Business Tips & Career Change Advice for Women: Second Act Success
Welcome to the Second Act Success Podcast, a top 2% globally ranked show designed for ambitious women ready to change careers, start a business, and create a life they love. Hosted by Shannon Russell, business coach, author, and entrepreneur, this podcast helps you transition from employee to entrepreneur with clarity and confidence. Listen and Learn: - How to quit your job and start a business that lights you up - Strategies for career change after 40 and designing your second act - Business planning, marketing, and personal branding tips for women - How to validate your business idea and find your ideal clients - How to use your career experience in your role as a female entrepreneur - Success stories from women who’ve turned their side hustles into thriving businesses Whether you’re planning an exit strategy, exploring midlife career pivots, or ready to become your own boss, you’ll find actionable steps, real-life inspiration, and expert guidance here. Is this podcast for you? - Are you dreaming of quitting your corporate job to start your own business? - Do you want advice on marketing a business, designing your personal brand, and build entrepreneurial strategies? - Are you ready to overcome fear and turn your skills and experience from the corporate world into your second act business? - Do you crave a flexible lifestyle that allows you to focus on your passions and your family? - Ready to become your own boss and build a business you love? - Is it time to turn your side hustle into a full-time business? If so, you’re in the right place! 🎧 New episodes every week to help you start building your second act business and designing a life you love! 🔗 For more inspiration and resources, visit https://secondactsuccess.co. Subscribe now and embark on a transformative journey towards your second act!
Episodes
*Book a free strategy call with Shannon here.
https://secondactsuccess.co/230
Ready to finally start a business in 2026 instead of just talking about it?
In this first episode of the year, business coach and host Shannon Russell walks you through a simple, realistic 90-day Q1 plan to launch your business by March 31, 2026. If you’ve been sitting on a business idea, dreaming about quitting your 9–5, or wanting to add a new offer ...
*Book a free strategy call with Shannon here.
Ready to start (or scale) your business, but want to do it without running on caffeine and chaos? In this episode 229 of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with registered dietitian Lindsay Martens to talk about how to fuel your CEO brain, create sustainable healthy habits, and protect your energy while you build your second act.
Lindsay shares why your brain n...
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 ...
*Book a free strategy call with Shannon here.
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 ...
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 (...
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 sear...
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…S...
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 ...
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 ...
Laid Off to Lifted Up: Aransas Savas on Building “The Uplifters” and creating Courage Capital | #221
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 t...
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 bus...
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 e...
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...
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 th...
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 tr...
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 brea...
Download your free 90 Day Sprint Planner - https://secondactsuccess.co/90days
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 an...
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 t...
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...
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 opportunity
- Budgeting ...
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