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Valeria sits down with her close friend, Aleks Malkin, to discuss the beauty and complexities of life's choices, personal growth, and the paths not taken. The episode dives deep into themes of self-reflection, hyper-independence, and the power of vulnerability, as the two friends share stories of their past, the defining moments that shaped them, and how their perspectives on life have evolved over the years.

Aleks opens up about her journey with motherhood, marriage, and the importance of allowing oneself to feel deeply, even if it means facing uncomfortable truths. Valeria shares her own experiences of contemplating the "what ifs" in life, questioning the different paths she could have taken, and the realization that some choices were necessary for her growth. They explore how childhood experiences and societal expectations have influenced their definitions of love, success, and identity, and how they’re striving to create a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Follow Aleks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleksmalkin/

Mentioned:

Byron Katie’s The Work: https://thework.com/

Awareness by Anthony DeMello https://a.co/d/gfyPX0Q

Chloe Macintosh: https://www.instagram.com/chloe_macintosh/

Inside Out 2: https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/inside-out-2/6MeZYf9JkFii

Shop my look from this episode: https://liketk.it/4JhPf

What We Talked About:

00:00 Intro
01:36 Weekend contemplation
03:52 What could I have done differently?
07:24 Taking alone time
12:06 Self-awareness
14:11 Losing yourself in being a mother
17:08 The 4-Question Inquiry
21:13 Pause and then process the situation
22:02 Somatic way to heal
26:31 You model your values
27:49 How to raise a daughter
30:46 What younger you would have wanted
35:10 Hyper-independence as a coping mechanism
39:04 Pleasure has become synonymous to shame
43:07 The generation that needs a lot of self-work
45:42 Having comfortable conversations with your parents
47:05 Conversation with your mom
52:17 Compassion and space for people
56:06 It’s about creating a safe environment
01:00:56 How do you define real friendships
01:02:37 Are you still working on yourself?
01:03:40 Back from a social media break
01:07:25 Allow things to come to you
01:14:49 How do you give advice to someone?
01:20:23 What’s your purpose?

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