WHERE BRAINS MEET BEAUTY

On July 17, Base Beauty Creative Agency presented an expert panel featuring industry leaders from the beauty, wellness, and personal care sectors to discuss empathy's impact on business growth. “The Empathy Effect: Unlocking Explosive Growth in Beauty, Wellness, and Personal Care Industries,” the panel moderated by Jodi Katz, CEO and Founder of Base Beauty Creative Agency. The powerful lineup included John Dioso, Editor of Ad Age Studio 30; Alan Cohen, Executive Coach and Emotional Intelligence Expert; Echo Sandburg, Chief Brand Officer at CP Skin Health Group; and Jerry Wu, CMO of Grande Cosmetics. Don’t miss the chance to hear invaluable insights and actionable knowledge from these prominent industry leaders. Listen to the webinar now on the Where Brains Meet Beauty Podcast feed or our website basebeauty.com/events-and-education/. Additionally, you can read the white paper at adage.com/white-paper/empathy-effect. #ADAge #Beauty #Wellness #Personalcare #IndustryExperts #EmpathyEffect

Ever wonder what really happens on the Where Brains Meet Beauty After Show? This week, we're ditching the script and bringing the electrifying energy of our exclusive IG Live after show straight to your podcast feed! Get ready for this one-of-a-kind episode packed with games, laughs, and juicy secrets straight from some of our favorite quests! We've assembled a unique line-up– from powerhouse CEOs to inspiring influencers - and let loose for a free-for-all of fun. These epic games hit on everything from holy-grail makeup products to dream home interiors, with detours into ‘true or false’ around traditional Chinese medicine and even crafting the perfect date night (spoiler alert: it’s never too late to start over!). But the games don’t stop there! We're diving into unfiltered insights and practical advice on everything from the best of YouTube trends to navigating the world of A-list travel. Suit up for an action-packed episode, straight from the sources. Grab your headphones, and get ready to laugh along as this podcast experience recreates the buzz and excitement of our Live After Show! You won't want to miss this. 2024 guests so far included Chris Payne, Lance Patterson, Erica Metzger, Michelle Larivee, Devin McGhee Kirkland, Rachel Liverman, Brittany Lo, Serena Pitt, Chris Collins, Sean Garrette, Allison McNamara, and Adelina Winfield. Tune in to this week's episode on your favorite podcast platform to hear more.

Imagine facing the most turbulent time of your life: your career is in flux, you're going through a divorce, your children have left the nest and menopause is hitting hard. This was Adelina Winfield's reality. Yet, instead of succumbing to these overwhelming changes, she made the bravest decision of her life to pack up everything and leave the familiar streets of Brooklyn, New York for a fresh start in the creative city of Austin, Texas. What followed was a profound journey of self-discovery, new friendships, and reinvention, proving that it’s never too late to start over and that age is just a number. In continuation of our 'Influencer Wisdom' series, we uncover Adelina’s steadfast confidence in embracing her natural gray hair—a powerful symbol of her inner strength and wisdom. She transitioned from a successful fashion career to becoming a trailblazing influencer with over 100k followers on Instagram. Her breakthrough came in 2019 when she started connecting deeply with women just like her—women navigating the complexities of love, life, and aging with grace and authenticity. Amidst all these transformations, Adelina also experienced a profound love story that blossomed later in life, defying stereotypes about finding love again after 60. Her journey is a powerful testament to the resilience of life’s seasons and the boundless possibilities that await those who embrace change and remain true to themselves. Thank you, Adelina Winfield, for sharing your inspiring story with us! Tune in to this week's episode on your favorite podcast platform to hear more. Don't forget to follow us @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast on Instagram for updates on new episodes and exclusive off-air content.

A trip to Istanbul sparked what would soon be a major pivot in Allison's career journey. After spending years in front of the camera, interviewing A-listers like Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie, and Khloe Kardashian, and working as an entertainment reporter and content creator for major networks like MTV and PopSugar, Allison McNamara found herself at a crossroads when her hit show on PopTV co-hosted by 90210’s Sinead Grimes was canceled in 2016. In this episode of WBMB, we explore Allison’s extraordinary journey from the spotlight to becoming the founder of a unique skincare brand, a transition that showcased fearlessness and hard work. Harnessing years of experience and a star-studded network, Allison courageously embarked on a journey into the uncharted realms of the beauty industry, daringly pushing past her comfort zone to chase her dreams. As we dive into Allison’s journey, we not only discover her unexpected breakthrough into the beauty industry with the 2018 launch of MARA—an award-winning line of algae-infused skincare and wellness products—but also learn about the transformative power of influencing and how it plays a role in propelling her brand to success. Thank you, Allison McNamara, for sharing your inspiring story with us! Tune in to this week's episode on your favorite podcast platform to explore more. Don't forget to follow us @wherebrainsmeetbeauty on Instagram for updates on new episodes and exclusive off-air content #AllisonMcnamara #MaraBeauty #WBMB #CleanBeauty #FearlessLeader #AngelinaJolie #BrittneySpears #KhloeKardashain #RedCarpet #MTV #PopSugar

From sleeping on his friend's couch in LA to becoming one of the first brand ambassadors for Fenty Beauty by Rihanna, Sean Garrette's story is anything but linear. Discover the power of perseverance in chasing your dreams on this week’s WBMB episode with Esthetician and Dior Skincare Expert, Sean Garrette. Sean's entry into the beauty industry started amidst the aisles of his first job at Ulta, which ignited his fascination with makeup and skincare—his time there sparked a passion to pursue his dreams of becoming an esthetician and managing his very own spa. But Sean's journey wasn't without its challenges. Like any pursuit of passion, there were moments of doubt and setbacks along the way. As we sit down with Sean and dive deeper into his journey, we uncover the warmth of his positive spirit and the authenticity that defines his success. Whether helping a client find the perfect product or sharing skincare tips with his nearly 130K followers across Instagram and TikTok Sean’s genuine passion for what he does shines through. #SeanGarrette #Fenty #Dior #Skinfluencer #CareerJourney #Esthetician #SkincareExpert #ProSkincare #SkinTherapist

From modeling for Ralph Lauren to crafting intoxicating perfumes that weave tales of their own, Chris Collins, CEO and Founder of the World of Chris Collins, certainly knows what it takes to be the narrator of your own story! This week we’re so excited to sit down with Chris and dive into the significance of seizing opportunities, seeking mentorship, and unwaveringly following your dreams. From London, to New York Chris Collins is no stranger to making bold leaps of faith. As we unravel the threads of his journey, from a childhood steeped in a passion for sports to navigating the world of social media, it becomes clear that Chris is not just a narrator but a maestro. Chris illuminates the winding road that led him to the fragrance industry - a path filled with serendipitous encounters and unforeseen twists that ultimately revealed his true calling. For more on Chris Collins' inspiring journey, tune in to this episode on your preferred podcast platform! Thank you Chris Collins for sharing your career journey with us! Follow us @wherebrainsmeetbeauty on Instagram for updates on new episodes and exclusive off-air content. #RalphLauren #Fragrance #TheWorldOfChrisCollins #MetGala #Entrepreneurship #Influencer #Empathy

As reality television super fans, we were very excited to continue our Influencer Wisdom Quarter with Serena Pitt. Serena was a contestant on The Bachelor Season 25 and won Bachelor In Paradise Season 7. Since her reality TV days, Serena is the Founder of @reset_ thelabel and is the host of the Bachelor Happy Hour Podcast. After studying communications in college and a stint in the world of PR, Serena entered the world of reality television where she met her husband Joe. Deciding what and what not to post is an ongoing conversation: when the whole world saw your love story unfold, how much access should they be permitted? While some influencers are comfortable posting every aspect of their lives to social media, Serena doesn’t feel the need to post every moment to the grid. As an avid traveler, Serena was inspired to create her own brand, RESET, from the need for pieces that are fashion-forward but don’t sacrifice functionality. To learn more about Serena’s career journey, listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts! #SerenaPitt #TheBachelor #BachelorInParadise #RESETTheLabel

