Not Alone

In this special episode, Valeria revisits some of her most powerful and revealing conversations with iconic women in modeling - going beyond the runway & behind the camera to explore identity, resilience, motherhood, and the experiences that shaped who they are today.

Kelsey Merritt opens up about growing up in the Philippines with a strict mother, navigating the modeling industry as a biracial woman, and how her immigrant family values gave her thick skin. Next, Jasmine Tookes reflects on being raised by a young single mother, always knowing she wanted to be a model, and building confidence in an industry where she was often the only Black woman in the room. Finally, Miranda Kerr joins Valeria for a deeply honest conversation about life after Victoria’s Secret. Her motherhood journey - as a mom of four boys, miscarriage, breastfeeding, aging, and more. Miranda shares how her priorities have shifted and tells us more about her brand, KORA Organics. 

Together, these conversations peel back the layers behind globally recognized faces to reveal the real women underneath - their values, doubts, lessons, and quiet strength.

Follow The Women -

Kelsey MerrittInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseymerritt/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kelseymerritt

Jasmine Tookes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtookes/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jastookes

Miranda KerrInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandakerr/KORA Organics: https://koraorganics.com

Valeria’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/Valeria’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky

Not Alone’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notalonepod/Not Alone’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod

Shop My Looks: https://shopmy.us/collections/3871837?tab=collections

What we talked about:

0:00 – Introduction

1:57 – Kelsey Merritt: growing up Filipina & being scouted online

4:05 – Kelsey Merritt: Strict immigrant parents & modeling feedback

6:03 – Kelsey Merritt: Identity, representation & being “the first”

11:16 – Kelsey Merritt: Commercial vs high fashion modeling realities

14:49 – Kelsey Merritt: Discovering independence in New York

18:04 – Kelsey Merritt: Beauty standards in the Philippines

24:25 – Introducing Jasmine Tookes

26:13 – Jasmine Tookes: Dreaming of Victoria’s Secret from childhood

28:03 –Jasmine Tookes: Modeling young & having a protective mom

33:18 – Jasmine Tookes: Being the only Black model in the room

35:21 –Jasmine Tookes:  Motherhood & identity shifts

39:23 – Jasmine Tookes: Daddy issues & family boundaries

42:52 – Introducing Miranda Kerr

45:34 – Miranda Kerr: Choosing not to return to Victoria’s Secret

47:06 – Miranda Kerr: Motherhood & breastfeeding

49:02 – Miranda Kerr: Miscarriage

52:17 – Miranda Kerr: Raising boys & navigating teen years

56:06 – Miranda Kerr: Wellness, skincare & aging with gratitude

1:00:49 – Final reflections
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In this solo episode, Valeria shares why she’s intentionally choosing a quieter year, and what that really looks like in a world that constantly asks us to be louder, faster, and more visible. She reflects on her approach to 2026 - why she doesn’t want it to be a “bigger” year, and how focusing on less distraction has brought her more clarity and joy. She also recaps a recent trip to the Dominican Republic with her boys, opening up about how different traveling feels now that her kids are older. And how those slower, more present moments reminded her of what truly matters. Throughout the episode, she shares practical shifts she’s making - like using the Be Present app, protecting offline moments, and choosing opportunities that expand her life, not just her calendar. From living more offline and rethinking her relationship with social media, to finding balance as a creator whose work exists online, Valeria explores the tension between visibility and peace. And why not everything meaningful needs an audience while it’s forming? This is a good listen for anyone craving more calm, fewer distractions, and a slower, more intentional way of living.

Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/3768639?tab=collections

Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ 

Reel By Jasmine Darke: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DQBSaPWElUe/

The Art of Spending Money: https://amzn.to/4rmMF4U

What I talked about: 

1:00 - Living offline as a modern status symbol

1:55 - Traveling with older kids 

4:00 - Reconnecting through simple moments

5:00 - Be Present App & & limiting social media

6:40 - It’s officially 2026

7:25 - Why 2026 is about quiet, not “more”

9:25 - Finding balance & cutting the noise

10:30 - Why not everything meaningful needs an audience

12:10 - Joy, hobbies, and staying in a student mindset

15:00 - Offline Living

20:40 - How we accomplish this

21:27 - The Art of Spending Money 

24:08 - Thinking Outside the Culture Bubble

26:02 - Protecting your mind as a form of wealth

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Vivian Tu, aka Your Rich BFF, is back on Not Alone to talk about her new book, Well Endowed, and what it really means to build a life that’s financially aligned, intentional, and values-driven. In this conversation, Valeria and Vivian break down the idea of “optimization” in everyday life, from money habits shaped by childhood lessons (including her now-famous Chinese buffet analogy) to understanding your personal value system and learning how to resist the constant pull of targeted marketing. They dive into media literacy, why spending money feels easier than ever, and how to decide what’s truly worth it. Vivian also gets personal about building a strong financial foundation, getting financially honest with your partner, navigating prenups as a form of choice (not mistrust), and why women need to deeply understand their finances. The episode closes with a thoughtful look at teaching kids about money, estate planning basics, and how to leave behind more than just dollars - plus a peek at Vivian’s new financial platform, Ask Dolly.

