If Your Curls Could Talk (Lorraine Massey)

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-formaldehyde-fda.html

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/hair-straightening-chemicals-associated-higher-uterine-cancer-risk

Mel’s Curlyworld blogpost:
https://www.curlyworld.com/blog#BlogSeven

Lorraine Massey is a curl advocate whose lifelong dedication to understanding and caring for curly hair has helped drive a global phenomenon of curly acceptance. As the founder of the groundbreaking Curly Girl Method, she has empowered countless individuals to embrace their natural texture. Lorraine is also the author of three critically acclaimed books: Curly Girl: The Handbook, Silver Hair: A Handbook, and Curly Kids: The Handbook.

CurlyWorld website:
https://www.curlyworld.com/

CurlyWorld Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/curlyworldllc/

Host: Lorraine Massey
Producer: Susan Kaplan
Engineer: Dan Strong
Original Music: Cyrille Aimee
Show: If Your Curls Could Talk

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 embracing uncertainty and finding meaning amidst life's adversities.

This episode also features a heartwarming conversation with Chantel, a curly hairdresser from England, whose journey from chemically straightened hair to celebrating her natural curls is a testament to authenticity and self-acceptance. Motivated by her desire to set an example for her daughter, Chantel's story complements Mindy's insights, highlighting the importance of embracing our true selves. Together, their stories of transformation offer listeners a deeper understanding of the beauty in authenticity and the strength in vulnerability.

About the Guest:
Mindy Greenstein is a writer and clinical psychologist specializing in aging and cancer, and she is a cancer survivor herself. She is the author of two books: The House on Crash Corner; Lighter As We Go. Shop her books HERE.

If you’re inclined to donate to the breast cancer research foundation, please use this link: https://www.bcrf.org/

Lorraine Massey is a curl advocate whose lifelong dedication to understanding and caring for curly hair has helped drive a global phenomenon of curly acceptance. As the founder of the groundbreaking Curly Girl Method, she has empowered countless individuals to embrace their natural texture. Lorraine is also the author of three critically acclaimed books: Curly Girl: The Handbook, Silver Hair: A Handbook, and Curly Kids: The Handbook.

CurlyWorld website:
https://www.curlyworld.com/

CurlyWorld Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/curlyworldllc/

Host: Lorraine Massey
Producer: Susan Kaplan
Engineer: Dan Strong
Original Music: Cyrille Aimee
Show: If Your Curls Could Talk

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 lively exchange with Maya, a college student from Somerville, Massachusetts, who is on a quest for healthier curls. She shares her struggle with frizz and her desire to embrace her curls without relying on heavy, oily products. Lorraine is on hand to provide a tailored hair care plan that offers Maya a nurturing path forward. A fun twist is that Lorraine checks in with Maya months down the line to see how her hair care journey has progressed.

 Tune in for practical hair tips and insights from Cyrille’s musical background!

Lorraine Massey is a curl advocate whose lifelong dedication to understanding and caring for curly hair has helped drive a global phenomenon of curly acceptance. As the founder of the groundbreaking Curly Girl Method, she has empowered countless individuals to embrace their natural texture. Lorraine is also the author of three critically acclaimed books: Curly Girl: The Handbook, Silver Hair: A Handbook, and Curly Kids: The Handbook.

CurlyWorld website:
https://www.curlyworld.com/

CurlyWorld Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/curlyworldllc/

Host: Lorraine Massey
Producer: Susan Kaplan
Engineer: Dan Strong
Original Music: Cyrille Aimee
Show: If Your Curls Could Talk

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 one’s true self.

In our Calling all Curlies segment, Evey asks the question many of us are curious about as we travel through the chapters of our lives. How do we keep the shine of our youth in our hair, without having to use damaging products or a blow dryer?Lorraine shares curl altering tips that people of all hair types will want to know. 

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Marilena is the founder of a new cracker company, “Marilena’s,” inspired by her Greek heritage. Made with simple, organic high-quality ingredients, her crackers are pure, guilt-free goodness crafted with love. @marilenascrackers

Lorraine Massey is a curl advocate whose lifelong dedication to understanding and caring for curly hair has helped drive a global phenomenon of curly acceptance. As the founder of the groundbreaking Curly Girl Method, she has empowered countless individuals to embrace their natural texture. Lorraine is also the author of three critically acclaimed books: Curly Girl: The Handbook, Silver Hair: A Handbook, and Curly Kids: The Handbook.

CurlyWorld website:
https://www.curlyworld.com/

CurlyWorld Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/curlyworldllc/

Host: Lorraine Massey
Producer: Susan Kaplan
Engineer: Dan Strong
Original Music: Cyrille Aimee
Show: If Your Curls Could Talk

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 cultural identity.

In our calling all curls segment, Lorraine offers expert hair care insights. Alongside Lorraine, Poorna Jagannathan, actress and fierce global activist in ending violence against women, shares personal anecdotes about the liberating power of letting curls flourish in their natural state. Whether you're seeking advice on minimalist hair care routines or the benefits of water-soluble products, this episode is packed with practical tips and heartfelt stories. 

We express our gratitude to our guests and invite you to join our podcast community, continuing the conversation around the beauty and complexity of natural curls.

Lorraine Massey is a curl advocate whose lifelong dedication to understanding and caring for curly hair has helped drive a global phenomenon of curly acceptance. Author of three critically acclaimed books: Curly Girl: The Handbook; Silver Hair: A Handbook; and Curly Kids: The Handbook.

Lorraine Massey is a curl advocate whose lifelong dedication to understanding and caring for curly hair has helped drive a global phenomenon of curly acceptance. As the founder of the groundbreaking Curly Girl Method, she has empowered countless individuals to embrace their natural texture. Lorraine is also the author of three critically acclaimed books: Curly Girl: The Handbook, Silver Hair: A Handbook, and Curly Kids: The Handbook.

CurlyWorld website:
https://www.curlyworld.com/

CurlyWorld Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/curlyworldllc/

Host: Lorraine Massey
Producer: Susan Kaplan
Engineer: Dan Strong
Original Music: Cyrille Aimee
Show: If Your Curls Could Talk

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 relationships, and allowed her to celebrate milestones like watching her son graduate from college.

Lorraine Massey joins Mindy in reflecting on resilience, community, and the power of authentic connections. Together, they explore the emotional impact of beauty, from Mindy’s experiences with wigs made of natural hair to a listener’s journey of embracing her natural curls and, over time, her silver hair in Miami’s humid climate. Through heartfelt conversations and practical hair care tips, this episode celebrates self-expression and the strength found in embracing life’s imperfections.

Whether you’re facing adversity, redefining your self-image, or simply seeking inspiration, this conversation is a testament to the healing power of support, community, and the beauty of embracing your authentic self.

Lorraine Massey is a curl advocate whose lifelong dedication to understanding and caring for curly hair has helped drive a global phenomenon of curly acceptance. As the founder of the groundbreaking Curly Girl Method, she has empowered countless individuals to embrace their natural texture. Lorraine is also the author of three critically acclaimed books: Curly Girl: The Handbook, Silver Hair: A Handbook, and Curly Kids: The Handbook.

CurlyWorld website:
https://www.curlyworld.com/

CurlyWorld Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/curlyworldllc/

Host: Lorraine Massey
Producer: Susan Kaplan
Engineer: Dan Strong
Original Music: Cyrille Aimee
Show: If Your Curls Could Talk

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 about her personal journey with breast cancer, which began just before the COVID-19 pandemic. As the first in her family to face this diagnosis, Mandy recounts the importance of her community and the emotional impact of the chemotherapy treatment on her hair.

In Calling All Curls, Lorraine offers practical tips for curly hair care, particularly for those who color their hair, sharing essential advice to preserve moisture and vibrancy. We recorded this episode before the fires, we hope that Marcy, her family and all of our listeners from the LA area are safe. We have posted links to organizations that are helping those in need.

Episode links:
ChemoCouture, https://krystacouture.com

Support for LA Fire Victims:
The Labelle Foundation
Project Hope
Altadena Girls
Gofundme - Donate directly to those affected 

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Lorraine Massey is a curl advocate whose lifelong dedication to understanding and caring for curly hair has helped drive a global phenomenon of curly acceptance. As the founder of the groundbreaking Curly Girl Method, she has empowered countless individuals to embrace their natural texture. Lorraine is also the author of three critically acclaimed books: Curly Girl: The Handbook, Silver Hair: A Handbook, and Curly Kids: The Handbook.

CurlyWorld website:
https://www.curlyworld.com/

CurlyWorld Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/curlyworldllc/

Host: Lorraine Massey
Producer: Susan Kaplan
Engineer: Dan Strong
Original Music: Cyrille Aimee
Show: If Your Curls Could Talk