In this episode of Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser, Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg sit down with veteran salon owner and educator Mila, who shares her account of being recruited with promises of a national education platform—only to see those opportunities disappear amid alleged corporate politics, conflicts of interest, and years of frustration. Alongside Shaunda, they discuss the impact they say it had on their salons, careers, and business relationships. 

The conversation explores:

• How beauty brands recruit salon owners and educators
• The politics behind becoming a platform artist
• Allegations of bait-and-switch recruiting tactics
• Conflicts of interest between sales reps and salons
• The realities of growing a successful salon business
• Leadership, integrity, and protecting your reputation
• Why more hairdressers are speaking openly about industry practices

Whether you're a hairstylist, salon owner, cosmetology student, beauty educator, platform artist, or beauty entrepreneur, this episode offers an inside look at the challenges many professionals say exist behind the scenes of the beauty industry.

Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser is the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the hair industry, exposing the conversations many professionals have privately—but few are willing to have publicly. If you're looking for honest discussions about salon culture, beauty business, education, and the future of the industry, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 

Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg pull back the curtain on the beauty industry with unfiltered conversations about salon culture, hairstylist life, toxic work environments, nightmare clients, celebrity encounters, relationships, burnout, and the chaos that happens behind the chair.

From hilarious salon horror stories to serious conversations about identity, mental health, beauty standards, and industry politics, Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser says the quiet parts out loud with raw honesty, dark humor, and zero filter.

New episodes weekly featuring hairstylists, salon owners, beauty insiders, celebrities, and real stories the industry usually keeps behind closed doors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to build a career in Hollywood as a hairstylist?

In this episode of Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser, Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg sit down with legendary hairstylist Cherry Peetenbrink, whose career has taken her from salon owner to Hollywood film sets, celebrity clients, major beauty brands, and blockbuster movies like The Hunger Games.

Cherry shares the untold stories behind coloring the iconic wigs for Effie and Katniss, working with Academy Award-winning actors, navigating Hollywood, educating for brands like Goldwell, Joico, and Olivia Garden, and why success has far more to do with delivering on your promises than luck.

The conversation also tackles the decline of today's hair shows, why brand loyalty has disappeared, balancing career with family, overcoming imposter syndrome, staying relevant after decades in the industry, and what today's hairstylists need to succeed in an ever-changing beauty business.

Whether you're a hairstylist, salon owner, beauty school student, educator, or simply fascinated by the world behind Hollywood hair, this episode is packed with real-world advice, career lessons, and behind-the-scenes stories you won't hear anywhere else.

Topics include:

• The Hunger Games hair transformations

• Celebrity hairstyling & Hollywood film sets

• Goldwell, Joico & major beauty brands

• Hair shows & beauty industry trends

• Salon ownership & career growth

• Education, mentorship & staying relevant

• Work-life balance & longevity in the beauty industry

If you're serious about building a long-term career in beauty, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg pull back the curtain on the beauty industry with unfiltered conversations about salon culture, hairstylist life, toxic work environments, nightmare clients, celebrity encounters, relationships, burnout, and the chaos that happens behind the chair.

From hilarious salon horror stories to serious conversations about identity, mental health, beauty standards, and industry politics, Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser says the quiet parts out loud with raw honesty, dark humor, and zero filter.

New episodes weekly featuring hairstylists, salon owners, beauty insiders, celebrities, and real stories the industry usually keeps behind closed doors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What really happens behind the scenes at beauty schools—and why are so many graduates unprepared for the salon floor?

In this episode of Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser, Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg sit down with a former state board examiner who reveals what she witnessed firsthand: failing sanitation standards, missing student hours, weak instructor training, licensing issues, and the costly mistakes that can follow students long after graduation.

They also break down a listener's shocking account of attending beauty school during COVID, including allegations of fundraising during class time, questionable tuition practices, financial aid concerns, and why many graduates leave school unprepared for a real career behind the chair.

If you're a hairstylist, beauty school student, salon owner, educator, or anyone considering a career in cosmetology, this episode pulls back the curtain on an industry that desperately needs accountability.

Topics: beauty school, cosmetology school, state board exam, hairstylist education, salon industry, cosmetology licensing, sanitation, beauty school scams, salon careers, hairstylist podcast. 

Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg pull back the curtain on the beauty industry with unfiltered conversations about salon culture, hairstylist life, toxic work environments, nightmare clients, celebrity encounters, relationships, burnout, and the chaos that happens behind the chair.

From hilarious salon horror stories to serious conversations about identity, mental health, beauty standards, and industry politics, Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser says the quiet parts out loud with raw honesty, dark humor, and zero filter.

New episodes weekly featuring hairstylists, salon owners, beauty insiders, celebrities, and real stories the industry usually keeps behind closed doors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The beauty industry is facing one of its biggest educational shakeups in decades. Carla Jones joins us to unpack the facts behind the Do No Harm Bill, Title IV funding, gainful employment requirements, student outcomes, salon culture, and the future of beauty education. This isn't fear-mongering—it's a candid conversation about accountability, opportunity, and what schools, students, and salon owners need to do moving forward. 

Beauty School Reform, Cosmetology School, Do No Harm Bill, Beauty Industry News, Hairdresser Podcast, Salon Industry, Hairstylist Education, Beauty School Truth, Cosmetology Career, Salon Owner, Hair Industry, Beauty School Accreditation, Career Readiness, Hairdresser Business, Beauty Industry Podcast

Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg pull back the curtain on the beauty industry with unfiltered conversations about salon culture, hairstylist life, toxic work environments, nightmare clients, celebrity encounters, relationships, burnout, and the chaos that happens behind the chair.

From hilarious salon horror stories to serious conversations about identity, mental health, beauty standards, and industry politics, Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser says the quiet parts out loud with raw honesty, dark humor, and zero filter.

New episodes weekly featuring hairstylists, salon owners, beauty insiders, celebrities, and real stories the industry usually keeps behind closed doors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are your clients buying their shampoo, tools, and styling products online instead of from you? In this episode, we sit down with Australian hairstylist and educator Victoria Domazet to uncover how hairdressers can earn commission from the products they already recommend every day.

We dive into affiliate marketing for hairstylists, the future of salon retail, QR code selling strategies, Linktree storefronts, online shopping habits, and why traditional retail shelves may be costing salons thousands in lost revenue.

Whether you're a salon owner, booth renter, suite owner, independent stylist, educator, makeup artist, or beauty professional, this conversation will challenge the way you think about retail sales, client buying behavior, and building additional income streams in the beauty industry.

If you've ever wondered why clients buy products online after leaving your chair, this episode explains how to stop losing those sales and start benefiting from them.

Topics Covered:

• Affiliate marketing for hairdressers

• Salon retail strategies in 2026

• Passive income for beauty professionals

• QR codes and digital selling

• Client buying behavior and online shopping

• Product recommendations and commissions

• Salon ownership and retail profitability

• Beauty industry business growth

• Hairstylist income diversification

• The future of salon retail

Because if your clients are already buying online, you might as well be part of the transaction.

Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg pull back the curtain on the beauty industry with unfiltered conversations about salon culture, hairstylist life, toxic work environments, nightmare clients, celebrity encounters, relationships, burnout, and the chaos that happens behind the chair.

From hilarious salon horror stories to serious conversations about identity, mental health, beauty standards, and industry politics, Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser says the quiet parts out loud with raw honesty, dark humor, and zero filter.

New episodes weekly featuring hairstylists, salon owners, beauty insiders, celebrities, and real stories the industry usually keeps behind closed doors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to go from a small seaside town in England to working alongside fashion legends, celebrity icons, and some of the biggest names in beauty?

In this episode, Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg sit down with hair historian, session stylist, educator, and former Vidal Sassoon and Toni & Guy-trained hairdresser Adam Garland. Adam shares his remarkable journey through the worlds of high fashion, celebrity hairstyling, addiction, recovery, and reinvention.

From assisting at Chanel and working alongside industry legends to styling celebrity clients, navigating the pressures of Fashion Week, and rebuilding his life after addiction, Adam delivers one of the most honest conversations we've ever had on the podcast.

We also dive into why hair history matters, how fashion trends actually evolve, the influence of Vidal Sassoon on modern hairdressing, and why understanding the past can make you a better stylist today.

• Vidal Sassoon vs. Toni & Guy education

• The reality of Fashion Week and session styling

• Working with celebrities and supermodels

• Hair history, beauty culture, and trend forecasting

• Addiction, recovery, and rebuilding a career

• The toxic side of the beauty industry

• Mentoring the next generation of artists

• Why most hairdressers overlook the importance of history

Whether you're a hairstylist, salon owner, beauty student, fashion enthusiast, or someone rebuilding their life after adversity, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom, industry insight, and unforgettable stories.

Guest: Adam Garland Follow on instagram @adamgarland_

Host: Jason Townsend & Paula Dahlberg

Podcast: Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser – Real Hairdressers Saying the Quiet Parts Out Loud

Hairdresser Podcast, Hairstylist Podcast, Vidal Sassoon, Toni & Guy, Fashion Week, Session Stylist, Celebrity Hairstylist, Hair History, Beauty Industry, Salon Life, Hair Education, Hairdresser Stories, Addiction Recovery, Fashion Industry, Editorial Hair, Adam Garland, Jason Townsend, Paula Dahlberg, Hair Trends, Beauty Culture

Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg pull back the curtain on the beauty industry with unfiltered conversations about salon culture, hairstylist life, toxic work environments, nightmare clients, celebrity encounters, relationships, burnout, and the chaos that happens behind the chair.

From hilarious salon horror stories to serious conversations about identity, mental health, beauty standards, and industry politics, Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser says the quiet parts out loud with raw honesty, dark humor, and zero filter.

New episodes weekly featuring hairstylists, salon owners, beauty insiders, celebrities, and real stories the industry usually keeps behind closed doors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most hairstylists leave beauty school knowing how to pass a state board exam—but not how to build a successful career.

In this episode, Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg sit down with educator, salon owner, author, and entrepreneur Amber Hopson to discuss the business skills, marketing strategies, and mindset shifts that separate struggling stylists from thriving salon professionals.

Amber shares the lessons she learned from building a successful salon, creating educational programs for beauty schools, developing her own product line, and helping hairstylists transition from employees to business owners. From guerrilla marketing and social media growth to pricing strategies and client acquisition, this conversation delivers practical advice that beauty schools often overlook.

Topics include:

• What beauty schools aren't teaching future hairstylists

• How to build a loyal clientele from scratch

• Guerrilla marketing tactics that still work today

• The importance of social media, content creation, and personal branding

• Pricing strategies that can dramatically increase income

• How salon owners develop future leaders

• Why business education matters more than ever in the beauty industry

• The mindset required to become a successful salon owner

If you're a hairstylist, barber, cosmetology student, salon owner, beauty educator, or anyone looking to grow a career in the beauty industry, this episode is packed with actionable insights from professionals who have built successful businesses behind the chair and beyond.

Guest: Amber Hopson, Author of Boss Moves: What They Didn't Teach You in Beauty School, Founder of Build A Boss Academy, Educator, Salon Owner, and Entrepreneur. 

For more Amber and her book Boss Moves, classes and social media click the links Hair Escapades TikTok Instagram

Hairdresser Podcast, Hairstylist Business, Salon Owner, Beauty School, Cosmetology School, Hair Industry, Salon Marketing, Hairstylist Education, Hair Business, Salon Success, Hair Career, Beauty Industry Podcast, Hairdresser Life, Client Building, Social Media for Hairstylists, Salon Management, Beauty Entrepreneur, Hairstylist Coach, Hair Education, Six Figure Stylist

Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg pull back the curtain on the beauty industry with unfiltered conversations about salon culture, hairstylist life, toxic work environments, nightmare clients, celebrity encounters, relationships, burnout, and the chaos that happens behind the chair.

From hilarious salon horror stories to serious conversations about identity, mental health, beauty standards, and industry politics, Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser says the quiet parts out loud with raw honesty, dark humor, and zero filter.

New episodes weekly featuring hairstylists, salon owners, beauty insiders, celebrities, and real stories the industry usually keeps behind closed doors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is beauty school preparing students for real careers—or setting them up to fail?

In this episode of Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser, Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg sit down with cosmetology school director Heather Laws, a 20+ year industry veteran who transformed a struggling beauty school from 12 students to over 200 and is now helping shape legislation that could change cosmetology education forever. 

Heather pulls back the curtain on what many schools are getting wrong: students graduating with little client experience, weak color education, poor business training, and unrealistic expectations about success behind the chair. She explains why curriculum reform, stronger clinic floor requirements, real-world client experience, and financial education may matter far more than simply increasing required school hours. 

Topics include:

• The truth about the 1,500-hour cosmetology requirement

• Why some beauty schools struggle to prepare students for the workforce

• How Heather's school grew from 12 students to over 200 students

• The role of client experience in cosmetology education

• Financial literacy and business skills for hairstylists

• Salon readiness vs. state board readiness

• Beauty school reform and legislative change

• Student success, workforce development, and career longevity

• The future of cosmetology licensing and education

Whether you're a hairstylist, salon owner, beauty school student, educator, or industry leader, this conversation challenges long-held assumptions about cosmetology education and explores what it actually takes to prepare the next generation of hairdressers for long-term success.

