This episode is brought to you by Puori: Clean protein powder is here with Puori’s Pw1 Whey Protein, and we have an exciting deal for you! Right now, get 20% off, or if you choose their already discounted subscription, you get almost a third off the price! Only available when you visit the exclusive URL https://www.Puori.com/VALERIA and use promo code VALERIA In this week’s episode, Valeria sits down with poet, author, and activist Aija Mayrock for a powerful conversation about healing, identity, and how we reclaim our voice after trauma. Aija opens up about being bullied for eight years, living with speech impediments, and how writing a book as a teenager saved her life. She shares her journey from self-publishing to becoming a bestselling author, performing spoken word at Madison Square Garden, and ultimately finding empowerment through creative expression. Valeria and Aija also unpack the pressures of growing up in immigrant families, what it means to choose life after darkness, and how reconnecting with Jewish identity transformed Aija’s mission. They speak candidly about confidence, judgment, legacy, and the complex dynamic between women in today’s world.  Plus, Valeria exclusively chats with Aija about her romance with Nuseir from Nas Daily. Follow Aija: https://www.instagram.com/aijamayrock/  Aija’s books: https://www.aijamayrock.com/books   Items mentioned:  The Shvestsers: https://www.instagram.com/theshvesters/ (Yiddish singing sisters) The Choice by Edith Eger: https://a.co/d/4rl6bSP  New Earth by Eckhart Tolle: https://a.co/d/9odFZs9  Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl: https://a.co/d/aMFPumw Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1437523  What we talked about: 01:07 Aija Mayrock: Writing a book at 16 after years of bullying 07:12 Valeria on invisibility, insecurity, and showing up 10:59 Selling a TV show and choosing to get an MBA 19:42 Rediscovering Jewish identity and heritage 29:00 Performing spoken poetry at Madison Square Garden 35:45 Choosing life and finding strength after trauma 37:10 How parents can help kids open up 40:00 Traveling the world to document Jewish communities 44:00 Women vs. women—why the real divide isn’t gender 58:00 Falling in love after October 7th and facing backlash Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices