In this episode of The Second Degree podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with the inspiring Victoria Kar, a transformative coach and business strategist, to dive deep into the journey of finding alignment in life and business. 

Victoria shares her story of self-discovery, how she helps clients embrace authenticity, and the importance of creating businesses that resonate with who we are at our core. 

Tune in for an enlightening conversation on how to live, lead, and work from a place of alignment.

Highlights:

• Victoria's journey to finding alignment in both her life and career.
• How to embrace your authentic self in business and life.
• The power of mindset shifts and self-awareness.
• Why aligning your business with your personal values leads to lasting success.
• Practical tips for building a business that reflects your true self.
• Victoria’s advice for staying aligned when life throws challenges your way.

To learn more about Victoria Kar follow her on instagram at @risetolegendary

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In this episode of The Second Degree, Emily Merrell sits down with Shannon Matson, founder of The Social Bungalow and Bungalow Coffee. 

Shannon shares her journey from a high-powered corporate career to launching and scaling her own successful business. Together, they discuss the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the importance of authentic marketing, and why consistency in showing up is the secret sauce for success. 

Tune in for actionable tips, real talk, and an inspiring conversation with a true business powerhouse!

Highlights:

• Shannon's transition from corporate marketing to founding The Social Bungalow.
• How she grew a feral following by showing up consistently and authentically.
• The importance of adapting your business model to stay competitive in a changing market.
• Tips for building offers that resonate with your audience and lead to massive growth.
• The power of imperfect action and why you don't need to have everything figured out before launching.
• Shannon’s personal daily routine for staying productive without burnout.

To learn more about Shannon Matson check out her website TheSocialBungalow.com and on instagram at @TheSocialBungalow

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In this week’s episode of The Second Degree podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with the talented Natalee Linez, actress and host of The Ground Up podcast.

Natalee shares her inspiring journey from her first audition at 19 to landing roles on shows like Tell Me Lies and Raising Kanan. They dive deep into what it takes to succeed in the entertainment industry, how to stay grounded in Hollywood, and how manifestation and vision boards have played a role in Natalee's success.
 
Whether you're an aspiring actor or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration.

Highlights:

• Natalee’s early career journey: auditioning for six years before landing her first TV role
• The importance of staying grounded and authentic in a fast-paced industry
• How vision boards and manifestation have shaped her career and personal life
• The difference between acting success and social media fame
• Tips for aspiring actors on how to break into the industry
• Why creating time for self-reflection is key to personal and professional growth

To learn more about Natalee Linez check out her website NataleeLinez.com and on instagram at @nataleelinez

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On this week's episode of The Second Degree podcast, Emily Merrell connects with Emma Andrews, an intuitive medium and teacher, to discuss all things spirituality, intuition, and the magic of connecting with loved ones who have passed. Emma shares her incredible journey from photographer to spiritual guide, her powerful experiences with mediumship, and how she teaches others to trust their intuition and embrace radical self-love. Get ready to dive deep into self-discovery and the unseen forces that guide us.

On This Episode:

• Emma’s journey from Scotland-based photographer to intuitive medium
• How intuition is a skill everyone can develop
• What it’s like to connect with loved ones through mediumship
• The power of self-love and how it supports intuitive development
• A simple yet powerful exercise to discover your own intuitive yes and no
• Emma's tools for balancing intuition and setting boundaries
• How Emma’s mediumship helps clients find healing and closure

To learn more about Emma Andrews check out her website at https://www.emma-andrews.com/ and follow her on instagram at @emmarews.

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In this episode of the Second Degree podcast, host Emily Merrell welcomes Carrie Verrocchio—better known as Carrie V—a motivational speaker, coach, and author. Carrie shares her incredible story of transitioning from a corporate career to becoming an inspiring keynote speaker and coach after a life-changing message from her late brother. She dives into the power of small dreams, building a speaking career, and how she infuses her love of music into her professional life. Tune in to hear how Carrie turned personal tragedy into a thriving business that helps others live their best lives.

What You'll Listen:

• Carrie V’s emotional story about the message from her brother that inspired her to leave corporate America and pursue a life aligned with her passions.
• How Carrie blends her background in singing with speaking engagements to make a unique impact on audiences.
• The importance of starting small in a speaking career—whether through local clubs or small events—and how to get your foot in the door.
• The value of staying connected to your core mission and using feedback to shape your business.
• Carrie’s advice on charging your worth as a speaker and building credibility with clients through consistent visibility.

To learn more about Carrie Verrocchio check out her website at https://carrievee.com/  and follow her on instagram at @iamcarrievee. 

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In this episode of The Second Degree with Emily Merrell, we dive into the world of social media with Dawn Ferguson, founder and CEO of Sneakers and Kale. Dawn shares her inspiring journey from burnout in the corporate fashion world to building her own social media agency focused on authenticity and helping purpose-driven brands grow. Tune in to hear her tips on finding your voice, creating sustainable social media strategies, and making marketing work for you—without the overwhelm!

What You'll Learn:

• How Dawn transitioned from a fast-paced corporate life to building her own business
• The meaning behind "Sneakers and Kale" and finding authenticity in work and life
• Strategies for making social media feel more aligned and enjoyable
• How to create content that resonates without burning out
• Building consistency and systems that support long-term business growth
• The power of being yourself in marketing and content creation
• Why social media can still work for you, even if you hate it

To learn more about Dawn Ferguson check out her website SneakersandKale out on instagram at sneakersandkale.

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In this episode of the Second Degree Podcast, Emily Merrell sits down with Jen Jamula, co-founder of GoldJam Creative, to explore the fascinating journey from acting to entrepreneurship. Jen shares how her theater background inspired the creation of a unique communications training company that helps individuals and teams master public speaking, storytelling, and overcoming gender bias in the workplace. Tune in to hear Jen's insights on adapting your career, the power of storytelling in pitches, and how emotional connections can transform your communication skills. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, actor, or just looking to elevate your professional presence, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration!

What You'll Listen:

• Jen shared the origin of GoldJam, a communication training company she co-founded with Allison Goldberg. The name "GoldJam" combines their last names, Goldberg and Jamula, symbolizing their creative partnership. GoldJam offers interactive, research-based training sessions on topics like public speaking, storytelling, and combating gender bias in the workplace.
• Jen talked about her journey from acting to entrepreneurship. Initially pursuing an acting career after studying theater at Yale, she eventually found more fulfillment in creating and producing original performances. This shift led her and Allison to establish GoldJam in 2014, leveraging their theatrical backgrounds to coach professionals in communication.
• The early days of GoldJam were a mix of performances and coaching. Jen and Allison joined a co-working space in New York, which played a crucial role in gaining their first clients, including BuzzFeed and Lean Startup Machine. 
• Jen emphasized the importance of adaptability and persistence, highlighting the balance she and Allison brought to their partnership—Allison as the "gas" and Jen as the "brakes."
• In 2021, Jen became the sole owner of GoldJam after Allison shifted her focus to comedy. 
• Jen now runs the business independently, with a team of facilitators who assist with training, social media, and newsletters. She continues to conduct both virtual and in-person training sessions and offers individual coaching.
• Jen discussed the art of pitching, emphasizing the need to shift from a transactional to an emotional approach. She shared insights on using storytelling to create a connection with the audience, making the pitch more compelling. Jen also touched on Aristotle’s elements of influence—ethos, pathos, and logos—and how they can be applied to effective communication and pitching.
• Reflecting on her journey, Jen encouraged listeners to embrace adaptability and not be afraid to reach out and make connections. She stressed the value of persistence and the importance of crafting a pitch that resonates on an emotional level, rather than just presenting data or solutions.

To learn more about Jen Goldber, visit her website GoldJam Creative and follow on instagram at @GoldJameCreative

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In this episode of The Second Degree with Emily Merrell, host Emily dives deep into the world of intentional dating with Lauren Fondriest, a Chicago-based women’s dating coach. Together, they explore everything from rom-com nostalgia to breaking free from the dating hamster wheel, and how women can approach dating with confidence, clarity, and self-love. Lauren shares her own dating journey and offers practical tips on finding your true match, advocating for your needs, and approaching love with authenticity and empowerment.

What You'll Listen:

• Rom-coms and dating culture: How they’ve shaped our ideas of love
• Overcoming dating anxiety and situationships
• The power of self-love and intentional dating
• Tuning into your needs and expressing them with confidence
• Real-life strategies for meeting your match in today’s world
• How Lauren found love by shifting her dating mindset
• Practical tips for creating meaningful connections and dating authentically

Lauren's answering the #1 question she hears from single women in her new free guide, "Where do I meet quality, single men?" Get your copy of the free guide here!

To learn more about Lauren Fondriest check out her website at laurenfondriest.com  and follow her on instagram at @laurenfondriest.

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In this episode of the Second Degree podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with Colynn O’Brien, founder of Iluma Law Firm, to dive into the world of legal protection for entrepreneurs. Colynn shares her journey from big law to building a law firm tailored to supporting women-owned businesses. Whether you’re starting your business, wondering about contracts, or seeking to protect your brand, this episode offers approachable insights into the essential legal steps for business success.

What You'll Learn:

• Colynn shares her transition from big law to founding Iluma Law Firm, with a focus on helping female entrepreneurs with business and intellectual property law.
• Emily and Colynn explore the importance of setting up solid legal foundations, including contracts, trademarks, and privacy policies.
• Colynn explains the dangers of using generic online contracts and emphasizes the value of personalized legal documents tailored to your business needs.
• The episode offers advice on navigating legal issues with larger companies, contracts, and the benefits of working with a lawyer on retainer.
• Colynn highlights how establishing a relationship with a lawyer early on can save entrepreneurs from costly mistakes and provide peace of mind as their businesses grow.

To learn more about Colynn O’Brien check out her website at https://www.ilumalaw.com/  and follow her on instagram at ilumalawfirm

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In this episode of the Second Degree podcast, host Emily Merrell sits down with Jillian Kozlowski, pediatric sleep consultant and founder of Snooze Baby Co. They dive into the journey from academic career paths to becoming a sleep expert, the challenges of parenthood, and the pivotal moments that led Jillian to launch her thriving business during the pandemic. Whether you’re a new parent or just sleep-curious, this episode offers actionable insights into creating healthy sleep habits for your little ones.

What You'll Listen:

• Jillian shares her personal story of navigating early motherhood, dealing with a spirited child, and the transformative role of a sleep consultant in improving her family’s sleep.
• Emily and Jillian discuss the various approaches to pediatric sleep training, debunking myths and emphasizing the importance of tailored plans.
• The conversation touches on balancing work, parenting, and self-care, and why sleep should be prioritized for both parents and children.
• Jillian explains how she turned her sleep struggles into a successful business, helping families worldwide establish better sleep routines.
• Key takeaways include practical sleep tips, the importance of routines, and why every child’s sleep journey is unique.

To learn more about Jillian Kozlowski check out her website at snoozebabyco.com and follow her on instagram at @snoozebabyco 

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