Second Act Sessions
Second Act Sessions is a bi-weekly podcast for women navigating midlife and stepping into a new chapter. Hosted by Stephanie Carmody, the show is rooted in faith, healing, and lived experience, exploring what it really looks like to begin again and build a life that feels aligned, meaningful, and true. It's for the woman quietly asking what's next, who thought her life would look different by now and is beginning to realize she may need to start over. Through real, unfiltered conversations, the podcast shares stories, perspective, and encouragement for women learning to trust God, rediscover who they are, and rebuild their lives.
Episodes
The Cortisol Connection: What's Really Happening to Your Body in Midlife
Have you ever wondered why your body feels so different in midlife? Maybe you're gaining weight even though nothing has really changed, you're feeling exhausted, your sleep isn't great, or you just don't feel like yourself anymore. So many women assume it's simply part of getting older, but what if there's more to the story?In this episode, I sit down with Christine H
When Faith Meets Fear: An Honest Conversation About Anxiety
What if the season you feared the most was actually preparing you for the life God had planned for you?In this episode, I sit down with one of my dear friends, Ashley Poisella, for an honest conversation about anxiety, fear, faith, and what it looks like to navigate those seasons as Christians.Ashley and I first met years ago through the wedding industry, and reconnecting in midlife has been such
The Story Behind the Novel Forty Love: Midlife Reinvention and New Beginnings
What if midlife wasn’t about slowing down… but opening up?In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I’m joined by internationally bestselling author Jane Costello to talk about her newest novel, Forty Love, and the deeper themes behind the story.Together, we explore reinvention, friendship, loneliness, empty nests, trying new things later in life, and what happens when we allow ourselves to become b
Navigating Midlife: What I'm Learning Along the Way
Have you ever looked at your life in midlife and thought, This isn’t what I imagined?Maybe you thought you’d still be married. Maybe you pictured children, grandchildren, or a completely different chapter than the one you’re living today.In this deeply personal solo episode, I’m sharing an honest conversation about navigating midlife—the expectations we carry, the grief we don’t often talk about,
Style in Your Second Act: Dressing for the Life You're Living Now
What happens when your closet no longer fits your life?In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I’m joined by personal stylist and fashion expert Maria Casabianca for a conversation about confidence, identity, style, and navigating change in midlife.Because style in this season isn’t just about trends.Bodies change.Lifestyles change.Many of us work from home.And sometimes the clothes that used to w
Healing After Divorce: What I Learned Along the Way
This season on Second Act Sessions, we’re talking a lot about divorce, healing after divorce, relationships, emotional abuse, red flags, faith, and what it really means to begin again.And after having those conversations with guests, I felt like it was important to dedicate an episode to sharing a little more about my own experience.In this solo episode, I’m reflecting on my divorce journey and op
Divorce in Midlife: What I Wish More Women Knew
Divorce in midlife carries a different weight.By the time you reach your 40s or 50s, you’re not just untangling emotions — you’re untangling retirement accounts, shared investments, homes, businesses, and years — sometimes decades — of financial and personal history. The decisions made during this season can shape not only the present, but your long-term stability and future security.In this episo
The Story Behind Second Act Sessions
Season Two of Second Act Sessions begins with a personal solo episode from host Stephanie Carmody, sharing the story behind the podcast and the journey that led her here.In this heartfelt introduction, Stephanie opens up about the life experiences that shaped her second act — from navigating divorce, healing, and rebuilding confidence to rediscovering faith, purpose, and her voice. She shares the
Second Act Sessions Trailer
Second Act Sessions is a biweekly podcast for women navigating midlife and stepping into a new chapter.Hosted by Stephanie Carmody, the show explores what it really looks like to begin again and build a life that feels aligned, meaningful, and true through conversations rooted in faith, healing, and lived experience.It’s for the woman quietly asking, “What’s next?” The one realizing life may not l
