Above Average

by Lorissa Violet

Season 2

I Knew Something Was Wrong”: Cancer During Pregnancy & Fighting for Answers

When Gabby began experiencing concerning symptoms at six months pregnant with her third baby, she knew something wasn’t right. What followed was a long and frustrating journey of appointments, questions, and searching for answers before she finally received a diagnosis that would change everything: cancer, with a mass in her colon and lesions on her liver. In this episode of Above Average, Gabby shares what it was like navigating a life-altering diagnosis while becoming a mother of three, undergoing treatment, and learning just how important it is to advocate for yourself when it comes to your health. We talk about the symptoms she wishes she had pushed harder on, what she learned about navigating the medical system, conventional and holistic approaches she explored throughout her journey, motherhood in the middle of treatment, and why she now wants other women to trust themselves when they know something isn’t right. This conversation is about more than cancer. It’s about asking questions, seeking another opinion, advocating for your body, and refusing to accept “everything is fine” when you know it isn’t. Gabby is now on the road to recovery and using her experience to help other women advocate for their health. Above Average with Lorissa Violet is a podcast for people who want to think deeper, live intentionally, and refuse to settle for average. Discover Lorissa’s List at LorissaViolet.com — a trusted search platform for vetted products, providers, resources, and expert-backed research for women and families. Disclaimer: This episode shares personal experiences and is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health and treatment.

S2 · E6

Aug 31, 2026

1:01:25

Beyond Beauty: Niki Metz on Celebrity Makeup, Breast Cancer & Finding Her Purpose

Celebrity makeup artist Niki Metz has built a career in beauty that has taken her from working with names like Tori Spelling and Diane von Furstenberg to Paris and New York Fashion Week—but her story goes far beyond what happens in the makeup chair. In this episode of Above Average, Niki sits down with Lorissa to talk about her decades in the beauty industry, the lessons she's learned working at the highest levels of fashion and entertainment, and the next chapter of her career: opening NEOS Atelier, her own studio offering makeup, microblading, facials, and elevated esthetic services. But for Niki, beauty has always been about something deeper: being of service to the person sitting in front of her. Niki also opens up about one of the most personal chapters of her life—her breast cancer diagnosis and the journey that ultimately led her to some of the world's leading holistic practitioners. She shares how investigating the potential root causes of her illness led her to discover an infection in her mouth that she believes was connected to her breast cancer, and what she learned about looking beyond a diagnosis and asking deeper questions about the body. Now cancer-free, Niki shares how the experience changed her perspective on health, beauty, purpose, and the kind of work she wants to put into the world. In this episode: • Niki's path to becoming a celebrity makeup artist • Working with Tori Spelling and Diane von Furstenberg • Behind the scenes at Paris and New York Fashion Week • Why she decided to open NEOS Atelier • Makeup, microblading, facials, and her approach to beauty • Why being "of service" is at the heart of her work • Her breast cancer diagnosis and healing journey • Working with leading holistic practitioners • The oral infection she believes was connected to her breast cancer • Why asking questions and looking for root causes became so important to her • How surviving cancer changed the way she sees beauty, health, and life Explore more from Lorissa: Discover Lorissa's List, The Ledger, curated products, trusted providers, and more at LorissaViolet.com. The health experiences discussed in this episode are personal experiences and are shared for informational purposes only. They are not medical advice.

S2 · E5

Aug 24, 2026

55:37

Shayne Lamas on Growing Up in Hollywood, Marrying a Stranger & Choosing Motherhood

Shayne Lamas has spent nearly her entire life in the spotlight. The daughter of Hollywood icon Lorenzo Lamas, she grew up surrounded by fame, went on to win The Bachelor, starred in reality television, and lived a life that—from the outside—looked quintessentially Hollywood. But there is so much more to Shayne’s story. In this episode of Above Average, Shayne opens up about what it was really like growing up in a famous family, being up for the role of Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl alongside Blake Lively, and one of the wildest chapters of her life: meeting Nik Richie in Las Vegas and marrying him less than 24 hours later. But what I found most fascinating is where Shayne is today. After a lifetime of attention, cameras and public interest, she has intentionally chosen a much quieter life—one centered around her children, her family and being the best mother she can be. We talk about fame, identity, relationships, motherhood, walking away from the need to be seen, and what happens when the life you once thought you wanted no longer feels like the life you're meant to live. Shayne is funny, candid, completely herself, and full of stories you truly cannot make up. This is such a fun—and unexpectedly meaningful—conversation. Listen to Above Average now on YouTube and everywhere you listen to podcasts. And for more of what I’m loving, researching and recommending, visit LorissaViolet.com and join the Lorissa’s List community.

