Second Act Stories

  • Autor: Vários
  • Narrador: Vários
  • Editor: Podcast
  • Duración: 65:41:43
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Sinopsis

Welcome to Second Act Stories, a podcast that shares the stories of people who have made major career changes to pursue more rewarding lives in a second act. The stories are in their own words and the words of friends and family that helped them find a new path.Every two weeks we bring you a new story. Each episode examines the before and after phases of a life/career change and offers lessons learned.

Episodios

  • Goodbye Hedge Fund...Hello Sourdough Bread

    13/05/2022 Duración: 20min

    Adam Simon was a partner in Echo Street Capital Management, a successful hedge fund in New York City. While he enjoyed the challenge of the work and it's financial rewards, the demanding 80+ hour per week schedule was wreaking havoc on his personal life. So in 2017,he quit and focused his attention on reconnecting with his family. As the Covid-19 crisis began, Adam, his wife and their two children headed to a safer location in the suburbs. "We were going a bit stir crazy" and they opted to launch an informal neighborhood project called "Pandemic Breads." They baked bread and other sweets in their kitchen and sold the goods door-to-door. He loved everything about baking and became especially enamored with the challenge of making sourdough bread. After working as an intern in two commercial bakeries in New York City, Adam launched "Sourdough Gambit" named after his love of chess and the popular Netfix series "The Queens Gambit." He started small, baking two days per week in a shared commercial kitchen and selli

  • Heavy Metal Lawyer: Black Sabbath Bassist Dave “The Beast” Spitz, Esq.

    05/05/2022 Duración: 40min

    Referring to someone as a rock star usually means they’re excellent at what they do. Dave “The Beast” Spitz is a rock star lawyer in south Florida. Sure, he’s a really good lawyer, but he’s also an actual rock star. Prior to going to law school in 1996, Dave played bass for the legendary band that invented heavy metal: Black Sabbath. His journey through the music industry also included playing with other well-known bands including Great White, Impellitteri, White Lion and Americade. He even appeared in a movie with Tom Hanks. Despite all the trappings of rock stardom – recording with music legends, playing in front of sellout crowds around the world, and experiencing musical success at the highest levels – The Beast needed something more out of his career, so he actually declined an opportunity with a band that’s sold millions of albums so he could become a lawyer. This extended Second Act Stories interview includes plenty stories about The Beast’s music career and his decision to launch his law career, and i

  • Life After The NFL: Arrelious Benn's Java Journey

    18/04/2022 Duración: 12min

    Arrelious Benn was a star football player at Dunbar Senior High School (Washington, DC) and the University of Illinois. He entered the NFL draft after his junior year in college and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His NFL career with Tampa Bay, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars spanned seven years, twice the league average. But it is also included two ACL tears, a fractured lumbar and a shattered collarbone. After his final season with the Jaguars, he and his family put down roots and decided to open Social House Coffee in the Avondale section of Jacksonville. Replacing a former gun store, his neighborhood shop is all about great coffee and building community. As Benn shares in the podcast, "Football consumed my life for so many years. But I know I only have one body. And I want to see my kids grow up and there are other things I want to do. It's a breath of fresh air to do something new and be creative." Benn is now working in what he calls "my first real job." He spends his days

  • Why Leah Gorham Scrubbed Out of Nursing to Drive a Truck

    04/04/2022 Duración: 20min

    Leah Gorham spent 16 years working as a nurse, helping patients while she also helped an industry known for a shortage of talent. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced and spread, causing workloads and stress levels to skyrocket for first responders, Leah took it in stride. Although healthcare workers were widely recognized for being profoundly affected by the pandemic, it wasn’t until she was attacked by a patient in what she calls the worst assault of her career (sadly, this is an ongoing issue in nursing) that she finally chose to scrub out and do something different. But instead of shifting to a career that would be easy, she moved to another industry that was profoundly affected by the pandemic: trucking. Today, Leah Gorham is a long-haul trucker, doing her part to alleviate challenges in the supply chain. But that’s not the reason she went into it. She and her boyfriend are partners, taking to the open road together, and living life on their terms. She’s never been happier. A view from inside Leah's c

  • Dumping Oil & Gas Careers To Make A Better Dumpling

    21/03/2022 Duración: 19min

    Chih Lin and Mike Dorsey were trained as engineers and worked in the oil & gas industry in Houston, Texas. But both were miserable at work and decided they needed to make a change. They launched a company called “Dumpling Dudez” and turned their attention to teaching small groups of people the art of dumpling-making. They started in April, 2019 and had a successful launch. And when Covid-19 shut down their in-person classes, they switched to virtual classes and selling the world's first "ready-to-bake" dumping commercially. At the age of 15, Chih Lin came to the United States from Taiwan. He learned how to make dumplings from his grandmother. "I don't remember the taste of the dumplings. But I always remember how I feel when I make dumplings with my family. That's what dumpling making is...your hands are busy and then you live in the present. And when you live in the present, the conversations come up very nicely, very real and easier for you to connect with other people." Chih's business & life partn

  • Actress Turned CEO: Anna Vocino’s Path to Eat Happy

    06/03/2022 Duración: 21min

    Anna Vocino has an impressive IMDb resume dotted with comedic acting roles, sketch comedy appearances on shows including the Lance Krall Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, and professional narration work for a number of TV series and documentaries. She has risen to the top of the voiceover industry, lending her vocal skills to an endless array of video games and TV commercials, and she’s even the female voice of the NBC television network. In the midst of a career in entertainment, Anna was diagnosed with Celiac disease and was forced to eliminate gluten from her diet. A gifted cook, she created gluten-free versions of the recipes she loved and posted them to a blog. A circuitous series of decisions led her to co-host a very successful podcast with health entrepreneur Vinnie Tortorich, and her path ultimately resulted in the release of two bestselling Eat Happy cookbooks. She combined her love of cooking with a passion to create foods that are clean, gluten-free, no sugar added alternatives to the processed options

  • An Unlikely Mayor: A Retired Lawyer Enters Public Service

    17/02/2022 Duración: 17min

    Josh Cohn worked as top, derivatives lawyer for a series of well-respected, law firms. He commuted by train to New York City everyday from the affluent suburb of Rye, NY. But at the age of 66, he was increasingly bored with the work and planned to retire from the legal field. He came home one night, cracked open a beer and ended up watching a city council meeting on a local, cable-access channel. That's when he became aware of a plan to put up mini-cell phone towers throughout the city including one directly across the street from his house. He helped form "Protecting Residential Rye" and with the help of dozens of other concerned citizens, the group successfully halted these plans. In the wake of this success, a local Councilwoman asked, "Josh, have you every thought about running for Mayor?" Josh ran as an independent with the endorsement of Rye's Democratic Party. And when all the votes were counted, he successfully defeated the Republican incumbent. "What I like best about the job is problem-solving. And

  • Tech Entrepreneur Brews a Plan to Reform Street Gangs

    07/02/2022 Duración: 23min

    George Taylor built a career as a serial tech entrepreneur, launching, growing and exiting from nine different companies. Five years ago, after settling in Wilmington, North Carolina, George was working at his latest tech startup, when a nearby gang-related drive-by shooting shook him to his core. George was "pissed off" that such violence existed in this idyllic seaside town and he vowed to do something to help. After meeting with the region’s top gang leaders to understand the issues that drive street gangs, he launched TRU Colors, a brewery with a mission to end the cycle of gang violence in America’s neighborhoods by breaking down barriers and creating new economic opportunities. TRU Colors hires active gang members, pays them a livable wage, and shows them that they have options and opportunities to be successful. We hope George’s story inspires you as much as it has inspired us. To learn more about TRU Colors, visit the organization's website at www.trucolors.co

  • Presto Chango: An Industrial Salesman’s Magical Transition

    24/01/2022 Duración: 16min

    David Bowers worked as a salesman for the Columbia Rubber Company for 39 years. He spent his professional life selling conveyer belt hoses to quarries and heavy machinery operations. But since the age of ten, he always had a fascination with the world of magic. For a 50th birthday celebration, his wife Judy hired a professional magician. And at the end of his performance, he pulled David aside and said: "I hear you're interested in magic. How would you like me to become your mentor?" And that conversation launched his second act as a professional magician. David and his wife Judy (aka the baloon-twisting/face-painting Miss Penelope) have put on hundreds of magic shows over the past 25 years. But his favorite audience remains pre-school children. "They are like a sponge. They soak up everything I do." Now 75 years old, he plans to continue performing for as long as he can still walk. "I love being a magician, And when I die, I want to be buried in performance clothes -- sparkly vest and everything. Even when I

  • Best of 2021: A Suicide, A Mother's Grief And A Second Act

    17/01/2022 Duración: 23min

    As we start the new year, we’re pleased to share the episode named the "Best Of 2021." The episode features the amazing Anne Moss Rogers and is titled "Pain Turns To Purpose: A Suicide, A Mother's Grief And A Second Act." It is among the most inspiring tales we've shared since starting Second Act Stories in 2018. Anne Moss Rogers was at the pinnacle of a 20-year professional career in 2010. She opened her own digital marketing agency in 2010 and the business grew quickly. By 2015 she and her partner had 9 employees and a growing roster of clients. While her professional life was going especially well, life at home had significant problems. Her son Charles – the younger of two boys – suffered from a combination of depression and drug addiction. The problems began early in high school and escalated. At considerable expense to Anne Moss and her husband Randy, tried to help by placing him in a therapeutic boarding school followed by rehab. But on June 5, 2015 at the age of 20, Charles took his own life. In the af

  • From Paycheck To Purpose: A Conversation With Author Ken Coleman

    10/01/2022 Duración: 30min

    Ken Coleman is the #1 bestselling author of “The Proximity Principle” and host of the nationally syndicated radio show “The Ken Coleman Show.” As America’s Career Coach, he helps callers discover what they do best so they can do work they love and produce the results that matter most to them. In Ken’s new bestselling book, “From Paycheck to Purpose,” he draws on what he learned from his own ten-year journey as well as from coaching thousands of others to walk readers through the seven stages to discovering and doing work that gives you both a great income AND big impact. In this special expert interview episode of Second Act Stories, host Scott Merritt traveled to the Nashville headquarters of Ramsey Solutions to sit down with Ken for a face-to-face discussion about his new book. Learn more about Ken at www.kencoleman.com. You can purchase “From Paycheck to Purpose” at the Ramsey Solutions online store, on Amazon, or wherever fine books are found.

  • Told "Boys Don't Knit" At 7, Russell Opens A Yarn Shop At 51

    15/12/2021 Duración: 20min

    Russell Brent learned how to knit from his mother at seven. But he put away his knitting needles at a young age after hearing the phrase "boys don't knit." In his mid thirties, Russell started knitting again -- making baby gifts for friends. And he found he really enjoyed it -- "it was easy...it was meditative." His hobby grew into a new vocation and today he is the owner and proprietor of Balzac and Company, a yarn shop in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

  • Scott Weiss Traded Executive Pay For Purpose

    29/11/2021 Duración: 22min

    Detroit native Scott Weiss grew up in a family that emphasized formal education, but by his own admission, he was not a particularly good student. Scott attended Michigan State University, which was more a means to make money than to gain an education. After graduating, Scott made his way to Atlanta, landed a job with Turner Broadcasting and by the age of 34 he was an executive vice president who launched the CNN Airport Network and often worked directly with Ted Turner. At this stage, Scott’s bosses sent him to a communication training workshop at Speakeasy that changed the course of his life. Because of his experience, Scott left Turner and joined Speakeasy, a move that slashed his salary by two-thirds, but that added much needed purpose to his life and his career. Today Scott continues to lead this organization that profoundly impacts people’s lives. Click here to learn about Speakeasy. More information about Scott Weiss and his book DARE: Accepting the Challenge of Trusting Leadership is available at thi

  • Exit Stage Right: An Actress Shifts To Fashion

    15/11/2021 Duración: 21min

    Nita Novy grew up in the small town of Courtdale, Pennsylvania (population 400). But via a series of unusual events, she made her way to the Broadway stage at the age of eight acting alongside Ethel Merman in Gypsy. She was later cast in "The Sound of Music," appearing in the production's first national tour and also on Broadway. After getting a degree from Duke University, she returned to New York City and enjoyed a successful career as an adult actress. But as she and her husband Richard started a family, the theatre started to lose it's cachet and she sought a  new creative outlet. Her new path began when she made her three-year-old daughter a small, furry hat. When she came home from school that day and opened her lunch box "there were five orders inside." That ultimately led to her to a new career in fashion design and the launch of Nita Ideas with thriving retail stores in Milburn and Asbury Park, New Jersey. Click here to check out more of her amazing designs.

  • Not Your Average Joe: Math Teacher Trades Angles For Arias

    01/11/2021 Duración: 22min

    For 31 years, Joe Gladstone worked as a math teacher in Syosset, New York. "I loved teaching, loved the kids, loved math, loved Syosset High School, loved my department. We had a bunch of people that we all grew up together. We were a family. It was marvelous." But in 2001, things changed when a new chairman of the Math Department arrived. "He micromanaged everything and had the personality of a piece of paper." So Joe quit teaching and decided to pursue his other passion...the theatre. Joe had been involved in community theatre for 20+ years in a number of different roles. But over time, he gravitated to the position of stage manager. Stage managers serve as the right hand to the director, overseeing sets, props, lights and sound and calling all technical cues during performances. Today, he travels the country working as a freelance stage manager, primarily partnering with a wide range of opera companies. "It's so emotional when the curtain goes up and the audience gives you a standing ovation."

  • Second Act Masterclass: 6 Key Takeaways From 100 Episodes

    18/10/2021 Duración: 23min

    We’re hitting a major milestone – the 100th episode of the Second Act Stories podcast. Over the past two-and-a-half years, we’ve met and profiled some amazing people. Many are pursuing not-for-profit work. Some have started a new business. And others have turned a hobby into a full-time pursuit. But pretty much across the board, all of them are a heck of a lot happier in their new roles. Looking back at the 100 episodes, we’ve pulled together 6 key takeaways on second acts: 1. Find What Feeds You 2. For Inspiration, Look Back To Your Childhood 3. Expect Barriers – Lots of Them 4. Trauma Often Triggers A Second Act 5. There Are Leapers And There Are Planners 6. You’re Never Too Old To Make A Change And to offer proof points for each takeaway, we’ve shared short interview segments with Chris Donovan, Nasim Alikhani, Cathy Heying, Anne Moss Rogers, Mary Robinson and Susan Goldfein. Sit back and enjoy our Second Act Masterclass. And as a special bonus, we'll also introduce you to Scott Merritt who will be j

  • A Perfectly-Blended Second Act: Cop & Reporter Start A Winery

    04/10/2021 Duración: 15min

    Today's episode comes from Woodinville, Washington and our interview with Jerry Riener and Jennifer Sullivan. Jerry is a sergeant for the Woodinville Police Department. Jennifer is a journalist having worked for both the Seattle Times and KOMO-TV, the ABC news affiliate in Seattle region. Like many couples, they found love, got married and started a family together. But unlike most couples they also started an amazing winery called Guardian Vineyards while holding down two very-demanding, full-time jobs. They started small -- producing just 350 cases of wine in 2007. Fourteen years later, they are now producing 10,000 cases of high-quality, wine per year. Grab a glass of your favorite wine, sit back and enjoy Jerry and Jennifer’s second act story.  

  • An Unusual Road To Celebrity Trainer

    14/09/2021 Duración: 13min

    Robert Brace grew up in London -- the eldest son of a single mother who emigrated from Ghana. His family expected him to pursue a traditional career -- a lawyer, accountant or doctor. But at the age of 15, he fell in love with the world of dance earning scholarships to the London Contemporary Dance School, Alvin Alley American Dance Theatre and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. To support himself during his early years in New York City, he became a personal trainer on the side -- earning $7 per workout. After a decade in professional dance, he opted to become a full time minister with the Churches of Christ. But the transition proved difficult. And with a wife and a new-born child, he reluctantly went back to personal training -- this time earning $18 per workout. Success came when he finally opened his own personal training practice, Brace Life Studios. And his big break came when he teamed with comedian Mark Malkoff for a YouTube video focused on helping Mark get "six pack abs in 28 days." That eventually transi

  • Nasim's Second Act: This Overnight Success Took 7 Years

    04/08/2021 Duración: 16min

    Nasim Alikhani is the owner and executive chef of Sofreh, an amazing Persian restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. The restaurant opened in 2018 to rave reviews from The New York Times, Food & Wine, Saveur and The Food Network. The restaurant is consistently booked weeks in advance. Sofreh is Nasim’s first restaurant and she launched it at the age of 59 after nearly two decades as a stay-at-home mom. But it hasn't been an easy road. It took Nasim and her husband Theodore seven years build the restaurant in a brownstone that they purchased and renovated.

  • Ballerina To Barrister: Melody's Surprising Second Act

    06/07/2021 Duración: 19min

    Melody Lynch fell in love with the ballet. She started dancing at 3 and made it in the professional ranks by the age of 15. She continued ballet studies at Butler University and after graduation landed a position with the North Carolina Dance Theatre where she worked for several years. But her passion was for performance rather than teaching. And realizing that a dancer's career span is limited, she made the leap to law school. She has been a practicing attorney for the past 14 years at the Lowndes law firm in Orlando, Florida. She keeps her hands in the arts serving as chair of her local philharmonic orchestra and via her 7-year-old daughter's love of dance.

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