Career Change & Business Advice for Women | Second Act Success Podcast

By Shannon Russell | Career Change & Business Coach for WomenBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement Careers

Career Change & Business Advice for Women | Second Act Success Podcast episodes

April 20Afraid of What People Will Think? How to Overcome Self-Doubt in Business | #252
👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

Have you ever stopped yourself from starting a business or changing careers because you were worried about what people would think? You are not alone.
In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell dives into one of the biggest blockers for women navigating a career transition, self-doubt and the fear of judgment.
Listen in if you’ve ever thought:
“What will people say if I leave my job?”
“What if I fail?”
“What will my coworkers, friends, or family think?”
Shannon breaks down:
Where self-doubt really comes from and why it’s normal
How fear of outside opinions can keep you stuck in a career that no longer fits
Why your brain is wired to keep you “safe” and how to move past it
How to use Mel Robbins’ “Let Them” theory to stop caring what others think
Practical steps to overcome fear and start your second act career
How to build confidence through action when starting a business
If you’re in a midlife career transition, thinking about starting a business, or ready to move from employee to entrepreneur, this episode will help you take your next step with confidence.
🔗 Get the full show notes at https://secondactsuccess.co/252.
Ready to Start Your Second Act?
Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.
→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call

More From Shannon:
📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act
🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk
📥 Download Free Resources
➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
15 min
April 06Stay-at-Home Mom to Financial Advisor: How to Start a Business and Reinvent Your Career | #251
👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

Are you a stay-at-home mom thinking about going back to work, starting a business, or navigating a career transition?
In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Lorie Jones, a financial advisor, entrepreneur, and mom of five, who shares her inspiring journey from stay-at-home parent to successful business owner.
Lorie started with no background in finance. She simply needed a paycheck. But what began as a secretarial job quickly turned into a passion, leading her to earn multiple certifications, build her expertise, and eventually launch her own financial advisory business.
In this episode, we cover:
How to transition from stay-at-home mom to working professional
Turning a job into a long-term career or business
Why it is never too late to start a second act career
How women can take control of their finances and build confidence
The importance of mentorship, learning, and taking action
How to start a business even when you feel unprepared
Lorie’s story is proof that you don’t need to have everything figured out to get started. You just need to take the first step.
If you’re thinking about a career transition, exploring second act career ideas, or ready to go from employee to entrepreneur, this episode will give you both inspiration and practical insight.
🔗 Get the full show notes here!
Ready to Start Your Second Act?
Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.
→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call

More From Shannon:
📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act
🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk
📥 Download Free Resources
➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
30 min
March 30Mini-Retirement: Why Women Are Taking Career Breaks in Midlife | #250
👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

What if retirement didn’t have to wait until you were 65?
In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell dives into the growing trend of mini retirements and why more women are choosing to take intentional career breaks to reset, recharge, and rethink their next chapter.
A recent study shows that more professionals are planning career breaks of 3 to 12 months, especially during midlife, to combat burnout, explore new business ideas, and realign their lives with what truly matters.
If you’ve ever felt exhausted, stuck in your 9–5, or unsure what your next move should be, this episode will open your eyes to a powerful alternative.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What a mini retirement really is and why it’s becoming more popular
How to take a career break without falling behind financially
The connection between burnout, career transition, and second act careers
How a mini retirement can help you start a business or pivot your career
Practical steps to plan your own sabbatical or reset period
Whether you’re dreaming of starting a business, navigating a midlife career transition, or simply craving space to breathe, this episode will help you explore what’s possible.
Your second act doesn’t have to wait. Sometimes, it starts with a pause.
🔗 Get the full show notes here!

Ready to Start Your Second Act?
Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.
→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call

More From Shannon:
📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act
🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk
📥 Download Free Resources
➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
14 min
March 23Laid Off? How to Turn a Job Loss Into an Opportunity to Start a Business | #249
👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

What would you do if you were laid off tomorrow?
In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Kelly Schuknecht to talk about turning an unexpected layoff into a powerful second act career.
After years climbing the corporate ladder in publishing and marketing, Kelly found herself at a crossroads when her company was acquired and her role was eliminated. Instead of panicking, she leaned into the idea she had been quietly building on the side and launched her own business almost overnight.
Today, Kelly runs a thriving marketing and thought leadership company, helping entrepreneurs grow their visibility through speaking, content, podcast interviews, and book publishing.
In this conversation, we cover:
How to turn a layoff into a business opportunity
Why building your personal brand now is critical for career security
The power of saying yes and figuring it out as you go
How to create a thought leadership platform that attracts clients
What it really takes to go from employee to entrepreneur
Kelly’s story is proof that your next chapter can begin when you least expect it, and that your experience is never wasted, it’s the foundation for your second act.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a business, navigating a career transition, or building a personal brand, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to take action.
🔗 Get the full show notes here!
Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.
Ready to Start Your Second Act?
Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.
→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call

More From Shannon:
📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act
🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk
📥 Download Free Resources
➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
31 min
March 16Mentorship Matters: How Big Brothers Big Sisters Gives Youth a Second Act Start | #248
In this special episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell participates in Podcastathon 2026, a global initiative where podcasters dedicate an episode to highlight a charity that matters deeply to them.
The organization Shannon chose to spotlight is Big Brothers Big Sisters, specifically Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern New Jersey.
Before becoming a business coach for women, Shannon spent years running a Snapology STEM and robotics franchise, where she partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters to bring hands-on LEGO and robotics programs to their mentorship events. Through those experiences, she saw firsthand how powerful mentorship can be.
Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs children, known as “Littles,” with caring mentors called “Bigs.” These relationships help young people build confidence, develop strong life skills, and see new possibilities for their future.
In this episode, Shannon shares:
Why mentorship can change the trajectory of a child’s life
How the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship program builds confidence and opportunity
The connection between mentorship and personal growth
How one supportive relationship can create a lifelong ripple effect
Ways you can support Big Brothers Big Sisters in your own community
This conversation ties directly into the mission of Second Act Success, because whether you are a child learning to believe in yourself or an adult building a new chapter in life, having someone who believes in you can change everything.
If you’ve ever had a mentor who shaped your life, or if you believe in supporting the next generation, this episode will inspire you to take action.

Ways to Support Big Brothers Big Sisters:
You can make a difference by supporting the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Donate nationally:
donate.bbbs.org
Support Shannon’s local chapter:
mentornj.org
You can also volunteer to become a mentor, share this episode, or simply spread awareness about the impact of mentorship.
One caring adult can truly change the life of a child.

🔗 Get the full show notes here!
Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.
Ready to Start Your Second Act?
Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.
→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call

More From Shannon:
📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act
🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk
📥 Download Free Resources
➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
11 min
March 12Research and Validate Your Business Idea Before You Start | #247
👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

If you have a business idea you're excited about, it can be tempting to jump straight into building it. But before you invest your time, energy, and money, there's one critical step you shouldn't skip.
In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell walks you through how to research and validate your business idea so you can confidently move from employee to entrepreneur.
Doing market research helps you avoid costly mistakes and ensures there is real demand for the product or service you want to offer. Instead of guessing, you'll learn how to gather valuable insights about your target audience, competitors, and market demand.
If you're considering starting a business during a career transition or exploring ideas for your second act career, this episode will give you practical steps to test your idea before launching.
You'll also learn how to gather feedback from potential customers, test your offer, and make adjustments early so you can build a sustainable and profitable business.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Why market research is essential before starting a business
How to define your ideal customer avatar
Why niching down helps you attract the right clients
How to analyze competitors and identify opportunities in your market
Ways to validate your business idea using surveys and interviews
How to create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to test your idea
Why presales and early offers can help prove market demand
How feedback from potential customers can strengthen your business idea
🔗 Get the full show notes here!
Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.
Ready to Start Your Second Act?
Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.
→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call

More From Shannon:
📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act
🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk
📥 Download Free Resources
➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
12 min
March 09Use Your Past Experience to Reinvent Your Career with Kayla Sweet | #246
👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

Have you ever worried that changing careers means everything you’ve done up to this point was a waste?
In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Kayla Sweet, a transformational life coach and founder of Internally Guided Leadership Consulting, to talk about transformation, alignment, burnout, and career transitions.
Kayla shares how she started in community mental health, hit burnout, and used that turning point to rebuild her path in a way that honors both purpose and wellness. Together, Shannon and Kayla unpack why your past experience is never purposeless. The skills you’ve built, the lessons you’ve learned, and the work you’ve done all tie together in ways you can use to create your second act career.
If you’re navigating a midlife career transition, feeling stuck in burnout, or wondering what’s next, this episode will help you rethink the story you’re telling yourself and start moving toward work that feels more like you.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why your previous career experience is never wasted
The truth about burnout and the warning signs most women ignore
How to set boundaries and protect your energy during a career transition
Why “alignment” matters more than a perfect plan
How to follow the breadcrumbs toward a second act career that fits your life now
Building a fulfilling path that blends stability, creativity, and purpose
The mindset shift that helps you stop saying “I can’t” and start asking “Why not me?”
🔗 Get the full show notes here!
Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.
Ready to Start Your Second Act?
Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.
→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call

More From Shannon:
📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act
🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk
📥 Download Free Resources
➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
36 min
March 05Career Change for Moms: How to Make a Change Without the Guilt | #245
👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

I missed my son’s first birthday. And that moment changed everything in my career.
In this deeply personal episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell shares the story of the day she was producing a major MTV shoot at South by Southwest while her baby celebrated his first birthday without her.
On paper, it looked like success. Behind the scenes, it felt like heartbreak.
If you are a working mom feeling stretched thin...
If you love your career but are not where it’s taking you...
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this really the life I want?”...
Then this episode #245 will resonate with you.
This episode dives into:
Working mom guilt and career pressure
The emotional pull between ambition and family
Recognizing when your career no longer fits your life
Early signs it may be time for a midlife career transition
How one moment can plant the seeds for your second act
Shannon shares how that moment became the catalyst for leaving television, starting a business, and eventually becoming a business coach for women navigating career transitions.
Your turning point might not look dramatic. It might be quiet. It might be emotional. But it matters.
And it might be the beginning of your second act career.

