Leaving the Pack

Episode 5: Sophie Stava, Author of Count My Lies

It is my absolute pleasure to welcome my good friend Sophie Stava, author of Count My Lies. Count My Lies was chosen as Good Morning America's Book of the Month for March, and will be adapted into a TV series on Hulu starring Lindsay Lohan as Violet in her first leading role in a TV series. Lindsay Lohan will also be executive producing, alongside This Is Us executive producers Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger. Sophie will also be stepping into the role of producer. I’m so excited to share this conversation with you—about the journey behind Count My Lies, the power of following your passion while navigating life as a young mother, and what it truly means to leave the pack.

Episode 4: Lourdes

Growing up in a diplomatic family, Lourdes had the unique experience of living abroad and immersing herself in a variety of cultures and perspectives. Though she was deeply committed to her medical career, Lourdes made the bold decision to step away and follow her heart, marrying the love of her life.
Now the proud mother of seven, Lourdes has embraced her role as the matriarch of her own "wolf pack." In this episode, she shares her inspiring journey of self-discovery and true happiness as a wife, mother, and friend. Tune in as Lourdes opens up about the choices that shaped her path, the lessons she's learned along the way, and how she navigates the delicate balance of leading a large family while also nurturing her own needs. 

Episode 3: Ann ”Nina” Starling

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ann "Nina" Starling, an English as a New Language (ENL) teacher in the Bronx—and also my cousin! Nina opens up about her journey of choosing a nontraditional path both professionally and personally, navigating the pressures of tradition and community expectations. She reflects on her experiences and the challenges of balancing cultural norms with individual aspirations.
Nina’s story touches on self-discovery, personal awareness, and even grief—offering a candid look at the difficult choices she’s had to make between her own needs and the desires of the community around her. Whether you’ve ever felt torn between tradition and individuality, Nina’s experiences provide insight and inspiration for anyone navigating their own path.
Tune in for an intimate conversation about family, tradition, and the power of forging your own way.

Episode 2: Barbara Rubi

It was my pleasure to interview Barbara "Barbie" Rubi, co-founder of Crush Juice Bar Puerto Rico (Instagram @crushjuicebar_pr). In this episode, we delve into how Barbie started her business from the ground up, the valuable lessons she has learned about blending love and business, and her ongoing journey of growth in both areas.

Episode 1: Pilot - My (Anonymous) BFF

Leaving the Pack: when everyone expects you to go left and you go right. Empowering Stories of Breaking Boundaries and Embracing Change.
I don’t know about you but I don’t talk the same in public as I do with a close friend. So who better than one of my best friends to kick off Leaving the Pack  … Our conversations don’t usually begin with a hi or a good morning because they don't have a beginning, middle, or end.  She’s the friend that I would ask to burn my phone if I died because if our texts got out it would ruin lives. The truth is we have built a deep friendship based on raw honesty about the messy parts of our lives than we ever did when we pretended it was perfect all the time… but in order to keep it as authentic as possible we decided to keep it anonymous because even your bestie still wants you to keep her secrets.