Very Nearly Almost

It is officially back to school season! Maybe you’re dreading it, maybe you’re excited. Either way, today’s guest is definitely a dose of positivity and inspiration for students, teachers and parents. Maddy Lee is only 16 years old, and yet, she’s already done so much for kids like her with alopecia. Both Maddy and her sister Alison have alopecia and have channeled this challenge into making tangible change for others with the condition. In this episode, Maddy details her experience getting diagnosed with alopecia as an even younger girl, trying all kinds of different treatments and ultimately landing on taking a JAK inhibitor like Lindsey. Through it all, Maddy has found creative ways to spark confidence for herself and others with the condition. Along with contributions from Lindsey and Dr. Kristen Lo Sicco of the Alopecia Justice League, Maddy has written and released a children’s book, How Ari Got Her Cape. The story spotlights eight and a half year old Ari, who is diagnosed with alopecia. In addition, Maddy has also visited New York City students to educate them about alopecia with the Alopecia Justice League’s Hair Heroes Curriculum. 

In this episode, Lindsey's covering all things Walk for Alopecia. The NAAF fundraiser has been going strong since 2023, creating community and raising both awareness and significant dollars. This year's walk will take place on Saturday, September 26. Lindsey had the privilege of speaking with some incredible folks who have done this before–and even someone who is going to be a site leader for their very first walk this year! She sat down with Harrison Goldberg, Coreen Brown Lilly, Maureen McGettigan and Sarah Guenzberger. The funds raised with the Walk for Alopecia go towards research, education, advocacy and support. Last year’s walk rose over $1.3 million dollars--more than twice what was raised for 2023’s inaugural walk! This year’s fundraising goal? $1.65 million. Now is the time to donate and register for a walk near you. Not finding one that’s close enough? Don’t worry, you can still participate. Hear all about how in this episode.   

For this episode, Lindsey took her mic on a field trip to sit down with one of her favorite New Yorkers in one of her favorite New York City spots. Augie Haas is a professional trumpeter, composer and teacher who has lent his talents to some of the world’s greatest stages. He's currently a regular member of the orchestra at Aladdin on Broadway. He’s worked with incredible artists like Harry Connick Jr. and RAYE. Lindsey and Augie spoke about his work on RAYE’s incredible sophomore album, This Music May Contain Hope. The amazing record is one that transcends genres, and fittingly, Augie and Lindsey spoke a lot about both the uncertainty and the power of creative rule breaking. Augie is also the creator and frontman of Augie Haas + 8, a nonet built on his love of large-ensemble sound. The incredible band plays every second Monday of the month at The Speakeasy on New York's Upper West Side. In addition to his music, Augie is also the author of Build Your Range and Little Augie And His Trumpet.  

In this episode, Lindsey sits down with Monique Gaffney aka Snatchin Wigz. She met Monique through her work with Broadway.com at a time when Lindsey was rapidly losing her hair and was floored by her insight about wigs. Monique has lent her hair and makeup talents to theater, TV and film, working on everything from Wicked, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical to Saturday Night Live and so much more. She even created the first wig Lindsey purchased for herself as an adult. Today, she’s addressing everything someone searching for a wig–be it their first or their 15th–might want to consider, including the WHY for the wear, synthetic vs. human hair, maintenance, security, storage do’s and don’ts and even candid price point truths. Monique even gave some great advice for those who might be supporting people looking to make a wig purchase, be it a parent, a boyfriend or a best friend. 

Follow Lindsey on Instagram at @verynearlyalmost and @lindssully. Visit lindseysullivan.net and vrynrlyalmost.com for more. 

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Very Nearly Almost.

In this episode, Lindsey speaks with Duneshia Griffiths. Lindsey met Duneshia at last year’s NAAF conference in Chicago–listeners may recall hearing her on the 40th annual conference anniversary episode. Today, the spotlight’s on her. Duneshia started losing her hair at the age of 19. It started out as small spots that she covered up with the hair that she did have. It progressed in a way that inspired her to reach out for support. She ultimately met her bestie Ebony–another alopecia queen–and decided to shave her head–a choice Duneshia genuinely considers to be liberating. She felt like this move empowered her to take back everything alopecia had stolen from her over the years. She is now even a Legislative Liason with the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. She opened up about her alopecia experience as a Black woman and ultimately going on to be crowned Ms. Bald and Beautiful 2025.

Follow Lindsey on Instagram at @verynearlyalmost and @lindssully. Visit lindseysullivan.net and vrynrlyalmost.com for more. 