We were thrilled to kick off our Influencer Wisdom Quarter with none other than Brittany Lo. Brittany is a beauty expert and influencer that has collabed with brands including Sephora and American Express and is the Founder and CEO of Beia and Beautini. Though Brittany’s plan was always to start her own beauty line, (and even had her own mascara line in high school!) her path to being a founder and CEO was anything but predictable. After a college internship at L’Oréal, Brittany was on the fast track to the corporate world, but when a TV producer reached out to her about joining the cast of a dating show, she answered the call! Brittany may not have met Mr. Right on the short-lived show Coupled, but she did gain a loyal social media following. With her business acumen and her passion for beauty, Brittany developed Beia as a vegan skincare brand built on boosting sensual confidence in the bedroom and beyond. To learn more about Britany’s career journey and to hear about the books that Brittany (and our host Jodi) recommend to entrepreneurs, listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts! Episode Reading List: Traction by Gino Wickman 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan Built To Sell by John Warrillow Radical Candor by Kim Scott

We couldn’t think of a better way to close out our C-Suite Wisdom Quarter than chatting with the Founder and CEO of Glowbar, Rachel Liverman! Rachel has wanted to be a leader since her early days playing “store” with her stuffed animals, so it’s no surprise that Glowbar’s signature 30-minute facials have reached cult status since opening their doors in 2019. Rachel always knew she wanted to lead, but she surprised herself when she ended up in the family business. That’s right: Rachel is a third generation esthetician. Growing up in a skincare family, she recalls seeing her mother wax people’s legs and being fascinated by the before & after transformations that occurred. Rachel even started a small leg-waxing business in elementary school! Mom was there to supervise, of course. Fast-forward and Rachel found herself looking for a source for convenient, trustworthy, effective facials and realizing no such place existed. Rachel wrote an email to herself manifesting her business model in 2017 and in 2019 Glowbar opened its doors. Okay, we just gave ourselves chills. For more of Rachel’s career journey, listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts!

When Deon Libra Co-Founder and CEO Devin McGhee Kirkland’s father passed away in 2018 from a stress-related heart attack, she realized she had to make some lifestyle changes to deal with her own stress. After diving head-first into the world of natural stress remedies, Devin developed Deon Libra in 2020 as a way to combat the effects of chronic stress on Black bodies. In her research on natural stress solutions, Devin learned about the healing powers of adaptogens - non-psychedelic mushrooms and was impressed by how much her sleep and anxiety improved. She couldn't help but wonder why these natural alternatives weren’t more widely accessible. Devin decided she could step up and be the one to bring both education and healing-products to her community. To hear more about Devin’s career journey and Deon Libra’s mission, listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts! #DeonLibra #WBMB #CareerJourney

We continue our C-Suite Wisdom theme this episode with Founder & CEO of WTHN, Michelle Larivee! We were fascinated to learn about Michelle’s career journey from the world of International finance to the world of Eastern medicine. So how does someone who worked in consulting with the World Economic Forum become the founder of a modern wellness company? Michelle tells us that she had tried everything from painkillers to physical therapy to cope with her chronic pain and couldn’t find relief. When a doctor recommended acupuncture, she was shocked at how incredible and immediate the results were. With this first exposure to Chinese medicine, it was if she’d been introduced to a tool kit she had no idea even existed. But with this new discovery came an issue all too familiar in healthcare: accessibility. People either couldn't afford acupuncture or it could take months to get an appointment! Michelle saw an opening for a business and made her move… To learn more about Michelle’s career journey, listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts! #WTHN #Acupuncture #ChineseMedicine #Cupping #CareerJourney #WBMB

We were so excited to sit down with Founder & Editor of The Beauty Loop Newsletter & Virtual Beauty Closet, Erica Metzger! With over 19 years experience in print and digital media as the Beauty Director at Ladies' Home Journal and Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, Erica wanted to create something of her own. The Beauty Loop was born as an online newsletter to help facilitate community between PR execs and beauty journalists in our ever-changing community. From starting off in the beauty industry as an intern at W Magazine to Editor of her own newsletter, Erica Metzger’s career journey is proof-positive that we are the only ones in charge of our own career journeys. To hear more of Erica’s career journey, listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts! #BeautyLoop #WBMB #CareerJourney #VirtualBeautyCloset #BetterHomesAndGardens #LadiesHomeJournal #WMagazine

We are absolutely loving these chats from our C-Suite Wisdom quarter and today’s episode is no exception. We sat down with Lance Patterson, new CEO of Juice Beauty, a senior executive with over 20 years experience across the luxury retail and digital sectors including Kate Somerville and Peter Thomas Roth clinical skincare. Lance’s career journey had humble beginnings and saw him working an entry-level job at a department store. Through grit and perseverance, Lance talked to the right people, got an interview to be a buyer, and landed the gig. Fast-forward and Lance has discovered his niche in founder-owned brands. In being entrusted to uphold a founder’s vision for their brand as CEO, he’s being handed the keys to the castle. To hear more of Lance’s career journey, listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts! #JuiceBeauty #WBMB #CareerJourney

We are thrilled to be kicking off 2024 with our C-Suite Wisdom theme! On today’s episode, we’re taking a peek behind the curtain of the career journey of Chris Payne, CEO of clean beauty brand @janeiredale, best known as the “skincare makeup”. Chris’s career journey originally saw him following in his father’s footsteps of being a doctor. Though working in medicine wasn’t his path, it was clear that Chris wanted to help people, and his work at @janeiredale is clearly a perfect fit. In his role as CEO, Chris works to uphold Jane Iredale’s mission of making clean, skin-safe makeup accessible to everyone. To learn more about Chris’s career journey and hear about the real-life Jane Iredale (who has a fascinating journey, herself!) tune into this episode wherever you get your podcasts. #WBMB #careerjourney #janeiredale #cleanbeauty

In honor of the Where Brains Meet Beauty Listen Again Awards, we’re dedicating today’s episode to none other than the Listen Again Award recipients themselves: Shontay Lundy, Neil Scibelli and Ron Robinson! We created these awards to celebrate the episodes that resonate with our listeners so much, they want to listen again! Like Episode 208 with Shontay Lundy, Founder & CEO of Black Girl Sunscreen. When she moved to Los Angeles, Shontay had no idea where she was headed next. Cue 4 months of hiking, reflecting, and dreaming — a transformative period that birthed the idea for her life-changing brand, Black Girl Sunscreen. From not knowing where she would live, to becoming the creator and founder of her own brand, you never know where that next big risk will take you! In Episode 237 we spoke with Makeup Artist & On-Air Beauty Expert Neil Scibelli, who we know from his many on-air appearances at Good Morning America, and learned how everyday is different in the entertainment industry. In his episode, he tells listeners that as a freelancer you have to always show up for yourself because you don’t know where the job will take you next. Ron Robinson, CEO & Founder of BeautyStat Cosmetics, chatted with us in Episode 244 as a part of our Health Innovations Quarter. Ron created BeautyStat first as a blog and then as a successful skincare line. But what touched us most about Ron’s career journey was how he became an innovator within his own family when he pursued a career in cosmetic chemistry. A huge thank you to all of our guests for sharing your career journeys with us and congratulations to the recipients of the Listen Again Awards! We hope you enjoy these episodes as much as we do!

As long-time fans of reality television, we knew this episode’s guest Dr. Jason Diamond from his appearances on programs such as Dr. 90210 and The Celebrity Plastic Surgeons of Beverly Hills, so we were thrilled to get a chance to speak with him about his career journey to becoming a world-renowned plastic surgeon and founder of The Diamond Face Institute. Tending to the faces of Hollywood A-listers wasn’t always the plan for Dr. Diamond; he recalls a childhood dream of playing professional baseball, and facing his first feelings of rejection when he was cut from his freshman team. But this early disappointment proved to be something much bigger: it provided a “chip on the shoulder” that Dr. Diamond still uses as a motivator to this day, pushing him to be the best version of himself. This mentality has served Dr. Diamond well over the years as he has built a successful plastic surgery practice that has taken him all over the globe-he’s so in demand that it’s not uncommon for clients to fly him to their homes in Dubai when they need a touch-up! But Dr. Diamond found that not everyone is able to fly him to their homes (or movie sets!) and wanted to make his much-lauded “Insta-Facial” more readily available to those who couldn't always visit him in-office. Thus, Dr. Diamond’s Metacine was born as a way to address the skin on an expert level. If anyone’s curious what’s on our holiday wishlist… For more of our talk with Dr. Jason Diamond, be sure to tune into this episode wherever you get your podcasts!

