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Podcast Episode

How real belonging gets built | A conversation with Marika Frumes of Mysha

The Breadwinners Podcast··3 October 2026·26 min

About this episode

Everyone is calling everything a community right now. Marika Frumes has spent six years building the real thing, and she knows the difference. Alexis sits down with Marika, founder of Mysha, the morning after the two co-hosted a dinner in Austin. Marika shares how a WhatsApp group of 18 expecting moms in January 2020 became a lifeline during the pandemic and grew into Mysha. She also opens up, for the first time on a podcast, about immigrating from the former Soviet Union at seven with $400. She talks about the childhood experiences that shaped why she builds spaces where everyone feels safe. In this episode: How Mysha started with one Facebook post and a WhatsApp group Marika's immigration story and the promise she made to herself in middle school The difference between a community and a group, and why it matters for brands How to create safety in a room before asking anyone to be vulnerable Why community should grow slowly, and what it takes to build a culture of value Join The Breadwinners community: Subscribe on Substack: wearethebreadwinners.substack.com Follow on Instagram: @wearethebreadwinners Rate & review wherever you listen - it helps more women find this show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices