Second Act Sessions
Second Act Sessions is a bi-weekly podcast for women navigating midlife and stepping into a new chapter.
Hosted by Stephanie Carmody, the show is rooted in faith, healing, and lived experience and explores what it really looks like to begin again and build a life that feels aligned, meaningful, and true.
It’s for the woman quietly asking, what’s next? The one who thought her life would look different by now and is beginning to realize she may need to start over.
Because starting over sounds inspiring… until you’re actually living it.
And when you are, it can feel uncertain, messy, and overwhelming.
But this isn’t the end of the story.
It’s a second act.
And maybe… a more honest one.
Through real, unfiltered conversations, Second Act Sessions shares stories, perspective, and encouragement for women learning to trust God, rediscover who they are, and rebuild their lives in a way that feels true to them.
No perfection.
No pretending.
Just real life and what it looks like to begin again.
At its core, Second Act Sessions is a reminder that even after the hardest seasons, there is still more life, more healing, and more of you to uncover.
Because it’s never too late to begin again.
New episodes bi-weekly every Tuesday. Follow Stephanie Carmody online at:
Website: www.secondactsessions.com
Instagram: @stephaniefcarmody
Facebook: @stephanie.figuracarmody
YouTube: @secondactsessions
Second Act Sessions
Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Narcissistic Patterns & Reclaiming Your Voice
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In this episode, we’re continuing an important conversation around narcissistic abuse — but from a different lens. I’m sitting down with Mel John—author, truth seeker, and the voice behind the popular Instagram page @narcissisticpatterns. After a string of emotionally devastating relationships, Mel began to see a pattern—one that many others have experienced but often can’t name. In her powerful book You Ain’t Going Crazy, Darling, she shares the raw and honest truth about surviving narcissistic abuse and learning how to recognize the warning signs.
Now, Mel’s mission is to help others see the signs, trust their instincts, and know they’re not going crazy. This episode is a conversation about reclaiming your mind, your truth, and your power. We explore the traits of narcissists, the toll abuse can take on the brain, and how to spot manipulation before it sinks in too deep.
We also talk about what it really feels like to untangle yourself from toxic relationships—the confusion, the self-doubt, the heartbreak, and the slow rebuilding that follows. Mel opens up about her own healing journey and the steps she took to reclaim her voice, her clarity, and her life.
Whether you’re deep in the fog, coming out on the other side, or simply curious about the patterns and behaviors that so many people silently struggle with, this conversation offers perspective, compassion, and a reminder that you are not alone. Mel brings a mix of honesty, encouragement, and common sense that so many survivors need to hear.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever questioned their worth, second-guessed their reality, or struggled to trust themselves after emotional abuse. It’s a reminder that healing is possible—and that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is name what happened and begin again.