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.

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.

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.