When It's Time to Move On: Starting Your Second Act with Shannon Russell, CEO and Founder of Second Act Success (S9:Epi 237)
Release Date: 05/05/2025
When the Call Is Coming from Inside the House: Female Misogyny at Work (S9:Epi 249)
Sweet but Fearless Podcast
We’ve all seen male-driven misogyny, condescending remarks, unequal pay, and the ever-present glass ceiling. But what about the subtler, more unexpected form that comes from within our own ranks? In this episode, Mary Sullivan and Cooper Alexander, co-founders of Sweet But Fearless, talk about when women, knowingly or not, uphold the very systems and stereotypes that hold other women back. From competitive gatekeeping to subtle undermining, we’ll explore how female misogyny plays out in the workplace, why it happens, and what we can do to break the cycle. It’s time to have the...
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The Power of a Career Pivot with Kelsey Cook, Founder of Learning with Kelsey (S9:Epi 248)
Sweet but Fearless Podcast
Have you ever wondered how an unexpected challenge can reveal a new path? In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Kelsey Cook, a former teacher turned entrepreneur, about how she recognized the uncertainty parents faced when schools shut down during the pandemic. To help her students and their parents, she began creating hands-on, engaging educational packets for preschoolers. What started as a simple way to support families during the pandemic evolved into Learning with Kelsey, an educational subscription box that has grown from a home-based idea...
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When Reliability Holds You Back (S9:Epi 247)
Sweet but Fearless Podcast
Are you being passed over for promotions despite being the go-to person everyone counts on? In this episode, we dive into the surprising downside of being too reliable at work. While dependability is a strength, it can sometimes box you into a support role instead of positioning you as a strategic leader. We explore why being the "fixer" or “hidden gem” might actually be holding you back - and what to do about it. You'll learn how to shift from doing to leading, speak about your work in terms of impact, and advocate for your future role, not just your current one. If you've ever felt...
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Healing Healthcare with Dr. Julie Wilson, CEO & Founder and Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women (S9:Epi 246)
Sweet but Fearless Podcast
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Dr. Julie Wilson, CEO and founder of Terra Nova Medical Clinics. A visionary family physician and healthcare entrepreneur, Dr. Wilson shares how she reimagined primary care by prioritizing workplace culture, physician autonomy, and compassionate leadership. She talks about the importance of investing in people, earning trust through action, and creating a culture grounded in respect. Today, she leads the largest integrated clinic network in British Columbia, with a mission to ensure every resident has access to a...
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Authentic Leadership with Susannah Robinson, CEO & Founder of Partnership for Talent (S9:Epi 245)
Sweet but Fearless Podcast
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Susannah Robinson, CEO & Founder of Partnership for Talent, about what it truly means to lead with impact through service leadership. Susannah emphasizes the importance of defining your leadership vision and leading from it with clarity and purpose. Drawing from years of guiding leaders, she reminds us that perfection isn’t the goal—authenticity is. When leaders show up as their real selves, it creates space for teams to do the same, building trust and fostering a culture of accountability. Susannah is also...
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The Leadership Mirror with Valarie Sandjivy, founder of EllipsUS (S9:Epi 244)
Sweet but Fearless Podcast
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Valarie Sandjivy, founder of EllipsUS. As a seasoned leadership mentor and business coach with over 20 years of experience guiding leaders through growth and change, she empowers today’s leaders to lead themselves and others with empathy, agility, and fresh thinking. Valarie believes that true leadership starts within - because you can't lead others until you know how to lead yourself. Somewhere along the way, we were taught that focusing on ourselves is selfish, but the opposite is true. Self-awareness is...
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From Corporate to Unexpected Entrepreneur with Melissa Franks, founder of On Call COO (S9:Epi 243)
Sweet but Fearless Podcast
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Melissa Franks, founder of On Call COO, a fractional COO company. Melissa talks about her journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur and how aligning business goals with personal vision is key to sustainable success. She suggests that when looking to make a career pivot, you should ask yourself: 1) What does my life need to look like right now? 2) What does the next year need to look like? 3) What will my life look like once my goals are achieved. Melissa doesn’t believe in waiting for the right...
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Do It Scared: The Entrepreneurial Path with Jensen Savage, Founder Savage Growth Partners (S9:Epi 242)
Sweet but Fearless Podcast
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Jensen Savage, founder of Savage Growth Partners, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to start your own business. From embracing fear to finding your niche, Jensen shares her journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. They talk about the entrepreneurial spirit, the power of carving your own path, and why waiting until you're "ready" might hold you back. Jensen’s advice? Do it scared—because clarity often comes from action, not perfection. As the founder of Savage Growth Partners,...
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Fuel Your Life: Why Success Starts with Sleep and Nutrition with Dr. Tiffany Watson, a nutrition and performance specialist (S9:Epi 241)
Sweet but Fearless Podcast
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Dr. Tiffany Watson, Owner of Dr. Tiff’s Fuel. Sweat. Science, about the often-overlooked connection between health, ambition, and sustainable success. Dr. Watson shares practical tips for finding balance in a world that glorifies hustle, and reminds us that if we're not careful, career growth can come at the cost of our well-being. From fueling your body with the right nutrition to making sleep a non-negotiable, this conversation is your reminder that peak performance starts with taking care of yourself - mind,...
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The Right Time to Pivot with Sara Fay Egan, President and CEO of Beale Street Blues Company (S9:Epi 240)
Sweet but Fearless Podcast
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Sara Fay Egan, President and CEO of Beale Street Blues, about the power of pivots, both in life and in career. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, actually, it rarely does. From surprise career twists to family emergencies and all the curveballs in between, it can sometimes feel like happiness is just out of reach. But what if you could find joy, even in the chaos? Mary and Sara explore how to recognize the seasons of life, trust your timing, and know when it’s time to shift direction. This honest...
info_outlineIn 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