.png)
Second Act Success Podcast: Career Change, Business Coaching & Entrepreneurship Advice for Women
Welcome to the Second Act Success Career 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 exit strategy expert, this podcast helps you transition from employee to entrepreneur with clarity and confidence.
✨ What You’ll Learn:
- How to quit your 9-5 job and start a business that lights you up
- Strategies for career change at 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 — subscribe now to start building your second act business and designing a life you love!
🔗 For more inspiration and resources, visit https://secondactsuccess.co.
📖 Read Shannon's book Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life at https://startyoursecondact.com.
Subscribe now and embark on a transformative journey towards career fulfillment and success in your second act!
Episodes
222 episodes
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 Succe...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 221
•
42:32
.png)
LEGO Serious Play for Teams: Hands-On Strategy, Team Building, and Leadership Development | #220
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...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 220
•
19:33
Write the Book That Builds Your Brand: Amy Vogel on Publishing in Your 40s | #219
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...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 219
•
31:45
Validate Your Business Idea: Research, Test, and Launch With Confidence | #218
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
•
Season 1
•
Episode 218
•
13:49
Kombucha to Confidence Coaching: How Jess West Rebuilt Her Life and Business | #217
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.<...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 217
•
27:29
What Business Should You Start? How to Choose the Right Business Idea | #216
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
•
Season 1
•
Episode 216
•
11:37
Marie Forleo’s Lessons That Changed My Life: How "Everything is Figureoutable" Inspired My Second Act| #215
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...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 215
•
17:33
90-Day Sprint: How to Get Your Business Idea Ready to Launch in 2026 | #214
Download your free 90 Day Sprint Planner - https://secondactsuccess.co/90daysAre you ready to stop waiting for the "perfect time" and finally start building the business you’ve ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 214
•
20:32
She Left the NFL, Then Built a Real Estate Brand Athletes Trust with Brooke Kromer | #213
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 proper...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 213
•
29:20
Qualified Isn't Enough: How to Stand Out in Your Job Search with Career Transition Coach Gina Riley | #212
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 R...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 212
•
28:26
Use Your Severance Package to Start a Business and Invest in Yourself | #211
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 Podcas...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 211
•
9:12
Betting on Paradise: How One Couple Left Corporate Careers, Moved to Costa Rica, and Built Their Dream Life | #210
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...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 210
•
27:36
Don’t Wait to Be Pushed Out: Build a Business on Your Terms and Take Back Control | #209
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 challenge...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 209
•
10:02
"I'll Never Fire Myself!" - Losing Her Job Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Her - Meet Betsy Pepine | #208
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
•
Season 1
•
Episode 208
•
24:18
Back to Business: How Moms Can Start a Business While the Kids Are in Class | #207
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 Shan...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 207
•
8:15
Midlife, Menopause & Momentum: How Jenny Waters Helps Women Thrive With Wellness | #206
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 Rus...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 206
•
25:52
The Moment I Quit: How One Bold Move Led to a Thriving Leadership Coaching Business with Lindsay White | #205
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 leade...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 205
•
37:34
Plan Your Third Act: Financial Freedom and Reinvention After 50 with Katana Abbott | #204
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 Wom...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 204
•
31:00
From Career Rut to Business Ready: How the Second Act Accelerator Helps You Quit Your Job and Launch a Business in 90 Days | #203
Tired of the Sunday Scaries and dreaming of quitting your 9-5 to start a business that lights you up? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to do it alone either. In this episode, Shannon Russell shar...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 203
•
13:57
Starting a Business as Healing: Medical Professional Suzy Wraines Turned Trauma into Purpose | #202
Is starting a business part of your healing journey? For Suzy Wraines, it absolutely was. In this powerful episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, Suzy shares her inspiring story of how sh...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 202
•
35:33
5 Things To Do Before Starting a Business | #201
Thinking about quitting your 9-5 and launching a business? Before you hand in your resignation letter, this episode of the Second Act Success Career...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 201
•
16:40
200th Episode Special: Your Biggest Career Change & Business Questions Answered! | #200
🎉 It’s the 200th episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, and we’re celebrating with a special Q&A edition! Host and busine...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 200
•
28:38
Thriving After 50: Lynnis Woods-Mullins on Health, Purpose, and Starting Over | #199
In this empowering episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell speaks with holistic living expert, life coach, and wellness advocate Lynnis Woods-Mullins. After a...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 199
•
29:19
From China to CEO: How Sunny Sun Built a Business and a Life She Loves in America | #198
In this inspiring episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell sits down with Sunny Sun, a first-generation immigrant from China turned entrepreneur and nonprofit ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 198
•
37:48
Pivoting as a Creative: How to Turn Your Talent Into a Thriving Business | #197
Feeling stuck in your creative career? Whether you're a producer, designer, editor, writer, artist, or performer—this episode is your roadmap to turning your creative skills into a successful busine...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 197
•
17:50