The Second Act with Michael and John

In this uplifting episode of the Second Act Podcast, hosts Michael Newborn and John Ballenger engage in a riveting conversation with Michelle “MACE” Curran, a figure of resilience, ambition, and transformation. From her humble beginnings in a small town in northern Wisconsin to her awe-inspiring achievements as a member of the prestigious Thunderbird squadron, Michelle’s journey is nothing short o...

In this episode, Michael and John are joined by Eric Thompson, a clinical psychologist turned executive leadership coach. The conversation covers topics such as Eric's childhood and the impact of his parents' divorce, his podcasts on leadership and strengthening marriages, and his transition from clinical psychology to executive leadership development. The conversation highlights the importance of...

In this episode, Michael and John are joined by Isaac Lee, a former Marine Corps Commanding Officer and MAWTS-1 Instructor (think Top Gun for helicopter pilots), who shares his journey from growing up in Texas to joining the military and eventually transitioning into the private sector. He discusses the challenges of balancing military life with personal life, the unique experiences and camaraderi...

In this episode, Michael and John are joined by Eric Baliruno, a corporate executive turned entrepreneur. They discuss Eric's journey from Uganda to the US, how his experience in boarding school shaped his early childhood, and his transition to Colorado. Eric shares his passion for finance and accounting and his desire to become an entrepreneur. He also talks about his early career in startups and...

In a compelling conversation, John Buckley recounts his transition from a 30-year distinguished career in the Army to navigating the complexities of civilian employment. He reflects on the critical role of criticism, hard work, and resilience throughout his life and military tenure, underscoring the tough, competitive nature of military advancement and the challenges it presents. Post-retirement,...

In this captivating episode, Michael and John sit down with Mirela Mus, the visionary Founder and Chief Product Officer of Product People, to delve into her remarkable journey from her formative years in Romania to her rise as a distinguished product leader and innovative entrepreneur. Mirela shares the key moments and triumphs in her career, notably the launch of Product People, the premier desti...

In this episode, Vineet Rajan recounts his multifaceted journey, beginning with his immigration to the US, his service in the Marine Corps, and his transition into entrepreneurship with the founding of Forte, a mental wellness benefit company. Vineet reflects on the foundational role of his family's support and the resilience fostered through athletics. He shares poignant experiences from his mili...

In this engaging podcast episode, hosts Michael and John delve into a deep conversation with David Lucas, a seasoned 26-year Army Special Forces officer. They cover a range of insightful topics, starting from Dave’s early childhood memories that have influenced his perspective and determination throughout his life, to the importance mindset has on influencing strategies for success. Dave candidly...

In this episode of "The Second Act" podcast with Michael and John, Shanna Weber, a former executive in the financial services industry, shares her inspiring journey from a single-parent household to establishing her own coaching and consulting business, Prima Consulting. She reflects on overcoming challenges during her high school years, learning valuable lessons in relationship building and cultu...

In this episode of The Second Act podcast, hosts Michael and John talk with Scott Bright (Founder/CEO of BrightCheck), where he shares his journey from a career in risk and fraud investigations to becoming an entrepreneur in the pursuit of safety for online communities. He discusses the challenges he faced in corporate America and the slow erosion of passion that led him to pursue his own business...

In this episode of The Second Act podcast, hosts Michael and John talk with Anne Moul, a retired music teacher from a small Pennsylvania town, who discusses her transition from a 34-year career in music education to her newfound passion for writing. Anne's journey, which led her to create secondactstories.com post-retirement, emphasizes the importance of following one's passions. She highlights th...

In this episode, hosts Michael and John welcome Conor Brennan-Burke, Co-Founder and CEO of AbleGen. Conor delves into his unique journey from a growing up on a farm in western New York, to international study abroad in India and Ghana, to a career in consulting and tech startups. He reflects on his homeschooling and self-directed learning experiences, highlighting his persistent passion for music....

In this episode of The Second Act podcast, hosts Michael and John talk with Tucker Kimbrough, where he shares his unconventional journey from Georgia to Montana to California, pursuing his passion for skiing and eventually starting a real estate business. He also discusses his military deployment and the challenges of balancing his military and business responsibilities. Tucker emphasizes the impo...

