PsO in the Know is a podcast that shines a light on the experiences the more than 8 million Americans living with psoriasis (PsO) may have. Hosted by Grammy, Tony, and Emmy award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and PsO advocate, Cyndi Lauper, the episodes feature interviews with a diverse mix of celebrities, advocates and everyday patients living with PsO about the impact the condition has on their day-to-day life.

On this episode of PsO in the Know, Cyndi speaks with award-winning Chef Aarón Sánchez. They share their experiences managing PsO while working in the spotlight, delve into the art of cooking, discuss their personal psoriasis “food triggers,” and talk about the power of finding a doctor who specializes in psoriasis.

PsO in the Know is a podcast that shines a light on the experiences the more than 8 million Americans living with psoriasis (PsO) may have. Hosted by Grammy, Tony, and Emmy award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and PsO advocate, Cyndi Lauper, the episodes feature interviews with a diverse mix of celebrities, advocates and everyday patients living with PsO about the impact the condition has on their day-to-day life.

On this episode of PsO in the Know, Cyndi speaks with former professional ballerina and PsO advocate Melissa Leeolou. They discuss their experiences dealing with PsO while working in the performance industry, dive into the topic of “feeling comfortable in your own skin,” and talk about the importance of finding the right support system.

PsO in the Know Intro

Really loving your job is a great feeling. Even so, it’s sometimes hard to remember that when you have plaque psoriasis. Gary and Dewey know the feeling. They both love what they do. Gary, as a driving instructor, has watched people pull away when he's reached for the wheel or reached out to shake hands when he's had psoriasis on his hands. Dewey, as a prowrestler, has had competitors refuse to get in the ring with him—even after being told that his psoriasis wasn’t contagious. Hear their stories now, and share your own using #PsOatWork. Then, let’s learn from each other.

In the workplace, the incorrect thinking that plaque psoriasis is contagious or that it's not a "real" disease can lead to serious discrimination. Sometimes, teaching an employer or company the basic facts about psoriasis can resolve the problem. But when it doesn't, you've got to KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND SPEAK UP. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) are on your side. Learn more about both at The National Psoriasis Foundation.

Working out has always been part of the job for Dewey. But being asked to clean the equipment in the gym so people wouldn’t “catch” his plaque psoriasis was too much. So he came up with ways to hide his plaque psoriasis. He even adopted a full-on trucker persona in the ring, which kept him covered in bandanas and jeans. He's telling his work story here so others know they're not alone. People with psoriasis—even hardcore wrestlers—just want to be treated like everyone else. Got a #PsOatWork story? Share it on social media now.

To take care of business when you have plaque psoriasis, you need to first take care of YOU. So when you're on the job, follow these tips instead of trying to "work through the pain" of psoriasis. Overdoing it can trigger exhaustion, and may make symptoms worse.

Plaque psoriasis impacted Gary’s job for years. From minor disruptions, like needing breaks to clear his car or desk of flakes, to bigger ones like missing work for doctor appointments, it seemed like every day, there was something. It took guts to learn how to speak to people about his condition, but he found that just telling the truth helps: it’s an autoimmune disease, and not contagious! Hear more from Gary now. Then, share your own struggles or successes on social media using #PsOatWork.

Discussing plaque psoriasis with coworkers can be scary, especially if having to miss work has any of your colleagues feeling that you are doing less than your share of the work. Fear not. The tips here can help prepare you for a healthy, productive conversation—and may even help you change how they see people with psoriasis.

Dewey doesn’t have what you’d call an “ordinary” job. But he’s never really been an ordinary guy. Teased as “big for his age” as a kid, he eventually found his size to be an asset in the professional wrestling world. But his plaque psoriasis definitely wasn’t. At times, his skin bled. People stared. Competitors worried he was contagious and avoided him. It wasn’t easy—but he found ways to cope. Listen to Dewey’s experience and hear why he thinks we can all help each other at work and in life. Then, share your #PsOatWork story on social media.

In addition to using these tips to physically make working with plaque psoriasis a bit easier, remember: removing stress can make a big difference when you have psoriasis. If you work a desk job, a quick meditation session may help. If you work outdoors, try some gentle stretching and deep breathing every few hours. Or, if your job is high stress, try practicing mindfulness or learning some stress-management skills. Little changes—in your work space and in your mind—can do a lot.

As a driving instructor, Gary had to work hard to keep his students' eyes on the road—and off his flaking skin. Now, as a part of the PsO at Work campaign, he’s sharing his story to let you know you’re NOT alone. There’s a lot we can learn from each other to make things work at work. Hear from Gary now, then share your own story on social media using #PsOatWork.

Consider the tradeoffs you make every day for your plaque psoriasis. The things you have to do. The things you can't do. The things you will or won't do to get through your workday. If you're still doing too much to deal with your psoriasis at work, then maybe it's time to talk to your doctor about treatment options. Get the conversation started with this helpful discussion guide.

Unless there’s a job that requires scratching, itching, and flaking, psoriasis seems to make every job…harder. Until things get better. Listen in as Cyndi describes realizing that when her symptoms improved, her confidence on stage did too.

It’s a great thing to be able to stand out from the crowd because of what you do—not because of your skin! Learn more about the treatment that worked for her here. Remember, there’s a lot we can learn from each other—share your story on social media using #PsOatWork.

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Cyndi rarely takes a day off—so she needed a treatment that would allow her to focus on work and not on her psoriasis. In this video, you’ll hear how finding a treatment that worked for her now has her back touring live—and writing music for the Broadway adaptation of the movie “Working Girl.” So, psoriasis definitely isn’t holding back this working girl anymore! Learn about Cyndi’s treatment here.

Watch and see why it’s important to find a treatment that works for you—and then share your story on social media using #PsOatWork.

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A lot of people who don’t have psoriasis don’t understand what it’s like to live with. So, even when your job puts you in front of millions, it can feel pretty lonely when you’re trying to hide your psoriasis. But, when you realize you’re not alone, dealing with it can be a little less challenging. In this video, Cyndi explains how the PsOatWork campaign can help you learn from others who struggled with psoriasis at work too. And how you, in turn, could help someone else by sharing your story on social media using #PsOatWork.

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For years, psoriasis disrupted Cyndi’s work life, making her uncomfortable on stage and in front of cameras. In this video, she shares an extreme way she tried to hide a bad flareup from being seen—before she found a treatment that worked for her. If you’re struggling with psoriasis at work—don’t give up. Listen to Cyndi. Then, share your struggles, share your story, and learn from others on social media using #PsOatWork.

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Unfortunately, plaque psoriasis doesn’t stay home when you go to work. Cyndi understands that challenge all too well—for years, she worked through her pain in front of crowds of thousands. Now, as a part of the PsO at Work campaign, she’s telling her story here so that you know: you are NOT alone. It’s important to speak up for what we need and that we all learn from each other—so we can “work it” together. Watch now—then share your story on social media using #PsOatWork.

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Your inspirational story could be featured in a promotional campaign. To learn more, call 1-877-879-0245, email info@voices-of-inspiration.com, or sign up online now.

Did you know that COSENTYX doesn't just treat plaque psoriasis? Learn more about how it works at COSENTYX.com.

Prescribing info: bit.ly/COSEPI

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Plaque psoriasis doesn’t stay home when you have to go to work. Hear about how psoriasis disrupted Jordan’s daily work life, and find out how she’s doing now. If you’re struggling at work too, don’t give up. Visit COSENTYX.com to learn more.

Prescribing info: bit.ly/COSEPI

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It’s nothing but confetti and thumbs-up from Dewey on his #cleariversary. Learn more about how you can have your own #cleariversary at COSENTYX.com.

Prescribing info: bit.ly/COSEPI

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If you are one of the many people struggling with plaque psoriasis, Cyndi wants you to know — "You don’t have to live like this. There are options.” Watch Cyndi’s video to hear how COSENTYX helped her. Then visit COSENTYX.com to learn more.

Prescribing info: bit.ly/COSEPI

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You’re not alone in this fight. Hear real patients talk about how they advocated for themselves, got answers, and achieved clear skin with COSENTYX.

At 3 months, the majority of people were clear or almost clear. 8 out of 10 saw 75% clearance. Many who saw results at 1 year maintained them at 5 years.

Prescribing info: bit.ly/COSEPI

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Join Cyndi Lauper in celebrating the power of “Hope” in her newest music video. This uplifting journey highlights the strength of our community, while showing us once again that you don’t have to feel alone when you’re living with this disease.

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