Sex therapist Vanessa Marin is here to take the intimidation out of intimacy. With 20 years of experience as a licensed psychotherapist and millions of views online, Vanessa and her husband, Xander, have become a go-to couple for real, shame-free conversations about sex. In this episode, Vic opens up about her own sexy journey as they dive into how to communicate with your partner, reduce shame, and strengthen emotional and physical connection. From why a six-second kiss matters to what intentio...
Jun 11, 2025•51 min•Ep. 318
Celebrity makeup artist and Vic’s bestie, Michelle DeLorenzo, aka the talent behind Vic’s glam and go-to girl for stars like Lauryn Bosstick and Tinx, joins the pod to talk about manifesting dream opportunities in your career, friendship in your twenties, and rebuilding your connection to self (especially after a breakup). As one of Vic’s best friends, Michelle shares what makes their bond so special, the power of solo dates, and how trusting her intuition led her to the life she once only dream...
Jun 04, 2025•55 min•Ep. 317
Vic is reflecting on turning 28 and the mindset shifts helping her feel more aligned, grounded, and true to herself. From exiting her hustle era and protecting her energy, to pulling back on people-pleasing and rewriting her self-talk, this solo episode is an unfiltered check-in on what’s changed, and what’s finally clicking. Vic shares why she skipped a big birthday celebration, how she’s building deeper self-trust, and the small but powerful ways she’s being kinder to herself this year. Tune i...
May 28, 2025•37 min•Ep. 316
Your twenties are a time of major change and transition, and here to help you navigate it all are Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik - founders, authors, and co-hosts of the Almost 30 podcast. In this soul-nourishing episode, Krista and Lindsey share what their Saturn Return taught them about becoming the most authentic version of themselves, and help Vic work through what’s surfacing in her own Saturn Return. From inner child healing to evolving friendships, they explore how to tune into your o...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 315
If perfectionism is your favorite weakness, this one’s for you. Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, clinical psychologist and author of How to Be Enough: Self-Acceptance for Self-Critics and Perfectionists, joins Vic to unpack the roots of perfectionism, how it shows up in everyday life, and why so many of us feel like we have to earn our worth. They explore the difference between healthy ambition and toxic self-criticism, how to find that middle ground where you’re still growing without burning out, and what...
May 14, 2025•54 min•Ep. 314
Have you ever wondered how Vic started The Hidden Opponent? Or what it really takes to launch and run a non-profit? This episode is your crash course! Vic shares why she founded THO, how Kobe Bryant played a key role, and the real behind-the-scenes of building a movement for student-athlete mental health. She also introduces THO’s new CEO, their Avengers-level Board of Directors, and gives a sneak peek at the adidas x The Hidden Opponent collab — out now! If you’re passionate about mental health...
May 07, 2025•51 min•Ep. 313
Australian-born creator, actress, and entrepreneur Cartia Mallan joins the pod for a vulnerable and reflective convo about anxiety, identity, content creation, grief, and growing up online. They dive into boundary setting with friends, social media burnout, staying true to yourself in a trend-obsessed world, and how to rebuild self-trust when you’ve been over-giving. Cartia also opens up about navigating grief after the loss of her father and the complex emotions that come with it. This ep is co...
Apr 30, 2025•51 min•Ep. 312
The bride is back! Victoria’s best friend of 20 years, Aubrey Gavello, spills the tea on all things wedding planning and what it’s really been like stepping into her bridal era. They dive into the highs and lows of planning a wedding, the traditions Aubrey’s keeping (and skipping), and how she’s shifting into that marriage mindset. From how she knew her fiancé, Wood, was the one to navigating the whole merging-finances-or-not thing—nothing’s off limits. Aubrey also opens up about the pressure to...
Apr 23, 2025•46 min•Ep. 311
Vic is yapping with The Gals on the Go! Danielle Carolan and Brooke Miccio (longtime YouTube creators and podcast co-hosts) join Victoria for a fun and honest conversation about what it’s really like to grow through your 20s. They talk about starting a business with your best friend, how their dynamic has evolved over time, and what it takes to keep both the friendship and the brand strong. Danielle opens up about managing anxiety on tour and deciding to go on beta blockers, while Brooke shares ...
Apr 16, 2025•49 min•Ep. 310
Vic is diving deep into all things style in this solo episode of Real Pod! After three years on a personal fashion journey, #VicsFits, she’s here to spill everything she’s learned - from the closet cleanout strategy that changed her life to the secrets of curating a wardrobe that actually makes outfit planning easy . Vic gets real about why she struggled with fashion after years as an athlete (practice shirts only ), the body image breakthroughs that reshaped how she shops, and the game-changing...
Apr 09, 2025•41 min•Ep. 309
Alencia Johnson joins Real Pod! Alencia is an award-winning cultural commentator, political strategist, and former senior advisor to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Now, she’s adding author to her resume with her new book Flip the Tables: The Everyday Disruptor's Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change . In this episode, Alencia and Victoria get real about how to stay hopeful in a world that feels chaotic, the fine line between unplugging for your mental health and stepp...
Apr 02, 2025•49 min•Ep. 308
Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, aka Dr. A, joins Real Pod for an absolute masterclass in women’s health! You may have seen her on Keeping Up with the Kardashians (yes, she delivered Khloe’s baby!), but today she’s here to drop life-changing knowledge on fertility, PCOS, endometriosis, and what you need to be asking your OBGYN. Dr. A shares her incredible journey from growing up in Iran during the revolution to becoming one of the most sought-after OBGYNs in Los Angeles. She opens up about how her past fuele...
Mar 26, 2025•58 min•Ep. 307
Jeffrey Saad is back on Real Pod! The beloved chef, entrepreneur, optimist and family friend is here to share the life lessons that keep him grounded through the highs of success and the toughest lows of challenges. Jeffrey shares the difference between happiness and joy, how he reprogrammed his mindset to embrace every moment, and why optimism is the ultimate performance enhancer. He also reveals something deeply personal—his recent cancer diagnosis. With the wisdom and heart that define him, h...
Mar 19, 2025•54 min•Ep. 306
Gabby Bernstein returns to Real Pod! The #1 New York Times bestselling author and spiritual teacher is back to dive deep into her new book, Self Help , and the transformational power of Internal Family Systems therapy. Gabby shares how befriending our inner “protector parts” can lead to self-healing, emotional freedom, and a greater sense of calm. Plus, she takes me through a live exercise (yes, I cry) that helped me uncover something I never realized about myself. We also chat about releasing c...
Mar 12, 2025•48 min•Ep. 305
Victoria sits down with the one and only YiaYia for a heartwarming and deeply personal conversation about life, love, loss, and legacy. YiaYia shares the incredible journey that shaped her resilience, wisdom, and faith from her parents' arranged marriage in Greece to building a family in Chicago. She opens up about meeting Papou, their timeless love story, and why she never sought another partner after his passing. Plus, she reflects on grief, the power of keeping life simple, and the most impor...
Mar 05, 2025•57 min•Ep. 304
Patrick Schwarzenegger is on Real Pod! The actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist—who just landed a role in The White Lotus Season 3—gets real about his career, personal growth, and navigating life in Hollywood with a famous last name. Patrick opens up about his approach to goal setting (inspired by his dad, Arnold Schwarzenegger!), the moment he stopped caring about proving himself to others, and the reality of building a career in acting. He also shares how he and fiancée Abby Champion have m...
Feb 26, 2025•54 min•Ep. 303
Kellie Gerardi joins Real Pod! Kellie is a bioastronautics researcher, a trailblazing astronaut, and one of the first 100 women to fly to space. She’s here to talk about her incredible journey—both in orbit and on Earth—as she prepares for her second spaceflight. Kellie opens up about her IVF experience, the emotional toll of multiple miscarriages, and how she found resilience in the unknown. She also shares her perspective on perfectionism, body image, and why seeing Earth from space completely...
Feb 19, 2025•47 min•Ep. 301
Victoria is back and into diving into all things Maid of Honor ! After being a bride, bridesmaid, and now a Maid of Honor, Victoria shares her ultimate guide to slaying this role and making your best friend's big day unforgettable. From planning the bachelorette party of dreams (hello, Excel spreadsheets!) to handling tricky conversations about budgets and expectations, Victoria gets real about the joy, pressure, and privilege of supporting your BFF. She also dishes out tips for dress shopping, ...
Feb 12, 2025•49 min•Ep. 300
Victoria and Max are getting real about one of the biggest questions in their marriage: are we ready for kids? From funny moments (like a surprise pregnancy test freak-out) to deep conversations about how parenting might change their lives, they’re diving into it all. They chat about their timelines for starting a family, hilarious baby name debates, and how they imagine their parenting styles. Vic gets vulnerable about balancing her career with motherhood and shares her thoughts on the fears sp...
Feb 05, 2025•49 min•Ep. 299
Shayla Mitchell, the powerhouse influencer and entrepreneur, joins RealPod for one of the most vulnerable and inspiring conversations yet! From starting as a paycheck-to-paycheck makeup artist to building a thriving brand, Shayla doesn’t hold back about her journey. She shares the struggles of navigating online criticism, how her childhood shaped her relentless drive, and the lessons she learned along the way (including some tough ones, like signing a contract with no end date!). Shayla also get...
