Similarly Different
Love After a Long Season of Being Single — What Nobody Tells You
In this episode of Similarly Different, I'm opening up about something I've been quiet about this season. I'm in love — and after almost 10 years of not being in a committed relationship, two years of celibacy, and doing the real work on myself, this new chapter has brought up things I never expected. Things I'm actively working through in therapy right now. I talk about what it feels like to experience firsts all over again, the difference between who I was in love at 25 and who I am now, why I didn't even realize how much I had normalized not being celebrated, and what it actually looks like to let someone in when your independence has become your whole identity. If you've spent a long time on your own and you're somewhere between scared and hopeful about love — this episode will say the things you haven't been able to say out loud yet. In this episode, we talk about: What it's really like to step into a relationship after years of independenceHow healing works differently when you're actually in a relationship vs. aloneWhy small moments like New Year's hit differently than you expectThe patterns I noticed in myself that I didn't see beforeWhy hard conversations are something I actually enjoy nowWhat intentional dating looks like at 34Learning the difference between love bombing and being put on a pedestalWhy every love is completely different — and why that's a beautiful thingReminders for anyone stepping into love after a long season of being single 🎓 This episode is sponsored by National University, to find out more information see here: https://bit.ly/4vJfyKQ 🔔 Don't forget:✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬 📲 Let's stay connected:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentpodSubmit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
What Real Optimism Actually Means — and Why It Has Nothing to Do With Positivity ft. Dr. Deepika Chopra
In this episode of Similarly Different, Dr. Deepika Chopra is back — and this time she brought her book. The Power of Real Optimism is five years in the making, and in this conversation she opens up about what it really cost her to write it. From receiving a rare medical diagnosis for one of her children while writing a book on hope, to learning how to shift from "why is this happening to us" to "why not us" — this is one of the most vulnerable and honest conversations I've had on this show. We also answer questions from our community of moms about staying optimistic when nothing feels okay, teaching kids resilience without faking it, and what to do when your life looks nothing like you imagined it would. If you've ever felt like optimism wasn't available to you — this episode will change that. If you're going through something heavy right now, or you just needed someone to remind you that real optimism includes the dark — this one is for you. In this episode, we talk about: What real optimism actually is — and what it's notWhy "good vibes only" is doing more harm than goodDr. Deepika's personal journey writing this book through a family medical crisisThe shift from "why is this happening to me" to "why not us"How to stay present and hopeful when the future feels completely uncertainTeaching kids optimism through modeling, not perfectionThe strategic pause and other practical nervous system toolsAnswering real mom questions about guilt, overwhelm, and survival modeWhy optimism is a skill — not a personality trait 📲 Dr. Deepika Chopra Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdeepikachopra 🎓 This episode is sponsored by National University, to find out more information see here: https://bit.ly/4vJfyKQ 🔔 Don't forget:✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬 📲 Let's stay connected:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentpodSubmit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
The Honest Truth About Content Creation in 2026 — Apps, Income, and What Nobody Tells You
In this episode of Similarly Different, I'm breaking down everything I actually use and do as a content creator in 2026 — the apps, the platforms, the income streams, and the things that genuinely nobody talks about. Like why downloading a template app is not going to make you a content creator. Or why a woman in her late 50s I met at a Kayali event is now one of the top TikTok Shop creators after three months of just being herself on camera.I've been doing this for over 10 years, and I'm still learning. But the one thing I know for sure is that the creators building longevity right now are not the ones going viral once. They're the ones building a brand, diversifying their platforms, and creating content that people actually want to come back to.This episode is your starting point if you've been waiting to begin — or your reset if you've been doing this for a while and feel stuck.In this episode, we talk about:• LTK vs ShopMy vs Amazon — which platform to use and when• TikTok Shop and how to use it without turning your house into an Amazon warehouse• The editing apps I actually use — CapCut, Adobe Premiere, Tezza, and more• How to repurpose one video into five pieces of content across five platforms• Why followers alone don't build careers anymore• The difference between chasing virality and building a brand• How to start creating content with what you already have at home• Why I am not here for the courses and workshops• Monetization beyond brand deals — affiliate marketing, subscriptions, and more🎓 This episode is sponsored by National University, to find out more information see here: https://bit.ly/4vJfyKQ🔔 Don't forget:✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬📲 Let's stay connected:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentpodSubmit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
