Her Life, Her Practice, Her Way

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Podcast by Tara Conti Bansal

Her Life, Her Practice, Her Way

The "Her Life, Her Practice, Her Way" podcast—was created for female financial advisors who want more than just success on paper. It’s for those of us who care deeply about our clients, our families, and ourselves, and who are looking for real connection, support, and inspiration as we navigate the complexities of life and work. What You’ll Find Here: Stories of women building financial advisory practices on their own terms Honest conversations about challenges, growth, and fulfillment Practical insights from women who are redefining success A supportive community of like-minded, exceptional female advisors I believe that we do our best work—and live our best lives—when we honor our values, trust our instincts, and leverage our unique strengths. This is a space where we can explore what that looks like together. Whether you’re new to the profession, evolving your practice, or simply seeking a little more ease and joy in your day-to-day, you’re so welcome here. Let’s build something meaningful—together. 👉 Join the Community by subscribing on the podcast website: www.herlifeherpracticeherway.com 👉 Learn More About Coaching by contacting Tara on the Contact page of www.herlifeherpracticeherway.com
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Latest episodes

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04 November 2025

Intentionality, Humility, and Heart with Shanna Due

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.

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54:13

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21 October 2025

Dr. Amy Leis: The Power of Saying Yes

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.

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01:10:05

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07 October 2025

Courage to Leap: Jen Hushion on Risk, Resilience, & Representation

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.

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01:05:23

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23 September 2025

Noticing What Matters: Carl Richards on Life, Money, and Meaning

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.

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49:46

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09 September 2025

Building a Legacy: Abbie Danko's Journey into Financial Planning

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”

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51:10

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26 August 2025

Beyond Numbers: Resilience, Healing, and Financial Therapy with Sarah Carr

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

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