Shows / We Are Spiraling
We Are Spiraling
We talk about curly hair to learn more about our culture — from how we perceive ourselves to how the world sees us.
Priya Anand, an award-winning journalist whose work has been featured in Bloomberg, Businessweek, the Wall Street Journal, Buzzfeed and Politico, turns her investigative eye to her lifelong obsession: curly hair.
You might think: curly hair, how much is there to say?
A whole podcast dedicated to this? I don’t want to hear someone ramble about all their hair lotions and potions!…
Episodes
- We Are Spiraling
A Curly Reporter Starts A New Investigation (Refresh + New Notes)
New notes, one year later: A year ago this show was just an idea. Since then: conversations with lawmakers, comedians and actors, coverage in The New York…
- We Are Spiraling
Comedian Sindhu Vee Dumped A Guy Who Called Her Hair Wild
British stand-up comedian and actor Sindhu Vee describes the intricate and intimate role hair has played in her life, from her time at boarding school in India…
- We Are Spiraling
Why Are So Many People Secretly Curly? (Refresh)
People go to great lengths to hide their curls, either through straightening or buzz cuts. We investigate the cultural forces that made, and continue to make…
- We Are Spiraling
How The Word Frizz Was Weaponized Against Curly People
The word “frizz” actually has a benign definition. Priya investigates the history of how this term was co-opted against us, first by a writer in colonial times…
- We Are Spiraling
From Rumi To Today, Curly Hair Has Always Been Poetry
Throughout history, poets have, like me, been inspired to make curly hair a focus of their work. Curls have been used as a symbol of romance, charm and beauty…
- We Are Spiraling
Hair Is Political: Meet the Lawmaker Putting Hair on the Agenda
New York state implemented a law this year requiring cosmetology schools to teach students how to work with textured hair. We speak with state assemblywoman…
- We Are Spiraling
How'd You Find This Podcast?
Today’s minisode dives into how we think about making and growing this show with an audio version of a behind-the-scenes story originally shared on…
- We Are Spiraling
Why Are So Many People Secretly Curly: Part 2: Office Edition
There’s an unwritten dress code across corporate America: everywhere you go, there are secret curlies. We unpack why this isn’t just happenstance, just like…
- We Are Spiraling
How Your Hair Changes With Your Hormones
We unpack the powerful connection between your hormones and your hair through different stages of life with Dr. Jordan Emont, a board certified…
- We Are Spiraling
'The Odyssey" Got Hair Wrong Vs Greek Mythology
We dig into Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey," exploring Matt Damon's representation of Odysseus and Zendaya's Athena, and consider the role of hair in Greek…
- We Are Spiraling
The Problem With Disney Erasing Moana’s Curls
Disney releases its live action Moana remake this week. And while Catherine Laga'aia has natural curls that match the animated Moana’s perfectly, the film puts…
- We Are Spiraling
Why Are Some Animals Curly?
Why do some animals -- poodles, alpacas etc -- have curly hair and others don’t? We investigate how hair types help animals do their jobs, from swimming to…
- We Are Spiraling
Dirty Secrets The Beauty Industry Doesnt Want You To Know
I spent months investigating how haircare products are made — interviewing cosmetic chemists, testing formulas, and learning what it really takes to create a…
- We Are Spiraling
I'll Never Forgive The Princess Diaries: Why Hollywood Straightens Curly Hair
With rumors of a third Princess Diaries, we unpack why the original was so damaging for women, and why Anne Hathaway's recent explanation falls flat. This is…
- We Are Spiraling
For Black Women, Hair Has Always Been the Story
Two listeners of this show share how their hair has been a key part of their stories as Black women. We also discuss why Coco Gauff’s hair became something she…
- We Are Spiraling
Why Most Stylists Never Learned to Cut Curly Hair
New York state law now requires cosmetology schools to teach students how to work with curly hair. We trace the history of haircutting and ask why it took so…
- We Are Spiraling
Hair Is An Extension Of Your Spirit: Native American Wisdom
We speak with two Native American hair artists about the indigenous philosophy that hair is an extension of your spirit and energy. John Parker works on…
- We Are Spiraling
Are Curly People Funnier? We Ask Comedians Noah Grossman, Nemma Adeni & Molly Brenner
We interview three comedians, Noah Grossman, Nemma Adeni and Molly Brenner, to find out if our hot take holds water and dig into how they think about their…
- We Are Spiraling
All The Boys Are Getting Perms
When did men of all ages get a broccoli cut? And how do they feel about themselves when they get a makeover deep into adulthood? We investigate this shift…
- We Are Spiraling
Carla Lalli On Hair, Skin And Life In Hot Kitchens
Carla Lalli on what happens to your body in a professional kitchen, waking up at 13 and suddenly seeing curly hair in the mirror, and a preview of her upcoming…
- We Are Spiraling
How To Look Like A Greek God
Aphrodite: curly hair. Zeus: curly hair. The statue of David: curly hair. Ancient Greeks and Romans knew what we know on this show: curly hair is worth…
- We Are Spiraling
Hollywood Hates Curls. Here’s How That Affects All Of Us.
In movies, the only people with curly hair are often weirdos or witches. Seinfeld icon and 87-year-old TikTok sensation Annie Korzen unpacks how biases…
- We Are Spiraling
The Politics Of Curly Hair
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former chair of the Democratic National Committee, explains the role her curly hair has played in her life and…
- We Are Spiraling
Why Are So Many People Secretly Curly?
People go to great lengths to hide their curls, either through straightening or buzz cuts. We investigate why. Join the MAYURA waitlist for early access when…
- We Are Spiraling
A Curly Reporter Starts A New Investigation
A reporter who covered startups for a decade starts her own: the curly hair care product line she’s always wanted. This show investigates curly hair in our…
- We Are Spiraling
Trailer: We Are Spiraling with Priya Anand
We talk about curly hair to learn more about our culture — from how we perceive ourselves to how the world sees us. Join the MAYURA waitlist for early access…