On this episode, I introduce you Vanda an influencer, a mom, and believer in creating joy and silly moments daily. We learn what it looks like behind the scenes of content creation of an influencer, her origins of advocacy for women going through domestic traumas and disputes, and how she became and continues to be a playful while on her hair journey. Enjoy!

Her Bio:

Vanda Spinola is more than a content creator—she’s a storyteller, a mother, and a force of creativity. Born in Cape Verde and raised in Massachusetts, Vanda uses her platform to blend raw, relatable moments of motherhood with creative DIY projects, self-love, and spiritual growth.

As the founder of Vandalized by Vanda, she showcases her artistic talents through handmade creations, customized kits, and nostalgic content that speaks directly to ’90s kids and modern moms alike. She’s also in the early stages of building Speak Up Foundation—a future nonprofit aimed at supporting women, especially mothers, as they navigate the legal system and begin healing from trauma.

Whether she’s designing craft kits with her daughter Aria, building community through her following, or sharing personal reflections on identity, trauma, and growth, Vanda’s message remains consistent: be real, be resilient, and never stop creating. Her content is a safe space for anyone navigating healing, parenting, or rediscovering themselves through creativity.

Follow her journey on Instagram, TikTok, and beyond @Vandaaspinola—and get ready to laugh, learn, and feel seen.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep69) —The Playful Parent

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship.

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...

On this episode, I introduce you to Dion an educator holding the role of paraprofessional for the last 4 years in elementary. Dion takes us on a journey highlighting the importance of being there for students and how that makes a difference for students. Additionally, Dion lets us in on his hair journey where we crack a laugh about waves and curls and how that connects with his son that he loves so dearly and reminds us all that being present and trying is all worth it.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep68) —Listening is Key

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship.

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...

On this episode, Joshua McLellan a Principal Software Engineer who has identities as both Dominican and Scottish shares the evolution of his hair journey. He talks about how consulting on THE CHAIR triggered him to start thinking more intensely about his hair, what he’s learned so far from trial and error, and what made him upgrade to the liter bottles. Enjoy!

His Bio:

Joshua McLellan is a Principal Software Engineer with experience across distributed storage, health tech, cybersecurity, and mathematical modeling. His work focuses on turning ambiguous product and operational problems into practical architecture, tools, standards, and systems. He currently works at Nasuni, where he helps shape technical direction. He holds dual degrees from UMass Amherst in Natural and Environmental Resource Economics and Applied Mathematics, with a minor in Philosophy. Outside of work, he enjoys bike riding, cooking, and building playful community software, including a live voting platform for an annual eggnog competition.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep67) —Upgraded to the Liter Bottles

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship.

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
http://thechair.kinsta.cloud/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/j...