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
Episodes
32 episodes
No More Chasing Skinny: What Women Over 40 Need to Know About Staying Healthy
What does it really mean to be healthy in midlife — and are we focusing on the right things?In this episode of Second Act Sessions, Stephanie sits down with health coach, educator, and midlife wellness advocate Kristina Ganow fo...
Marriage in Midlife: Is a Second Act Possible?
Two weeks ago on Second Act Sessions, Pastor Todd Willard joined me for an important conversation about divorce—what the Bible actually says, God’s design for marriage, and how we navigate the difficult realities of broken relationships through...
Broken Vows: A Biblical Conversation About Divorce with My Pastor
This season on Second Act Sessions, we’ve been talking a lot about what it means to navigate midlife and all of the transitions that can come with it. And one of the topics we’ve continued to come back to is divorce.We’ve talked about di...
How Do You Know When It's Time to Reinvent Your Life?
What happens when the life you've worked so hard to build no longer feels like the life you're meant to live?This week on Second Act Sessions, I'm joined by author, former firefighter, coach, and nomadic traveler Kristy Halvorse...
The Cortisol Connection: What's Really Happening to Your Body in Midlife
Have you ever wondered why your body feels so different in midlife? Maybe you're gaining weight even though nothing has really changed, you're feeling exhausted, your sleep isn't great, or you just don't feel like yourself anymore. So many wome...
When Faith Meets Fear: An Honest Conversation About Anxiety
What if the season you feared the most was actually preparing you for the life God had planned for you?In this episode, I sit down with one of my dear friends, Ashley Poisella, for an honest conversation about anxiety, fear, faith, and w...
The Story Behind the Novel Forty Love: Midlife Reinvention and New Beginnings
What if midlife wasn’t about slowing down… but opening up?In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I’m joined by internationally bestselling author Jane Costello to talk about her newest novel, Forty Love, and the deeper themes b...
Navigating Midlife: What I'm Learning Along the Way
Have you ever looked at your life in midlife and thought, This isn’t what I imagined?Maybe you thought you’d still be married. Maybe you pictured children, grandchildren, or a completely different chapter than the one you’re living toda...
Style in Your Second Act: Dressing for the Life You're Living Now
What happens when your closet no longer fits your life?In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I’m joined by personal stylist and fashion expert Maria Casabianca for a conversation about confidence, identity, style, and navigating change...
Healing After Divorce: What I Learned Along the Way
This season on Second Act Sessions, we’re talking a lot about divorce, healing after divorce, relationships, emotional abuse, red flags, faith, and what it really means to begin again.And after having those conversations with guests, I f...
Divorce in Midlife: What I Wish More Women Knew
Divorce in midlife carries a different weight.By the time you reach your 40s or 50s, you’re not just untangling emotions — you’re untangling retirement accounts, shared investments, homes, businesses, and years — sometimes decades — of f...
The Story Behind Second Act Sessions
Season Two of Second Act Sessions begins with a personal solo episode from host Stephanie Carmody, sharing the story behind the podcast and the journey that led her here.In this heartfelt introduction, Stephanie opens up about t...
Second Act Sessions Trailer
Second Act Sessions is a biweekly podcast for women navigating midlife and stepping into a new chapter.Hosted by Stephanie Carmody, the show explores what it really looks like to begin again and build a life that feels aligned, meaningfu...
Returning to Yourself: What Midlife Women Need Most but Rarely Say Out Loud
In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I sit down with Transformation Coach and Christian Encourager Kristin Fitch for an honest conversation about what happens when your life no longer fits — and how to find the clarity to mov...
Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Narcissistic Patterns & Reclaiming Your Voice
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...
Navigating the Grief Journey: Turning Pain Into Purpose After Unspeakable Loss
In this heartfelt and hope-filled episode of Second Act Sessions, Stephanie welcomes Chris Mamone — an Acceptance Coach, grief advocate, and founder of The Empowered Grief Journey. After the devastating loss of his son, Chris turned his pain in...
Different by Design: A New Perspective on ADHD
ADHD isn’t a flaw—it’s a different kind of brilliance.In this episode, I sit down with ADHD coach, best selling author of "Beyond ADHD" and host of the critically acclaimed podcast "The Fearless Now" Sam Led to reframe how we see and un...
From Heartbreak to Hope: A Father’s Journey Through Grief
In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I’m joined by David J. Roberts—a retired addiction professional, professor, podcast host, and author whose life changed forever when his daughter Jeannine passed away from cancer in 2003. ...
From Confusion to Clarity: Making Sense of MTHFR and Methylation
In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I’m joined by Tom Nikkola, a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) who has spent more than two decades helping people build stronger, healthier bodies through fitness, fu...
From Beauty to Breakthroughs: Redefining Purpose Through Life Coaching
In this episode, I’m joined by Dana Bartone—certified life coach, entrepreneur, and someone I first met years ago during our time in the Connecticut wedding industry. For over 30 years, Dana helped women look and feel beautiful through her work...
Rising From Rock Bottom: The Unbreakable Spirit of Tony Lynch
In this powerful episode of Second Act Sessions, I sit down with Tony Lynch—grief coach, speaker, founder of the nonprofit Memories of Us, and host of the Grief, Let’s Talk About It podcast. Tony’s story is one of raw...
From Trauma to Truth: Reclaiming Your Voice After Narcissistic Abuse (Part 2)
In part 2 of my conversation with Laura Richards, we continue our conversation on narcissists—how to spot them, how to survive them, and what healing actually looks like after the damage is done. And no, it’s not just about romantic relationshi...
From Trauma to Truth: Reclaiming Your Voice After Narcissistic Abuse (Part1)
In this episode of Second Act Sessions, we’re talking all things narcissists—how to spot them, how to survive them, and what healing actually looks like after the damage is done. And no, it’s not just about romantic relationships. Narcissistic ...
Live With Joy Now: A Mom’s Mission to Heal ADHD & Childhood Behavioral Struggles Through the Gut-Brain Connection (Part 2)
In part 2 of my conversation with Carolyn Carrara, founder of Live With Joy Now, she continues discussing her mission to help children struggling with ADHD, anxiety, and ODD. Carolyn shares her personal story and what inspired her to create a c...
Live With Joy Now: A Mom’s Mission to Heal ADHD & Childhood Behavioral Struggles Through the Gut-Brain Connection (Part 1)
In this episode, I sit down with Carolyn Carrara, founder of Live With Joy Now, to talk about her mission to help children struggling with ADHD, anxiety, and ODD. Carolyn shares her personal story and what inspired her to create a coaching serv...