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 doesn’t stop—we’re so young, God already has a plan, and everything you’re building now is preparing you for the next thing.💛 In this episode:- CAZZA’s origin story: the need for dry shampoo for diverse hair, designed “inclusive by default”- Friendship × business: trust, boundaries, and respect when roles blur- “You can’t be a leader if you’re a follower” (Denzel wisdom that still applies)- How to post through anxiety—and why joy and productivity come in seasons- Mentorship, manifestation, and knowing when you’re really ready vs. when you just think you are- Why the perfect storm (think Netflix, Jimmy Choo) is timing × preparation, not luck🔔 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! 💬📲 Follow Nora: @noraradd📲 Follow CAZZA Dry Shampoo on Instagram for updates + launch info📝 Join the CAZZA Insiders waitlist 📲 Let’s stay connected:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentpodSubmit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious

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 released, how she’s practicing real-time boundaries, and what dating looks like entering a new decade!
💛 In this episode:
- What “misalignment” actually feels like (and how to tell it from resistance)
- The retreat that changed everything: 10 days, no talking, 10 hours of meditation/day
- Why Jamie canceled a beloved class the night before—and felt instant peace
- Trust & surrender when you don’t know the next step (rent still due!)
- The 40-Day Joy practice (small moments count) and how it raises your frequency
- Friendship endings with grace: accountability, people-pleasing, and speaking up sooner
- Dating in your 40s: clarity, standards, and saying “no” without drama
- Feminine flow × masculine container: holding all your expressions, safely
- Gratitude as a daily nervous-system reset (and why joy isn’t performative)
🔗 Listen next:
Feminine & Masculine Energy (our most-saved episode)
https://youtu.be/kEtH5d0xlaQ
Valentine’s Day: Icks, Loves & Self-Lovehttps://youtu.be/7XNne0zn_Lw
🔔 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! 💬

📲 Follow Jamie:
https://www.instagram.com/jameslee4/?hl=en
📲 Let’s stay connected:

Instagram: @similarlydifferentpod

TikTok: @similarlydifferentpod

Submit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious

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, storytelling, and entrepreneurship, Qiushi shares her journey of resilience, leadership, and vision.

Together, we explore:
- How AI is reshaping the creative industry for filmmakers, writers, influencers, and entrepreneurs

- Why Leyline was built to empower everyday creators (and how it works)

- The balance between human creativity and AI tools in art, business, and content

- What it’s like being a female immigrant founder in a male-dominated tech space

- The future of work, storytelling, and content creation in the age of AI

Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or simply curious about how AI will transform our lives, this episode gives you a front-row seat to the opportunities and challenges ahead!

#NUPartner Proud to celebrate #HispanicHeritageMonth all year long with @NationalUniversity 💛 Latinos show up with grit and heart every day for family, for future, for more. NU helps make those ANDs possible with flexible online courses + scholarships. Ready to build what’s next? Click here to learn more:https://tag.gs/Ay97x

📌 Connect with Qiushi & Leyline
🌐 Website: https://www.leylinepro.ai/mktp/

📱 Follow Leyline on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leyline_ai/

💼 Connect with Qiushi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/qiushi-z-37764511/

🔔 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

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 this episode:
- What body dysmorphia really is (and why it’s not just “vanity”)
- My personal story of spiraling during a Vegas trip & how it shaped my self-image
- Why comparison culture and social media make this struggle louder
- How triggers can show up in the smallest everyday moments
- The tools I’ve used to manage dysmorphia: therapy, mirror work, movement, boundaries & self-talk
- Why your worth is never tied to your reflection
- Celebrities like Lana Condor, Kendall Jenner, and Jameela Jamil who have spoken openly about their own struggles
🧠 Similarly Curious Segment:
Q: How do you rebuild self-worth when your biggest critic is yourself?
We dive into shifting the inner voice, learning to see yourself with grace, and why even the tiniest acts of self-compassion are powerful.
🔔 Don’t forget:
✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes
✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)
✔️ Share your story or tips in the comments — I love hearing from you
✔️ 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 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, balance work and motherhood, navigate postpartum depression, and learn to ask for help without guilt. Stephanie also opens up about staying true to your “why” in business, resisting trends that don’t fit your brand, and overcoming the comparison trap!
💬 In this episode, we talk about:
– How Stephanie went from editorial to entrepreneurship
– The behind-the-scenes of creating a more inclusive boob tape
– Juggling brand ownership, freelancing, and motherhood
– The reality of postpartum depression and how dance helped her find joy again
– Why knowing your “why” is key to surviving business challenges
– Lessons she’s learned from five years of running Nue
📌 Connect with Stephanie & Nue:
Instagram: @the_brand_new_nue
Stephanie’s Instagram: @stephanie_montes
🔔 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 spilling the tea about feeling safe, seen, and fully being in our feminine energy. I’m sharing how timing, emotional intelligence, and healed energy completely changed the way I show up in dating.

💬 In this episode:
– Why I finally let my guard down after years of independence
– The difference between anxious butterflies and safe, calm butterflies
– How genuine friendship and emotional safety create space for true connection
– My journey into my soft girl era (and how to know if you’re ready for yours)
– Dating advice: When to cut things off vs. giving someone another chance
– Lessons on self-worth, intentional love, and staying authentic in relationships
Whether you’re healing, navigating new love, or just craving a fresh perspective on dating, this one’s for you!
🔔 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 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