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

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

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