Advertise on podcast: We Are Spiraling

Rating

★★★★★

4.6

from

68 reviews

Description

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! But there is so much to unravel about why so many people hide their ringlets as secret curlies, how politicians who wear their hair curly are vilified and what Hollywood's hostility toward curls means for our society.

Unlock We Are Spiraling podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from We Are Spiraling podcast

How The Word Frizz Was Weaponized Against Curly People

2026/10/01

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 and later (even now) by legacy beauty brands. She explains her philosophy around curly hair. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

From Rumi To Today, Curly Hair Has Always Been Poetry

2026/09/17

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. I share verses from Hafez, Rumi and Ovid, along with works by modern poets that resonated with me. I hope they make you feel like you are a work of art. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

Hair Is Political: Meet the Lawmaker Putting Hair on the Agenda

2026/08/27

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 Michaelle C. Solages, who pushed to make it happen. She explains why hair is a key part of her policy agenda, the role it played in her Haitian immigrant upbringing and what laws she hopes to pass next. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

How'd You Find This Podcast?

2026/08/13

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 WeAreSpiraling.com. I break down what actually happens when you get media coverage, and why founders are wrong to chase press validation from the get-go, from the perspective of a reporter turned founder. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

Why Are So Many People Secretly Curly: Part 2: Office Edition

2026/07/31

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 how it’s not a coincidence that a disproportionate number of CEOs are white men over 6 feet tall. For part 1, find episode #2 (Why Are So Many People Secretly Curly?) in our feed. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

How Your Hair Changes With Your Hormones

2026/07/23

We unpack the powerful connection between your hormones and your hair through different stages of life with Dr. Jordan Emont, a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist. From testosterone to iron levels, thyroid shifts, pregnancy, postpartum and menopause, we explore why your hair changes over time, what those changes are actually telling you and what you can do about it. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

'The Odyssey" Got Hair Wrong Vs Greek Mythology

2026/07/16

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 literature and mythology. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

The Problem With Disney Erasing Moana’s Curls

2026/07/09

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 her in wigs with…not as curly hair at all. And yet the Rock was given a curly wig everyone has thoughts on. We dissect why the director’s explanation falls flat and Disney deserves to be called out. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

Why Are Some Animals Curly?

2026/07/02

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 mating and keeping warm in harsh winters. This episode features poodles, alpacas, lions, bison and pigs. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

Dirty Secrets The Beauty Industry Doesnt Want You To Know

2026/06/25

I spent months investigating how haircare products are made — interviewing cosmetic chemists, testing formulas, and learning what it really takes to create a product I’d actually want to use. Here's what I learned. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

I'll Never Forgive The Princess Diaries: Why Hollywood Straightens Curly Hair

2026/05/29

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 our first minisode: a shorter, more frequent format we're introducing alongside our full episodes. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

For Black Women, Hair Has Always Been the Story

2026/05/01

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 had to defend, and what happens when media tries to erase Black hair. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

Why Most Stylists Never Learned to Cut Curly Hair

2026/04/10

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 long for curly hair to be acknowledged. And we talk to Roxy Reaves, founder of Oakland, California-based Coastal Curl, who pushed Aveda to change how it trains stylists. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

Hair Is An Extension Of Your Spirit: Native American Wisdom

2026/03/19

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 Hollywood films and television shows, and brought that ethos into hair design for Killers Of The Flower Moon – a story he is personally connected to. Selina McManus educates on “decolonizing” hair at her Oakland salon. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

Are Curly People Funnier? We Ask Comedians Noah Grossman, Nemma Adeni & Molly Brenner

2026/03/05

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 appearances while playing themselves. Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes stories: WeAreSpiraling.com Follow Priya on Instagram and TikTok MAYURA waitlist and Instagram Find this show on Instagram and TikTok for bonus clips.

Podcast reviews

Read We Are Spiraling podcast reviews

4.6 out of 5

68 reviews

★★★★★

L_G01 2026/08/09

1oAK Podcast

The only podcast of its kind and I’m so very grateful to have come across it.

★★★★★

Ewok2025 2026/07/15

Compelling storytelling!

I don’t even have curly hair but I love this show. Really interesting insights here that hopefully will lead to real change in society, particularly H...

★☆☆☆☆

sericabombyx 2026/06/27

Avoid if you hate vocal fry and mumbling

If you’re under 23 this is for you. If you prefer podcasters to speak clearly and not sound like a they need to clear their throat, avoid.

★★★★★

GoWestSF 2026/03/06

Wildness

Curlies unite. A wonderful call to delight for those of us with joyful, bountiful, wildness of curls. And yes. We’re funnier.

★★★★★

MaPe1776 2026/01/17

Super interesting

Never knew of all these secret curlies or even the bias that curly hair is unprofessional. Maybe because I grew up during 80s perm days. I had straigh...

★★★★★

Going gone love 2026/01/10

Curls power

I love how this podcast brings pride and joy to the curly hair nation. I recommended because it is enjoyable to hear.

★★★★★

Anna McCune 2025/12/25

So fun!

I love your podcast and look forward to the next episode. Also more info on your product line. I’ve tried almost every product ever made to tame my ...

★★★★★

Jayzemont 2025/12/16

Incredible storytelling!

I love the personal stories that really call attention to the total lack of care towards curly culture/people in society.

★★★★★

doctorangad 2025/12/16

Very entertaining

This is a great listen and I’m very picky and my time is very limited. I was very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this podcast and I’m ea...

★★★★★

Hi, it’s Usman 2025/12/05

The curly path you’ll want to follow.

What a fun podcast. If you like diving into rabbit holes, going down curly hairs with Priya is a great one.

check all reviews on apple podcasts