Second Act Stories

Some people change careers. These people rewrote the menu. This week on Second Act Stories we highlight an incredible group of entrepreneurs who traded in wildly different first acts for lives spent building bold, food-focused brands. What connects them isn't a straight line or a master plan, but the moment they realized it was time for a second serving: to take what they'd learned, trust their instincts, and build something deliciously their own. These are stories of reinvention, risk, and recipes. Proof that sometimes the most satisfying work comes after you decide to start over. Paul Giannone (known to all as "Paulie Gee") grew up in Brooklyn, NY but moved to New Jersey as an adult. For most of his professional career he worked with AT&T and their subsidiaries as an information technology staffer and eventually a consultant. And candidly he never liked the work – he never felt he was very good at it either. But he needed to support his family so he stuck it out. While he didn't love his work, he loved

Some people change careers. These people rewrote the menu. This week on Second Act Stories we highlight an incredible group of entrepreneurs who traded in wildly different first acts for lives spent building bold, food-focused brands. What connects them isn't a straight line or a master plan, but the moment they realized it was time for a second serving: to take what they'd learned, trust their instincts, and build something deliciously their own. These are stories of reinvention, risk, and recipes. Proof that sometimes the most satisfying work comes after you decide to start over. Anna Vocino has an impressive IMDb resume dotted with comedic acting roles, sketch comedy appearances on shows including the Lance Krall Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, and professional narration work for a number of TV series and documentaries. She has risen to the top of the voiceover industry, lending her vocal skills to an endless array of video games and TV commercials, and she's even the female voice of the NBC television network

Some people change careers. These people rewrote the menu. This week on Second Act Stories we highlight an incredible group of entrepreneurs who traded in wildly different first acts for lives spent building bold, food-focused brands. What connects them isn't a straight line or a master plan, but the moment they realized it was time for a second serving: to take what they'd learned, trust their instincts, and build something deliciously their own. These are stories of reinvention, risk, and recipes. Proof that sometimes the most satisfying work comes after you decide to start over. Steve Lewis is objectively one of the most creative people on the planet. So much so that pure creativity is what motivates him; money just isn't part of the equation. That doesn't mean he isn't successful. He is. Very. But his success is a byproduct of executing his incredible creative vision. Steve originally wanted to be a professional musician – a goal he achieved by the age of 14 – but a botched hand surgery set him down a dif

Some people change careers. These people rewrote the menu. This week on Second Act Stories we highlight an incredible group of entrepreneurs who traded in wildly different first acts for lives spent building bold, food-focused brands. What connects them isn't a straight line or a master plan, but the moment they realized it was time for a second serving: to take what they'd learned, trust their instincts, and build something deliciously their own. These are stories of reinvention, risk, and recipes. Proof that sometimes the most satisfying work comes after you decide to start over. Andrew Pudalov spent 15 years working his way up the ladder in the competitive ranks of NYC's financial industry. But the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center changed everything. "I was traumatized. My wife too. We have little kids. I lost good friends. One jumped. I could not believe the towers came down." Andrew, his spouse and their young family were ready for a change. So they headed west to Boulder, Colorado with ve

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a successful writer, but wondered if the moment had already passed? This week, in our "Author! Author!" series, we're sharing stories from people who answered that question by simply starting - often much later, and after building careers elsewhere. These conversations show how the path to authorship isn't something you find so much as something you clear, step by step, by leaning into the life you've already lived. Together, these episodes capture the heart of Second Act Stories: the idea that reinvention doesn't have an expiration date, and that sometimes the most meaningful work begins after you've already lived a few chapters. Dann McDorman always dreamed of writing and publishing a novel. After graduating from Columbia University, he spent a decade pursuing that dream with little impact. "Not only was I never published, I never heard back from a single publisher. I had zero success." As he hit his 30s, he found his way to a career in broadcast journalism initially workin

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a successful writer, but wondered if the moment had already passed? This week, in our "Author! Author!" series, we're sharing stories from people who answered that question by simply starting - often much later, and after building careers elsewhere. These conversations show how the path to authorship isn't something you find so much as something you clear, step by step, by leaning into the life you've already lived. Together, these episodes capture the heart of Second Act Stories: the idea that reinvention doesn't have an expiration date, and that sometimes the most meaningful work begins after you've already lived a few chapters. If you've ever dreamed of writing the Great American Novel, this episode is for you. For most of his professional career, Marty Herman was a business turnaround specialist. He would come into troubled companies, figure out what was wrong and implement a solution. And then he'd move on to the next company. But he always had a love of writing – he eve

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a successful writer, but wondered if the moment had already passed? This week, in our "Author! Author!" series, we're sharing stories from people who answered that question by simply starting - often much later, and after building careers elsewhere. These conversations show how the path to authorship isn't something you find so much as something you clear, step by step, by leaning into the life you've already lived. Together, these episodes capture the heart of Second Act Stories: the idea that reinvention doesn't have an expiration date, and that sometimes the most meaningful work begins after you've already lived a few chapters. Mark Greaney is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. His debut thriller, The Gray Man, was published in 2009 and became a national bestseller and Netflix film starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans. He wrote twelve subsequent Gray Man novels that have been released to date. He is also the co-author of seven Tom Clancy novels. His latest book, Sent