If we're serious about improving the beauty industry, we have to start by improving how we educate the people entering it.

Beauty School

Cosmetology School

Hairdresser Podcast

Salon Education

Beauty Industry

Hair Stylist Career

Cosmetology Licensing

Beauty School Reform

Salon Owner

Hairdresser Success

Beauty Industry News

Hairstylist Business

Salon Life

Cosmetology Student

Shit I Told My Hairdresser

Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg pull back the curtain on the beauty industry with unfiltered conversations about salon culture, hairstylist life, toxic work environments, nightmare clients, celebrity encounters, relationships, burnout, and the chaos that happens behind the chair.

From hilarious salon horror stories to serious conversations about identity, mental health, beauty standards, and industry politics, Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser says the quiet parts out loud with raw honesty, dark humor, and zero filter.

New episodes weekly featuring hairstylists, salon owners, beauty insiders, celebrities, and real stories the industry usually keeps behind closed doors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this explosive episode of Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser, veteran salon owner and hairstylist Nicole “Super Hairo" Nikki Cestaro joins Jason Townsend and Paula J Dahlberg for a brutally honest conversation about what really happens inside the beauty industry. 

From toxic salon culture and sabotaging coworkers to nightmare clients, entitled stylists, burnout, salon ownership struggles, and the shocking reality of training the next generation of hairdressers — nothing is held back. 

Nicole shares unbelievable real-life salon stories, including:

• Stylists sabotaging color formulas
• Clients calling the cops over their hair
• Toxic salon politics and “mean girl” culture
• The emotional and financial risks of owning a salon
• Why so many young stylists fail in the industry
• The brutal truth about work ethic in modern salons
• How salon owners quietly carry the entire business on their backs

This episode is funny, savage, emotional, and painfully relatable for anyone who’s ever worked in a salon, owned a business, or dealt with toxic workplace culture. 

If you’re a hairstylist, salon owner, beauty school student, barber, esthetician, or beauty industry professional — this is the episode everyone in the industry will be talking about.

Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg pull back the curtain on the beauty industry with unfiltered conversations about salon culture, hairstylist life, toxic work environments, nightmare clients, celebrity encounters, relationships, burnout, and the chaos that happens behind the chair.

From hilarious salon horror stories to serious conversations about identity, mental health, beauty standards, and industry politics, Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser says the quiet parts out loud with raw honesty, dark humor, and zero filter.

New episodes weekly featuring hairstylists, salon owners, beauty insiders, celebrities, and real stories the industry usually keeps behind closed doors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Do No Harm Bill is forcing a long-overdue conversation in the beauty industry—and most people still don’t fully understand what’s at stake.

In this episode of Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser, we break down the real impact of the bill on beauty schools, student debt, and career outcomes for hairdressers. From rising tuition costs to low post-graduation income, the numbers don’t lie—and the system is being challenged at a federal level.

We go beyond the surface to examine:

• Why so many cosmetology students struggle financially after graduation
• The lack of transparency in beauty school outcomes
• How federal funding is tied to real-world earning potential
• The growing disconnect between education and actual salon success
• What accountability should look like in the beauty industry

Tell the government what you think! Click the link Regulations.gov Speak your mind!

This isn’t about emotion or industry politics—it’s about facts, financial reality, and the future of professional hairdressing.

If you’re a stylist, salon owner, or student trying to understand where the industry is headed, this is a conversation you can’t afford to ignore.

Follow Dana on TikTok @DNWLuxeHair and in Instagram @DNWLuxehairsalon

It’s time to cut through the rhetoric—and start asking better questions.

Jason Townsend and Paula Dahlberg pull back the curtain on the beauty industry with unfiltered conversations about salon culture, hairstylist life, toxic work environments, nightmare clients, celebrity encounters, relationships, burnout, and the chaos that happens behind the chair.

From hilarious salon horror stories to serious conversations about identity, mental health, beauty standards, and industry politics, Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser says the quiet parts out loud with raw honesty, dark humor, and zero filter.

New episodes weekly featuring hairstylists, salon owners, beauty insiders, celebrities, and real stories the industry usually keeps behind closed doors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.