Second Act Sessions

Have you ever found yourself searching for something more—truth, peace, purpose, healing, or a deeper spiritual connection—only to realize you may have been looking in the wrong places?

In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I'm joined by Amber-Lee Lyons, founder of the jewelry line God's Favorite, for an honest and deeply personal conversation about New Age spirituality, our individual journeys, and finding our way back to Jesus.

After spending more than fifteen years immersed in New Age spirituality and wellness, Amber-Lee experienced a life-changing encounter with God that led her to question everything she once believed. Together, we share our experiences navigating the world of New Age practices, what initially drew us in, and the moments that ultimately led us back to our Christian faith.

We explore the appeal of New Age spirituality, the desire for control and answers, and what it truly means to surrender and place our trust in God. It's a conversation we both felt was important to share, knowing that faith and spirituality are deeply personal and that everyone's journey looks different.

Our intention is simply to share our stories, what we've learned along the way, and the hope we've found in returning to Jesus.

Whether you're questioning your beliefs, exploring your faith, or navigating your own spiritual journey, we hope this conversation offers a different perspective, encouragement, and a reminder that it's never too late to begin again.

Connect with Amber-Lee Lyons

To learn more about Amber-Lee Lyons, follow her journey, and explore her scripture-inspired jewelry collection, God's Favorite, connect with her below:

Amber-Lee's Instagram: @amberleelyons

God's Favorite Website: godsfavorite.co

God's Favorite Instagram: @godsfavoriteshop

Stay Connected with Second Act Sessions

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you'd subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could use this conversation too. Your support helps more women discover Second Act Sessions and join this growing community.

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 for a practical conversation about what women over 40 can do now to build strength, support their metabolic health, and protect their health for the decades ahead.

After losing 70 pounds and rebuilding her own health, strength, and confidence, Kristina realized that being smaller didn’t necessarily mean being stronger or healthier. Her experience changed the way she viewed fitness, shifting the focus from chasing skinny to building muscle, strength, mobility, and a body capable of supporting the life she wants to live.

Today, as an independent coach with Trilivy Health, Kristina helps others work toward their health and weight-management goals through personalized coaching, nutrition, and sustainable lifestyle habits.

Stephanie and Kristina talk about why strength training becomes increasingly important in midlife, what happens to our muscle and metabolism as we age, how menopause can change the equation, protein and nutrition, preventing injury, sustainable weight loss, GLP-1s, and the simple habits women can start implementing now.

Because the goal isn’t just to weigh less. It’s to feel strong, stay active, protect your independence, and build a healthy body that can carry you through your second act — and beyond.

Connect with Kristina Ganow

To learn more about Kristina Ganow and her approach to metabolic health, weight management, and sustainable wellness, follow her on Instagram @coachkristinagetsfit or explore her coaching services through Trilivy Health.

For additional resources, visit the Metabolic Health Institute or learn more about the Metabolic Scan.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you'd subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could use this conversation too. Your support helps more women discover Second Act Sessions and join this growing community.

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 the lens of Scripture.

This week, we’re continuing that conversation from a different perspective.

What if your second act doesn’t mean leaving your marriage and starting over?

What if your second act happens within the marriage you’ve already built?

Midlife can bring enormous shifts to a relationship. The kids grow up. The house gets quieter. Careers change. Priorities change. We change. And sometimes couples who have spent decades building a life together suddenly look at one another and wonder: Who are we now? What happened to us? And can we find our way back to each other?

In this episode, I’m joined by Bob Donovan, a professional certified life coach with more than 30 years of experience in human resources, along with years of ministry experience at Black Rock Church in Fairfield, Connecticut. Throughout his career, Bob has worked closely with individuals and couples navigating relationships, major life transitions, and difficult seasons within marriage.

We talk about what it really means to have a “second act” in your marriage and whether rebuilding is simply about fixing what went wrong—or intentionally creating something new together.

Bob shares some of the most common struggles he sees in couples, particularly during midlife and the empty-nest years, the signs that a marriage may be becoming disconnected, and the practical steps couples can take to begin finding their way back to one another.

We also talk about the role faith can play in healing and strengthening a marriage, what it looks like to invite God into your relationship in everyday life, and how Christian couples can approach seasons when their marriage—or even their faith—feels distant.

And for anyone wondering whether too much damage has already been done, we talk about where to begin when things feel especially hard and what it takes for two people to move forward with greater intention, connection, and hope.

Because a second act doesn’t always mean starting over with someone new. Sometimes, it means beginning again together. And sometimes, it means choosing each other again.

To learn more about Bob, his coaching services, and the work he does with individuals and couples, visit his website at https://www.twotencoaching.com or connect with him on Instagram and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/share/1MA66eH1Kv/?mibextid=wwXIfr and https://www.instagram.com/bdsandcastles?stkn=dXpyaGNnbmgyaXh0.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you'd subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could use this conversation too. Your support helps more women discover Second Act Sessions and join this growing community.

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 divorce from different perspectives, but for this episode, I wanted to have a conversation about it specifically through the lens of faith.

Divorce can be one of the most painful and confusing experiences to navigate—especially as a Christian. What does the Bible actually say about divorce? Does God ever permit it? What about situations involving infidelity, abandonment, abuse, or an unbelieving spouse? And how do we separate biblical truth from the shame and judgment that can sometimes surround divorce within Christian culture?

In this episode, I sit down with my pastor, Pastor Todd Willard, for an honest, grace-filled conversation about marriage and divorce through a biblical lens. Todd and I have talked about this topic numerous times, and I wanted to bring that conversation to Second Act Sessions to help anyone who may be wrestling with these same questions.

Together, we explore God’s design for marriage, why marriage is worth fighting for, what Scripture teaches about divorce, and how Christians can navigate circumstances where a marriage may no longer be healthy or safe.

We also talk about the guilt many divorced Christians carry, whether divorce means you have failed God, forgiveness, healing, and what it looks like to trust God with your life after a marriage ends.

Whether you’re contemplating divorce, walking through one, rebuilding afterward, or simply trying to better understand what Scripture teaches, my hope is that this conversation offers biblical truth, clarity, compassion, and hope.

Because divorce may be the end of a marriage—but it does not have to be the end of your story.

To learn more about Pastor Todd Willard or to connect with him, visit  https://www.firstchurch.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/share/1DP4AHKXQa/?mibextid=wwXIfr.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you'd subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could use this conversation too. Your support helps more women discover Second Act Sessions and join this growing community.

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 Halvorsen. In her powerful new memoir, Perfect Unfolding, Kristy shares the story of leaving behind a successful career, selling nearly everything she owned, and spending years traveling solo across North America in her Airstream.

But this conversation isn't really about travel. It's about identity.

It's about recognizing when it's time for a life change, letting go of the version of yourself you've outgrown, and finding the courage to trust yourself even when the next step isn't clear. Kristy shares what it looked like to walk away from a life that appeared successful on the outside, why playing it safe isn't always the same as feeling fulfilled, and how embracing uncertainty ultimately led her to a life that felt more authentic and aligned with who she was becoming.

Whether you're navigating divorce, a career change, an empty nest, rediscovering your faith, or simply feeling the quiet pull toward something more, I think you'll find yourself somewhere in this conversation. We also talk about reinvention in midlife, learning to trust yourself again, and why your second act doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Sometimes the hardest part isn't taking the first step. It's giving yourself permission to believe there's another path waiting for you.

To learn more about Kristy and her work, visit PerfectUnfolding.com, follow her on Instagram @kristy.halvorsen, and purchase her memoir, Perfect Unfolding, here: https://books2read.com/PerfectUnfolding

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you'd subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could use this conversation too. Your support helps more women discover Second Act Sessions and join this growing community.

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 women assume it's simply part of getting older, but what if there's more to the story?

In this episode, I sit down with Christine Hartmann, better known as The Cortisol Coach, to talk about the role cortisol plays in our health and why it matters so much during midlife. We dive into what cortisol actually is, how chronic stress can affect everything from your hormones and metabolism to your energy, mood, and sleep, and why so many women feel like their bodies have suddenly started working against them.

More importantly, this conversation is about hope. Your body isn't trying to sabotage you. It's responding to what it's been carrying. Christine shares simple, practical ways to better support your body, lower stress, and start working with it instead of constantly fighting it.

If you've ever felt frustrated by the changes happening in your body, I hope this conversation reminds you to give yourself a little more grace. Midlife isn't the end of feeling healthy or strong. Sometimes it's simply the beginning of finally understanding what your body has needed all along.

To learn more about Christine, visit her on Instagram at @cortisol_coach.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you'd subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could use this conversation too. Your support helps more women discover Second Act Sessions and join this growing community.

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 what it looks like to navigate those seasons as Christians.

Ashley and I first met years ago through the wedding industry, and reconnecting in midlife has been such a gift. As our friendship has grown, we’ve discovered that we’ve both wrestled with anxiety and fear in different seasons of life. In this conversation, we share our personal journeys, the lessons God has taught us along the way, and why struggling with anxiety doesn’t make someone “less faithful.”

We talk about the stigma that can sometimes exist in Christian circles, the pressure to feel like we should always have unwavering peace, and the freedom that comes from being honest about our struggles while continuing to trust God through them.

If you’ve ever questioned your faith because you’ve battled anxiety, or you’ve wondered if you’re the only one feeling this way, this episode is for you. Our hope is that you’ll walk away encouraged, reminded that you’re not alone, and confident that God can meet you even in the middle of your anxiety.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation about friendship, faith, second acts, and learning to trust God one step at a time.

To learn more about Ashley, her photography, and her life coaching, be sure to visit https://www.twotencoaching.com and follow her on Facebook @ashley.poisella and Instagram @ashlytherese. 

If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow and subscribe to Second Act Sessions wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for our inspiring new season of honest conversations and meaningful second acts.

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 behind the story.

Together, we explore reinvention, friendship, loneliness, empty nests, trying new things later in life, and what happens when we allow ourselves to become beginners again.

Jane shares how picking up a tennis racket for the first time at 45 unexpectedly became a lesson in confidence, community, joy, and embracing life without needing to be perfect.

This conversation is funny, thoughtful, honest, and such a beautiful reminder that life doesn’t stop evolving in midlife.

Sometimes the things we think we’re too old, too late, or too settled for become the very things that wake us back up.

Because your Second Act doesn’t have to look dramatic.

Sometimes it starts with simply saying yes.

For more information about Jane Costello and her work, visit https://janecostello.com/ or connect with her on Instagram at @janecostellobooks.

If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow and subscribe to Second Act Sessions wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for our inspiring new season of honest conversations and meaningful second acts.

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 today.

In this deeply personal solo episode, I’m sharing an honest conversation about navigating midlife—the expectations we carry, the grief we don’t often talk about, and the freedom that comes from embracing the life we have instead of mourning the life we thought we’d have.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like their life doesn’t quite fit the timeline they imagined. We talk about the quiet grief that can come with unmet expectations, the subtle ways comparison can creep in during midlife, and what it means to build a beautiful, meaningful life even when it looks different than you planned.

I also share my own experience navigating divorce, singleness, menopause, identity shifts, and learning to trust God’s timing instead of my own. Because while this season has brought unexpected challenges, it’s also brought unexpected peace, purpose, and a deeper understanding of who I’m becoming.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re behind, if your life looks different from everyone else’s, or if you’re trying to make peace with the chapter you’re in, I hope this conversation reminds you of one thing:

You are not behind.
You are not forgotten.
You are not too late.
You’re still becoming.

If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow and subscribe to Second Act Sessions wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for our inspiring new season of honest conversations and meaningful second acts.

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 in midlife.

Because style in this season isn’t just about trends.

Bodies change.
Lifestyles change.
Many of us work from home.
And sometimes the clothes that used to work no longer feel like us.

Together, we talk about navigating body changes in midlife, dressing for the body you have today, simplifying your closet, building confidence, staying current without chasing trends, and creating a wardrobe that reflects the life you’re living now.

Maria shares insights from decades in fashion and personal styling while offering practical advice women can apply immediately.

Because style isn’t about looking younger.

It’s about feeling like yourself again.

For more information about Maria Casabianca and her work, visit https://www.styledbymaria.com/ or connect with her on Instagram at @styledbymaria.stylist.

If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow and subscribe to Second Act Sessions wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for our inspiring new season of honest conversations and meaningful second acts.