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In this episode of Beauty Industry Voices, LuLu Benavidez welcomes Jonathan, Executive Director of Seeing for Ourselves. From his childhood in the Bronx and career with New York City Transit to his work in books and PBS documentaries, Jonathan shares how storytelling became the thread connecting his life’s work.

Discover how participatory photography helps public housing residents, people serving probation, and young immigrants share their experiences beyond stereotypes. Jonathan also discusses My Climate Future, a film bringing young people’s perspectives into the climate conversation, and his commitment to continuing founder George Carrano’s legacy.

We finish with “Voices in Five,” revealing Jonathan’s favorite film, meaningful childhood memories, and reassuring advice to his younger self.

Watch or listen, share this conversation with someone who loves photography and storytelling, and subscribe to Beauty Industry Voices.

Learn more: Seeing for Ourselves

Chapters

These timestamps match your supplied transcript.
00:00 — Opening Preview: Dignity and Hope
00:42 — Meet Jonathan Fisher
02:03 — Welcome to Beauty Industry Voices
02:47 — Growing Up in the Bronx
05:36 — NYC Transit: Maps, MetroCards, and Storytelling
09:16 — Getting Around New York City
10:35 — George Carrano and Seeing for Ourselves
12:52 — What Is Participatory Photography?
15:07 — AI Images and Unrealistic Expectations
15:50 — Project Lives: Public Housing Through Residents’ Eyes
18:25 — Photography, Probation, and Second Chances
20:02 — Young Immigrants Tell Their Stories
22:27 — Community Arts and Opportunities for Youth
24:23 — Continuing George’s Legacy and My Climate Future
28:41 — Supporting the Film’s Impact Campaign
29:32 — Voices in Five: Getting to Know Jonathan
33:26 — Where to Connect and Support the Work
34:20 — Thank You and Closing

Keywords and tags

Jonathan Fisher, Seeing for Ourselves, Beauty Industry Voices, LuLu Benavidez, participatory photography, visual storytelling, community photography, Project Lives, public housing photography, In a Whole New Way, criminal justice rehabilitation, photography and second chances, immigrant stories, Not From These Parts, My Climate Future, youth climate voices, George Carrano, PBS documentaries, photography nonprofit. Know in the comments how you find hope in your own daily experiences.

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Stop fighting the mirror and start listening to what your skin is telling you about healthy aging.

On this episode of Beauty Industry Voices, host Lulu Benavidez shares her extensive experience to help you redefine your relationship with time. We often get caught in the trap of chasing external perfection, forgetting that true elegance comes from within. This conversation serves as a guide for anyone ready to prioritize their well-being over societal pressures.

Embracing natural beauty is not about ignoring the changes that come with time; it is about honoring them. Lulu offers a fresh perspective on aging beautifully, moving past traditional standards to help you feel more at home in your own skin regardless of where you are in your journey.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on meaningful living, and let us know in the comments how you define confidence at this stage of your

Timestamps
00:00 - Why Jordan Parker takes a whole-person approach to skincare

01:05 - From business school to aesthetics: how she found her path

02:03 - Autoimmune skin issues that changed her perspective

03:47 - Why skin reflects what is happening internally

04:38 - What more women should understand about acne

05:58 - How medical treatment differs from aesthetic skincare

08:50 - Healthy aging instead of anti-aging marketing

11:03 - What gua sha is and why she uses it

13:13 - Why professional guidance beats social media skincare trends

15:17 - How her virtual consultations are personalized

18:21 - Why at-home skincare drives most of the results

21:44 - Best advice for women who feel frustrated with their skin

22:44 - What makes Jordan laugh every time

23:11 - Why hiking is her favorite way to spend time off

24:48 - A surprising personal talent: singing

25:45 - The biggest influence in her life

26:52 - What she is most grateful for right now

Stop fighting the mirror and start listening to what your skin is telling you about healthy aging.

#BeautyByJordanCo #HealthyAging #SkincareTips #AestheticianAdvice #SkinWellness

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Your Health Matters: Dr. Kristine Gravino on Women's Wellness

When did you last put your own health first?

Dr. Kristine Gravino for an important conversation about women's health, self-care, and the importance of understanding our physical well-being at every stage of life.

As working women, mothers, caregivers, and entrepreneurs, we often put everyone else's needs ahead of our own. But taking care of ourselves is not a luxury—it's a necessity.

Dr. Gravino shares her perspective on why women need to become more aware of their health, make time for self-care, and recognize the importance of physical well-being.

Whether you're building a career, raising a family, managing a business, or enjoying a new chapter in life, this conversation is a reminder that your health matters, too.

Join us for a meaningful discussion about making ourselves a priority.

🎙️ Hosted byLuLu Benavidez
🎧 Podcast Beauty Industry Voices

🌐 www.beautyindustryvoices.com

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, share this episode with the women in your life, and join our growing community.

