In this episode of Chats Behind the Chair, Deborah and Janey explore the importance of support, connection, and knowing when to help someone find the right way forward.

“Roadside assist” is about the people, conversations, and tools that help us when we feel stuck — both behind the chair and in life.

Through powerful stories and honest reflection, Deborah shares the unique role hairdressers and beauty therapists often play in their clients’ lives. From holding space during grief and difficult moments to offering perspective, encouragement, or simply pointing someone towards the right support.

They also talk about why asking for help can feel so difficult, the value of one meaningful conversation, and why supporting someone does not mean having all the answers.

Sometimes roadside assist is simply being the person who helps someone take the next step.

For more information:
Chats Behind the Chair | CollectiveCourses

Follow or subscribe to Chats Behind the Chair wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for honest conversations that inspire, strengthen and support.

You can also follow along on Instagram at @chatsbehindthechair.

Follow or subscribe to Chats Behind the Chair wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for honest conversations that inspire, strengthen and support.

You can also follow along on Instagram at @chatsbehindthechair

In this episode of Chats Behind the Chair, Deborah and Janey are joined by beauty therapist Miranda Hill, the woman behind Wake Up With Makeup.

Miranda shares her journey through more than 40 years in the beauty industry — from washing hair as a teenager, training as a beauty therapist, opening her first business alongside Deborah, and creating a spa at Millbrook Resort, to where she is today.

Together, they talk about trusting yourself before you feel completely ready, continuing to learn, and the importance of having a strong support crew around you.

Miranda also shares the deeply rewarding side of her work and how cosmetic tattooing can help women feel confident again, particularly those experiencing hair loss, alopecia, or the effects of cancer treatment.

This is an honest conversation about confidence, connection, hard work, and the reminder that true beauty always comes from within.

Follow or subscribe to Chats Behind the Chair wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for honest conversations that inspire, strengthen and support.

You can also follow along on Instagram at @chatsbehindthechair

Follow or subscribe to Chats Behind the Chair wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for honest conversations that inspire, strengthen and support.

You can also follow along on Instagram at @chatsbehindthechair

In this episode of Chats Behind the Chair, Deborah and Janey explore the importance of stepping back, gaining perspective, and understanding the people around us — both in business and in life.

“Back the truck up” is about pausing in the middle of overwhelm, conflict, or confusion and taking a wider view of what’s really happening.

Through storytelling, humour, and honest reflection, Deborah shares how understanding personality types transformed her salon culture, strengthened her leadership, and helped her build a more connected and successful team.

Sometimes the best thing we can do is simply back the truck up and look at the bigger picture.

To check out the shapes and for more information:
Chats Behind the Chair | CollectiveCourses

Follow or subscribe to Chats Behind the Chair wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for honest conversations that inspire, strengthen and support.

You can also follow along on Instagram at @chatsbehindthechair

Rear View Mirror

In the first episode of Chats Behind the Chair, Deborah and Janey take a look back at where it all began.

Deborah shares the story behind the podcast, her journey through the hair and makeup industry, and some of the lessons learned along the way.

This episode sets the scene for the series — honest conversations, real stories, and the moments behind the chair that shape both the people working in the industry and the clients they connect with.

It is a conversation about hindsight, growth, confidence, communication and the value of looking back so we can move forward with more understanding.

Follow or subscribe to Chats Behind the Chair wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for honest conversations that inspire, strengthen and support.

You can also follow along on Instagram at @chatsbehindthechair

In the very first episode of Chats Behind the Chair, Deborah and Janey take listeners back to where it all began. Deborah shares her 38-year journey in the hairdressing industry, the inspiration behind the podcast, and the powerful life lessons learned through years of conversations behind the salon chair.

From building one of Central Otago’s most well-known salons to navigating business pressure, self-belief, and personal growth, this episode dives deep into the human side of hairdressing.

In This Episode

•  How Chats Behind the Chair was born 
•  Why hairdressers are often at the forefront of people’s lives 
•  The stigma still attached to hairdressing as a career 
•  Deborah’s early fascination with mindset and perception 
•  How NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) transformed her communication skills 
•  Supporting people entering the hair industry 
•  Growth, confidence, and stepping outside your comfort zone 

Key Takeaways

Hairdressing is More Than Hair

Deborah explains how hairdressers often become trusted confidants, hearing thousands of life stories and supporting clients through challenges, transitions, and emotional moments.

Communication is Everything

Technical skill is only part of the job. Understanding people, personalities, and emotions is essential in building strong relationships and healthy salon cultures.

What’s Coming Next

In the next episode, Deborah introduces a powerful personality profiling tool that helped transform communication, leadership, and salon culture.

Connect With Chats Behind the Chair

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend, fellow hairdresser, apprentice, or someone who may need encouragement on their own growth journey.

Thanks for listening to Chats Behind the Chair.

Follow or subscribe to Chats Behind the Chair wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for honest conversations that inspire, strengthen and support.

You can also follow along on Instagram at @chatsbehindthechair

Chats Behind the Chair is a podcast created for the hair and beauty industry, their clients and anyone who loves honest, real conversation.

Hosted by Deborah Coburn and Janey Newlands this series goes beyond hair and beauty to explore the stories, challenges and connections that happen behind the chair.

Through conversations with incredible guests, we talk about resilience, mental health, business, creativity, confidence, personal growth and the moments that shape us both inside and outside the industry.

This podcast is for the creatives, the style makers, the communicators and the people who understand that the hair and beauty industry is about so much more than how someone looks. It is about trust, support, connection and helping people feel seen.

Chats Behind the Chair is here to inspire, strengthen and support.

Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

Follow or subscribe to Chats Behind the Chair wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for honest conversations that inspire, strengthen and support.

You can also follow along on Instagram at @chatsbehindthechair