The Entire Happy Hour Crew Says Goodbye
Today is the last Friday of the month, and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. This is officially the final happy hour for Martinis and Your Money and the final show ever. After 10 years, 554 episodes, and 105 happy hours, it is time to say goodbye to this show and this chapter of my life.
To celebrate all of the joy and relive some of our favorite moments together, I have invited my friends for a Super Happy Hour. Melanie, Tonya, Kassandra, Joy, and Colin are joining me today for this final send-off. We share some bubbles (alcoholic and non) and share how this show has impacted our lives and what we will take with us into the next chapter. As you can imagine, this is a happy hour not to be missed.
What are we drinking?
Shannon - Moët & Chandon Champagne
Colin - Moët & Chandon Champagne
Melanie – TÖST Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine
Tonya – Moët & Chandon Champagne
Kassandra – Moët & Chandon Champagne
Joy – TÖST Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine
Podcast Notes
Reflecting on the Journey of the Podcast
The Happy Hour Crew reflects on the ten-year journey of Martinis and Your Money. The podcast started as a dare and blossomed in a way Shannon never imagined. Shannon was bold and brave for starting the podcast because, at the time, there were almost no personal finance podcasts hosted by women.
Everyone shares their favorite podcast episodes, with some of the most popular being the one about wedding season expenses where Shitshow: The Musical was born and the episodes recorded live at Lola Retreat.
The year-end episodes were always special. It was wonderful to reflect on the previous year's goals, see how they went, and set goals for the new year.
Everyone formed real-life friendships from recording together, making the in-person episodes even more special. They laughed about Melanie trying to make kombucha, which ruined kombucha for Shannon forever.
The Impact of Happy Hour and Listener Stories
The Happy Hour episodes have always been a favorite for the listeners, but also for Shannon. Being able to talk with friends once a month is a key reason the podcast lasted as long as it has. She looked forward to Happy Hour every month.
Kassandra joined the Happy Hour Crew when Liz stepped back. She had always loved the great chemistry everyone had, especially because everyone had such distinct personalities. Each episode was engaging and full of unique perspectives, which she appreciated.
Colin and Joy share that they transformed over the years through the podcast. They both always appreciated how The Happy Hour crew brought light and nuggets of wisdom, even through the incredibly challenging times like the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The group shared heartfelt listener stories, including encounters with fans who recognized them in unexpected places. Tonya recalled being recognized in Boise, and Shannon was especially moved by fans who reached out after deeply personal episodes, like when she announced her divorce.
Gratitude, Final Thoughts, and Closing the Chapter
Martinis and Your Money has always covered a wide range of topics, always putting the personal in personal finance. The catalog of financial advice and life lessons will live on even after the show ends. Shannon is incredibly proud of the 500 episodes, many of which are evergreen.
Each member of the Happy Hour Crew expresses their gratitude to Shannon for her courage in starting the podcast and sticking with it for ten years, even when things were challenging. Her faith and persistence have always been key to the show's success.
In wrapping up with final thoughts, Colin reminds everyone to not compare their journeys to someone else's. Joy shares her appreciation for the diverse perspectives present on the podcast. Kassandra and Tonya thanked the listeners for their time and support, and Melanie reflected on the close friendships formed through the podcast.
Shannon thanked everyone involved, especially Melanie, for showing up at every single Happy Hour and praised the authenticity and vulnerability of the guests. She expressed final gratitude to listeners, feeling proud of the legacy the show leaves behind.
Highlighted Episodes:
Wedding Season Expenses aka Shitshow: The Musical
Happy Hour Live from the Lola Retreat
Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is the importance of friendships, whether they are online or in real life, I never would have started this show if it wasn't for my friends, and I never would have continued to record it for 10 years if I didn't consider you, my listeners, my best friends. Thank you for welcoming me into your homes, your cars, your commutes, your workouts, and so many more locales for 10 years. Thank you for letting me evolve, allowing me to curse and be my most authentic self for 10 years. I had no idea what to expect when I started this show, but it turned into much more than I ever thought it could be. I want to say a final thank you to all of my happy hour buddies. For 105 episodes, they showed up, shared their lives, shared their insights, and did it all without compensation for their time, and for that, I am forever grateful. I consider every person on this call a friend for life, and we will find ways to have happy hours on our own going forward; they just won't be recorded. Thank you, fans, for the gift of sharing myself, my guests, and so much more with you for 10 years.
Connect with The Happy Hour Crew
Shannon - @theshannonmclay
Colin - @iwillbecolinyou & colinbecker.com
Melanie – melanielockert.com
Tonya – https://www.tonya-stumphauzer.com/
Kassandra – https://www.kassandradasent.com/
Joy – Certified Financial Trainer
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