In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hunter Donia and Jodie Brown talk through a deep dive into the real way hairstylists should be using AI in their business and what to avoid if you want your content to still sound like you.

After airing out their AI frustrations in a recent episode, "Why ChatGPT is Trash," Hunter and Jodie are back with a more strategic conversation about how tools like ChatGPT can actually save you time and make your marketing easier—without compromising your brand voice or client connection.

From better prompts to the exact model Hunter uses daily, this episode will help you cut through the cringe, stop getting robotic results, and finally start using AI in a way that feels good and works.

Key Takeaways:

• Free vs Paid ChatGPT: Why the version you use matters way more than you think, and how to get better results instantly.
• Stop Sounding Like a Bot: Hunter’s simple shift to make AI write like you, not every other stylist on Instagram.
• Better Prompts = Better Content: The 3 prompt tweaks that instantly improve your captions, emails, and more.
• Think Like a Strategist: Why AI shouldn’t replace your brain but can help you organize, polish, and execute faster.
• Personal Use Bonus: How Hunter uses ChatGPT to plan meals, prep grocery lists, and reduce overwhelm in everyday life.

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re an independent stylist who's feeling burnt out by content creation—or if you’ve tried ChatGPT and hated the results—this episode will show you how to use AI intentionally and strategically to get your time (and voice) back. It’s not about cutting corners. It’s about cutting the fluff and building a smarter, more streamlined business behind the scenes.

🎧 Want Hunter’s full list of 30 ways to use AI in your personal and professional life? Head to hunterdonia.com/chat or DM him AITools (no space) on Instagram

Checkout the LAST TWO dates of the Modern Hairstylist Tour here: https://www.hunterdonia.com/tour

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hunter Donia is joined by the one and only J Ladner for a fiery and empowering conversation about the real key to working faster behind the chair—confidence-led efficiency. If you’re constantly running behind, overfoiling to “prove” yourself, or stuck in outdated techniques that are burning you out—this episode is your wake-up call.

Jay breaks down why overthinking, bloated service menus, and “baby light syndrome” are slowing so many stylists down—and how taking back your authority at the chair can change everything. From simplifying your systems to re-training your clients to trust your leadership, Jay shares the mindset and strategies that will help you cut your application time in half without sacrificing results.

Key Takeaways:

• Baby Light Syndrome Is Real: Why it’s time to stop relying on heavy foiling for credibility and start working smarter.
• Lead, Don’t Ask: How to confidently take charge of the appointment and stop letting clients dictate your process.
• Simplify to Amplify: The benefits of streamlining your service menu so clients understand their options and your value.
• System = Freedom: How Jay’s signature “depth, contrast, coverage” framework saves time, builds trust, and boosts profit.
• You’re Not Lazy—You’re Efficient: Why being fast isn’t the problem—it’s the intention behind every move you make.

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re an independent stylist who wants to stop overworking, reclaim your power, and finally feel in control behind the chair—this episode is packed with the bold truth, practical systems, and inspiration you need to create the business (and schedule) you actually want. This isn’t just about speed—it’s about leadership, confidence, and sustainability.

Follow J Ladner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmrjladner/

Join us on the Modern Hairstylist Tour: https://www.hunterdonia.com/tour

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hunter Donia is joined by Lisa Huff and Jodie Brown for a brutally honest (and hilarious) conversation about the risks and realities of using ChatGPT and AI tools in your beauty business. If you’ve ever wondered whether AI is helping or hurting your brand voice, marketing, and client experience—this episode is for you.

Together, they unpack the ways stylists are leaning too heavily on automation, how AI-written content is starting to look and feel the same, and why relying on tools like ChatGPT without understanding your brand fundamentals can actually slow down your growth. They also dive into the ethical concerns, environmental impact, and emotional dangers of using AI without critical thinking.

Key Takeaways:

• Tool vs. Crutch: Learn how to spot when you’re using AI to streamline your work—and when it’s doing the thinking for you.
• The Real Cost of AI Content: Discover how AI-first marketing can dilute your brand and blend you into the noise online.
• Your Voice Still Matters: Why human connection, brand tone, and lived experience will always outperform AI-generated content.
• Fact-Check Everything: How ChatGPT confidently gets things wrong, and what you need to double-check before publishing.
• Beyond the Screen: A powerful discussion on how AI can affect client relationships, conflict resolution, and mental health if misused.

