Not Alone

Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, a board-certified dermatologist and lifestyle medicine expert, explains hair changes from postpartum to perimenopause. She unpacks why supplements need evidence and safety checks. She covers hair growth timing, stress-busting habits like five-minute meditation and walks, and practical tips for building sustainable wellness routines.

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Little Saints, a zero-sugar, non-alcoholic cocktail and spirits brand created for people who love the ritual of drinking but not the aftermath. Use code VALERIA for 15% off at https://littlesaints.com In this episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with Megan Klein, founder of Little Saints, a non-alcoholic cocktails and spirits brand, for a candid conversation about sober curiosity, reinvention, and building a business that challenges the way we socialize. Megan shares her unconventional career path and what she discovered after testing nearly every non-alcoholic drink on the market. They dive into betting on yourself, her Shark Tank experience (and why she walked away from the offers), and her complicated relationship with the word “sober.” The conversation goes deeper into the physical and emotional effects of alcohol, why so many of us drink to numb, and what dating without alcohol can look like. Megan also opens up about how her personal experiences, including extensive work with ayahuasca, shaped her outlook on wellness, presence, and connection. It’s a thoughtful, honest episode about choosing clarity, building something meaningful, and redefining what it means to feel good. Follow Little Saints on Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlesaintsco/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@littlesaintsco Shop Little Saints drinks here: https://littlesaints.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoruaDMYXrtdiYTR7lCR2iMKX2fpyV74KyHXDhxcv7bg1zQ7Omza Megan’s Book Recs: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron - https://amzn.to/498dvYq  A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - https://amzn.to/44QVHys  Shop my looks from this episode:  https://shopmy.us/collections/3446096?tab=collections Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  0:20 - Dry January & Sober Curiosity  2:35 - Introducing Megan Klein 4:19 - Start of interview 6:55 - Her common thread through careers 9:55 - Pivot from farming to a food brand 12:04 - Birth of Little Saints during Covid 13:18 - Testing all the non-alcoholic drinks 15:03 - Explaining Little Saints 16:50 - Decision to invest her own money 17:28 - Selling Little Saints out of a trailer 19:18 - Megan’s Shark Tank experience 21:57 - Why she didn't take the deal 22:40 - After the tank 23:40 - Why she dislikes the word ‘sober’ 27:30 - The side effects of drinking alcohol  31:30 - Drinking to numb ourselves 33:00 - Personal benefits from not drinking 35:54 - Doing Ayahuasca 60 times  38:16 - Lessons learned from Ayahuasca 39:42 - Data about the impact of alcohol  41:14 - Dating without alcohol  43:50 - What’s next for Little Saints 48:10 - Megan’s book recommendations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re rolling out some of Gary’s most iconic moments on Not Alone with a compilation of his most memorable conversations. We’re starting with the story of how Gary and Valeria’s age gap shaped their relationship from day one, how their mothers reacted, the moment Gary asked for Valeria’s hand in marriage. Then, we shift into a raw and revealing conversation about infidelity, why men cheat, the role of emotional maturity, the importance of communication, and why working on yourself is essential to building a lasting relationship. Finally, we dive into marriage and money: power dynamics, childhood beliefs around wealth, business wins and losses, spending freedoms in marriage, and the decisions that shaped their future together. This is the ultimate “Gary Edition,” full of vulnerability, humor, and the kind of perspective you can only get from Mr. Lipovetsky. Listen to the full episodes here: Bridging the Gap: Age Differences and Marital Challenges with Gary Lipovetsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hCykGJXAgE&t=1153s Why Do Men Cheat? Understanding Infidelity in Relationships & Marriage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0FlLiQmsxI Money and Marriage: An Honest Conversation About Our Finances with Gary Lipovetsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOzQ6arTX44 Shop my looks from this episode:  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/valerialipovetsky/posts/1fb71221-858b-11ee-83c1-0242ac110002 https://shopmy.us/collections/1442019 https://shopmy.us/collections/2203496?tab=collections Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky Follow Not Alone: https://www.instagram.com/notalonepod/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod What we talked about:  0:28 - Setting up Gary’s compilation episode 2:52 - What their moms thought of their age gap 7:10 - Asking Valeria’s mom for her hand in marriage 8:02 - Gary’s relationship with Valeria’s mom 10:13 - Advice for couples with an age gap  12:36 - The mentality difference when it comes to age 15:34 - Gary uplifting Valeria’s career 16:37 - Meeting Kris Jenner 19:00 - Gary’s proudest moments 20:35 - Theories on why men cheat 27:13 - Why men in their 20s cheat 30:19 - Gary was a ghoster 35:00 - The golden cage 35:50 - Communication is key 36:24 - Being satisfied with your marriage 38:10 - Importance of working on yourself in marriage 39:35 - Valeria never feeling poor as a child 41:43 - Gary’s deal that didn’t go through 45:20 - Wives needing permission to spend money 49:44 - Best money Gary has ever spent 50:50 - Valeria’s nutrition diploma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 2 of Valeria’s conversation with Dr. Mindy Pelz, the focus shifts from understanding menopause to actively working with it to improve your life. Dr. Mindy introduces the concept of “microdosing menopause,” breaking down simple, daily habits women can use to support their changing brains and bodies, from metabolic markers like hemoglobin A1C to lifestyle shifts that ease anxiety and improve energy. They dive into why menopause often acts as a mirror, revealing what’s no longer working in your life, while reframing this phase as a powerful leadership chapter rooted in the “grandmother hypothesis.” The episode also covers how to communicate changes with partners, which hormones to check at different ages, how to build a true alliance with your doctor, and a clear-eyed discussion of peptides and hormone replacement therapy. Ultimately, Dr. Mindy reframes menopause not as something to “get through,” but as a strategic, self-aware upgrade, one that gives women the tools, clarity and confidence to step into the most grounded and powerful phase of their lives. Follow Dr. Mindy on Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.mindypelz/?hl=en TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@drmindypelz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/drmindypelz Shop her new book, AGE LIKE A GIRL, and others: https://www.drmindypelz.com/books Listen to her podcast: https://www.drmindypelz.com/resetter-podcast Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/3269976?tab=collections Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  0:24 - End of Hanukkah  0:42 - Setting up Part 2 with Dr. Mindy 1:35 - ‘Microdosing Menopause’ concept 3:15 - Start of conversation 4:02 - Make sure hemoglobin A1C is close to 5 4:45 - Daily habits you can do to support the changes 6:15 - Communicating changes with partners 10:50 - What’s causing anxiety 13:28 - Menopause is a mirror of what is & isn’t working  16:10 - The grandmother hypothesis 19:16 - The leadership phase 26:00 - What hormones women should check at certain ages 30:15 - Form an alliance with your doctor 32:45 - What we need to know about peptides 34:22 - Pros and Cons of Hormone Replacement Therapy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Mindy Pelz, a functional health practitioner and bestselling author known for her focus on women's hormonal health, dives deep into the complexities of menopause. She shares her personal journey, revealing how menopause is a transformational period, not just an end. Mindy discusses the decline of estrogen and its impact on neurochemicals, empowering women to embrace leadership roles. She offers practical advice for those in their 30s and 40s, emphasizing lifestyle shifts, micro-habits, and mental health support for a strong transition into this new chapter.