Similarly Different

In this solo episode, we’re unpacking the ups and downs of friendship—the ride or dies, the shifts, and the ones we outgrow. It’s healthy to have different levels of friends for different seasons of your life, from the social friends you see on Friday nights to core friends you can reveal your secrets to. I also talk about outgrowing childhood friends, recognizing when to let go of friendships that no longer serve you, and how to set boundaries for yourself. Plus, we have another Similarly Curious audio submission asking about how to deal with friends that cause anxiety. Friendships should be beautiful, light and fun!

Today, I sit down with the inspiring Jamie Lee Ruiz, former Miami Heat dancer, reality show contestant and now, spiritual life coach, to discuss her journey from the spotlight to self-love. After moving to LA, Jamie danced her way through competitive auditions, facing insecurities and anxiety along the way that challenged her confidence, but a pandemic-forced pause sparked her journey into self-love, healing, and embracing her feminine energy. Now as a life coach, Jamie reveals how leaning into authenticity, balancing energies, and intentional dating has helped her relationships with others and herself thrive. Listen in for Jamie’s insights on how to manifest, find true self-love and tap into those things that let your flourish!

In this episode, Wes Dunn shares his journey from growing up in poverty to achieving financial freedom and stability, which inspired his new book, Roadmap to Your Financial Freedom. Wes shares what sparked his love for the finance world and how he was able to reshape his mindset around money. Not letting wealth control your life and knowing that you can reinvent yourself no matter your past is so important. He also provides practical strategies on how to create a healthy relationship with money, build up your credit, and grow wealth sustainability. Tune in as Wes shares financial gems and teaches us how to get in control of our finances while also living a generous and fulfilling life! 

Wes' Book: https://www.amazon.com/Roadmap-Your-Financial-Freedom-Practical/dp/B0D52DFCQD/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EymQttbAYheXd-Cg5ChrQSYpybNx3UgEtjn0A7APpACbF-PR7dmc3cbgxISBzpnlxYvnvarY2aVETocAsfmFv4q6BpqXQIrv7W5kBWoe-hsDjzw5OKlQAfI3ogh5MGXz.gjbSzVLah4vTKBHfNyREBz_fcQ1Un19sj5AmJfUjJds&dib_tag=se&qid=1730772681&refinements=p_27%3AWes+Dunn&s=books&sr=1-1

A few weeks ago, I went to Dallas to reconnect with my big Venezuelan family for a family reunion, and it was truly transformative. It ended up being an amazing weekend of healing, love, and for me, rediscovering that feeling of “home”. I reflect on the power of family, the beauty of giving and receiving love openly, and the need for validation from loved ones. I’ve always yearned for the feeling that I felt this weekend and I am so at peace now. Please seek out that thing that brings you true peace, it’s the most rewarding feeling!

In today’s episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Chris Anokute, the A&R music industry powerhouse behind some of the biggest names in pop, like Katy Perry and Rihanna. From his humble beginnings, camped outside of Justin’s diner to connect with the big names in music, to becoming a key player at Def Jam and Virgin, Chris shares his passion for the industry and how his success evolved over time. He opens up about his recent shift in motivation from once being driven by ego and wealth to now being driven by servitude and making a profound impact. As the new Executive Director at LAAMP, he’s fulfilling this shift by mentoring the next generation of dreamers and helping to develop budding talent. We also talk about his unwavering relationship with God and the importance of keeping integrity and spirituality at the center of his journey. Join us for an inspiring conversation about success, faith, and living a life of impact! 

Today, I sit down with my good friend Daniela Legarda, a Colombian social media personality who’s been in the spotlight since she was a child. Despite her constant joyful, bubbly energy, Daniela opens up about her experience with navigating grief after the loss of her brother and dealing with anxiety for the first time. Together, we dive deep into the complexity of grief, learning how to balance both pain and happiness and understanding that it’s okay to feel two feelings at once. During the healing process, Daniela felt a pull from God to write a book to help others through grief and how to find strength through gratitude. We also discuss how to find happiness in the present, the power of believing in yourself, and the importance of taking time to heal so you can truly flourish. 

In this solo Q&A episode, I dive into your Similarly Curious submissions and share my insights on how to handle the situations at hand. We discuss how to handle growing apart from friends and how to know when it’s time to take a step back. In terms of learning to be more mindful, we talk about the importance of learning to say no to things that don’t serve you. We also explore the nuances of healthy compromise in relationships, how to confront insecurities together, and the importance of creating healthy boundaries. Tune in for my candid and hopefully helpful advice, and don’t forget to send in your voice notes on my Instagram broadcast channel for next week’s episode! 

If you want to submit a question to Yanina, click here!

Welcome to Season 2 of Similarly Different, where we’ll focus on leveling up and confidently stepping into your next era! [Watch the full episode on Spotify or Youtube]

Today’s solo episode is all about embracing yourself and realizing that it’s never too late to start over. Icons like Martha Stewart and Henry Ford remind us that greatness can happen at any age, so start that business, pick up a new hobby, or do that thing that scares you. This season, we’re channeling growth—processing the past, taking a moment to breathe, and celebrating how far you’ve come. It’s time to be bold, surround yourself with people who fuel your success, and elevate into the best version of yourself. I’m also excited to introduce Similarly Curious, a segment where I answer your burning questions with advice and fresh perspectives. Get ready to thrive in Season 2! 

This episode is brought to you by National University! Click here to learn more about how NU is helping busy people just like us, get their degree!