Her Life, Her Practice, Her Way

Part two with Shanna Due is an honest look at the comfort we find in being supported—and how we can offer that same presence to ourself and others.

This episode — the second part of my conversation with Shanna Due — is all about what it feels like to carry people through some of the biggest, most emotional and uncertain decisions of their lives. One of the things I love most about Shanna is her natural instinct to say, “It’s okay. I’ve got you.” She does that with her clients, with her students, with her kids, and honestly with anyone lucky enough to cross her path.

In this conversation, we talk openly about the beautiful and brutal parts of being an entrepreneur — the moments where everything feels like it’s clicking, and the next moment where you wonder what in the world you were thinking and whether anything is working at all. Shanna names the doubts out loud: the fear of making mistakes, the weight of wanting to do right by people, the pressure to get it “right,” and the emotional big highs and lows that comes with building something of your own.

We also talk about how quickly life can change — how many times women reinvent ourselves, often quietly, often alone, and often without giving ourselves credit for the courage it takes. From raising teenagers, to shifting careers, to redefining success, this conversation is a reminder that most of us are navigating more than we ever say out loud.

If you need encouragement, if you’re questioning your path, if you’re carrying something heavy, or if you’re trying to give yourself permission to choose a life that actually fits — Shanna’s voice will meet you right where you are.

Episode Highlights

• Shanna’s desire for every client to feel held, supported, and never alone in the messiness and challenges of college planning
• How she structures her work around parenting teens and honoring her definition of freedom
• The emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship — why it feels so extreme, and why it’s completely normal
• The pressure women feel to reinvent ourselves again and again, especially in midlife
• How “perfect” is often the enemy of good
• How Shanna built a niche practice from scratch, without a roadmap
• Why women are deeply needed in financial planning — and how to help more women enter the field
• The balance between boundaries, accessibility, and being human
• What success looks like to her now: choices, joy, meaning, and freedom

I first met Shanna Due through The Society of Advice and later had the chance to work with her more closely in an accountability group she leads. She’s smart, genuine, and deeply intentional about how she designs both her life and her practice.

In this first part of our conversation, Shanna shares her path from growing up with financial insecurity to building Due Financial and helping families make thoughtful college decisions that fit academically, socially, and financially. We also explore what I call “money head trash” — the hidden beliefs that shape how we think, talk, and argue about money.

The conversation cut off when my power went out, but what we captured here is rich, real, and well worth a listen.

From reading books at bars to becoming a nationally ranked ballroom dancer, Dr. Amy Leis has built her extraordinary life and career on one simple mantra: “Keep Saying Yes.”

A PhD in educational psychology who became a financial advisor, Amy now runs two businesses—Juno Wealth Management and a study-skills coaching practice—while teaching, mentoring, and inspiring others to invest in themselves. A cancer survivor, certified hypnotist, and life long learner, she shares how curiosity, courage, and a growth mindset shaped every chapter of her life.

This high energy conversation radiates with humor, honesty, and heart. Amy reminds us that success isn’t just about achievement; it’s about joy, gratitude, and designing a life that fits who you are—one that lets you keep dancing, both literally and figuratively.

Episode Highlights

• Grew up a self-described “library kid” who loved learning—and turned that passion into a life of teaching, coaching, and advising.
• Discovered financial planning after training other advisors and “just kept saying yes” to new opportunities.
• After being diagnosed with ADHD in her twenties, Amy learned to give herself grace and build systems that help her thrive—leaning on support, focusing on her strengths, and showing up as her best self.
• Balances dual careers: wealth management and coaching for students with ADHD, test anxiety, or neurodivergence.
• Survived breast cancer and found healing through ballroom dancing—now competing nationwide.
• Practices fierce self-investment: hiring help, delegating, and leaning on her “village” to focus on her strengths.
• Creates space for growth and reflection with her annual birthday retreat—a personal strategy day for goal-setting and gratitude.
• Champions women in finance and beyond to trust themselves, take risks, and invest in their own development.
• Defines success not by work-life balance, but by purpose, joy, and presence.

Some stories remind you that courage doesn’t always look like confidence—it often looks like saying yes before you’re fully ready.

In this episode, Jen Hushion shares how a leap of faith took her from Toronto to Prague, where she talked her way into a financial reporting job she knew nothing about… and then another leap that led her to New York, love, and an entirely new life.

From a creative writing degree to a CFP®, Jen’s path has been anything but linear. Yet every twist was shaped by her courage, her curiosity, her willingness to learn, and the people who believed in her along the way. Today, as a financial planner for women professionals, she blends heart and intellect—building trust through empathy, honesty, and storytelling.

This conversation explores the courage to leap, the power of support, and the call to make our profession more inclusive (and better).

Episode Highlights

• How early leaps of faith—from moving to Prague for a job she wasn’t “qualified” for to following her heart to New York—shaped Jen’s courage and curiosity.
• The pivotal influence of mentors and supporters, including a professor who encouraged her to pursue personal finance and her husband who backed her dream of becoming a CFP®.
• Building a practice rooted in empathy, narrative, and trust—especially for women physicians and professionals seeking connection, not just investment advice.
• Recognizing and addressing unconscious bias in financial education and advocating for more diverse, inclusive voices in the profession.
• The importance of lifelong learning, gratitude, and self-awareness in both personal growth and professional success.

Carl Richards never set out to become the “Sketch Guy” for the New York Times. In fact, he thought he was applying to be a security guard when he stumbled into a job in securities. From that mix-up to the simple whiteboard sketches that eventually changed how we talk about money, Carl’s story is one of beautiful accidents, paying attention, and following the sparks that make life meaningful.

In this conversation, Carl shares his first memories of money, his winding (and often accidental) path, and how his restless, “always in trouble” energy as a kid evolved into a career built on curiosity and creativity. He reflects on how the mountains quite literally saved his life, why he now thinks of his work as an adventure journal, and how hosting a women’s retreat became one of the most rewarding things he’s ever done. It’s a reminder to notice what matters, lean into authenticity, and never give up on the dream of doing life your way.

Episode Highlights

• How answering the wrong ad led Carl into financial services — and the serendipity that shaped his career.
• The first whiteboard sketch that sparked a global body of work on money and behavior.
• Why Carl describes his work as an “adventure journal” rather than self-help.
• Growing up “always in trouble” — and how he’s learned to embrace the right kind of trouble.
• How the mountains have been a refuge and even a lifesaver throughout his life.
• How Carl juggles multiple projects, retreats, and writing by learning to say no — even to things he loves.
• The decision to sell his firm after realizing it had become an anchor instead of a safety net — and what it teaches about updating goals and dreams.
• The role of authenticity in our lives and this profession.
• Why intentionally creating space for women and underrepresented voices makes the industry stronger and more interesting.
• The power of noticing small sparks of joy and following them.
• Carl’s reminder not to give up on your dream, even if it doesn’t fit the mold.
• His newest book of 101 sketches, and the mission behind it: helping more people talk about money in ways that matter.

Abbie Danko’s path into financial advising is anything but typical. Just before graduating with degrees in psychology and religious studies, she faced the devastating loss of her mom—and made the brave decision not to dive into a full-time job right away. Instead, she gave herself the space to grieve and chart her own course.

Although her father, Brett Danko, is a well-known financial planning educator and firm founder, Abbie is determined to succeed on her own terms. Today, she’s in Merrill Lynch’s Advisor Development Program, building her career with intention while carrying forward her mom’s legacy of helping others.

In our conversation, Abbie shares:

• Why self-awareness matters more than “following the expected path”
• How her psychology background shapes her approach to advising
• The 3 powerful questions she asked mentors that shaped her journey
• What has surprised her about this industry
• Her passion for spreading awareness of financial planning as a rewarding career for women
• Why every advisor—and every person—needs a “hype person”

Sarah Carr has lived many lives in one. Betrothed at 14 to a much older man, she survived sexual abuse and the weight of purity culture, endured the loss of two brothers, and walked through the grief of divorce. Her story is undeniably tough—yet she radiates hope and positivity.

Today, as a single mother raising neurodiverse children who don’t fit neatly into the traditional school system, Sarah has also built a career that refuses to fit the mold—blending financial planning and financial therapy into a practice that honors healing, freedom, and possibility.

Her work as both a financial planner and a financial therapist is deeply personal. It’s about healing shame, rewriting money stories, and creating space for clients to see what’s possible. And it’s about crafting a life that allows her to be present for her children, to honor her own healing, and to define success on her own terms.

This episode isn’t just about career pivots or business strategies — it’s about resilience, about finding your voice after being silenced, and about choosing a path that honors your values and your freedom. Sarah’s journey is a powerful reminder that the “right way” is the way that works for you.

Episode Highlights

• Growing up in rural Pennsylvania as a pastor’s daughter and the heavy weight of purity culture
• Being betrothed at 14 to a 26-year-old youth pastor — and the miraculous intervention that ended it
• Carrying shame and trauma from abuse, and how years later therapy and courage helped her name it for what it was
• Losing both of her brothers (at different times) and walking through grief, while holding on for her sister, her parents, and her children
• Starting in financial services at 17, mentored by advisors who taught her both money skills and life skills
• Building her CFP® career against the odds — as a young woman in a male-dominated industry — and pushing through failure to pass the CFP® exam
• Choosing to walk away from traditional advisory roles when they conflicted with her values, and finding her way into financial therapy
• Navigating divorce, single parenting, and raising neurodiverse kids who don’t thrive in the traditional school system
• Creating a flexible, heart-centered practice that blends planning with therapy — giving clients clarity and confidence while honoring her own healing journey
• The wealth of relationships: finding her people, reclaiming community, and investing in connections that truly sustain life

In this uplifting and deeply personal episode of Her Life, Her Practice, Her Way, I sit down with my friend and fellow financial advisor, Kristin Stutz, to explore her remarkable journey from salon owner to cancer survivor to thriving financial planner. Kristin’s story is about resilience, reinvention, and the courage to design a life and career filled with meaning, connection, and joy. Her perspective on what truly matters—shaped by both triumphs and challenges—will inspire you to think differently about your work, your money, and your life.

Kristin’s career began in the beauty industry, where she built a successful salon business she loved—until a life-changing cancer diagnosis forced her to reimagine everything. After a long recovery, she channeled her love for people, numbers, and coaching into a new path: financial planning. Today, she serves salon, spa, and medical spa owners as a true thought partner, blending practical strategies with deep listening and empathy.

In our conversation, Kristin shares how surviving cancer reshaped her values, why she believes time—not money—is our most precious resource, and how she balances serving clients, growing a business, and being present for her family. We talk about perfectionism, the challenge of putting yourself out there, and the importance of being unapologetically yourself in an industry that can feel cutthroat.

Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, trying to balance business and life, or looking for a reminder that you do have this—Kristin’s warmth, wisdom, and humor will leave you feeling seen, encouraged, and ready to take the next step.

• From stylist to CFP®: Kristin’s unconventional career path and the skills she carried forward from the beauty industry.
• A life-changing diagnosis: How cancer shifted her priorities and her approach to money, work, and life.
• The “you got this” mantra: Using self-belief to move through fear and uncertainty.
• Time as our most limited resource: Why clarity on what matters makes hard choices easier.
• Serving a niche you love: Why she focuses on salon, spa, and medical spa owners—and how speaking their language makes all the difference.
• Progress over perfection: Overcoming the trap of waiting until things are “just right” before putting your work into the world.
• Authenticity as a business advantage: Building a practice that reflects who you are, not who you think you “should” be.

Angela Dorsey went from reading Money magazine in her childhood bedroom to building a business (Dorsey Wealth Management) she loves—trusting her gut and taking one brave step at a time.

In this conversation, we talk about how she left a steady Human Resources corporate career in compensation to create a practice centered on purpose, intuition, and real connection. Angela shares how she defines success (hint: it’s not AUM), how she built her firm one client at a time, and why leaning into what feels good has helped her build a thriving practice for women—and for herself. We also talk about why more women aren’t entering this field, despite its flexibility and deep rewards, and how outdated sales models and misconceptions about what financial planning really is may be keeping them away.

We also talk about her three-step prospect process, how she balances life and business, and the surprising power of Sunday morning reflection.

Episode Highlights:

• Angela’s earliest money memories and lifelong pull toward personal finance
• Leaving corporate life behind and building her firm from scratch while raising kids
• The emotional depth of financial planning—and how it surprised her
• Why she believes more women aren’t entering this profession (and how we can change that)
• How she discovered her niche organically and rebranded her firm to reflect it
• Her three-step values-driven prospecting process
• Structuring her schedule with intentionality: surge meetings, light Fridays, and time off
• Why she defines success as peace of mind, not performance
• The role of reflection, journaling, and Sundays in her business and life

In this heartfelt and thoughtful episode of Her Life, Her Practice, Her Way, Tara sits down with Larissa Costello, founder of Protea Wealth Management, to explore the winding path that led her from South Africa to Australia to the U.S.—and from stay-at-home mom to passionate financial advisor. With warmth, honesty, and clarity, Larissa shares how her deeply human approach to advising is grounded in relationships, mindfulness, and lived experience.

What makes Larissa’s story shine is how fully she integrates her whole self into her work. Whether she’s connecting with clients through yoga, building a practice around the values of resilience and care, or attracting aligned clients through authentic marketing—Larissa shows us what it means to lead with integrity and heart. As a yoga teacher-in-training, she also brings mindfulness and presence into every client conversation—on and off the mat.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever wondered if it’s too late to reinvent themselves—or whether they have to choose between a heart-centered life and a numbers-driven career. Larissa reminds us that you can have both.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways

• Reinvention is always possible: Larissa became a financial advisor after staying home with her kids for a decade.
• Authenticity attracts: She built her practice around who she is, and her clients are often reflections of that.
• Soft skills are technical skills: Larissa’s empathy, listening, and life experience are core to how she helps clients.
• Being good with money starts with identity: Changing behavior with money or anything else, starts with changing how we see ourselves.
• Balance over scale: She values showing up fully for her clients more than building a huge firm.
• Support matters: She’s grown with the help of masterminds, coaching, and a tight-knit network.

📌 Highlights

• Larissa’s solo backpacking journey at 22 that shaped (or highlights?) her openness and curiosity and love of people, travel and adventures
• How she fell into financial advising after googling “wealth management” one day
• Launching Protea Wealth Management and the powerful symbolism behind the South African protea flower
• Her “too hard basket” philosophy: break down what feels overwhelming into digestible steps
• Why she doesn’t jump on “one-size-fits-all” coaching frameworks and instead trusts her presence