Second Act Stories
Welcome to Second Act Stories, a podcast focused on life and career change. In each episode, we bring you the story of a courageous individual who has made a decisive career pivot and is pursuing a more rewarding life 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. Each episode examines the “before” and “after” phases of a life or career relaunch and offers lessons learned.
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🚨SPECIAL ALERT🚨 Four Reasons To Vote For Second Act Stories in the Webby Awards
04/04/2024
🚨SPECIAL ALERT🚨 Four Reasons To Vote For Second Act Stories in the Webby Awards
Second Act Stories has officially defied the odds. We've been nominated for a ! But our category is stacked with stiff competition: Michelle Obama, Sarah Silverman, TED Audio, Lemonada, and Slate. We need your vote! We can win this with your help. Here’s how you vote: Go to Click the search button on the right-hand side of the screen, under the start voting button Type in Second Act Stories Click on our category in the search results Click on our logo to cast your vote All it takes is entering your email address and a password, and then clicking the validate button in the email you receive from the Webby’s. It'll only take a minute. Pretty amazing stuff.
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A Stray Bullet Killed Her 8-Year-Old Son...In Grief, She Formed Strong Azz Mothers
03/31/2024
A Stray Bullet Killed Her 8-Year-Old Son...In Grief, She Formed Strong Azz Mothers
Tiffani Evans' life changed completely on August 24, 2021. That's when her 8-year-old son PJ was killed in gang-related, gun violence in the Washington, DC region. Emerging from the dark days that followed his death, she helped form the "Strong Azz Mothers," a group of area women who lost children to gun violence. The organization focuses community attention on the problem but also serves as a strong support group. According to Evans, "It's a sorority that we never asked to be in. But we're in it so we try to support each other. Nobody understands this like we understand it." With the help of the DC Theatre Lab, the group performed a play titled "Turning Pain Into Purpose: Say My Son's Name" to a packed auditorium. The Strong Azz Mothers were profiled in an by Washington Post Reporter Jasmine Hilton (which is how we first heard of the story). Tiffani has most recently taken on a new role working in the Prince George's County School System as a "violence interruptor." Her message to students, "Don't let a five second emotion change your life forever. There are a lot of people serving life in prison right now for a mistake that they wish they could change."
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The Case of Rachel Humphrey: Trial Attorney Turned Women’s Leadership Champion
03/25/2024
The Case of Rachel Humphrey: Trial Attorney Turned Women’s Leadership Champion
Rachel Humphrey was a trial attorney who was certain she would spend her entire career in front of judges and juries and eventually retire in a courtroom. After relocating from Virginia to Atlanta with her husband, she took a job at a firm where she represented clients in the hospitality industry, and that sparked a passion she didn’t know she had. The hospitality industry was interesting to her, and she thought that becoming involved with the associations that help the industry might be a great next step, but she had no real business experience at all. Prompted by the unexpected departure of the nanny who took care of her children, Rachel decided to leave her job to be there for her young family. This also allowed her to do some serious soul searching and figure out what would come next. A serendipitous conversation with Cati Stone, then the executive director of Komen Atlanta, opened Rachel’s eyes in ways she never could have imagined. As fate would have it, and what Rachel didn’t know, was that Cati happened to be a former trial attorney who moved into a role as an association executive. The advice Rachel got from Cati showed her that there was a viable – and possible - path to follow her passion. Rachel networked her way into an executive role with , the largest hotel owners association in the country, eventually ascending to the role of Interim CEO. After realizing a need for more diversity in the hospitality, she later founded the . In this episode, Rachel shares her path from fighting legal battles to advocating for women, and all the trials that went along with her journey. If you like this episode, you may also enjoy these episodes featuring former attorneys with incredible second act careers: , from February 2024 , from September 2023 , from January 2018 Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes
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Retired Banker Helps Others Avoid "Retirement Shock"
03/02/2024
Retired Banker Helps Others Avoid "Retirement Shock"
Mike Drak worked as a banker in Toronto for his entire professional career. When he was laid off at the age of 59, he received a sizeable severance from his employer. Telling his spouse "Contessa, we hit the lottery," he was initially ecstatic to be retired. But he quickly faced "Retirement Shock," a term that he coined to describe how tremendously unhappy he was in the year that followed. He missed helping people and the structure/routine of working at the bank. And he felt a loss of purpose. "Before my purpose was to go to work, get paid and then use the money to support my family. And that was taken away from me." Mike's research suggests up to one-third of all retirees suffer from "retirement shock." He decided to educate others on the non-financial challenges of retirement by writing three books: , and . The final book can also be downloaded for free from Mike's website at . Two years ago, Mike took the unusual step of entering his first Ironman Triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run) at the age of 68. He plans on returning to Cozumel, Mexico for his 2nd Ironman in the year ahead.
