In this premiere episode, host Melissa L. Atkinson introduces Hard Wig, Soft Life and the philosophy behind it. Drawing from her experiences as an Afro-Latina, first-generation American, and Army veteran, Melissa explains how a TikTok theory about Black women's hair resonated with her own journey. From meeting her husband with a weave "at the end of its life cycle" to finding peace after years of struggle, she sets the foundation for a podcast dedicated to real stories of perseverance that social media rarely showcases.