The So Lovely Hair Show: Recent Episodes
The so lovely hair show
Hair duo Siobhan & Ollie; bring comical and insightful staff room chit chat direct to your speakers. The so lovely hair shows candid overview of recent events will have you belly laughing one minute and feeling supported and guided the next. Real life topics with real life discussions.
This week, Ollie turns the tables and interviews Siobhan.
What begins as a conversation about life, work, and creativity soon becomes much more emotional. Siobhan talks about how her idea of success has shifted over time, and why living a life that doesn’t sit right with your values will eventually leave you miserable. She opens up about the juggle of motherhood, career, and identity and how choosing differently has shaped the path she’s on now. Expect raw honesty, some laughs, and eve n a few tears.
This episode is for anyone rethinking what success really means, for working mums navigating identity shifts, and for creatives who want the reminder they’re not alone in the juggle.
What does success really look like and what happens when you finally hit the goals you’ve been chasing? In this episode, we sit down with colourist, educator and Moroccan oil Global Ambassador Gareth Williams (@garethwilliams_hair). With a huge online following and a career in demand by both clients and brands, Gareth has ticked many of the industry boxes but his take on what truly matters might surprise you. We talk about the pressure of follower counts, the “what now?” feeling after a big achievement, and why self-belief can sometimes be the hardest part of success.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever hit burnout, felt stretched too thin, or found themselves questioning the path they’re on.
We sat down with life coach, creative mentor and salon owner Jo Irving to talk about stress, overwhelm and the moments that force you to stop and pivot.
From nervous breakdown to business breakthroughs, Jo shares what it really looks like to find your balance, protect your energy and evolve your career in a way that actually works for you.
Raw, honest, and full of wisdom.
In this episode of The So Lovely Talk Show, Siobhan and Ollie chat with journalist and author Grace Timothy about the hidden mental load so many of us carry — and how ADHD can make it even heavier. We explore motherhood, identity, and strategies for finding balance when life feels overwhelming. A must-listen for anyone who’s ever felt like their brain is running a mile a minute.
Congratulating and celebrating the success of others can often be easier than acknowledging your own achievements. Ollie and Siobhan discuss how celebrating small wins is just as important as recognizing big accomplishments. They also explore the differences between sharing your success and gloating. This uplifting episode will leave you feeling positive and proud of what you have accomplished.
Ollie and Siobhan discuss the importance of embracing failure.
We live in a society that celebrates success and achievement, but this can create significant pressure to make everything perfect. Striving for perfection can hinder our creative expression. The constant fear of not being good enough makes us less likely to take risks.
They suggest ways to feel comfortable with imperfection and discuss how acknowledging our fears of failure can actually lead to success.
Collaborating with friends can be a fun idea, but it also has the potential to blur boundaries and add extra pressure to the friendship. Ollie and Siobhan discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of working with friends. They share tips on how to manage the situation when things don't go as planned, all while enjoying plenty of laughs and reflecting on their past experiences—both the successful collaborations and the ones that didn't work out.
In the creative industry, social media stands out as both a powerful tool and a double-edged sword. Join hosts Ollie and Siobhan as they reflect on their complex relationship with this digital platform. For many independents, social media is a vital avenue for gaining exposure and showcasing talent, but it often comes with hidden costs. As they candidly discuss the highs and lows of their social media experiences, Ollie and Siobhan reveal the addictive nature of seeking likes and followers and the challenges that accompany it.
In this episode, we have our first guest, Nicky Pope, a woman who isn't afraid to break the mold and bring new ideas to the table. She is an innovator in creating events and awards and specialises in journalism, publishing and shaking up the hair industry. In this episode, we delve into Nicky's expertise as she shares incredible advice for anyone looking to accelerate their career. She also provides excellent insights into awards and the production of competitions, as well as great advice on how not to be a bad loser.
Hello 2025
The start of a new year often presents a wonderful opportunity for reflection and renewal. However, it can also bring about feelings of self-doubt or inadequacy. In this discussion, Ollie and Siobhan gently explore the topic of New Year's resolutions—considering both the positives and the challenges they can bring. They share thoughtful advice on how to set goals in a way that prioritizes self-compassion and kindness, ensuring that this new chapter is both motivating and nurturing. .
Join Siobhan and Ollie for a feel-good episode to wrap up the year.
The lead-up to Christmas and New Year can be filled with festive cheer, fun, and excitement, but it can also be overwhelming. How can you prevent it from leading to burnout?
Listen in as they discuss strategies to ensure that the end of the year leaves you with positive energy. The episode will be filled with present-giving, bubbly drinks, and a touch of Christmas magic.
Awards and competitions play a distinctive role in the creative industry. They provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate each other's skills and recognise achievements. However, there can only be one winner. In this months discussion, Ollie and Siobhan explore whether winning truly reflects an individual's success; join them as they discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks awards may offer and whether they have a positive or negative impact on your self-confidence.
Sexism can manifest itself in various ways.
Ollie and Siobhan work in a predominantly female-dominated industry. However, it's possible that women are not treated the same as their male counterparts. They question if it is also possible that there is type of hierarchy around your sex within the industry. Join them as they take a look at their experiences and explore ways to combat sexism if it ever arises.
Working for free as a creative can often be a common occurrence, but it's important to distinguish between when it's exploitative and when it can boost your career. Ollie and Siobhan discuss the advantages and disadvantages while also providing helpful advice on negotiating a fair wage.
Ollie and Siobhan delve into the topics of stress, wellness, and discovering a harmonious balance that resonates with you. Working in a job you love can make it challenging to carve out downtime. Prioritising your mental health is crucial, but how do you achieve this when there is no clear endpoint? Join them as they try and figure out a solution.
We want to emphasise that if you are recovering from traumatic events, it's crucial to reach out and talk to someone about what you're going through. Seeking medical advice and support can be incredibly beneficial for your well-being.
Does age still bring wisdom in today's fast-paced tech society? Ollie and Siobhan dive deep into the industry, discussing the perks and pitfalls of individuals of all ages. From the challenges of looking young or old to the fear of becoming irrelevant, they tackle it all.Can the young be wise, and can the older be relevant? It's a juicy topic, and we want to hear your thoughts!"
In this episode, we cover the topic of imposter syndrome. Experienced by 70% of people at some point in their lives, it's most commonly known for stalling, crippling, and making you not feel good enough. Siobhan & Ollie discuss tackling imposter syndrome and provide tools and tips on managing it when it strikes. They then open up the question: Does the feeling of imposter syndrome always have to be negative? Come join the conversation as they open up and share some of their own experiences.
In this episode, we're asking the question: What does success mean to you?
We reflect on how our own personal experiences with external validation (like being featured in Vogue) contrasts with more personal milestones, such as selling a business or opening a studio.
We also chit chat about the challenges of balancing professional achievements with personal happiness and how social media (and even our friends) can impact your perception of success.
It's a really cosy episode full of laughs (and deep chat!) so grab a cuppa and join us.
Episode highlights:
05:09 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt
06:48 Exploring the Concept of Success
20:24 Hard Work vs. Talent: Finding the Sweet Spot
35:11 The Impact of Social Media on Self-Perception
40:54 Redefining Success Beyond Wealth=
We hope you enjoyed this episode and would love to see you again next month for the next one.
Welcome back to the new and improved So Lovely Talk Show, with Siobhan and Oliver.
We've made some changes to the podcast since our last episode a few years ago and we are SO excited to be back and telling you all about it. So grab a cuppa and dive in!
Episode highlights:
00:49 The Evolution of Our Podcast: From Hair to Creative Industries
05:25 Siobhan's Journey: From Salon Owner to Empowered Creative
18:50 Oliver's Story: Opening a Salon and Finding Balance
25:56 Looking Ahead: Our Future Projects and Aspirations
29:07 Next Episode Teaser: Exploring the Concept of Success
We hope you enjoyed this episode and would love to see you again next month for the next one.
Join Siobhan and Ollie as we talk about some of the life changing decisions we have made during this lockdown and why it's important to not just try and fit "The mould " Any change is good as long as it's right for you.
Siobhan and Ollie chat with Ateh Jewel an award winning journalist and diversity advocate about what we can do to help put a stop to institutional racism and where to go to educate ourselves on the art of textured and afro hair
Siobhan & Ollie have a good old chit chat with Patrick Wilson about making the big move to London for your career. Tips on gaining a celeb following that adore you and how he made it on the Jessie's wares most recent music video.
Siobhan and Ollie chit chat with Jo Irving about how to tailor your life and job so it works best for you. Work life balance, avoiding burn out and being kind to yourself.
Siobhan and Ollie talk to multi award winner Jim shaw. They talk about putting together a collection, building a name for yourself within the industry and how you also can bag yourself a nice shiny hair award! @jimshawhair @thesolovelyhairshow @shivvvey @oliverblackabyhair
Siobhan and Ollie have an oh so lovely chit chat with Conor about the new wave of online education and how important it is to know your worth when pricing your services. @conorjmd @thesolovelyhairshow @shivvvey @oliverblackabyhair
Siobhan and Ollie talk to the fabulous Kim Rance. Exploring the world of session and what changes we might expect to the industry once isolation regulations have been lifted. Find us @kim_rance @shivvvey @oliverblackabyhair
Siobhan & Ollie talk with award winning hair artist James Earnshaw about how to pimp up your Instagram account and master social media like a pro.
Ollie and Siobhan discuss the oh so lovely topic of social media. How to avoid it being totally distracting and how to embrace the bits that make your heart smile
Siobhan & Ollie discuss the oh so lovely topic of self care for your mind and body. How to prevent a short shelf life in your career and why we should be creating a new norm after isolation.
Siobhan & Ollie talk through the so lovely topic of isolation. How they are managing their thoughts as they travel through a rollercoaster of emotions such as anxiety , denial and adjustment. #itsoktonotbeok