Happy Beyond 40

In this episode, special guest Brandon Mastrangelo—business coach, facilitator, and in-house advisor at Inspyre, New York State’s largest business incubator. Brandon helps founders identify the behaviors and mindset shifts needed to move a business from survival to sustainable growth, with a deep commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in underserved communities.

Brandon shares his unexpected and very human career path—from working in a Pennsylvania fiber mill and learning Spanish on the factory floor, to HR roles, economic development work in Boston, financial literacy education, refugee support, and ultimately business advising. His throughline? A belief that people deserve kindness, fairness, and access to the tools they need to succeed.

We explore:

• The behavior shifts entrepreneurs must make to scale (communication, strategic clarity, trust, delegation, and identity work).
• Why innovation matters for small businesses—and how Brandon’s team supports it through accelerators, intrapreneurship programs, and a new venture studio.
• The realities of serving minority-owned and underserved entrepreneurs, and the profound relationships built along the way.
• Brandon’s personal story of burnout, being laid off, launching his own coaching practice, landscaping to bridge income gaps, and finding meaning through resilience.
• The health and lifestyle changes that now anchor him.

Brandon’s journey is a powerful reminder that careers aren’t always linear, leadership requires identity shifts, and communities thrive when entrepreneurs are supported with dignity and care.

Connect with Brandon:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandonmastrangelo
Website: bmastrangelo.com

In this inspiring episode, Marcy and Sarah sit down with Teresa Dillon, who made a bold leap from a 20-year corporate career in sales and business development to pursue her lifelong passion for style and empowerment.

Teresa shares the story behind Reluctantly Styled, her mission to help everyday people feel confident through color analysis, personal styling, and creative expression. She reflects on the challenges of leaving a stable paycheck, trusting herself, and redefining success while stepping fully into her authentic self.

This episode is for anyone ready to take a courageous leap, embrace creativity, and live a purpose-driven life—proof that it’s never too late to pivot and follow your passion.

More about Teresa:

• Connect: LinkedIn 
• Instagram: @thereluctant_influencer
• The Color Edit Co: thecoloreditco.com

What does it really take for leaders to create change that sticks? In this inspiring conversation, Laura Stone—leadership strategist, executive coach, and purpose pioneer—shares how she helps “wicked smaaat leaders lead smarter.” 

With a career spanning work with 10,000+ leaders, Laura dives into why purpose is the cornerstone of leadership, how emerging leaders can build their blueprint for impact, and what it means to align clarity, connection, and strategy in today’s fast-moving world.

From tackling burnout and micromanagement to redefining success and self-worth, Laura brings practical insights, personal stories, and energizing wisdom that will leave you thinking differently about what’s possible for your leadership.

More about Laura: www.laurastone.com | TikTok: @laurastoneleadership

After almost 2 decades in the classroom, Allison Nitsch left teaching behind to help women share their voices through podcasting. In this episode, Allison shares her journey from burnout to purpose, the courage it took to pivot, and how she now empowers others to launch podcasts with clarity, confidence, and impact. 

Whether you’re just dreaming or ready to hit “record,” Allison offers inspiration, practical guidance, and the reminder that your story matters—and your voice deserves to be heard. 

Listen to Podcast First Marketing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-first-marketing-build-trust-and-attract/id1826568255 

Learn more about Allison: https://allisonnitsch.com/

We welcome Angie Callen, career coach and entrepreneur (and “recovering engineer who loves people”), to share her journey of reinvention. After relocating from the East Coast to Colorado in pursuit of a lifestyle rooted in adventure and alignment, Angie founded Career Benders. Now, she helps mid‑career professionals create work lives that reflect their personal values and priorities.

Angie discusses:

• How mindset often matters more than skill-set when shifting careers
• Taking small, intentional steps to spark transformation
• Building an authentic personal brand by sharing real stories and values
• Preventing burnout by recognizing your energy limits
• Navigating today’s career landscape, including the rise of side hustles and the impact of AI

This episode offers practical insights for anyone ready to take control of their path and build a career—and life—they genuinely want.

