Vault: Jason Griggers from Good Hair pulls up to give her extensions and it hurt Part 1

Summary

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The Bert Show – Vault: Jason Griggers from Good Hair Pulls Up to Give Her Extensions and It Hurt (Part 1)

Date: May 5, 2026
Featured Guest: Jason Griggers (celebrity stylist from Chris Rock’s “Good Hair”)
Main Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, Lauren
Episode Focus: The Bert Show invites renowned hair stylist Jason Griggers to the studio for a live demonstration of hair extensions, inspired by Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair.” Lauren, a Bert Show member, undergoes the (painful) process while the team discusses Black hair culture, the economics and logistics of extensions, and bad home haircuts.

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Main Theme

This episode brings listeners behind the scenes of the hair extension industry, exploring the artistry, history, and sometimes physical discomfort involved. The conversation highlights Black hair culture, the rise of “hair celebrities,” and demystifies common misconceptions—while sharing plenty of laughs and genuine pain as Lauren receives extensions live on air.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Is Jason Griggers?

• Jason Griggers is introduced as a pioneering hair stylist and a key figure in Chris Rock’s film “Good Hair.”
• He describes his history as a frequent competitor (and multiple-time winner) in Atlanta’s Bronner Brothers Hair Show, a major Black hair industry event.
  • “I think of myself as the integrator of the Warner Brothers hairs.” (Jason, 00:48)
  • “The Hair Battle has produced... hair celebrities almost.” (Jason, 01:55)

2. The Bronner Brothers Hair Show

• An enormous Atlanta-based convention and competition, known as the “Hair Battle Royale.”
• Open to the public, it’s grown into a social event where hairstylists showcase creativity and performance.
• Features dramatic presentations: music, costumes, and a boxing ring.
  • “It's grown into something that's almost larger than life.” (Jason, 00:34)

3. Lauren’s Hair Extension Experience

• Lauren wanted to try extensions after seeing Chris Rock discuss Black women’s hair on Oprah.
• As she’s in the chair, she expresses surprise at the pain level:
  • “I had no idea it would hurt this much. And, oh, gosh, I'm just wishing that it's over soon.” (Lauren, 02:53)
• Jason explains the “sew-in” method:
  • Crown-shaped braids are created, then hair is sewn onto these braids (not into the scalp).
  • “It's kind of like sewing a patch onto a shirt.” (Jason, 04:55)

4. Human vs. Synthetic Hair

• Human hair extensions are more versatile: can be styled, blow-dried, straightened, and colored (though Jason doesn’t recommend coloring extensions).
  • “You can treat it just as you would your hair.” (Jason, 06:18)
• Synthetic hair stays in the shape you buy it (e.g., wavy) but is very sensitive to heat.
  • “If the blow dryer gets too hot or, you hit it with an iron, it’s gonna, you know, jack it up.” (Jason, 06:32)

5. The Hair Economy: Where Does the Hair Come From?

• Hair for extensions comes from around the world—India, China, Taiwan, even Atlanta suburbs.
  • “The packaging says made in China, made in Taiwan, made in Stone Mountain. I mean, it could come from anywhere.” (Jason, 03:38)
• Some Indian hair is donated via religious ceremonies (tantra), but in the U.S., selling hair is primarily for profit.
  • “They say in the movie... hair is worth more than gold.” (Jason, 04:00)

6. The Pain Factor

• The process is uncomfortable to painful; Lauren and the hosts joke about needing aspirin, Tylenol, or wine.
  • “I was like, do you have a tender head? And, I mean, usually. No, I don't. And then as soon as he started, I was like, oh, I take that back. I do.” (Lauren, 07:47)
  • “They’ll take something before they come in... and they'll have a glass of wine.” (Jason, 08:03)

7. Practical Questions: Cost, Duration, and Maintenance

• Extensions with real hair cost $30–$50 per row, with Lauren getting 4–5 rows (totaling $120–$250+).
  • “With real hair, it's anywhere from 30 to 50 per row.” (Jason, 08:21)
• Most people wear extensions for 4–8 weeks, depending on lifestyle.
  • “Most people will try and wear it around two months, but four to six weeks, you know, tops. If you swing from poles, the lifespan is gonna be a lot shorter.” (Jason, 05:52)
• Each row takes time and is quite tight and uncomfortable.

8. Blending and Matching Hair

• Hair is color-matched to natural tones, sometimes improvisationally.
  • “We have three different colors because, like I said, Lauren has multiple colors from having highlights, and we'll just put them together and hope for the best.” (Jason, 05:31)

9. Haircut Interventions at Home

• Humorous turn: Bert laments his wife’s DIY haircuts on their kids, describing them as “jacked up” for seven years.
  • “She sucks at cutting hair and she is embarrassing our family.” (Bert, 09:29)
  • Jason recommends making going to the barbershop a father-child ritual instead.
  • “That's your ritual. You go to the barbershop, and you take them to get their hair cut... And they can go get an ice cream...” (Jason, 10:41)

10. Candid Reflections on Parenting and Kids’ Hair

• The team jokes about bad childhood haircuts, barbershop memories, and the allure of kids’ salons.
• Jason cracks up about how fatherhood changed his perspective on kids.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[The Bronner Brothers Hair Show] has produced... hair celebrities almost.”
  — Jason Griggers (01:55)
• “I had no idea it would hurt this much... I’m just wishing that it’s over soon.”
  — Lauren (02:53)
• "They say in the movie... hair is worth more than gold."
  — Jason Griggers (04:00)
• "She sucks at cutting hair and she is embarrassing our family."
  — Bert (09:27)
• “That's your ritual... you go to the barbershop, and you take them to get their hair cut. And they can go get an ice cream, and that's something that they can do with their dad.”
  — Jason Griggers (10:41)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:23 – Bronner Brothers Hair Show explained
• 01:28 – The competition: presentation, themes, and hair artistry
• 02:53 – Lauren describes the pain of the process
• 03:38 – Where extension hair comes from and industry logistics
• 04:14 – Lauren on matching and selecting hair for extensions
• 05:52 – How long extensions last and factors affecting duration
• 06:18 – Human vs. synthetic hair: styling differences
• 08:21 – Real hair extension costs
• 09:29 – Bert’s story of bad home haircuts
• 10:41 – Jason’s ritual advice for dads/kids’ haircuts

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Tone & Style

The episode is light-hearted, authentic, and packed with playful banter. The openness about pain and the challenges of hair extensions is matched with real insights about Black hair culture and the beauty industry. As always, the Bert Show blends genuine curiosity, teasing camaraderie, and relatable stories for an engaging listen—even for those far from a salon chair.

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Transcript

[A]

Listen, it's the Vert show.

[B]

Jason Grigors is in studio with us. Hey, Jason.

[C]

Good morning.

[B]

How are you today?

[C]

Very well. How are you?

[B]

Great. Jason. If you see the Chris Rock movie, Good Hair is sort of the star, almost one of like the stars of the show. It's it Amit the Movie immediately begins informing us of a. What's that big old convention they have here?

[C]

It's called the Bronner Brothers Hair Show. They have it twice a year, actually.

[B]

And what is it?

[C]

The Brauner Brothers.

[B]

Brauner Brothers. And it's. All the stylists are brought into Atlanta. Right, right. And what exactly is the competition?

[C]

The competition started late 90s, and it was called the Hair Battle Royale. And it's grown into something that's almost larger than life.

[B]

And I'd say, what, 99.5% of the stylists that are there are black. Right.

[C]

Generally, when I first started in the late 90s, it was 100% black. And I think of myself as the integrator of the Warner Brothers hairs.

[B]

You're a pioneer.

[C]

I'm a pioneer.

[A]

And you are not. No, no.

[B]

Just shock it there.

[A]

Well, we are on radio, so.

[B]

Yeah. And he. And you've won this thing before, right?

[C]

I've won. I won. The very first time I won was in 1999, and I competed in 2002, 2005 and 2007. And I can never top myself. I always come in with the second highest score.

