Hairbrained Conversations

In this episode of the Hairbrained Podcast, Gerard Scarpaci sits down with Luis Gonzalez from Vida Salon for an honest conversation about growth, change, and long-term partnership. Luis shares how Aveda first entered his world and his journey as an artist and a salon owner. Together, they explore what trust looks like today — behind the chair and from the owner's perspective — including the role of education, consistency, and creative freedom in building confident artists. The discussion also touches on business realities, salon demand, and how his partnership with Aveda has helped grow his business. It's a transparent look at evolution, alignment, and what it takes to build a sustainable salon career.

Join Melvin Royce Lane, Global Creative Director of ELEVEN Australia, as he shares his journey from salon receptionist to industry innovator. Discover how relentless education and pushing boundaries can transform your career. Melvin reveals why traditional training is just the beginning and how editorial work and fashion week shoots propelled him into leadership. Learn his strategies for aspiring hairdressers: prioritize self-education, network beyond your circle, and embrace bold, vibrant color.

In this episode of Hairbrained Conversations, Jacob Khan sits down with Amsterdam-based colorist and educator Conor James Doyle for a wide-ranging conversation on education, problem-solving, and why teaching sharpens your craft. Conor shares his unconventional path into hairdressing—from studying psychology, music, and language to finding clarity and purpose behind the chair—and how a moment of personal challenge redirected his life toward creativity and community.

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew O'Toole—Co-Creative Director at ELEVEN Australia and an award-winning photographer—to talk about what happens when you commit to a craft and move fast with intention.
Andrew shares how, within six months of picking up a camera, he became a working professional—and how saying yes to opportunities helped shape his confidence, career path, and creative identity. It's a conversation about growth, momentum, and trusting the process even before everything feels perfectly mapped out.

Celebrity hairdresser and Virtue Labs creative director Adir Abergel joins guest host Jacob Khan to share his wild journey from protesting in the streets of Israel and touring with Michael Jackson to cutting icons like Kristen Stewart, Nicole Kidman, and Tina Turner. They dive into emotional vs. technical cutting, why knowing hair history matters more than chasing trends, how mentorship can shape a career, and the breakthrough science behind Virtue's Alpha Keratin 60ku®. If you're a hair pro dreaming of session work, celebrity clients, or assisting at the highest level, this conversation is a masterclass in craft, courage, and staying original.