S2 · E4

Aug 17, 2026

1:40:11

What does a forensic psychologist notice that the rest of us miss? With Dr.Leslie

In this episode of Above Average, Lorissa sits down with forensic psychologist Dr. Leslie Dobson for an eye-opening conversation about criminal behavior, manipulation, online predators, social media, and what parents need to understand about the digital world their children are growing up in. Dr. Leslie brings her experience working within the criminal justice system to break down how predators think, how seemingly innocent online behavior can create vulnerabilities, and why awareness — rather than fear — is one of our greatest tools. The conversation also dives into the psychology behind high-profile cases and public narratives, including the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni legal battle, and what Leslie’s forensic perspective can teach us about separating emotion, perception, evidence, and fact. This episode isn't about living in fear. It's about becoming harder to manipulate, more aware of the world around you, and more intentional about what you share, who you trust, and how you protect your children. Above Average is hosted by Lorissa Violet and explores the conversations, ideas, experts, and perspectives that challenge us to think differently and live beyond average. For Lorissa's trusted recommendations, vetted providers, products, resources, and the Ledger, visit LorissaViolet.com.

S2 · E3

Aug 10, 2026

1:24:16

Change your Wardrobe, Reset Your Nervous System with Chellie Carlson

What if your wardrobe was one of the most overlooked tools for improving your confidence, regulating your nervous system, and helping you achieve your goals? In this episode, Lorissa sits down with Chellie Carlson, stylist and image consultant, to discuss the powerful connection between personal style and personal growth. Together, they explore how dressing with intention can change the way you feel, how others perceive you, and ultimately how you show up in every area of your life. Whether you're navigating motherhood, growing a business, or stepping into a new season, this conversation is packed with practical advice you can implement immediately. For more trusted recommendations, educational resources, and a curated collection of vetted products, providers, and restaurants, visit LorissaViolet.com and explore Lorissa's List—helping women make healthier, easier, and more informed decisions every day. Chellie’s Favorite Bras Found Here https://shopmy.us/collections/6736702

S2 · E2

Aug 3, 2026

1:08:19

Botox, Fillers, Facelifts & Mommy Makeovers: Separating Fact from Fear with Dr. Juan Rendon

Description Plastic surgery is one of those topics everyone has an opinion about—but very few people are having honest conversations about it. In this episode of Above Average, I sit down with Dr. Juan Rendon, an Ivy League-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon and one of the few surgeons in the country to hold both an MD and PhD. Together, we dive into Botox, fillers, facelifts, mommy makeovers, scars, recovery, and how to make informed decisions without fear or pressure. Whether you're considering a procedure or simply curious, this conversation is packed with practical advice, expert insight, and an honest perspective on aging naturally and confidently. Here is a link for 10% off of all of Dr Rendons favorite product: https://shopmy.us/collections/6646354

