On this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shannon is joined by decolonial facilitator, speaker, and connector Vanessa Lesperance for an eye-opening conversation about what it means to challenge the systems we’ve inherited, and imagine new ways of doing business that center humanity, relationships, and sustainability.

Vanessa is a proud mixed heritage Métis woman reclaiming her Red River roots and reshaping the way we think about entrepreneurship and leadership. As the co-founder of Decolonize and Rize, Vanessa works at the intersection of reconciliation and well-being, supporting Indigenous women and youth entrepreneurs across Turtle Island, and contributing to the growing $100 billion Indigenous economy through her work with the Indigenomics Institute.

Shannon and Vanessa explore how colonized systems have shaped our beliefs around work, productivity, and success, and why it’s time to unlearn those narratives. Decolonizing business is not only about rejecting profit, but about approaching money and entrepreneurship in a way that is ethical, human-centered, and spiritually aligned.

They discuss how shifting away from hustle culture opens the door to living a life that feels full and free, one where people are paid a living wage, are respected as individuals, and are empowered to live in a way that supports their whole selves. Vanessa also invites us to consider how business can be more relational than transactional, how slowing down can be a strategy, and how each interaction can be rooted in care, connection, and community.

Website: https://www.decolonizeandrize.com/home

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-lesperance-vancouver/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessalesperance/

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna is joined by transformational coach and entrepreneur Kate Hanson, founder of Kate Hanson Co. and RaisCo Coaching, for a deeply honest conversation about why success should never come at the cost of your health, happiness, or peace of mind.

Known for helping high-performing entrepreneurs and professionals design businesses that support their whole lives, not just their bottom line, Kate brings grounded wisdom and powerful insight to the table. Drawing from her own experience of burnout and reinvention, she offers a refreshing perspective on what it really means to thrive.

Shauna and Kate explore the hidden beliefs that keep us stuck in hustle mode and challenge the cultural narrative that success has to be hard, fast, and all-consuming. They discuss the importance of prioritizing wellbeing as a business strategy, the value of unlearning, and how we can give ourselves permission to build in ways that feel aligned, joyful, and sustainable.

Tune in to learn why redefining success on your own terms isn’t just possible, it’s essential. This episode is your invitation to question the rules, reclaim your energy, and create a path that honors who you are and how you want to live.

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Website: https://www.kate-hanson.co/

In this episode of The Finance Cafe Podcast, Shauna is joined by Shulamit Ber Levtov—The Entrepreneurs’ Therapist—for a powerful conversation about the money narratives that hold women back, and how reclaiming financial power can be a pathway to healing, confidence, and control.

Known for her work at the intersection of mental health, entrepreneurship, and financial psychology, Shula is a bold voice challenging the cultural messages that tell women they’re bad with money. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and more than two decades working professionally in the field of women's personal growth and mental health, she brings a unique lens to conversations about money, mindset, and emotional wellbeing in business.

Shauna and Shula dive into the myths and stereotypes that shape women’s financial identities—often without us even realizing it. They explore how survival-based decisions can be misread as poor financial habits, and how internalizing these harmful messages can impact self-worth, limit financial confidence, and even make women more vulnerable to financial abuse.

Tune in to learn how breaking free from these limiting beliefs isn’t just empowering—it’s a vital step toward building a healthy relationship with money, protecting your peace of mind, and showing up fully in your business and life.

www.shulamitberlevtov.com

Instagram: @shulamit_ber_levtov

LinkedIn: Shulamit Ber Levtov