Family Legacy and Entrepreneurial Roots
In this episode, Joanne chats with Stephanie Luster, president of Essations Incorporated—a multifaceted manufacturer serving professional stylists and consumers in the textured hair space. Stephanie reflects on growing up in a family business, watching her parents build from the ground up, and how those early experiences—and doing the small things first—laid the foundation for future success as a second-generation leader.

Building a Brand with Purpose
Stephanie unpacks the truth about launching beauty products, offering real talk on contract manufacturing, product development, and defining your own version of success. She shares the inspiration behind the Naked line and how staying tuned in to shifting trends helped the brand evolve and stay relevant in a fast-changing industry.

Finding Balance and Staying Grounded
From managing her roles as a stylist, entrepreneur, and mom, to staying hands-on in the lab, Stephanie offers insight into balancing it all. Her love for transformation and precision fuels her process, showing how she honors her legacy while boldly shaping what’s next.

Connect with Stephanie Luster: @StephanieLuster (FB), @stephaniejluster

 (IG)

Checkout Essations Incorporated: www.Essations.com, @Essations (FB), or @essations (IG)

Chapters
04:40 The Legacy of Family Business in Beauty
07:36 Growing Up in the Beauty Industry
10:33 Navigating Change and Personal Growth
13:28 Understanding Contract Manufacturing
16:20 Building a Brand in the Beauty Industry
20:24 The Journey of Compounding and Product Development
25:53 The Birth of the Naked Brand
32:35 Transformative Hair Care and Personal Connections
35:57 Family Legacy and Future Aspirations

Let’s chat! [email protected]

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Clean hair care & body products

Use code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/

Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salons

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The Power of Inclusive Hair Education

Joanne welcomes renowned hair educator and DEI advocate Keya Neal, founder of Texture vs. Race and Color Culture, for a powerful conversation on the evolution of inclusive hair education. Keya shares her unexpected path from journalism to the beauty industry and how her early experiences in both Black and white salon spaces inspired her to build a multicultural hair color curriculum. Her program challenges the status quo by teaching stylists to treat hair as a fabric—not a race—equipping them to serve clients of all hair textures with confidence and integrity.

Transforming the Beauty Industry Through Texture vs. Race

Keya dives into the origin and impact of the Texture vs. Race summit, a groundbreaking event that redefines textured hair training. She and Joanne reflect on the transformative Hydro Discovery Clinic, a hands-on experience created in collaboration with Innersense™ Organic Beauty, that allowed stylists to learn directly on diverse hair types. Keya also discusses her decision to pause the summit series, emphasizing the need for industry professionals to recalibrate and reimagine how they show up in a fast-paced, emotionally demanding field.

Recognition, Rest, and What’s Next

As she transitions into a new chapter, Keya shares recent honors—including being named NAHA Educator of the Year by the North American Hairstyling Awards, one of the most prestigious accolades in the professional beauty industry. She also celebrates receiving national recognition from the International African American Museum. With warmth and authenticity, she encourages stylists and salon owners to lead with purpose, embrace cultural competency, and commit to lifelong learning. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about advancing diversity in the beauty industry and making real, lasting impact behind the chair.

Connect with Keya Neal: @‌keyaartistically 

Texture VS. Race 

Let’s chat! [email protected]

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Let’s Stay Connected

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https://www.instagram.com/innersensepro/

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https://www.youtube.com/c/InnersenseOrganicBeauty

Clean hair care & body products

Use code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/

Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salons

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/education

A Journey Back To the Curl

Casey Voss didn’t grow up loving her curls—in fact, she did everything she could to get rid of them. It wasn’t until her daughter’s natural red curls began to bloom that Casey had a profound realization. This sparked a return not just to her natural hair, but to a deeper sense of self and purpose. In this episode, she shares how the rejection of her own texture turned into a calling to help others embrace theirs, with Innersense™ playing a key role in that transformation.

The Salon as a Sanctuary

What began as a career in styling transformed into something sacred. Casey talks about how the salon chair became her mission field, a space where confidence, love, and authenticity are exchanged in every appointment. With the support of clean, conscious products like Innersense™, she guides clients through healing their relationship with their hair and themselves—one curl at a time. She even does Joanne’s own hair, famously reminding her to “milk the hair, not rake the curls,” a phrase that’s become a touchstone in their friendship and styling philosophy.

