In this special Thanksgiving episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, host Shannon Russell, business coach, author, and mom of two, reflects on the incredible milestones, personal growth, and business breakthroughs that made 2025 a transformational year.

From publishing her book Start Your Second Act, to speaking on stages across the country, to running global LEGO® Serious Play® workshops, to celebrating precious family moments…Shannon shares the moments she’s most grateful for and the lessons that shaped her second act as an entrepreneur.

This episode will inspire you to slow down, reflect with gratitude, acknowledge your growth, and step confidently into 2026 with clarity and intention. Whether you're planning your own second act, building a business, or craving a fresh start, this warm and honest year-end reflection will help you recognize just how far you've already come.

Grab your journal, settle in, and let’s celebrate gratitude—one meaningful moment at a time.

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/224

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Tell us what you think and what you want to hear on the podcast!

You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!

CONTACT Shannon and share your feedback about what you'd like to hear on the podcast! https://secondactsuccess.co/contact

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy

Work with Shannon
https://secondactsuccess.co/coaching

FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life https://startyoursecondact.com.

LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen

LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcoach

*Want to be a guest on Second Act Success Podcast? Send Shannon Russell a message on PodMatch,...

Ready to trade burnout for a life that actually fits? In this empowering episode, Shannon Russell talks with Dani Cee, a former Chief Marketing Officer who walked away from a 20-year corporate career to launch the Happy Life Agenda and work as an empowerment consultant. Dani shares the moment she knew the 9–5 was costing her everything, how journaling, faith, and clarity guided her exit, and the simple pillars she now uses to help women design a happier second-act career. If you’re a working mom craving work–life balance, purpose, and flexibility, this conversation is your roadmap to a smart, values-aligned career change.

Key Takeaways:

• Career Change After Burnout: Why Dani left a high-pressure marketing leadership/CMO role to become an entrepreneur.
• Happy Life Agenda Framework: The four pillars—openness, clarity, connection, purpose—for designing a life and business you love.
• Practical Exit Steps: How journaling, devotion/meditation, and networking coffee chats created clarity before resigning.
• Working Mom Priorities: Building a business that supports family time, presence, and flexibility (without losing income goals).
• Avoid the Shiny-Object Trap: Validate ideas so you don’t recreate the same misery in a new job or business.
• Faith & Mindset: Using stillness to make bold decisions—and allowing space for the grief that can follow a big career pivot.
• What’s Next: Local workshops and events with built-in childcare so moms can learn, connect, and grow.

SHOW NOTES:

https://secondactsuccess.co/223

Connect with Dani Cee:

https://happylifeagenda.com/

https://happylifeagenda.com/podcasts/

https://www.instagram.com/happylifeagenda/

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Tell us what you think and what you want to hear on the podcast!

You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!

CONTACT Shannon and share your feedback about what you'd like to hear on the podcast! https://secondactsuccess.co/contact

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy

Work with Shannon
https://secondactsuccess.co/coaching

FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life https://startyoursecondact.com.

LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen

LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcoach

*Want to be a guest on Second Act Success Podcast? Send Shannon Russell a message on PodMatch,...

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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Tell us what you think and what you want to hear on the podcast!

You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!

CONTACT Shannon and share your feedback about what you'd like to hear on the podcast! https://secondactsuccess.co/contact

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy

Work with Shannon
https://secondactsuccess.co/coaching

FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life https://startyoursecondact.com.

LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen

LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcoach

*Want to be a guest on Second Act Success Podcast? Send Shannon Russell a message on PodMatch,...

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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Tell us what you think and what you want to hear on the podcast!

You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!

CONTACT Shannon and share your feedback about what you'd like to hear on the podcast! https://secondactsuccess.co/contact

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy

Work with Shannon
https://secondactsuccess.co/coaching

FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life https://startyoursecondact.com.

LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen

LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcoach

*Want to be a guest on Second Act Success Podcast? Send Shannon Russell a message on PodMatch,...

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

Tell us what you think and what you want to hear on the podcast!

You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!

CONTACT Shannon and share your feedback about what you'd like to hear on the podcast! https://secondactsuccess.co/contact

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy

Work with Shannon
https://secondactsuccess.co/coaching

FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life https://startyoursecondact.com.

LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen

LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcoach

*Want to be a guest on Second Act Success Podcast? Send Shannon Russell a message on PodMatch,...

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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Tell us what you think and what you want to hear on the podcast!

You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!

CONTACT Shannon and share your feedback about what you'd like to hear on the podcast! https://secondactsuccess.co/contact

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy

Work with Shannon
https://secondactsuccess.co/coaching

FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life https://startyoursecondact.com.

LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen

LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcoach

*Want to be a guest on Second Act Success Podcast? Send Shannon Russell a message on PodMatch,...

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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Tell us what you think and what you want to hear on the podcast!

You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!

CONTACT Shannon and share your feedback about what you'd like to hear on the podcast! https://secondactsuccess.co/contact

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy

Work with Shannon
https://secondactsuccess.co/coaching

FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life https://startyoursecondact.com.

LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen

LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcoach

*Want to be a guest on Second Act Success Podcast? Send Shannon Russell a message on PodMatch,...

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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Tell us what you think and what you want to hear on the podcast!

You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!

CONTACT Shannon and share your feedback about what you'd like to hear on the podcast! https://secondactsuccess.co/contact

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy

Work with Shannon
https://secondactsuccess.co/coaching

FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life https://startyoursecondact.com.

LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen

LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcoach

*Want to be a guest on Second Act Success Podcast? Send Shannon Russell a message on PodMatch,...

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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Tell us what you think and what you want to hear on the podcast!

You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!

CONTACT Shannon and share your feedback about what you'd like to hear on the podcast! https://secondactsuccess.co/contact

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy

Work with Shannon
https://secondactsuccess.co/coaching

FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life https://startyoursecondact.com.

LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen

LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcoach

*Want to be a guest on Second Act Success Podcast? Send Shannon Russell a message on PodMatch,...

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

Tell us what you think and what you want to hear on the podcast!

You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!

CONTACT Shannon and share your feedback about what you'd like to hear on the podcast! https://secondactsuccess.co/contact

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy

Work with Shannon
https://secondactsuccess.co/coaching

FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life https://startyoursecondact.com.

LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen

LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcoach

*Want to be a guest on Second Act Success Podcast? Send Shannon Russell a message on PodMatch,...