[D]

What is the competition? How quickly you can do hair or how outrageous or what are you competing for?

[C]

They look for, of course, hairstyling. They look for a theme. They look for how well you execute the hairstyles. And it's a presentation. We have to have music and costumes, and it takes place in a huge, big boxing ring. Like I said, they call it the Hair Battle.

[B]

It's huge.

[E]

That was funny.

[D]

I want to go to that. Can regular people go? Do you have to be hair industry?

[C]

No. Anybody? The Bronner Brothers is all about getting their money. And if you buy a ticket, you

[A]

know, it's like a trade show. But it's become a social event. Right.

[C]

It's become more than social event. The Hair Battle has produced. How can I say it? Like hair celebrities almost.

[B]

Is that right?

[C]

Right. I mean, it's amazing.

[D]

Is that where that flipping out guy came from?

[C]

I don't know where he came from, but you need your own show, I think. Isn't he one of Jeff's neighbors?

[A]

Hey, Lauren, how are you?

[B]

I can tell you how she's doing, actually, because here's the deal. Let's just reset this real quick. Lauren here a couple of days ago said that she saw Chris Rock in an interview, and I think it was on Oprah, and they were talking about his new movie, Good Hair. And Lauren made the observation that she's sort of jealous of black women in their hair, that the extensions, the weaves, the wigs, and she. Lauren has beautiful blonde hair, but she thought it would look even better with extensions, but she's never had the cash to do it. Right.

[E]

Right. And being here in the chair right now, I have a much, much greater respect for the women who get this done, because it is painful.

[B]

It hurts, huh?

[E]

Like, I had no idea it would hurt this much. And, oh, gosh, I'm just wishing that it's over soon.

[C]

Think of what it's like to get breast implants or something.

[B]

Why does it hurt so much?

[A]

Well, that's what. That's what we're doing for after. And you're doing those also, just so you know.

[B]

Is it a tug? Is it. Are you tug. What exactly is going on over there? Because I don't know the difference between a weave, a wig extension.

[C]

There are different ways to install the hair extensions. Most people prefer this method, which is called sew in. And I make a small braid in the shape of a horseshoe from crown, from one side of the crown to the other side, and sew some hair onto it.

[B]

So you're sewing hair right on. Not into the scalp, not into the scalp.

[C]

It's not surgery.

[D]

Bert, where does her hair come from that she's. That you're sewing in?

[C]

That's a good question. Some of the hair comes from India. It all says it's human hair. But if you look on the. The packaging says made in China, made in Taiwan, made in Stone Mountain. I mean, it could come from anywhere.

[B]

It's a crazy industry, though. They say in the movie that. That industry, the hair extension world, it's a crazy industry. How much money they can get for that, right?

[C]

Mm. I mean, they make a reference in the movie. They say hair is worth more than gold. They say you can go to the. To the jeweler and buy gold, but you can't always go and buy hair.

[A]

We have a limited budget, so we actually just chopped up some paint brushes from Home Depot.

[D]

And so, Lauren, you said you brought the hair in today.

[E]

Yes.

[D]

When I saw you this morning. Where did you get the hair?

[E]

I got it. Can I say this one?

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

I got it from Mina's lawn the other day. And she actually went into, like, a drawer and matched my hair, which I thought was pretty cool.

[D]

Oh, so that's the hair you're gonna sew in. You just haven't sewed it in yet, right?

[B]

Oh, that hasn't even started yet.

[D]

Wow.

[C]

Oh, damn.

[A]

Lauren's like, no, it hasn't.

[D]

Okay. Cause I can see Jason's doing these, like, tiny braids that go around, like, almost, like, in a crown shape around her head. And then this is going to get sewn into that. So you're almost like, building the anchor right. Right now. And then this gets tied in, and then we'll.

[C]

And then we'll sew that on. It's kind of like sewing a patch onto a shirt.

[D]

But these are three different colors. Lauren.

[C]

Well, she has, like, 10 different colors in her head.

[B]

What's that, Lauren?

[D]

What?

[E]

I had different colors in my hair already, so she matched as close as she could, and she said it looked pretty good. I didn't see because she did it to the back of my head.

[A]

Can you color now? Can you. Can she color that hair? The fake hair?

[C]

I wouldn't recommend it. You know, the hair comes in so many colors, and it's easier if we can just buy it. And it's a step that we don't have to go through.

[A]

That's weird.

[C]

Get away from me.

[B]

That's real life. That's real hair off of somebody's head right there. That's not making it.

[C]

This is real hair off of somebody's head.

[F]

So how do you integrate the different colors into her hair?

[C]

We blend them together. We'll take. We have three different colors because, like I said, Lauren has multiple colors from having highlights, and we'll just put them together and hope for the best.

[B]

But that's comforting, isn't it, Lauren? I know.

[D]

So wait now, once Lauren gets this, how long will it last? And, like, how long is she gonna. Like, when can she take it out?

[C]

Well, different people. Everybody wants to get the most bang for the buck. And most people will try and wear it around two months, but four to six weeks, you know, tops. If you swing from poles, the lifespan is gonna be a lot shorter.

[A]

Lauren, did you hear that?

[E]

Don't worry about that.

[A]

Hey, Jen, will you move your yogurt? That's awfully close to a big white hair.

[F]

And can you blow dry the hair and straighten the hair? Like, is it, like, normal? Like, you can do whatever you want and functions normal.

[C]

There's two different of hair. The hair that we're putting in today is human. Hair. You can treat it just as you would your hair. There's another hair called synthetic hair, and a lot of people will opt for that because it's. If you buy wavy hair that's synthetic, it stays wavy. You don't have to do anything to it. But it's very heat sensitive. So if the blow dryer gets too hot or, you know, you hit it with an iron, it's gonna, you know, jack it up. Yeah, gonna jack it up.

[B]

Hey, Lisa. Good Morning. You're on Q100.

[C]

Hey, hey, hey.

[B]

I want. I want to know how much hair. How much money you can get for your hair, because I have a lot of hair.

[D]

So you want to donate hair?

[B]

Well, it's not exactly a donation.

[C]

She wants to sell it.

[A]

She wants to sell it.

[B]

How do you do that, Jason? And how much does it cost?

[C]

That I don't know. You know, in India, they give the hair away. It's a religious ceremony called tantra, and they give it away because they're wanting a blessing from their God.

[B]

Well, this is American. We're about right.

[C]

We're trying to get the money. You know, I have no idea where

[A]

you could go and see, we don't need blessings. We need to look beautiful.

[C]

We need right. We're in a recession.

[A]

What are you doing right now?

[D]

Should we wash this hair? Like, should you wash less often? Use a special shampoo.

[C]

You know, most people are very loyal to whatever brand of shampoo they've been using, and just use what you have. It's not that high.

[B]

Put them, like, in front of Lawrence.

[A]

Yeah. What are you sewing right now?

[B]

That's really what we should be taking pictures of because she's. She's in a lot of pain.

[C]

These are the two braids that I'm sewing.

[F]

It looks painful. These are, like, really, really tight to the scalp. Like braids in her hair.

[E]

Yeah, it's painful. And when we first got here, I was like, do you have a tender head? And, I mean, usually. No, I don't. And then as soon as he started, I was like, oh, I take that back. I do.

[A]

Really. Do people take. I mean, I guess you could probably take like a couple aspirin or Tylenol or something before they come in to do it.

[C]

They'll take something before they come in. They tell you something during, and they'll have a glass of wine.

[A]

I was gonna say you sell Boozy or Sloan, because that'd be smart.

[C]

No, we don't sell it.

[B]

You know, that's Come on complimentary.

[D]

If people are spending that much on their hair, you better give them a glass.

[B]

Right.

[F]

How much normally do extensions cost? If somebody wanted to get this done

[C]

with real hair, it's anywhere from 30 to 50 per row.

[A]

How many rows will Lauren have?

[C]

Lauren's got about anywhere from four to five rows.