Curly Hair as a Calling - self-love as a universal invitation

Joanne and Casey explore the powerful symbolism in curls, the importance of letting go of perfection, and the spiritual path that opens up when we follow our inner truth. While the conversation begins with hair, it quickly becomes about so much more: identity, motherhood, self-worth, and reclaiming what makes us beautifully unique. Whether you have curls, waves, or straight strands, Casey’s story is a reminder that beauty begins within—and that honoring who we are can be the most transformative act of all.

Connect with Casey Voss the Curl Boss: @VosstheCurlBoss

Podcast: It's Not About Your Hair or YouTube: @ItsNotAboutYourHair

Chapters
04:22 Embracing Curly Hair: A Transformative Experience
07:28 The Deeper Meaning Behind Hair Care
10:29 Education and Empowerment in the Hair Industry
13:26 Lessons Learned in Business and Leadership
16:21 Defining Success: A Shift in Perspective
22:06 Living in Alignment with Your North Star
22:46 The Power of Collaboration
25:29 Finding Your Inner Truth
27:42 Embracing New Adventures
32:02 Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Let’s chat! [email protected]

Join the Innersense™ Community

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Let’s Stay Connected

https://www.instagram.com/joannestarkman

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https://www.instagram.com/innersensepro/

https://www.facebook.com/InnersenseOrganic/

https://www.youtube.com/c/InnersenseOrganicBeauty

Clean hair care & body products

Use code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/

Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salons

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/education

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
What if your instincts as a parent clashed with every professional opinion you received? Jessica Connor recounts the intense and isolating journey that followed her daughter Ava’s birth, leading to an unexpected diagnosis of Williams syndrome. Her story raises essential questions about maternal intuition, medical advocacy, and what happens when the life you imagined shifts in an instant.

Finding Unexpected Strength in Shared Stories
Searching for community, Jessica didn’t just find other special needs parents—she uncovered a profound commonality that cut across diagnoses. This episode explores how her connections on social media revealed powerful insights into raising a child with a disability and opened the door to a broader movement for inclusion and understanding.

Creating Change Through Outshine Labels
What if a simple t-shirt could challenge perceptions and start conversations? Learn how Jessica transformed personal struggle into a mission-driven business with Outshine Labels, a platform blending apparel, awareness, and advocacy. Her story will inspire listeners who care about community-building, disability rights, and using creativity to make a meaningful impact.

Check out OutshineLabels

Chapters
02:45 Ava's Diagnosis Journey
11:53 Understanding Williams Syndrome
16:29 The Inspiration Behind Outshine Labels
19:23 Navigating the Special Needs Community
22:01 The Power of Storytelling in Advocacy
24:39 Life Lessons from Ava
27:55 Encouraging Awareness and Inclusion
31:57 The Journey of Advocacy and Connection

Let’s chat! [email protected]

Join the Innersense™ Community

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Let’s Stay Connected

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https://www.instagram.com/innersensepro/

https://www.facebook.com/InnersenseOrganic/

https://www.youtube.com/c/InnersenseOrganicBeauty

Clean hair care & body products

Use code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/

Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salons

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/education

The power of mindful beauty
Joanne welcomes salon owner and kindred spirit Wafaya Abdallah for a soulful conversation on beauty, inclusivity, and the deeper meaning behind their work. Wafaya shares her journey from immigrating as a child from Egypt to creating a curly-hair sanctuary in Maryland, guided by a lifelong passion for justice, healing, and self-expression.

Integrating wellness and community
Wafaya opens up about how mindfulness, gratitude, and energy medicine transformed both her personal life and salon culture — especially in the face of challenges like the pandemic and her son’s mental health struggles. She offers a window into the rituals that help her team and clients reconnect with themselves in the salon chair.

A message to the next generation
With wisdom and heart, Wafaya encourages stylists and beauty practitioners to choose love, trust their gifts, and let go of judgment. She reminds us all that beauty is more than skin deep — it’s a reflection of our courage to listen inward, stay curious, and create spaces where true healing and connection can flourish.

Chapters
04:26 Wafaya's Journey to Holistic Beauty
07:28 Understanding Team-Based Business Models
10:18 Mindfulness and Integrative Practices
13:21 Mental Health Awareness and Support
16:14 Self-Care for Stylists
18:48 Connecting Clients with Themselves
21:45 Energy Medicine Techniques in the Salon
24:41 Advice for Future Holistic Beauty Practitioners
26:46 Trusting Your Inner Sense
28:36 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Let’s chat! [email protected]

Join the Innersense™ Community

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Let’s Stay Connected

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https://www.instagram.com/innersenseorganicbeauty/

https://www.instagram.com/innersensepro/

https://www.facebook.com/InnersenseOrganic/

https://www.youtube.com/c/InnersenseOrganicBeauty

Clean hair care & body products

Use code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/

Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salons

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/education

“Everybody has bad days. Everybody has rocky roads. But it doesn't last forever. It's temporary... You just got to be yourself at the end of the day. Your weird self.”

Meet the Birch Sisters

Victoria and Alexandria, the dynamic duo behind the Birch Family, share their journey as sisters, creators, and advocates for Williams Syndrome awareness. With honesty and humor, they reflect on Alexandra’s early diagnosis and how their close-knit family navigated the unknown with love and determination.

Creating Joy and Purpose

What began as a simple awareness video blossomed into a vibrant social media presence. The sisters talk about staying authentic, the pressures of online life, and how losing their platform helped them refocus on joy—doing what truly makes them happy, like shopping, traveling, and connecting with their community.

Embracing the Weird and Wonderful

Throughout their journey, the Birch Sisters champion the message that "different is beautiful." With empathy, laughter, and purpose, they invite others to celebrate what makes them unique and to always “stay weird”—a motto that has guided them through both challenges and triumphs.

Check out The Birch Family on YouTube

Let’s chat! [email protected]

Join the Innersense™ Community

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Let’s Stay Connected

https://www.instagram.com/joannestarkman

https://www.instagram.com/innersenseorganicbeauty/

https://www.instagram.com/innersensepro/

https://www.facebook.com/InnersenseOrganic/

https://www.youtube.com/c/InnersenseOrganicBeauty

Clean hair care & body products

Use code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/

Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salons

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/education

Finding Connection
Joanne welcomes the team behind the Starry Eyed Podcast—Joel (podcast producer), Jen (CO-Host), and Brendan (Co-Host)—for a heartfelt conversation about the Williams syndrome community. With vulnerability and humor, they share personal stories of diagnosis, discovery, and the powerful support they’ve found through the Williams Syndrome Association.

Voices That Matter
Joel and Jen talk about the podcast’s origin and the importance of amplifying voices in the disability community, especially adults with Williams syndrome. Brendan reflects on his journey from guest to co-host, sharing what it means to use his voice to connect, inspire, and lead.

Love, Laughter, and Perspective
The episode flows with laughter, memories, and moments of reflection. From Brendan’s MTV days and musical talents to Jen’s story of transformation as a mom, each voice brings something deeply real. It’s a celebration of community, identity, and the everyday magic of being seen and heard.

Listen to the Starry-Eyed Podcast on all popular listening platform.

Chapters
04:25 Meet the Starry Eyed Podcast Team
07:03 Inspiration Behind the Podcast
11:55 Personal Stories and Experiences
17:19 Navigating Life with Williams Syndrome
21:55 Empowerment Through Storytelling
28:25 Valuing Abilities in the Workplace
30:31 Creating Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities
33:57 Experiences in Media and Music
36:49 Celebrating Community and Connection

Let’s chat! [email protected]

Join the Innersense™ Community

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Let’s Stay Connected

https://www.instagram.com/joannestarkman

https://www.instagram.com/innersenseorganicbeauty/

https://www.instagram.com/innersensepro/

https://www.facebook.com/InnersenseOrganic/

https://www.youtube.com/c/InnersenseOrganicBeauty

Clean hair care & body products

Use code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/

Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salons

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/education

The heart behind the family business
Joanne sits down with her son Max for a rare, candid conversation about growing up inside Innersense™. Max shares childhood memories of working in the warehouse, his surprising path into the company’s finance team, and the moment he realized the brand was blossoming into something big.

Lessons in resilience and identity
Their conversation dives into the challenges and joys of working in a family business, the wisdom Max has gained from growing up with a sister with special needs, and the deep perspective that’s shaped how he sees life, leadership, and community.

Carrying the legacy forward
Max opens up about his hopes for the next chapter of Innersense™, the importance of mission over profit, and the personal growth that comes from staying curious, having fun, and choosing love. It’s a warm, inspiring glimpse into the next generation of the brand’s story.