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Stuckey’s Gamble: Stephanie Stuckey Cashes in Her Future to Revive Her Family’s Iconic Roadside Brand
02/19/2024
Stuckey’s Gamble: Stephanie Stuckey Cashes in Her Future to Revive Her Family’s Iconic Roadside Brand
is a legendary and iconic thread in the fabric of Americana. Founded in Eastman, Georgia in 1937 by WS “Sylvester” Stuckey, Sr., Stuckey’s grew into a roadside empire by the 1970s, with 368 stores in more than 30 states. Part of the charm that made Stuckey’s so iconic were its ubiquitous billboards, more than 4,000 of them, which were dotted along U.S. highways. Stuckey’s was an inextricable part of what became known as “The Great American Road Trip.” Fast forward to 2019, Stuckey’s was on life support. The brand had gone through hard times, and its former stand-alone locations, still identifiable by their teal blue roofs, were now relics of a bygone era. Some were abandoned and boarded-up; others became home to less-than-savory businesses. By this time the brand had changed hands multiple times and become an unprofitable line item on a bigger company’s balance sheet. But Stuckey’s was about to experience a surprising rebirth. In 2019, former Georgia legislator Stephanie Stuckey, a practicing attorney at the time, received a fateful phone call. Stuckey’s, the brand started by her grandfather all those years ago, was up for sale. With no experience in running a business, 53-year-old Stephanie defied the odds (and the advice of virtually everyone she spoke to), cashed in her entire life’s savings, and traded her future to buy back and revive the business bearing her family’s name. Since then, Stephanie has become a legend in the business community. A perfect storm of scrappiness, shrewd business sense and passion, she’s now a bone fide rock star with all the street cred to stage a successful turnaround. And she has the receipts to prove it. Under Stephanie’s leadership, Stuckey’s and its flagship pecan log rolls are back in black. In this episode, Stephanie discusses growing up with an iconic last name, her career as a legislator and attorney, her decision to lay it all on the line to buy back her family’s business, how she’s rebuilt the brand, and what’s next for Stuckey’s. Stephanie chronicles her life on the road at her Instagram account, . Her new book, “,” is available at Amazon or wherever you buy books. If you like this episode, please check out some of our past episodes featuring female entrepreneurs: Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes
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Best of 2023 Audience Pick: Brian "Q" Quinn's Impractical Career Shift: Fireman to Funny Man
02/02/2024
Best of 2023 Audience Pick: Brian "Q" Quinn's Impractical Career Shift: Fireman to Funny Man
Surprise, Second Act Stories fans! We have one more “Best of 2023” episode to share with you. It's the episode you picked as your favorite of the year: our interview with , who's best known as one of the four stars of the smash hit TV show "." Currently in its 10th season on , Q and lifelong friends and (a fourth friend and member of the show, , departed from the show last year) “compete to embarrass each other,” with hilarious results. It’s wildly popular because it doesn’t force you to think, and it’s guaranteed to make you laugh. At the age of 36, Q was working as an fireman in Staten Island, New York, but then something incredible happened: Impractical Jokers was born and it took off like a rocket. It quickly became truTV’s highest-rated show, and it’s one of the most successful comedies on cable TV. After using all his available leave time from the fire department, Q was faced with a dilemma: stay with the FDNY, work his 20 years and retire with a pension, or leave his career behind to continue with the show? In this episode, Brian Quinn talks about his career as a fireman, the tough decisions he faced when Impractical Jokers became successful, and some of the hilarious experiences he’s had as a star of the show. Featured image credit: truTV/Warner Bros. Discovery Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes For more about Impractical Jokers, visit them at
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Best of 2023: Sweeter Days Ahead: How Baking Transformed Janie Deegan's Life
01/21/2024
Best of 2023: Sweeter Days Ahead: How Baking Transformed Janie Deegan's Life
Second Act Stories annual “Best of” episodes give us an opportunity to re-share remarkable stories, and welcome new listeners by giving them a good taste of what we do here: profile people who have made major life and career changes to pursue a more rewarding life in a second act career. We’re selecting two “Best of 2023” episodes to share with you. Andy Levine selected his favorite interview conducted by co-host Scott Merritt in the past year, and Scott is reciprocating this week. Scott's pick for 2023 is “Sweeter Days Ahead: How Baking Transformed Janie Deegan's Life.” In 2009, Janie Deegan returned home from college with a serious alcohol and drug problem. Eventually, she found herself homeless and living on the streets of New York City. Fast forward to today...she is the owner of "Janie's Life Changing Baked Goods," a thriving business with three, NYC bakeries and booming e-commerce division. At the center of her success is the "pie crust cookie" -- essentially a baby pie that comes in five, different flavors. Her company and her cookies have been featured on Good Morning America, The TODAY Show, CNN and The New York Times. The company is dedicated to helping other young women through mentorship and second chance employment. As Janie shares in the podcast, "The person you show up for at the interview is the person we're looking at. We're not doing background checks...we have formerly incarcerated employees, homeless staff and those with addiction problems. It's been really beautiful to see how people blossom when they are given a chance." Interested in trying Janie's pie crust cookies? They come in apple, pecan, triple berry, chocolate and cherry and can be ordered from .
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Best of 2023: The Unlikely Launch of a 54-Year-Old, YouTube Star
01/14/2024
Best of 2023: The Unlikely Launch of a 54-Year-Old, YouTube Star
Second Act Stories annual, “best of” episode gives us an opportunity to re-share a remarkable story, and welcome new listeners by giving them a good taste of what we do here: profile people who have made major life and career changes to pursue a more rewarding life in a second act career. We’re selecting two “Best of 2023” episodes to share with you. Andy Levine gets to select his favorite interview conducted by co-host Scott Merritt in the past year. And Scott gets to reciprocate next week. Andy’s selection for 2023 is “Everything Rick Beato: The Unlikely Launch of a 54-Year-Old YouTube Star.” is one of the most successful YouTube stars in the world. His channel, , has 3.5 million subscribers and is approaching 600 million views. Among the different types of videos Rick posts are his , , and his on all things music. Rick also has an incredible series of long-form, sit-down with some of the most acclaimed music artists in the world, including , , , and . But Rick didn’t find success on YouTube until he was in his mid-50s, following the viral success of a video he posted of his demonstrating his perfect pitch. In fact, he didn’t even launch his channel until he was 54. Prior to his YouTube success, Rick taught music at the college level, he held private lessons (by his estimation, he taught more than 12,000 lessons), he was a music producer and engineer. In this episode, Rick shares his journey from childhood, when he first played the cello, to the classrooms of upstate New York, to his experience working in the music industry, to the incredible success he enjoys today as one of the world’s most well-respected experts on “Everything Music.”
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Act II: Dynamic CEO Pens New Role As Playwright
12/21/2023
Act II: Dynamic CEO Pens New Role As Playwright
Donald Loftus had a difficult upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio. His father left him and his two sisters at a young age. His mother worked at Sears and struggled to make ends meet. From grades 1-8, he was a C student. But in 9th grade, his world changed when a class trip brought him to New York City. His class saw four Broadway plays that weekend and it completely changed his life. He graduated from Cleveland State University with a degree in theatre and business. Following a first job at The May Department Store Company, he rose up the ranks of the luxury beauty industry eventually serving as the US President/CEO of P&G Prestige, Cosmopolitan Cosmetics, Sanofi Beauté and Gianni Versace Profumi. But the theatre was now in his blood and he wrote plays every morning from 4 to 7 am before heading off to a demanding job in the c-suite. After retiring from Corporate America in 2018, he has pursued playwrighting on a full time basis. More than 200 productions of his work – a mix of full-length plays, one-act plays and musicals – have been seen by audiences around the world. Visit his website, , for more on his amazing work.
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Empowering Moms: She Left Corporate Real Estate to Launch A Breast Pumping Startup
11/21/2023
Empowering Moms: She Left Corporate Real Estate to Launch A Breast Pumping Startup
Patrice Meagher had a lucrative career in real estate. For 15 years, she worked in New York City as an Executive Vice President at CBRE, one of the world's largest, corporate real estate firms. But like other working parents, she struggled with the challenge of balancing her work life and raising a family of four children. A specific pain point in her career -- returning to work after maternity leave and breast pumping milk for her new child. Like many new mothers, she was told to pump in the bathroom which she describes as unhygienic, embarrassing and not sustainable. "For me, breast pumping at work was by far the single-most, inefficient thing I did as a working mom. I knew there had to be a way to make it easier." In March, 2020, she left CBRE and founded so that other mothers wouldn't have to choose between family and career due to the challenges of breast pumping at work. Collaborating with engineers, patent attorneys and other experts, the company created an FDA-approved, multi-user breast pumping system built for the workplace wellness room. And with the recent passage of the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, MilkMate is helping employers meet the new federal requirements while supporting employees who wish to breast pump in the workplace. Click to learn more about Patrice Meagher and the unique offerings of MilkMate.
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School's Out, Laughs Are In: Retired Teacher Patty Forehand Becomes a Standup Comic
10/30/2023
School's Out, Laughs Are In: Retired Teacher Patty Forehand Becomes a Standup Comic
The moment Patty Forehand opens her mouth, you know she’s from the deep south. And with that comes a certain set of preconceived notions. If she opens her mouth in front of a microphone on a comedy club stage, those notions are immediately blown away, and the results are hilarious. It’s funny once the F-bombs start flying and you realize she’s not the stereotypical, retirement-age, “proper southern lady” society expects when they see her, but it’s even funnier when you hear that her material is funny. Really funny. It gets even more interesting when you realize that she’s relatively new to comedy. This standup comic, who’s been crushing rooms all over the South, has only been doing it for the past few years. She decided to experiment with comedy after she retired from a 31-year career teaching in an elementary school. And the results speak for themselves; Patty found her calling. But she also says that teaching was a calling, and she worked an entire career in a Georgia elementary school. So why, when most other people are making plans to coast into retirement, did she decide it was time to try her hand at something that’s not only intimidating, but also incredibly difficult? In this episode, Patty discusses her southern roots and upbringing, her career as “the funny teacher” in an elementary school classroom, her decision to do standup comedy, and why working dirty is only a result of finding her authentic self. For more about Patty, and to learn about her live dates, you can follow her on Instagram at . If you like this episode, please check out our other episodes featuring comedians with inspiring second act stories: Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes
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Lawyer to Clown to Children’s Musician: Robert’s Unusual Journey
09/25/2023
Lawyer to Clown to Children’s Musician: Robert’s Unusual Journey
Robert Markowitz was a criminal defense attorney in Palo Alto, California. But the work caused him a great deal of stress and he started developing all sorts of physical ailments. So he quit and headed to Mexico to escape the job he hated. When he finally returned to the United States, he was 37-years-old, broke and living with his mother back in his boyhood home in New York. Going through the help wanted section of The New York Times, he came across an advertisement for a company that would train you to be a clown. So he became "Bobo, The Clown" and he started performing at children's birthday parties. "Bobo the Clown" eventually made the transition to "Robert, The Guitar Guy." He has been performing for young children -- mostly 3, 4 and 5 year-olds -- for over 25 years now. His latest move -- authoring a debut novel called "." The story is a fictionalized narrative of Robert's major life experiences. And like his performances, the book is fast-moving, funny and highly-entertaining. We hope you'll order a copy on Amazon.
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On Patrol: Deputy Royce James Trades Financial Service for Public Service
09/08/2023
On Patrol: Deputy Royce James Trades Financial Service for Public Service
After growing up in what he describes as the ghettos of Daytona Beach, spent a decade working as a financial advisor, ultimately reaching the elite level of working with high-net-worth individuals. In spite of that success, he was frustrated by the fact that very few of his clients followed his advice. He knew it was time for a career change, but to what? And was he crazy to leave the security of a solid career for a huge unknown? One fateful day, looking down at the highway from the Tampa skyscraper where he was working, a revelation struck. Royce saw a line of police vehicles weaving through traffic, blue lights on, and his interest was piqued. Whatever they were doing, it looked cool and he wanted in. That’s when Royce contacted local law enforcement agencies to go on ride-alongs. The very first ride-along, which he describes as “the most mundane law enforcement day ever,” was all he needed to know his next step. He was hooked. That’s when Royce made the decision to resign from financial service and enter public service. It was a massive uphill climb, moving into his mom’s apartment, going back to a minimum wage job, enrolling in police academy, living on ramen noodles and hot dogs, and slogging through a grueling year-long process that had no guarantee of a job on the other end. Royce defied the odds at every stage of his career; his grit and determination pulled him through. Today, Deputy Royce James has built a very successful career with the in Florida, where his work is regularly chronicled on the and show . You can tune in and watch him in action every Friday and Saturday night at 9:00 pm ET. In this episode, Royce discusses how he built his career in financial service, the struggle he faced in making an unlikely career change, and the case he solved that earned him an accolade as by the State of Florida. Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes
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"I Work With My Hands Everyday"...Ex-KPMG Consultant Finds Bliss Crafting Custom Furniture
08/18/2023
"I Work With My Hands Everyday"...Ex-KPMG Consultant Finds Bliss Crafting Custom Furniture
Sergio Raynal was at the top of his game. With a staff of 25+, he was responsible for KPMG’s real estate and hospitality consulting for Pacific Asia and the West Coast of the United States. Woodworking was always a hobby and a way to relieve stress from his high-pressure job. But it became a “side hustle” and eventually a full-time pursuit following a falling out with the management team at KPMG. “The reward is the sense of accomplishment and creation. That's what I like about working with my hands. I'll sometimes be bone tired. I feel every ache and pain but at the end of the day there is a great deal of satisfaction that comes from a day well spent in the shop.” Sergio uses old-world furniture making and cabinetry techniques – never using a nail or screw in his work. You can view his handiwork at . Conference room table built by Sergio Raynal. Phonograph table created by Sergio Raynal Custom desk built by Sergio Raynal
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'From the Vault' How Noa Shaw, an Overweight Drug Dealer, Became a SoulCycle Instructor
08/08/2023
'From the Vault' How Noa Shaw, an Overweight Drug Dealer, Became a SoulCycle Instructor
We hope you enjoy this ‘From the Vault’ episode, which reintroduces one of our favorite guests: Noa Shaw. Noa Shaw has led a hard life. Drugs and alcohol took hold of him at an early age. And he has struggled as both a drug addict and drug dealer for most of his adult life. But eight years ago his life took a turn for the better when he wandered into a SoulCycle studio that was just opening up in Los Angeles. SoulCycle is a fitness company that is the gold standard in cycling workouts. After his first workout, he was hooked. For three months, he attended every day – sometimes two workouts per day. He lost 100 pounds and got himself into shape both physically and mentally. The team at SoulCycle saw something in Noa and they invited him to audition as a fitness instructor. At 57 years old, he is the oldest SoulCycle instructor on the planet. And here in New York City, Noa has built a dedicated following of riders that are inspired by him on a regular basis. He is a certified life coach and in February 2021 released an inspirational book “.” Noa Shaw can be reached on Instagram (@noashaw26) or by email ([email protected]).
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'From the Vault' Cathy & the Crankshafts: Social Worker Learns To Fix Cars For Working Poor
07/25/2023
'From the Vault' Cathy & the Crankshafts: Social Worker Learns To Fix Cars For Working Poor
We hope you enjoy this 'From the Vault' episode, which reintroduces one of our favorite early guests: Cathy Heying. While working as the Director of Social Justice at St. Stephen’s Church in Minneapolis, Cathy Heying observed a continuing problem among the working poor in the church’s neighborhood: A poor person’s car would break down and they would not have the money to repair it; Lacking dependable transportation, he/she would be unable to get to work and lose their job; Unable to pay the rent, they would become homeless. She initially thought: “Somebody really should do something about this.” And then she thought: “Maybe that somebody is me.” Cathy took the unusual step of enrolling in a two-year technical college to learn auto mechanics. It was a difficult experience for a 38-year-old social worker who knew very little about automotive repair. But she got through it with the help of an instructor named Dave Duval (who is also interviewed in this episode). Following graduation, she founded an extraordinary non-profit called The Lift Garage. According to the organization’s mission The Lift Garage is a 501c3 nonprofit aimed to move people out of poverty and homelessness by providing low-cost car repair, free pre-purchase car inspections, and honest advice that supports our community on the road to more secure lives. In 2015, Cathy Heying was named a CNN Hero which raised the profile of the organization nationally. But Cathy was already a hero to the men and women of the Twin Cities who rely on her and The Lift Garage to help them make a living and live a better life. to learn more about The Lift Garage and how you can help support their mission.
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From GE Engineer to Bladesmith: Jonathan Bahlatzis' Epic Exit Strategy
07/10/2023
From GE Engineer to Bladesmith: Jonathan Bahlatzis' Epic Exit Strategy
Jonathan Bahlatzis spent 15 years in corporate America, 11 of which were spent working as an engineer for GE. He rose through the ranks and took on leadership roles that gave him all the trappings of success. But even with all that safety and security, he had a passion he needed to follow. In 2016 – in the midst of his GE career – Jonathan launched , an artisan blade company where he designs and hand crafts beautiful knives and blades. Kopis’s tag line is “Form, fit, and function for every day carry.” A successful Kickstarter campaign established a following for Kopis Designs. He finally made the decision to make Kopis Designs his full-time job in January 2023. In this episode, Jonathan discusses his engineering career, his decision to leave that behind to become a full-time bladesmith, and the personal challenges he faces on a daily basis. He offers unique perspectives as a newer entrepreneur and talks about where he lives, at the intersection of artistry, manufacturing and craftsmanship. Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes
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Alt Rock Icon Finds New Gig Teaching Music To Toddlers
06/17/2023
Alt Rock Icon Finds New Gig Teaching Music To Toddlers
Tracy Bonham built a reputation as a "badass rocker" with "Mother, Mother," a powerful anthem that made it to #1 on Billboard's "Alternative Rock" charts. The song and her "The Burdens of Being Upright" album were nominated for two Grammy awards and led to arena tours with Aerosmith and the Blue Man Group. But in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down live music across the world, Tracy launched Melodeon in 2020. The new enterprise is aimed at teaching a younger audience she lovingly calls "young music enthusiasts." Inspired by Sesame Street, Electric Company and School House Rock, she created an innovative, music education curriculum for pre-school children. In April 2021, Tracy released her first children's album, along with a series of music videos. to learn more about Tracey, Melodeon and songs like "Feeling Pretty Major," "I Like Big Beats" and "Let's Take the Subway."
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Sweeter Days Ahead: How Baking Transformed Janie Deegan's Life
06/05/2023
Sweeter Days Ahead: How Baking Transformed Janie Deegan's Life
In 2009, Janie Deegan returned home from college with a serious alcohol and drug problem. Eventually, she found herself homeless and living on the streets of New York City. Fast forward to today...she is the owner of "Janie's Life Changing Baked Goods," a thriving business with three, NYC bakeries and booming e-commerce division. At the center of her success is the "pie crust cookie" -- essentially a baby pie that comes in five, different flavors. Her company and her cookies have been featured on Good Morning America, The TODAY Show, CNN and The New York Times. The company is dedicated to helping other young women through mentorship and second chance employment. As Janie shares in the podcast, "The person you show up for at the interview is the person we're looking at. We're not doing background checks...we have formerly incarcerated employees, homeless staff and those with addiction problems. It's been really beautiful to see how people blossom when they are given a chance." Interested in trying Janie's pie crust cookies? They come in apple, pecan, triple berry, chocolate and cherry and can be ordered from .
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Ed Calderon’s After Party: Empowering Others with Lessons from the Cartel Wars
05/23/2023
Ed Calderon’s After Party: Empowering Others with Lessons from the Cartel Wars
is surprised he didn’t die by the age of 30. That’s the fate that many Mexican law enforcement officers face. But Ed wasn’t just a cop; he worked for a special paramilitary police force that was created for the sole purpose of battling the drug cartels. Just being there meant he was being hunted by some of the most dangerous people in Mexico with no code of ethics. He learned to use a knife as a kid, and guns, well… everyone had guns in Mexico in spite of the laws. A series of events in his childhood, profoundly marked by the loss of his brother, broke apart Ed’s family and left him rudderless. After working a bunch of odd jobs, Ed found an ad in the newspaper seeking single men without kids for a new special police force. He knew he had to join. That’s when Ed found himself on the front lines of the Mexican cartel wars, seeing and experiencing things that would put most of us in a psychiatric institution. When fate eventually handed Ed a daughter, he reconsidered his career and made his way to America. In this episode, Ed shares his journey from his hometown of Tijuana, one of the hottest battlefields in the cartel wars, to what he refers to as his “after party,” teaching others the means to their own survival. From hosting classroom seminars, to consulting on movies, to consulting with the military and Congress, Ed’s path to his after party is a wild and captivating ride. Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes
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Meet A "Salvage Angel"...Hair Stylist Cuts A New Path In Restoration
05/01/2023
Meet A "Salvage Angel"...Hair Stylist Cuts A New Path In Restoration
After graduation from high school, Carolyn Curtin enrolled at the Wilfred Academy and received a degree in cosmetology. For years, she worked as a hairstylist. But her path changed in 2002 when she purchased a 100-year-old, Victorian house in Asbury Park, New Jersey and set about restoring it to it's original glory. The city was in the midst of a major revitalization and historic buildings were been "clear cut" to make way for progress. Carolyn saw both beauty and historical significance in these structures and she started to extract items of value in advance of the wrecking ball. She began offering items she didn't need for her own restoration -- columns, railings, doors and reclaimed lumber -- to others around her. Local Asbury Park Historian gave her the moniker of "Salvage Angel" and that ultimately became the name of her new company. Today, "" has hundreds of thousands of items for sale -- moldings, exterior doors, custom made rugs, stained glass, lighting, plumbing fixtures, tile, furniture, nautical fittings, bathtubs, mantles and housewares. And it’s all things that were headed to the junkyard but Carolyn figured out a way to reclaim and save it for others. It's housed in a 20,000 square foot former Canada Dry warehouse which Carolyn acquired in 2014. In the past seven years, she has also begun renting items to the television/film production industry and her wares have been featured in shows ranging from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to West Side Story to Pretty Little Liars. Production crews now represent 70% of the company's revenue. 39bZYcvf8bSnNWDRFBug
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Everything Rick Beato: The Unlikely Launch of a 54-Year-Old YouTube Star
04/16/2023
Everything Rick Beato: The Unlikely Launch of a 54-Year-Old YouTube Star
is one of the most successful YouTube stars in the world. His channel, , has 3.5 million subscribers and is approaching 600 million views. Among the different types of videos Rick posts are his , , and his on all things music. Rick also has an incredible series of long-form, sit-down with some of the most acclaimed music artists in the world, including , , , , and a group interview with grunge legends . But Rick didn’t find success on YouTube until he was in his mid-50s, following the viral success of a video he posted of his demonstrating his perfect pitch. In fact, he didn’t even launch his channel until he was 54. Prior to his YouTube success, Rick taught music at the college level, he held private lessons (by his estimation, he taught more than 12,000 lessons), he was a music producer and engineer, and he even co-wrote the song "" by the band , which hit #1 on the Billboard Country chart. Rick is also one of the only people in the world who isn't a rock star to have his own guitars. In this episode, Rick shares his journey from childhood, when he first played the cello, to the classrooms of upstate New York, to his experience working in the music industry, to the incredible success he enjoys today as one of the world’s most well-respected experts on “Everything Music.” Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes
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Grateful Ted: A Second Act In Psychedelic Rock Poster Art
04/03/2023
Grateful Ted: A Second Act In Psychedelic Rock Poster Art
Ted Bahr's career in magazine publishing and trade show management spans 35+ years. He held senior management positions at publishing giants Ziff-Davis and Miller-Freeman before launching his own firm, BZ Media. When he sold BZ Media in 2017, he returned to an early passion: the collection of psychodelic, rock poster art. Ted launched the world's first art gallery to focus on this narrow niche of first-printing posters primarily from 1966-1970. Via the Bahr Gallery, Ted collects and sells works of art designed to promote the concerts of the Grateful Dead, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and others. Beautifully framed in museum quality glass, the posters range from $1,000 to upwards of $20,000. According to Ted, "When I sell these posters, they're going to somebody who is filled with joy, Probably 35% of my sales are gifts. So people are buying these posters for somebody in their life that has no idea they even exist. They are getting this gift of Santana poster from 1968 -- an original poster with the screaming colors beautifully framed. I get massive psychic reward from this." You can view his amazing . But the best way to see this art and get a personal tour by Ted, is to visit the in Oyster Bay, Long Island (just an hour outside of New York City). A sampling of six posters from the collection are shared below. A special shout-out to Carl Landau and the for connecting us with Ted Bahr.
