In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, chats with Shannon Russell, CEO and Founder of Second Act Success, about how saying "yes" to new opportunities can open exciting new paths for women leaders. Shannon shares her journey from a successful career in entertainment to entrepreneurship, helping women confidently pivot toward more fulfilling careers and lives.

If you're feeling uninspired or unfulfilled in your current career, this conversation could be exactly what you need to spark your next move. When your mind, heart, and dreams no longer fit your current path, it’s time to start your second act.

Shannon’s new book, Starting Your Second Act (out May 7th), is your ultimate guide to pivot with purpose, reinvent your career, and create your best life. Tune in for inspiration and next steps!

Shannon Russell is a former TV producer turned entrepreneur and career/business coach, and 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.

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MORE ABOUT SHANNON RUSSELL:
LinkedIn: Shannon Russell
LinkedIn: Second Act Success
Website: Second Act Success
Podcast: Second Act Success: Produce Your Best Life

BOOK: Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

At a certain point in your leadership journey, success isn’t about doing more—it’s about seeing more. In this episode, Mary Sullivan, a co-founder with Sweet but Fearless talks with Stacey Linderman, CFO Specialist and President of CFO Services, who shares why stepping back is one of the most strategic moves a leader can make.

Stacey explores how letting go of day-to-day tasks opens the door to stronger decision-making, bigger-picture thinking, and better use of your team’s strengths. Stacey discusses her go-to leadership tool—a tailored SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) approach—and how she uses it to gain clarity, bring in outside perspectives, and navigate change with confidence.

As the founder of A6 Financial and Business Optimization, Stacey provides CFO services that go beyond the numbers, offering strategic insights, financial strategies, and operational efficiencies that drive profitability. Her goal is to help businesses achieve financial clarity and sustainable growth.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

MORE ABOUT STACEY LINDERMAN:
Website: A6 Financial and Business Optimization
LinkedIn: Stacey Linderman

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

Today, we're unpacking something rarely acknowledged: career grief. Imagine being at the top of your game, feeling unstoppable — then suddenly, it’s all gone. That’s what happened to Laverne McKinnon, Career Strategist and Speaker. Losing her job wasn’t just a professional setback; it felt like losing a part of herself. Her identity had been so deeply intertwined with her career, and when it ended, she was left with a sense of loss. Laverne calls it disenfranchised grief — a silent grief that society often overlooks because "it’s just work." But it’s not just work. It’s purpose, it’s pride, it’s identity. And when it's ripped away, you deserve to grieve it. You’re allowed to feel that loss, process it, and then — when you're ready — pivot toward what’s next. Remember: honoring your grief is the first step to finding your next chapter.

Laverne McKinnon is a certified grief counselor, leadership and personal coach, and former film and television producer. In her role as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University, Laverne's course on Persuasion & Pitching has propelled students to excel, fostering a culture of innovation and strategic thinking.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

MORE ABOUT LAVERNE MCKINNON:
Website: Moonshot Mentor
LinkedIn: Laverne McKinnon
Instagram: Laverne McKinnon
YouTube: Laverne McKinnon/Moonshot Mentor

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless