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

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Clean hair care & body products

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“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.

Let’s chat! podcasts@innersensebeauty.com

Join the Innersense™ Community

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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

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! podcasts@innersensebeauty.com

Join the Innersense™ Community

https://innersensebeauty.com/pages/newsletter-sign-up

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