On this episode Michael and John discuss the holidays, what they've accomplished in '23 and Metrics! Starring: Michael Newborn (@michaelnewborn) John Ballenger (@john-ballenger53) Produced by: Seltzer Kings (@seltzerkings) (seltzerkings.com) Theme Music: "Christmas Village" by Aaron Kenny Listen Here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a Apple: https://...

In this episode of The Second Act podcast, hosts Michael and John talk with Adrian Jones, where he shares an inspiring story of resilience and transformation. After a near-death experience, Adrian chose to redefine his life's purpose and left a successful corporate career to found "More," a community platform empowering Gen-Xers through travel, retreats, coaching and other life enriching experienc...

LIVE CHARITY EVENT FOR HIRE HEROES TOMORROW! DECEMBER 14th @ My Neighbor Felix, South Clinton Street, Centennial, CO bit.ly/TSAxHireHeroes On this episode Michael and John discuss their live charity event tomorrow at ?? in Denver Colorado and their journey thus far! Starring: Michael Newborn (@michaelnewborn) John Ballenger (@john-ballenger53) Produced by: Seltzer Kings (@seltzerkings) (seltzerkin...

In our latest podcast episode, we delve into Kristi Omdahl's entrepreneurial odyssey, transitioning from a corporate marketing executive to the founder of KO Luxury Organizing. Hosts Michael and John explore Kristi’s inspiring journey marked by resilience, strategic pivots, and a profound transformation. With nearly two decades in corporate marketing, Kristi's story serves as a blueprint for those...

In this podcast episode, Michael and John host Sarah Gonzalez, President and COO of Panorama Mortgage Group, delving into her 25-year career in the mortgage industry and her journey from a small Texas town to a leadership role. Sarah shares insights on overcoming challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, mentorship, and giving back. She highlig...

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at The Second Act!! Starring: Michael Newborn (@michaelnewborn) John Ballenger (@john-ballenger53) Produced by: Seltzer Kings (@seltzerkings) (seltzerkings.com) Theme Music: "You Can't Stop Me" by Andy Mineo Listen Here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-act-with...

In the second part of a two-part special, John conducts an interview with Michael, delving deeper into Miami in the 80s & 90s, life in the tech industry and how a pair of Air Jordans shaped who he is today! Starring: Michael Newborn (@michaelnewborn) John Ballenger (@john-ballenger53) Produced by: Seltzer Kings (@seltzerkings) (seltzerkings.com) Theme Music: "You Can't Stop Me" by Andy Mineo Liste...

 In the first of this two-part special, Michael conducts an interview with John, delving deeper into his life's journey. Starring: Michael Newborn (@michaelnewborn) John Ballenger (@john-ballenger53) Produced by: Seltzer Kings (@seltzerkings) (seltzerkings.com) Theme Music: "You Can't Stop Me" by Andy Mineo Listen Here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c4...

In this lively podcast, hosts chat with Jeremy Balon, Seltzer King Network owner. They cover Jeremy's 20-year film and TV journey, overcoming a brain tumor, and his shift to podcast production driven by storytelling and seltzer passion. Highlights include his work on popular podcasts like The Adventures of Danny and Mike, The Bradshaw Boys, and Bad Advice. The conversation explores the network's g...

7: Peaks of Excitement, Troughs of Despair - Navigating the Unknown and the Benefits of Consistent Efforts Starring: Michael Newborn (@michaelnewborn) and John Ballenger (@john-ballenger53) Produced by: Seltzer Kings (@seltzerkings) (seltzerkings.com) Theme Music: "You Can't Stop Me" by Andy Mineo Listen Here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a Apple:...

Episode 6: The Calling - Windows of Opportunity and Destiny's Path Starring: Michael Newborn (@michaelnewborn) and John Ballenger (@john-ballenger53) Produced by: Seltzer Kings (@seltzerkings) (seltzerkings.com) Theme Music: "You Can't Stop Me" by Andy Mineo Listen Here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

The Power of Saying No and Making Sure to Enjoy the Moments! Starring: Michael Newborn (@michaelnewborn) and John Ballenger (@john-ballenger53) Produced by: Seltzer Kings (@seltzerkings) (seltzerkings.com) Theme Music: "You Can't Stop Me" by Andy Mineo Listen Here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sec...