The Jobs Before the Dream — Why Every Stepping Stone Actually Matters
In this episode of Similarly Different, I'm going full big sister mode because this conversation needs to happen. Social media has sold a lot of us on the idea that success looks like one bold leap — quit your job, bet on yourself, and suddenly you've made it. That is not how real careers are built, and I want to talk about what it actually looks like.I've worked at a dentist office, a tanning salon, an insurance company, as a financial investor's assistant, in music management, at a label, and more — and none of it was wasted. Every single job taught me something I eventually needed when I started building for myself. Your stepping stone job is not beneath you. It's preparing you.If you've been frustrated that your dream hasn't happened yet, comparing your journey to someone else's highlight reel, or wondering if it's too late to pivot — this episode is exactly what you need to hear right now.In this episode, we talk about:• Why overnight success is not the reality most people experience• The nine-to-five and five-to-nine mentality for building your dream• What every job — even the unglamorous ones — actually teaches you• How to release ego and comparison when you feel behind• Why you need to become the best at where you are before you can grow• How to know when it's time to pivot out of a job or season• Answering: Can I build something while working another job? Is it too late to start in my 30s?• Why nothing you are doing right now is wasted🎓 This episode is sponsored by National University, to find out more information see here: https://bit.ly/4vJfyKQ🔔 Don't forget:✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬📲 Let's stay connected:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentpodSubmit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
From Sleeping in His Car to Kris Jenner's Makeup Artist ft. Etienne Ortega
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 — Etienne built one of the most respected careers in the beauty industry entirely on his own terms.We also get into things I didn't expect — his cancer diagnosis in 2022, the six years it took to launch Ortega Beauty, the investors that let him down, and why after all of it, he still showed up to work the day after chemo. This is not just a beauty episode. This is a conversation about legacy, identity, survival, and what it means to bet on yourself even when everything is working against you.If you've ever felt like you don't belong in the room, or you've been building something for years that nobody else can see yet — this one is for you.In this episode, we talk about:• Growing up Latino and navigating machismo in the beauty industry• How Etienne got his start and booked Eva Longoria at 21• How Kim Kardashian found him on Instagram• Imposter syndrome as a Latino immigrant in a celebrity world• His cancer diagnosis in 2022 and how he kept going• Six years of building Ortega Beauty through bad investors and setbacks• Why comfort is the killer of growth• What he wishes he knew before starting his brand• How to build a legacy in your own lane without comparing yourself to others📲 Etienne Ortega’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etienneortega🎓 This episode is sponsored by National University, to find out more information see here: https://bit.ly/4vJfyKQ🔔 Don't forget:✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬📲 Let's stay connected:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentpodSubmit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn — Understanding Survival Mode and How to Heal It
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 mind, why rest feels so uncomfortable for so many of us, and why healing isn't a one-time breakthrough but a slow, ongoing process of small habits done consistently. If your body still feels tense, anxious, or on edge even though logically you know you're safe — this episode will help you understand why, and what to actually do about it. In this episode, we talk about: • What survival mode actually is — fight, flight, freeze, and fawn • Why your nervous system reacts even when the danger has passed• How trauma is stored in the body, not just the memory • Somatic healing, breathwork, and movement as nervous system tools • Why rest feels uncomfortable and how to give yourself permission • Social media, overstimulation, and protecting your energy • Therapy versus self-guided healing — and why you need both • Big sister advice for anyone who feels stuck in survival mode 🎓 This episode is sponsored by National University, to find out more information see here: https://bit.ly/4vJfyKQ 🔔 Don't forget: ✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes ✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!) ✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them ✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬 📲 Let's stay connected: Instagram: @similarlydifferentpod TikTok: @similarlydifferentpod Submit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
What Is Hyper-Independent Codependency? A Therapist Breaks It Down ft. Alyx Allen