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve felt unsure about how to use AI in your business—or you’ve been using it heavily and wondering why your content suddenly feels off—this episode is the reality check you didn’t know you needed. Tune in to laugh, learn, and walk away with a better understanding of how to use ChatGPT wisely, without losing your voice or your values.

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and branding educator Jodie Brown dig into an emotional but all-too-relatable topic: imposter syndrome. Even after you've built a thriving business, hit major milestones, or earned respect in the industry—why does that self-doubt still creep in?

This episode takes an honest look at how imposter syndrome evolves (not disappears) as you grow, and how your fear of judgment, failure, or “losing it all” can feel even louder once you’ve found success. Hunter opens up about the mental spiral that can happen when people outside the industry question your choices—and how to stay rooted in your purpose anyway.

Whether you’re pushing into a new level, rebranding, or simply working through your own growth mindset, this conversation offers powerful validation and practical tools to show up with confidence—even when it feels hard.

Key Takeaways:

• Imposter Syndrome at Every Stage: Why self-doubt doesn’t disappear with success—it just shapeshifts.
• External vs. Internal Validation: How to hold firm when people in your personal life don’t “get it.”
• The Price of Building Something Beautiful: Why fear gets louder when there’s more at stake—and what to do with that fear.
• Make Room for Duality: You can feel unqualified and still be the best person for the job.
• You Don’t Need to Feel Ready: How to take bold steps forward even when confidence isn’t 100%.

Why You Should Listen:

If you've ever thought, “Who am I to do this?”—even while actively succeeding—this episode is your reminder that you're not alone. Learn how to quiet the inner critic, shift your mindset, and show up powerfully as the stylist and business owner your dream clients are looking for.

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia speaks directly to independent hairstylists who’ve already built a thriving business—but are left wondering what’s next. If you’ve filled your books, hit your revenue goals, and created a loyal client base, this episode is your next step roadmap. Hunter unpacks how to leverage the success you’ve built to open new doors in your business, create more freedom, and scale without burning out.

Whether you’re craving a lighter schedule, ready to raise your prices, or curious about adding new revenue streams—this episode will show you what’s possible after you hit your initial goals, and how to evolve without losing what you’ve built.

Key Takeaways:

📈 Leverage What You’ve Built: Understand what “leverage” really means and how to use your current momentum to safely grow your business.

🧠 Maximize Lifetime Client Value: Learn how to increase your average ticket and diversify your revenue without overcomplicating your business.

🛠 Delegate & Systematize: Discover which tasks to offload, when to automate, and how to reclaim your time for bigger-picture projects.

📦 Scale Your Brand Beyond the Chair: Explore next-level options like retail expansion, virtual consultations, eBooks, and education—only when your business is ready for it.

💬 Personalized Growth Paths: Hear how Hunter’s mastermind students break through glass ceilings with custom plans designed around their strengths, schedule, and goals.

Why You Should Listen:

You’ve already built the business everyone told you wasn’t possible—but now you’re asking, “What else am I capable of?” This episode is for the stylist who isn’t satisfied with staying comfortable, who knows there’s more they could offer, and who wants to scale with intention. Tune in for a real, motivating conversation on what’s next—and how to chase it, confidently.

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In one of the most special episodes we’ve ever done on The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, I’m joined by a powerhouse panel—our Modern Stylist Mastermind cohort. These are not just any beauty professionals. These are the salon owners, estheticians, and stylists who have turned “just doing hair” into running empires.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re too advanced for generic coaching or you’re sick of being the only one giving support instead of receiving it—this one’s for you.

We’re diving deep into what actually changes when you surround yourself with the right people, make bold moves, and receive the mentorship you didn’t even know you needed.