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a successful writer, but wondered if the moment had already passed? This week, in our "Author! Author!" series, we're sharing stories from people who answered that question by simply starting - often much later, and after building careers elsewhere. These conversations show how the path to authorship isn't something you find so much as something you clear, step by step, by leaning into the life you've already lived. Together, these episodes capture the heart of Second Act Stories: the idea that reinvention doesn't have an expiration date, and that sometimes the most meaningful work begins after you've already lived a few chapters. Peggy Rowe has accomplished a lot in her 87 years. She started her career as a schoolteacher in Baltimore, where she and her husband John – also a teacher – raised three sons. It was a pretty normal life by all accounts. But life got extraordinary somewhere along the way. One common thread in the Rowe household was humor, and Peggy had a finely tune

This week we're bringing you a powerhouse series of episodes that celebrate some of the most formidable women to ever take the mic on Second Act Stories. These conversations are fueled by bold decisions, hard-won confidence, and the kind of reinvention that only comes after you've lived a little. From breaking the rules to rewriting the script, these women didn't just pivot; they claimed their second acts with clarity, grit, and momentum. Whether you're a longtime listener or tuning in for the first time, these episodes capture the fire at the heart of our show: fearless choices, earned wisdom, and stories that prove it's never too late to bet big on yourself. Anne Moss Rogers was at the pinnacle of a 20-year professional career. She opened her own digital marketing agency in 2010. The business grew quickly and by 2015 she and her partner had 9 employees and a growing roster of clients. While her professional life was going especially well, life at home had significant problems. Her son Charles – the younger

This week we're bringing you a powerhouse series of episodes that celebrate some of the most formidable women to ever take the mic on Second Act Stories. These conversations are fueled by bold decisions, hard-won confidence, and the kind of reinvention that only comes after you've lived a little. From breaking the rules to rewriting the script, these women didn't just pivot; they claimed their second acts with clarity, grit, and momentum. Whether you're a longtime listener or tuning in for the first time, these episodes capture the fire at the heart of our show: fearless choices, earned wisdom, and stories that prove it's never too late to bet big on yourself. Ruth Lavigne grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father was a doctor (a radiologist) and she used to fill-in the date on patient sheets when her dad reviewed their films at home. As Ruth followed her father around his hospital, she always thought "that will be me someday." She ended up studying French in college and then business in graduate school. After

This week we're bringing you a powerhouse series of episodes that celebrate some of the most formidable women to ever take the mic on Second Act Stories. These conversations are fueled by bold decisions, hard-won confidence, and the kind of reinvention that only comes after you've lived a little. From breaking the rules to rewriting the script, these women didn't just pivot; they claimed their second acts with clarity, grit, and momentum. Whether you're a longtime listener or tuning in for the first time, these episodes capture the fire at the heart of our show: fearless choices, earned wisdom, and stories that prove it's never too late to bet big on yourself. Nasim Alikhani is the owner and executive chef of Sofreh, an amazing Persian restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. The restaurant opened in 2018 to rave reviews from The New York Times, Food & Wine, Saveur and The Food Network. The restaurant is consistently booked weeks in advance. Sofreh is Nasim's first restaurant and she launched it at the age of 59

This week we're bringing you a powerhouse series of episodes that celebrate some of the most formidable women to ever take the mic on Second Act Stories. These conversations are fueled by bold decisions, hard-won confidence, and the kind of reinvention that only comes after you've lived a little. From breaking the rules to rewriting the script, these women didn't just pivot; they claimed their second acts with clarity, grit, and momentum. Whether you're a longtime listener or tuning in for the first time, these episodes capture the fire at the heart of our show: fearless choices, earned wisdom, and stories that prove it's never too late to bet big on yourself. Stuckey's 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 a

This week on Second Act Stories, we're featuring a series called "Rewriting the Playbook." This group of episodes features guests whose journeys share a common connection to sports, sometimes front and center, sometimes quietly shaping the path forward. In these conversations, the influence of competition, teamwork, and discipline shows up in different ways, informing career pivots and personal reinvention. Together, these stories explore how the lessons learned on the field can echo long after the final whistle, guiding second acts that are anything but predictable. Arrelious Benn was a star football player at Dunbar Senior High School (Washington, DC) and the University of Illinois. He entered the NFL draft after his junior year in college and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His NFL career with Tampa Bay, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars spanned seven years, twice the league average. But it is also included two ACL tears, a fractured lumbar and a shattered collarbone. After his

