Cultural identity and smiling stereotypes

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.

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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

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