Not Alone

• How to Turn Struggle into Purpose: Mia Pineda’s Journey from Venezuela to Astrology

  This episode is brought to you by Furtuna Skin: Italian, olive oil–based skincare that’s pure, potent, and transformative. Try their Olive Lip Butter Balm and more at https://www.furtunaskin.com, and get 20% off your first purchase with code VALERIA20. This episode is also brought to you by Floatley - A bra brand offering feel-good basics that combine cloud-like comfort with reliable support. Try our bestselling Cozy Adjustable Bra at https://www.floatley.com/products/cozy-adjustable and get 20% off your order with code VALERIA20, plus free shipping on US orders over $50. In this week’s episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with astrologer, author and speaker Mia Pineda (aka Mia Astral) for an intimate conversation about identity, intuition, and the paths that guide us. Born to a mother who was only 14 and raised by her grandparents in Venezuela, Mia often felt like an outsider, questioning her place in the world. Astrology became the way she found her footing, transforming uncertainty into purpose. Mia shares the wisdom she learned from her grandmother, talks about leaving Venezuela to move to Miami, and the surprising path from criminology and forensic law to becoming a leading voice in Kabbalistic Astrology. Together, they explore how to tell the difference between fear and intuition, the evolution of astrology in our modern world (yes, even Taylor Swift comes up), and how to lean into discomfort as a catalyst for growth. It’s a thoughtful, soulful episode about reframing your mindset, resilience, and finding your own purpose through the stars.  Follow Mia on Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mia_astral/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mia_astral?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mia_astral Website: https://miastral.com/ Become a Member on Mia’s Website: https://miastral.com/my-account/ Shop her Books: https://miastral.com/shop/   Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/2146915 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  0:28 - Valeria on turning 35 and her birthday traditions 2:39 - Valeria on the end of summer for her family 4:40 - Introducing Mia Pineda 6:24 - Start of interview 6:37 - Mia’s unusual upbringing in Venezuela 9:19 - Being raised by her grandmother 11:59 - Figuring out her place in the world 12:50 - Grandmother’s mentality of abundance  13:47 - Getting a bad reading from a popular astrologer 15:05 - Fortuna Skin Ad 16:14 - Floatley Ad 19:29 - Understanding the mathematics of astrology 22:18 - Studying criminology and forensic law 23:31 - Discovering Kabbalah  23:51 - Leaving Venezuela and moving Miami 27:11 - Working on her mindset 29:07 - Kabbalistic Astrology 34:01 - Differentiating between intuition and fear 36:43 - The evolution of astrology 37:40 - “I’m pretty sure Taylor Swift uses an astrologer” 38:32 - Explaining eclipse seasons 45:40 - “How can you get into uncomfortable but manageable situations?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Mean Girls, Friendship Red Flags & Letting Go of Toxic People with Christie Ferrari

  This episode is brought to you by CLEARSTEM - my favorite skincare brand that fights acne and aging at the same time, with zero pore-clogging ingredients, ever. Get 15% off at https://clearstem.com/valeria with code VALERIA. This episode is also brought to you by Vuori: Versatile athletic and performance clothing. Head to https://vuori.com/notalone for 20% off your first purchase, plus free shipping on US orders over $75. In this week’s episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with clinical psychologist and friendship expert Christie Ferrari to unpack the complicated world of adult friendships. They explore why friends can feel so different after childhood, and why we sometimes fight to keep certain people in our lives while letting go of others. Christie introduces the concept of growth flags vs. red flags and helps us identify what healthy, evolving friendships look like versus the ones that may be holding us back. Together, Valeria and Christie dive into questions we all face: What kind of friend am I? Am I a fringe friend? How do I deal with “mean girls” even as an adult? From cultural differences in how friendships form, to tips for approaching conflict, to understanding when it’s time to quietly distance yourself, this conversation offers both validation and practical tools for navigating relationships. If you’ve ever questioned your place in a friend group or wondered how to deepen your connections, this episode is a must-listen. Follow Christie on Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christie_ferrari/?hl=en  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christieferrari?lang=en  Website: https://www.christieferrari.com/ Subscribe to Assertive You: https://www.christieferrari.com/assertive-you Book a session with Christie: https://www.christieferrari.com/services   Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/2205029 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  0:38 - Valeria sets up the episode about friendships 3:52 - Start of the conversation 4:01 - Introducing Christie Ferrari 6:33 - Why adult friendships seem so different 8:28 - Why we work for friendships & why we let them go 9:48 - Growth flags vs red flags 12:38 - Understanding what kind of friend you are 15:12 - Clearstem Ad 16:35 - Vuori Ad 17:57 - Christie’s draw to studying friendships 18:49 - The importance of being assertive 20:28 - What is a fringe friend? 23:18 - Helping a fringe friend  25:35 - Tips to find good friends 27:42 - Christie’s story on being a fringe friend 28:17 - Dealing with Mean Girls 29:29 - Why Mean Girls exist in adulthood 31:03 - Cultural friendship differences 32:05 - How Mean Girls lose power 34:10 - Approaching a friend with an issue 36:36 - When to let a friendship go 37:25 - Quiet distancing 40:14 - Mourning friendships 41:07 - Having more than one “best friend” 43:56 - Trying a friendship reset 44:48 - What healthy friendships look like 45:34 - Men’s reactions to female friendships 47:46 - Why friendships are easier in your 20s 48:35 - Underrated green flags 49:01 - Rapid Fire Questions 51:19 - Christie’s Reading Rec    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Money & Marriage: An Honest Convo About Our Finances

