Alopecia Connection

Episode 28- Samuel Picou, Using his "Voice" for Positive Change "Yeah, we can't forget about the power we have to choose.  We have a power and a choice to choose everyday, and we can make a good decision, we can make a bad decision.  It's hard at first, but when you start making those right choices, stick your chin up... push through the obstacle.  You're going to get...

Episode 27- With A Little Help From Her Friends, Erika M. "Where you are now isn't where you will always be, and where you were yesterday isn't where you need to be tomorrow.  Knowing that you have the ability to change things if you want is so powerful.  In a disease that can really make you feel so powerless that is so important, because even though the situation won't change...

Episode 26- Texas, Football, and Alopecia with Austin K. "It was never emotionally hard on me, because I never really saw it in the aspect of 'this is bad or this isn't good...'  I always just saw it as 'this is me." The first episode of Alopecia Connection in 2024 features Austin, a young man from Texas, who developed alopecia at 6 months old.  Interestingly, Austin...

Episode 25- Alopecia Connection Year in Review! On this year-end episode of Alopecia Connection, Frank & Tommy take a look back on 2023 and reflect on the positive developments that have occurred for the show.  They discuss the most popular episodes of the year, their meetups, advocacy work, and what they would like to see for the podcast in the new year! Alopecia Connection would love to than...

Episode 24- Giving Back with Rodney Eldik "...so now  if I have my family, I have my friends, I can tackle this (alopecia).  And that was a big moment for me, that's when I was really able to push through.  You know, as I got older, I stopped even wearing hats.  Now even sharing our story,... I'm very proud to be in a position where I feel like I'm comfortable to talk about tha...

Episode 23- Living in the Moment with Author George Jreije "I find that folks that I meet who have alopecia or similar conditions tend to look at the world with a different perspective.  I sure do.  So it was ultimately for the benefit I think.  Folks always ask me today, they're like 'if you could take a pill that eliminates this condition and you regrow everything, would you?&apos...

Episode 22- Alison Mann,  Coaching and Therapy for Hair Loss "I feel like I have a much fuller view of what body image mental health looks like, and it's not just your stomach, your legs, your arms; it's also your hair, your facial hair, your eyebrows, your eyelashes.  And that was something clearly not a lot of professionals knew about, because when you get diagnosed with alopecia...

Episode 21- Bald Villains in Pop Culture (Halloween Special) On this episode of Alopecia Connection, Frank & Tommy discuss the prevalence of bald villains in pop culture, whether in movies, television, or literature.  This topic was inspired by a recent journal article that qualitatively examined the prominence of hairless villains compared to their protagonist counterparts.  Why does this tre...

Episode 20- John, Clinical Trials & the Power of Positivity On this episode of Alopecia Connection meet an amazing man named John.   A native of New York City, John  discusses developing alopecia later in life, and how that impacted his life.  Despite trying to remain positive through his diagnosis and progressing alopecia, John sought support through the Alopecia Areata Facebook Group, and ev...

Episode 19- Actor Anthony Carrigan, Alopecia Awareness Month (Part 2) "This experience that can feel so alienating, so much that you feel like no one really understands what it's like to be seen in this way, (and) no one understands what it's like to have this sudden drastic change.  There are, so many people have gone through it, and are going through it, but so many people have go...

Episode 18- Actor Anthony Carrigan, Alopecia Awareness Month (Part 1) "... when I first got onstage, I actually felt like I could be anyone and I could actually just express this part of myself that had been kind of... too timid to actually be seen in the world.  When I got onstage it was like I had this freedom to be whoever, to do whatever..." On this special Alopecia Awareness Month e...

Episode 17- Rebecca Saunders & The Champagne Lounge " I never really embraced (being) completely hair free until 18 months ago, so the journey has been a long one, it was 25 years of having alopecia..." "Something had to give, and it was the wig... everything changed overnight." On this month’s episode on Alopecia Connection meet Rebecca Saunders, owner of a worldwide video...

Episode 16- Nicolas Roman Srut & The Naked Confidence Campaign "... and that's the brilliance of alopecia,  and acceptance of alopecia.  Does it really not matter to you what people think?  And if you can say yes, what's to fear?  There's nothing!" On this month's episode of Alopecia Connection, meet Nicholas "Nico" Srut, an author, comedian, motivationa...

