"What is meant for us won't miss us. And whatever the future is for us as individuals, for the podcast, for the industry, all of that, the only thing we can do is show up as the most authentic versions of ourselves with that calming kind of mission — and a whole lot of trust." — Leah Alter, WomenShare

Welcome to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In this very special episode, hosts Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter reflect on nearly two transformative years of building a platform devoted to sharing women’s stories, building community, and catalyzing change in the financial services industry.

This episode serves as both a heartfelt look back and an honest assessment of where WomenShare stands today. Since its inception, WomenShare has operated as a true passion project, bootstrapped by Joanna and Leah’s commitment to amplifying women’s voices and providing a much-needed platform in a traditionally male-dominated field. As the show hits its 49th episode, the hosts speak candidly about the inflection point they're at — balancing the emotional fulfillment of past conversations with the practical realities of sustainability and growth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Purpose-Driven Content Can Build Powerful Communities: WomenShare’s success is rooted in authenticity, resilience, and genuinely valuing stories that often go unheard in financial services. Even a niche podcast can be a wellspring of connection and influence.
2. Sponsorship and Partnership are Essential for Growth: For WomenShare to continue, the next step is securing long-term sponsorship. The team invites listeners, organizations, and individuals to reach out and help sustain the platform for future episodes and generations.
3. Industry Momentum is Real — But There’s More to Do: While progress has been made in the representation and visibility of women in financial services, much work remains. The WomenShare community has an active role to play in breaking down silos and rowing collectively toward a more equitable future.
4. Authenticity > Perfectionism: Personal and professional growth comes from embracing imperfection and showing up authentically — a lesson modeled by Joanna and Leah both behind the mic and in their careers.
5. The Power of Trust and Letting Go: Both hosts convey that true impact and fulfillment come not just from strategy and grit, but from faith in the journey — trusting that what is meant for you genuinely won’t pass you by.

Get Involved:

WomenShare is at a pivotal juncture. If you or your organization resonate with the show’s mission and are interested in becoming a presenting sponsor or a pay-it-forward episode sponsor, please reach out at WomenSharepodcastmail.com. Partnership is essential to keeping this community and important conversation alive.

Thank You to the Community:

To every listener, past guest, supporter, and champion who has helped WomenShare reach this point: thank you. Your engagement, encouragement, and advocacy are what have made this journey so impactful. Whether or not WomenShare returns for more episodes, Joanna and Leah remain passionate advocates for change, cheering on every woman in financial services as the industry moves forward.