Career Change & Business Advice for Women | Second Act Success Podcast

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What if changing careers didn’t mean starting over?

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with PR and marketing expert Allison Lane to talk about career reinvention, leaving corporate, and using the experience you already have to build your next chapter.

After decades working in corporate PR and marketing with major brands, Allison reached burnout and eventually left her corporate career to start her own business. Today, she helps women build authority, increase their visib...

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

Are you trying to do everything in your business yourself?

One of the biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make is waiting too long to hire help. While wearing every hat might seem like the most affordable option, it can actually slow your business growth and lead to burnout.

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach Shannon Russell shares how to know when it's time to hire your first employee, what tasks to outsource first, and how bri...

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

How do you know which business is the right one to start?

If you've been thinking about starting a business but feel overwhelmed by all the online advice, you're not alone. Every day there seems to be a new business trend, side hustle, or entrepreneur claiming they made six figures overnight. But copying someone else's business isn't the path to building one you'll actually love.

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach Shannon Russell shares the five questions eve...

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What does it take to become a confident leader, build a successful career, and create a business you're passionate about?

In this inspiring episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with engineering leadership strategist, executive coach, speaker, and mentor Sairan Aqrawi to discuss how women can build confidence, find their voice, and create meaningful careers without waiting for permission.

Although Sairan built an impressive career in engineering and construction leadership, she believes every professional has the opp...

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Have you ever wondered if it's too late to change careers, start a business, or even write a book? Think again.

In this inspiring episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with entrepreneur and author Kay Paschal, whose career journey proves that your best chapter may still be ahead.

After spending 18 years in the corporate world, Kay made an unexpected career transition by opening a preschool with her husband, despite having no experience in education or business ownership. Tog...

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What if the key to a successful career transition isn't starting over, but connecting the dots of everything you've already done?

In this inspiring episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with purpose-driven leader, career strategist, and Senior Alumni Engagement Manager at Management Leadership for Tomorrow, Siena Dean, to talk about finding purpose, building confidence, and creating a career that truly aligns with who you are.

Siena shares how she intentionally designed her career around helping others, why it...

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What if the real reason you want to start a business isn't about money?

What if it's about freedom?

In this heartfelt solo episode #259 of the Second Act Success Podcast, host and business coach Shannon Russell shares the deeper reason so many women pursue entrepreneurship. Not just for financial independence, but for the freedom to be present for their children, aging parents, and themselves.

After leaving her television career, Shannon discovered that building her own businesses gave her something even mor...

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What if the career skills you've spent decades building could become the foundation for a completely different and more meaningful second act?

In this inspiring episode #258 of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Rebecca Bloom, former workplace and benefits attorney, women's health advocate, author, and storytelling coach, to discuss how personal challenges can lead to a powerful career transition and a life filled with purpose.

After Rebecca's mother and sister were both diagnosed with breast cancer, she...

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What happens when life forces you to slow down?

In this powerful episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Patricia Sasser, independent school leader and incoming Head of School, to talk about taking a mid-career sabbatical, also known as a “mini retirement,” after experiencing profound personal loss. 

After years of serving students, families, and school communities while navigating grief and burnout, Patricia made the courageous decision to pause her career and prioritize healing...

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What are your children learning from the way you approach work, stress, ambition, and dreams?

In this heartfelt episode #256 of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell shares a deeply personal story about attending her son’s school presentation and realizing just how much our children are watching us as we navigate our careers, businesses, and second acts. 

From career transitions and entrepreneurship to motherhood and personal fulfillment, this episode explores how the choices we make as adults shape what our childr...

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What does a successful career transition really look like?

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Betty Galvan, a former teacher turned female entrepreneur, digital marketing expert, and coworking space owner, to talk about her inspiring journey from education to entrepreneurship.

Betty shares how she went from teaching middle school to launching a blog during the early days of digital marketing, which eventually evolved into a successful small business helping companies grow through social med...

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Building a business is exciting, but it’s not always easy.

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell dives into one of the most important topics for entrepreneurs and women starting a business. How to handle roadblocks, setbacks, and challenges without losing momentum.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your business, frustrated by a failed launch, or unsure how to move forward after something didn’t go as planned, this episode is for you.

Because h...

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Have you ever dreamed of becoming a published author but told yourself you don’t have the time?

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Liz Mugavero, traditionally published author of 20 books and counting, to talk about how she built a successful writing career while working a demanding corporate job.

