The Hair Therapist

Melissa Alsemgeest

Welcome to The Hair Therapist! I'm your host Mel. The Hair Therapist brings you real life stories from the salon chair and beyond. You will be introduced to guests from different backgrounds and experiences who have the courage to bring awareness to social issues, altering perceptions and changing stigmas. A community of daring individuals ready to transform lives, connected by stories woven from a collective of tapestries.   My life is a testament to one’s ability of the human strength and spirit to expand and rise to a challenge, battling through domestic & family violence, family drug & alcohol addiction, I barely made it through high school.   Starting my hairdressing apprenticeship at 15 was my saviour. With over 3 decades of listening to stories in the salon chair, I have heard it all as the poor man's unpaid, unqualified hair therapist.   My passion project is to use my skills to give back by doing hundreds of haircuts per year on our most vulnerable communities – people struggling and doing it tough. Sometimes it is not about the haircut it is about the meaningful connections through conversations, feeling seen and heard. I encourage my listeners to give back.   These stories are not just about survival; they’re about transforming pain into power and inspiring others to do the same.    @InfectiousBehaviour | Linktree   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6 days ago

    The Stories Our Bodies Carry Part 1

    Some stories don’t just move us - they open us. Today, Mel sits down with Gia Sinha, a woman whose life has been shaped by experiences no child should ever have to endure, and whose courage has carried her through some of the darkest terrain a human being can face.   From a childhood marked by wounds that were buried too deep for words, to the moment, at thirty eight, when a cancer diagnosis forced everything she had held inside to finally demand to be seen, Gia’s journey is one of confronting truth, reclaiming voice, and transforming pain into purpose.   Her book, All the Parts Not Seen: When the Wound Becomes the Way, is not just a memoir, it’s an invitation. An invitation to stop running from the parts of ourselves we fear most, and to recognise that healing begins the moment we turn toward what we’ve hidden.   Today, Gia shares the path she walked: the silence, the survival, the unraveling, the illness, and ultimately the profound awakening that came from meeting her own story with honesty and compassion. And if you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to rebuild a life from the inside out - Gia is living proof. This is a conversation about trauma, truth, resilience, and the fierce beauty of becoming whole.   Let’s step into it. Gia Sinha (@gia.sinha) • Instagram photos and videos All the Parts Not Seen: Early Edition: When the Wound Becomes the Way : Sinha, Gia: Amazon.com.au: Books On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.   The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:   Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. 13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Home | 1800RESPECT National Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800 Ask Izzy Search over 450,000 support services     CREDITS: Host: Melissa Alsemgeest Guest: Gia Sinha Editor: Robert Alsemgeest   GET IN TOUCH:       https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

  2. 15 June

    Healing the Human Within

    Every now and then, you meet someone whose life’s work is so deeply aligned with who they are that the impact they create feels almost effortless. Today’s guest, Chris Wildeboer, is one of those rare people.   Chris is a Certified Speaking Professional, a long‑standing member of Professional Speakers Australia, and the founder of Balance Central, a space she has spent more than 20 years shaping into a catalyst for genuine, lasting change. Her work helps people break free from the patterns, stresses, and emotional blocks that keep them stuck, guiding them toward clarity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of themselves.   But Chris’s story didn’t begin with clarity. It began in a childhood shaped by a strict, insulated environment - a world full of rules, expectations, and contradictions that never quite aligned with what she felt inside. That early tension taught her to suppress, to adapt, and to keep moving even when nothing made sense. Years later, it all caught up with her.   Being sent home on stress leave became the moment everything cracked open, the point where she could no longer outrun how overwhelmed, reactive, and emotionally overloaded she had become. That breaking point became her breakthrough, sparking a profound journey of self‑awareness and personal development that ultimately led her to help thousands of others find their own clarity, confidence, and self‑belief.   From her leadership roles within PSA and PMI Queensland, to her commitment to global giving through B1G1, to the heartfelt testimonials of clients whose lives have been transformed, Chris embodies compassion, insight, and the kind of grounded wisdom that only comes from doing the work yourself first.   In this conversation, Chris opens up about the lessons she’s learned, the patterns she helps people break, and why conscious awareness is the key to changing not just how we respond, but how we live. Balance Central – Catalyst For Change | Balance Central Chris Wildeboer CSP - Professional Speakers Australia - PSA | LinkedIn Chris Wildeboer (@chriswildeboer) • Instagram photos and videos On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.   The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:   Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. 13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Home | 1800RESPECT National Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800 Ask Izzy Search over 450,000 support services     CREDITS: Host: Melissa Alsemgeest Guest: Chris Wildeboer Editor: Robert Alsemgeest   GET IN TOUCH:       https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 12min

