In this episode of The Baldest, Steve talks with Alison Mann, LCSW, an alopecia therapist and coach who has lived with alopecia since childhood.

Alison shares her journey growing up bald, navigating bullying and societal expectations, finding community, embracing her identity, and becoming an advocate for others living with hair loss.

Steve and Alison explore body image, self-acceptance, body autonomy, representation, beauty standards, mental health, and community. They also discuss supporting children with alopecia, personal choices around appearance, and the power of connecting with people who share similar experiences.

This conversation is about much more than hair. It's about learning to live authentically in a world that often tries to tell us what we're supposed to look like.

• Alison's journey with alopecia
• Growing up bald and navigating bullying
• Representation and role models
• The importance of community
• Supporting children with alopecia
• Body autonomy and personal choice
• The emotional and psychological impact of hair loss
• Society's standards of beauty
• Self-acceptance and authenticity
• Advice for people newly diagnosed with alopecia

Instagram: @alison_mann
Instagram: @authentically_you_therapy
Website: https://www.authenticallyoutherapy.com/
Hair Loss Resources: https://www.aidbyali.com/
Substack: https://thebaldtherapist.substack.com/

National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF): https://www.naaf.org/

Instagram & TikTok: @thebaldest_
YouTube: @thebaldestofficial

00:00 Introduction and Alison Mann's background
00:04 Introduction to the conversation on alopecia and self-acceptance
02:00 Alison's childhood with alopecia and early treatments
04:03 The social experience of growing up bald in New Jersey
06:51 Alison’s advocacy and speaking at school assemblies
10:06 Bullying, acceptance, and community support for alopecia kids
15:05 The importance of representation and role models
19:53 Alison’s involvement in alopecia community events
25:01 The impact of community on self-esteem and confidence
30:02 Supporting children with alopecia and body autonomy
35:06 Advice for parents and caregivers of alopecia children
39:58 The future of alopecia support and community building
47:17 The importance of respecting body autonomy in beauty choices
48:02 Navigating societal beauty standards and personal identity
49:01 The role of community support for people with alopecia
50:21 Personal stories of hair loss and self-acceptance
51:29 Understanding the emotional impact of alopecia
52:54 The societal obsession with appearance and beauty standards
54:48 The inner critic and self-compassion in self-image
57:44 The significance of authentic community and shared experiences
01:03:02 The power of community support and shared experiences
01:08:11 Therapeutic insights on emotional resilience and growth
01:12:25 Advice for those newly diagnosed with alopecia
01:16:32 Resources and community support for alopecia and hair loss