Your Hair Made Simple

Have you been doing your hair less the more stressed life has gotten? This episode brings you into a conversation with Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka, a licensed clinical psychologist, professor, and the creator of Psychohairapy, a framework that treats hair as an entry point to mental health care. Shannon and Dr. Afiya talk through what it really means to see your hair as part of your health, why so many o...

Have you ever stood in the mirror and wanted to cut your hair off, not for a style, but to start completely over? Iria has done that twice. She shaved her head in college on a day she needed a clean start, wore it bald for about ten years while modeling and building a career, and then, at 29, took the clippers to her head again to begin growing it back. In this conversation she walks through both...

Have you ever started finding more hair than usual on your pillow after having a baby, and felt your stomach drop? In this episode, Shannon sits down with Akira Frierson Wood, a labor and delivery nurse of more than fifteen years and the founder of Take Care of You. Akira explains what your body is actually doing during pregnancy, why estrogen makes hair flourish for a while, and what complication...

Have you ever taken your braids out early because something just felt off? Maybe your scalp was itchy in a way it had never been before. Maybe you woke up that first night with a tight throat. Maybe you found little bumps at the base of your neck and could not figure out where they came from. In this episode, your friend Shannon unpacks two Consumer Reports studies that may help explain what some...

Should I straighten my hair to fit in? To look professional? To feel accepted? In this episode of Your Hair Made Simple, Shannon sits down with Dr. Brittany Williams, lead author of "Should I Straighten My Hair?: Narratives of Black College Women with Natural Hair" (published in the Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education), to explore what happens when the way your hair naturally grows fee...

She's a licensed clinical psychologist who has been featured in the New York Times, The Atlantic, and Essence. She co-founded Not So Strong to improve the mental health of Black women. And she said something in this conversation that stopped us both. "Your hair is part of your body." Which means when you stop caring for it, that's not laziness. That's information. Dr. Ayanna...

What does it mean to care for your natural hair while exploring the world? In this episode of Your Hair Made Simple, Shannon sits down with Bianca to talk about the ups, downs, and breakthroughs of embracing natural hair while traveling. From navigating beauty standards abroad to searching for hair products in unfamiliar places, Bianca shares her personal journey of moving from relaxed to natural...

In this solo episode of Your Hair Made Simple , Shannon revisits a powerful AJC article that details the health costs associated with perms and chemical hair treatments. With over 600 women in Georgia filing lawsuits, this isn’t just a headline — it’s a reflection of beauty standards, health risks, and cultural identity in the Black community. We’ll walk through: What the AJC report reveals about...

Is stress stealing your hair? Or are scalp conditions like alopecia, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis making your journey harder than it should be? In this episode of Your Hair Made Simple , host Shannon Walker sits down with Dr. Tunisia Cornelius , a board-certified dermatologist, to unpack the truth about scalp health. Together, they explore: ✨ The different types of alopecia and what causes...

Want expert tips for caring for your natural hair? Curious about what hair stylists really think or what mistakes to avoid when working with professionals? In this Season 1 finale of Your Hair Made Simple LIVE, host Shannon Walker sits down with licensed cosmetologist Brooke Alexander to share practical advice for maintaining healthy, natural hair. Recorded live in Atlanta, GA with an intimate aud...

Curious about how to choose the right hair products for your unique journey? In this episode of "Your Hair Made Simple," host Shannon and Ameka Coleman, founder of Strands of Faith, delve into the world of hair care products.  They share personal stories and expert insights on understanding product ingredients, avoiding harmful chemicals, and embracing natural hair. Whether you're na...

This episode of  Your Hair Made Simple  is extra special because it comes straight from our recent  Healthy Hair Mindset & Reflection Workshop , hosted in partnership with  My Own Lane Aquatics  for their  Splash Bash at Adelphi University . In this session, we created space for swimmers and athletes to reflect on their hair journeys and ask real questions about what it takes to keep hair heal...

Is your hair impacting your confidence? In this episode of Your Hair Made Simple, Shannon and guest Trinitee Richards unpack this powerful question. Trinity shares her journey from heat damage to micro locks and how it reshaped her self-perception and confidence. Together, they explore identity in college, navigating early career pressures, societal expectations, and the influence of the digital a...

In this episode of Your Hair Made Simple , host Shannon Walker chats with Ciara Imani May, CEO and Founder of Rebundle, about the shift towards eco-friendly, scalp-friendly braiding hair. They discuss the challenges of the traditional hair extension industry and how making sustainable choices can benefit both your hair and the planet. Ciara, with a background in business management and social entr...

Spring is around the corner, making it the perfect time to refresh your hair care routine! In this Your Hair Made Simpleseason finale, host Shannon dives deep into the 7 key traits every natural hair queen should know—hair texture, density, curl shape, porosity, elasticity, scalp health, and shrinkage. Understanding these natural hair fundamentals can help you make smarter choices about styling, m...

In this episode of Your Hair Made Simple , host Shannon sits down with seasoned cosmetologist Sandy Hill to unravel the beauty and challenges of coloring natural hair. Together, they dive into the essentials of hair health, explore different coloring methods, and highlight why understanding your medical history is critical before making any bold hair decisions. Sandy shares her personal journey wi...

In this empowering episode of Your Hair Made Simple , host Shannon sits down with Andy Luc to explore his inspiring journey of navigating corporate spaces as a Black man with locs. With over 20 years of experience in finance, consulting, and technology, Andy opens up about the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along his natural hair journey. From breaking stereotypes to celebrating cultura...

In this episode of Your Hair Made Simple Podcast , host Shannon sits down with Deonna Simon, a talented braider from Lithonia, Georgia, to explore the industry and customer experience behind braiding, exploring how we navigate the customer-braider relationship. Together, they dive into personal hair journeys, the evolution of braiding skills, and how creativity fuels unique braiding styles. Deonna...

In this episode, Shannon sits down with Yelitsa Jean-Charles, founder of Healthy Roots Dolls, to explore the beauty and challenges of embracing natural hair. Yelitsa opens up about her personal hair journey, sharing how her experiences shaped her passion for empowering young girls to love and care for their natural hair. Together, they dive into the founding of Healthy Roots Dolls—a toy company th...

In this heartfelt conversation, Shannon welcomes Dr. Cassandre Dunbar—Professor of Biology and host of the wellness podcast Be Well, Sis —to explore the deep connection between stress, wellness, and natural hair. Together, they share personal hair journeys and unpack how stress, gut health, and emotional well-being impact hair and scalp health. Dr. Dunbar offers her unique perspective as a scienti...

Join us for a 1 year anniversary bonus episode of Your Hair Made Simple recorded at Podcast Movement Conference. In this episode, we explore the often overwhelming journey of balancing wellness, navigating burnout, and finding joy in our hair care routines. Join me as I chat with the inspiring Nickole, host of the Woman, I Am You podcast, a show focused on wellness and coming back to yourself. She...

Where are you in your natural hair journey? In this episode, host Shannon shares five essential tips to guide you on your natural hair journey. Whether you're starting out or refining your routine, these practical tips will help you embrace your natural hair with confidence and care. Drawing from her decade-long experience and the inspiring stories of our guests, Shannon offers actionable advi...

What do I do when my child’s hair texture is different than my own? How do I balance caring for different hair textures in my family? Curious about how to celebrate natural hair’s unique beauty and foster self-love and confidence in every family member? In today’s episode, we dive into these questions and more as we discuss the world of learning how to care for natural hair in a variety of texture...

To loc or not to loc? That is the question. Jumping into the world of locs can seem like a big change after already learning how to discover your natural hair .You can feel excitement, uncertainty, apprehension, along with wondering how you will be perceived by others with such a change. There’s so much to learn as your hair adjusts to a new way of being. In today’s episode, our guest Bria shares...

Making significant changes later in life can seem to be challenging. Navigating from familiar ways of hair care, such as perms, can require significant thought and intentionality, especially when turning from a lifetime of familiarity. Other factors, such as lifestyle and health concerns, can sometimes push necessary changes in hair care, even when you may not feel ready. Join us in today’s chat w...