This conversation is for education and awareness and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

DChapters

00:00 – Meet Dr. Kristine Gravino
01:21 – Her Journey Into Psychology & Wellness
02:15 – Surviving a Brainstem Stroke at 21
03:43 – Why Wellness Starts With the Mind
05:18 – Dr. Gravino’s Stroke & Recovery Story
08:04 – LuLu Shares Her Daughter’s Stroke Journey
11:27 – Recovery, Age & the Power of Mindset
12:28 – Celebrating Small Wins
16:31 – Why Women Need Whole-Person Wellness
18:14 – Emotional Eating & Understanding Your Patterns
20:22 – Why Healthy Habits Are Hard to Maintain
23:09 – The Power of Accountability
24:18 – Fitness, Aging & Staying Strong
26:25 – Building Self-Trust
27:56 – How to Begin Your Wellness Journey
29:23 – Start Small for Lasting Change
31:17 – Why Women Often Put Themselves Last
32:50 – Finding Balance & Preventing Burnout
34:09 – Resilience After Major Life Changes
36:13 – Rapid-Fire Questions
36:26 – Dr. Gravino’s Morning Routine
37:15 – One Healthy Habit to Start Tomorrow
39:08 – How to Calm Your Mind Quickly
39:44 – What True Wellness Means
40:02 – Advice to Her Younger Self
42:03 – Where to Find Dr. Gravino
42:58 – Free Mindset Workshops
43:39 – Final Thoughts & Thank You

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Le discusses her Mid-Century Audit and the philosophy that guides her work: one body, one journey, one lifetime. For those feeling overwhelmed by modern exercise advice, this conversation provides a refreshing look at midlife fitness and how to adapt your physical routine to your current chapter. As a dedicated fitness coach, Le emphasizes that effective training should be progressive, not aggressive. She explains the importance of prioritizing everyday movement and shares how LuLu’s own training has evolved over their years of collaboration. Whether you are adjusting to life transitions or seeking a more compassionate way to stay active, this discussion offers a roadmap for healthy aging. Subscribe to Beauty Industry Voices for weekly conversations on meaningful living, and let us know in the comments how your relationship with exercise has changed over time.

00:00 — Welcome Back, Le Bergin
01:09 — From Teaching to Fitness and Personal Coaching
03:51 — One Body, One Journey, One Lifetime
07:43 — The Mid-Century Audit: Reflecting and Starting Over
11:15 — How LuLu’s Workouts Have Changed
13:04 — Practicing Movement for Everyday Life
16:44 — Finding Hope Through the Audit
18:30 — Making Coaching Simple and Personal
20:47 — Progressive, Not Aggressive: Adapting Your Workouts
24:25 — Fill in the Gap: Connecting Information to Action
27:30 — Overwhelmed by Fitness Advice?
29:01 — Taking the First Step and Moving Forward

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In this inspiring episode of Beauty Industry Voices, LuLu Benavidez and co-host Sue Hanson welcome Janie Tongue, Editor-in-Chief of Independent Beauty Professional Magazine, international educator, former salon owner, and founder of IBP Media Concierge.

From growing up with a hairdresser mother to owning a salon in Florida, educating around the world, and launching a beauty magazine during the pandemic, Janie's journey shows the power of saying YES.

Janie shares why credibility matters more than temporary attention, how relationships open doors, and why some of the beauty industry's most valuable voices are not necessarily the loudest.

Discover how beauty professionals can build visibility, develop meaningful relationships, create opportunities beyond the chair, and leave a lasting legacy.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Why saying yes can change the direction of your career.

How Janie created an internationally recognized beauty magazine.

Why professional credibility matters more than social media attention.

Why recognizing the industry's unsung heroes matters.

How IBP Media Concierge connects professionals with opportunities.

Why ergonomics and protecting your body matter for career longevity.

How mentoring the next generation strengthens our entire industry.

Whether you're a hairstylist, salon owner, educator, artist, student, or entrepreneur, this conversation will remind you that your experience has value and your voice deserves to be heard.

Remember: Your story matters. Your voice matters. Your legacy matters.

Chapters:

00:00

The Three Qualities of a Respected Industry Voice

00:40

Meet Janie Tongue

01:04

From a Hairdresser's Daughter to Salon Owner

02:35

Discovering a Passion for Education

04:43

Why Saying YES Opens Doors

06:08

Creating a Global Beauty Magazine

09:31

Giving Forgotten Industry Voices a Platform

13:44

Introducing IBP Media Concierge

19:01

Why Credibility Matters More Than Attention

21:36

How Beauty Professionals Can Build Visibility

23:11

Creating Opportunities Beyond the Chair

25:28

Leadership, Delegation and Building Loyalty

26:38

Leaving a Legacy Through Mentorship

28:20

Supporting Students and Protecting Careers

30:56

Quick Fire: Getting to Know Janie

33:47

Where to Find Janie

34:43

Janie's Final Words of Wisdom

Subscribe for weekly conversations on meaningful living, and let us know in the comments which quality you value most in your own life.

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Meaningful conversations happen when we choose to leave a mark. Join LuLu, Sue, and Joann Rodriguez for a raw discussion.

In this episode, we explore the depth of personal legacy and the importance of ensuring our stories aren't erased by time. It is a candid look at how we show up for one another, capturing the genuine reactions and shared sentiments that define our connections.

Whether you want to deepen your personal relationships or find inspiration in others' stories, this conversation offers space to reflect on what truly matters. We discuss the art of staying present and the power of being heard in a digital world.

Subscribe for weekly beauty industry voices and meaningful conversations with passionate people.

00:00 Welcome to Beauty Industry Voices
01:05 Introducing JoAnn Rodriguez
02:20 The story behind Magnolia Park Arts & Community
05:15 Turning a family legacy home into a community space
08:40 Preserving culture in Houston’s Magnolia Park
12:10 Supporting artists and local creativity
15:30 Working alongside Jesse E. Rodriguez / Magnolia Grown
18:45 Why community programs matter
22:00 Books, art, and cultural storytelling
25:15 What JoAnn hopes people feel at MPAC
28:00 Rapid Fire / Voices in Five
30:00 Closing thoughts and thank you

Tags:
JoAnn Rodriguez, Magnolia Park Arts and Community, MPAC Houston, Magnolia Park Houston, Houston artists, Latino art, Latina community, cultural preservation, community arts, nonprofit arts organization, Beauty Industry Voices, LuLu Benavidez, community advocate, local artists, Houston culture, family legacy, art and culture, Magnolia Grown, Jesse E Rodriguez, podcast interview, women in leadership, creative community

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What happens when imagination steps off the page and becomes a living work of art?

LuLu Benavidez and co-host Sue Krukonis Hanson welcome Olga Saretsky, founder of Kikimora Studio, for an inspiring conversation about creativity, authenticity and persistence.

Olga shares her journey from dancer and choreographer to the creator of extraordinary Living Art and wearable sculptures. She reveals the fashion show that changed her direction, why covering the face gave her greater artistic freedom, and how she continued creating even when others didn’t understand her vision.

Olga also shares an important realization: our work may express who we are, but it does not define all that we are.

Discover Olga’s work:

[www.kikimorastudio.com](http://www.kikimorastudio.com)
[www.kikimorafashion.com](http://www.kikimorafashion.com)

Subscribe to Beauty Industry Voices for inspiring conversations with artists, innovators and entrepreneurs who are transforming creativity into meaningful careers.

Chapters:
00:00 Meet Olga Saretsky
01:25 From dance to Living Art
03:15 The fashion show that changed everything
05:21 Inspiration for the beauty industry
06:45 The challenges of creative business
07:55 Building the Kikimora team
08:38 Finding freedom behind the mask
10:57 The power of authenticity
12:00 You are more than your work
14:03 Persistence and finding your voice
15:52 The truth about overnight success
17:30 Protecting your originality
18:33 Five personal questions
20:28 Creativity and human potential
21:25 Where to find Olga’s work
23:50 Olga’s message to the audience

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In this episode, Maria shares how she grew her Instagram following from just over 2,000 to more than 177,000 followers by creating practical, no-nonsense special occasion hairstyling tutorials.

She talks about developing techniques for fine and thinning hair, the influence of legendary educator Martin Parsons, why mastering technique comes before creativity, and the discipline behind creating her content week after week.

Maria also reveals her Instagram routine, why she posts her content manually, the importance of engaging with followers, and one of the biggest mistakes she sees hairstylists make on social media: trying to be everything to everyone.
Whether you're a hairstylist, educator, salon professional, or creative entrepreneur trying to build an audience, Maria's story is a wonderful reminder: know what you do, stay focused, keep showing up—and never stop learning.

Subscribe for more conversations with the voices shaping the beauty industry.

Chapters
00:00 – Meet Maria Esparolini
02:25 – The Hairstyle That Reached 1 Million Views
04:00 – Creating Styles for Fine & Thinning Hair
05:44 – Why No-Nonsense Techniques Work
06:14 – Learning From Martin Parsons
08:00 – Technique vs. Creativity
10:23 – How Maria Grew Her Instagram Following
11:02 – Her Weekly Content Routine
13:10 – Why She Posts Manually
14:10 – Who Maria Creates Content For
17:42 – Why “How-To” Content Works
19:38 – Breaking an Hour-Long Style Into 60 Seconds
22:59 – From Behind the Chair to Online Educator
24:44 – Understanding Instagram Analytics
27:55 – Maria's Advice for Low Engagement
28:23 – The Social Media Mistake Stylists Make
30:01 – Why Consistency Matters
31:16 – Rapid Fire With Maria
33:54 – Advice to Her Younger Self
34:19 – Where to Follow Maria
35:39 – Final Thoughts

Keywords

Maria Esparolini, hairstylist education, hairstylist Instagram, Instagram for hairstylists, grow Instagram followers, beauty industry, beauty industry podcast, hairstylist podcast, special occasion hair, special occasion hairstyles, bridal hair, wedding hairstyles, updo tutorials, fine hair styling, thinning hair styling, hair education, hairstylist educator, social media for hairstylists, Instagram Reels for hairstylists, salon marketing, beauty business, hairstylist tips, hair tutorials, behind the chair, Martin Parsons, creative hairstyling, beauty education, hairstylist success, social media growth, Beauty Industry Voices

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