Groomer Tales: A Podcast by Groomer's Choice

In this episode of Groomer Tales, Natasha is joined by Missy John of Nerdy K9 Academy to talk all things dog behavior, training and second chances.

From her start in animal control to running a behavior-focused training business, Missy shares how understanding dogs, and teaching their humans, can transform lives. We also dive into the return of the prison dog training program, Parole Pups, where inmates help rehabilitate shelter dogs for adoption.

Plus, we bust common training myths and talk grooming challenges, as well as a few incredible stories along the way.

Please enjoy this episode with Missy John.

On today’s episode, Natasha has a chat with Mackensie Murphy. She’s a Groom Team USA member, an award-winning competitor and a second-generation groomer. She shares her unexpected path into the grooming world, from dropping out of art school to competing on the international stage. Mackensie discusses the pressures of growing up in a well-known grooming family, discovering her passion for competition and education, and the numerous career paths the grooming industry offers. She also shares honest insights on burnout, social media, creative grooming and life beyond the competition ring. Please enjoy this episode with Mackensie Murphy.

In this episode of Groomer Tales, Natasha sits down with emergency veterinarian Dr. Azalia Boyd to talk about the powerful connection between grooming and animal health.

From spotting lumps and infections to preventing dental disease and ear issues, Dr. Boyd shares why groomers are often the first line of defense in a pet’s well-being. They also discuss how groomers and vets can collaborate more effectively to serve pets and their people.

Plus, Dr. Boyd opens up about her passion for cultural intelligence in animal care and how understanding pet owners’ backgrounds can lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Insightful, practical and refreshingly honest. A must-listen for anyone in the pet care world.

In this episode, we sit down with Blake Hernandez. Blake opens up about his path from competitive gymnastics and personal trauma to finding purpose through dogs, grooming and creative expression. He also shares behind-the-scenes stories from Pooch Perfect and Netflix’s documentary, Dogs. We talk about the realities of competitive grooming, building a personal brand, navigating online hate, and why showing up authentically with loud suits, hair flips and all, has always been non-negotiable.

Please enjoy this conversation with Blake Hernandez.

In this episode, we sit down with Denise Heroux. She is a groomer, salon owner, educator and co-founder of the Pet Stylist Relief Fund.

Denise shares her path from early career uncertainty to owning three grooming salons, including a cat-only facility and becoming a strong advocate for groomer support and education. We talk about burnout, employee retention, financial stability and what it really takes to build a sustainable grooming business.

She also explains the mission behind the Pet Stylist Relief Fund, how it supports groomers facing unexpected hardship and why bringing this resource back to the industry was so important to her.

This episode is a powerful reminder that groomers don’t have to do it alone. Enjoy this conversation with Denise Heroux.

Welcome back to Groomer Tales, a podcast by Groomer’s Choice. Today’s guest is Sandy Gyorgyi, the founder of Showseason and one of the most influential voices in professional grooming.

In this episode, Sandy shares with Natasha how she transitioned from a career in journalism to building a dog shampoo brand from scratch. They also chat about what groomers actually need from the products they use, and why scent, transparency, and listening to feedback have always mattered to her. They discuss the lessons learned from failures, the power of community, and what it takes to leave a lasting mark in the pet grooming industry.

Please enjoy this episode with Sandy Gyorgyi.

In this episode Natasha sits down with Macie Pisa! She is a Groom Team USA member, 'Pooch Perfect' champion, educator, judge and mobile grooming business owner. Macie talks competition grooming, teaching around the world, life behind reality TV, and the actual realities of building a career beyond the grooming table. Honest, funny and packed with insight for groomers at every stage. Please, enjoy this conversation with Macie Pisa.

In this episode, Natasha chats with Ryan Alvarez of Loyalty Pet Products about his path from teaching to entrepreneurship. They discuss how one trip to a grooming trade show opened his eyes to a huge industry and an even bigger opportunity. Ryan shares the early wins (and expensive lessons), how customer feedback shaped everything from apparel to tools, and why he’s built Loyalty around innovation, authenticity, and real support for groomers. Now, let’s jump into this conversation with Ryan Alvarez!

Audio note: Portions of this episode may sound a bit rough due to technical difficulties during recording. Also, let us know what you think of the new sound effect.

In this episode, Natasha chats with award-winning Canadian groomer Marcia Strong about her journey from struggling beginner to international competitor and industry influencer. She shares hilarious stories, honest insights, and the reality behind competing, running a salon, and staying sane in a fast-paced grooming world.

You’ll hear stories of exploding poop, popping eyeballs (yes, really), community over competition, the pressure of social media, and the mentors who helped her along the way.

Please enjoy this conversation with Marcia Strong.

In this episode, Natasha sits down with Jess Rona. She’s a groomer, an educator, a creative powerhouse and a reality TV judge! You may know her from her hilarious viral videos or from the HBO Max show “Haute Dog.” They discuss everything, from how she found her creative voice to building a business from her garage and learning to balance it all with a good dose of self-care and laughter. It’s real, it’s inspiring and it’s a reminder that passion can take you anywhere.

Enjoy the conversation with Jess Rona.