Ally Eclarin: Building The W, building community, building change
- E42
- 52:50
- February 19th 2026
In this episode, host Christy Harst sits down with Ally Eclarin, co-founder of Cleveland’s first women’s sports bar, The W, and co-creator of State Champs, the sports-coffee shop and streetwear brand reimagining how women’s sports show up in culture.
Ally opens up about the pushback she faced bringing these concepts to life, the community that rallied behind them, and the powerful stories she hears from patrons who finally feel seen. It’s a conversation about representation, risk-taking, and building spaces where women’s sports are not just watched, but celebrated.
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Mentioned in this episode
The Building Doors Podcast
The Building Doors Podcast is where women in voice-over take center stage, sharing their journeys, breaking barriers, and paving the way for future talent. This podcast amplifies women’s voices in an industry where male-centric genres—like sports promos and other traditionally male-dominated spaces—have long been the norm. Through personal stories, expert insights, and industry discussions, we’re creating opportunities and inspiring action.
Each episode features female voice actors—our Door Builders—as they share how they got into voice-over, the challenges they’ve faced, and the dream clients they aspire to work with. We also bring you audio versions of our Instagram and LinkedIn Live events, covering powerful topics like mental health, building community, gender equality in sports, and voice-over genres more women should be pursuing. And as we grow, we may also feature sponsor spotlights, giving brands that support Building Doors a platform to share their services and their commitment to empowering women in voice-over.
This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. Whether you’re a voice actor at any stage of your career, a brand championing gender equality, or someone who believes in making space for all voices, this is the place for you. The Building Doors Podcast is for anyone in voice-over and anyone looking for a community that supports inclusion, opportunity, and breaking barriers. Tune in, be inspired, and start building doors.