Licensed & Unsupervised with Beckee and Naomi | Podcast on RSS.com

Licensed & Unsupervised with Beckee and Naomi

Licensed & Unsupervised with Beckee and Naomi

by Beckee Harris & Naomi Trotto

Fashion & Beauty Management

Season 1

ADHD, Masking & Performing Normal

In the final episode of our series with Rian DeVeer, we talk about ADHD, masking, and the exhausting experience of trying to perform “normal.” We discuss the ways people learn to adapt socially — especially in creative industries, school, professional environments, and relationships — and how masking can sometimes become so automatic that you lose track of what actually feels authentic. Together we explore: ADHD and overstimulation People pleasing and performative behavior Masking in professional spaces The pressure to fit in socially Learning to unmask safely Creativity and neurodivergence The emotional fatigue of constantly adapting The difference between confidence and performance What authenticity actually feels like This conversation is reflective, honest, and something many people experience without realizing there’s a name for it. Licensed? Yes. Masking? Less than we used to.

Feral Kids, Masking & Growing Up in Michigan ⭐ (With Rian DevVeer)

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we talk about growing up in Michigan in the 90s — when Shelby Township still felt like the sticks, bonfires at Eisenhower were normal, and kids were basically feral. We discuss: Car culture and growing up near the Motor City Graduation memories from the 90s Old-school pranks and the chaos of growing up before social media Customer service and why it still matters Car accidents, consequences, and how life teaches lessons The rise of car wrapping culture Crimes from the past finally coming to light The conversation also gets deeper as we talk about: ADHD and growing up as people pleasers Masking in straight-laced environments Trying to fit into spaces that didn’t fully feel like us How our moms “mommed” us differently What it means to be performative vs authentic And somewhere in the middle of all of it, Naomi tells a story very badly. Licensed? Yes. Supervised? Definitely not in the 90s.

Names, Identity & High School Stories (with Rian DeVeer) ⭐

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we welcome back our “supervisor,” Rian DeVeer, for a conversation about identity, high school experiences, and how we all became who we are today. We talk about growing up in different decades — the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s — and how those environments shaped us. Rian shares his experience as a trans man, including how he chose his name and what that journey has looked like over time. We also talk about something surprisingly universal — how often people get our names wrong, and how names can carry identity, meaning, and history. We also discuss: High school experiences across generations Bullying and fitting in Fashion and self-expression as teenagers Private school vs public school experiences Teen pregnancy and life paths How different high school feels today compared to when we grew up Why identity evolves — and how we learn to own it This episode is reflective, honest, and about understanding people beyond first impressions. Licensed? Yes. Still becoming? Always.

Meet Our (Temporary) Supervisor: Rian DeVeer on Learning, Confidence & the Industry ⭐

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we’re joined by our first official “supervisor” — Rian DeVeer. We start with origin stories — how we all got to where we are today, how we first met Rian, and the impressions that stuck. From there, we talk about his experience in beauty school as both a student and a teacher, and how education in the hair industry has evolved across generations. We get into: Men in the hair industry and how that has changed over time Confidence — especially for men in a creative space Learning hair through print vs learning through YouTube The influence of artists like Guy Tang Behind the Chair magazine and how we used to learn from print How Rian learned through digital platforms Working together on set for the Empower shoot and magazine Teaching at beauty school and favorite educators Trends like the “money piece” World records in the hair industry And the wild creativity of artists like Dean Banowetz This episode is about growth, learning, confidence, and how different generations of stylists find their way in the industry. Licensed? Yes. Supervised? Finally.

Getting Older in a Young Industry

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we talk about what it really feels like to get older in an industry that constantly celebrates youth. We start with something simple — dress codes — and how Beckee had to enforce one in beauty school, even though we don’t personally believe in strict dress rules in the salon. From there, the conversation turns into something deeper: what it means to be professional, how people present themselves on social media, and the difference between being a real person and becoming a “character” online. We also talk about: Being some of the older hairstylists in the room Realizing your place on a younger team Feeling self-conscious about aging Why icons like Vidal Sassoon aren’t as recognized anymore Mentors like Robert Cromeans and what they represent How communication has changed between generations The difference between growing up in the 90s and today Sleepovers, piercings, and teenage independence then vs now Physical wear and tear from years behind the chair Hiding pain and pushing through The way women support each other (and sometimes roast each other too) This episode is honest, reflective, and a little funny — about identity, aging, and staying relevant while still being fully yourself. Licensed? Yes. Young? Debatable. Still showing up? Always.

Creative Chaos: Dopamine Dressing, Decision Paralysis & Finding Your Style ⭐

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we’re recording from Rian’s room (because… why not), dealing with technology issues, and diving into the reality of being highly creative professionals. We talk about the Chromadaddy tour, the lessons that come with meeting your heroes, and how the beauty industry continues to evolve through education and community. We also get into: Hair Aid and the impact of global beauty outreach Dopamine dressing and using style to shift your energy Decision paralysis and how creatives get stuck Being the oldest in the room and stepping into leadership Why hair crews are some of the best (and weirdest) communities The competitive nature of the beauty industry Simplifying your wardrobe like high performers and entrepreneurs This episode is about creativity, identity, and learning how to move forward even when your brain wants to overcomplicate everything. Licensed? Yes. Supervised? Not in Rian’s room. www.instagram.com/naomitrotto_hairartist www.instagram.com/beckeeharris https://hairaid.org.au/

Motivation Is a Lie: Discipline, ADHD & Rewiring Your Brain

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we talk about parenting, discipline, and the mental rewiring that happens when you decide to change your life. We start with childhood stories — Naomi being a biter, Mia going through a biting phase, and the reality that every child develops differently. From potty training to parenting NICU babies, we talk about how much of parenting comes down to understanding a child’s personality and willpower. Naomi shares what it was like raising babies with colic and living on a NICU schedule, while Beckee talks about working two jobs, managing pregnancy, and navigating the old salon booking systems before everything went digital. Then the conversation shifts into something bigger: the difference between motivation and discipline. We discuss: Parenting strong-willed kids The emotional experience of NICU babies Why every child develops differently Old salon booking systems and the early beauty industry grind The team’s 75 Hard social media challenge The movie Inside Out and how accurately it reflects emotions ADHD and self-destructive thought patterns Rewiring your brain and creating new neural pathways Why anything worthwhile is rarely easy This episode is about growth — as parents, leaders, and humans. Licensed? Yes. Supervised? Mostly by discipline.

Feral in the 90s, Becoming in Our 40s ⭐

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we talk about everything from Diet Coke addiction to what it really means to grow up. We start with Beckee’s legendary Diet Coke habit and Naomi bringing Mountain Dew to Guatemala before diving into what it was like growing up feral in the 90s — no cell phones, no internet, and very little supervision. From there, the conversation moves into parenting teenagers, the reality of raising boys, and how watching our kids become adults forces us to grow alongside them. We talk about: Growing up without the internet Parenting teenagers and letting go of control Naomi’s son is pursuing a future as a firefighter Beckee’s son is playing football safely Why men seem to form friendships so easily Boys bonding through video games The strange moment when you finally feel like an adult Mentoring others in business and leadership Being over 40 and becoming more confident in who you are Naomi facing the business partner who left Beckee growing up as the oldest of four and leading by example Faith, belonging, and moments when church didn’t feel like home This episode is honest, funny, reflective, and a little chaotic — just like life. Licensed? Yes. Supervised? Not since the 90s.

Stylists as Rock Stars: Dress Codes, Retail & Reality + Smoking Cigarettes

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we finally get our sound together — and then immediately start talking about why stylists are rock stars. We dive into the legacy of Vidal Sassoon and how he revolutionized modern hairdressing, branding, and the idea that the stylist is an artist. Why did stylists traditionally wear black? Because the guest is the rock star — not us. We talk about: What stylists should actually wear today Dress codes then vs now “Work casual” culture and being okay with mediocre Dressing for success behind the chair The old BA dress codes Working in heels (and what that did to our feet) Retail inside the salon and why it matters Exclusive product access back in the day Paul Mitchell packaging nostalgia Kevin Murphy, Salon Centric & Michigan distribution culture Naomi smoking for 13 years and quitting Beckee’s cigarette experience And the Diet Coke addiction cliffhanger This episode is for hairstylists, salon owners, beauty professionals, and anyone navigating personal evolution inside a creative industry. Licensed? Yes. Supervised? Depends on the caffeine level.

Seniors, Survival & The Friendship That Changed Everything - L&U Origin Story

In this episode of License & Unsupervised, we open up about motherhood, cancer, friendship, and what happens when your children grow into adults. Both of our sons are seniors in high school, and we talk honestly about what it feels like to watch them step into their future. From tux fittings and milestone moments to the quiet emotional shifts that come with parenting teenagers, this season of life hits differently. Naomi shares what it was like being a mom of a child with cancer — the emotional drain, the fear, the strength you didn’t know you had, and how that season changed her forever. Beckee opens up about her three children and how different each of their personalities and paths has been, along with her journey walking alongside her mom’s cancer diagnosis. We talk about: Gilda’s Club and support communities The emotional weight of pediatric cancer Friendships formed through trauma How Naomi and Beckee really became friends Life after leukemia Parenting adult children The unexpected lessons podcasting has taught us And the question: “Is the back of the head your business?” This episode is for moms, parents, cancer families, hairstylists, and anyone navigating life’s big transitions. Licensed? Yes. Life-supervised? Not always.

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