Similarly Different

In this episode of Similarly Different, I sat down with celebrity makeup artist and founder of Ortega Beauty, Etienne Ortega, and his story is one of those that genuinely reminds you that grit, vision, and showing up will always outlast talent alone. From doing his friends' makeup for $10 in high school, to working with Eva Longoria at 21, to being found by Kim Kardashian on Instagram — Etienn...

In this episode of Similarly Different, I'm breaking down what survival mode actually is, why your nervous system stays on high alert long after the stressful situation has ended, and what's actually helped me — from somatic healing, to walking everywhere after surgery, to a tiny calendar habit that's stuck with me for years. We talk about how trauma lives in the body, not just the min...

In this episode of Similarly Different, licensed marriage and family therapist Alyx Allen joins me to unpack a term I had never heard until recently — hyper-independent codependency. We talk about what it actually looks like, why high-functioning women fall into it, and how "I got you" can secretly be a need for control disguised as helpfulness. From there we get into anhedonia, the diff...

In this episode of Similarly Different, I'm getting into something I think so many of us need to hear right now — starting over is not failure. Whether it's a career shift, the end of a relationship, a lifestyle change you didn't plan for, or just the feeling that who you were no longer fits who you're becoming, this episode is about giving yourself permission to pivot. From my own...

In this episode of Similarly Different, I'm talking about the gap between the life people see and the life you're actually living — and why that gap creates so much unnecessary pressure for all of us. Whether you're the one watching or the one being watched, this episode is for you. From the quiet moments that nobody sees, to celebrating your wins without guilt, to why choosing privacy...

In this episode of Similarly Different, I sat down with Jamie Lee Ruiz and we went places I didn't plan for. We talked about lease renewals and life decisions, but what it turned into was a really honest conversation about trusting God when everything feels uncertain, why crash outs almost always lead to breakthroughs, and how shame keeps us from receiving the support we actually need. From th...

In this episode, I open up about the reality of being the “strong one” — the eldest daughter who had to grow up too fast, carry more than she should have, and learn how to survive before she could truly live.  I share my personal experiences with responsibility, emotional suppression, people-pleasing, and what it actually looks like to unlearn those patterns as an adult. This is a conversation abo...

In this episode, I sit down with Annie Gonzalez for a deep and honest conversation about identity, confidence, and navigating the entertainment industry without losing yourself.  We talk about staying grounded in who you are, even in spaces that constantly try to define you, and what it really looks like to build confidence from within instead of external validation. Annie shares how she’s navigat...

Comparison is something almost all of us experience — especially in the age of social media. In this episode of Similarly Different, I talk about how comparison shows up in our lives, how it affects our mental health, and why it’s so easy to feel like we’re falling behind. I share stories from my own life, including the expectations I once had for where I thought I’d be by certain ages and how tho...

We're back for Season 4 of Similarly Different Podcast and I’m joined by Danielle Robay. A respected journalist, interviewer, and host known for her thoughtful conversations with cultural figures and icons, including Dany Garcia, Gwyneth Paltrow, Malala, and for being mentored by the legendary Larry King. But in this episode, you get to meet Danielle in a different light. Beyond the accolades,...

For the Season 3 finale of Similarly Different , I’m opening up about the emotional landscape of my year—the grief, anger, joy, confusion, peace, burnout and beauty that shaped me. This episode is a real look at how emotional awareness has changed the way I understand my story. I share the conversation that sparked this episode, why I stopped labeling emotions as “good” or “bad,” and how I’ve star...

In this episode of Similarly Different, I sit down with Mariah — creator, mental health advocate, and familiar face from Netflix’s The Ultimatum — for a raw conversation about mother wounds, abandonment, and rebuilding your sense of self. Mariah opens up about growing up in and out of homeless shelters, being separated from her mom at eight years old, and how that shaped her identity, relationship...

In this episode of Similarly Different, I sit down with Vatche Ourishian and Andy Treys — founders of Muscle Lab — the recovery studio trusted by athletes, celebrities, and everyday people who just want to feel better in their own bodies. What started as two Pasadena kids bonding over basketball and 6 a.m. workouts has now become one of LA’s most in-demand wellness destinations. From cryotherapy a...