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 difference between healing and learning to live with what you've been through, why dating apps are killing real connection, and what it actually takes for men to open up about their insecurities.If you've ever wondered why you can't seem to slow down, why relationships feel harder than ever, or why you feel emotionally flat even when life looks good — this episode will give you language for what you've been feeling.In this episode, we talk about:• Hyper-independent codependency and how to spot it in yourself• Why "healed" might not be the right word for what you're looking for• Anhedonia, burnout, and feeling flat even when life is good• Compartmentalizing emotions — and why men and women do it differently• Why dating apps are draining our ability to actually connect• How to reset your nervous system in an anxious moment• Men's mental health, insecurity, and why they struggle to open up• Finding your own version of a non-negotiable self-care practice• When to walk away from therapy and when to stay🎓 This episode is sponsored by National University, to find out more information see here: https://bit.ly/4vJfyKQ📲 Alyx Allen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theselfishcontract🌐 Website: https://www.tscbecomingher.com🎙️ Podcast: How I Ended Up Here — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-ended-up-here/id1754056081🔔 Don't forget:✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬📲 Let's stay connected:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentpodSubmit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
Starting Over Is Not Failure — It's the Beginning of Your Next Era
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 divorce at 25, to hanging up my hosting dreams and pivoting to content creation, to finding my way back to storytelling through this podcast — I've lived this. And every single time, what felt like an ending turned out to be exactly where the next chapter began. If you're standing in a moment of reinvention right now, feeling behind, scared, or unsure of what's next — this one is for you. In this episode, we talk about: • Why starting over is not the same as failing • The courage it takes to pivot when life doesn't follow the plan • Letting go of the timeline you thought was yours • How to stop comparing your journey to someone else's blueprint • The difference between quitting too early and knowing when to pivot • Finding excitement in the uncertainty of a new chapter • What reinvention looks like in your 20s, 30s, and 40s • Big sister advice for anyone in a season of starting over 🎓 This episode is sponsored by National University, to find out more information see here: https://bit.ly/4vJfyKQ 🔔 Don't forget: ✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes ✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!) ✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them ✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬 📲 Let's stay connected: Instagram: @similarlydifferentpod TikTok: @similarlydifferentpod Submit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
Stop Comparing Your Real Life to Someone Else's Highlight Reel
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 is actually a form of self-respect — I'm getting into all of it. Because every person you see online is living a life far more complex than what fits in a post.If you've ever felt the need to over-perform, overexplain, or felt guilty for being happy in the middle of a hard season — this one is for you.In this episode, we talk about:• The highlight reel vs. what's actually happening behind the scenes• Why success doesn't remove struggle• Celebrating your wins without minimizing them• The pressure of visibility and maintaining an image• Why some things don't belong on the internet• Creating healthy boundaries with social media• Protecting what you care about while still showing up• Staying grounded when life gets busy or visible• Why privacy can be a form of self-respect🔔 Don't forget: ✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes ✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!) ✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them ✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬📲 Let's stay connected: Instagram: @similarlydifferentpod TikTok: @similarlydifferentpod Submit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
Crash Outs, Trusting God, and Flowing Through the Scary Seasons with Jamie Lee Ruiz
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 the fear of slowing down and shifting desires, to intuition, silence, burnout, and what it really looks like to surrender control — this felt less like a podcast and more like two women processing life in real time. Jamie is 40, I'm turning 35, and neither of us has it all figured out. And we're both learning that that's actually okay.If you're in a season right now where nothing feels figured out — this one is for you.In this episode, we talk about:• Crash outs, breakthroughs, and surrendering to God• Trusting the process when your desires start to shift• Burnout, hustle culture, and learning to slow down• The fear of pivoting careers, moving cities, and starting over• Why silence feels scary and how to sit with it anyway• Intuition, the clairs, and how God communicates with us• Shame, vulnerability, and finally letting people support you• Walking, journaling, and the practices that actually help• Navigating age, timelines, and the pressure of being "on time"• Why your season of uncertainty doesn't define you📲 Jamie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslee4🔔 Don’t forget:✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes ✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!) ✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I’ll repost! 💬📲 Let’s stay connected:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentpodSubmit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
The Eldest Daughter Syndrome: Healing, Boundaries & Letting Go of Control
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 about healing, boundaries, softness, and finally allowing yourself to be supported too.If you’ve ever felt like you had to hold everything together, this episode is for you. In this episode, I talk about:• What “eldest daughter syndrome” really looks like• Growing up too fast and emotional parentification• Why being the strong one can become a mask• Learning boundaries without guilt• Letting go of control and people-pleasing• Allowing yourself to receive support• Stepping into softness without losing strength🔔 Don’t forget:✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I’ll repost! 💬📲 Let’s stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/similarlydifferentpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@similarlydifferentpodSubmit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