Returning to Yourself: What Midlife Women Need Most but Rarely Say Out Loud
In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I sit down with Transformation Coach and Christian Encourager Kristin Fitch for an honest conversation about what happens when your life no longer fits — and how to find the clarity to move into what is next.Kristin helps women who feel stuck or overwhelmed rediscover what they want, reconnect with how God created them to live, and protect the parts of their
Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Narcissistic Patterns & Reclaiming Your Voice
In this episode, we’re continuing an important conversation around narcissistic abuse — but from a different lens. I’m sitting down with Mel John—author, truth seeker, and the voice behind the popular Instagram page @narcissisticpatterns. After a string of emotionally devastating relationships, Mel began to see a pattern—one that many others have experienced but often can’t name. In her powerful b
Navigating the Grief Journey: Turning Pain Into Purpose After Unspeakable Loss
In this heartfelt and hope-filled episode of Second Act Sessions, Stephanie welcomes Chris Mamone — an Acceptance Coach, grief advocate, and founder of The Empowered Grief Journey. After the devastating loss of his son, Chris turned his pain into purpose by helping others move through grief, trauma, and major life transitions with compassion and acceptance. Today, he coaches individuals who feel s
Different by Design: A New Perspective on ADHD
ADHD isn’t a flaw—it’s a different kind of brilliance.In this episode, I sit down with ADHD coach, best selling author of "Beyond ADHD" and host of the critically acclaimed podcast "The Fearless Now" Sam Led to reframe how we see and understand the ADHD mind. With over 18 years of experience helping clients harness their natural wiring, Sam shares powerful insights into why ADH
From Heartbreak to Hope: A Father’s Journey Through Grief
In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I’m joined by David J. Roberts—a retired addiction professional, professor, podcast host, and author whose life changed forever when his daughter Jeannine passed away from cancer in 2003. Out of unimaginable loss, Dave has dedicated his life to helping others navigate grief, healing, and purpose—reminding us that even in our most painful chapters, a second a
From Confusion to Clarity: Making Sense of MTHFR and Methylation
In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I’m joined by Tom Nikkola, a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) who has spent more than two decades helping people build stronger, healthier bodies through fitness, functional nutrition, and personal transformation. While his early work focused on physical performance and metabolic health, he’s now widely respected for his ability to bre
From Beauty to Breakthroughs: Redefining Purpose Through Life Coaching
In this episode, I’m joined by Dana Bartone—certified life coach, entrepreneur, and someone I first met years ago during our time in the Connecticut wedding industry. For over 30 years, Dana helped women look and feel beautiful through her work in hair and makeup. Now, in her second act, she’s rewriting the script—helping women feel empowered from the inside out.Dana’s mission is to support women
Rising From Rock Bottom: The Unbreakable Spirit of Tony Lynch
In this powerful episode of Second Act Sessions, I sit down with Tony Lynch—grief coach, speaker, founder of the nonprofit Memories of Us, and host of the Grief, Let’s Talk About It podcast. Tony’s story is one of raw survival and astonishing resilience. From gang life and addiction to homelessness and the devastating loss of his son, Tony has endured some of life’s darkest chapters. And yet, what
From Trauma to Truth: Reclaiming Your Voice After Narcissistic Abuse (Part 2)
In part 2 of my conversation with Laura Richards, we continue our conversation on narcissists—how to spot them, how to survive them, and what healing actually looks like after the damage is done. And no, it’s not just about romantic relationships. Narcissistic abuse can show up in friendships, family dynamics, and even professional environments. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation feeli
From Trauma to Truth: Reclaiming Your Voice After Narcissistic Abuse (Part1)
In this episode of Second Act Sessions, we’re talking all things narcissists—how to spot them, how to survive them, and what healing actually looks like after the damage is done. And no, it’s not just about romantic relationships. Narcissistic abuse can show up in friendships, family dynamics, and even professional environments. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation feeling crazy, guilty,
Live With Joy Now: A Mom’s Mission to Heal ADHD & Childhood Behavioral Struggles Through the Gut-Brain Connection (Part 2)
In part 2 of my conversation with Carolyn Carrara, founder of Live With Joy Now, she continues discussing her mission to help children struggling with ADHD, anxiety, and ODD. Carolyn shares her personal story and what inspired her to create a coaching service dedicated to supporting moms navigating these emotional and behavioral challenges with their kids. We dive into how she uses real food, targ
Live With Joy Now: A Mom’s Mission to Heal ADHD & Childhood Behavioral Struggles Through the Gut-Brain Connection (Part 1)
In this episode, I sit down with Carolyn Carrara, founder of Live With Joy Now, to talk about her mission to help children struggling with ADHD, anxiety, and ODD. Carolyn shares her personal story and what inspired her to create a coaching service dedicated to supporting moms navigating these emotional and behavioral challenges with their kids. We dive into how she uses real food, targeted supplem
Friendship, Faith, and Finding Truth: A Conversation on Spirituality, Singleness, and Second Acts
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Lauren Aurigemma to talk about our unlikely but beautiful cross-generational friendship, our journey out of New Age spirituality, and how returning to faith in Jesus has transformed our lives. We reflect on how our bond has been a blessing—supporting each other through tough seasons, sharing laughs, and growing spiritually together. We also explore the ch
From Rock Bottom to Recovery: Dr. Robb Kelly's Story of Addiction, Neuroscience and Healing
Today’s guest is someone whose story feels almost cinematic. Dr. Robb Kelly is the founder and CEO of the Robb Kelly Recovery Group, a telehealth neuroscience coaching company with a 97% success rate in helping people break free from addiction and mental health struggles. But before he became a renowned addiction expert and neuroscience coach, Robb was homeless on the cold streets of Manchester, b
From Hollywood to Healing: A Conversation with Randy Spelling
In this episode of Second Act Sessions, I reconnect with someone I met over 20 years ago while living in Los Angeles—Randy Spelling. Our conversation is a heartfelt catch-up, but also a powerful look into his second act: from growing up in the Hollywood spotlight to walking the hard road of addiction and eventually finding deep purpose as a life coach.We talk about what it really means to start ov
Faith over Fear in my Second Act
In this solo episode, I’m getting real about fear—what it looks like, how it sneaks in, and how I’m navigating it one step at a time. From experiencing a full-blown panic attack during an overwhelming week to sitting down and recording this episode alone on camera (which was a fear in itself), I’m opening up about it all. It was a week where I let distraction, anxiety, and self-doubt spiral out of
Adjusting for Life: A Candid Conversation on Chiropractic Care & Whole-Body Wellness
In this episode, I sit down with someone who has been a trusted part of my life since I was a teenager—Dr. Laura Nunno, a seasoned chiropractor at Holistic Health Center in Cromwell, CT with over 35 years of experience. From treating me and my family over the years to helping countless others on their health journeys, Dr. Laura brings both deep expertise and heartfelt wisdom to this conversation.W
How It All Began: The Birth of Second Act Sessions - Interview with Carmela Monte (Part 2)
In part 2 of this debut episode of Second Act Sessions, I continue my conversation with my good friend Carmela Monte, who was instrumental in the creation of this podcast. Over the past three years, we’ve both been on our own journeys of healing, growth, and rediscovery, and Carmela has played a key role in this new chapter of my life. In this second part of our discussion, we dive deeper into the
How It All Began: The Birth of Second Act Sessions - Interview with Carmela Monte (Part 1)
In the debut episode of Second Act Sessions, I sit down with my good friend Carmela Monte, who was instrumental in the inception of this podcast. Over the past three years, we’ve both been on our own journeys of healing, growth, and rediscovery, and through it all, she’s been a catalyst for this new chapter in my life. In this conversation, we dive into the idea of second acts—life after divorce,
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