We are thrilled to announce our brand new podcast, Alopecia’s Audacity! 

Over the last little while, we’ve been asking you, our community members, what you’d most like for us to create next at CANAAF. The idea of a podcast kept coming up! We’re so excited to be able to bring you Alopecia’s Audacity podcast, a breath of fresh air from those without hair. 

Our goal is to create a lighthearted, open, and honest space where we can discuss the layers of alopecia, hear from other alopecians in our community, and learn how to find personal triumph, confidence, and joy through our journeys. Every month, we’ll deep dive into a new topic, from wigs and makeup to navigating our new appearances in public spaces. We’ll also welcome special guests and answer questions submitted by you, our audience!

Come journey with us as we explore what it means to defy the audacity of alopecia.

Alopecia’s Audacity Podcast is hosted by our very own Lauryn Harrison, Christal Malcolm, and Sara Teskey! These ladies are long-time members of the CANAAF community. We’ll let them share in their own words what Alopecia’s Audacity means to them:

While still partially in disbelief, I am very grateful to reflect on a project which was once an aspiration and has now come to fruition. I find that there is something powerful about sharing my story with others, and I am excited that this platform offers an opportunity to do just that.

Put simply, my journey with alopecia has been anything but linear. I continue to cope with the ups and downs. I’m sure many can relate to this. Although each of us will experience a ‘different walk’ with alopecia, we can find comfort in the common ground. Our roadmap: one foot in front of the other.

I didn’t always understand it this way, and it doesn’t always feel so simple, but I’ve arrived at this realization nonetheless. My alopecia has not robbed me of my hair, but has instead provided me with the opportunity to grow. And it is my belief that if I’m not growing, I’m not really living.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to my fabulous co-hosts, Christal and Sara. My deepest gratitude to my mom, dad and my brother for all of their support. To my best friends, the CANAAF community at large and all of our other cheerleaders from afar, I’m honoured to know you and be inspired by you. This podcast wouldn’t be possible without our enthusiastic audience!

Alopecia is a crooked road, filled with bumps, dips and turns that pivots you in so many directions.  Each step felt like I was moving backwards even though she was pushing me forward without my permission.  The nerve of this disease sucks given its uncertainty, but it’s also bitter sweet.  Its nature implored me to dig deeper, to look past the fallen strands and discover who I am in spite of hair loss.  Yes our fringe embodies culture, tradition and identity but I am more than my locks.  My self-worth is not intertwined with tangible things.  My esteem is based on my character and how I use my voice to empower others.  Alopecia’s Audacity Podcast is a podium where my words deliver authenticity, vulnerability and resilience.  I am here to show you that baring it all definitely has its audacity but it doesn’t have me so let me show you how!  

I didn’t fully understand until I was an adult how growing up with alopecia informed how I view myself and the world. My core belief about myself until recently was “I’m not good enough”. And not being good enough was the worst possible thing I could be in my mind because I feared that I wouldn’t be valued and loved. I was ashamed and embarrassed of myself for even the tiniest mistakes. I made myself feel small, smaller than anyone else could have. It’s only in the last few years that I’ve started to understand and rewrite this core belief that’s caused me so much pain and anxiety. Putting away my wig was like throwing away all the shame I’d built up inside over the years and my way of telling myself “I accept you. You are safe with me.”

Yes, I still struggle with anxiety and depression, but I have more good days than bad days because I now face these challenges with self-love and understanding and fight the instinct I developed of pushing myself down and silencing myself. This podcast will give voice to myself, my past, and everyone else who has bottled up their alopecia in shame. Society doesn’t dictate the rules of our lives, we do.

To me, Alopecia’s Audacity represents finding how to love and embrace yourself a little more each day to find happiness in living with alopecia.

For you, friend and listener, my hope is that the podcast will guide you to live as your most authentic self, free from what others may think. Your hair loss is yours to own, and you get to decide how you do that.

Ready for a breath of fresh air? Not only will you be up to date with our latest episode releases, you’ll also be immersed in a space of positivity and audaciously authentic content (try saying that 5 times fast).

Stay in the loop by joining our podcast mailing list and receive new Alopecia’s Audacity Podcast episode releases, tidbits of positivity, and other audaciously authentic content. We’re on Apple Podcasts,  Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Our first episode, Hair We Are, is out now!