In this inspiring episode of Similarly Different , I sit down with Australian founder Lauren Dovey , the creator of Heat Healer and Cean — two brands redefining what it means to heal from the inside out. Lauren’s story is one of transformation — from living with PCOS, inflammation, and chronic pain to creating accessible, science-backed tools for recovery and balance. We talk about how she turned...

This week on  Similarly Different , I sit down with Beverly Hills facial plastic surgeon  Dr. Torkian  — the only person I’ve ever trusted with my face — to talk about beauty, confidence, and the art of looking like  yourself .From my first filler appointment to discovering PRF and regenerative aesthetics, this conversation goes beyond vanity. It’s about trust, restraint, and the balance between s...

In this deeply honest episode of Similarly Different , I sit down with my close friend and producer, Courtney Copeland Acuña — granddaughter of Kenneth Copeland — to talk about faith, family legacy, media narratives, and the weight of a last name that the world feels entitled to define. We discuss what it means to grow up in ministry under global scrutiny — watching miracles firsthand while also n...

In this episode of  Similarly Different , host Yanina sits down with  Danielle Nadick Levy  — the co-founder and CEO of  facile  — to unpack how a boutique clinic concept evolved into a skincare line now carried at Sephora. Danielle shares the bold pitch that started it all, the power of journaling and manifestation, why intention beats noise, and how motherhood reshaped her leadership without dim...

This week on Similarly Different, I’m switching things up — my producer and friend Courtney flips the mic and interviews me! From my thoughts on love, success, and faith to the wildest DMs and the truth about LA dating culture, nothing was off limits. We talk big feelings, healing after heartbreak, being misunderstood, and learning to find peace instead of pressure. It’s funny, deep, and probably...

In this episode of  Similarly Different , I sit down with pop star Natalie Mejia to talk about her journey from the spotlight to a more grounded life of faith and purpose. From her early start in girl groups and reality TV fame to the challenges of anxiety, body image, and public pressure, Natalie opens up about what it really felt like behind the scenes. She shares how becoming a mother, stepping...

In this episode of  Similarly Different , I’m talking about  the bounce back effect —the powerful, messy, beautiful process of reinventing yourself after setbacks in career, self, and friendships. Bouncing back isn’t about returning to who you were before; it’s about coming back wiser, softer, smarter, and more aligned with who you’re becoming. From my journey across industries—music, modeling, so...

This week I’m joined by my friend Nora—multihyphenate entrepreneur, co-founder of KeyTV with Keke Palmer, and now founder of CAZZA, a next-gen dry shampoo designed with textured hair in mind. We dive into the real dynamics of building with friends, why fear doesn’t get the final say, and what it looks like to be your own biggest fan when the world feels anxious. Nora reminds us that the story does...

This week, I am joined by my “almost-cohost” and forever fave Jamie Lee Ruiz for a raw, life-lately convo on transitions, turning 40, and choosing joy on purpose! We get honest about the difference between true misalignment vs. laziness, listening to intuition (without gaslighting yourself), and the courage it takes to let go without a safety net. Jamie also opens up about the friendships she’s re...

In this week’s episode of  Similarly Different , I sit down with Qiushi  — an innovative founder, creative, and tech leader from Silicon Valley who is building  Leyline , an AI-powered platform designed to help creators bring their stories and ideas to life without waiting on gatekeepers! From her early days chasing a dream in screenwriting to launching a startup at the intersection of  AI, storyt...

Welcome back to  Similarly Different . This week’s solo episode is one I’ve been wanting to share for a while; a real, unfiltered conversation about  body dysmorphia . It’s something I’ve dealt with personally, and something I know so many of us silently struggle with. From comparing ourselves in the mirror to battling the highlight reel of social media, it’s time we talk about it openly! 💬 In th...

In this episode of Similarly Different, I sit down with Stephanie Montes .  From starting out as a fashion design student to working at  Allure  and  The Zoe Report , Stephanie takes me through her inspiring journey from editorial to freelancing, and ultimately launching her own product line after spotting a gap in the market. We get real about what it’s like to build a brand as a one-woman show,...