We are beyond thankful that we got to sit down for a chat this week with Lisa Lundy, Co Founder & CEO of Complex Creatures. Lisa comes from a career in fashion - Tommy Hilfiger and J.Crew jump out from her resume - even working with Bravo star and fashion icon Jenna Lyons back in her J.Crew days! But it was her sister’s breast cancer diagnosis that set Lisa on a trajectory that she likens to a calling. When Lisa’s sister was diagnosed at the age of 37, it was an eye-opening experience; from learning how to properly administer a self examination, to hearing about the effects of radiation, to finding out about the nature of hereditary breast cancer (there was no history in Lisa’s family of breast cancer), Lisa realized that up until this point, her own breast health had been an afterthought. And if that was true for Lisa, the same must be true for many other women. So Lisa took action. Lisa and her sister Tara created Complex Creatures as an online community for breast wellness. They provide breast-related knowledge via their Instagram which also dives deep into topics like menopause and perimenopause, which are often censored and even avoided in the wellness space. Lisa mentions that Complex Creatures often gets censored because it’s still not okay to show women's nipples on the platform-mens nipples are of course fair-game, though. Insert eye-roll emoji… Lisa recognizes that there is still clearly work to be done in bringing awareness to breast health, but as an activist at heart, she’s in it for the long haul. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for Lisa and Complex Creatures. Be sure to check out this episode wherever you get your podcasts!

We couldn’t wait to speak with Komel Caruso, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer of HerMD, a comprehensive women's healthcare clinic that’s creating a safe, inclusive space for patients. We were particularly interested in HerMD’s mission in breaking the shame-cycle so often surrounding issues like menopause and sexual health. Komel founded HerMD with her sister Somi, inspired by their mother’s experience of being repeatedly dismissed by doctors when she was experiencing pain. While Somi had experience working as a doctor for 15 years, Komel had never worked in the medical field. What she did have was a desire to make an impact in women's healthcare and experience in marketing and social strategy with 16 years of working for Kaplan under her belt. The sisters noticed a trend in women not being believed (about their own bodies!) and wanted to fill this great void in women’s healthcare. One thing that makes HerMD stand apart is that all of their obgyn’s are trained in menopause and sexual healthcare, which should sound like a given, right? Unfortunately, it's not. Only 20 percent of obgyns are trained in menopause and sexual health care. No wonder there can be such shame and stigma in talking about this stuff! What started with one office quickly grew when Komel noticed patients were traveling to HerMD’s soul location from 35 states! Clearly the void was even greater than she or Somi had realized. Thanks to Komel’s background in business, what started out as helping her sister with a passion project became Komel’s full time job, and a saving grace to women all over the country. To hear more of Komel’s career journey, tune in to this episode wherever you get your podcasts!

As far as Health Innovators go, Ron Robinson has cemented his place in the ever-shifting beauty landscape as a go-to-guy for all things skincare. He created BeautyStat first as a blog, and now as a successful skincare line. Along with BeautyStat, Ron has a social media following where he helps his audience navigate which ingredients work and which ones don’t. But looking back, Ron tells us his career journey wasn’t always a given to those who knew him from the beginning. Growing up, there were two options in Ron’s family: be a doctor or a lawyer. When Ron strayed from the path that had been laid out for him, he became an innovator within his own family. Rather than pursue a career in medicine or law, Ron found that cosmetic chemistry blended his knowledge of science with his passion for creating new things. When Ron was hired at Clinique in 1990 (on the spot, we might add) he broke into the beauty industry and never looked back. To hear more of our chat with Ron Robinson, including the heart-warming full circle moment of when his mother finally “got” his career choice, listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts!

We are so excited to be diving deeper into the Health Innovations theme with Dr. Jennifer Linder, board certified dermatologist, Mohs Skin Care Surgeon and founder of Linder Health. As a military kid, Dr. Linder was keenly aware that life can change in an instant, so she learned how to adapt. Science became a huge part of her life, leading her to study engineering in college which scratched a problem-solving itch. The next piece of the puzzle was helping people. Well, living people… Dr. Linder took a physiology class where she worked with-wait for it-cadavers. Did someone say spooky season? But Dr. Linder saw a learning opportunity where others (this writer) might not. She describes working with the human body as “magic” and this fascination set her on a path towards surgery and dermatology. Dr. Linder has since completed a fellowship in skin cancer surgery and is now a Mohs Skin Cancer Surgeon. She has even developed her own skincare line-an idea she came up with while on vacation! To hear more of Dr. Jennifer Linder’s career journey, including her hard and fast breakdown of hyperpigmentation, listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts!