► Tell us about you and your podcast
Produce your best life! Are you at a crossroads in your career or in life? The Second Act Success Podcast inspires women to be bold and begin a second act in life today. Join television producer turned entrepreneur and career coach, Shannon Russell, as she shares motivational stories of women who have changed careers, started new businesses, and followed their passions to the fullest. Let’s turn the page to discover second act success together!
I host the show and have guests who share their life changing career changes and how they made the switch to be happier.
Listeners are women(and some men) who are interested in changing careers and finding their purpose in life.
My bio:
Shannon Russell is an entrepreneur, Career Coach, and host of the Second Act Success Podcast. Shannon spent over 16 years as a Television Producer in New York City and Los Angeles. She then pivoted to open her own business running a Snapology franchise teaching children STEM education. Now, as a certified Career Coach, Shannon added another venture to the mix with Second Act Success (www.secondactsuccess.co.) She coaches women on how to change careers, start a business, and follow their creative passions to the fullest. Shannon shares her journey from television executive to business owner and mom, through her Second Act Success Podcast, as she interviews inspirational women who have made the leap into a career change and transitioned into a happier healthier human. Shannon hopes to motivate more women to make big moves in life and follow their dreams through her businesses and podcast. She lives at the beach in New Jersey with her husband, two boys, and her chow chow pup.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I have been obsessed with podcasts for about 9 years or so. When I decided to leave my career as a television producer, I was alone and clueless about what to do. It was the Marie Forleo Podcast that inspired me to launch my own business and "produce" my own life. I opened my first business that changed my life and gave me the freedom for family that I wanted. I now also have my 2nd business with Second Act Success and the podcast, career coaching, and my online courses.
The podcast began when I had so many people asking me how I went from working with celebrities in TV to working with children in my Snapology franchise business. I began advising friends on how to change careers and decided a podcast would be the best way to share stories and advice with people so they can find inspiration to make a big life change, just like I did thanks to Marie Forleo and my other fav podcasters who inspired me.
I began working on the idea for the Podcast in February 2022, and I launched the podcast on 4/26/22 and have been weekly, if not twice weekly since. I now have enough interviews and episodes lined up through spring of 2023!
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
I release every Tuesday. I did 2 episodes a week in July, but it was a lot since I am a solo podcaster and run another business. I am also working on an online course and more coaching options for clients, so I'm juggling a lot. Will stick to weekly for a while. :)
I have a producing/editing background from my career in TV production, which helps, but it also means I am a perfectionist. It takes me 3-4 hours to get a podcast ready to go.
I fund podcasting myself now. I only spend money on hosting, Descript for editing, and PodMatch to help find guests and get myself booked on other podcasts. I do the marketing, editing, etc all myself.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
I look forward to having sponsorship one day, but right now I do not have any. I am working hard on ways to monetize.
My podcast has helped me meet so many wonderful people who inspire me every day. I have learned so much, and it has helped give me the tools to grow the Career Coaching aspect of my business and it will help me launch my upcoming Second Act Accelerator Course that I will release this Fall.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
I use Zencaster to record, Descript to edit, Buzzsprout to host, Canva to design for social, and Flodesk for email communication. I find guests via FB Communities, PodMatch, and word of mouth.
► How do you market your show?
My podcast is on every platform, but stats from Buzzsprout seem to show the most come from iTunes. I share on social, email newsletter once a week, I also have a website and post a weekly blog as well. I also guest on other podcasts to help spread awareness.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
I took a course from Melissa Guller of Wit & Wire and one from Jenna Kutcher, both really helped. Melissa's was a step by step and I would never have been able to launch without that guidance. I also think joining FB communities and following people on instagram is key to learn about the social atmosphere.
It has been the most incredible experience and I love every second of having a show, meeting people, chatting with guests, and I feel like I am adding value to others and that is my mission. :)
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
Website - https://secondactsuccess.co
Email - info@secondactsuccess.co
Blog - https://secondactsuccess.co/blog
Podlink - https://bit.ly/secondactsuccess
Linktr.ee - https://linktr.ee/secondactsuccess
linkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-act-success/
FB -https://www.facebook.com/secondactsuccess.co
Instagram -https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@secondactsuccess
Paypal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/secondactsuccess