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).