Not Alone

This week, we’re rolling out some of Gary’s most iconic moments on Not Alone with a compilation of his most memorable conversations. We’re starting with the story of how Gary and Valeria’s age gap shaped their relationship from day one, how their mothers reacted, the moment Gary asked for Valeria’s hand in marriage. Then, we shift into a raw and revealing conversation about infidelity, why men cheat, the role of emotional maturity, the importance of communication, and why working on yourself is essential to building a lasting relationship. Finally, we dive into marriage and money: power dynamics, childhood beliefs around wealth, business wins and losses, spending freedoms in marriage, and the decisions that shaped their future together. This is the ultimate “Gary Edition,” full of vulnerability, humor, and the kind of perspective you can only get from Mr. Lipovetsky. Listen to the full episodes here: Bridging the Gap: Age Differences and Marital Challenges with Gary Lipovetsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hCykGJXAgE&t=1153s Why Do Men Cheat? Understanding Infidelity in Relationships & Marriage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0FlLiQmsxI Money and Marriage: An Honest Conversation About Our Finances with Gary Lipovetsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOzQ6arTX44 Shop my looks from this episode:  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/valerialipovetsky/posts/1fb71221-858b-11ee-83c1-0242ac110002 https://shopmy.us/collections/1442019 https://shopmy.us/collections/2203496?tab=collections Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky Follow Not Alone: https://www.instagram.com/notalonepod/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@notalone.pod What we talked about:  0:28 - Setting up Gary’s compilation episode 2:52 - What their moms thought of their age gap 7:10 - Asking Valeria’s mom for her hand in marriage 8:02 - Gary’s relationship with Valeria’s mom 10:13 - Advice for couples with an age gap  12:36 - The mentality difference when it comes to age 15:34 - Gary uplifting Valeria’s career 16:37 - Meeting Kris Jenner 19:00 - Gary’s proudest moments 20:35 - Theories on why men cheat 27:13 - Why men in their 20s cheat 30:19 - Gary was a ghoster 35:00 - The golden cage 35:50 - Communication is key 36:24 - Being satisfied with your marriage 38:10 - Importance of working on yourself in marriage 39:35 - Valeria never feeling poor as a child 41:43 - Gary’s deal that didn’t go through 45:20 - Wives needing permission to spend money 49:44 - Best money Gary has ever spent 50:50 - Valeria’s nutrition diploma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Dr. Mindy Pelz, a functional health practitioner and bestselling author known for her focus on women's hormonal health, dives deep into the complexities of menopause. She shares her personal journey, revealing how menopause is a transformational period, not just an end. Mindy discusses the decline of estrogen and its impact on neurochemicals, empowering women to embrace leadership roles. She offers practical advice for those in their 30s and 40s, emphasizing lifestyle shifts, micro-habits, and mental health support for a strong transition into this new chapter.

In this engaging conversation, Vita Sidorkina shares insights on parenting and how cultural values shape relationships, particularly the impact of 'daddy issues.' Isabela Grutman discusses the pros and cons of marrying young and the evolution of personal partnerships. Martha Graeff opens up about prioritizing mental health during her marriage and advocates for prenups as empowering tools. Camila Coelho bravely shares her journey with epilepsy, managing stigma and the challenges of her condition, creating a raw and relatable dialogue about womanhood.

Gary Lipovetsky, a frequent co-host known for his quick-witted takes on cultural trends, joins the conversation. They explore the quirky rise of 'Scrotox' and debate who really sets beauty standards—men or women. Gary shares a surprising link between Viagra and hearing loss, while the two discuss a new app for sending drinks, reflecting on the evolving dating landscape. The podcast also tackles healthy masculinity and the Chiara Ferragni scandal, ending with a humorous debate on why women excel at multitasking.

Cass DiMicco, a dynamic content creator and co-founder of Aureum, shares her inspiring journey from fashion buyer to influencer. She discusses the delicate balance between ambition and motherhood, challenging the notion that women must choose one over the other. Cass opens up about the challenges of building a luxury brand while maintaining personal creativity and connections. They explore the importance of solitude for self-reflection and the impact of societal expectations on women's choices. Join them for a candid conversation on redefining success!

In this solo catch-up episode, Valeria invites listeners into a candid life update that is messy, honest, and a little chaotic in the best way. She recaps her recent trip to Nashville and the inspiring female entrepreneur event she attended before diving into a wide-open Q&A. From beauty procedures and where she stands on lip filler to the latest on her nose job and why she doesn’t wear her engagement ring, nothing is off the table. Valeria also talks about reconnecting with her body, the importance of intentional time with girlfriends, and the perspective that keeps her from living with regrets. She shares a therapy update, her best advice for keeping a marriage thriving, and why she believes there's no single “right” way to live, especially in a place overflowing with possibility. Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/2924722 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What I talked about:  0:06 - Why this episode might be a rough but fun one 0:26 - Debriefing her Nashville trip 2:55 - Female entrepreneur event with Emma Grede 8:00 - Start of Q&A portion 8:23 - Recent beauty procedures 15:29 - Update on her nose job 16:02 - Not wearing her engagement ring 17:18 - Tips for connecting to your own body 19:17 - Spending intentional time with girlfriends 21:09 - Why she wouldn't change any part of her past 24:27 - Therapy update 25:49 - Advice for keeping your marriage alive & well 29:35 - Never being set in a right or wrong way to do things 31:45 - The abundance of living in Miami / The U.S. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Furtuna Skin: Italian, olive oil–based skincare that’s pure, potent, and transformative. Try their LXR06 Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Olive Leaf Botanical Tea at https://www.furtunaskin.com, and get 20% off your first purchase with code VALERIA20. In this week’s episode of Not Alone, Valeria is joined by Gary for a fun, unfiltered, not-so-deep chat about the latest pop culture headlines, and a few real-life reflections along the way. Fresh off Valeria’s dream trip to Peru, the two unpack everything from “Nobody Wants This” Season 2 and Kristen Bell’s Instagram backlash, to Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s surprising split. They debate modern marriage, from separate bedrooms to taking your spouse’s last name, and share their thoughts on chivalry, “the princess treatment,” and who should pick up the bill. Valeria challenges Gary on talking about pop culture (who proudly doesn’t keep up) and why sometimes, it’s okay to care about the “dumb stuff.” It’s a light, honest, and hilarious peek into how two very different minds see love, fame, and everyday life.  Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/2843418?tab=collections Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What I talked about:  0:18 - Start of the episode 0:25 - Follow @notalone.pod on TikTok 0:38 - Dream trip to Peru debrief 2:09 - Trying something new in today’s episode with Gary 4:05 - “Nobody Wants This” season 2 6:30 - Converting to Judaism 8:33 - People criticizing the show 10:58 - Fortuna Skin Ad 12:35 - Kristen Bell IG post backlash 16:20 - Married couples with separate bedrooms 20:11 - Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban ending 19-year marriage 21:30 - “Babygirl” Movie 24:30 - Defining a successful marriage 27:29 - Thoughts on Katy Perry & Justin Trudeau dating 29:44 - Husbands taking wives’ last name 31:15 - Gary’s vintage kick 32:38 - Confusion around Katy & Justin 34:59 - Is Chivalry dead? 36:39 - Splitting the bill 39:15 - Bringing back the “Princess Treatment” 41:29 - Landlines are back 43:08 - Dumb phones vs. smart phones for kids 45:15 - Not easy talking to Gary about pop culture 47:10 - Advice from Amanda Hirsch 47:33 - Caring about dumb stuff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode of Not Alone, Valeria takes listeners on a journey through her past and present, from celebrating her 35th birthday and Rosh Hashanah with family, to reflecting on the early days of her modeling career in Paris and Japan. She opens up about the lessons learned from those formative years, from living in cramped model apartments to finding her voice and standing up for herself in an often unforgiving industry. Valeria also shares how she’s been reconnecting with joy and confidence lately, discovering new passions like dance, heels classes, and even a few unexpected finds (like smut & Quinn). It’s a nostalgic, funny, and refreshingly honest episode about growth, self-expression, and feeling empowered at every stage of life. Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/2723615 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What I talked about:  0:30 - Start of the episode 1:00 - The decision to throw a birthday party 3:20 - The family birthday dinner 4:00 - Rosh Hashanah & family traditions 5:50 - Early modeling days in Paris 8:13 - The hard lessons learned 11:25 - Living in a model apartment 13:15 - Standing up for herself and others 16:00 - Living in Japan & enjoying life 17:06 - Being part of the golden era of modeling 18:11 - Discovering smut & spreading the word 21:00 - Stumbling upon Quinn & loving it 22:20 - Taking a heels class 24:50 - Dancing in the Russian culture 25:59 - Feeling herself & learning new things Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Floatley - A bra brand offering feel-good basics that combine cloud-like comfort with reliable support. Try our bestselling Cozy Adjustable Bra at https://www.floatley.com/products/cozy-adjustable and get 20% off your order with code VALERIA20, plus free shipping on US orders over $50. In this revealing episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with an OG digital creator, entrepreneur and mom Brittany Xavier, for an honest conversation about faith, motherhood, and staying grounded in a rapidly changing online world. Brittany opens up about her early start on social media, the business behind her brand, and the journey from being a young single mother to one of the most recognizable figures in the influencer space. She shares how trusting in God’s plan guided her through life’s biggest turning points, from choosing to keep her baby and balancing school, work, and motherhood, to navigating a difficult custody battle and ultimately finding her voice through content creation. Together, Valeria and Brittany explore what it means to live authentically online, the lessons she’s passed down to her daughter about social media and technology, and how her family’s move from California to Tennessee brought both public scrutiny and peace. It’s a conversation about growth, resilience, and choosing faith and family over everything, and a reminder that the most powerful influence comes from being true to who you are. 📱Follow Brittany: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanyxavier/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brittany.xavier?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brittanyxavier Website: https://brittanyxavier.com/ Brittany’s Book Recommendations: The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus: https://amzn.to/4o4sZ4B I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist: https://amzn.to/4ob6B9S Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/2702040 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  0:29 - Valeria’s upcoming trip to Peru 0:47 - Introducing Brittany Xavier 2:12 - Start of interview 2:45 - Brittany’s start on social media 4:39 - The business behind the posts 6:33 - Brittany’s early motherhood days 7:30 - The decision to keep her baby 13:02 - Being a young mother 15:06 - Floatley Ad 16:15 - Balancing school, work and motherhood 18:42 - The decision not to pursue law school 20:42 - Trusting her faith in God and his plan for her 22:25 - Her custody battle 23:14 - Signs from God 24:33 - Her community 25:26 - Her daughter and social media 27:25 - Children and technology 28:22 - Teaching her daughter the business side of TikTok 29:31 - Brittany’s shift in content  32:16 - The shifting of priorities 33:52 - The decision to leave California 36:26 - Backlash on their move to Tennessee 39:49 - Dealing with the online hate 43:36 - Being her most authentic self online 48:13 - Bringing faith to the forefront  49:50 - Brittany’s book recommendations 52:22 - Her biggest regret Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices