Not Alone

In this week’s very special 100th episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down for a powerful and deeply honest conversation with writer and creator, Heidi Clements. Known for her unfiltered storytelling and viral presence online, Heidi opens up about aging, sobriety, 25 years without sex, surviving trauma, and what it means to live life on her own terms. The two explore the emotional realities behind choosing a nontraditional path, including living single, redefining intimacy, and navigating the invisibility many women feel after 50. They discuss how society conditions women to seek validation, how the male gaze has shaped generations, and why self-approval is the ultimate freedom. With humor, heart, and vulnerability, this episode is a candid look at healing, wholeness, and the courage to tell your story out loud. Follow Heidi: https://www.instagram.com/welcometoheidi/ [https://www.instagram.com/welcometoheidi/]  Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1909988 [https://shopmy.us/collections/1909988]  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ [https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/]  What we talked about:  00:00 Not Alone’s 100th Episode! 00:14 The Humbling Journey of Podcasting 01:38 Overcoming Perfectionism and COVID Challenges 02:28 The Birth of 'Not Alone' 02:58 Finding My Groove in Podcasting 04:07 Introducing Heidi Clements 06:12 Heidi's Journey to Internet Fame 07:43 Navigating Social Media and Personal Growth 13:11 The Impact of Sobriety and Personal Trauma 16:06 Empowering Women and Challenging the Patriarchy 20:07 Generational Shifts and Future Hopes 36:00 Gen X and Menopause: A New Conversation 37:02 Cultural Silence and Women's Health 38:52 Living Shamelessly and Embracing Authenticity 41:57 Intimacy and Sobriety: A Personal Journey 45:43 Redefining Intimacy and Relationships 52:47 The Evolution of Self-Love and Acceptance 01:01:47 Visibility and Aging: Embracing Change 01:05:07 Final Thoughts and Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

In this week’s episode, Valeria sits down with Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman, best friends and co-founders of Monday Swimwear, for an honest and energizing conversation about building a business, growing through friendship, and redefining leadership. Natasha and Devin open up about the rare bond that has held them together for over a decade, one built on unwavering trust, shared values, and deep emotional loyalty. They reveal how they’ve come to trust each other even more than their romantic partners, and why that unshakable connection is the foundation for everything they’ve built. The trio also explores how they launched a globally recognized brand without formal fashion training, what it means to lead as women, manage teams with heart, and stay grounded while scaling a company. From navigating dating in your 30s and freezing eggs to staying obsessed with work and each other, this episode is a love letter to ambition, authenticity, and choosing the people who lift you higher. Follow Tash: https://www.instagram.com/tashoakley/ [https://www.instagram.com/tashoakley/]  Follow Devin: https://www.instagram.com/devinbrugman/ [https://www.instagram.com/devinbrugman/]  Follow Monday Swimwear: https://www.instagram.com/mondayswimwear/ [https://www.instagram.com/mondayswimwear/]   Shop Monday Swimwear: https://mondayswimwear.com/ [https://mondayswimwear.com/]  Book Recommendations:  Excessively Obsessed by Tash Oakley https://a.co/d/aski91P [https://a.co/d/aski91P]  The Power of Now by Ekchart Tolle https://a.co/d/8DeuoAV [https://a.co/d/8DeuoAV]  Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan https://a.co/d/2ZiptCN [https://a.co/d/2ZiptCN]  Good Morning, Monster by Catherine Gildiner https://a.co/d/3ud8vUW [https://a.co/d/3ud8vUW]  Attached by  Amir Levine and Rachel Heller https://a.co/d/ivLtVkS [https://a.co/d/ivLtVkS]  Only Love Is Real: A Story of Soulmates Reunited by Dr. Brian Weiss https://a.co/d/4nVFYrT [https://a.co/d/4nVFYrT%20%20] The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan https://a.co/d/4LEoWHX [https://a.co/d/4LEoWHX] The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett https://a.co/d/iS1jwER [https://a.co/d/iS1jwER%20] Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1898265 [https://shopmy.us/collections/1898265]  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ [https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/]  What we talked about:  01:00: Swim Week in Miami04:00: How Tash and Devin first met 07:00: Building a business on friendship and trust 12:00: The secret to their communication style 14:00: Managing team dynamics with empathy 20:00: The Bikini A Day origin story 24:00: Designing swimwear that actually fits 31:00: Choosing partners 34:00: How Monday Swimwear became the standard 38:00: Dating in your 30s with clarity 41:00: Freezing eggs and taking the pressure off 47:00: Opening a store and staying playful 51:30: Wellness habits that keep them grounded 54:00: Advice for aspiring influencers 56:00: Running a brand that lasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

I’m back for another solo episode! In this one, I’m catching you up on everything: life lately, parenting epiphanies, personal shifts, and a few hot takes I had to get off my chest. From summer travel plans and raising pre-teens to why I’m not falling for every wellness trend online, this one's a mix of honest reflections and playful rants (yes, we’re talking about fantasy books, healing culture, and capri pants). I also open up about feeling disconnected from social media, the emotional weight of parenting older kids, and the importance of building real community. If you’re navigating your own in-between season or need some camaraderie in the messy, beautiful chaos of life, this one's for you. Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1825890 [https://shopmy.us/collections/1825890]  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ [https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/]  What I talked about:  00:26 Life Updates 01:32 Puppy Adventures and Parenting Reflections 03:08 Navigating Parenting Challenges 13:30 Father's Day Reflections 15:47 Summer Plans and Travel Excitement 19:40 Social Media Presence and Personal Growth 21:45 Rediscovering Myself 22:03 Current Projects and Redirections 23:07 Book Recommendations and Reading Journey 24:39 Motherhood and Community 25:18 Propaganda I’m NOT Falling For  25:54 Supplements and Personalized Health 30:05 I read ACOTAR… 31:45 50/50 Relationships and Equity 32:55 Political Views and Social Media 34:20 Fashion and Overdressing 37:02 Healing and Self-Improvement 40:10 Contradictions and Personal Growth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

This episode is brought to you by Natural Cycles: The company changing the contraception game with the world’s first FDA-cleared birth control app. Whether you're looking to prevent pregnancy or plan for it, the Natural Cycles app offers a non-hormonal, non-invasive alternative to traditional birth control. Right now, you can get 15% off an annual subscription plus a free Bluetooth thermometer when you visit https://www.naturalcycles.com [https://www.naturalcycles.com] and use promo code VALERIA at checkout. Natural Cycles is for 18+ and does not protect against STIs. Always read and follow the instructions for use. In this episode, Valeria sits down with digital pioneer, designer, and mom of two Aimee Song for an intimate and honest conversation about identity, motherhood, and the evolution of personal ambition. Aimee opens up about building her career before the influencer industry even existed, the highs and hidden lows of success, and why her definition of fulfillment has completely shifted in recent years. They talk postpartum depression, therapy breakthroughs, creative burnout, and the magic of slowing down to reconnect with what really matters. Aimee also shares what inspired her return to interior design and the intention behind her new fashion brand, Amiya. It's a raw, funny, and deeply personal look at what happens when you let go of the hustle and finally come home to yourself. Follow Aimee: https://www.instagram.com/aimeesong/ [https://www.instagram.com/aimeesong/]  Shop Lulu + Georgia Collab: http://bit.ly/43PbQUQ [http://bit.ly/43PbQUQ]  Shop Amiya: http://bit.ly/3HOWRl8 [http://bit.ly/3HOWRl8]  Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1811792 [https://shopmy.us/collections/1811792]  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ [https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/]  What we talked about:  00:55 Navigating Early Career Challenges 01:48 Reflecting on Industry Changes 05:52 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health 08:12 Therapy and Self-Discovery 15:54 The Hoffman Process 24:18 Redefining Success and Happiness 35:26 Diving into New Ventures 35:46 Reflecting on Career Choices 37:05 The Importance of a Strong Foundation 38:32 Embracing Cringe Moments 39:06 Returning to Interior Design 40:31 Feng Shui and Home Harmony 47:04 Launching a New Brand: Amiya 56:19 Lessons from Motherhood 59:12 Embracing Aging and Redefining Milestones 01:04:28 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

In this episode, Valeria sits down with Stefanie Broes, the co-founder of Moonbird, for a refreshing conversation about something we all need more of: calm. They explore how breathwork can help us manage stress, sleep better, and feel more grounded in our daily lives. Stefanie opens up about her own journey, from battling burnout during her PhD to discovering the power of the breath as a healing tool. They unpack the science in a super accessible way, talk through the differences between breathwork and meditation, and share simple ways to bring these practices into your routine. Plus, Stefanie gives us a look into Moonbird’s mission and why she believes teaching breathwork to kids and adults alike could change lives. This episode is brought to you by moonbird: Tired of stress hijacking your day or struggling to fall asleep at night? Meet moonbird, your handheld breathing coach, designed to help you slow down and reconnect with your breath. Born from personal need and backed by science, moonbird merges biometric intelligence with guided breathwork to help you calm your mind, ease anxiety, and sleep better. It gently expands and contracts in your hand, guiding your breathing rhythm in real time — no screens, no noise, just you and your breath. Go to moonbird.life/VALERIA [http://moonbird.life/VALERIA] and use code VALERIA for $25 off. Follow Stefanie: https://www.instagram.com/stefaniebroes/ [https://www.instagram.com/stefaniebroes/]  Follow moonbird: https://www.instagram.com/moonbird.life/ [https://www.instagram.com/moonbird.life/]  Shop moonbird: https://www.moonbird.life/VALERIA [https://www.moonbird.life/VALERIA]  Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1791757 [https://shopmy.us/collections/1791757]  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ [https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/]  What we talked about:  00:00 Intro 01:11 Discovering Breathwork: A Personal Journey 02:52 The Science Behind Breathwork and Meditation 04:41 Practical Applications and Benefits of Breathwork 10:09 The Nervous System and Stress Response 18:18 The Importance of Sleep and Personal Well-being 19:55 Heart Rate Variability and Breathwork 22:35 Guided Breathwork Exercise 25:49 Balancing Health and Wellness Practices 27:00 Exploring Women's Unique Health Challenges 29:02 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction 30:58 The Impact of Shallow Breathing and Modern Posture 31:26 Proper Breathing Techniques 36:10 Incorporating Breath Work into Daily Life 46:40 Breathwork and Digestion 50:05 A Personal Story and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]