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

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 Russell sits down with career transition coach Gina Riley, author of Qualified Isn’t Enough and founder of Gina Riley Consulting, to uncover what CEOs, hiring managers, and recruiters really look for when evaluating candidates.

Gina shares her Career Velocity Framework, a nine-step proven process to help you get noticed, land interviews, and secure your next role. Whether you’ve been recently laid off, want to level up to an executive position, or are considering a career pivot, this episode is packed with actionable advice on personal branding, LinkedIn strategy, networking tips, and interview prep.

If you’ve ever wondered why your resume isn’t getting callbacks or how to stand out in today’s competitive job market, this conversation is your ultimate job search guide.

Key Takeaways:

• Why being qualified isn’t enough in today’s job market
• How to create a unique value proposition (UVP) that gets you noticed
• Gina’s Career Velocity Framework for accelerating your job search
• The LinkedIn strategies hiring managers actually pay attention to
• Why your resume, LinkedIn, and personal brand must all align
• How to network effectively and ask for referrals the right way
• Insider tips from the boardroom and executive searches that could change your career strategy

Connect with Gina Riley:

https://ginarileyconsulting.com/

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

Book - https://a.co/d/4yiHrCx

Listen to Gina's first appearance on the Second Act Success Career Podcast Episode #37 - https://secondactsuccess.co/2022/11/08/lets-talk-career-transition-with-gina-riley-37/

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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

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 Podcast, business coach Shannon Russell shares how your severance package can become the startup capital you need to finally launch your dream business.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• How to reframe a layoff as a business opportunity
• Budgeting your severance to cover essentials and business investments
• How to create a side business with flexibility and freedom
• The benefits of hiring a coach to fast-track your entrepreneurial journey
• Why investing in yourself is the smartest move after a career shakeup

If you’ve ever dreamed of being your own boss, your severance could be your springboard. Let this episode inspire you to start building something that belongs to you—and only you.

👉 Ready to take the leap? Explore the Second Act Accelerator program: secondactsuccess.co/course

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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

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 down with HGTV’s Betting on Paradise stars, Steph Sitt and Luke Shantz, to share their incredible journey from corporate life in Canada to renovating a rundown hotel in Costa Rica, all while raising two young daughters and filming their adventure for national television.

Steph and Luke open up about:

• How they knew it was time to leave their stable corporate careers
• Selling everything and taking the leap to move their family abroad ✈️
• The behind-the-scenes story of filming HGTV’s Betting on Paradise
• The challenges (and wins!) of running a boutique hotel in Costa Rica
• Starting over and creating a business — plus what they’re building next, including transformational Costa Rica retreats

If you’ve been dreaming about a second act, this conversation will inspire you to bet on yourself and take bold steps toward a life you love.

📺 Watch Betting on Paradise now on HBO Max and Discovery+ https://www.hgtv.com/profiles/talent/steph-sitt-and-luke-shantz
🌐 Connect with Steph & Luke on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/steph.and.luke
🎧 Subscribe to the Second Act Success Podcast for more stories like this!

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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

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 challenges you to stop waiting and start building a business that puts you in charge.

Shannon walks you through how to:

• Create an exit strategy from your 9–5 job
• Start a side hustle using your existing skills
• Build a bridge from employee to entrepreneur
• Reclaim your purpose after a career setback
• Set goals and take action toward your Second Act success

If you're a midlife woman who feels undervalued at work or fears being pushed out, this is your wake-up call to future-proof your income and finally create something that no one can take away from you.

🎯 It’s not about starting over. It’s about starting forward—with clarity, confidence, and control.

👉 Learn more about Shannon’s Second Act Accelerator program: secondactsuccess.co/course

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/209

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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 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 episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell chats with Betsy about how she went from being a single mom with two toddlers and no job to building a thriving real estate empire, including a brokerage, title company, mortgage business, property management firm, and a nonprofit.

Betsy shares how losing control in her corporate job pushed her to build a life she could own...literally. She opens up about her “boxes” metaphor from her book Breaking Boxes, finding purpose through her nonprofit Pepine Gives, and her lessons from mentor Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank.

If you're a woman ready to quit your 9-5 and start a business, this episode is your sign to take control of your future.

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/208

Connect with Betsy Pepine:

https://www.pepinerealty.com/about/betsy-pepine/

https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Boxes-Dismantling-Metaphorical-That-ebook/dp/B0D6CM2JSL

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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

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 Shannon Russell shares actionable tips for moms and working women who want to start a business while the kids are in school. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom or juggling a 9–5, this episode will show you how to maximize your time, create a 90-day business plan, and build a business that fits your life.