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Brian “Q” Quinn’s Impractical Career Shift: Fireman to Funny Man
03/19/2023
Brian “Q” Quinn’s Impractical Career Shift: Fireman to Funny Man
is one of the stars of the massive hit TV show, . Currently in its 10th season on , Q and lifelong friends and (a fourth friend and member of the show, , departed from the show last year) “compete to embarrass each other,” with hilarious results. It’s wildly popular because it doesn’t force you to think, and it’s guaranteed to make you laugh. At the age of 36, Q was working as an fireman in Staten Island, New York, but then something incredible happened: Impractical Jokers was born and it took off like a rocket. It quickly became truTV’s highest-rated show, and it’s one of the most successful comedies on cable TV. After using all his available leave time from the fire department, Q was faced with a dilemma: stay with the FDNY, work his 20 years and retire with a pension, or leave his career behind to continue with the show? In this episode, Brian Quinn talks about his career as a fireman, the tough decisions he faced when Impractical Jokers became successful, and some of the hilarious experiences he’s had as a star of the show. Featured image credit: truTV/Warner Bros. Discovery Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes Episode title credit: Amanda Loduca (from Facebook group: , created by Dawn Marie). For more about Impractical Jokers, visit them at
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The Michael Strahan Interview: How an NFL Legend Became a Giant in Entertainment
03/04/2023
The Michael Strahan Interview: How an NFL Legend Became a Giant in Entertainment
Michael Strahan is an NFL legend. He spent his entire 15-year Hall of Fame career as a defensive end for the . A five-time All-Pro, Strahan appeared in seven Pro Bowls, he accumulated 141.5 career sacks, he held two NFL sack titles, and he was a key member of the NY Giants team that won against the in 2008. Following his NFL retirement, Michael Strahan joined as an analyst. This first foray into the broadcast booth was the catalyst for what has made him a broadcasting legend. Strahan went on to host after Regis Philbin retired, and today he’s one of the hosts of ABC News . The two-time Emmy Award winner also hosts the highly successful reboot of the popular game show, . In 2023, Strahan was honored with a star on the venerable . In this episode, Michael Strahan shares details about his careers, he discusses his transition from the gridiron to the TV studio, and he reveals the mindset and philosophies that have helped him reach the top in such a profound way. Episode image credit: Fox Sports
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Leap of Faith: Greg & Pam Ayers Quit Their Jobs To Answer God's Call
02/20/2023
Leap of Faith: Greg & Pam Ayers Quit Their Jobs To Answer God's Call
Greg and Pam Ayers were living the good life in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were living the American Dream...senior management positions with significant salaries, a nice home and two young children. But the loss of a close friend caused Greg to question his own life and ask “Am I really making a difference in the world?” And the couple decided it was time for a change. Both Greg and Pam quit their jobs, relocated to Tucson, Arizona and started a new organization called GAP Ministries. Over the past 24 years, they have built an amazing non-profit that is focused on foster care, reuniting families and breaking the cycles of poverty and abuse. With a staff of 120 people and an annual budget of $10 million, the group is having a significant impact in Southern Arizona. On more than one occasion, they have "emptied" their own retirement savings to keep the organization moving forward. to learn more about the inspiring work of GAP Ministries.
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How To ROAR Into Your Second Act: 21 Minutes with Michael Clinton
02/01/2023
How To ROAR Into Your Second Act: 21 Minutes with Michael Clinton
Michael Clinton is a uniquely-talented individual. A former president and publishing director of Hearst Publications (which includes Cosmopolitan, Esquire, O The Oprah Magazine, Redbook and Woman's Day), Michael is also an accomplished photographer, marathon runner, philanthropist, author and private pilot. When he finally decided to step down from his publishing career, he was looking for advice on his next stage of life. "Everything I read was about winding down. And I wanted to just the opposite. I wanted to wind up and do lots of new things." And that's when the idea for his new book, "ROAR Into the Second Half of Your Life (Before It's Too Late)," was born. ROAR is an acronym that outlines an empowering path for embracing your future. The four, important steps are: "R"...Reimagine yourself "O"...Own who you are "A"...Act on what's next "R"...Reassess your Relationships Click for more about the book and Michael Clinton, It's a terrific read and we're happy to add it to our "Best Books About Second Acts" list.
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Best of 2022: Jeff “Skunk” Baxter’s Coda: A Doobie Brother Focuses on Counter Terrorism
01/09/2023
Best of 2022: Jeff “Skunk” Baxter’s Coda: A Doobie Brother Focuses on Counter Terrorism
At the beginning of each year, we at Second Act Stories like to take a look back at the incredible interviews we shared and pick one episode that truly exemplifies the surprising, inspiring and eye-opening nature of a fascinating career change. This “Best of” show gives us an opportunity to re-share a remarkable story, and it welcomes new listeners by giving them a good taste of what we do here: profile people who have made major life and career changes to pursue a more rewarding life in a second act career. The numbers spoke for themselves this year. Without question, the episode our listeners downloaded the most was our interview with rock and roll legend . Skunk was the founding lead guitarist in Steely Dan, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Doobie Brothers. As a hired gun, he’s played with a who’s who of music royalty, including Linda Ronstadt, Donna Summer, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon… the list goes on and on. From the time he was a child, the mechanically inclined Baxter loved taking things apart to see how they worked and putting them back together. He became an expert guitar repair technician and built custom guitars. He traded a custom white Fender Stratocaster he built in the 1960s to Jimi James, who would later re-emerge as the legendary Jimi Hendrix. In the 1980s, Skunk parlayed his more-than-casual interest in all things technical into a career as a missile defense consultant. After writing a paper that was quickly classified, he received the necessary clearances and now regularly consults with the U.S. government, the Pentagon and the Joint Chiefs on topics including counterterrorism and wargaming. Skunk recently released a new solo album, his first, called . We hope you enjoy this encore presentation – the Best of 2022 episode of Second Act Stories – our exciting deep dive into the second act of one of rock’s greatest guitarists.
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Elementary School Custodian Tylan Bailey Finds a Perfect Second Act as a Teacher
01/04/2023
Elementary School Custodian Tylan Bailey Finds a Perfect Second Act as a Teacher
Tylan Bailey had a tough home life growing up. He had more than his fair share of adversity, which brought him to no fewer than 14 schools by the time he was ready to graduate from high school. In spite of such a profound lack of stability, Tylan created his own stable environment by focusing on his education. Tylan’s lifelong dream of becoming a teacher was sidetracked when he found himself in a predicament that prevented him from attending college, and instead found him applying for jobs that would pay well and provide benefits. Although he found himself working in an elementary school, as a custodian, the idea of becoming a teacher seemed like a pipe dream at this point. 23 years later, Tylan was making pretty good money as the head custodian and he had seniority, but it was time to scratch that teaching itch. With the support of his wife, he took himself back to college and earned his teaching degree. Today, Tylan still works in an elementary school, but now he’s a PE teacher and he couldn’t be happier. Tylan’s story was featured in national headlines, and he was even invited to a Hollywood movie premiere where he befriended Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The dream became a reality, and Tylan Bailey is living proof that it’s never too late to find your happiness. The key, as he puts it, is to meet your blessings halfway.
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Hats Off To Deborah: At 60, She Became A Milliner
12/08/2022
Hats Off To Deborah: At 60, She Became A Milliner
Deborah Kase Lillian always loved hats. She played dress up with her mother's and grandmother's hats as a child. And she always loved rummaging through thrift stores to find unique hats. But it was the combination of an earlier move to Paris and her 60th birthday that convinced her to go back to school to learn the amazing craft of hat making (or millinery) late in life. In 2020 in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, she launched her own hat-making company called "Harris Pat" (which comes from a spoonerism in a Cole Porter song with the line "If a Harris Pat means a Paris Hat, okay.") As Deborah shared in this episode: "Elizabeth Zimmermann is a noted knitter and knitting teacher. And I will never forget that she said once, 'People will put something on their head for, it seems to me, two reasons. Either it keeps them warm or it makes them feel cute.' And I like my hats to make people feel attractive and pretty and cute and seductive and alluring." to learn more about her work and hats. Or you can follow her and her designs on @leharrispat.
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