In this episode of the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast, host Meredyth Willits sits down with the effortlessly elegant and deeply thoughtful Leonie von Ungern-Sternberg, known online as @leonievungern. A creator whose presence is both grounded and magnetic, Leonie is part of one of Europe's oldest aristocratic families, but her message is refreshingly modern. Intention, curiosity, and connection matter more than ever.
Fresh off her feature in The Times, Leonie is challenging the noise of digital culture by reintroducing grace, nuance, and substance into online storytelling. From her personal story of overcoming an eating disorder and relearning how to walk, to her take on long-distance love, curated friendships, and embracing the sacred rhythms of life, this conversation is a gift.
Together, Meredyth and Leonie explore:
✅ How growing up between Dubai, London, and Europe shaped her worldview
✅ Why intentional living, wardrobe curation, and patience matter
✅ The real story behind her family name and the myths it creates
✅ The truth about content creation, burnout, and resisting the algorithm
✅ Why she doesn't chase virality and what she chases instead
✅ Her past struggle with an eating disorder, wheelchair recovery, and healing
✅ Long-distance love, emotional maturity, and holding space for true connection
✅ Why brands, books, and elevated conversations are on the horizon
✅ The magic of standing out by being deeply, unapologetically yourself
Whether you're 22 or 62, this episode will leave you inspired to slow down, zoom out, and live more beautifully starting now.
00:00 Meet Leonie von Ungern-Sternberg, fresh from The Times feature
01:30 Redefining influence, elegance, and grace in a crowded digital world
04:00 Why modern conversation feels exhausting and how to shift it
07:30 Being a good listener, not just a good talker
09:00 Holding space, curiosity, and reclaiming thoughtful dialogue
11:10 Growing up aristocratic, but losing everything
13:00 "You are not your last name" — lessons from her parents
15:00 How classical music and art develop emotional intelligence
17:30 The case for slow fashion, slow culture, and slow everything
20:45 Every item has a story, from perfume to gifting to family heirlooms
24:10 Why curating friendships is just as important as curating style
27:00 Surviving an eating disorder, wheelchair recovery, and the power of truth
30:00 The dangers of "What I Eat in a Day" culture
32:15 Long-distance love and why it builds better foundations
35:00 Reverse engineering your life, goals, and five-year self
37:45 Why women over 30 finally start hearing their own voice
40:10 Letting go of perfection and learning to love your flaws
42:00 Embracing heritage while stepping into your own story
44:00 Real friendship vs. performative relationships
46:15 The future is books, brands, storytelling, and intention
49:00 MBA graduation, next steps, and creating a curated life
52:00 Why she's not chasing brand deals and what she's doing instead
54:30 Being the modern baroness without the box
57:00 Final thoughts on being exactly who you are
🔗 Connect with Leonie von Ungern-Sternberg
✨ TikTok: @leonievungern
✨ Instagram: @leonievungern
🔗 Connect with Meredyth Willits & the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast
✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits
✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits
✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why
✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast | Meredyth Willits
🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more unfiltered stories from the creators who move us.
