The Second Act with Michael and John

In this Halloween special of The Second Act podcast, hosts Michael Newborn and John Ballenger dig into thrilling tales of career fear and growth, recounting moments that took them to the edge of their comfort zones. From Michael’s make-or-break tech sales deal under intense pressure to John’s first flight as an aircraft commander for the President, they reveal how self-doubt and imposter syndrome...

Sarah Nightengale's journey exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and the power of community. Originally aspiring to be a diplomat, she adjusted her career path to accommodate the frequent relocations that came with her role as a military spouse. Overcoming challenges in finding employment overseas, she built a diverse career across higher education marketing, healthcare administration, and data a...

Chris Daily, a seasoned software development leader with over 30 years of experience at companies like Experian, Fidelity National, and Stratice Healthcare, faced a life-altering event in October 2020 when severe heart blockages led to a heart transplant. Ignoring subtle symptoms initially, Chris learned the hard way the importance of seeking medical help promptly and trusting healthcare professio...

Nadine Bullock-Potting, CEO of Paradigm for Parity, shared her inspiring journey from a career in education to leading a coalition dedicated to closing gender and racial gaps in the corporate sector. With a career rooted in the nonprofit world, including leadership roles at Hire Heroes USA and United Way, Nadine emphasizes the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and authentic leadership in help...

Over the past year, “The Second Act” podcast has uncovered that pursuing a second act is not a singular event but a highly relatable concept—a transformative stage in life marked by a significant shift from one’s previous path. Despite having no prior experience in online media, we took a leap, honed our skills, and gradually refined our approach. Through this journey, we've crafted a high-quality...

Jenny Wood, a former Google executive, is a renowned leader in personal and professional development. During her time at Google, she led a team that drove tens of billions in advertising revenue and founded "Own Your Career," one of the company’s largest career development programs. Jenny’s "Big Small Things" philosophy underscores the transformative power of small, daily actions in building confi...

Tony Liles, a retired Command Sergeant Major with 25 years of exemplary service in the U.S. Army, has channeled his extensive leadership experience into supporting veterans and his community. Following his military career, where he held key leadership roles at both operational and strategic levels, Tony transitioned to the public sector, serving as the Primary Care Operations Director at the Boise...

Kasey Stewart, a dynamic entrepreneur from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is best known as the founder of Bad Mouth Candy and StewHouse Media. His journey began in the fast-paced world of advertising, where he quickly ascended the ranks, working with global brands like Samsung, Adidas, Nokia, and Netflix, honing his skills in creative strategy and storytelling. After facing burnout, Kasey made a bold decision t...

Terra Scott’s journey from a young babysitter to a leader in pediatric therapy is a powerful story of passion, adaptability, and commitment to helping children. Beginning with her early experiences in childcare, she pursued a career in pediatric physical therapy, which eventually led her to establish Milestone Pediatric Therapy Services. Under her leadership, the business grew to provide comprehen...

Samantha Bell is a distinguished United States Navy veteran and recipient of the Woman Veteran of the Year Award from Hire Heroes USA, recognized for her exemplary strength and dedication. She served as an Interior Communications Electrician in Pearl Harbor from 2013 to 2016, earning several commendations for her outstanding service in a male-dominated field. After her military career, Samantha pu...

Pavel Bosovik, the founder and CEO of 27North, delves into his journey of building luxury expedition vehicles, sharing the myriad challenges and sacrifices he has faced along the way. From the heartache of losing good employees to the strain on family relationships, Pavel's path has been anything but easy. He underscores the importance of a strong childhood foundation, faith, and a clear vision, c...

Joshua Becker, founder of Becoming Minimalist, shares his journey to minimalism and the impact it has had on his life. Joshua is a WSJ best selling author on the topics of minimalism, intentional living, removing distractions, and generous living. He has been featured on CBS Evening News, The Today Show, The Boston Globe, USA Today, The Washington Post, CNBC, a Netflix documentary called Minimalis...

Ross Dickman, CEO of Hire Heroes USA, discusses his organization's essential role in supporting military veterans and their spouses transitioning to civilian employment. He emphasized personalized coaching, including one-on-one sessions, professionally revised resumes, and mentoring, which help veterans translate their military skills into the civilian workforce. Ross also highlighted the unique c...

Maurice Philogene exemplifies intentional living through a diverse career as an Accenture executive, federal agent, street cop, and managing partner at Quattro Capital, a real estate investment firm. He advocates for defining success on personal terms, achieving financial freedom, and creating rich, meaningful experiences. Influenced by his father's selflessness, Maurice emphasizes giving back, so...

Ben Nelson, partner at Wild Oak Capital, transitioned from producing world-record stunts for Red Bull and Nitro Circus to managing a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio in Durango, Colorado. With over 15 years of project management experience, Ben excels in meticulous planning and team collaboration. He focuses on multi-family apartments and single-family development syndications, building...

Nick Rotola, Founder and CEO of UP, transitioned from a professional baseball career with teams like the Wichita Wingnuts, Cleburne Railroaders, and Gateway Grizzlies to entrepreneurship, driven by faith and purpose. Raised in a pastor's family and educated at Oral Roberts University, Nick founded multiple companies, including Baseball IQ, WE3 Group, and the positive-content social platform UP, wh...

Jon Macaskill's journey from South Africa to Louisiana set the stage for an extraordinary life marked by resilience, determination, and transformation. Excelling as a student and athlete, Jon's talents led him to the prestigious Naval Academy, where he began a remarkable military career. Serving as a Navy SEAL commander until 2020, he navigated various dynamic leadership roles, from the intensity...

In this week’s episode, Michael and John chat with Alvin Cooper III, Founder and ‘Head Style Guy’ of CStyled, a Denver-based haberdashery serving clients across the U.S. Alvin, a Denver native, discovered his passion for fashion as a child during visits to fabric stores with his mom, who made clothes for him and his brother. Before founding CStyled, Alvin held various corporate roles at companies...

Lindsey Nehls, co-founder of Elevate Leadership, has crafted a career that marries her passion for the environment with her leadership prowess. Her professional journey was sparked by an innovative cross-country trip in a school bus converted to run on waste vegetable oil, which piqued her interest in sustainable energy solutions. A graduate of Harvard and Middlebury College, Lindsey's academic ba...

Jacob Rupp's life is a compelling narrative of transformation, resilience, and triumph. Growing up in a single-parent household that lacked spiritual guidance and stability, Jacob faced significant adversities, including challenges with physical health and financial insecurity. Despite these early hardships, he embraced his calling as a rabbi, where he honed his exceptional skills in leadership an...

Harley Blakeman's journey from a turbulent childhood in a small Florida town to founding Honest Jobs, the leading job board for individuals with criminal records, is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of support. Facing early hardships like his parents' divorce, his mother's addiction, and his father's death, Harley became homeless and was later incarcerated. This challenging t...

Marcus Long, the dynamic founder of A Long Legacy Capital and a seasoned Cryptologic Warfare Officer, is the featured guest on this week's episode of The Second Act with Michael + John. With an impressive 21-year career in the Navy, where he served everywhere from submarines to satellite intelligence, Marcus transitioned his military discipline and strategic insights into founding a multifaceted r...

In this week’s episode of "The Second Act," we explore the inspiring journey of Todd Lancaster, a retired Air Force Colonel and Colorado native, who transitioned from a 22-year career as an aviation officer to roles in public education and leadership consulting. Todd’s story begins at the Air Force Academy, carrying through to flying jets and helicopters for special operations, and culminating in...

Hey everyone, Michael and John here with some exciting news from our podcast journey! It's been an amazing seven months full of learning, sharing, and growing with you all. We've been lucky to welcome incredible guests who've shared their powerful stories of overcoming obstacles, achieving successes, and sharing wisdom. Their tales of resilience, joy, and the human spirit have truly shaped our sho...

In this insightful episode, Michael and John explore the fascinating journey of Martin Skea, who transitioned from a successful corporate career across notable firms like KPMG, IBM, and Wells Fargo, to launching his own innovative venture, ToGatherHomes. With roots in New Jersey and a rich history of living in major US cities before settling in Brussels, Belgium, Martin shares his passion for urba...