Second Act Success Podcast: Career Change, Business Coaching & Entrepreneurship Advice for Women

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 ...

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 ...

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 nat...

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 job
• Start a side hustle using your existing skills
• Build a bridge from employee to entrepreneur
• Re...

What happens when you get laid off, divorced, and find yourself at rock bottom all at once? For serial entrepreneur and real estate powerhouse Betsy Pepine, it sparked a second act that changed everything. In this inspiring episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell chats with Betsy about how she went from being a single mom with two toddlers and no job to building a thriving real estate empire, includin...

No distractions, no excuses! How you can start your business, while the kids are back to school.  In this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host and business coach Shannon Russell shares actionable tips for moms and working women who want to start a business while the kids are in school. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom or juggling a 9–5, this episode will show you how to maximize your time, create a 90-day bu...

Are you struggling with energy, brain fog, or feeling stuck in midlife? This episode is for you.

In this powerful episode #206 of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell chats with Jenny Waters, a former engineer who turned a family health crisis into a mission-driven wellness business. Jenny shares her raw and relatable story of perimenopause, her husband’s autoimmune diagnosis, and how she reclaimed her health—...

Have you ever hit a breaking point at work where you just knew—you were done? In this powerful episode #205 of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell sits down with leadership coach and HR strategist Lindsay White, who shares the moment she abruptly quit her 20-year corporate career with no plan... and never looked back.

Lindsay opens up about the toxic leadership that pushed her out of her corporate job, the to...

Is it too late to start over at 50? Absolutely not.

In this powerful episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, Shannon Russell is joined by Certified Financial Planner, midlife millionaire coach, and host of Smart Women Talk Radio, Katana Abbott. Katana shares her remarkable story of resilience—from personal trauma to building a thriving financial planning business managing over $100 million.

Katana reveals why your third act...