Not Alone

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

In part one of this powerful and insightful two-part conversation of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with Dr. Mindy Pelz to unpack the real reason she wrote Age Like a Girl, and why menopause is far more than a hormonal ending, but a profound rewiring of a woman’s brain and identity. Dr. Mindy opens up about her own breaking point, the need to pull away and admit “I’m not okay,” and what actually happens to women emotionally, neurologically, and metabolically as estrogen fades. Together, they explore the loss of key neurochemicals, the shift away from people-pleasing, and why menopause may be preparing women to become better, more intentional leaders. This episode also offers practical insight for women in their 30s and 40s on lifestyle changes, micro-habits, and ways to support dopamine, serotonin, and metabolic health, setting the foundation for the next chapter of power rather than decline. 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 books: 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:  0:35 - Celebrating the holidays with family 2:05 - Introducing Dr. Mindy Pelz 4:16 - Start of the interview 5:12 - Why she wrote “Age Like a Girl” 8:42 - Dr. Mindy’s personal journey with menopause 11:00 - The breaking point  11:52 - Pulling away & needing isolation 14:07 - Admitting to people “I’m not okay” 17:43 - What happens to women after menopause 18:45 - Losing the neurons that make women people-pleasers 20:56 - Learning to ask yourself “What do I want?” 23:36 - The three phases of rewiring in women’s brains 26:01 - Menopause rewires women to be better leaders 29:20 - Losing over 12 different neurochemicals  30:51 - What 30 & 40-year-olds need to know now 31:08 - Lifestyle & neurochemical shifts 32:10 - Getting metabolic system in order 34:26 - Making time for yourself 35:24 - Ways to help dopamine & serotonin  39:04 - Shifting out of your old habits 40:36 - Becoming more sensitive to your environment 42:36 - Microdosing habits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special “Miami Besties” episode of Not Alone, Valeria brings together the most memorable, honest, and vulnerable moments from her conversations with the women closest to her. The episode begins with friend Vita Sidorkina, whose conversation dives into raising resilient kids, the value of honesty with children, and the Russian cultural principles she still carries. Plus, an open conversation about how “daddy issues” can shape who we choose to marry and life with a husband who is 20 years older. Next, Isabela Grutman reflects on what marrying young taught her, navigating the early modeling world, and the reality of “high-value” men. We also get into long-term partnerships, and what it means to renegotiate your marriage as you evolve. Then, Martha Graeff opens up about her first marriage, the courage it took to prioritize her mental health, and the financial realities of leaving, including why she believes prenups are empowering, not limiting. Finally, Camila Coelho shares her deeply personal experience growing up with epilepsy, from getting diagnosed as a child to managing her condition as an adult, and the stigma that still surrounds it.  Together, these conversations reveal the raw, real, and resilient sides of womanhood, friendship,and the stories that shape us. Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/3190104 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky?lang=en Follow Not Alone TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod What we talked about:  0:26 - Setting up the “Miami Besties” Episode 1:53 - Introducing friend Vita Sidorkina  3:22 - Start of Vita  3:26 - Bringing back honest communication with children 5:09 - People being too soft 7:28 - Russian values Vita holds on to 9:50 - Not growing up with childhood trauma 11:15 - Daddy issues & marital age-gaps 15:21 - Introducing friend Isabela Grutman 16:22 - Start of Isabela  16:26 - Wasting people’s time 18:06 - Marrying young vs. later in life 21:47 - Modeling at a young age 22:57 - Women looking for high-value men 23:53 - Lessons from marriage 25:15 - Not taking everything personally 26:18 - Renegotiating the marriage terms 30:01 - Introducing friend Martha Graeff 31:07 - Start of Martha  31:28 - Early days with her ex-husband 33:35 - Prioritizing mental health 35:16 - Financial aspect of leaving your marriage 36:09 - Importance of a prenup  38:25 - Introducing friend Camila Coehlo 39:41 - Start of Camila  40:19 - Getting diagnosed with epilepsy as a child 44:00 - Managing her type of epilepsy 45:55 - The stigma around epilepsy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of Not Alone, Valeria and Gary sit down to unpack the wild, hilarious, and surprising stories that caught their attention recently. What starts as a response to her last solo episode, quickly turns into a rapid-fire conversation about everything from “Scrotox” going mainstream to the debate around who really sets beauty standards. They dive into the rise of the “facekini,” why broke men date attractive women, and what healthy masculinity actually looks like today. Gary brings his own lineup of headlines too, including the unexpected link between Viagra and hearing loss prevention, a new app changing how people flirt, and why old-school tech is making a comeback. The two also break down the Chiara Ferragni scandal, challenge each other over an “offensive” post, and end with a debate on why women multitask better. It’s chaotic in the best way - smart, funny, and filled with the kind of honest back-and-forth only these two can deliver.  Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/3109283 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  0:19 - Responding to feedback about lip filler 2:32 - Setting up this episode with Gary 3:19 - Start with Gary 6:22 - “Scrotox” going mainstream 9:06 - Beauty standards 13:40 - The “Facekini” industry 16:13 - Broke guys dating attractive women 18:19 - Healthy masculinity 19:18 - Gary’s stories from the week 19:47 - Viagra could help hearing loss 22:41 - New app for sending someone a drink 25:00 - The evolution of technology 28:38 - Chiara Ferragni scandal 35:07 - Gary calls Valeria out for “offensive” post 36:59 - Why women are good at multitasking Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with content creator, entrepreneur, and Aureum co-founder Cass DiMicco for a deeply relatable conversation on ambition, creativity, and the evolving meaning of success. Cass opens up about the early signs that hinted at her creative future, her leap from fashion buyer to full-time influencer, and the vulnerability that came with putting herself online. She shares how Aureum was born from intuition, grit, and a little bit of impulsiveness, and opens up about what it took to run the business during its first year ‘til now, and how she stays connected to her “why” while navigating pressure, growth, and creativity - all while trying to start a family. Cass and Valeria also dive into the truth behind the “Girl Boss” era, the myth that women need to choose between career and motherhood, and the importance of carving out solitude to stay grounded and creatively aligned. From delegation and leadership to letting go of control and imagining what’s next for Aureum, this episode is an honest look at womanhood, work, and the freedom that comes from paving your own path. Follow Cass on Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassdimicco/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cassdimicco?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CassDiMicco Shop Aureum Collective: https://aureumcollective.com Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/2984674?tab=collections Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  0:28 - Debrief on Valeria’s Nashville Girls Trip 2:56 - Cass DiMicco intro 4:10 - Start of interview 4:23 - Their inspiring female entrepreneur event with Emma Grede 9:10 - Childhood signs that led to Cass’s creative future 12:02 - Early days as a buyer  13:09 - Starting her blog 13:35 - Quitting her job, influencing full time 16:14 - The difficulty of putting herself out there 19:45 - The “no plan” plan 21:00 - Starting Aureum 25:07 - The need to delegate  30:38 - Huge success the first year 32:32 - Pressure to scale the business 35:45 - “Connected to my why” 36:27 - Being ready for motherhood 37:48 - The “Girlboss” Era 39:10 - Career & Motherhood, no right answer 41:35 - Being creatively vulnerable 43:58 - The importance of being alone with your thoughts 45:00 - Using her environment to level herself up 48:04 - Ready to loosen the reigns  49:16 - What’s next for Aureum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices