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October 1, 2025 38 mins

What if the biggest barrier to living your dream life isn't your career, but the financial confidence and literacy you still need to claim?

In this episode of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, host Erica Rooney sits down with Steph Wagner, National Director of Women and Wealth at Northern Trust, former private equity professional, and divorce financial strategist. Steph's personal story of navigating a life-shattering financial crisis after a successful career fueled her mission to empower all women.

Join them as they discuss why financial security is the bedrock of a fulfilling life, the emotional "sticky floors" that keep women from engaging with their money, and the vital steps you need to take now to ensure a prosperous future.

Inside the Episode:

  • The Wake-Up Call: Steph shares her powerful story of leaving private equity to prioritize family, falling into a false sense of security, and the devastating, eye-opening moment she realized she had no visibility into her family's finances.
  • The Longevity Crisis: Startling statistics on why women must take financial charge, as they significantly outlive men and risk running out of money in their later decades.
  • The Sticky Floors of Money: Unpacking the emotional barriers—like shame, avoidance, and the deep-seated belief of "I don't know enough"—that hold women back, regardless of their income level.
  • From Scarcity to Abundance: Why a growth mindset is critical, but must be paired with the tools and literacy to grow wealth outside of your paycheck.
  • The Core Message of Fly: Why the book is an empowerment guide disguised as a finance book, emphasizing the correlation between financial well-being and living an authentic life you love.
  • Actionable First Steps: Steph's advice on how to start building your financial foundation today, including the need for transparency, honest self-assessment, and seeking financial literacy.
  • The Never-Say-Never Lesson: The one crucial piece of advice Steph would give her younger self: never allow yourself to lean out or assume you're protected from life's curveballs.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, intimidated, or disconnected from your personal finances, this conversation is an inspiring and urgent call to action to claim your financial power.

🔗 Resources:

  • Find Steph Wagner's book, Fly: A Woman's Guide to Financial Freedom and Building A Life You Love, wherever books are sold (releasing November 11th).
  • Connect with Erica Rooney on LinkedIn.

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