Not Alone

How to Improve Hair Health: A Dermatologist Explains Supplements + Lifestyle Medicine

This episode is brought to you by Nutrafol, the #1-selling hair growth supplement brand. Start from within to see thicker, fuller hair in 3-6 months. Use code VALERIA for $10 off your first month at https://nutrafol.com [https://nutrafol.com] In this episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with board-certified dermatologist and lifestyle medicine expert Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd for an eye-opening conversation about hair health, supplements, stress, and what it means to take a whole-body approach to hair thinning. From postpartum shedding to perimenopausal thinning, Dr. Heather breaks down why hair changes and why it takes time to see results. She also helps break down why so many women feel confused by the supplement space. She shares what to really look for in your supplements - from clinical trials and randomized controlled studies to third-party certifications like NSF.  Valeria opens up about her own postpartum hair experience, and the women discuss the emotional toll hair changes can take. Dr. Heather also shares simple, actionable shifts, like five-minute meditation, daily walks, and realistic habit-building, that make wellness feel less overwhelming and more sustainable. Learn more about Nutrafol: https://nutrafol.com [https://nutrafol.com] Dr. Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/https://www.instagram.com/drheathermd/ [https://www.instagram.com/drheathermd/]Dr. Heather’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drheathermd [https://www.tiktok.com/@drheathermd] Valeria’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ [https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/]Valeria’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky [https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky] Not Alone’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notalonepod/ [https://www.instagram.com/notalonepod/]Not Alone’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod [https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod] Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/3551713 [https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/3551713] What We Talked About: 0:34 – Valentine’s Day, stress & post-holiday burnout 1:45 – Getting Motivated for 2026 2:45 – Meet Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd 5:38 – Why she chose dermatology 6:50 – What is lifestyle medicine? 9:05 – The truth about supplements (and doctor skepticism) 10:29 – Why hair takes 3–6 months to respond 12:30 – Stress, sleep & actionable daily habits 15:00 – Why baby steps beat perfection 17:30 – How to read a supplement label (efficacy + safety) 18:55 – What NSF certification actually means 20:25 – Counterfeit supplements & buying safely 23:09 – The importance of randomized controlled trials 25:20 – Types of Hair Thinning 26:07 – Active Ingredients in Nutrafol 28:22 – Supplement stacking: helpful or harmful? 30:00 – Should you be getting blood work? 35:24 – Dr. Heather’s 3 supplement rules 37:10 – The psychological impact of hair thinning 38:38 – How can supplements fail us? 40:58 – Gray hair: is innovation coming? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Behind the Victoria's Secret Runway: Miranda Kerr, Kelsey Merritt & Jasmine Tookes Get Real

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/ [https://www.instagram.com/kelseymerritt/]TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kelseymerritt [https://www.tiktok.com/@kelseymerritt] Jasmine Tookes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtookes/ [https://www.instagram.com/jtookes/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jastookes [https://www.tiktok.com/@jastookes] Miranda KerrInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandakerr/ [https://www.instagram.com/mirandakerr/]KORA Organics: https://koraorganics.com [https://koraorganics.com] Valeria’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ [https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/]Valeria’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky [https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky] Not Alone’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notalonepod/ [https://www.instagram.com/notalonepod/]Not Alone’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod [https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod] Shop My Looks: https://shopmy.us/collections/3871837?tab=collections [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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Living Offline Is the New Luxury Item: How I Feel About It

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 [https://shopmy.us/collections/3768639?tab=collections] Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ [https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/]  Reel By Jasmine Darke: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DQBSaPWElUe/ [https://www.instagram.com/reels/DQBSaPWElUe/] The Art of Spending Money: https://amzn.to/4rmMF4U [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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

How to Stop Wasting Money and Start Building Real Wealth with Vivian Tu, "Your Rich BFF"

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 [https://www.instagram.com/your.richbff/?hl=en] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourrichbff?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourrichbff?lang=en] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/yourrichbff [https://www.youtube.com/yourrichbff] Listen to Her Podcast: https://www.yourrichbff.com/podcast [https://www.yourrichbff.com/podcast] Get Financial Advice from Vivian: https://askdolly.com/ [https://askdolly.com/] Shop Her New Book HERE: https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/wellendowed [https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/wellendowed] Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/3614194 [https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/3614194] Follow me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ [https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky?lang=en] Not Alone TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod?lang=en [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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Why I Became More Private: Shea Marie on Her Engagement, Past Failures & Internet Backlash

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 [https://www.instagram.com/sheamarie/?hl=en] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheamarieofficial?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@sheamarieofficial?lang=en] Shop SAME: https://www.samelosangeles.com/collections/shop-all [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/ [https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky?lang=en] Not Alone TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod?lang=en [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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]