What if the version of Valeria Lipovetsky you think you know is only half the story?

In this raw and intimate conversation,  Sarah  sits down with her close friend — creator, entrepreneur, and mother — Valeria Lipovetsky, to dive into the parts of her life she rarely shares publicly.

From immigrant-household survival mode… to therapy breakthroughs… to redefining femininity, creativity, partnership, and identity — Valeria opens up about the inner work behind her success and why she’s rewriting the rules of what it means to be a woman who leads, creates, and loves.

Follow Valeria on social media: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/valerialipovetskyblog/

Podcast: https://www.notalonepod.com/

What we talked about: 

00:00 – Welcome Back & Big News

01:00 –  Introducing Valeria

03:00 – Timing, Schedules & Surrendering Control

03:30 — Growing Up in an Immigrant Household

05:00 – Therapy & Emotional Awareness

06:40 — The Breaking Point: “I Hit Capacity”

07:40 — The Need to Constantly Evolve

09:20 — Protecting Her Marriage Through Boundaries

10:00 – Creativity & Work-Life Balance

15:00 – Success, Leadership & Authenticity

15:45 — Learning Through “Bad” Choices

16:20 — Redefining Leadership

17:30 — The Magic of Being the Same On & Offline

20:00 – Motherhood & Family Dynamics

25:00 – Career Identity & Public Presence

30:00 – Cycle Syncing & Feminine Flow

35:00 – Curiosity, Inspiration & Portfolio Living

40:00 – Seasons of Life & Growth

❤️Follow Sarah: 

Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba 

Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA 

Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

People think being creative is fun all day — but as Karly Doehla from Kasa Karly reveals, it’s hard work, grit, and faith that build an empire. 

Karly is the powerhouse founder who joins That’s So Akiba with Sarah Akiba to talk about how heartbreak led her to start her jewelry brand from scratch — and how it grew into a million-dollar business.

From selling jewelry on a fold-out table to creating the viral Samara earring, Karly opens up about motherhood, marriage, and what it really takes to stay creative, authentic, and resilient.

In this episode:

- The real story behind Kasa Karly’s million-dollar success

- How creativity can be both beautiful and exhausting

- The viral rise of the Samara earring

- Marriage, compromise, and lessons in love

- The hard truths of being a mom and entrepreneur

Timestamps:

00:00 The Exhausting Reality of Creativity

02:57 Navigating Marriage and Commitment

06:03 The Wedding Experience: Expectations vs. Reality

08:55 The Birth of Casa Carly: A Journey of Resilience

11:56 Lessons Learned from Setbacks and Growth

24:33 Celebrating Milestones and Achievements

27:42 Building a Strong Brand Identity

30:47 The Power of Authentic Connections

32:48 Transformative Experiences Through Jewelry

36:28 Overcoming Struggles and Embracing Change

40:33 Inspiration from Family and Personal Growth

42:55 Living Life with Joy and Flexibility

Learn more about Kasa Karly: https://kasakarly.com/

Follow Karly: ⁠ ⁨@KasaKarly⁩ ⁠ Kasa Karly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasakarly/?hl=enPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatkarly/

Follow Sarah: 

Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba 

Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA 

Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

What does No Days Off really mean? For Legacy founder Manning Sumner, it’s not about fitness — it’s about faith, consistency, and becoming your best self.

From waking up at 3:50 AM to pray, train, and lead, to expanding No Days Off Water nationwide, Manning shares what drives him to keep moving even when motivation fades.He opens up about creating spaces that inspire connection, the intentional design behind Legacy, and why motivation doesn’t come from waiting—it comes from movement. He also talks about fatherhood, faith, and the importance of finding peace in gratitude. 

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to No Days Off and Legacy Fit

02:58 The Importance of Persistence and Genuine Connections

06:08 Navigating Generational Differences and Respect

09:05 Creating Unique Spaces for Connection

11:55 Expansion and Growth of No Days Off

15:02 The Philosophy Behind No Days Off

15:30 Overcoming Daily Struggles

18:15 Morning Routines and Motivation

22:07 The Role of Faith in Life

24:42 Transforming Pain into Strength

30:07 Influences and Inspirations

Resources:

https://link.me/manningsumner

⁠ @TheBigDawgsWithManningSumner ⁠ 

Learn more about 

❤️Follow Sarah: 

✅Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba 

☑️Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA 

📅Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

What does it take to build a marriage rooted in love, respect, and authenticity—while balancing family, business, and the internet?

Danielle Zaslavskaya Matzon and Aloni Matzon share their journey as partners, parents, and creators—from viral TikTok moments to keeping their marriage strong offline. They open up about faith, compromise, family dynamics, and why true success is about love, not likes.

They share how Danielle’s TikTok journey grew from late-night recipes to millions of views (yes, even caviar on Doritos!)—and how Aloni’s support kept her grounded through internet criticism. And in a special surprise, they announce their next chapter: opening a coffee shop with Sarah, inspired by their love language and their fathers’ legacies.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 Introduction and Background

00:03:00 Journey into Content Creation

00:06:00 Marriage and Family Dynamics

00:09:00 The Power of Intention and Giving

00:12:00 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

❤️Follow Sarah: 

✅Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba 

☑️Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA 

📅Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

Heartbreak and joy often arrive hand in hand—and in this solo episode, Sarah lets listeners into both.

Fresh from celebrating her marriage and honeymoon in Israel and the South of France, Sarah also opens up about grieving the loss of her beloved aunt. Through these moments, she reflects on what it means to live authentically, invest in yourself, and discover purpose through pain.

This is a reminder that when we show up for ourselves, God shows up for us.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome to Season Two: A New Beginning

02:43 Navigating Personal Loss and Finding Purpose

05:20 Intentional Conversations and Authenticity

❤️Follow Sarah: 

✅Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba 

☑️Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA 

📅Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

Welcome back to That’s So Akiba Podcast Season 2 This season is all about self-reflection, resilience, and purpose. I’ll be sharing solo episodes on how I’ve transformed my own struggles into superpowers—and bringing on inspiring entrepreneurs, leaders, and even pastors from different walks of life to share how they’ve done the same.

Expect powerful conversations, practical wisdom, and little sparks of inspiration that help you:

- Become the best version of yourself

- Learn how to give with intention

- Prosper with purposeMake sure to subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode!

❤️Follow Sarah:

✅Instagram: @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba

☑️Podcast:

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA

📅Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

What does it really mean to enter marriage as your whole self? 

In the Season One finale, Sarah reflects on the powerful, personal journey she’s shared throughout the podcast. From embracing vulnerability to rediscovering self-love, this episode is a heartfelt look at where she’s been—and where she’s headed next. 

As Sarah steps into a new chapter of life, she speaks candidly about her hopes for a marriage built on joy, intention, and emotional safety. She also opens up about the importance of creating spaces where love and light can thrive—not just in relationships, but in every aspect of life. It’s an honest, soulful send-off to season one, filled with gratitude, growth, and vision for what’s to come.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Reflections on Season One

00:57 Embracing New Beginnings: The Journey to Marriage

03:52 Intentional Living: Creating a Meaningful Marriage

07:11 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Follow Sarah: Instagram: @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqmpVSBbbpcPodcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

What happens when you leave behind everything you were raised to believe in—and choose yourself instead?

Batsheva Haart—TV personality, content creator, and former star of My Unorthodox Life—gets raw about her courageous evolution from an ultra-Orthodox upbringing to navigating love, divorce, modern dating, and spirituality on her own terms.

Batsheva shares the emotional rollercoaster of divorce, how her relationship with religion has shifted, and why being true to yourself is the ultimate form of empowerment. Together, she and Sarah dive deep into what it really means to grow, heal, and manifest the love and life you deserve.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Who is Batsehva Haart?

02:01 Navigating Single Life and Relationships

05:23 The Journey of Divorce and Self-Discovery

11:19 Reevaluating Religion and Spirituality

14:18 Embracing a New Era of Life

15:31 Exploring Dating and Intimacy

20:20 Finding Balance in Relationships

20:55 Manifesting the Perfect Partner

22:59 Personal Growth and Readiness for Love

28:30 Meditation and Self-Love

32:38 Finding Joy and Attracting Love

35:04 The Importance of Self-Completion

39:05 Embracing Change and Intuition

Follow Batsheva Haart: https://www.instagram.com/batshevahaart/?hl=en

Follow Sarah: Instagram: @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba

Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thatsoakiba

Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

What does it really take to turn a movie into a cultural icon? Legendary film producer Louis A. Stroller—whose name you’ll find behind timeless titles like Scarface and Tomb Raider 2.

From his humble beginnings in Brooklyn to navigating the ever-evolving world of Hollywood, Louis shares candid stories from the set, insights into the gritty reality of filmmaking, and the moments that shaped his decades-long career.

He opens up about the behind-the-scenes challenges, the power of relationships, and why passion—not profit—should be the driving force in the entertainment industry.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Louis A. Stroller

03:02 Early Career and Entry into Film

05:57 The Making of Scarface

08:58 The Role of a Producer

11:56 Reflections on the Film Industry

15:12 Life Beyond Film and Personal Insights

Follow Sarah:

Instagram: @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqmpVSBbbpc

Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

What does it really take to turn your makeup brush into a brand?

The fiercely talented Raiza Montes (@raizamontes), celebrity makeup and hair artist, joins Sarah on That’s So Akiba, to share her evolution from behind-the-scenes glam to front-and-center influencer. Raiza opens up about how she carved her path from a traditional makeup artist into a full-fledged brand, leveraging social media to build an authentic presence that resonates far beyond the chair.

They talk signature styles, what it’s really like working Fashion Week, the hustle of monetizing influence (hint: her highest-paid post was $12K), and the art of staying inspired in an ever-changing industry. Raiza shares her biggest lessons on building strong relationships, finding the right community, and staying grounded in her Puerto Rican roots. 

Takeaways:

-Success in makeup means developing your unique style—and staying inspired by both trends and culture.

-Fashion Week taught her how to blend artistry with fashion storytelling.

-Monetizing influence requires both authenticity and business savvy.

-Building meaningful industry relationships is key to long-term growth.

-The power of community can fuel your journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Glam and Branding

01:53 Transitioning from Makeup Artist to Influencer

05:07 Finding Your Signature Makeup Style

09:17 Staying Inspired in Makeup

10:43 Experiences at Fashion Week

12:27 Monetizing Makeup Influence

15:40 Working with Celebrities

18:54 Challenges in the Makeup Industry

20:16 Building Relationships in Business

22:34 Conclusion and Social Media Presence