  3. 8 June

    Financial Freedom for Single Mums

    Some movements are born from strategy. Others are born from fire. Lioness Den is both.   In this episode, Mel sits down with Jenna Wilson and Rachael McKenzie - two women who have turned lived experience, professional grit, and a fierce sense of justice into a movement reshaping what’s possible for single mothers across Australia.   Jenna, the founder of Lioness Den, has built a community and social-impact organisation that challenges one of society’s quietest crises: the housing insecurity, financial exclusion, and systemic invisibility faced by single mums. Her work is grounded in dignity, agency, and long-term stability, ensuring women are not just supported, but empowered to step into economic participation and generational change.   Alongside her is Rachael, whose journey from high-level corporate leadership in London to becoming a voice for women’s financial confidence is as raw as it is powerful. Once known as “The Boss” in male‑dominated boardrooms, she has rebuilt her life and leadership around authenticity, emotional intelligence, and feminine strength.   Together, Jenna and Rachael have launched Lioness Loans - an all‑female team of mortgage brokers, money coaches, and housing specialists dedicated to helping single mums access home ownership with clarity, confidence, and the right information at the right time. Their mission is simple but revolutionary: remove barriers, rewrite narratives, and ensure no woman walks this path alone.   This conversation goes deep into their stories, their purpose, and the movement they’re building - one that recognises the strength of single mothers and the power of community to change futures.   Get ready to meet the Lionesses. Home - Lioness Den On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.   The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:   Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. 13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Home | 1800RESPECT National Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800 Ask Izzy Search over 450,000 support services   CREDITS: Host: Melissa Alsemgeest Guests: Rachael McKenzie & Jenna Wilson Editor: Robert Alsemgeest   GET IN TOUCH:       https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min

  4. 1 June

    When Life Doesn’t Follow the Script

    Today’s guest is powerful, polished, and razor‑sharp, but beneath the success is a woman who has walked through heartbreak, survival, reinvention, toxic relationships, divorce, resilience, and the gritty, unglamorous work of rebuilding a life from the ground up.   Belinda J Shaw is an author, speaker, coach, stylist, and the President of Professional Speakers Australia QLD/NT. She’s also a fierce advocate for women over 55 who are facing homelessness, invisibility, and the quiet erasure that happens in communities that don’t always know how to value aging women. Her work spans personal transformation, style as identity, and the deeper emotional landscapes women navigate as they move through life’s most confronting chapters.   This isn’t just about style, success, or speaking stages - well, maybe a little. This is about what happens when life strips everything back: marriages ending, identity shifting, moving back in with your mum, starting again when you thought you were already “there,” and learning how to keep putting one foot in front of the other when the plan you had for your life dissolves overnight.   It’s a conversation about resilience, reinvention, womanhood, aging, visibility, and the quiet battles so many women carry behind closed doors. Belinda brings honesty, humour, and hard‑won wisdom - the kind that only comes from living through the fire and choosing, again and again, to rise.   Settle in. This one is real, raw, and deeply human. Belinda Shaw The Becoming of Wisdom: From fragmented to free : Shaw, Belinda: Amazon.com.au: Books Belinda J Shaw - Lifestyle Architect - Professional Speakers Australia - PSA | LinkedIn   On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.   The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:   Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. 13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Home | 1800RESPECT National Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800 Ask Izzy Search over 450,000 support services     CREDITS: Host: Melissa Alsemgeest Guest: Belinda J Shaw Editor: Robert Alsemgeest   GET IN TOUCH:       https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 20min

  5. 25 May

    Punk Rocker Chef Paramedic Author Part 2

    Some lives read like a novel you can’t put down - chaotic, funny, raw, and unexpectedly profound. Scott Lamond’s story is exactly that. Growing up in the wild western suburbs of Melbourne, his childhood was anything but quiet. He and his mates spent their days mischievously exploring the neighbourhood, building skate ramps, riding boards, and making noise in punk bands. He was kicked out of three schools before he turned fifteen, labelled a “little turd” and tossed into the “too hard basket.” But that restless energy, that spark, just needed the right direction.   And when Scott found cooking, everything changed.   What followed is a life lived at full throttle. From kitchens in Paris, London, Ireland and Canada, to a stint on a rogue fishing boat that accidentally kidnapped him to Alaska, Scott carved out a career defined by curiosity, grit, and a refusal to sit still. Then, in a twist only he could pull off, he went back to uni, became a paramedic, and spent years working around the world. From the Paralympics in London to offshore search and rescue with the AFP and Navy, to mines, festivals, rodeos, and remote Australian communities.   He’s a traveller, a storyteller, a collector of tattoos and experiences, a man who has spent 15 years crossing continents by motorcycle and finding home in unexpected places - especially a tiny cabin in Kinsale, Ireland, where he writes, swims in freezing water, and drinks good coffee.   Today, Scott joins Mel to talk about the tumultuous beginnings that shaped him, the mischief that fuelled him, the careers that saved him, and the adventures that continue to define him. This is a conversation about storms, safe harbours, and the kind of life you build when you refuse to be boxed in. Horatio Jones | Book - The Tales & Troubles of Horatio Jones and His continuing Sadness On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.   The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:   Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. 13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Home | 1800RESPECT National Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800 Ask Izzy Search over 450,000 support services     CREDITS: Host: Melissa Alsemgeest Guest: Scott Douglas Editor: Robert Alsemgeest   GET IN TOUCH:       https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min

  6. 18 May

    Punk Rocker Chef Paramedic Author Part 1

    Some lives read like a novel you can’t put down - chaotic, funny, raw, and unexpectedly profound. Scott Lamond’s story is exactly that. Growing up in the wild western suburbs of Melbourne, his childhood was anything but quiet. He and his mates spent their days mischievously exploring the neighbourhood, building skate ramps, riding boards, and making noise in punk bands. He was kicked out of three schools before he turned fifteen, labelled a “little turd” and tossed into the “too hard basket.” But that restless energy, that spark, just needed the right direction.   And when Scott found cooking, everything changed.   What followed is a life lived at full throttle. From kitchens in Paris, London, Ireland and Canada, to a stint on a rogue fishing boat that accidentally kidnapped him to Alaska, Scott carved out a career defined by curiosity, grit, and a refusal to sit still. Then, in a twist only he could pull off, he went back to uni, became a paramedic, and spent years working around the world. From the Paralympics in London to offshore search and rescue with the AFP and Navy, to mines, festivals, rodeos, and remote Australian communities.   He’s a traveller, a storyteller, a collector of tattoos and experiences, a man who has spent 15 years crossing continents by motorcycle and finding home in unexpected places - especially a tiny cabin in Kinsale, Ireland, where he writes, swims in freezing water, and drinks good coffee.   Today, Scott joins Mel to talk about the tumultuous beginnings that shaped him, the mischief that fuelled him, the careers that saved him, and the adventures that continue to define him. This is a conversation about storms, safe harbours, and the kind of life you build when you refuse to be boxed in. Horatio Jones | Book - The Tales & Troubles of Horatio Jones and His continuing Sadness On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.   The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:   Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. 13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Home | 1800RESPECT National Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800 Ask Izzy Search over 450,000 support services     CREDITS: Host: Melissa Alsemgeest Guest: Scott Douglas Editor: Robert Alsemgeest   GET IN TOUCH:       https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min

  7. 11 May

    Women’s Choices Shouldn’t Be Controversial

    In this episode, Mel sits down with Shelby Mahoney, Intake Coordinator at Children by Choice - Queensland’s leading pro‑choice, all‑options pregnancy support service. Shelby is often the very first voice people hear when they reach out for help, and she brings a rare blend of compassion, clarity, and deep sector knowledge to one of the most complex and misunderstood areas of healthcare: reproductive rights.   Across this conversation, Shelby opens a window into the real work happening behind the scenes at Children by Choice, from non‑judgmental pregnancy options counselling, to navigating abortion access, reproductive coercion, contraception, and the systemic barriers that still shape people’s choices today. She shares what it means to support thousands of women and pregnant people each year through moments of uncertainty, crisis, and profound vulnerability, and how the organisation continues to advocate for autonomy, safety, and evidence‑based care across Queensland.   Shelby also reflects on the challenges past and present, from the legacy of abortion’s criminalisation to the ongoing need for safe access, community education, and trauma‑informed support. It’s a grounded, human conversation about the realities of reproductive health work, the emotional labour of intake, and the power of meeting people exactly where they are.   If you’ve ever wondered what reproductive rights look like on the front line, this episode brings you right into the heart of it. Pregnancy Support & Reproductive Health Service | Children by Choice Children by Choice (@childrenbychoice) • Instagram photos and videos Children by Choice | Brisbane QLD | Facebook Children by Choice | LinkedIn On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.   The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:   Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. 13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Home | 1800RESPECT National Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800 Ask Izzy Search over 450,000 support services     CREDITS: Host: Melissa Alsemgeest Guest: Shelby Mahoney Editor: Robert Alsemgeest   GET IN TOUCH:       https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  8. 4 May

    Everyday Humans. Extraordinary Impact.

    Some people volunteer. And then there are people like Cathy Barber. People who weave service so deeply into their lives that it becomes part of who they are.   Today, Mel sits down with a woman whose journey from London to Brisbane is stitched together by generosity, community, and an unwavering belief in showing up for others.   Cathy is a long‑serving volunteer and Branch Coordinator with Rosies – Friends on the Street, an organisation powered by more than 1,500 volunteers who offer connection, friendship, and dignity to those experiencing homelessness, hardship, or isolation. Over her many years with Rosies, Cathy has become a steady, compassionate presence - from late‑night outreach to Schoolies support, from leading teams to offering quiet moments of human connection that often matter more than anything else.   Her story is one of heart-led leadership. It’s about finding purpose in service, building community one conversation at a time, and carrying the spirit of charity that Rosies was founded on. A spirit rooted in friendship, presence, and genuine care.   From her early life in London to her decades in Brisbane, Cathy’s journey is one that warms you from the inside out. This conversation is a celebration of the everyday heroes who make our communities kinder simply by being in them.   Let’s dive in. Home - Rosies Rosies - Friends on the Street (@rosiesqld) • Instagram photos and videos Rosies - Friends on the Street | LinkedIn Rosies - Friends On The Street | Facebook On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.   The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:   Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. 13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Home | 1800RESPECT National Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800 Ask Izzy Search over 450,000 support services     CREDITS: Host: Melissa Alsemgeest Guest: Catherine Barber Editor: Robert Alsemgeest   GET IN TOUCH:       https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 11min
See All (116)

4.8
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Hair Therapist! I'm your host Mel. The Hair Therapist brings you real life stories from the salon chair and beyond. You will be introduced to guests from different backgrounds and experiences who have the courage to bring awareness to social issues, altering perceptions and changing stigmas. A community of daring individuals ready to transform lives, connected by stories woven from a collective of tapestries.   My life is a testament to one’s ability of the human strength and spirit to expand and rise to a challenge, battling through domestic & family violence, family drug & alcohol addiction, I barely made it through high school.   Starting my hairdressing apprenticeship at 15 was my saviour. With over 3 decades of listening to stories in the salon chair, I have heard it all as the poor man's unpaid, unqualified hair therapist.   My passion project is to use my skills to give back by doing hundreds of haircuts per year on our most vulnerable communities – people struggling and doing it tough. Sometimes it is not about the haircut it is about the meaningful connections through conversations, feeling seen and heard. I encourage my listeners to give back.   These stories are not just about survival; they’re about transforming pain into power and inspiring others to do the same.    @InfectiousBehaviour | Linktree   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Alsemgeest
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    116
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Melissa Alsemgeest
  • Show Website
    The Hair Therapist

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