Real Pod

The start of a new year is the perfect time to get your finances in check. The internet’s favorite financial expert Vivian Tu aka Your Rich BFF is here to break down how to take control of your finances right now, from getting out of debt to building a future that actually feels aligned. As a former Wall Street trader turned CEO of Your Rich BFF, New York Times bestselling author, and Chief of Financial Empowerment at SoFi, Vivian shares simple, actionable tools including an easy equation to decide what’s worth buying, how to improve your financial situation starting today, and how to have honest money conversations with your partner so you can win together as a couple. She also opens up about her upcoming book Well Endowed, a practical roadmap for navigating big adult money decisions like home ownership, marriage, and family planning, all while aligning your spending with your values, goals, and legacy. Tune in for the perfect mindset shift to start the year feeling confident, informed, and empowered about your money!Pre-order your copy of Well Endowed at richbffbook.com.Follow Vivian at @yourrichbff on Instagram and TikTok.// SPONSORS // Premier Protein: Find your favorite flavor at premierprotein.com or at Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers. BetterHelp: Visit betterhelp.com/realpod today to get 10% off your first month.CozyEarth: Go to cozyearth.com and use code REALPOD for 20% off best selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more.Vuori: Go to vuori.com/realpod to receive 20% off your first purchase and enjoy free shipping on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Celebrity hairstylist and author Chris Appleton joins Vic for a powerful conversation inspired by his new book, Your Roots Don’t Define You, about what happens when you finally live in alignment with who you truly are. Known for creating iconic looks for stars like Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, and Kim Kardashian, Chris opens up about his journey of coming to terms with his sexuality later in life, raising two children, and overcoming his darkest moment. He shares how accepting himself changed everything, both personally and professionally, along with four simple questions you can ask yourself when you feel stuck, and a powerful reframe that turns envy into motivation. Plus, get Chris’ opinion on the side vs middle part debate and tips for healthy, hydrated hair! Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about self-acceptance and stepping into your truth. Grab Chris’ new book, “Your Roots Don't Define You” at yourrootsdontdefineyou.com!Follow Chris on TikTok @chrisappletonhair & Instagram @chrisappleton1// SPONSORS //Premier Protein: Find your favorite flavor at premierprotein.com or at Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers. Durable: Visit durable.com/realpod and get started with Durable for free today. When you’re ready to publish your website, use code REALPOD for 30% off all plans. BetterHelp: Visit betterhelp.com/realpod today to get 10% off your first month.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vic is joined by her best friend Aubrey, her husband Max, and his best friend (who also happens to be Aubrey’s husband) Wood, to break down their first-ever couples trip together to Hawaii, from how the trip was secretly planned to the moments that made it unforgettable. They recap the highlights and hiccups, including early-morning beach chair strategy, sunscreen drama, group dynamics, and the surprisingly deep conversations that came up along the way. The group answers listener questions about balancing friend time and partner time, whether any fights actually happened, and why this trip felt like exactly what everyone needed. This episode is a reminder of how restorative shared laughter and intentional time together can be. Tune in for a fun escape, honest reflections, and a full couples-vacay debrief!// SPONSORS // Premier Protein: Find your favorite flavor at premierprotein.com or at Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers. Durable: Visit durable.com/realpod and get started with Durable for free today. When you’re ready to publish your website, use code REALPOD for 30% off all plans. CozyEarth: Go to cozyearth.com and use code REALPOD for 20% off best selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more.Pique Tea: Unlock 20% off and establish your powerful sustained well-being at piquelife.com/realpod. Thrive Market: Join Thrive Market with my link thrivwemarket.com/REALPOD for 30% off your first order plus a free $60 gift! Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Victoria is finally sharing the secret project she’s been teasing for a year! Introducing Booked & Balanced, her mental health forward daily planner that’s designed to help you chase big goals without burning out. In this solo episode, Vic takes listeners behind the scenes of creating the planner completely from scratch, using the tools and prompts she loves using every day. She breaks down what makes Booked & Balanced different, including emotion tracking, must do vs can do lists, a weekly intentional pause, and science-backed practices that support mental health alongside productivity. If you are looking for a more sustainable way to plan your days, stay in alignment, and actually feel proud of how you’re living your life, this episode (and planner) is for you! Tune in to hear how Booked & Balanced was born and how it can change the way you work, plan, and take care of yourself.B&B Restock Update - The first Booked & Balanced drop launched on January 4th and sold out in just four hours!! Thanks to your incredible support, we were able to pull a few strings and offer a small restock sooner than planned. Starting on 1/6 at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST, you can pre-order Booked & Balanced at victoriagarrickbrowne.com/shop, with orders shipping January 14th - 21st. This restock is much more limited than the initial drop, so if you want one, be sure to order right at launch. Additionally, we’re actively working on a larger restock, but the next opportunity to order won’t be until March or April. If you’ve been hoping to start 2026 with Booked & Balanced by your side, this is your chance!// SPONSORS // Crunchmaster: Find Crunchmaster at a store near you!Premier Protein: Find your favorite flavor at premierprotein.com or at Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers. Quince: Go to quince.com/realpod to get free shipping and 365-day returns.Durable: Visit durable.com/realpod and get started with Durable for free today. When you’re ready to publish your website, use code REALPOD for 30% off all plans.  Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aubrey and Natalie are back with the fourth annual New Year’s bestie recap! The trio sits down to reflect on the personal and professional goals they set in the year past and share what they are hoping to create in the year ahead. Natalie opens up about her massive 2025 career wins and settling into engagement life, while Aubrey reflects on her first full year as a creator, and how she’s beginning to think about family planning. Vic gets honest about burnout, leadership lessons, and the secret project she is preparing to release, along with the personal growth that came from embracing being a work in progress. Together they map out their 2026 intentions focusing on presence, community, spiritual evolution, adventure, and letting life unfold with a little more trust. Tune in for a comforting, inspiring, and laugh filled best friend check in to kick off your year!Related episodes: Chaotic Life Update: I’m Burnt Out & Something Needs to ChangeChristmas Spectacular w/ Vic & Max! Our Favorite Traditions, Childhood Memories & Holiday Hot Takes // SPONSORS // Quince: Go to quince.com/realpod to get free. Shipping and 365-day returns.Crunchmaster: Find Crunchmaster at a store near you!LMNT: LMNT is offering a free sample pack with any purchase, that’s 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. This is a great way to try all 8 flavors or share LMNT with a friend. Get yours at DrinkLMNT.com/realpod.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vic and Max are ushering in the holidays with a Christmas Spectacular episode filled with nostalgia, tradition, and plenty of laughs. They swap childhood memories, debate the most iconic modern Christmas songs, reflect on the traditions they want to keep or create for their family, and share the sweet (and chaotic) moments that shaped their holidays growing up. From heartfelt gift stories to surprising hot takes on Christmas cards and a rapid-fire Christmas edition of “this or that,” this episode will instantly put you in the holiday mood. Tune in to celebrate the season with Vic and Max and feel all the festive joy!// SPONSORS // Quince: Go to quince.com/realpod to get free. Shipping and 365-day returns.Crunchmaster: Find Crunchmaster at a store near you!Storyworth: Save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you go to storyworth.com/realpod! Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Victoria sits down for the kind of life update you’d give your best friend when everything feels like… a lot. She opens up about the burnout she’s been pushing through, a major (and expensive) business mistake, team changes, and what it’s been like to juggle a nonprofit, a podcast, and a full creator career without losing herself in the process. She talks about the fear of stepping back, the pressure to constantly show up online, and the nagging feeling that something in her life needs to shift. Vic also shares the mindset breakthroughs she had at a recent Peter Crone event, why she’s craving more freedom and adventure, and how she’s trying to slow down enough to hear her own voice again. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, stuck in a season of “figuring it out,” or unsure how to reset, this episode will feel like a deep breath. Tune in for a candid, comforting catch-up that just might make you feel understood.Related episode:My Live Therapy Session with Gabby Bernstein!// SPONSORS //Quince: Go to quince.com/realpod to get free. Shipping and 365-day returns.Function: Visit www.functionhealth.com/REALPOD or use gift code REALPOD100 at sign-up to own your health. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership.AG1: Head to DRINKAG1.com/REALPOD you’ll get the welcome kit, a Morning Person hat, a bottle ofVitamin D3+K2, a AG1 Flavor Sampler and you’ll get to try their new sleep supplement AGZ for free. Crunchmaster: Find Crunchmaster at a store near you!Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the future version of you you’ve been chasing is actually someone you can be right now? In this motivational episode, Victoria sits down with Mimi Bouchard, CEO and founder of the wildly popular Activations app, to talk about how to step into your best self today without overcomplicating the process. Mimi breaks down the science and mindset behind her activations, a powerful new wave of motivational audio designed to help you reset your mind, feel grounded in confidence, and stay clearheaded and inspired. She shares the simple steps to visualize and embody your future self, plus the three-word mantra she repeats every day. Tune in for the spark plug of energy you need heading into the new year. It’s time to be her now.Want to try Activations? Go to activations.com/realpod for a discount! Don’t forget to check out Mimi’s book,  Activate Your Future Self.// SPONSORS // Function: Learn more and join using my link. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership.Visit www.functionhealth.com/REALPOD or use gift code REALPOD100 at sign-up to own your health.LMNT: LMNT is offering a free sample pack with any purchase, that’s 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. This is a great way to try all 8 flavors or share LMNT with a friend. Get yours at DrinkLMNT.com/realpod.BetterHelp: Visit betterhelp.com/realpod today to get 10% off your first month.CozyEarth: Head to cozyearth.com and use my code REALPOD for up to 40% off — just be sure to place your order by December 12th for guaranteed Christmas delivery. After the 12th, the code still works for 20%.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vic is sharing advice on her most passionate topic: helping women find real peace with their bodies and food! Based on her own lived struggles and everything she’s learned while studying to become an intuitive eating counselor, she tackles your biggest questions on navigating triggering comments about weight, why old body-image issues can resurface, how to stay grounded when everyone around you is on GLP-1s, dealing with family pressure around “health,” understanding food noise, and explaining your story to a partner who’s never been through it. This episode is packed with compassion, perspective shifts, and the kind of encouragement Vic wishes she could give every woman face-to-face: you’re not alone, your body isn’t the problem, and you deserve a life that feels peaceful and free. Tune in to feel supported, validated, and reminded to stay true to what works for you!// SPONSORS // CozyEarth: Head to cozyearth.com and use my code REALPOD for up to 40% off — just be sure to place your order by December 12th for guaranteed Christmas delivery. After the 12th, the code still works for 20%.Crunchmaster: Find Crunchmaster at a store near you!Nature’s Sunshine: Go to natures sunshine.com and use the code REALPOD at checkout for 20% off your first order plus free shipping.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you ever spiral, wondering if someone’s mad at you, replay conversations in your head, or feel anxious after setting a boundary? Then you need this episode. Victoria sits down with licensed psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Meg Josephson, whose new book Are You Mad at Me? is helping people-pleasers everywhere unlearn the patterns keeping them stuck. They dive into where people-pleasing comes from (usually childhood trauma we don’t even recognize), how to stop abandoning yourself to keep the peace, and what it takes to feel safe being authentically you. Meg shares practical, therapeutic tools to help you regulate your emotions, set boundaries without guilt, and stop overexplaining yourself to be understood using some of Vic’s recent personal experiences as a guide. Tune in to finally understand your people-pleasing tendencies and start rewriting the story.Follow Meg Instagram: @megjosephsonOrder Are You Mad At Me?// SPONSORS // LMNT: LMNT is offering a free sample pack with any purchase, that’s 8 single serving packets FREE with any LMNT order. This is a great way to try all 8 flavors or share LMNT with a friend. Get yours at DrinkLMNT.com/realpod.BetterHelp: Visit betterhelp.com/realpod today to get 10% off your first month. CozyEarth: Go to cozyearth.com and use code REALPOD for 40% off best selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more.Crunchmaster: Find Crunchmaster at a store near you! Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.