🔗 Get the full show notes here!
Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.
Ready to Start Your Second Act?
Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.
→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call

More From Shannon:
📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act
🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk
📥 Download Free Resources
➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
14 min
March 02Fear of Success in Business: What's Really Holding You Back? | #244
👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

Have you ever been more afraid of your dream coming true than of it failing?
Fear of failure is real, but what about the fear of success?
In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell, business coach for women and author of Start Your Second Act, dives into one of the most overlooked blocks in entrepreneurship and career transitions: the fear of actually succeeding.
If you’ve been procrastinating launching your business, stalling on finishing your website, or quietly holding back from fully going all in, this episode is for you.
Inside, we unpack:
What fear of success really is and why it shows up during a career transition
Why achieving your dream business can feel scarier than failing
The hidden identity shift that happens when you become your own boss
How fear of change keeps women stuck in corporate roles
Practical ways to reframe fear and step into your second act with confidence
For women navigating a midlife career transition, leaving a 9 to 5 job, or starting a business after years in corporate, this conversation will help you understand why you may be subconsciously holding yourself back.
Success is not an ending. It is the beginning of your next chapter.
If you’re ready to move past fear and build a business aligned with your life, this episode will help you step into the next version of you.
🔗 Get the full show notes here!
Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.
Ready to Start Your Second Act?
Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.
→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call

More From Shannon:
📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act
🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk
📥 Download Free Resources
➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
14 min
February 26 How to Get Hired in Today's AI Job Market: Recruiter Insider Tips | #243
👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

Are you struggling to get your resume noticed in today’s competitive job market? Wondering how to get past AI resume screeners and actually land an interview?
In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with former recruiter turned career strategist Sindy Thomas, host of The Insider Career Club Podcast. With over 25 years of experience in talent acquisition across biotech, pharmaceuticals, IT, and corporate industries, Sindy shares insider hiring secrets that every job seeker needs to know.
From applicant tracking systems (ATS) and AI resume bots to LinkedIn networking strategies and researching companies before you apply, Sindy breaks down how the hiring process really works, and what you can do to stand out.
Whether you're navigating a career change, re-entering the workforce, or facing layoffs in today’s shifting economy, this episode gives you practical strategies to help you get seen, get connected, and get hired.
If you’re ready to stop blindly applying online and start networking strategically, this conversation is a must-listen.
*Get the full show notes here!
Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.
🔗 For more inspiration and resources, visit https://secondactsuccess.co.
Ready to Start Your Second Act?
Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.
→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call

More From Shannon:
📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act
🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk
📥 Download Free Resources
➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
21 min

About Career Change & Business Advice for Women | Second Act Success Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to the Second Act Success Podcast, a top 2% globally ranked podcast for women ready to make a career change, quit their job, start a business, and become their own…

boss.

Hosted by Shannon Russell, business coach for women, author, and entrepreneur, Second Act Success helps women transition from employee to entrepreneur and build a business using the skills, experience, and ideas they already have.

If you're wondering how to start a business, considering a career change after 40, growing a side hustle, or planning your exit from corporate, you'll find practical business advice, inspiring stories, and actionable strategies to help you build your next chapter.

Listen and learn how to:

• Quit your job and start a business
• Navigate a career change or midlife career transition
• Find and validate the right business idea
• Turn your skills and experience into a profitable business
• Create a business plan and find your ideal clients
• Build your personal brand and market your business
• Turn a side hustle into a full-time business
• Transition from employee to entrepreneur
• Become your own boss without starting over from scratch

You'll also hear real-life success stories from female entrepreneurs and women who have changed careers, left corporate jobs, started businesses, and created more flexibility, freedom, and fulfillment in their lives.

Is this podcast for you?

Are you dreaming about quitting your job to start your own business?

Do you have a business idea but aren't sure where to begin?

Are you wondering how to use your corporate experience to become an entrepreneur?

Do you want more flexibility for your family and the things that matter most to you?

Are you ready to turn your side hustle into a business or finally become your own boss?

If you're ready to stop wondering "what if?" and start building your second act, you're in the right place.

🎧 Listen to new episodes every week for career change strategies, entrepreneurship advice, business tips for women, and inspiration to help you build your second act.

🔗 Book a free Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon Russell and find free resources at secondactsuccess.co.

Subscribe to Second Act Success and start building the career, business, and life you want next.