Second Act Sessions

In this episode, I’m joined by Dana Bartone—certified life coach, entrepreneur, and someone I first met years ago during our time in the Connecticut wedding industry. For over 30 years, Dana helped women look and feel beautiful through her work in hair and makeup. Now, in her second act, she’s rewriting the script—helping women feel empowered from the inside out.

Dana’s mission is to support women through heart-led coaching and guidance. She helps her clients reconnect with their voice, reclaim their confidence, and move through life transitions with clarity and strength. Whether it’s stepping into a new career, embracing new opportunities, or finding their footing again after a major life change, Dana offers practical tools and heartfelt encouragement that make the journey feel less overwhelming and more intentional.

In our conversation, Dana shares what life coaching really is—and how it differs from therapy—while giving real examples of who it can help most. She offers sage advice for women navigating midlife, reminding us that a second act isn’t about starting over—it’s about building from experience, wisdom, and faith. From tackling limiting beliefs to rediscovering confidence, Dana’s insights are both empowering and actionable.

If you’ve ever wondered whether life coaching could be the missing piece in your own reinvention, this episode will give you clarity, encouragement, and the inspiration to see what’s possible.

To learn more about Dana and her coaching, visit her online at:

Website: danabartonecoaching.com
Instagram: @dana_bartone_coaching

In this powerful episode of Second Act Sessions, I sit down with Tony Lynch—grief coach, speaker, founder of the nonprofit Memories of Us, and host of the Grief, Let’s Talk About It podcast. Tony’s story is one of raw survival and astonishing resilience. From gang life and addiction to homelessness and the devastating loss of his son, Tony has endured some of life’s darkest chapters. And yet, what could have destroyed him became the foundation for a mission to serve others.

Today, Tony leads Memories of Us, offering free, peer-led support for grieving men through community, fitness, music, and equine therapy. He also founded the Global Grief Network and has hosted international grief conferences, helping shift the global conversation around healing and emotional support.

This episode is more than Tony’s story—it’s a reminder that no matter how shattered life feels, rebuilding is possible. His courage speaks to anyone navigating loss, change, or reinvention. For women in midlife walking through second acts, Tony’s journey offers a striking truth: resilience isn’t reserved for the strongest—it’s built in the fire of our hardest seasons.

Listen in for an unforgettable conversation about survival, faith, and the unbreakable human spirit—and be reminded that your own second act can rise from even the deepest valleys.

Want to learn more about Tony’s work or connect with him directly? You can find him here:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mensgriefsupport?igsh=MXF1dzl5ZDQzN3R2Yg==
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@griefletstalkaboutit

In part 2 of my conversation with Laura Richards, we continue our conversation on narcissists—how to spot them, how to survive them, and what healing actually looks like after the damage is done. And no, it’s not just about romantic relationships. Narcissistic abuse can show up in friendships, family dynamics, and even professional environments. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation feeling crazy, guilty, or drained… this one’s for you.

Laura Richards—international podcaster, #1 bestselling author, and speaker— shares her powerful story of surviving a 32-year marriage to a covert narcissist. Through her podcast That’s Where I’m At and her book Married to a “Nice” Guy: Getting Over Narcissistic Abuse, Laura is helping women all over the world reclaim their voice and rebuild their self-worth.

We talk red flags, trauma bonding, spiritual recovery, and the hard—but holy—work of starting over. This episode is honest, healing, and packed with wisdom for anyone ready to break free from toxic patterns and step into truth.

To learn more about Laura Richards, her work as a narcissistic abuse recovery coach, buy her book and listen to her podcast That’s Where I’m At, follow her on Instagram and all social platforms at @thatswhereimatpodcast, and find her show on Spotify, YouTube, and other podcast platforms.

In this episode of Second Act Sessions, we’re talking all things narcissists—how to spot them, how to survive them, and what healing actually looks like after the damage is done. And no, it’s not just about romantic relationships. Narcissistic abuse can show up in friendships, family dynamics, and even professional environments. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation feeling crazy, guilty, or drained… this one’s for you.

Joining me is Laura Richards—international podcaster, #1 bestselling author, and speaker—who shares her powerful story of surviving a 32-year marriage to a covert narcissist. Through her podcast That’s Where I’m At and her book Married to a “Nice” Guy: Getting Over Narcissistic Abuse, Laura is helping women all over the world reclaim their voice and rebuild their self-worth.

We talk red flags, trauma bonding, spiritual recovery, and the hard—but holy—work of starting over. This episode is honest, healing, and packed with wisdom for anyone ready to break free from toxic patterns and step into truth.

To learn more about Laura Richards, her work as a narcissistic abuse recovery coach, buy her book and listen to her podcast That’s Where I’m At, follow her on Instagram and all social platforms at @thatswhereimatpodcast, and find her show on Spotify, YouTube, and other podcast platforms.

In part 2 of my conversation with Carolyn Carrara, founder of Live With Joy Now, she continues discussing her mission to help children struggling with ADHD, anxiety, and ODD. Carolyn shares her personal story and what inspired her to create a coaching service dedicated to supporting moms navigating these emotional and behavioral challenges with their kids. We dive into how she uses real food, targeted supplements, and a whole lot of compassion to help reduce inflammation in the brain—the root cause of so many of these symptoms. Carolyn’s approach is practical, empowering, and rooted in the belief that healing is absolutely possible when families are given the right tools and support.

For more on Carolyn's coaching services and the gut-brain connection in childhood wellness, visit https://www.livewithjoynow.com/.

In this episode, I sit down with Carolyn Carrara, founder of Live With Joy Now, to talk about her mission to help children struggling with ADHD, anxiety, and ODD. Carolyn shares her personal story and what inspired her to create a coaching service dedicated to supporting moms navigating these emotional and behavioral challenges with their kids. We dive into how she uses real food, targeted supplements, and a whole lot of compassion to help reduce inflammation in the brain—the root cause of so many of these symptoms. Carolyn’s approach is practical, empowering, and rooted in the belief that healing is absolutely possible when families are given the right tools and support.

For more on Carolyn's coaching services and the gut-brain connection in childhood wellness, visit https://www.livewithjoynow.com/.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Lauren Aurigemma to talk about our unlikely but beautiful cross-generational friendship, our journey out of New Age spirituality, and how returning to faith in Jesus has transformed our lives. We reflect on how our bond has been a blessing—supporting each other through tough seasons, sharing laughs, and growing spiritually together. We also explore the challenges of being single and finding purpose in both life and career, all while leaning on God’s timing and grace.

Lauren also shares her journey as a Creative Consultant and Brand Strategist and how her faith has shaped the way she leads Aurigemma Collective. From building a values-driven business to navigating a fast-paced industry without losing herself, her story is a powerful example of what it means to let God guide both your purpose and your profession.

Today’s guest is someone whose story feels almost cinematic. Dr. Robb Kelly is the founder and CEO of the Robb Kelly Recovery Group, a telehealth neuroscience coaching company with a 97% success rate in helping people break free from addiction and mental health struggles. But before he became a renowned addiction expert and neuroscience coach, Robb was homeless on the cold streets of Manchester, battling severe alcoholism and trauma.

A former session musician who once played at Abbey Road Studios with legends like Queen and Elton John, Dr. Kelly used that same grit and brilliance to earn a double PhD and completely rebuild his life. Now he’s not only helping patients recover through groundbreaking approaches like Brain Spotting and evidence-based neuroscience coaching, but he’s also mentoring entrepreneurs, speaking at conferences alongside leaders like Gary Brecka and investing in purpose-driven startups.

I am so excited to welcome Dr. Robb Kelly to the show—his second act is powerful, unfiltered, and deeply inspiring.

In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I reconnect with someone I met over 20 years ago while living in Los Angeles—Randy Spelling. Our conversation is a heartfelt catch-up, but also a powerful look into his second act: from growing up in the Hollywood spotlight to walking the hard road of addiction and eventually finding deep purpose as a life coach.

We talk about what it really means to start over, how to move through pain and find purpose, and why helping others has become the cornerstone of his work.

This episode is full of life lessons, honesty, and encouragement for anyone navigating their own transformation. Whether you’re in recovery, craving a more meaningful path, or simply curious about the power of second chances—you’ll be inspired by Randy’s story and the wisdom he’s gained along the way.

To learn more about Randy Spelling and his life coaching work, visit https://randyspelling.com/ or follow him on Instagram at @randyspelling - (https://www.instagram.com/randyspelling/?igsh=ZnR1Yml0anA0eWZj#.)

In this solo episode, I’m getting real about fear—what it looks like, how it sneaks in, and how I’m navigating it one step at a time. From experiencing a full-blown panic attack during an overwhelming week to sitting down and recording this episode alone on camera (which was a fear in itself), I’m opening up about it all. It was a week where I let distraction, anxiety, and self-doubt spiral out of control. 

But even in the middle of the mess, God met me—with steady love, quiet strength, and divine provision. If you’ve ever felt anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure of what’s next in your second act, I hope this honest conversation reminds you that you’re never alone. I’m sharing the fears, the flaws, and the faith that carried me through—because the journey isn’t always pretty, but God always shows up.