Would you send a gardener to work without tools? Would you trust a landscaper who had never studied the soil?

In this episode of The Closer Look Podcast, we are opening up the "Steward's Toolbox." Your skin is your body’s largest organ—a living landscape that protects you from pathogens, regulates your temperature, and serves as your window into internal health. Yet, most of us walk through the world without the basic tools needed to protect it.

Join host J. Caleb Runyon, NP-C, as we go totally sponsor-free to vet the best digital and analog tools for skin cancer prevention. From AI-powered apps that track changes in your moles to the physics of why a black t-shirt might be your best sunscreen, we are covering the "extra credit" assignments that could save your life.

In this episode, we take a closer look at:

• The Gardener Analogy: Why treating your skin like property changes how you care for it.

• Digital Detectives: A review of Mole Mapper (OHSU) and Skin Vision—how to use your phone to track changes before they become dangerous.

• Risk Calculators: Using data from the Melanoma Institute Australia to understand your personal risk profile.

• Breaking Bias: Why we are moving from the Fitzpatrick Scale to the Eumelanin Scale for better inclusivity in dermatology.

• The Physics of Protection: UPF clothing explained (and why regular white tees fail you), plus the science behind UV detection stickers.

• Family History 101: How to interview your relatives to uncover genetic risks—without the awkwardness.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Apps: Mole Mapper (OHSU), Skin Vision

• Tools: Spot My UV Stickers, UPF Clothing

• Resources: Melanoma Institute Australia Risk Calculator, The Eumelanin Human Skin Color Scale

Download The Steward's Toolkit PDF:Get the full checklist, the Family History Interview Script, and other resources at www.closerlookproject.com.

Disclaimer: This episode contains no paid sponsorships. All products and resources mentioned are for educational "toolbox" purposes only and have been vetted by our team as supportive adjuncts to your routine. This content is not medical advice and does not replace professional diagnosis or regular visits to your dermatologist.

-The Closer Look Project

Welcome to Season 2 of the Closer Look Podcast. We are shifting the narrative from aesthetic perfection to long-term preservation with a concept we call Skin Health Stewardship. From mastering the annual exam to asking 'power questions' that actually get answers, we explore why this mindset shift matters. Because ultimately, it’s not vanity, it’s vitality.

Tool Box:

• Mole Mapper by Oregon Health & Science University https://www.ohsu.edu/war-on-melanoma/molemappertm-mole-tracking-app

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• CRAAP Test https://libguides.rbc.edu/c.php?g=484846&p=3320444

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• Digital Power Question Card https://www.closerlookproject.com/skin-health-stewardship

-The Closer Look Project

Does chocolate cause breakouts? Can you actually "sweat out" your toxins? Join your host and expert guest, Mercy Viator, MSN, NP, a board-certified Dermatology Nurse Practitioner, as we dive into the biggest skincare myths you grew up believing. In this episode, we're cutting through the noise and setting the record straight on everything from acne triggers and anti-aging hacks to the real rules of sun protection. Prepare to toss out your old beliefs and get the science-backed facts you need for your best skin ever.

-The Closer Look Project