Chapters
04:28 Max's Journey in the Family Business
07:26 Growth and Evolution of Inner Sense
10:37 Max's Role and Responsibilities
13:33 The Future of Clean Beauty
16:29 Working with Family: Challenges and Rewards
19:20 Lessons from a Mission-Driven Company
22:31 Navigating Life with a Sibling with Special Needs
25:24 Advice for the Younger Generation
28:40 Looking Ahead: Legacy and Future Aspirations

Let’s chat! [email protected]

Join the Innersense™ Community

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Let’s Stay Connected

https://www.instagram.com/joannestarkman

https://www.instagram.com/innersenseorganicbeauty/

https://www.instagram.com/innersensepro/

https://www.facebook.com/InnersenseOrganic/

https://www.youtube.com/c/InnersenseOrganicBeauty

Clean hair care & body products

Use code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/

Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salons

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/education

Meet Morgan Jane Starkman
In celebration of Williams Syndrome Awareness Month, Joanne welcomes her daughter and Innersense’s Director of Joy, Morgan Jane Starkman, to the podcast. Morgan opens up about how she joined the family business during the pandemic and found purpose in connecting with salons and greeting coworkers daily. Her role at Innersense is more than a job—it’s a source of joy and community, and her enthusiasm for life is contagious.

Living with Williams Syndrome
Morgan shares her personal experience with Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic condition, and offers insight into how it shapes her view of the world. With her signature warmth and humor, she describes herself as a social butterfly who thrives on connection, music, and nature. She also speaks candidly about embracing all parts of herself, including what she calls her “Scorpio side,” and learning to be gentle with her emotions.

Joy, Wisdom, and Inner Sense
Throughout the episode, Morgan’s intuitive nature shines as she offers heartfelt affirmations and reflections on self-love, presence, and trusting her inner guidance. From her favorite Innersense products to her love for musicals and 90s pop, Morgan radiates positivity and inspiration. Her message to the world is simple but powerful: “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.”

Shop @ Outshine Labels

Chapters
03:02 Becoming the Director of Joy
05:14 Understanding Williams Syndrome
06:55 Connecting with Inner Self
10:51 Embracing Joy and Challenges
14:09 Celebrating Uniqueness and Disability
16:53 Self-Care and Kindness
19:23 Passions and Hobbies
22:35 Messages of Love and Acceptance
25:06 The Importance of Trusting Your Inner Sense
28:54 Outshining Labels and Advocacy

Let’s chat! [email protected]

Join the Innersense™ Community

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Let’s Stay Connected

https://www.instagram.com/joannestarkman

https://www.instagram.com/innersenseorganicbeauty/

https://www.instagram.com/innersensepro/

https://www.facebook.com/InnersenseOrganic/

https://www.youtube.com/c/InnersenseOrganicBeauty

Clean hair care & body products

Use code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/

Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salons

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/education

The origin of Innersense™
Joanne Starkman shares the heartfelt journey from hairstylist to clean beauty pioneer, sparked by her daughter Morgan’s diagnosis and a determination to create something healthier for her family. What began as a mother’s search for safe products soon became the seed of a brand with purpose.

Beauty as a mindful ritual
Joanne reflects on the discoveries that changed everything, from hidden ingredients in labels to the importance of marrying clean formulas with performance. She reveals how every Innersense™ bottle carries a message of love and mindfulness, inviting people to connect with themselves in small, meaningful ways.

Listening inward
At the heart of it all, Joanne reminds us of the power of trusting our inner voice. This episode is a gentle nudge to slow down, care for yourself, and join a community built on intention, joy, and conscious living.

Chapters
01:42 Joanne's Journey in the Beauty Industry
03:28 The Birth of Innersense Organic Beauty
06:59 The Importance of Clean Ingredients
10:31 Mindfulness and Self-Love in Beauty
12:12 The Meaning Behind Innersense
14:23 Trusting Your Inner Sense
16:46 Building a Community of Love and Support
19:51 Looking Ahead: Future of the Podcast

Let’s chat! [email protected]

Join the Innersense™ Community

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Let’s Stay Connected

https://www.instagram.com/joannestarkman

https://www.instagram.com/innersenseorganicbeauty/

https://www.instagram.com/innersensepro/

https://www.facebook.com/InnersenseOrganic/

https://www.youtube.com/c/InnersenseOrganicBeauty

Clean hair care & body products

Use code JOANNE15 to save 15% on first purchases at https://innersensebeauty.com/

Want to elevate your salon? (New Pro Clean Color Line)

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/salons

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/education