Jan 29, 2025•55 min•Ep. 298
Vic is back with a heartfelt and chaotic solo update! From navigating the emotional toll of the LA fires to a major mindset shift for 2025, Vic opens up about the rollercoaster of emotions, self-discovery, and growth she’s been experiencing. She shares how she’s letting go of the constant climb for success, embracing staying grounded, and learning to stand up for herself—both online and offline—without letting ego take over. Plus, Vic spills all the tea on being a maid of honor for her best frie...
Jan 22, 2025•41 min•Ep. 297
This episode originally aired in 2024. We’re bringing back a favorite conversation all about one of life’s most important (and sometimes tricky) relationships: friendship! I’m joined by Danielle Bayard Jackson, Bumble For Friends' resident friendship guru, and she’s sharing all the secrets to making new friends, having deeper connections, and navigating those oh-so-tough conversations. From creating meaningful rituals to knowing when it’s time to let go, this episode is packed with tips to help ...
Jan 15, 2025•46 min•Ep. 296
Jillian Turecki joins RealPod to dive deep into the complexities of love, relationships, and personal growth. A yoga teacher turned relationship coach, Jillian shares how her experiences, including a painful divorce and the loss of her mother, shaped her mission to help others. She discusses the insights behind her new book, It Begins With You: The Nine Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Life, revealing the transformative lessons she’s learned about self-awareness, emotional intelligen...
Jan 08, 2025•45 min•Ep. 295
Aubrey and Natalie return to Real Pod for the annual New Year’s reflection and goal-setting episode! Vic, Aubs, and Nat reflect on their goals from last year and share their successes and challenges. Aubrey opens up about her transition from real estate to full-time content creation and Natalie opens up about launching her new podcast "Demoted" and navigating an internet cancellation. They reflect on the importance of setting boundaries, personal growth, and the power of saying no. They also set...
Jan 01, 2025•45 min•Ep. 294
Abbie Herbert is on Real Pod! Abbie is a TikTok sensation with millions of followers, and she joins Vic to share her journey from modeling to social media stardom. She opens up about her struggle with alcohol addiction, the pivotal moment that led her to sobriety, and how she maintains a healthy and balanced life as a mother and influencer. Abbie reveals the behind-the-scenes reality of creating content with her husband Josh, the importance of setting boundaries in the digital age, and the joy o...
Dec 25, 2024•45 min•Ep. 293
Kristina Saffran, the CEO of Equip, joins RealPod to share her journey from battling anorexia at a young age to co-founding Equip, a company revolutionizing eating disorder treatment with virtual care. Kristina shares the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to eating disorders, her personal struggle with anorexia starting at age 10, and the challenges she faced during recovery. She discusses the importance of family-based treatment and the need for accessible, evidence-based care. ...
Dec 20, 2024•37 min•Ep. 292
One of Vic’s BFF’s, Sports Illustrated Model Ella Halikas returns to Real Pod for her third time, and she’s here to remind you of your worth! In this episode, Ella and Vic dive into the complexities of maintaining a balanced lifestyle, prioritizing slower moments and setting boundaries, and how to embrace your body despite the allure of weight loss drugs. Vic and Ella discuss the controversial topic of weight loss drugs, the societal pressures of body image, and the unrealistic standards perpetu...
Dec 18, 2024•47 min•Ep. 291
Emmanuel Acho joins Real Pod! Emmanuel, a former NFL player and the creator of the Emmy Award Winning series "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man," dives into the transformative journey of his career from athlete to advocate. He opens up about his decision to leave the NFL, the impact of his viral video series that led to a phone call from Oprah, and how he found his true calling (plus, how YOU can find yours too!) Emmanuel discusses the importance of following one's heart, the value of...
Dec 11, 2024•51 min•Ep. 290
Vic is joined by her husband Max for a heartfelt episode as she reflects on the past six years since her last season as a USC volleyball player. They dive into Vic's journey to becoming a prominent mental health advocate and content creator, and Vic opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including her TEDxTalk that led to the creation of her nonprofit, The Hidden Opponent. She discusses the challenges and rewards of building her brand, the impact of her sports career on her b...
Dec 04, 2024•42 min•Ep. 289
Vic is joined this week by Sarah Drew, former Grey's Anatomy star turned celebrated actress and executive producer. Sarah opens up about her journey from being a bullied child to finding sanctuary in acting, sharing stories of rejection and the emotional rollercoaster of auditions. She reflects on her time on Grey's Anatomy, the identity challenges that followed, and her newfound passion for writing and producing. With raw vulnerability, Sarah discusses managing anxiety, finding joy in the prese...
Nov 20, 2024•47 min•Ep. 288