Episode 15- Deeann Graham, Alopecia Life Podcast "...you're going to meet the most amazing people, and more than anything, you're going to find our things about yourself that would have never been possible without alopecia..." This month we are pleased to introduce you to Deeann Graham (IG: @alopecialifecoach ), alopecia advocate and host of the Alopecia Life podcast!  Deeann&a...

Episode 14- Sam Macgregor, "Truly, Madly, Baldy" At The Edinburgh Fringe This is a very special episode of Alopecia Connection,  featuring actor Sam Macgregor (IG: @samhazamacg ), who started developing alopecia in 2019.  Sam has taken his experiences and developed a stage production titled "Truly, Madly, Baldy," which will be performed at the famous Edinburgh Fringe festival d...

Episode 13:  Ethan's Alopecia Awareness 'I haven't had hair in over 6 years.  I've been strong about it.  I always try to put my best foot forward, stay confident, and always stay true to who I am...' On this episode of Alopecia Connection meet Ethan (IG: @ethans_alopecia_awareness ), a truly inspiring young man who developed alopecia in the 5th grade.  Now in boarding sch...

Episode 12: Alopecia Warriors Program with Lisa Taylor, Gut Health Coach On this episode of Alopecia Connection meet Lisa Taylor (IG: @yourbestlifewithlisa ), an integrative nutrition gut health coach from Ontario, Canada.  Lisa discusses her 2016 alopecia diagnosis and work with a naturopathic doctor.  This experience caused her to completely rethink her personal nutrition and lifestyle.  Followi...

Episode 11: Brandi, JAK Inhibitors for Alopecia Facebook Group ' My mother noticed a spot when I was 18 months old…’  Brandi has been navigating her alopecia even before she can remember; deeming herself a ‘lifer’ with this condition.  In this episode, she bravely shares her story of navigating this illness detailing numerous doctors visits, steroid injections, hair toppers, and the mental he...

Episode 10- Angel Rosario Jr. This month Alopecia Connection features actor Angel Rosario Jr!  Hailing from Chicago, Angel discusses his journey with alopecia as well as how it has influenced his acting career.  Interestingly, pro wrestling also played a part in his story, as both an outlet from alopecia and as an avenue into acting.  Angel shares a bunch of anecdotes from his time filming project...

Episode 9- Mikayla, NAAF Conference 2022 This episode of Alopecia Connection highlights Mikayla, a young woman from upstate New York  who originally developed alopecia at the age of 13.  Mikayla has since become quite involved with the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, attending the Legislative Hill Day in 2019 and most recently the 2022 NAAF Annual Conference in Washington, DC. Mikayla has con...

Episode 8- Tommy H., JAK Inhibitors On this episode of Alopecia Connection we speak with Tommy (IG: @travelingputtputt ), an American from Maine, who’s been living and working in London for several years now.  Tommy developed alopecia universalis less than a year ago, and has recently starting using JAK inhibitors, with some success already!  Tommy's Metro UK Article: https://metro.co.uk/2022...

Episode 7- Let Me Be Frank With You On this month's episode  of Alopecia Connection, Frank talks directly about his personal experiences with alopecia.  From developing alopecia universalis at the age of 17, to starting this podcast, he describes the rollercoaster ride that is this autoimmune condition.  Ryan M. from Alopecia Connection Episode 4 joins Frank to discuss this and all things alo...

Episode 6- Mike S. On this episode of Alopecia Connection we have Mike.  Mike is 58 years old, lives in Toronto, Ontario, and has had alopecia since the age of 27.  We discuss his journey, perspectives on dating with alopecia, and Vitamin D as it relates to alopecia and living in the northern hemisphere.   Send us Fan Mail Connection is everything! Remember to rate, review, subscribe and share! Al...

Episode 5- Michael, MC Squared 90 On this episode of Alopecia Connection, Frank interviews Michael, a hilarious content creator on both Instagram ( @mc_squared90 ) and TikTok ( @mcsquared90 ).  Michael discusses his alopecia journey, gaming, drumming, and also gives some behind the scene information on how he creates those funny gamer skits.  Michael often gets asked about his appearance and regul...

Episode 4- Ryan M., FMT Clinical Trials On this month's episode of Alopecia Connection we have Ryan.  During the interview Ryan details his alopecia journey and research into FMT clinical trials for people with alopecia.  Gut health is discussed, and how it could possibly be related to various autoimmune issues. Show Links: Boston Children's Hospital- FMT John Hopkins Medicine- FMT Harva...