WHERE BRAINS MEET BEAUTY

Noah Bricker’s path to becoming General Manager of BaBylissPRO was anything but traditional. After beginning his career at Deloitte, he moved into private equity at American Securities, where he embedded himself inside portfolio companies undergoing major transformations, often working directly alongside CEOs. Noah joins Jodi and CEW President Elana Szyfer to talk about what it takes to earn a CEO’s trust, why careers can be made during a crisis, and how his years advising businesses ultimately showed him that he was an operator at heart.

Now running BaBylissPRO, part of Conair, Noah is taking a professional heritage brand and pushing it toward its next phase of consumer growth. He gets candid about competing with powerhouses like Shark, Dyson, T3 and Bio Ionic, dramatically shifting the brand’s media investment toward social, and obsessively studying everything from Amazon reviews to competitor products. He also digs into one of the biggest challenges facing the hair tools category, delivering the performance consumers want while responding to the growing focus on hair health and the “skinification” of hair.

The conversation also explores Noah’s intense but people-focused approach to leadership. He believes careers are built by getting as many experiences, or “reps,” as possible, and that leaders have a responsibility to challenge, support and develop the next generation of talent. Then Jodi and Elana get personal, uncovering Noah’s highly disciplined 4:30 a.m. routine, including coffee, email, the gym and a protected morning window he calls his “intense thought” time. It’s a conversation about ambition, transformation, leadership and what it really takes to turn an established professional brand into a modern consumer beauty business.

This episode is presented by Beauty Connect.

Ron Gee’s career has taken him from chemical engineering and Kraft Foods to senior leadership roles at some of the biggest companies in beauty including L’Oréal, Coty and Shiseido. Now an Industry Luminary Advisor at Accenture, Ron joins Jodi and CEW President Elana Szyfer to unpack the unexpected career decisions that led him from engineering to finance, M&A and ultimately beauty and why learning the language of finance became one of the most important building blocks of his career.

The conversation offers a rare insider’s look at beauty M&A: why major companies continue acquiring emerging brands, why some acquisitions fail to meet expectations, and why a brand’s relationship with its consumer can be every bit as valuable as its products. Ron and Elana revisit examples including BECCA, Prescriptives and Clarisonic while exploring what can happen when an entrepreneurial brand enters a much larger organization and why timing, corporate culture and preserving the people behind a brand can make such a difference.

But the conversation ultimately becomes about what comes after a big corporate career. Ron shares why he’s increasingly drawn to helping smaller and middle-market companies grow, rather than simply taking another major operating role, while Jodi, Ron and Elana explore the rise of fractional executives and experienced leaders choosing work based on joy, relationships and impact. And in a revealing look at the next generation of beauty consumers, Ron shares what his 20-year-old twin daughters are actually buying, experimenting with and prioritizing from devices and nail art to NARS and Drunk Elephant.

This episode is presented by Beauty Connect.

Shane Evans, CEO and co-founder of Heights Wellness Retreat, turned one disappointing spa experience into a business that has endured for more than two decades. After starting her career selling fitness memberships and later moving into medical sales, a frustrating birthday massage sparked an idea: what if high-quality massage could be professional, convenient and affordable enough to become a regular wellness habit? Four months later, the first Massage Heights opened and nine months after that, Shane opened location number two.

Today, Shane is transforming that original concept into Heights Wellness Retreat, evolving 100+ locations from a massage-and-skincare model into a broader destination for wellness, longevity, technology and community. She joins Jodi and co-host Lindy Firstenberg for a fascinating conversation about the changing wellness consumer, the rise of peptides and compounding pharmacies, the importance of making wellness part of a routine, and why the future may belong to destinations that bring multiple modalities from red light and cryotherapy to sauna and vibroacoustic technology under one roof.

But Shane’s story is also about entrepreneurship, leadership and knowing when to reinvent what you’ve already built. She shares why she returned to lead the company she founded, how she thinks about franchisee profitability and staying independent, and why her definition of success has shifted from money to something much more meaningful: freedom. It’s an inspiring look at what happens when an entrepreneur refuses to let a successful 22-year-old business stand still and instead asks what the modern wellness consumer will need next.

This episode is presented by Beauty Connect.

Michelle Lee has built a career around seeing where culture is headed next. From Editor-in-Chief of Allure and Nylon to a global leadership role at Netflix and now CMO of Landing International and K Beauty World, her path is anything but conventional. Michelle opens up about feeling intimidated when she first reached the top ranks of publishing, learning to take bigger creative risks, and recognizing early that the traditional media model was about to radically change.

Together with Jodi and guest co-host Lindy Firstenberg, Michelle explores what the modern beauty experience actually looks like as the lines between beauty, health and wellness disappear. They dig into personalization, the growing “pharmification” of beauty and wellness, and what Michelle learned overseeing global editorial and publishing at Netflix, including watching Squid Game become a worldwide phenomenon and seeing firsthand how culture can travel across borders.

Michelle also gets candid about stepping away from an intense full-time executive career, building a fractional career through relationships and side hustles, and the three résumé bullet points she believes everyone should be intentionally building. Then the conversation turns to K-beauty: why its first U.S. wave faded, how TikTok Shop and Amazon helped fuel its resurgence, and why succeeding in the U.S. requires far more than simply bringing a successful international brand stateside. It’s a conversation about reinvention, cultural fluency and building a career and a brand that’s ready for what comes next.

This episode is presented by Beauty Connect.

Michael Marcano, CMO of ZO Skin Health, didn’t follow the traditional path to the C-suite. He grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens, dreaming of becoming a doctor, worked full-time while finishing college, and even auditioned for American Idol…twice…before finding his way into the beauty industry. His career story is a lesson in curiosity, persistence and being willing to pursue opportunities even when you don’t have the expected credentials.

Michael shares how he deliberately built his career by raising his hand, asking successful colleagues to teach him, telling people where he wanted to go, and cultivating both mentors and sponsors. That approach helped him break into marketing at L’Oréal and ultimately build a 13-year career at The Estée Lauder Companies. His advice is refreshingly actionable: working hard matters, but you also have to advocate for yourself—and sometimes a move that looks lateral or even backward can lead somewhere much bigger.

Now at ZO Skin Health, Michael is applying those lessons to an entirely different challenge: taking a respected professional skincare brand with deep physician credibility and building greater consumer awareness. He and Jodi explore the power of the provider voice, why skincare brands need to talk about the often-overlooked “during” between the before and after, and what it takes to lead a team through transformation. It’s a candid conversation about ambition, career reinvention, leadership and what can happen when you stop waiting for the next opportunity and start actively creating it.

This episode is presented by Beauty Connect.

What happens when you stop accepting industry rules as fact and start asking, "Why not?"

On Episode 313 of Where Brains Meet Beauty, Personal Day CEO Amanda Domaleczny and Co-Founder Dan Reich join Jodi Katz for a conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and building brands that challenge conventional thinking.

Amanda shares how a career spanning operations, product development, sales, and retail strategy shaped her approach to leadership, while Dan reflects on his journey from technology entrepreneur to beauty founder and the lessons he's learned building multiple high-growth brands.

Together, they discuss the importance of questioning assumptions, the power of surrounding yourself with exceptional people, and why some of the most meaningful opportunities come from being willing to take risks that others won't.

They also explore the vision behind Personal Day and how the brand is working to reimagine the acne category by combining science, emotional connection, and a more approachable consumer experience.

It's a thoughtful conversation about leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and the belief that sometimes the best path forward is the one that hasn't been tried before.

Thank you to our partner CEW. If you're looking to accelerate your career and expand your network, visit CEW.org and use code WBMB20 for 20% off your first year of membership.

What does it take to build products that consumers don't just use, but genuinely love?

On Episode 312 of Where Brains Meet Beauty, Shark Beauty Global Head of Marketing Julie Bailey Blanche and Vice President of Product Development Shannon McSweeney join Jodi Katz for a conversation about innovation, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of solving real consumer needs.

Julie and Shannon share how Shark Beauty approaches product development differently, from identifying unmet consumer needs and challenging assumptions to creating a culture where teams are encouraged to evolve their thinking when new information emerges.

Together, they discuss the power of consumer feedback, the importance of cross-functional collaboration, and why some of the most successful innovations come from asking a simple question: How can we make this experience better?

It's an insightful conversation about product development, brand building, and the mindset required to continuously raise the bar in a competitive category.

Thank you to our partner CEW. If you're looking to accelerate your career and expand your network, visit CEW.org and use code WBMB20 for 20% off your first year of membership.

What does it take to transform a highly engaged community into a lasting consumer brand?

On Episode 311 of Where Brains Meet Beauty, Sincerely Yours COO & CMO Shelagh Wong and Coefficient Capital Partner Arpon Ray join Jodi Katz for a conversation about entrepreneurship, investing, and building brands that can stand the test of time.

Shelagh shares how her background in management consulting shaped her approach to leadership, operations, and brand building, while Arpon discusses what investors look for when evaluating emerging consumer brands and the importance of finding businesses with a true competitive advantage.

Together, they explore the launch of Sincerely Yours, the power of community-driven growth, the realities of scaling a creator-led brand, and why sustainable success requires balancing creativity, discipline, and long-term thinking.

It's a thoughtful conversation about leadership, culture, growth, and what it takes to build a brand that resonates far beyond its initial audience.

Thank you to our partner CEW. If you're looking to accelerate your career and expand your network, visit CEW.org and use code WBMB20 for 20% off your first year of membership.

What does it take to build a beauty brand that can grow beyond a single hero product while staying true to its purpose? On Episode 310 of Where Brains Meet Beauty, Mutha COO David Krzypow and Head of Brand Marketing Lauren Katz join Jodi Katz for a conversation about brand building, leadership, and navigating growth in today's increasingly competitive beauty landscape.

David shares how his journey from engineering to beauty helped shape his approach to building brands through analytical rigor and creative thinking, while Lauren discusses the importance of deeply understanding your customer and translating authentic brand stories into meaningful marketing.

Together, they explore what it takes to stay focused when faced with constant noise, how Mutha has evolved from a product created to solve a real need into a growing beauty brand, and why strong brand identity remains one of the most valuable assets a company can have.

It's a thoughtful conversation about career growth, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and the balance between intuition and strategy that drives successful brands forward. Thank you to our partner CEW. If you're looking to accelerate your career and expand your network, visit CEW.org and use code WBMB20 for 20% off your first year of membership.

In Episode 309 of Where Brains Meet Beauty, host Jodi Katz sits down with two accomplished sales leaders, Jeff Giordano Martinez-Fonts, founder of GIO Marketing Consultants LLC, and Liz Cavalieri, Vice President of Sales at Malin + Goetz, for a candid conversation about the evolving relationship between beauty, sales, and leadership.

Jeff and Liz share the winding career paths that led them to the beauty industry, from early aspirations and unexpected career pivots to leadership roles at some of the industry's most recognized brands. Together, they explore the realities of driving growth in a competitive marketplace, the importance of innovation without compromising brand identity, and how consumer trust remains the foundation of long-term success.

The discussion also dives into leadership philosophies, team empowerment, shelf strategy, product development, and the challenges of staying relevant in a rapidly changing beauty landscape. Whether you're building a brand, leading a team, or navigating your own career journey, this episode offers valuable insights on adaptability, resilience, and what it takes to thrive in beauty today. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about sales, strategy, leadership, and the human side of building successful beauty brands.

Thanks to our partner CEW where you can discover how to accelerate your career - go to CEW.org and use code WBMB20 for 20% off your first year of membership.

In Episode 308 of Where Brains Meet Beauty, Jodi Katz sits down with Michelle LeBlanc, VP Merchandising, Beauty, & Personal Care at CVS Health, to discuss the strategy behind merchandising beauty across more than 8,000 stores.

Michelle shares how CVS approaches localization, balances legacy and emerging brands, and thinks about shopper behavior through the lens of speed, convenience, and accessibility. She explains why CVS sees itself as an “anti-destination” retailer, how customer feedback shapes assortments, and what today’s shoppers are really asking for.

The conversation also explores Michelle’s 20-year career journey, her leadership philosophy centered on kindness and psychological safety, and the realities of balancing executive leadership with parenting three boys. It’s a thoughtful conversation about modern retail, beauty discovery, and leading with humanity.

Thanks to our partner CEW where you can discover how to accelerate your career - go to CEW.org and use code WBMB20 for 20% off your first year of membership.

Episode 307 of Where Brains Meet Beauty wraps the “Power Duos” series with Rose and Ben Siard, co-founders of Rose and Ben Beauty. They share their 23-year partnership from meeting as teens in Texas to building a brand rooted in clear roles, mutual respect, and a community-first mindset.

Before beauty, they were musicians, writing and performing together for over a decade, an experience that shaped their creative and business chemistry. Rose’s makeup journey began organically on social media, where a loyal, long-standing community became the foundation of the brand. Ben brought operational expertise from his career in oil and gas, creating a balance that allows Rose to focus on creativity while he handles execution.

They discuss maintaining authenticity while scaling, staying personally connected to their audience, and navigating challenges with transparency. The episode highlights their partnerships, their problem-solving approach to business, and how their shared history continues to influence their growth.

It’s a story of love, resilience, and building something meaningful together.

Episode 306 of Where Brains Meet Beauty continues the “Power Duos” series with sisters Allison and Jacqueline Taylor, co-founders of Le Prunier. What began as a fourth-generation Northern California plum farm evolved into a modern skincare brand rooted in sustainability, science, and family legacy.

Allison and Jacqueline took very different paths - music and fashion on one side, wellness and culinary science on the other but shared a deep curiosity about ingredients. That curiosity led them back to their family’s farm, where they uncovered the untapped potential of antioxidant-rich plum byproducts and transformed them into a hero skincare ingredient.

In this episode, they open up about building a business with siblings, dividing roles based on strengths, and creating boundaries that protect both the company and their relationships. They also share the reality of scaling a farm-based beauty brand from regenerative agriculture and proprietary production systems to navigating a sudden surge in demand after a viral celebrity moment after Chrissy Teigen mentioned the brand in 2020.

Also joined by their third sister, the founders reflect on how their definition of success has evolved from chasing milestones to prioritizing team wins, longevity, and shared growth. The conversation ends with a skincare-inspired travel game, where the sisters choose their dream “skin reset” destinations, from Bali to Seoul to Kyoto, and a gentle reminder that skin does best when we do less: be consistent, be careful when switching products, and keep the routine calm, especially when life is moving fast.

Le Prunier would like to offer our viewers 20% off just use code BEAUTY20 to try anything at leprunier.com.

Episode 305 of Where Brains Meet Beauty continues our Power Duos theme with an iconic beauty brand and the duo helping it thrive in a new era: Laura Geller, Founder of Laura Geller Beauty, and Sara Mitzner, VP of Brand Marketing. Together they share how founder authenticity, sharp brand focus, and a deep understanding of the customer have powered massive relevance, especially as pro-aging and mature-skin makeup becomes a cultural movement.

Their power duo dynamic is built on mutual trust and amplification. Sara calls it plainly: Laura is the story. A founder who shows up, teaches, jokes, and connects makes marketing feel effortless. Laura credits Sara with making her relevant by tapping into her authenticity, letting her be funny, and building a content engine that actually sounds like her. A turning point came when Laura voiced concern that the brand was drifting away from its core QVC customer. Sara listened, ran a full brand analysis, confirmed the real demographic, and leaned in. That focus unlocked growth and helped the brand lead the pro-aging conversation at exactly the right moment in culture.

They also reveal what keeps the brand grounded in the customer. Laura is hands-on to the point of answering customer service questions late at night, not for optics, but to solve problems, teach better application, and learn what women actually need. It is the same customer obsession that shows up in hero products like the Best of the Best palette and the brand’s signature baked makeup process, made in Italy on terracotta tiles for a hydrating, never-chalky finish that works especially well on mature skin.

The episode closes with a fun Broadway-meets-beauty game (shade name or show tune) plus a reminder that the best brands do not chase every audience. They commit to one woman, understand her deeply, and let everything else follow.

Episode 304 of Where Brains Meet Beauty continues the Power Duos series with Jeffrey Lee, CEO & Co-Founder of DIBS Beauty and Katherine Rose, Vice President of Finance. Together they unpack what it really takes to scale a beauty brand through high-stakes moments - ERP overhauls, warehouse moves, tariff chaos, and rapid retail expansion.

Katherine shares how a career that started in public accounting evolved into operational leadership at a fast-growing startup, guided by a simple rule: say yes to opportunities and figure it out along the way. Jeffrey reflects on his unconventional path from corporate attorney to entrepreneur, and why great founders succeed by building strong processes and empowering people with deeper expertise than their own.

The episode also goes inside DIBS’ retail mindset. Jeffrey shares his mission to show up in Ulta doors across all 50 states, not as a checkbox, but to learn how the customer shops and to stand beside the field team doing the hard work in-store. Katherine shares what she has learned in the field too, including a new respect for the retail ecosystem and the reality that “it’s not in the back” is usually true. Their shared takeaway: retail success is built by the teams who show up, take notes, and stay close to the customer.

And yes, there are fun surprises too, including Jeffrey’s Miss Universe coaching background and his belief that posture is the ultimate confidence signal. The episode closes with a game built for this duo: Ulta locations across the country paired with activities, plus a Cheesecake Factory order that is nothing short of legendary.

Our Power Duos theme with a duo that is building in every sense of the word with Yongxi Tan and Aidan Neziri, co-founders of Bessie Nails. They share what it takes to launch a fast-growing press-on nail brand from a true consumer need, compete in a legacy category, and build a company together while also being partners in real life. Their roles are distinct but collaborative, and their dynamic is the through-line of this episode: Yongxi is momentum and experimentation, Aidan is precision and protection. The balance helps them move fast without breaking what matters.

The product innovation is just as compelling. Bessie’s handmade press-ons are crafted like salon nails, with real artists painting layers of gel and acrylic and placing details by hand. The result is a press-on that looks and feels like a salon set, but is designed to be removable and reusable when cared for properly. They also talk about wear options, from longer-hold glue to flexible tabs, reinforcing a core belief: press-ons should adapt to your lifestyle, not force you to plan your life around your nails.

When it comes to growth, they are building from community outward. Bessie sells DTC online and through pop-ups, leaning into in-person experiences that let customers see the artistry up close. They share plans to expand pop-ups into more cities and explore the right retail partners, while staying grounded in authenticity and local community building. Check out more at bessienails.com

A true power duo: Blair Lancer, CMO, and Daniela De Los Santos, Global Education Director from Lancer Skincare. Together they share what it takes to grow a family-founded, dermatologist-led brand in a world where trust is everything, education cuts through noise, and community is built one conversation at a time.

Daniela brings the brand to life on QVC, where she treats the camera like a one-on-one appointment, translating ingredients, claims, and routines in a way that feels like chatting with your mom or best friend. She also reflects on her own path, from dreaming of becoming a lawyer to earning her esthetics license, and why that “first step” opened doors she never could have predicted. Her message is clear: the esthetics career path is bigger than the treatment room, and experts are more valuable than ever in a skincare landscape crowded with misinformation.

Blair grew up around the brand and originally envisioned a future in fashion, even studying it at NYU. But a pivot into beauty led her back to the family business and into leadership. She opens up about becoming a face of the brand on social media over the last year, learning to embrace visibility, and even finding value in the occasional critical comment. For Blair, community building is not a buzzword. It is the rare opportunity to speak directly to the customer and earn trust in real time.

The heart of their “power duo” dynamic is simple: trust, transparency, and the willingness to push each other to execute. They talk candidly about leadership without micromanagement, the fine line between managing and hovering, and how feedback and accountability can be motivating when it comes from real expertise and mutual respect. They also share how they manage stress in demanding roles, from quiet resets and solo walks to staying grounded by asking better questions instead of catastrophizing.

The episode closes with a fun skin-science game, “Hyperpigmentation or Hype,” and a product spotlight on Lancer’s Gravity Dark Spot Correcting Serum, diving into what really causes discoloration and why consistency matters more than price tags when it comes to results. To check out any of the products discussed in today's episode head to https://lancerskincare.com/.

Each year, the Listen Again Awards recognize the episodes our audience continues to return to. Conversations that stay relevant, spark reflection, and offer depth beyond the moment. We’re thrilled to honor the 2025 Listen Again Award winners in this special Where Brains Meet Beauty episode.

Q1 Power Moves: Excellence in Leadership Episode 277 – Danessa Myricks & Anncy Rowe. A powerful conversation on leadership, vulnerability, and growth. Danessa and Anncy explored what it truly means to lead with intention, create space for honest feedback, and continue evolving. Their openness around fear, empathy, and personal power made this episode unforgettable.

Q2 Health Compass: Navigating Wellness Careers Episode 288 – Lisa Rossmann & Bryan Appio. This conversation redefined modern leadership. Lisa and Bryan shared how empathy, clarity, and values-driven decision making shape stronger teams and better brands. A reminder that the most impactful businesses are built from the inside out.

Q3 Career Capital: Voices in Beauty Finance Episode 294 – Annie Robertson Hockey & Lauren D’Amore. A thoughtful look at beauty through the lens of investment, loyalty, and long-term value. Annie and Lauren unpacked how careers evolve, how mentorship matters, and why trust and relationships drive sustainable growth across med spas and consumer brands.

Q4 Artist & Influencer Insights: Wisdom Behind the Craft Episode 296 – Jess Martinez & Kirti Tewani. An honest conversation about building influence with boundaries, integrity, and intention. Jess and Kirti shared the realities behind virality, the importance of staying grounded, and why authenticity and creative freedom matter for both creators and brands.

These episodes reflect the heart of Where Brains Meet Beauty. Real conversations, thoughtful perspectives, and voices shaping the future of the industry.

???? Congratulations to our Listen Again Award Winners, explore excerpts from the winners in episode 301 or in full wherever you listen to podcasts.

For its 300th episode, Where Brains Meet Beauty highlights two women who prove that creative careers rarely follow a straight line. Celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist Sarai Martinez and influencer and UGC creator Tania Grover share how childhood dreams, unexpected pivots and sheer perseverance shaped the paths they are on today.

Sarai always knew she wanted to be a hairstylist, even drafting a sixth grade project imagining her future salon career. But family expectations and finances pushed her into fashion school, then insurance work, then years of assisting in high-end Boston salons on late nights and little pay. Marriage, kids and discouraging mentors led to a long break before she rebuilt her confidence, found supportive leadership and stepped back into artistry full-time. Today she works with prestige clients, balances her “Sarai by Day” influencer presence and stays grounded by choosing collaboration over diva moments on set.

Tania’s journey started in high school with dance videos she posted “for fun” until brands began sliding into her DMs. Content creation followed her through college ambassador gigs, paid brand deals and internships she earned through her TikTok skills. Still, she keeps a full-time tech job that offers stability and flexibility while she builds her creator career. Her schedule is relentless - early mornings filming, editing during commutes, posting across multiple accounts but she thrives on the structure and maintains tight creative control, supported by a manager who handles negotiations.

Both women talk openly about burnout, comparison, the pressure to constantly post and the often hidden emotional labor behind both artistry and influencing. Their shared message: trust your path, turn the detours into fuel, and don’t underestimate the power of a “practical” job to give you freedom, options and the confidence to say no.

Episode 299 of Where Brains Meet Beauty™ brings together two very different kinds of “technicians” who both turned specialized skills into flexible, creative lives. AR and AI developer, content creator and Cannes Lion winner Grace Choi sits beside fashion industry veteran, technical design consultant and creator Emily Kammeyer Sumner for a conversation that moves from X-Men superpowers to tax codes for dogs, and somehow makes it all make sense.

Grace shares how a makeup printer startup led her into AR filters, where she now builds the viral effects that other creators and brands rely on. She pulls back the curtain on being an “influencer’s influencer,” why a single well made filter can unlock hundreds of thousands of videos for a brand, and what it really means to bet on yourself without a safety net. She also teases her next chapter, shifting from building inside platforms like TikTok to building a platform of her own.

Emily traces her path from sewing in a neighbor’s pattern room to becoming a technical design leader in fashion, then walking away to build a life as a full time beauty and fashion creator and consultant. She talks about fit as a true loyalty driver, her work in size inclusive design, and the moment a routine doctor visit made her realize she was secretly working two full time jobs. She opens up about IVF, why she chose to let her community be part of that journey, how she navigates putting her son in content, and even how her dog Roxy is becoming an “entrepreneur” in the creator economy.

Together, Grace and Emily dig into the realities behind the grid: setting revenue goals, choosing the right manager, saying no to work that does not fit, and resisting the constant pull to turn every beautiful moment into content. From flexible schedules to burnout warning signs, from villa baby moons to late night laptop hours, this episode is a masterclass in building a career that is ambitious, sustainable and still deeply human.