You’ll learn how to:

• Set up your CEO schedule during school hours
• Use your career experience to guide your business idea
• Create a simple business plan without the overwhelm
• Set realistic 90-day business goals before the holidays
• Get the support you need to go from employee to entrepreneur

Now is the perfect season to launch your second act and start building your dream business—one school day at a time.

👉 Learn more about Shannon’s Second Act Accelerator program to help you get your business built and launched in 90 days: secondactsuccess.co/course

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/207

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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

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 Russell chats with Jenny Waters, a former engineer who turned a family health crisis into a mission-driven wellness business. Jenny shares her raw and relatable story of perimenopause, her husband’s autoimmune diagnosis, and how she reclaimed her health—and her confidence—through transformational nutrition.

Now a certified Transformational Nutrition Coach and founder of Jenny Waters Wellness, she helps women in midlife reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and build a second act filled with energy, purpose, and passion.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• The signs of hormone imbalance and how to advocate for your health
• Why midlife is the perfect time to launch a business or second act
• How Jenny went from engineer and youth director to YouTube wellness coach
• Practical ways to fight fatigue, manage stress, and feel like yourself again
• The small changes that can lead to lasting transformation

This episode is packed with hope, practical tips, and proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your story—and thrive in your next chapter.

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/206

Connect with Jenny Waters:

https://www.youtube.com/@jennywaterswellness

https://www.jennywaterswellness.com/

https://www.jennywaterswellness.com/thrive

https://www.instagram.com/jennywaterswellness/

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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 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 leadership coach and HR strategist Lindsay White, who shares the moment she abruptly quit her 20-year corporate career with no plan... and never looked back.

Lindsay opens up about the toxic leadership that pushed her out of her corporate job, the toll it took on her health, and how she turned that career crisis into a successful business through High Voltage Leadership. You’ll hear how she leaned into her experience, built her coaching certification, and launched a podcast and consultancy that helps leaders build better cultures and become the kind of bosses people want to work for.

This candid conversation dives into:

• How to know when it’s time to walk away from your 9-to-5
• Turning HR experience into a purpose-driven business
• Creating a people-first culture in small business
• The emotional side of quitting a job without a backup plan
• Why your second act can be the best one yet

Whether you're thinking about leaving your job, dealing with burnout, or dreaming of building something of your own—this episode will inspire you to take the leap (with or without a plan).

🎧 Listen now and get ready to produce your best life!

SHOW NOTES

https://secondactsuccess.co/205

Connect with Lindsay White:

https://www.highvoltageleadership.ca/

https://www.highvoltageleadership.ca/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/highvoltleadership/

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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

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 Women Talk Radio, Katana Abbott. Katana shares her remarkable story of resilience—from personal trauma to building a thriving financial planning business managing over $100 million.

Katana reveals why your third act can be the most purposeful and profitable season of your life. You’ll learn how to identify your financial gaps, understand your Social Security options, and create a smart retirement strategy—even if you’re starting later than expected. She also explains her “5 Money Personalities” framework, how to overcome limiting beliefs around money, and what every woman should know before walking into retirement.

🎁 Plus, Katana shares a free resource: The 5 Biggest Money Mistakes Women Make and How To Fix Them. Don’t miss it!

🎯 Takeaways from this episode:

• Why your past struggles can fuel your purpose and financial future
• The 4% rule explained (and how much you really need to retire)
• How to create guaranteed lifetime income—even without a pension
• When and how to claim Social Security the smart way
• How to design a purpose-driven third act doing what you love
• Why financial planning isn’t just for men—and how women can take control confidently

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/204

📬 Access Katana’s free ebook and learn more:
https://katanaabbott.com

5 Money Mistakes - https://smartwomensempowerment.org/sign-up/

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

https://x.com/katanaabbott

https://www.facebook.com/KAWealthCoach

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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

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 shares the behind-the-scenes details of her signature coaching program, the Second Act Accelerator, a 90-day proven framework that helps women leave their careers and build the freedom-filled business they’ve always wanted.

You’ll learn exactly what’s inside the program, including step-by-step lessons, business planning templates, 1:1 coaching, biweekly group calls, and a community of like-minded women ready to support your leap from employee to entrepreneur. If you're craving flexibility, fulfillment, and financial freedom, this episode will show you how to make your second act your best one yet.

Learn more or enroll now: https://secondactsuccess.co/course

Episode Takeaways:

• Why your first career isn’t your final act—and how to pivot with purpose
• What’s included in the Second Act Accelerator (and why it’s priced for accessibility)
• How this blended learning model combines coaching, courses, and community
• Real results and reviews from past clients who made the leap successfully
• A mindset reminder that your experience is your superpower

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/203

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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