This week on Second Act Stories, we're featuring a series called "Rewriting the Playbook." This group of episodes features guests whose journeys share a common connection to sports, sometimes front and center, sometimes quietly shaping the path forward. In these conversations, the influence of competition, teamwork, and discipline shows up in different ways, informing career pivots and personal reinvention. Together, these stories explore how the lessons learned on the field can echo long after the final whistle, guiding second acts that are anything but predictable. Mike Huber had a 20-year career as a top consultant with Ernst & Young, Cushman Wakefield and KPMG. His focus was in the area of site selection consulting – helping major companies like Samsung, Time Warner and Bausch & Lomb find new business locations. He worked hard and made a very good living. But over time he became frustrated with the corporate rat race and began to ask, "is this the right career for me?" He went back to school, got

This week on Second Act Stories, we're featuring a series called "Rewriting the Playbook." This group of episodes features guests whose journeys share a common connection to sports, sometimes front and center, sometimes quietly shaping the path forward. In these conversations, the influence of competition, teamwork, and discipline shows up in different ways, informing career pivots and personal reinvention. Together, these stories explore how the lessons learned on the field can echo long after the final whistle, guiding second acts that are anything but predictable. Fran Tarkenton is unquestionably one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game of football. A true legend who rightfully earned his place in the NFL Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame (for his championship career with the University of Georgia Bulldogs), and on the list of the 50 Greatest Minnesota Vikings AND the 50 Greatest New York Giants. In his rookie season in 1961, Fran joined an expansion team called the Minnesota Vi

This week on Second Act Stories, we're featuring a series called "Rewriting the Playbook." This group of episodes features guests whose journeys share a common connection to sports, sometimes front and center, sometimes quietly shaping the path forward. In these conversations, the influence of competition, teamwork, and discipline shows up in different ways, informing career pivots and personal reinvention. Together, these stories explore how the lessons learned on the field can echo long after the final whistle, guiding second acts that are anything but predictable. Michael Strahan is an NFL legend. He spent his entire 15-year Hall of Fame career as a defensive end for the New York Giants. 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 Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots in 2008. Following his NFL retirement, Michael Strahan joined Fox NFL Sunday as an analyst. This f

This week we're sharing a series of episodes that capture one of our favorite themes on Second Act Stories: the moment when life changes key. These Key Changes episodes feature people whose lives have been shaped by music: some who left it behind for something new; others who found their way to it later than expected. Together, they're the stories we return to when we want to show how reinvention really works, not as a clean break, but as a shift in rhythm, perspective, and purpose. Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering the show, these episodes reflect the heart of the podcast: bold pivots, unexpected harmony, and second acts that still have plenty to say. Rick Beato is one of the most successful YouTube stars in the world. His channel, Everything Music, has 3.5 million subscribers and is approaching 600 million views. Among the different types of videos Rick posts are his Top 20 Countdowns, What Makes This Song Great?, and his Rants on all things music. Rick also has an incredible series of

This week we're sharing a series of episodes that capture one of our favorite themes on Second Act Stories: the moment when life changes key. These Key Changes episodes feature people whose lives have been shaped by music: some who left it behind for something new; others who found their way to it later than expected. Together, they're the stories we return to when we want to show how reinvention really works, not as a clean break, but as a shift in rhythm, perspective, and purpose. Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering the show, these episodes reflect the heart of the podcast: bold pivots, unexpected harmony, and second acts that still have plenty to say. Tom Forst was 57 years old. He was a regional vice president with Cox Media, a huge communications company. He was jetting around the country on private planes. He had an army of people reporting to him. He was making a hefty salary. That was 10 years ago. He decided to quit his corporate gig to pursue a life-long passion – music. He put ou

This week we're sharing a series of episodes that capture one of our favorite themes on Second Act Stories: the moment when life changes key. These Key Changes episodes feature people whose lives have been shaped by music: some who left it behind for something new; others who found their way to it later than expected. Together, they're the stories we return to when we want to show how reinvention really works, not as a clean break, but as a shift in rhythm, perspective, and purpose. Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering the show, these episodes reflect the heart of the podcast: bold pivots, unexpected harmony, and second acts that still have plenty to say. Dan Spitz is a true pioneer in every sense of the word. As the lead guitarist of legendary band Anthrax, Dan was one of the innovators who birthed the entire genre of thrash metal music. Anthrax is one of the "Big Four" thrash metal bands, a group that also includes Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. He sold millions of albums, played on the w

This week we're sharing a series of episodes that capture one of our favorite themes on Second Act Stories: the moment when life changes key. These Key Changes episodes feature people whose lives have been shaped by music: some who left it behind for something new; others who found their way to it later than expected. Together, they're the stories we return to when we want to show how reinvention really works, not as a clean break, but as a shift in rhythm, perspective, and purpose. Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering the show, these episodes reflect the heart of the podcast: bold pivots, unexpected harmony, and second acts that still have plenty to say. Tracy Bonham built a reputation as a "badass rocker" with the debut of  "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 wh