I Hated the Baby Years & Other Truths No One Talks About
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
Follow me: 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
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47:36
I Had Everything, and I Was Still Miserable: Aimee Song on Redefining Success
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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/
Shop Lulu + Georgia Collab: http://bit.ly/43PbQUQ
Shop Amiya: http://bit.ly/3HOWRl8
Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1811792
Follow me: 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
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1:09:10
Simple Ways to Reclaim Your Calm: How Breathwork Impacts the Nervous System
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 and use code VALERIA for $25 off.
Follow Stefanie: https://www.instagram.com/stefaniebroes/
Follow moonbird: https://www.instagram.com/moonbird.life/
Shop moonbird: https://www.moonbird.life/VALERIA
Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1791757
Follow me: 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
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54:07
Building a YouTube Empire: Rebecca Zamolo's Secrets to 8 Billion Views
In today’s episode, Valeria sits down with powerhouse content creator Rebecca Zamolo. Rebecca discusses her journey to 18.9 million YouTube Subscribers, 18 million TikTok followers, and over 8 billion views: from pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles to becoming a predominant figure in the family-friendly content space. Rebecca opens up about her struggles with ulcerative colitis, enduring surgeries, and how these experiences led her to start her YouTube channel. She shares her strategies for creating engaging content, the importance of authenticity, and how she balances her career with motherhood. Rebecca also talks about her IVF journey, the challenges of working with a surrogate for her second child, and her new supplement brand Molo aimed at supporting women's fertility. This candid conversation highlights Rebecca's resilience, her commitment to empowering women, and her vision for the future.
Follow Rebecca: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccazamolo/
https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccazamolo
https://www.tiktok.com/@rebeccazamolo
Shop Molo Fertility: https://bit.ly/3FOMZXY
Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1780505
Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/
What We talked About:
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:36 Health Struggles and Career Shift
04:00 Building a YouTube Empire
08:21 Navigating Family and Content Creation
10:35 Balancing Family Life and YouTube
28:03 The Role of a Nurturer
29:19 Parenting Challenges and Emotional Growth
35:54 Balancing Work and Motherhood
36:38 Sharing Miscarriage & Fertility Struggles Publicly
40:07 The IVF Journey
43:11 Creating Molo: A Mission to Help Women
49:27 The Surrogacy Experience
51:44 Daily Practices and Personal Growth
54:20 Hopes for the Future
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59:34
From the Philippines to the Runway: Kelsey Merritt's Story in Her Own Words
In her first podcast ever, model Kelsey Merritt sits down with Valeria for a refreshingly honest conversation about identity, boundaries, and ambition. From growing up in a strict Filipino household to becoming the first Filipina Victoria’s Secret model, Kelsey shares the full story behind her calm, polished image and what people often get wrong. They talk about the emotional impact of cultural expectations and beauty standards in the Philippines and Eastern Europe, the real dynamics of the modeling industry, and what it’s like to build a public persona while staying true to yourself. Kelsey also opens up about her love of surfing, gatekeeping style trends, and why she’s learning to speak up more in this new chapter of her life.
Follow Kelsey: https://www.instagram.com/kelseymerritt/
Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1738912
Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/
What We talked About:
00:00 Being private and perfectionist
03:14 Filipino upbringing and boundaries
07:50 Being The First Filipina Victoria’s Secret Runway Model
10:55 Biracial identity and criticism in the Philippines
14:59 Manifestation and big breaks
18:02 First house and Birkin
21:45 Modeling and social media
28:02 Beauty standards in the Philippines
30:20 Style evolution and gatekeeping
36:47 Rapid Fire: Surfing, skiing, and stillness
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Welcome to "Not Alone," a podcast where we dive deep into the stories that shape us. Hosted by Valeria Lipovetsky, this space is dedicated to revealing the raw, often unspoken challenges faced by women from all walks of life. Each episode invites you to listen to heartfelt conversations with inspiring guests who open up about their personal battles, breakthroughs, and the lessons learned along the way.
Follow Valeria on Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok.