Celebrated actress, singer and author Mandy Gonzalez (who currently stars as Norma Desmond in the hit Broadway production, Sunset Boulevard) joins us for an inspiring discussion about her journey with curly hair and how embracing her natural texture became a source of confidence. Her candid insights reveal how her parents' resilient love story inspired her own fearless path on Broadway, where she has starred in iconic productions like Hamilton and In the Heights. Lorraine speaks with Mandy ab...
In this deeply moving episode, we meet Mindy Greenstein, a woman who has lived with metastatic breast cancer for over 17 years. Mindy shares the profound emotional journey she experienced after a medication change caused her to lose all her hair, including her eyebrows and lashes. What might have seemed like a devastating loss became an unexpected gift—liberating her from a lifelong fear of vulnerability. She reflects on how this transformation reshaped her sense of self, strengthened her rel...
Have you ever hesitated to step into a salon that didn't feel like it was meant for you? Our guest, Myriam Gilles, knows this feeling all too well. She shares her insightful journey with curly hair and the complex dynamics of "good hair" in the black community, rooted in her Haitian heritage. From her initial reservations about visiting a salon that seemed exclusive to finding a place of acceptance, Myriam's story is a powerful reminder of how deeply intertwined hair is with personal and cult...
Imagine being a teenager in Greece, where a single haircut at 13 dramatically alters the way you perceive yourself. That's what happened to our dear friend Marilena, whose curly hair journey offers an uplifting story of self acceptance, especially after meeting Lorraine, who introduces her to the Curly Girl Method. Marilena’s candid recounting of her story not only speaks to the struggle of feeling “defective” because of her natural hair but also underscores the liberating power of embracing ...
In this episode, we feature two-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist (and the singer and writer of our theme music!) Cyrille Aimee. Experience her musical journey, where the rhythm of curls meets the soulful sounds influenced by her childhood friendships with the Roma people. Cyrille shares her creative process in building the theme music for this podcast, inviting you to explore unexpected connections between jazz, curls, and the beauty of nature. Our "Calling All Curls" segment brings a liv...
Mindy Greenstein didn't just embrace her curls; she embraced life itself in a way that many of us strive to do. From discovering the Curly Girl Method to navigating life with cancer, Mindy shares her personal journey of transformation and acceptance. Her story reveals how learning to love her natural waves taught her invaluable lessons about resilience and courage—lessons inspired by her late mother, a Holocaust survivor. Through her candid reflections, Mindy uncovers the profound impact of e...
In this episode, we have a heartfelt conversation with Mel Malebranche, exploring her family’s traditions around hair. We get an honest look at Mel’s journey as she embraces her natural hair while taking a deep dive into the history and realities of hair relaxers. We also hear from Abigail, a listener outside of Boston, seeking advice on maintaining healthy curls while swimming after a challenging operation. Resources: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/17/well/hair-straighteners-risks-for...