Victoria Levert is no stranger to the spotlight. As a seasoned TV host with credits across major networks like NBCUniversal, BET, Viacom, and CBS, she’s known for lighting up red carpets and studio sets with her signature charm and elegance. But when the LA wildfires came roaring through her neighborhood, it wasn’t just her home or possessions that were threatened—it was her identity, her safety, her entire foundation.

In a soul-stirring conversation on the AW Confidential Podcast, Victoria sat down with me to peel back the layers of survival that go far beyond the physical. “People think survival is just about making it out,” Victoria said. “But survival is also spiritual, mental, and emotional. It tests who you are at your core.”

And the fires tested her deeply. Victoria fled her home in Santa Monica with nothing but a laptop, phone, and the clothes on her back. For six hours, she drove through a literal hellscape—gridlocked traffic, flames dancing on both sides of the highway, and no clear plan on what came next.

This episode will remind you of the power of resilience.

Learn more about Victoria, visit Instagram @itsjustvick

Mauricio Mendoza, who stars as Raúl Garcia, leads the Tony-nominated Broadway show Real Women Have Curves. The actor has a recurring role in the new season of Tyler Perry's hit series, THE OVAL. His other credits include MATLOCK, THE ROOKIE, EAST LOS HIGH, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, and NCIS.

From center stage to the soundstage, Mauricio opens up about the power of Latinx storytelling, what it means to play a male role in a woman-centered narrative, and the emotional impact of portraying an immigrant story in today’s climate.

With a career that spans everything from East Los High to The Oval, Mauricio shares the truth he had to confront as an artist, an advocate, and a man stepping into a story that challenges stereotypes and uplifts the community.

This isn’t just about representation—it’s about evolution.

To learn more about Mauricio, visit: Instagram@mauriciomendozaofficial or True Forms Films.

Success. It’s a word we hear everywhere—but what does it really mean when you're not just climbing the ladder, but building your damn staircase?

Mariela Dabbah is a woman who didn’t just rewrite the rules—she created a movement. She is the award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and visionary founder and CEO of the Red Shoe Movement—a global career and leadership development company dedicated to advancing women into executive roles. Through initiatives like #RedShoeTuesday, she empowers women to define success on their terms and fosters inclusive leadership across industries.

The Red Shoe Movement has been featured in People, Forbes, CNN, New York Times, Yahoo!, CBS2, Univision, and many other platforms that champion leadership development.

In this episode, Mariela shared wisdom, offered a personal definition of success, provided actionable items to quiet the noise in our lives, and revealed the biggest myth women still believe. She also provides daily practices to align with our truest, best selves.

Get ready to redefine the hustle—and maybe even yourself.

To learn more about Mariela and the Red Shoe Movement, visit www.redshoemovement.com or Linktree for more details.