It’s holiday season and we are talking Hallmark Christmas movies on the Second Act Success Podcast. We are officially fan-girling because film critic and host of the Hallmarkies Podcast Rachel Wagner joins us to talk about hosting this popular podcast with Hallmark and movies at its core. Rachel shares how a love of movie criticism led her to start creating online reviews, launch a podcast, and eventually build a thriving platform that’s now deep into its 9th holiday season (with thousa...

What if you could start a profitable podcast and personal brand before you ever quit your 9–5? In this inspiring episode of the Second Act Success podcast, Shannon Russell talks with Francesca (Fran) Stone, founder of 9 to 5 Mom with a Pod—a podcast and consulting platform that helps mom content creators launch personal brands and grow with purpose. Fran shares how her winding career path—from talent agent to paralegal—gave her the business, sales, and people skills she now uses as a full-tim...

In this special episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach, author, and host Shannon Russell celebrates an incredible wave of second act authors who published books in 2025—right alongside her own book, Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life. Shannon spotlights powerful new releases from friends and former guests including Lisa Morton (Aligned at Home), Heike Yates (Pursue Your Spark), Gregory Andrus (A Walk Along the Jersey S...

If you’re a mom who feels like you’ve lost yourself in motherhood, this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast is for you. Host Shannon Russell, business coach for women and author of Start Your Second Act, sits down with former teacher turned stay-at-home mom and community builder Michelle DeKeyser, founder of Mama Genius and the Mama Genius Hub. Michelle shares her honest journey from teaching to being a stay-at-home mom to searching for community with other women, and creating her own M...

In this special Thanksgiving episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, host Shannon Russell, business coach, author, and mom of two, reflects on the incredible milestones, personal growth, and business breakthroughs that made 2025 a transformational year. From publishing her book Start Your Second Act, to speaking on stages across the country, to running global LEGO® Serious Play® workshops, to celebrating precious family moments…Shannon shares the moments she’s most grateful for and the les...

Ready to trade burnout for a life that actually fits? In this empowering episode, Shannon Russell talks with Dani Cee, a former Chief Marketing Officer who walked away from a 20-year corporate career to launch the Happy Life Agenda and work as an empowerment consultant. Dani shares the moment she knew the 9–5 was costing her everything, how journaling, faith, and clarity guided her exit, and the simple pillars she now uses to help women design a happier second-act career. If you’re a working ...

Feeling out of alignment in your life or career? In this episode, host and business coach for women Shannon Russell sits down with Dina Berrin, former fitness pro and staffing leader turned intuitive life coach, to share how she transformed a long corporate chapter into a purpose-driven second act. Dina reveals how tarot, numerology, astrology, and her original charm reading method help clients dissolve limiting beliefs, reconnect with their authentic selves, and step into their full po...

What if a layoff is the nudge you needed to quit corporate, start a business, and design a second-act career you actually love? In this inspiring conversation on episode #221 of the Second Act Success Podcast, Aransas Savas—innovation leader turned coach, community builder, and host of The Uplifters—shares how losing her role at Weight Watchers became the catalyst to redefine success, create flexible income, and prioritize a life that fits. We dive into career change after layoffs, how to lev...

Turning Creativity into Cash Flow: How LEGO Serious Play Became a Powerful Tool for Team Building—And an Extra Revenue Stream in My Business. Looking for a fresh way to boost team communication, collaboration, and problem-solving? In this short, power-packed episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, host Shannon Russell, business coach and certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator, shares how this additional business arm to her business turns meetings into momentum. She talks about how you c...

Want to write a book but don’t know where to start, or whether to self-publish vs. traditional? In this episode of Second Act Success, host Shannon Russell talks with Amy Vogel, who went from tech sales and then spent years as a pastor before publishing 5 books and now working as a women’s book coach. If you are thinking about turning your story into a brand-building book that clarifies your message, motivation, and mindset, this episode is a must listen. Amy shares her journey to publi...

Have you ever wondered if your business idea is really worth pursuing? In this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell, business coach and author of Start Your Second Act, breaks down exactly why validating your business idea is one of the most important steps you can take before launching. Key takeaways: Why market research is essential for saving time, money, and stress.How to identify your target audience and build a clear customer avatar.Tips for analyzing y...

Tell us what you want to hear on the show! Imagine waking up in a hospital bed, being told you have three days to live and that you’ll never work, live independently, or finish school again. For Jess West, that devastating moment became the turning point that changed everything. In this inspiring episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, host Shannon Russell sits down with Jess to discuss her incredible journey from surviving a life-threatening car accident to creating a thriving business fo...

One of the biggest questions every aspiring entrepreneur faces is: “What kind of business should I start?” In this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell, business coach for women and author of Start Your Second Act, helps you answer that question with clarity and confidence. Key Takeaways: How to identify your passions and turn them into profitable business ideas.Why your skills, strengths, and transferable experience are key to building a business that ...

Everything is Figureoutable: Marie Forleo’s Advice That Transformed My Career. Have you ever felt stuck in a toxic job, unsure how to take the leap into something better? In this heartfelt episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, host Shannon Russell shares the pivotal lessons she learned from entrepreneur and mentor Marie Forleo that transformed her life and career. Shannon opens up about her turning point—crying on her lunch break, listening to Marie say “Everything is Figureoutable.” Tha...

Tell us what you want to hear on the show! Are you ready to stop waiting for the "perfect time" and finally start building the business you’ve been dreaming about? With just 90 days left in the year, now is the moment to give yourself a focused sprint that sets you up for success in 2026. In this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell, business coach and author of Start Your Second Act, walks you through a 90-day action plan designed to help you clarify your bu...

Tell us what you want to hear on the show! What happens when your dream job evolves, and a better one appears? Former NFL sports reporter Brooke Kromer shares how she pivoted from sports broadcasting to become a real estate trailblazer on Florida’s 30A, specializing in investment properties for athletes and coaches. On this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast with host Shannon Russell, Brooke breaks down how she leveraged her NFL network, on-camera skills, and team-building minds...

Tell us what you want to hear on the show! Are you applying to dozens of jobs but not hearing back, even though you're highly qualified? You're not alone. In this episode of the Second Act Success® Podcast, host Shannon Russell sits down with career transition coach Gina Riley, author of Qualified Isn’t Enough and founder of Gina Riley Consulting, to uncover what CEOs, hiring managers, and recruiters really look for when evaluating candidates. Gina shares her Career Velocity Framework, a nine...

Were you recently laid off and handed a severance check... but no clear plan for what’s next? Don’t just spend it—flip it. In this powerful episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, business coach Shannon Russell shares how your severance package can become the startup capital you need to finally launch your dream business. What you'll learn in this episode: How to reframe a layoff as a business opportunityBudgeting your severance to cover essentials and business investmentsHow to cre...

Ever dreamed of quitting your 9–5, moving somewhere tropical, and starting fresh as your second act? 🌴 On this episode #210 of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with HGTV’s Betting on Paradise stars, Steph Sitt and Luke Shantz, to share their incredible journey from corporate life in Canada to renovating a rundown hotel in Costa Rica, all while raising two young daughters and filming their adventure for national television. Steph and Luke open up about: How they ...

Are you waiting for a layoff, burnout, or bad boss to make the next move for you? In this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host and business coach Shannon Russell challenges you to stop waiting and start building a business that puts you in charge. Shannon walks you through how to: Create an exit strategy from your 9–5 jobStart a side hustle using your existing skillsBuild a bridge from employee to entrepreneurReclaim your purpose after a career setbackSet goals and take acti...