💡 What You’ll Learn

• Why “booked and busy” isn’t the only definition of success—and what might actually matter more
• The power of personalized mentorship and micro-accountability in high-level growth
• How these stylists are making more while working less (we’re talking 10K+ months, baby)
• Real talk on the emotional shifts: from imposter syndrome to full-on CEO confidence
• Insights into what makes this mastermind different from anything else out there
• The real-life breakthroughs that happened during retreats, speaker sessions, and in our Slack DMs

🎯 Why It Matters

Too many stylists hit a plateau and think, “Is this it?” But success isn’t a one-time goal—it’s a constantly evolving journey. And if you don’t change your strategy and support system as you evolve, you risk staying stuck in hustle mode. This episode shows you what’s possible when you create space for advanced growth, real community, and authentic accountability.

👀 Who This Is For

• Hairstylists ready to evolve from service provider to CEO energy
• Beauty pros who are already successful but crave a deeper level of support and clarity
• Independent suite owners, salon leaders, and educators feeling a little too isolated
• Anyone who’s “been there, done that” with fluffy coaching programs and wants the real deal

🧨 Don’t Miss

There’s a moment where we discuss the concept of Client Concentration Risk—a game-changing lens to evaluate whether your business is actually stable and scalable. Plus, the $45K revelation that had everyone in the room gasping 👀

This isn’t just an episode—it’s a movement. Tune in and get inspired by the real stories, real strategies, and real success redefined.

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia gets real about what it actually takes to stay productive as an independent hairstylist—especially when you're feeling completely overwhelmed. If your to-do list feels never-ending, you're juggling behind-the-chair hours with big business projects, and motivation is nowhere to be found, this episode is the tough-love pep talk (and strategy breakdown) you didn’t know you needed.

Hunter shares how he navigates high-pressure seasons in his business, including how to prioritize, what to delegate, and how to keep moving forward even when he’s not feeling it—plus how to create real momentum without burning out.

Key Takeaways:

📌 From Chaos to Clarity: Learn how to identify the needle-moving tasks and stop wasting time on low-priority distractions.

🧠 Discipline Over Motivation: Discover how to show up for your goals even when you don’t feel like it—and why motivation isn’t the magic solution.

💻 Productivity Tools & Delegation Tips: Hear how Hunter uses planning systems, automation, and strategic outsourcing to get more done without doing it all himself.

👯‍♀️ The Power of Accountability: Understand how to build accountability into your process (even if you’re working solo) and why deadlines matter for creatives.

🔥 Break the Overwhelm Cycle: Real talk on scrolling, procrastination, and building momentum when big projects feel too heavy to start.

Why You Should Listen:

Feeling like you’re drowning in your business, putting off important projects, or waiting to “feel motivated” before you take action? You’re not alone. But you do have the power to move forward—whether you feel like it or not. This episode will show you how to push through with purpose, protect your time, and still make progress in the thick of chaos.

Because even when you’re overwhelmed, your goals don’t have to wait.

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia dives into the rising trust gap between hairstylists and their clients—and what independent stylists can do to repair it. From price confusion to boundary backlash, Hunter unpacks the real reasons clients are questioning the salon industry and how stylists can respond with strategy (not snark).

Joined by marketing expert Jodie Brown, they break down survey data, industry trends, and real social media commentary to explore how the pandemic reshaped client expectations—and how you can meet them without sacrificing your own values or sanity.

Key Takeaways:

🧠 Where the Trust Broke Down: Explore how pandemic-era shifts, price hikes, and boundary setting led to client skepticism—and how to reverse it.

💬 Rebuilding the Relationship: Learn how to approach policy enforcement and pricing from a place of clarity and professionalism (not passive-aggressive rants).

💸 The Truth About Pricing Perception: Discover why transparent, package-based pricing builds more trust—and helps clients feel good about booking with you.

⚖️ Balance Respect With Results: Hear how successful stylists are maintaining boundaries and creating client loyalty with strategic systems and messaging.

🌟 A Better Booking Experience: Learn why today’s consumers expect upfront info, emotional connection, and a premium feel from the very first interaction.

Why You Should Listen:

If you've ever wondered why clients ghost, push back on policies, or hesitate to invest—this episode gives you the honest answers. Whether you’re brand new or booked out, Hunter will help you reframe how you show up online and behind the chair so you can attract clients who trust you and happily pay your prices.

Because building a modern beauty business isn’t just about having boundaries—it’s about communicating them with care.

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