In a world where criticism travels faster than kindness, having someone in your corner who genuinely celebrates you is rare. Even rarer is someone who can walk into a room and instantly make people feel seen, confident, and energized.
My friend Valerie Greenberg is exactly that person. I’m at Valerie over a decade ago – through our dear friend Barry… in her foreign life, she worked in publicity for the large firm PMK… and after years of hard work, she shifted her entire career to be in front of the camera: If you’ve watched E! News, Inside Edition, or The Tamron Hall Show, you already know Valerie. She lights up the screen with warmth, humor, and an ease that makes viewers feel like they’re talking to a trusted friend. Behind the camera, she brings the same energy to the people around her. Valerie is the kind of woman who lifts others up instinctively. She cheers loudly for your wins and gently nudges you forward when you doubt yourself.
Her new book, You’ve Been VALidated, captures that spirit perfectly.
Purchase Val’s NEW BOOK: Here: You’ve Been VALidated.
At its heart, the book is about something we all crave but rarely talk about openly. Validation. The human desire to be understood, appreciated, and encouraged. Valerie takes that universal feeling and turns it into practical tools for building confidence, navigating social anxiety, and connecting more deeply with others.
One of the most powerful lessons in the book is how to handle social anxiety. Many people assume confidence comes naturally to media personalities, but Valerie reminds readers that communication is a skill anyone can build. She shares simple ways to approach conversations, read a room, and turn awkward moments into opportunities for connection. Whether it is a networking event, a job interview, or a dinner party, her advice helps people feel more at ease showing up as themselves.
Another theme Valerie explores is learning to become your own biggest supporter. Rejection is inevitable in any career or creative path. Valerie reframes those “no” moments as stepping stones rather than dead ends. In the book, she shares stories and strategies that help readers transform setbacks into motivation. The message is simple but powerful. When you stop waiting for outside approval, you start building confidence from within.
Perhaps the most meaningful part of Valerie’s message is the importance of community. Success is rarely achieved alone. Valerie believes that grit and determination often matter more than raw talent, but the people around us play a huge role in sustaining that resilience. Surrounding yourself with friends who encourage you, challenge you, and believe in you can make all the difference.
Valerie calls this the confidence community. A circle of people who remind you who you are when you forget.
In my own life and career, I have seen how transformative that kind of support can be. Over the years I have been fortunate to work alongside inspiring people in media, wellness, and journalism. The ones who stand out most are the ones who lift others as they rise. Remember, if you’ve got a friend who’s out there running their own business, someone that you can help, sometimes reaching out to a friend with a surprise opportunity, can make their day. Also purchasing their books and just writing comments on their social channels is also great way to help.
Val embodies the idea that confidence is not about ego or perfection. It is about kindness, courage, and showing up fully as yourself. Her new book is a reminder that sometimes the greatest gift we can offer someone is belief in who they already are. After years of seeing Valerie out on the scene, her tenacity, bravery and ability to just jump in and sell herself is inspiring for all of us watching. It’s also contagious.
And if you are lucky enough to have a friend like Valerie Greenberg in your life, you know exactly what I mean.
Everyone deserves a hype girl. Purchase Val’s NEW BOOK: Here: You’ve Been VALidated.