Finding Your Identity, Confidence & Purpose with Annie Gonzalez
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 navigated self-doubt, fear, and growth while continuing to show up fully as herself. This conversation is about owning your path, trusting your instincts, and redefining success on your own terms. In this episode, we talk about: • Staying true to yourself in the entertainment industry • Overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome • Redefining success beyond external validation • Navigating fear and still showing up • Confidence, identity, and personal growth • The mindset shift that changes everything 🔔 Don’t forget: ✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes ✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!) ✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them ✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I’ll repost! 💬 📲 Let’s stay connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/similarlydifferentpod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@similarlydifferentpod Submit a “Similarly Curious” question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious 🤳 Connect with Annie Gonzalez: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annieggonzalez
The Truth About Comparison, Social Media, and Feeling Behind in Life
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 those expectations created pressure that wasn’t serving me.This episode explores how comparison can quietly shape our thoughts about success, relationships, and identity — and how we can begin to shift that perspective.In this episode, I talk about:• Why comparison feels heavier in the social media era• The pressure of life timelines and expectations• Relationship comparison and unrealistic standards• Why success looks different for everyone• The importance of defining your own path• Learning to celebrate your own milestones🔔 Don’t forget:✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I’ll repost! 💬📲 Let’s stay connected:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentpodSubmit a "Similarly Curious" question:https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious
Danielle Robay on Love, Friendship & Finding Yourself
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, the interviews, and the career she’s built, this conversation is about who she is as a woman, a friend, and someone navigating life, growth, and dating in her 30s in real time.From building a respected career in media to prioritizing self-awareness through therapy, Danielle opens up about the balance between ambition and emotional connection and what it actually looks like to evolve while still figuring things out.This episode feels like sitting in on a real conversation between friends. The kind where you talk about everything from purpose and pressure to relationships, identity, and becoming.This conversation dives into career growth, emotional intelligence, therapy, modern dating in your 30s, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge and support you as you grow.In this episode, we talk about:• Building a career with intention and credibility• Danielle’s journey as a journalist and interviewer• Dating in your 30s and evolving relationship standards• The role of therapy and self-awareness• Friendship, emotional support, and real connection• Balancing ambition, identity, and personal life• Navigating growth while still figuring things out🃏 In this episode, we also played a round from Danielle Robay’s Question Everything card game, designed to spark deeper, more meaningful conversations. Explore the cards here:https://questioneverything.us/collections/shop-the-collection/products/question-everything-card-deck-1🎙️ Danielle also hosts the podcast Question Everything, where she explores the power of curiosity through thoughtful interviews and conversations. 🔔 Don’t forget: ✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes ✔️ Leave a rating & review ✔️ Drop a comment — we want to hear your thoughts ✔️ Share this episode with someone who needs it 📲 Let’s stay connected: Instagram: @similarlydifferentpod TikTok: @similarlydifferentpod 🤳 Connect with Danielle:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellerobay/ Podcast: Question Everything
Rewriting My Narrative: Choosing Rest, Healing & Self-Trust for 2026
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 started to see experiences as timelines and teachers rather than failures or successes. I also talk about navigating heartbreak, shifts in friendships, burnout from hustle culture, and the permission I finally gave myself to rest, feel deeply, and evolve without apologizing for it. ✨ If you’re in a season of healing, this is meant to feel like a deep breath. In this episode, I talk about:• The emotional rollercoaster that 2025 was for me• Why endings in relationships or work aren’t always failures• Naming what I feel vs numbing or suppressing it• The power of saying “I don’t have the capacity for this”• Protecting my peace while still being ambitious• Why rest became non-negotiable this year• How I’m preparing my heart for 2026 🔔 Support the show:• Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next• Comment and share what you’re releasing before 2026• Share this episode with someone in a healing season 📲 Connect with Us:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentSubmit questions: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlydifferent
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