  This episode is brought to you by Vuori: Versatile athletic and performance clothing. Head to https://vuori.com/notalone for 20% off your first purchase, plus free shipping on US orders over $75. This episode is brought to you by CLEARSTEM — my favorite skincare brand that fights acne and aging at the same time, with zero pore-clogging ingredients, ever. Get 15% off at https://www.clearstem.com/valeria with code VALERIA.  In this week’s episode of Not Alone, Valeria and her husband Gary open up about their journey with money, what it symbolized in their childhoods, how they laid everything on the table when they first got together, and the transparency they’ve had with money ever since. They revisit pivotal moments that tested and strengthened their bond—like the time Gary’s big business deal fell through before their wedding and he gave Valeria the chance to walk away. Her response, “never say that to me again,” became a defining moment in their partnership. They talk about how they approach finances in a traditional way—Gary managing everything day-to-day while Valeria leans in with curiosity and questions—and the ways they don’t always see eye to eye on how their values were worked out along the way. Together, they share lessons learned, laugh over the “ROI” of Valeria’s nutrition degree that unexpectedly sparked her career in content creation, and offer advice for couples who struggle to have honest conversations about money. This episode is both vulnerable and lighthearted, pulling back the curtain on the realities of love, trust, and building a life together. Follow Gary on Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garylipovetsky/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@garylipovetsky Listen to Gary’s Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@Gary.Lipovetsky https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rise-podcast/id1688773397   Apply for Creator Method: https://creatormethod.com/ Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/2062213 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  0:29 - Setting up the conversation with Gary 3:07 - Start of the episode 4:30 - Gary’s childhood mindset on money 5:41 - The scarcity mindset 8:40 - Thinking of money in terms of necessity 10:06 - Valeria’s money mindset growing up 11:22 - Valeria’s mom crowdfunding with other single moms 12:24 - Vuori ad 14:42 - Financing basic needs 15:36 - The importance of financial literacy 16:32 - Valeria leaving home at 16 and making money 18:42 - People with fallback plans and people without 19:21 - Remembering their first conversation about money 20:33 - Valeria changing her approach to money 22:16 - Clearstem ad 24:30 - Gary’s big deal falling apart 26:24 - The outcome of losing out on big money 28:08 - Their traditional approach to finance 34:07 - The language difference around making money 35:30 - Agreeing on “what’s worth it” when spending 39:07 - Communication on money 39:33 - Disagreeing on how they work on or through things 42:21 - Best money they’ve ever spent 43:22 - The ROI on Valeria’s nutrition diploma 46:56 - Valeria being clueless on life and money 48:23 - What Gary wishes he knew earlier about money 52:02 - Tips for couples who struggle talking about money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Life Beyond Modeling: The Side of Emily DiDonato You’ve Never Seen Before

