Stories from the Beauty Parlor

Each episode unfolds as an intimate portrait set in a beauty parlor. Through these stories, listeners gain insight into diverse cultures and customs, all centered around the universal theme of women* wanting to look and feel the best. As a space that is both private and communal, the beauty parlor provides a window into deeper topics, blending feel-good content with rich, insightful storytelling.

Each story takes us to a different corner of the world – from a hair salon in Brazil to a wedding planner in Kosovo or a tattoo studio in Georgia. We share larger narratives about complex, globally relevant issues, humanizing individuals from communities otherwise misrepresented by a single, oversimplified political narrative. These stories reveal the multifaceted identities that women* embody.

In many cultures, beauty salons also serve as unofficial community centers and information hubs. Many offer guidance on where to turn in cases of domestic violence and other vital safety tips. Additionally, salon work globally is a source of employment, creating financial independence for women* within their families and societies.

Our goal is to bridge the gap between traditional beauty media and the activist sphere. With our “feel good, do good” approach, we are working to raise awareness of the issues explored in each episode, building a global community that champion’s women’s* stories.

Latest

Episode 2: Georgia – drag shows, create beauty, protest, repeat

We meet Not-So-Virgin-Mari, one of Tbilisi’s drag artists, resisting the country’s escalating homophobia. In their classy, high-demand tattoo parlor, we talk to Pito Seturi, internationally known Georgian Artist, who reflects over Russia’s interference in their democratic elections that gave power to the Georgian Dream Party. As Tbilisi enters 115+ days of continuous protest of the far-right, Kremlin-backed, “Georgian Nightmare,” through art, activism and a lot of mocking, we get a poignant lesson in Georgian’s Soviet history, the authoritarian playbook, and how queer-led community organizing fights for power with beauty.

Episode 1: Kosovo wedding rituals and nail therapy in Europe’s youngest country

In our first episode, we visit Linda at Serpent Claws Salon in the capital of Pristina and Elvira at Beauty Line in a Bosnian village on the border to North Macedonia. In their respective salons, we learn more about the tension and opportunities of advocating for change while traditions are carried by care workers. In a country emerging from its new-ish independence with progressive values, traditional practices can be hijacked by patriarchal values. How does migration play a role, and what can we learn about becoming a wife from a 6-hour make-up ritual?

Introducing the Transatlantic Feminist Podcast

Why to revolve a feminist podcast around beauty parlors; wouldn’t that be counterproductive in a world already obsessed with women’s appearances? Meet our co-hosts Annamaria Olsson (she/her) and Pamela Chomba (she/her), both award winning migrant-justice organizers (and beauty junkies) in Washington, DC and Berlin, as they discuss the birth of the podcast and their Cold War tactics to fight authoritarian governments – with a feminist vision and a lot of community care. 

Season 1 Trailer

This is Stories from the Beauty Parlor, an intimate journey around the world, one beauty parlor at a time. Coming March 29, 2025.