Jul 27, 2026

1:06:33

Season 1

Managing the Mental Load with Madison Fisher | 5 Kids & Multiple Businesses

If you've ever called yourself the unorganized one, the scattered one, the Type B one.. you're going to relate to this episode! Madison Fisher came on the pod calling herself Type B. By the rapid-fire at the end, we've learned she's a closet Type A trying to hit a bar she has no systems to reach. What We Cover → Why "Type B" is often the label a Type A woman puts on when she doesn't have systems → The Zeigarnik Effect, explained with the waitress-and-the-check story → Why the planning session you did on paper ended up in the trash the next day → The 1 to 4am nocturnal planning hour almost every overwhelmed woman knows → Open loops, why they drain you, what actually closes them → The two biggest causes of procrastination (perfectionism + overwhelm = freeze) → The "I feel bossy" block that keeps women from setting clear delegation expectations → Why your husband will never see the tabs you have in your brain → The one thing Madison is doing tonight, and the one thing you should try too Heard Yourself In This Episode? If you're ready to close the 89,544 tabs open in your head, CEO Mode walks you through building ONE home for every task in your life (work and home included), in one afternoon. Build it here → go.alexpayetta.com/ceomode Want somewhere free to start? This free guide shows you exactly where your hours go, and how to get 10+ of them back every week. Grab the PDF here → go.alexpayetta.com/timeback Lorissa's List Lorissa's curated list of the products, services, and providers actually worth your time, all vetted to a higher standard so you can skip the search. → lorissaviolet.com Connect With Us Lorissa Violet lorissaviolet.com | @lorissaviolet Alex Payetta alexpayetta.com | @alexpayetta Madison Fisher linktr.ee/madisonbontempo | @madisonbontempo Timestamps 0:00 Meet Madison Fisher 3:00 Five kids, cheer, dance, brand deals, Wittles 8:00 Why Madison cleans before the cleaning lady shows up 14:00 The Type B reveal and what it actually is 18:00 Open loops, working memory, and why Madison can't sleep 25:00 The planning session Madison and Kyler did once and never looked at again 30:00 The Four Tendencies rabbit hole 34:00 Lorissa's screenshot-to-sister calendar hack 40:00 The review routine that matters more than the system itself 46:00 House manager versus more childcare 54:00 Why Madison feels "bossy" setting expectations 1:02:00 The roles and responsibilities conversation with Kyler 1:10:00 Zoloft and where the anxiety actually lives 1:15:00 Rapid fire and the closet Type A confession

S1 · E11

Jul 20, 2026

1:20:10

A Brain Injury Erased Her Fear, So She Started a Business | Nicole Smith on Building HēBē, Delegating & the Beauty Trends Worth It

You've spent years building something people trust with their face. Then somewhere in the middle of running the business, the brand, and the household, the version of you that started it all can get buried under everything you're holding. Nicole Smith is the injector behind @lipsandlattes and the founder of HēBē Skin Health in Claremont and Laguna Beach, and a mom of three. A routine antibiotic once swelled her brain and took her ability to drive, to read, even to find her own car in a parking lot, and it also took her fear, which is exactly what pushed her to open her own practice. She came on for her first-ever podcast to talk about what it takes to run a luxury, public-facing business as a mom, and which viral beauty trends are actually worth it. What You'll Learn → The insane antibiotic scare that ultimately drove Nicole to start HēBē → Why she didn't name the clinic after her viral handle, and what that decision was really protecting → The part of the business she finally handed off after years of doing it all herself → Where her burnout actually comes from and the small reset she swears by → The beauty treatments she says are a waste of money, and the two things every woman should start in her mid-30s → What she prioritizes when she hires so her office is a place you actually want to be Everything you're holding at once Running a business, a brand, and a household means a hundred things live in your head at any moment, and the ones that matter keep losing to the ones that feel urgent. The fix is getting it out of your head and into one system you actually use, so nothing falls through the cracks. I made a free 15-minute training that walks you through how to build it. Watch here → go.alexpayetta.com/training Lorissa's List Lorissa's curated list of the products, services, and providers actually worth your time, all vetted to a higher standard so you can skip the search. 👉 lorissaviolet.com Connect With Us Lorissa Violet lorissaviolet.com | @lorissaviolet Alex Payetta alexpayetta.com | @alexpayetta Nicole Smith hebeskinhealth.com | @lipsandlattes Timestamps 0:00 Meet Nicole Smith, the injector behind Lips & Lattes 3:16 Why the brand and the business have different names 7:38 The health crisis that pushed her out on her own 12:59 Losing her fear, and deciding to open a business 13:29 Building HēBē with three little kids and a leap of faith 19:11 Juggling the clinic, the social, the injecting, and three kids 23:08 Handing off the social, and a saturated market 30:24 Her hard line on lip filler and teens 40:10 Burnout, and where it actually comes from 44:41 How she and her husband split the business and the home 58:09 Where to find Nicole