[B]

Okay. So it can get pretty exciting.

[A]

How many rows have you done so far? Three.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Oh, Lord.

[C]

But this is the work part. This is the most uncomfortable part.

[B]

This is the most painful part.

[E]

That's good to know.

[A]

Her face is the color.

[D]

You work so fast. I am like, blown away at how quickly your fingers are moving.

[C]

Well, y' all don't want to look at me. Are they.

[B]

Do you stay as long as you like. Yeah.

[A]

Wearing a bright red, like the color of the. On the. What is that? Italy flag red T shirt. And Lauren's face is slightly redder than that.

[B]

Serious. So he's going to continue to work on her for the next hour or so. Let me help me settle something in my house here real quick, Jason and I know this is probably not down your alley here. Seven years now. Seven years now. My wife has cut our kids hair, and it looks like crap every single time. But she and my wife is blessed in a lot of areas. She's very creative. She can do a whole bunch of things. But she sucks at cutting hair and she is embarrassing our family. Embarrassing it. The kids are sporting a haircut right now. That is so jacked up, man.

[A]

Does she not see it?

[B]

She does, but she thinks she's like, you know what?

[A]

Next time I'll get it.

[B]

I'll get it right next time. Cause I've made mistakes on this one. Well, baby girl, you've been making some mistakes for seven years now. I will never be able to dance. You will never be able to cut hair. So what do I have to do to shake her up to say, leave the kids alone.

[C]

Don't crush our dream? You know you, I bet. And Jeff, too. When we were little boys, my mom used to cut my hair. And I can bring you in a picture of me when I was probably six years old. And my haircut is jacked to Jesus. I mean, it's horrendous.

[A]

I read that tweet you sent yesterday, Burton. I don't think that my parents ever cut my hair. And we were pretty. Mine did. Yeah, we were.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

Millie, Pete cut hair.

[B]

Why do women think. Why do moms. It's moms think that they can do that? I mean, you went to school, I'm sure, for a long period of time. To learn how to do that. So why can moms just like, I can do this. I got this. How hard can this be?

[C]

I don't just. They just want to take care of their kids.

[A]

Is it like a dream?

[B]

Then let them go to somebody that does it professionally.

[C]

Well, you know what? What I can recommend to you is, as a father, you should have an outing maybe every couple of weeks, and you're your son. That's your ritual. You go to the barbershop, and you take them to get their hair cut.

[B]

I love it.

[C]

And they can go get an ice cream, and that's something that they can do with their dad.

[A]

That's how I know.

[C]

That's what I do.

[A]

That's how I know my parents never cut my hair. Because remember the ceremony of going to Bob's Barber Shop? I remember. That's how he answered the phone, too. Bob's Barber Shop with my dad.

[D]

A cute kid salon indicator that I've walked by a bunch of times. I think it's called, like, Salon Red or something.

[C]

Don't get them started on that. Oh, God, please don't, kids, because they'll always want to go in there and ride on the thing, and then they have, like, all kind of candy and stuff in there, and not that place specifically.

[A]

Are you talking about birds, kids, or.

[B]

Burt, you just don't like kids a lot.

[C]

You know, for a long time, I just didn't like kids.

[B]

Don't you have kids?

[C]

I do have one now, and he is the joy of my life. And so I have to say that, you know, my point of view has changed. But before him, I was like, oh, my God, these kids. Call the police.

[B]

I could say, moms, you are scurring your kids right now. You think you're doing a good job on it, and you're not getting better at it. You're getting worse. I see it every couple of weeks. And one of our best friends owns a salon in Shambly, but my wife thinks that she can do it herself.

[A]

Yeah, maybe you got to have your friend do an intervention. Like, maybe you got C.J. right? Maybe you just got to get C.J. and go. Stacy. It's embarrassing.

[D]

Seriously. I like Jason's idea, though.

[B]

I would have never thought about doing that.

[C]

Is a brand new two weeks Diplomatic. And the minimal feelings hurt.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

Hey, the Birch Show.