👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

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 while writing books on the side for years before landing her first publishing deal

If you’re navigating a career transition, starting a side business, or dreaming about your own second act career, this episode will show you what’s possible when you stay committed to your passion.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to become a published author while working full-time
• Building a writing career as a side hustle
• The difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing
• How to stay consistent and meet deadlines with a busy schedule
• Transitioning from corporate to consulting and entrepreneurship
• Why accountability is key when writing a book or starting a business
• How to create time for your passion, even with a full life

Liz also shares how she now helps aspiring writers through her coaching programs, courses, and membership community, giving them the tools and support to finally write their books.

If you’ve been thinking about writing a book, starting a business, or stepping into your second act, this episode will inspire you to take action.

🔗 Get the full show notes here!

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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:

• “What will people say if I leave my job?”
• “What if I fail?”
• “What will my coworkers, friends, or family think?”

Shannon breaks down:

• Where self-doubt really comes from and why it’s normal
• How fear of outside opinions can keep you stuck in a career that no longer fits
• Why your brain is wired to keep you “safe” and how to move past it
• How to use Mel Robbins’ “Let Them” theory to stop caring what others think
• Practical steps to overcome fear and start your second act career
• How to build confidence through action when starting a business

If you’re in a midlife career transition, thinking about starting a business, or ready to move from employee to entrepreneur, this episode will help you take your next step with confidence.

🔗 Get the full show notes at https://secondactsuccess.co/252.

--------

Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon

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➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

More resources & discounts:

Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)

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Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)

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👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

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 earn multiple certifications, build her expertise, and eventually launch her own financial advisory business.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to transition from stay-at-home mom to working professional
• Turning a job into a long-term career or business
• Why it is never too late to start a second act career
• How women can take control of their finances and build confidence
• The importance of mentorship, learning, and taking action
• How to start a business even when you feel unprepared

Lorie’s story is proof that you don’t need to have everything figured out to get started. You just need to take the first step.

If you’re thinking about a career transition, exploring second act career ideas, or ready to go from employee to entrepreneur, this episode will give you both inspiration and practical insight.

🔗 Get the full show notes here!

--------

Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon

Download Free Resources

➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

More resources & discounts:

Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)

Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)

Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)

Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)

Podmatch Guesting

(*Some affiliate links)

👉 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.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted, stuck in your 9–5, or unsure what your next move should be, this episode will open your eyes to a powerful alternative.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What a mini retirement really is and why it’s becoming more popular
• How to take a career break without falling behind financially
• The connection between burnout, career transition, and second act careers
• How a mini retirement can help you start a business or pivot your career
• Practical steps to plan your own sabbatical or reset period

Whether you’re dreaming of starting a business, navigating a midlife career transition, or simply craving space to breathe, this episode will help you explore what’s possible.

Your second act doesn’t have to wait. Sometimes, it starts with a pause.

🔗 Get the full show notes here!

--------

Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon

Download Free Resources

➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

More resources & discounts:

Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)

Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)

Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)

Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)

Podmatch Guesting

(*Some affiliate links)

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

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 side and launched her own business almost overnight.

Today, Kelly runs a thriving marketing and thought leadership company, helping entrepreneurs grow their visibility through speaking, content, podcast interviews, and book publishing.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How to turn a layoff into a business opportunity
• Why building your personal brand now is critical for career security
• The power of saying yes and figuring it out as you go
• How to create a thought leadership platform that attracts clients
• What it really takes to go from employee to entrepreneur

Kelly’s story is proof that your next chapter can begin when you least expect it, and that your experience is never wasted, it’s the foundation for your second act.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a business, navigating a career transition, or building a personal brand, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to take action.

🔗 Get the full show notes here!

Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.

--------

Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon

Download Free Resources

➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

More resources & discounts:

Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)

Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)

Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)

Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)

Podmatch Guesting

(*Some affiliate links)

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 their mentorship events. Through those experiences, she saw firsthand how powerful mentorship can be.

Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs children, known as “Littles,” with caring mentors called “Bigs.” These relationships help young people build confidence, develop strong life skills, and see new possibilities for their future.

In this episode, Shannon shares:

• Why mentorship can change the trajectory of a child’s life
• How the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship program builds confidence and opportunity
• The connection between mentorship and personal growth
• How one supportive relationship can create a lifelong ripple effect
• Ways you can support Big Brothers Big Sisters in your own community

This conversation ties directly into the mission of Second Act Success, because whether you are a child learning to believe in yourself or an adult building a new chapter in life, having someone who believes in you can change everything.

If you’ve ever had a mentor who shaped your life, or if you believe in supporting the next generation, this episode will inspire you to take action.

You can make a difference by supporting the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Donate nationally:
donate.bbbs.org

Support Shannon’s local chapter:
mentornj.org

You can also volunteer to become a mentor, share this episode, or simply spread awareness about the impact of mentorship.

One caring adult can truly change the life of a child.

🔗 Get the full show notes here!

Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.

--------

Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon

Download Free Resources

➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

More resources & discounts:

Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)

Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)

Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)

Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)

Podmatch Guesting

(*Some affiliate links)

👉 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 demand for the product or service you want to offer. Instead of guessing, you'll learn how to gather valuable insights about your target audience, competitors, and market demand.

If you're considering starting a business during a career transition or exploring ideas for your second act career, this episode will give you practical steps to test your idea before launching.

You'll also learn how to gather feedback from potential customers, test your offer, and make adjustments early so you can build a sustainable and profitable business.

• Why market research is essential before starting a business
• How to define your ideal customer avatar
• Why niching down helps you attract the right clients
• How to analyze competitors and identify opportunities in your market
• Ways to validate your business idea using surveys and interviews
• How to create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to test your idea
• Why presales and early offers can help prove market demand
• How feedback from potential customers can strengthen your business idea

🔗 Get the full show notes here!

Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.

--------

Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon

Download Free Resources

➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

More resources & discounts:

Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)

Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)

Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)

Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)

Podmatch Guesting

(*Some affiliate links)

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.

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 honors both purpose and wellness. Together, Shannon and Kayla unpack why your past experience is never purposeless. The skills you’ve built, the lessons you’ve learned, and the work you’ve done all tie together in ways you can use to create your second act career.

If you’re navigating a midlife career transition, feeling stuck in burnout, or wondering what’s next, this episode will help you rethink the story you’re telling yourself and start moving toward work that feels more like you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why your previous career experience is never wasted
• The truth about burnout and the warning signs most women ignore
• How to set boundaries and protect your energy during a career transition
• Why “alignment” matters more than a perfect plan
• How to follow the breadcrumbs toward a second act career that fits your life now
• Building a fulfilling path that blends stability, creativity, and purpose
• The mindset shift that helps you stop saying “I can’t” and start asking “Why not me?”

🔗 Get the full show notes here!

Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.

--------

Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon

Download Free Resources

➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

More resources & discounts:

Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)

Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)

Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)

Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)

Podmatch Guesting

(*Some affiliate links)