Follow Vivian Tu on Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your.richbff/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourrichbff?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/yourrichbff

Listen to Her Podcast: https://www.yourrichbff.com/podcast

Get Financial Advice from Vivian: https://askdolly.com/

Shop Her New Book HERE: https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/wellendowed

Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/3614194

Follow me: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky?lang=en

Not Alone TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod?lang=en

What we talked about: 

0:25 - Setting up the episode

1:00 - Introducing Vivian Tu

2:37 - Start of interview

3:00 - What’s new with Vivian

4:23 - Inspiration behind “Well Endowed”

7:37 - Optimization in your life

7:49 - Lessons from the chinese buffet

10:33 - Figuring out your value system

12:50 - The importance of media literacy

14:25 - The ease of marketers targeting you

16:05 - Deciding if the purchase is worth it

18:35 - Not enough friction in the purchasing process 

24:35 - Building your financial house

24:57 - Why women need to understand their finances

27:24 - Getting financially naked with your partner

30:00 - Social media setting unrealistic relationship standards

33:51 - Early days with her husband 

35:44 - Falling in love with his generosity

37:40 - Prenups are about choice, not mistrust

41:53 - Teaching kids financial literacy 

44:06 - Not leaving your children every dollar you have

47:29 - Telling your children “Yes, if…”

48:50 - Estate planning basics

53:44 - Leaving impressions for the readers

54:42 - New financial platform “Ask Dolly”

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In this episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with one of the original social media influencers and SAME founder & CEO Shea Marie, for a candid conversation about evolution, personally, publicly, and professionally. Shea opens up about entering a new season of life, from ringing in the New Year in Aspen and sharing her engagement story to navigating what it really means to keep a relationship both public and protected. Together, they talk about dating in the spotlight, why Shea has intentionally chosen to share less online, and how her relationship with the internet has changed over time. Shea reflects on her early move to LA, her first tough job in PR, and the lessons that ultimately led her to start blogging at a time when influencers weren’t taken seriously. She dives into the realities of being an OG in the space, from doing unpaid campaigns and being underestimated, to learning how to separate herself as a creator from the brand she built. Shea also talks about the journey of building and scaling SAME, what the future holds for the brand, and the one belief she had to unlearn along the way. This episode is about growth, boundaries, and building something that lasts.

Follow Shea Marie on Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheamarie/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheamarieofficial?lang=en

Shop SAME: https://www.samelosangeles.com/collections/shop-all

Shop my look from this episode:

https://shopmy.us/collections/3622996?tab=collections

Follow me: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky?lang=en

Not Alone TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod?lang=en

What we talked about: 

0:29 - Valeria’s 2026 energy

2:53 - Introducing Shea Marie

3:52 - Start of interview

4:29 - Shae’s New Year’s in Aspen

7:07 - Engagement story

8:13 - Making your relationship public vs private

11:05 - Dating as a public figure

12:45 - The shift to sharing less online

18:15 - Her move to LA and terrible first job

19:50 - Lessons learned from PR job

20:45 - Starting her blog

24:00 - No respect for early-day influencers

24:55 - Separating the influencer from the brand

27:27 - Creating SAME

29:15 - Highs and lows as an OG influencer

32:53 - Doing a free campaign for Forever21

35:55 - Running and growing a brand

40:47 - The future of SAME

44:01 - One belief she had to unlearn

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In this special episode of Not Alone, Gary and Valeria sit down with beloved creator and entrepreneur Camila Coelho and her husband Icaro - who, for the first time ever, steps up to the mic beside her. The four of them talk about bonding during their trip to Brazil, celebrating Carnival, what it’s really like being the husband behind a social media powerhouse, and the early days of Camila’s YouTube career when she had no idea what she was doing. Camila and Icaro share the highs and growing pains of becoming business partners, from figuring out their roles to navigating the pressure that success places on their relationship. The conversation goes deep on identity shifts, the messy days when you don’t see eye to eye, and why being recognized for the work you do, even behind-the-scenes, matters. Plus, how they stay grounded in gratitude, and their hopes for the future as entrepreneurs and parents raising a son in the social media age. A rare and intimate look at love, life, and building something real together.

Follow Camila on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camilacoelho/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@camilacoelho?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDl9AK32Xzr_2UOxjt03f6w

Website: https://camilacoelho.com/

Shop Elaluz: https://www.elaluz.com/

Follow Icaro:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icarobrenner/?hl=en

Shop my look from this episode: 

https://shopmy.us/collections/3446110?tab=collections

Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ 

What we talked about: 

0:29 - Setting up Camila & Icaro’s episode

1:20 - Start of interview

1:30 - Connecting in Brazil 

2:50 - Celebrating Carnival

3;44 - Behind-the-scenes husbands

5:58 - Icaro’s first podcast with Camila

6:35 - How Icaro & Camila met

11:00 - Their love for Brazil

13:31 - Camila’s start on social media

15:05 - Early days posting on YouTube

19:54 - Going into business together

24:00 - The challenge of dividing the roles

27:57 - Learning how to work with each other

29:05 - Advice for getting husbands and partners on board

33:35 - Icaro & Gary on perception & recognition 

35:51 - Career pressures affecting your personal relationship

42:24 - Not getting along

44:40 - Identity changes within the relationship

49:35 - What’s next for them

52:04 - Gratitude & contentment

54:42 - Social media moms raising sons

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