennifer Hartley, ACNP
Saturday, April 12: 3:50 - 4:50 p.m. | The Worst I Ever Had: Complications and How to Overcome Them
Amie Martin, RN
Friday, April 11: 5 - 5:25 p.m. | How to Build a $20 Million Aesthetic Injector Team
Erica Crawford
Saturday, April 12: 5 - 5:25 p.m. | Medical Weight Loss Is Unlocking a New Wave of Aesthetic Patients. Are You Capitalizing?
Music By Ghost Score

Feb 5, 2025 • 52min
How Much Training Do Aesthetic Laser Providers Need?
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Taylor Siemens, NP-C, vice president of operations at Vitalyc Medspa and clinical advisor to AmSpa. They discuss the nuances of laser safety and the need for proper training and education in medical aesthetics. Their conversation includes:
How combining laser with other aesthetic treatments boosts results;
What med spas need to focus on when it comes to laser safety;
How much training is enough to competently perform laser treatments;
Ablative vs. non-ablative and photofacial devices;
Understanding scope of practice, laser licensing and legality;
Possible complications, even in the hands of experienced providers;
Standards for proper laser training and education, and more!
Sign up for Turning Your Practice Up to 11: Energy Device Master Class on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Medical Spa Show.
Music By Ghost Score

Jan 31, 2025 • 21min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Annie Hockey, Dr. Kimberly L. Evans, Dr. Patrick Blake, Amy Anderson
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Annie Hockey, president and head of consulting at Skytale Group; Kimberly L. Evans, MD, FACOG, founder of Sugar Land Med Spa; Patrick Blake, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer at Portrait; and Amy Anderson, co-founder of BrinsonAnderson Consulting. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Annie Hockey
Friday, April 11: 1:40 - 2:05 p.m. | The Insider’s Guide to Private Equity Interest in Medical Aesthetics
Kimberly L. Evans, MD, FACOG
Friday, April 11: 1:05 - 2:05 p.m. | Advancing Sexual Wellness Treatments in Your Practice
Patrick Blake, MD
Friday, April 11: 8:55 - 9:25 a.m. | PANEL: Dangerous Practices, Devastating Consequences: A Compliance Perspective
Amy Anderson
Friday, April 11: 1:05 - 2:05 p.m. | PANEL: Everything You Want to Know About Running a Thriving Med Spa
Music By Ghost Score

Jan 29, 2025 • 54min
The 2025 MedSpa Marketing Playbook: Predictions for the Year Ahead
Erica Crawford, president of Influx Marketing, and Max Baybak, its co-founder, dive into the impact of California's wildfires on local communities and business marketing. They discuss innovative strategies for 2025, including the use of local service ads and the resurgence of long-form content for SEO. The duo highlights the competitive landscape of medical weight loss and the importance of in-house social media efforts. They also explore AI's role in reshaping marketing, emphasizing authentic customer engagement in the evolving MedSpa industry.

Jan 24, 2025 • 21min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Dr. Kate Dee, Dr. Linné Linder, Cameron Hemphill, Jessica Nunn
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Kate Dee, MD, of Glow MediSpa; Linné Linder, ND, of SkinSpirit; Cameron Hemphill of Growth99; and Jessica Nunn of Maven Financial Partners. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Kate Dee, MD
Friday, April 11: 8:55 - 9:25 a.m. | Dangerous Practice, Devastating Consequences: A Compliance Perspective
Saturday, April 12: 1:40 - 2:15 p.m. | Balancing Ethics and Revenue— How Ethics can Boost your Revenue
Sunday, April 13: 9 - 11:45 a.m. | Bridging the Divide: Conversations on Controversial Issues
Linné Linder, ND
Friday, April 11: 4:25 - 5:25 p.m. | Unlocking the Fountain of Youth: A Journey Into Longevity and Regenerative Medicine
Cameron Hemphill
Friday, April 11: 5- 5:25 p.m. | Maximizing Patient Lifecycle Value Through Marketing
Jessica Nunn
Friday, April 11: 1:05 - 1:30 p.m. | What the Most Profitable Med Spas are Doing in 2025
Music By Ghost Score

Jan 22, 2025 • 29min
Member Spotlight: Danielle Oyasu, NP
This week on the podcast, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Danielle Oyasu, NP, founder of Beautifully New Med Spa in Park Ridge, Illinois. They talk about the importance of community, their shared love of the city, and more in this conversation that includes:
How she was introduced to AmSpa;
The community spirit in aesthetics;
Talking safety and responsible practices;
Treatments that changed her confidence;
Her skincare regimen, empty-nester status and more!
Music by Ghost Score

Jan 17, 2025 • 19min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Gilberto Saenz III, Bree Black, Dr. Johnny Franco, Judy Kozlicki
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Gilberto Saenz III, PA-C, of Austin Plastic Surgeon; Bree Black, Co-founder of JobSnob; Johnny Franco, MD, FACS, of Austin Plastic Surgeon; and Judy Kozlicki, Head of Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery at Skytale Group. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Gilberto Saenz III, PA-C
Friday, April 11: 4:25 - 5:25 p.m. | Implementing a Successful Weight Loss Program
Saturday, April 12: 9:35 - 10 a.m. | Cellulite: The New Frontier of Combination Therapy
Saturday, April 12: 3:50 - 4:50 p.m. | The Worst I Ever Had: Complications and How to Overcome Them
Bree Black
Saturday, April 12: 4:25 - 5:25 p.m. | The HR Panel: Hiring, Retaining, Compensating and Managing Your Aesthetic Team
Johnny Franco, MD, FACS
Sunday, April 13: 9- 11:45 a.m. | Bridging the Divide: Conversations on Controversial Issues
Judy Kozlicki
Friday, April 11: 3:50 - 4:15 p.m. | How Knowing Business Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Will Maximize Your Revenue
Music By Ghost Score


