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...

On this episode, I introduce you to Joshua McLellan a Principal software engineer who I have had the pleasure of consulting with when building my workable prototype for THE CHAIR. He shares how he entered into the world of software development with a math and economics background, how a passion pushed him to read more about the field outside of college, and what it means to help others grow their crayon box. 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/Ep66) —Drawing Ideas in Crayon

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, Brianna the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement at Buckingham Browne & Nichols high school is a biracial Black and white woman who takes us on her hair journey. We learn about where the signature bun comes from, the evolution of Bri’s curls, and her pet peeve when it comes to touching her hair. Enjoy!

Her Bio:

Brianna Smith is the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement, where she creates meaningful opportunities for alumni to stay connected through networking, volunteer engagement, and lifelong community building initiatives. She is passionate about fostering authentic relationships and creating programs that strengthen connections across generations. She enjoys hearing alumni stories and seeing them reconnect with one another as well as with the school. Being part of the BB&N Community has always been a highlight for her. She stays involved in the community by mentoring seniors and coaching three seasons. She is dedicated to creating opportunities for all students to connect with alumni while also being a trusted resource for guidance, support, and encouragement.

She enjoys staying active, traveling, Boston Sports, laughing, and reading.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep65) —The Signature Bun

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...

One this episode, I introduce you to Brianna Smith the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement at Buckingham Browne & Nichols high school. She graduated a year ahead of me when we attended BB&N and is now crafting stories, connecting with alum, and creating community in her role. Come listen to Bri dive into thinking about what it means to belong and build space for students and alum to thrive with BB&N as a support system. Enjoy!

Her Bio:

Brianna Smith is the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement, where she creates meaningful opportunities for alumni to stay connected through networking, volunteer engagement, and lifelong community building initiatives. She is passionate about fostering authentic relationships and creating programs that strengthen connections across generations. She enjoys hearing alumni stories and seeing them reconnect with one another as well as with the school. Being part of the BB&N Community has always been a highlight for her. She stays involved in the community by mentoring seniors and coaching three seasons. She is dedicated to creating opportunities for all students to connect with alumni while also being a trusted resource for guidance, support, and encouragement.

She enjoys staying active, traveling, Boston Sports, laughing, and reading.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep64) —I Belong

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, dana a multi-hyphenate transdisciplinary artist lets us in her world, her hair journey, from her perspective as a mixed race Black woman. We get into conversations about race, curl pattern, community, and what it means to dana always loving her hair. Enjoy!

Her Bio:

dana e. fitchett is a writer, dancer and dance educator, visual artist, and student of life. Her practices are grounded in listening deeply and cultivating languages and narratives that honestly honor and reflect complexity. Storytelling – verbal, physical, rational, and abstract – is at the core of her work. dana’s perspectives are informed by her working-class, East Coast origins, an illuminating journey through educational institutions, and relocation as an adult to the Bay Area; experience of life on the so-called color line; a career path spanning the arts, education, communications, and the world of nonprofit and community-based organizations; and a lifelong exploration of the expressive legacy of the African diaspora. Also a practiced plant-based foodmaker and novice music producer, dana holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and a master’s of fine art in interdisciplinary art, and spends most of her time between New York, Boston, and Oakland.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep63) —Twirling my 3-D Curls

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 dana, a multi-hyphenate transdisciplinary artist who takes us on a rollercoaster of what it means to be human and an artist creating in our capitalistic context. She drops gems and reminds us all we have light and we all have the ability to share that light. Enjoy!

Her Bio:

dana e. fitchett is a writer, dancer and dance educator, visual artist, and student of life. Her practices are grounded in listening deeply and cultivating languages and narratives that honestly honor and reflect complexity. Storytelling – verbal, physical, rational, and abstract – is at the core of her work. dana’s perspectives are informed by her working-class, East Coast origins, an illuminating journey through educational institutions, and relocation as an adult to the Bay Area; experience of life on the so-called color line; a career path spanning the arts, education, communications, and the world of nonprofit and community-based organizations; and a lifelong exploration of the expressive legacy of the African diaspora. Also a practiced plant-based foodmaker and novice music producer, dana holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and a master’s of fine art in interdisciplinary art, and spends most of her time between New York, Boston, and Oakland.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep62) —Trust Our Light

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...