{"id":164584,"date":"2026-02-27T09:11:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T09:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/?p=164584"},"modified":"2026-03-01T21:43:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T21:43:09","slug":"10-phorestfm-podcast-conversations-that-quietly-said-the-loudest-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/10-phorestfm-podcast-conversations-that-quietly-said-the-loudest-things\/","title":{"rendered":"10 PhorestFM Podcast Conversations That Quietly Said the Loudest Things"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For the past nine years, whenever someone asked if I was from the industry, I had my well-practiced answer ready: “Actually, no, I come from a sound recording\/tech background\u2026”<\/em> I would say this with a smile, always accompanied by a brief, perceptive pause and a shift in my seat, unable to fully conceal my belief that I was undeserving of the producer and host titles (despite this occurring within the show’s first 14 months)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have to say it\u2019s served me well, though, perhaps especially in my first few years of running the PhorestFM podcast. My field of study and credentials supported the rationale I assumed was needed to justify being entrusted with the position. What I didn\u2019t have (and the many gaps I still have and may always have) in industry experience, I\u2019ve very consciously made up for in curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in late December 2025, after working on Season 9\u2019s finale, \u2018Love Letters to the Industry and Its People: End of Year Gratitude and Reflections<\/em><\/strong>,\u2019<\/strong><\/a> I received a couple of heartwarming messages from long-time industry friends who\u2019d contributed to the episode. What they shared with me made me realise something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because my brain processes information in a quite literal way, I\u2019ve only ever interpreted someone asking whether I was from the industry as an inquiry about whether I\u2019ve been to cosmetology school or have any experience working in a salon, spa, or clinic. My only real experience at the front desk of a hair & beauty business was some years ago, during a salon visit to Bliss Skin & Beauty<\/a>, the creation of skincare specialist Fiona Bayliss, in the tranquil coastal British town of Budleigh Salterton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"local
A photo I took of a local beach in Budleigh, Salturton, after spending the day in Bliss Skin & Beauty, working the front desk<\/em> (April 2017).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While I don\u2019t pretend to be able to share the full understanding of every owner, CEO, stylist, therapist, beautician, practitioner, receptionist, or even apprentice\u2019s business challenges\u2014other than the emotional experience that connects us on a human level\u2014the truth is I don\u2019t have to, either (now this would be different if I were in a coaching role, but I\u2019m not).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to building the future we want to be a part of, everyone has a role to play<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turns out, as a naturally perceptive, curious lifelong learner and introspective pattern-seeker, my role in the professional hair and beauty industry aligned itself with that of a spaceholder, connector, and archivist. Through the voices of the people who contribute to the podcast, perhaps even to some or to the industry itself, as an entity, someone who mirrors back quiet truths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On March 21st, 2026, I\u2019ll be celebrating a decade of working within the industry. Season 10 of the podcast, this brand-new collection of stories, catch-ups and case studies with coaching insights, marks the beginning of my 10th year stewarding the show, holding space for and facilitating, to date, over 325 conversations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To mark the milestone, I\u2019ve decided to highlight 10 episodes, in their original release order, in which guests shared quiet truths about the industry\u2014or their experiences within it\u2014loud and clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unearthing Quiet Truths from Past PhorestFM Podcast Episodes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tom Chapman on His Journey, Mental Fitness & Training the Next Generation of Barbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Season 4, Episode 163<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Revisiting this conversation with Tom Chapman, I found myself reliving his moment at the Salon Owners Summit 2023<\/a>. In this episode, he held a mirror up to all of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quiet truths:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n