Similarly Different

In this powerful episode of Similarly Different, Yanina is joined by the multi-talented Valeria Maldonado; Mexican-American actress, writer, and producer of the heartfelt indie film Las Tres Sisters! Vale pulls back the curtain on her nine-year journey to bring Las Tres Sisters to life, sharing how she and her co-creators fought to maintain ownership of their story while navigating the challenges of independent filmmaking. She opens up about the emotional highs and lows of acting, the struggle against Hollywood stereotypes, and why authentic Latina representation on screen matters now more than ever!
💬 In this episode:

• The behind-the-scenes story of how Las Tres Sisters evolved from an idea to a full feature film
  
• The sacrifices and persistence it took to self-fund and produce an indie project
  
• Balancing multiple roles as actress, writer, and producer while staying true to the story
  
• Breaking through stereotypes and advocating for authentic Latina voices in Hollywood
  
  
• Mental health and resilience: coping with rejection, staying grounded, and redefining success
  
• How creativity, dance, and acting can be forms of self-therapy and emotional release
  
• The importance of friendship, sisterhood, and collaboration in surviving a long creative journey
  
• Advice for aspiring actors, filmmakers, and women navigating the entertainment industry
  

🌟 Follow Valeria Maldonado: @valemaldon 

🎥 Watch Las Tres Sisters now on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, Google Play, and DirecTV.

🔔 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 

In this solo episode, I’m finally spilling the tea on my past dating life! The awkward first dates, emotional red flags, and the unexpected lessons that shaped the way I love today. You guys know I’ve talked about being married and divorced, maybe even having a crush or two… but you haven’t heard the full story... until now!
I’m sharing everything from a guy who pretended to be his twin (yes, really), to the moments that made me rethink my deal breakers and non-negotiables. We’re talking emotional availability, spiritual alignment, hygiene, therapy, masculinity, and the kind of love that makes you feel calm.

💬 In this episode:
 – My most cringeworthy dates and why I gave second (and third) chances
 – My top deal breakers (bad hygiene and no belief in God make the list)
 – What emotional availability really looks like in a man
 – Healthy masculinity vs. toxic control and how to tell the difference
 – Why intentional effort > expensive gestures
 – What “green flags” look like for me now
If you’re navigating dating in your 20s or 30s, I hope this episode gives you some clarity, some laughs, and a reminder that it’s okay to want more. You deserve a love that feels safe, steady, and aligned with who you are!
✨ Let me know: What’s YOUR biggest deal breaker in dating?
🔔 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 
#SimilarlyDifferent #DatingDiaries #ModernLove #DatingNonNegotiables #SoloPodcast #LatinaPodcast #RelationshipStandards #RedFlags #GreenFlags #WomenWhoLoveDeeply #SelfWorth #EmotionalMaturity

From the Virgin Islands to writing chart-topping hits, Theron Thomas has penned some of the most iconic songs of our generation. In this powerful and hilarious episode, we get real about the music industry, financial mistakes, fame, family, and the price of making it big! Join me as I sit down with the genius behind hits like “Locked Away,” “When I Grow Up,” “Selfish,” and “About Damn Time” to talk about the highs, the lows, and the lessons that come with success.
💬 In this episode:
 – The origin story of Teron Thomas: from sleeping on the floor to Grammy-level success
 – What it’s really like touring with Maroon 5 and navigating fame
 – The million-dollar mistake that changed his financial mindset
 – Being a dad, legacy, and raising a creative son in the business
 – Why “failure” is the best teacher and how discomfort breeds greatness
 – AI, songwriting strategy, and what it takes to write a hit today
 – His dream collab with Jay-Z — and the full-circle moment with Lizzo
🔥 Whether you're a creative, artist, or just someone chasing a dream, this episode will leave you inspired, laughing, and thinking deeper about what success really means!
🔔 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 
📲 Follow Theron:
https://www.instagram.com/therontheron_/?hl=en 

In today’s personal solo episode, I’m unpacking the real effects of digital burnout, overstimulation, and the constant noise we absorb from our screens. If you’ve ever felt emotionally drained, creatively blocked, or just not yourself after endless scrolling… you’re not alone! I’m sharing my own journey with screen fatigue, the signs you might be missing, and how I’m resetting with micro digital detox habits without quitting social media completely. Plus, I’m giving you a 48-hour challenge that could change your relationship with your phone and your peace of mind.

📲 In this episode:
 – The sneaky signs of digital burnout
 – Why you’re still tired after “resting” on your phone
 – Creative blocks, comparison traps & dopamine crashes
 – How to reset your nervous system (without quitting your job)
 – A real-talk challenge: 48 hours off social media
 – Boundaries that protect your peace AND your creativity
 – A love note to our parents: please stop sending 100 memes a day 😂

🎯 If you’re ready to reclaim your time, your focus, and your sense of self, hit play. Your most present, peaceful self is waiting on the other side of that screen!

👇 Take the digital detox challenge with me and let me know how it goes!

🔔 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 

Today, I’m joined by the one and only Dr. Deepika Chopra — psychologist, scientist, and creator of the “Things Are Looking Up” optimism cards. We’re talking about what it actually means to be optimistic (spoiler: it’s not about being positive all the time), and how to build emotional resilience without bypassing the hard stuff. From redefining toxic positivity to managing motherhood, burnout, and healing in real-time, this episode is filled with science-backed tools, honest reflection, and real talk about living with intention, not perfection!
💬 In this episode:
 – What optimism really is (and why it’s a muscle, not a personality trait)
 – The difference between toxic positivity and grounded hope
 – How to regulate your emotions when life feels overwhelming
 – Small daily habits to rewire your brain toward joy
 – Why emotional neutrality is underrated (and powerful)
 – Finding meaning in chaos — from LA fires to life transitions
 – Balancing identity, motherhood, and ambition without losing yourself
 – The underrated magic of micro-moments, awe, and breathwork
✨ This one’s for my deep feelers, my recovering perfectionists, my moms, creators, and anyone learning how to stay soft in a sharp world!
🎙 Connect with Dr. Deepika Chopra (The Optimism Doctor):
Instagram: @drdeepikachopra
Website: www.drdeepikachopra.com
Shop the Cards: thingsarelookingup.co
Upcoming Book: The Power of Real Optimism – coming February 2026!
🔔 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 

We’re back with another solo episode of Similarly Different — and this one’s extra personal. 💌 Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on my real-time dating journey (yes, like right now), and what it’s like to open up after a long season of being happily single. From rediscovering feminine energy to catching myself before I self-sabotage, we’re talking the fear, the hope, and the giddy middle ground that comes with catching feelings after being hyper-independent for so long!
💬 In this episode:
 – The honest truth about dating again after being solo for years
 – What it means to feel emotionally safe with someone (and why that’s so rare)
– Navigating crushes, fear, and survival mode in love
– How to shift from guarded to grounded — without losing your standards
– Why feminine energy doesn’t mean weakness, and how to stop doing everything alone
– The “screen door vs. wall” mindset when letting someone new in
– How to tell if they’re part of your next chapter… or just a detour
✨ This one’s for my soft girl era babes, my healed & healing girlies, and anyone relearning how to trust love again.
🧠 Similarly Curious Segment:
 Q: “How do you know if a new crush is a part of your next chapter or a distraction from it?”
We talk about intentional dating, emotional safety, and why not every relationship needs to last forever to be meaningful.
🔔 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

In this raw and powerful episode, I sit down with the one and only Desi Perkins! We talk about what it really takes to go from content creator to CEO, navigating imposter syndrome, letting go of perfectionism, and reclaiming joy through things as simple (and sacred) as gardening. She shares untold stories about infertility, leaving major brand deals behind, and the identity shift that comes with motherhood.
This conversation is about so much more than just beauty or business—it’s about resilience, reinvention, and choosing passion even when fear is in the room. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to be more, do more, or explain yourself… this one’s for you!
💬 We discuss:
- Desi’s journey from artist to influencer to founder
- Building a brand beyond yourself
- Infertility, loneliness & sharing her story online
- From passion to empire: what changed everything
- Motherhood, identity shifts & redefining success
- Therapy, transference & growth off-camera
- What success means to her now
🔔 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
🤳Follow Desi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desiperkins/?hl=en 
Dezi Skin: https://deziskin.com/?srsltid=AfmBOophoqvXQauqaKPDUSmmYJJyTwWo_7dF8_1dElMSMvB6LZWXNO_a 
Desi Eyewear: https://www.instagram.com/dezi/?hl=en 

In this solo episode of Similarly Different, I’m talking about the lifelong lesson of saying no without guilt, and the real work it takes to let go of people-pleasing tendencies.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of being misunderstood, feared disappointing others, or constantly overcommitted to avoid uncomfortable conversations, this one’s for you! I open up about the messy middle of learning to set boundaries, why I used to say yes out of fear, and how protecting your peace isn’t selfish... it’s self-respect.
We also hear from a listener who asked about how to turn down a second date without ghosting or feeling like the bad guy. Spoiler: Honoring your gut is not mean, it’s necessary!
✨ Let me know in the comments: Where in your life do you need to say no more often?
🎧 Listen if you’ve ever struggled with:

• Saying no without over explaining
  
• People-pleasing and burnout
  
• Guilt for protecting your peace
  
• Feeling responsible for others’ emotions
  
• Setting boundaries with friends, family, or work
  

🔔 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 

In today’s episode of Similarly Different, I'm sitting down with Noor Siddiqui — founder of Orchid, a groundbreaking company that's changing the way we think about genetics, fertility, and embryo testing. We dive into what Orchid is, how embryo screening works, and why Noor believes we’re entering a future where everyone will use genetic testing before pregnancy! Whether you’re curious about having kids one day, actively trying, navigating IVF, or simply want to understand how genetics shapes our future... this episode is for you!
💡 Highlights:

• What is Orchid and what does embryo screening really do?
  
• Noor’s personal story and why she started this company
  
• De novo mutations, inherited conditions & polygenic risk scores (explained simply!)
  
• Why sperm health matters just as much as egg count
  
• Stress, burnout, and lifestyle’s hidden effects on fertility
  
• The controversial debate: science vs. spirituality in family planning
  

👇 Let me know in the comments: Would YOU want to know your embryo's risk for certain diseases before pregnancy?
🔗 Learn more about Orchid: https://www.orchidhealth.com

🔔 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 

#FertilityAwareness #IVFJourney #EmbryoScreening #GeneticTesting #OrchidHealth #NoorSiddiqui #WomensHealth #MensHealthMatters #FertilityEducation #SimilarlyDifferentPodcast #ModernParenting #ScienceAndSpirituality #PreconceptionPlanning #HealthTech #EggFreezing #SpermHealth #KnowYourDNA #FutureOfParenting

Fresh off my birthday, I found myself sitting in some heavy but honest reflections about identity, worth, and why so many women constantly question whether they’re too much or not enough. From feeling misunderstood in relationships to being judged in professional spaces, I open up about what it means to take up space unapologetically… and how I’ve learned not to carry what was never mine to hold.
Let’s unpack it all! From societal double standards, to the real impact of criticism (especially from people we love), to how I’ve learned to set boundaries around what I choose to receive. This episode is your reminder: you are not too much and you are always enough!
🎧 Listen if you’ve ever struggled with:

• Being “too loud,” “too emotional,” or “too ambitious”
• Rejection in friendships, dating, or career
• Comparing yourself on social media
• People-pleasing or overanalyzing your interactions
• The pressure to tone yourself down to be accepted

📩 Share this with a friend who needs to be reminded of their magic!

🔔 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