Episode 41: Former Russian Secret Agent Aliia Roza- “People think that the world of James Bond, Salt, and Red Sparrow Is Glamorous, But It’s Not”

Aliia Roza was born in the USSR into a Kazakh-Tatar military serving family. She was raised to be patriotic with the understanding that she would protect civilians and protect the Russian motherland. So, at 18 years old, Aliia was sent to a secret military academy of internal affairs in Russia, where she was chosen from 350 students to participate a special secret program developed by former KGB psychologists and high-ranking officers and agents, called sexpionage. Her training is in the art of seduction, persuasion and neuro-linguistic programming in order to get information from targets and to recruit.

Her last mission with a drug lord was a dangerous one, and the growth and healing that has come from leaving Russian espionage has been a challenging one. Since leaving her secret agent life, she has found it rewarding to give back and spends a lot of her time serving others.

In this episode we get into a lot from what it was like growing up in the former USSR, to working in Russian espionage, to why she became a Christian, and why fashion is her passion.

Ally Portee

Starting out in the world of politics, Ally interned and worked in Washington, DC, in Congress, at The White House, and on political campaigns. Today she’s in a totally different arena: fashion. Developing an eye for sartorial craftsmanship, Ally has learned how to put intricate and detailed collections into words, while developing relationships with some of the world's most leading brands and covering Paris, Milan, and Riyadh Fashion Week shows. Ally started SEELE in 2012. Seele [ze-le] is the German word for Soul and its aim is to encourage people with faith-inspired and lifestyle content that stir the soul. Ally has written for Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, The Hollywood Reporter, GQ Middle East, Vogue Arabia, Refinery29, NPR, Arabian Business, and Euronews.

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Episode 42: Being Shot By Top Brands From Levis To Valentino, Kimanee Mason Now Elevates Women With Her Brand Grace & Company

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Episode 40- “My Relationship To Fashion Is Intense,” says Aurore Donguy