S1 · E10

Jul 6, 2026

58:54

50+ Flights Before Age 4 | Travel After Kids, the Packing Systems, and the Trip You Keep Putting Off, with Amanda Kellner Klein

You used to be the person who would book the flight without thinking twice. Then you had kids, and the part of you that loved to go somewhere got packed away with everything else, and you started to wonder if it was gone for good. Amanda Kellner Klein decided it wasn't. She's a brand partnerships exec, she writes about traveling after kids on her Substack, and her almost-four-year-old already has more than 50 flights to her name. She came on to talk about how you hold onto the parts of yourself that matter once the kids arrive, with all the real logistics, the trade-offs, and one airplane story you have to hear to believe. What You'll Learn → The travel muscle that makes a trip with a four-year-old feel easy, and why the only way to build it is to go when it's still hard → The comeback to "they won't even remember it" that ends the argument for good → The filter Amanda uses to decide whether a trip is worth it, and the step most people skip so "someday" never comes → The packing system that means nobody ever asks "who has the diapers" mid-flight → Why lowering your expectations is the real secret to a good trip with kids, not a consolation prize → The night-flight advice everyone repeats that Amanda says is mostly wrong → The airplane bathroom story that made everyone in this episode swear off something for life Heard Yourself In This Episode? The things that matter most are almost never the urgent ones, so they're the ones that keep getting pushed for years. Alex's free guide walks you through the filter that decides what you own, what you delegate, what you delete, and what you PROTECT, because the trip only happens once it lands in that last column. Grab the PDF here → go.alexpayetta.com/timeback Lorissa's List Lorissa's curated list of the products, services, and providers actually worth your time, all vetted to a higher standard so you can skip the search. → lorissaviolet.com Connect With Us Lorissa Violet lorissaviolet.com | @lorissaviolet Alex Payetta alexpayetta.com | @alexpayetta Amanda Kellner Klein carryon.substack.com | @amandakellnerklein

S1 · E9

Jun 22, 2026

1:19:26

She Opened a Med Spa With a 1 & 3 Year Old | Letting Go, Hard Hires & the Botox Truth with Allison Brewer

Allison Brewer opened her med spa with a one and three year old at home, no door on her treatment room, and no front desk because she wasn't sure anyone would show up. Two weeks in, so many patients were walking through the door that she had to hire a front desk. She's the founder of Masters MedSpa in Irvine and a second generation injector who travels the world to stay at the top of her field. She came on to talk about what it actually takes to grow a business while you're raising little kids, and somewhere in there she also explains why everyone's face looked overfilled for a decade. What You'll Learn → The part of the business Allison handed to her husband that she swears she'd never have grown without → Why she hired too fast, kept the wrong person nine months too long, and what finally made the hard conversation doable → The "homework" her husband kept pushing that ended up running the whole company → Why Lorissa thinks burnout is a choice, and the red flags Allison catches before it lands → What most overwhelmed moms are missing (and why Lorissa says staying home is harder than running her business) → The decade-long mistake Allison says injectors are finally walking back → How to know within the first sixty seconds whether your injector is good or about to wreck your face Heard Yourself In This Episode? Systems are the backbone of a successful business AND a successful life. Alex's free 15-minute training breaks down the system she uses to manage the mental load so her brain doesn't have to. Watch it here → go.alexpayetta.com/training If you already know you want help clearing the 3,430 open tabs in your mind, Alex will walk you through building CEO Mode step by step. Build it here → go.alexpayetta.com/ceomode Lorissa's List Lorissa's curated list of the products, services, and providers actually worth your time, all vetted to a higher standard so you can skip the search. → lorissaviolet.com Specifically looking for the Epicutis skincare mentioned on the show? shopmy.us/collections/3876535 Connect With Us Lorissa Violet lorissaviolet.com | @lorissaviolet Alex Payetta alexpayetta.com | @alexpayetta Allison Brewer masters-medspa.com | @masters.medspa

S1 · E8

Jun 8, 2026

1:24:18

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