Connect with Angie:
careerbenders.com | moderncoach.com

In this conversation, Marcy Sutherland and I are joined by the extraordinary Anita Sanchez, Ph.D. Belonging-Inclusion-Culture—author, consultant, and global leadership expert—who brings forward the wisdom of Indigenous teachings, the power of belonging, and the essence of heart-centered leadership.

Dr. Sanchez reminds us that true leadership begins within. From daily rituals to creating space for dreaming, her insights are a timely call to reconnect—with ourselves, each other, and the natural world.

If you’re a purpose-driven leader navigating complexity and craving more authenticity, presence, and connection in your life and leadership, this episode is for you.

Listen in and walk away with renewed clarity on how to show up as “good medicine” in your community and beyond.

In this inspiring conversation, cartoonist, educator, and creative entrepreneur Steph Halligan shares how she has continuously reinvented herself through bold career pivots — from policy analyst to financial blogger to full-time artist and educator. 

With humor, heart, and hard-earned insight, Steph reveals how embracing creativity helped her build confidence, reconnect with her authentic voice, and create a business and life aligned with her values.

Through personal stories and practical strategies, Steph explores:

• The power of starting before you feel “ready”
• How curiosity can be your compass through transitions
• Why failure and risk are essential ingredients in a fulfilling creative life
• The connection between creativity and self-trust
• Ways to quiet your inner critic and amplify your unique voice

Whether you’re navigating a new chapter, longing for more creative expression, or simply seeking the courage to own your path, Steph’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out to begin — you just need the courage to start.

More from Steph:

• Swim University on YouTube

Books by Steph: 

• Happy to Be Me, A Tree: A tall tale of growth and self-love
• Art to Self: Cartoon notes to remind you of your awesomeness 

Recommendations: 

Podcast: How to Survive the End of the World: https://endoftheworldshow.org/ 

Book: The Dispossessed by Ursula Kaliguan

In this episode, we sit down with Courtney Finstad, a leadership coach, mindfulness practitioner, and yoga teacher who's redefining success after 40. Courtney shares her powerful journey from corporate burnout to building a purpose-driven coaching business, grounded in calm, courage, and authenticity. Learn how she turned a personal reckoning into a mission to help others align with their values, reclaim their energy, and embrace life as an adventure. Whether you're feeling stuck or ready to pivot, this conversation offers practical wisdom, soulful insights, and a reminder that it’s okay to be a beginner—especially when you’re following your heart. 

Resources mentioned:

BOOK: A Year to Live by Stephen Levine

PODCASTS: Rethinking by Adam Grant / Andrew Petty is Dying 

FREE APP: Insight Timer 

More about Courtney: Alignyourlifecoach.com

In this episode of Happy Beyond 40, Shannon Bayer, with over 20 years of experience in leadership development, shares her unique career journey—from her start in animal science, a stint in law, and evolution into leadership consulting and writing a book. She discusses how networking, strategic connections, and staying true to oneself have shaped her success.

Shannon emphasizes the importance of managing career transitions, particularly after job loss, and offers practical advice for navigating layoffs. She also touches on the power of storytelling, owning your unconventional path, and how managing change requires a strong understanding of your values and commitment to the process.

In this podcast episode, Laura Best shares her journey of transforming her life by embracing her passion and creating the Passion Collective community. She reflects on how she shifted from a corporate environment, where she felt her voice and energy were stifled, to a space where she could reconnect with herself and help others find their passions. Laura discusses the misconceptions around passion, emphasizing its power as a motivational force that drives us toward meaningful activities. 

She also explores the concept of "passion stacking," where you integrate what you love into your daily life, and offers practical tips on pursuing your passions without giving up everything else. Her insights encourage listeners to find clarity in their passions, overcome self-doubt, and make time for what truly energizes them. 

Sbuscribe to Laura's newsletter The Passion Seeker: https://www.passioncollective.co/newsletter