EPISODE 603 - Shannon Russell - Second Act Success - Leave unfulfilling careers to build joyful, purpose-driven businesses

I spent over 16 years as a Television Producer overseeing multi-million dollar productions in New York City and Los Angeles working for companies like MTV, E! Entertainment, Yahoo!, Pop Sugar, A&E, TLC, etc.

My second act began once I leapt into entrepreneurship and opened a franchise business serving families in my community, so I could be more present mom for my two kids. My business quickly grew to be amongst the Top 5 in the organization, and I successfully sold this business in 2024.

While running my first business, I started Second Act Success® Coaching so I could help support women as they start a second act in life by changing careers to start a business.

My focus as a business coach for women is to help others produce their best life, while finding the flexibility, freedom, and fulfillment they deserve.

Now, I share my experience, as a television executive turned business owner with my clients, as we work towards their business goals.

Book: Start Your Second Act - How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, & Create Your Best Life

The ultimate guide to pivot with purpose, reinvent your career, and produce your best life. The career that once inspired you no longer fits your life, and a nagging voice inside tells you there’s something more. When your mind, heart, and dreams no longer align with your current path, it’s time to start your second act.

Shannon Russell, a former TV producer turned entrepreneur and business coach, understands the fears and challenges of disrupting your carefully planned career and taking the leap into something more. Drawing on her personal experiences and the success stories of other women, she shares her proven three-step Second Act Strategy (reflect, research, realize) to guide you from where you are now to where you want to be.

https://secondactsuccess.co/

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 602 - Leslie A Rasmussen - TV Writer for Gerald McRaney, Alf, Burt Reynolds, Roseanne Barr, Norm McDonald, Drew Carey to Author of Books on Family

Leslie A. Rasmussen was born and raised in Los Angeles and graduated from UCLA. She went on to write television comedies for Gerald McRaney, Burt Reynolds, Roseanne Barr, Norm McDonald, Drew Carey, The Wild Thornberrys, and Sweet Valley High.

After leaving the business to raise her boys, Leslie obtained a master's degree in nutrition and ran her own business for ten years. Leslie has been published in the Huffington Post over twenty times and speaks on panels discussing female empowerment. She’s a member of the Writers Guild of America, Women in Film, and the UCLA Alumni Association.

After Happily Ever After is Leslie’s debut novel and has won over fifteen awards, and her second novel, The Stories We Cannot Tell, has won eleven awards, and she’s been interviewed about it on NPR and XM radio. Leslie’s newest novel, When People Leave, came out in 2025.

When Leslie isn’t writing, she loves reading, exercising, and spending time with friends. Leslie lives in Southern California with her husband and two sons.

What I Write:
I have found that most women go through a multitude of similar issues in life. As a mom of two and having been married many years, I have seen this first hand. From the time we are in our thirties, we have experienced both joy and sadness. Whether that’s through finding the right partner, having our heart broken, suffering infertility, or losing a loved one. As we go through life, families go through many changes.

Children leave the nest, our parents age, our friendships change, and some marriages end. I write women’s commercial fiction where I delve into the human experience and situations that are relatable to most of us. I want my readers to see themselves or their family or friends in my characters and to realize no matter what they are going through, they aren’t alone. As my background is writing television sitcoms, I also try to find humor in the tough stuff, in fact, those moments are my favorite to write.

https://www.lesliearasmussen.com/

Support the show

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 601 - Cal Logan - ShadowBane - One womb, one soul, two fates. One will rise. One will fall

A full-time personal trainer and competitive powerlifter, Cal started writing seriously in 2017, drawing inspiration from history, his time spent practicing mixed martial arts, and of course, books. Cal lives in Chicago with his wife, Taylor, and his dachshund, Rizzo.

At the end of the day, I’ll be happy if ShadowBane earns me some loyal fans. As a debut author, I can’t ask for more than that. In a way, ShadowBane is a promise to readers—here’s what you can expect from my books, and if you like what you see, stick around. I’m just getting started, and there’ll be plenty more to come.

Book: ShadowBane
Description
One womb, one soul, two fates. One will rise. One will fall.

Shura and Jin are the last of a divine bloodline, operating at the bloodiest fringes of society where they wield might and magic against the demons they are sworn to destroy. For Shura, it's the only way to restore honor to her lineage and claim her rightful place in the world. For Jin, it's a matter of begrudging duty-and escaping the influence of the three kings vying for control of the continent.

In their pursuit of the sadistic cult behind the demons' resurgence, the twins find themselves hunted by an ancient demon harboring a blood vendetta, and are forced to set aside past grudges and seek the kings' alliance. When Shura discovers a chilling prophecy, she fears that even her newfound allies may not be enough to stem the rising tide of shadow.

Even the palest chance of victory will come at a brutal price. But the prophecy never foretold whose fate would settle the debt: Shura's or her brother's.

https://callogan.com/

Support the show

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca