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

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 with their authentic selves, and step into their full potential. If you’re a woman in midlife craving a career change, a more soul-aligned business, or a clear path to your next chapter, this conversation is your roadmap.

Key Takeaways

• Career Change & Second Act: How Dina moved from fitness and staffing to a thriving practice as an intuitive life coach.
• Alignment Over Hustle: Practical ways to spot when you’re out of alignment and how to realign your life and business with your values.
• Tools That Transform: How tarot, numerology, astrology, and charm readings create powerful breakthroughs and action steps.
• From Side Hustle to Full-Time: Building skills on the side while in a 9–5—and knowing when to leap into your own business.
• Confidence & Clarity: Reframing “failure” as data, strengthening intuition, and making courageous choices during career transitions.
• Year-Nine Numerology Insight: Why releasing what no longer fits sets you up for a strong next cycle—and a more authentic second act.

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/222

Connect with Dina Berrin:

https://dinaberrin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dinaberrin/

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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

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 that fits.

We dive into career change after layoffs, how to leverage your network, and Aransas’s framework for building “courage capital” so you can take bold, confident action—whether that means launching a business, starting a podcast, creating a community, or pivoting roles. If you’re craving purpose, freedom, and fulfillment, this episode is your roadmap to a second act.

Key Takeaways

• Career Pivot After Layoffs: How Aransas transformed a corporate layoff into a second-act career with more freedom and meaning.
• Courage Capital: A practical framework to build self-belief, take risks, and make bold moves in business and life.
• From Corporate to Creator: Lessons from innovation, research, and service design that translate into entrepreneurship.
• Network Power: Why your network, mentors, and community accelerate a successful career transition.
• Iterate to Clarity: Use rapid prototyping and feedback to validate offers, events, and new business ideas.
• Holistic Success: Rethinking compensation—time freedom, family presence, and well-being vs. a predictable paycheck.

Show Notes:

https://secondactsuccess.co/221

Connect with Aransas Savas:

https://www.aransassavas.com/

https://www.aransassavas.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/aransas_savas/

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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

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 business turns meetings into momentum. She talks about how you can think outside of the box when it comes to taking your passions and turning them into aspects of your business.  

Learn how hands-on, brains-on building with LEGO bricks drives 100% participation, sparks innovation, and accelerates strategic planning across industries (hospitals, pharmacueticals, nonprofits, tech, education, and more).

You’ll hear Shannon’s pivot from working in the entertainment industry to entrepreneurship, how she integrated LEGO SERIOUS PLAY workshops into her business, and exactly why this approach outperforms traditional meetings for leadership development, culture building, change management, and project planning.

Key takeaways:

• What LEGO SERIOUS PLAY is and why it works for corporate team building and strategy workshops
• How it guarantees equal participation and unlocks creative problem solving
• Real-world outcomes: alignment, engagement, and faster decisions
• Ways to add LEGO SERIOUS PLAY as a new revenue stream or service offering in your business

What are additional revenue streams you can consider to add onto your business offerings? This episode of the Second Act Success Podcast will get you thinking!

If you want to learn more and book your own custom workshop for your team, learn more at https://secondactsuccess.co/corporate.

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/220

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

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 episode is a must listen.

Amy shares her journey to publishing her first book at age 42, why more women are choosing self-publishing, and how a book can become your business centerpiece, instead of a stressful side project. If you’re a midlife creator, coach, consultant, or entrepreneur ready to finally write your book, this conversation is your roadmap.

Key Takeaways:

• Qualified to author: Why your lived experience is enough, and why 40s/50s is prime time to publish.
• Publish path 101: Clear pros/cons of traditional vs. self-publishing, costs, timelines, rights, and royalties.
• Brand centerpiece book: Use your book to drive clients, speaking, and programs, not just royalties.
• The 3 M’s Framework: Align Message, Motivation, and Mindset to finish the manuscript.
• Accountability wins: How coaching, deadlines, and a plan get you from idea to finished draft.
• Vision > hustle: Define your success metrics and avoid burnout while you build your author platform.

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/219

Connect with Amy Vogel:

https://www.amywvogel.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywvogel/

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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

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 audience and build a clear customer avatar.
• Tips for analyzing your competitors to find your unique edge.
• Simple strategies to test your idea—from surveys and interviews to creating a minimum viable product (MVP).
• How to use feedback to refine and grow a sustainable, profitable business.

Whether you’re dreaming of leaving your 9–5, starting a side hustle, or building your full-time business, this episode will give you the tools and confidence to validate your idea and launch with clarity.

👉 Tune in to learn how to stop guessing, start validating, and build the business that truly fits your life and lights you up.

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/218

Join Shannon's How To Start The Right Business live coaching experience October 21, October 28, and November 4. https://secondactsuccess.co/experience.

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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

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 thriving business focused on mindset, mindfulness, and helping others share their stories.

Jess shares how she went from launching a kombucha company to founding Tresor House, an online business that empowers entrepreneurs to find their voice, start their podcast, and rewire their mindset for lasting success. Her story is about resilience, reinvention, and creating a second act that lights you up.

If you’ve ever wondered how to start over after life throws you off course, or if you’ve been holding yourself back from chasing a dream, this episode will inspire you to take that first step.

Key Takeaways:

• How a near-death experience reshaped Jess’s perspective on life, work, and fulfillment
• The journey from traumatic brain injury to thriving entrepreneur
• Why Jess left her successful kombucha business to build Tresor House
• How mindset shifts and subconscious reprogramming fuel personal and business growth
• Why starting a podcast can help you build confidence, share your story, and grow your brand
• Strategies for overcoming fear, limiting beliefs, and self-doubt
• How to step into your authentic voice and create a business aligned with your passion

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/217

Connect with Jess West:

https://tresorhouse.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/jessicalmwest

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/feminineinitiate/

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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

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 transferable experience are key to building a business that works.
• The importance of solving a real problem for your ideal customers.
• How to align your business idea with your lifestyle goals so your second act truly gives you the flexibility and freedom you crave.
• Practical tips to overcome the fear of choosing the “wrong” business and start moving forward today.

Whether you’re ready to leave your 9–5, launch a side hustle, or create a business that lights you up, this episode will help you narrow down your options and pick the right path for your entrepreneurial journey.

👉 Tune in now to discover how to choose the best business idea for YOU and your second act!

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/216

Join Shannon's How To Start The Right Business live coaching experience October 21, October 28, and November 4. https://secondactsuccess.co/experience.

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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

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 break, listening to Marie say “Everything is Figureoutable.” That simple phrase gave her the courage to leave behind her unfulfilling 9–5, bet on herself, and start building businesses that fit her life and lit her up.

If you’ve ever doubted your next step or felt stuck in fear, this episode will remind you that progress beats perfection and that you already have what it takes to create your own Second Act.

Key Takeaways:

• Why “Everything is Figureoutable” can become your mantra during tough transitions
• The importance of betting on yourself (even when no one else does)
• How to stop waiting for perfection and start moving forward
• Lessons from Marie Forleo that helped Shannon launch two businesses and a global podcast
• How you can apply these same strategies to build a life and career that actually fit you

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/215

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

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 and author of Start Your Second Act, walks you through a 90-day action plan designed to help you clarify your business idea, validate it with market research, and lay the foundation so you’re ready to launch strong in the new year.

✨ Plus, grab Shannon’s free 90-Day Sprint Planner to track your progress and stay motivated. If you want personalized guidance, don’t miss her upcoming How to Start the Right Business Live Coaching Experience, where you’ll get clarity and confidence that your idea is the right one to pursue.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why 90 days is the perfect amount of time to make progress on your business goals
• Step 1: How to clarify your business idea in the first 30 days
• Step 2: The importance of market research and how to do it without overwhelm
• Step 3: Simple steps to lay the foundation for your business before the new year
• Mindset shifts to move past perfectionism and start taking action now
• How to use the free 90-Day Sprint Planner to stay consistent and on track

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/214

Download your free 90 Day Sprint Planner - https://secondactsuccess.co/90days

Join the How to Start the Right Business Live Coaching Experience - https://secondactsuccess.co/experience

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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

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 team-building mindset to create Kromer Collective, a boutique real estate team known for luxury listings, data-driven marketing, and white-glove service.
If you’re curious about career pivots, getting started in real estate, or how pro athletes use vacation rentals as smart investments, this episode is your playbook.

Key Takeaways:

• How to know when it’s time to pivot and turn a pause into momentum
• Brooke’s steps to break into real estate: shadow first, get licensed, join a team, then niche down
• Why athletes and coaches love 30A vacation rentals 
• The “NFL mindset” of team building: hire for complementary skills, not clones
• Using content + community to attract high-intent buyers
• Networking that doesn’t feel like a sales pitch: serve first, advise wisely, and the referrals follow
• Career courage: say yes, keep learning, and build a business that supports your life

Connect with Brooke Kromer:

https://kromercollective.com/

https://www.instagram.com/brookekromer/

Join Shannon's Live Coaching Experience:

https://secondactsuccess.co/experience

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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