  In this week’s episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with model, entrepreneur, and content creator Emily DiDonato to explore the joy of trying new things, no matter how imperfectly. Emily shares the story of being discovered at a mall as a teenager, stepping into a whirlwind modeling career, and eventually finding her creative spark in content creation. We dive into how Emily channels any flickers of comparison into motivation, why she’s never been competitive or jealous, and how motherhood has redefined her version of “balance” (hint: there isn’t any!). Emily opens up about the weekly “admin meetings” she and her husband use to keep their busy lives in sync, and why she believes there’s magic in being a beginner. From career pivots to personal growth, Emily’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: it’s fun to try, it’s fun to fail, and the learning process is where the real reward lies. This episode will leave you feeling braver about starting, more forgiving of the messy middle, and reminded that the courage to try, again and again, is what truly shapes a fulfilled life. Follow Emily on Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilydidonato/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@didonatoemily?lang=en  Shop Emily's Skincare Brand Covey: https://coveyskin.com/?srsltid=AfmBOore9LtSOvC5ftxSnkNL8m2rn6SoZV3Zx8KYIdYPSM9sjbQuZN2U Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/2062111 https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/2071219 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  Apply for Creator Method: https://creatormethod.com/ 👉Related Links: NYFW 2019 vlog: https://youtu.be/eVLdfF_4n8k Drunk GRWM: https://youtu.be/vtEL61OUvHg Emily Collab: https://youtu.be/NoobVS82bj8 What we talked about:  0:50 - Valeria’s recent trip to New York 1:30 - Creator Method Summit 3:46 - Introducing Emily DiDonato 6:06 - Start of interview 6:14 -  Valeria and Emily’s friendship history 8:59 - Emily’s start in modeling 12:23 - Emily’s evolution to content creation 18:02 - “That creative outlet lit a flame for me” 18:51 - Starting on instagram and moving to YouTube 19:54 - Using comparison to push herself 21:11 - Being overwhelmed and needing help 24:45 - Spiritual challenges 26:16 - “There is no balance as a mom”  29:01 - Emily and her husband’s weekly admin meeting 31:21 - Emily on trying anything and everything 33:28 - “It’s fun to suck” 35:17 - On being vulnerable online 36:53 - Navigating negativity online 38:48 - Audience Q&A 39:29 - Who are the people behind you who help you get it all done? 41:08 - What days are you slumming it and what days are you in full glam? 42:43 - Advice to the younger generation on body image and confidence 44:28 - Things she would do differently when starting a business 46:38 - Knowing which hobbies and interests are worth pursuing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Women Aren't Getting Good Sleep: Here's Why and How to Fix It

  This episode is brought to you by Eight Sleep, the leader in sleep fit technology. Their award-winning Pod 5 sleep system helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling more refreshed by automatically adjusting to your ideal temperature, elevation, and sound throughout the night. Upgrade your rest and your recovery: use code VALERIA for $350 off at http://eightsleep.com/valeria  In this insightful and inspiring episode, Valeria sits down with Alex Zatarain, co-founder of Eight Sleep, to discuss how she’s transforming the way we think about rest, recovery, and performance. Alex shares the story of building one of the most innovative sleep technology companies in the world, from identifying the gap in the market to creating the Pod - a smart mattress designed to personalize and optimize your sleep. Together, they explore the science behind quality rest, the connection between sleep and mental health, and how technology can help us live longer, healthier lives. Alex also opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, balancing ambition with self-care, and the habits that keep her grounded. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a tech enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to sleep better, this episode offers actionable takeaways and a behind-the-scenes look at a brand changing the future of sleep. Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/2101362?tab=collections   📱Follow Alex & Eight Sleep  Instagram: @alexzatarainj https://www.instagram.com/alexzatarainj/?hl=en  Eight Sleep: https://www.instagram.com/eightsleep/?hl=en  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrazatarain/?locale=en_US X / Twitter: https://x.com/a_zatarain Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  0:35 - Valeria Recap Toronto Team Retreat  2:54 - Introducing Alexandra Zatarain 5:43 - Start of Interview 6:35 - Growing up in Mexico 7:18 - Learning what opportunity really means 12:22 - The college assignment that changed the game 14:04 - Meeting her husband and future co-founder 15:37 - Opening her world to tech in the “Silicon Alley” 18:32 - Working with her husband 21:08 - Trying to building something in 3D printing 22:15 - Coming up with the idea of Eight Sleep  25:30 - Leaving her job and forming the company 27:00 - How the technology works 30:55 - Temperature is crucial for good sleep 32:06 - Changing the conversation on sleep 34:09 - Sleep Fitness 38:20 - Mitigating women’s sleep issues 41:37 - Keeping it simple with sleep products 43:10 - Being a female Latina founder 46:51 - Building a company with her husband 49:58 - Valeria triggering people with Gary work dynamic 51:41 - “The team you build is the company you build” 52:32 - Balance and keeping herself in check 58:20 - Alexandra’s book recommendation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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