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Very Nearly Almost.

Tamsen Fadal is back on the podcast! A lot has changed since she first came on in September of 2024. The Emmy-winning journalist followed up that episode taping with the release of the documentary The M Factor: Shedding the Silence on Menopause, publishing her now New York Times-bestselling book How to Menopause and even launching a podcast of her own: The Tamsen Show. Now, Tamsen has another doc out: The M Factor: Before the Pause. This one spotlights and demystifies perimenopause, which literally means "around menopause." Only 34 percent of women even know about this time, which begins four to 10 years prior to menopause. Women can start experiencing symptoms as early as their mid- to late thirties. At the heart of all of this work is Tamsen's mission to tell stories that inspire women to unlock their full potential and to equip women with information to navigate what’s next–even and especially when they simply don’t know. Lindsey and Tamsen also talked about leaps of faith in this conversation and looked back on Tamsen's pivot from anchoring the nightly news to creating a robust and empowered community of women over two years later. 

Follow Lindsey on Instagram at @verynearlyalmost and @lindssully. Visit lindseysullivan.net and vrynrlyalmost.com for more. 

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Very Nearly Almost.

In this episode, the spotlight is on Carson Rammelt, known professionally as SIXFOOT 5. He’s a record producer, composer and songwriter whose work in music spans from electric pop to film score. This conversation is about SIXFOOT 5’s journey to sobriety. In addition, Lindsey and Carson dig into his height–yes, he’s literally SIXFOOT 5–being at the root of a lot of his insecurity. The pair also talked at length about the aesthetic and party pressures within the queer community. Plus, SIXFOOT 5 shares how he stays creative these days with so many irons in the fire.

Follow Lindsey on Instagram at @verynearlyalmost and @lindssully. Visit lindseysullivan.net and vrynrlyalmost.com for more. 

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Very Nearly Almost.

It's the first episode of 2026! This feels like a timely one as we’re all fresh off of posting photos of our 2025 roundups and envisioning the new us this year will inevitably bring. This week's guest is Caitlin McNaney, an incredible photographer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Vogue, The Cut and more. For seven years, she was the photo director at Broadway.com, where she and Lindsey's paths crossed. While Cait typically works in Nashville where she lives with her dog Josie–a bonus guest on this episode–and in New York City, the best friends actually recorded this episode in Rochester where she grew up. Cait started taking photos when she participated in local community theatre–famously, a production of Les Miz, in which she ALSO played Madame Thernardier. As art enthusiasts, former theatre kids, friends and colleagues, Cait and Lindsey have always spoken at length about body image. Cait has always championed capturing subjects in unique ways, which makes her a great photographer and an even better friend. The ladies discussed what interested Cait in photography initially and how being behind the lens has informed how she views beauty now. Photos can be beautiful moment preservers or master manipulators; Cait and Lindsey also addressed the fact that pretty much everyone has a camera and editing tools on their person at all times now–for better or for worse. 

Follow Lindsey on Instagram at @verynearlyalmost and @lindssully. Visit lindseysullivan.net and vrynrlyalmost.com for more. 

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Very Nearly Almost.

In this episode, Lindsey speaks with Sarvesh Rajasekaran. He was diagnosed with alopecia at the formative age of 23. Sarvesh offers so much insight into the male alopecia experience, speaking vulnerably about not being able to share his grief and struggles with hair loss for a long time. As a man, he felt there needed to be "an acceptable level of pain in order to share." He speaks about how his wife became one of his safe spaces to open up about his alopecia. Also, Lindsey and Sarvesh finally get into it: jokes about male pattern baldness simply aren’t funny!

Follow Lindsey on Instagram at @verynearlyalmost and @lindssully. Visit lindseysullivan.net and vrynrlyalmost.com for more. 

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Very Nearly Almost.

In this episode, Lindsey speaks with Tyrone Folliard-Olson. Tyrone is a husband, father and Vice Chair of the board for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. He has had alopecia since age 13. Tyrone shares openly about not only coming to terms with his alopecia but about simultaneously coming out of the closet as gay. He details meeting his now husband in college and adopting their son Declan. Plus, Tyrone talks about getting to a place where he felt strong enough to want to help others struggling with alopecia AND like Lindsey, making the complicated decision to go on a JAK inhibitor.

Follow Lindsey on Instagram at @verynearlyalmost and @lindssully. Visit lindseysullivan.net and vrynrlyalmost.com for more. 

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Very Nearly Almost.