Liz shares how she went from a career in journalism and marketing to becoming a full-time communications consultant and bestselling mystery author, all w...

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Have you ever stopped yourself from starting a business or changing careers because you were worried about what people would think? You are not alone.

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell dives into one of the biggest blockers for women navigating a career transition, self-doubt and the fear of judgment.

Listen in if you’ve ever thought:

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Are you a stay-at-home mom thinking about going back to work, starting a business, or navigating a career transition?

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Lorie Jones, a financial advisor, entrepreneur, and mom of five, who shares her inspiring journey from stay-at-home parent to successful business owner.

Lorie started with no background in finance. She simply needed a paycheck. But what began as a secretarial job quickly turned into a passion, leading her to...

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

What if retirement didn’t have to wait until you were 65?

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell dives into the growing trend of mini retirements and why more women are choosing to take intentional career breaks to reset, recharge, and rethink their next chapter.

A recent study shows that more professionals are planning career breaks of 3 to 12 months, especially during midlife, to combat burnout, explore new business ideas, and realign their lives with what truly matters. 

I...

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What would you do if you were laid off tomorrow?

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Kelly Schuknecht to talk about turning an unexpected layoff into a powerful second act career.

After years climbing the corporate ladder in publishing and marketing, Kelly found herself at a crossroads when her company was acquired and her role was eliminated. Instead of panicking, she leaned into the idea she had been quietly building on the...

In this special episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell participates in Podcastathon 2026, a global initiative where podcasters dedicate an episode to highlight a charity that matters deeply to them.

The organization Shannon chose to spotlight is Big Brothers Big Sisters, specifically Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern New Jersey.

Before becoming a business coach for women, Shannon spent years running a Snapology STEM and robotics franchise, where she partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters to bring hands-on LEGO and robotics programs to...

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

If you have a business idea you're excited about, it can be tempting to jump straight into building it. But before you invest your time, energy, and money, there's one critical step you shouldn't skip.

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell walks you through how to research and validate your business idea so you can confidently move from employee to entrepreneur.

Doing market research helps you avoid costly mistakes and ensures there is real dem...

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Have you ever worried that changing careers means everything you’ve done up to this point was a waste?

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Kayla Sweet, a transformational life coach and founder of Internally Guided Leadership Consulting, to talk about transformation, alignment, burnout, and career transitions.

Kayla shares how she started in community mental health, hit burnout, and used that turning point to rebuild her path in a way that honor...

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

I missed my son’s first birthday. And that moment changed everything in my career. 

In this deeply personal episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell shares the story of the day she was producing a major MTV shoot at South by Southwest while her baby celebrated his first birthday without her.

On paper, it looked like success. Behind the scenes, it felt like heartbreak.

If you are a working mom feeling stretched thin...
If you...

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Have you ever been more afraid of your dream coming true than of it failing?

Fear of failure is real, but what about the fear of success?

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell, business coach for women and author of Start Your Second Act, dives into one of the most overlooked blocks in entrepreneurship and career transitions: the fear of actually succeeding.

If you’ve been procrastinating launching your business, stalling on finis...

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

Are you struggling to get your resume noticed in today’s competitive job market? Wondering how to get past AI resume screeners and actually land an interview?

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with former recruiter turned career strategist Sindy Thomas, host of The Insider Career Club Podcast. With over 25 years of experience in talent acquisition across biotech, pharmaceuticals, IT, and corporate industries, Sindy shares insider hiring secrets that every job seeker needs to know.

Fro...

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If you don’t want your boss’s job… why are you still climbing the ladder?

This episode of the Second Act Success Podcast with business coach Shannon Russell is your wake-up call.

So many high-achieving women are working long hours, chasing promotions, and saying yes to more responsibility. Yet when they look at the next level, they realize something uncomfortable.

They don’t actually want it.

This episode challenges the traditional corporate ladder mind...

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

If you have ever read Two Weeks Notice by Amy Porterfield, you know she encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to pick a quit date and put it on the calendar. For many women, that bold move is exactly what helps them finally take action.

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell shares a different approach. One rooted in preparation, confidence, and financial stability.

Shannon explains why she does not believe in circling a random date on the cal...

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

Do you feel guilty about wanting to change your career when your partner is unhappy in their job, but refuses to make a move? You’re not alone, and this episode is your permission slip to move forward anyway.

In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach and author Shannon Russell tackles one of the most common emotional roadblocks women face when considering a career pivot or starting a business: guilt tied to a partner’s unhappiness. If you’ve...