The Second Act with Michael and John

Hosted by Michael Newborn, John Ballenger

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May 2026

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Michael and John take you on a mission-driven, story-telling journey where a diverse group of people share unique perspectives on trying something new in life. From corporate executives to military veterans, consultants to entrepreneurs, the conversations delve into the backgrounds and inspiring transformations of guests to highlight the power of grit, persistence, perspective, purpose and community.

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May 29, 20261 hr 3 min

73: Say Yes Anyway with Jason Middleton (From Eco Challenge Survival To Aviation Leadership, Jason Shares What Hard Seasons Teach About Growth)

Jason Middleton didn’t just reinvent himself once. He built an entire life around jumping into the unknown. Growing up as an overweight kid in Bakersfield with little confidence and no clear direction, he found salvation in endurance sports, eventually becoming a professional triathlete before pushing himself even further into the savage world of Eco Challenge adventure racing, battling jungles, oceans, sleep deprivation, and seven-day races that pushed human limits. When the sport began to outgrow him, he pivoted again, discovering aviation almost by accident and chasing a completely new dream as a pilot. Then 9/11 shattered his career plans overnight. What followed were years marked by devastating personal loss, financial collapse, divorce, and moments where he nearly lost himself entirely, yet every setback became fuel for another transformation. Today, as the founder and CEO of Silver Air Private Jets, Jason’s story is proof that second acts aren’t born from comfort or certainty. They’re forged by people willing to suffer, risk, evolve, and keep saying yes long after most would quit. Starring: Michael Newborn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@michaelnewborn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) John Ballenger (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@john-ballenger53⁠) Guest: Jason Middleton https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-middleton-03882978/ https://www.silverair.com/ Network/Produced by: Seltzer Kings (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@seltzerkings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seltzerkings.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Theme Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Josh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen Here: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john/id1707412739⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a6b369bb-36a9-47ab-9f22-1bacfcff6166/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeart: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-second-act-with-michae-123242148/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Socials: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠secondactmovement.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AI-powered coach-client matching platform: ⁠⁠⁠trysam.ai⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

April 10, 202656 min

72: It Still Failed with Eileen Nebhut (Eileen Shares What Happens When The Path You Follow Stops Working And You Choose Yourself Instead)

She did everything right, and it still didn’t work. Eileen Nebhut built a decades-long career across publishing, energy, and fintech, earned her MBA, and followed the traditional path to success, only to find herself after COVID unable to land the roles she expected and questioning where she truly fit. Shaped early by a childhood of standing out and learning to navigate being “other,” she developed deep empathy and self-awareness that carried into her professional life, but it was this breaking point that forced a shift. Faced with a choice between continuing to force herself into a path that no longer aligned or taking a terrifying leap into the unknown, she chose reinvention. What began as image consulting grew into a broader mission focused on executive presence, helping professionals be seen, heard, and trusted. Through fear, risk, and constant experimentation, she turned uncertainty into purpose and ultimately redefined success as building something meaningful that empowers others to step fully into who they are. Starring: Michael Newborn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@michaelnewborn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Hunter Heavener (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterheavener/) Guest: Eileen Nebhut https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileennebhut/ https://www.venusrisingagency.com/ Network/Produced by: Seltzer Kings (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@seltzerkings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seltzerkings.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Theme Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Josh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen Here: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john/id1707412739⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a6b369bb-36a9-47ab-9f22-1bacfcff6166/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeart: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-second-act-with-michae-123242148/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Socials: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠secondactmovement.com⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AI-powered coach-client matching platform: ⁠⁠trysam.ai⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

March 13, 202649 min

71: Try Something New with Angie Callen (Angie Shares Lessons On Risk, Resilience, And Building A Life Aligned With What Truly Matters)

Angie Callen didn’t plan a radical career reinvention. It found her. She began her career as a civil engineer and moved to Colorado for what seemed like the perfect opportunity, but the 2008 financial crisis forced her to question everything about the path she was on. Walking away from engineering, she spent a year trying anything that crossed her path, from running an artist’s gallery to selling advertising, simply gathering clues about where she truly belonged. The journey was not smooth. After a business collapse and bankruptcy, Angie and her husband rebuilt their lives while living in a converted school bus in the mountains for four years. Through those experiences she discovered her real calling: helping others break free from expectations, redefine success, and pursue work aligned with their values. Today, Angie is an author, entrepreneur, and coach who empowers people to step boldly into their own second acts. Starring: Michael Newborn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@michaelnewborn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) John Ballenger (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@john-ballenger53⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Guest: Angie Callen https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiecallen/ https://themoderncoach.co/ https://careerbenders.com/ Network/Produced by: Seltzer Kings (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@seltzerkings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seltzerkings.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Theme Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Josh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen Here: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john/id1707412739⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a6b369bb-36a9-47ab-9f22-1bacfcff6166/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeart: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-second-act-with-michae-123242148/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Socials: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠secondactmovement.com⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AI-powered coach-client matching platform: ⁠⁠trysam.ai⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

February 13, 202653 min

70: Standards Shape Futures with Ron Johnson (Ron Uncovers How Consistent Excellence Opens Doors to Reinvention, Impact, and Purpose)

Ron Johnson’s journey is a powerful testament to reinvention, resilience, and purpose across every chapter of life. Raised on Chicago’s West Side by a single mother and grandparents, Ron learned early that excellence could be a way forward, earning his path to West Point and embarking on what he thought would be a short Army commitment that ultimately became a 32-year career of service. Rising to Major General and Deputy Chief of Engineers, he led complex global operations before being told it was time to retire, an ending that became the doorway to an unexpected second act. Recruited by NBA Commissioner David Stern, Ron became the league’s first-ever Senior Vice President of Referee Operations, restoring trust and integrity through data-driven leadership in one of the most scrutinized roles in professional sports. From there, his journey evolved again into higher education, where he found deep joy teaching, mentoring, earning his doctorate at age 69, and now serving as Chief of Staff at Georgia Tech. Across every transition, Ron redefined success not by titles or plans, but by courage, curiosity, service, and an unwavering commitment to growth. Starring: Michael Newborn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@michaelnewborn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) John Ballenger (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@john-ballenger53⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Guest: Dr. Ron Johnson https://www.linkedin.com/in/rleejohnson/ https://www.isye.gatech.edu/users/ronald-johnson Network/Produced by: Seltzer Kings (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@seltzerkings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seltzerkings.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Theme Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Josh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen Here: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john/id1707412739⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a6b369bb-36a9-47ab-9f22-1bacfcff6166/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeart: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-second-act-with-michae-123242148/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Socials: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠secondactmovement.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AI-powered coach-client matching platform: ⁠trysam.ai⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

January 9, 202631 min

2Yr Anniversary Parting Advice Recap

To celebrate two years of The Second Act Podcast, this special anniversary episode distills the most powerful parting advice ever shared by our guests into a single, focused conversation for anyone standing at the edge of what’s next. Across founders, operators, creatives, coaches, and leaders, a clear pattern emerges: second acts aren’t about reinvention for reinvention’s sake, but about curiosity, courage, self-trust, and taking the next honest step forward. From learning to bet on yourself, to letting go of perfection, to building systems, community, and alignment at home, this episode captures the hard-earned wisdom guests left for listeners when it mattered most. If you’re contemplating change or just getting started, this recap is both a mirror and a nudge reminding you that clarity follows action, progress beats certainty, and your next chapter is built one intentional step at a time. Starring: Michael Newborn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@michaelnewborn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) John Ballenger (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@john-ballenger53⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Network/Produced by: Seltzer Kings (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@seltzerkings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seltzerkings.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Theme Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Josh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen Here: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john/id1707412739⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a6b369bb-36a9-47ab-9f22-1bacfcff6166/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeart: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-second-act-with-michae-123242148/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Socials: Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠secondactmovement.com⁠ Coach-client matching platform: ⁠trysam.ai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

December 5, 202557 min

69: Start With Curiosity with JB Bolton (JB Shares How Radical Curiosity Can Help You Reinvent Your Career, Redefine Your Identity, And Take The Next Brave Step)

What happens when everything you thought defined you, your title, your income, your path, suddenly stops feeling true? For JB Bolton, that question ignited a transformation he never saw coming. Growing up in Colorado Springs, he watched his parents navigate change with resilience, a lesson that later fueled his own nonlinear path from retail sales to finance to tech. But it was the birth of his daughter that triggered a radical reset. JB and his family sold nearly everything, hit the road in an RV, and stripped life down to what actually mattered. That clarity led him from answering phones at a scrappy startup to becoming a senior executive guiding a high-growth SaaS company through scale and transformation. Ultimately, the conversations he valued most, helping people navigate challenge, identity, and purpose, pulled him into full-time coaching. Today, JB helps leaders reinvent themselves by starting with courageous and compassionate curiosity. Starring: Michael Newborn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@michaelnewborn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) John Ballenger (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@john-ballenger53⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Guest: JB Bolton https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanrobertbolton/ https://www.boltonco.net/ Network/Produced by: Seltzer Kings (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@seltzerkings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seltzerkings.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Theme Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Josh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen Here: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john/id1707412739⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a6b369bb-36a9-47ab-9f22-1bacfcff6166/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeart: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-second-act-with-michae-123242148/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Socials: Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠secondactmovement.com AI-powered coach-client matching platform: trysam.ai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

November 7, 20251 hr 0 min

68: Becoming Your Next with Cara-Lyn Giovanniello (Explore how Cara-Lyn uncovers the courage, trust, and self-belief behind every great transformation)

She never set out to be a coach. In fact, she thought she’d be a doctor. But when a single question from her boss changed everything, Cara-Lyn Giovanniello discovered her true calling: helping people evolve into the leaders they were meant to be. From her beginnings in a family of educators to shaping leadership cultures at UC Berkeley, Booz Allen, Square, and Nextdoor, she’s built a career around courage, connection, and emotional intelligence. Now, as founder of CLG Coaching, Cara-Lyn empowers others to take bold leaps, embrace imperfection, and unlock their fullest potential, proving that clarity doesn’t come before the leap, it comes after. Starring: Michael Newborn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@michaelnewborn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) John Ballenger (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@john-ballenger53⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Guest: Cara-Lyn Giovanniello https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-lyn-giovanniello-pcc/ https://clgcoaching.com/ Network/Produced by: Seltzer Kings (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@seltzerkings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seltzerkings.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Theme Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Josh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen Here: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john/id1707412739⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a6b369bb-36a9-47ab-9f22-1bacfcff6166/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeart: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-second-act-with-michae-123242148/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Socials: Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠secondactmovement.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October 3, 202559 min

67: Start With A Win with Adam Contos (Learn How Adam’s Path From Street Hustle to the C-Suite Teaches Momentum, Growth, and Lasting Success)

Adam Contos turned unconventional beginnings into an extraordinary career, rising from hands-on hustle to lead RE/MAX as CEO. Along the way, he built resilience and sharpened his decision-making in high-pressure environments, lessons that fueled his entrepreneurial spark and opened the door to new opportunities. At RE/MAX, what began as teaching safety to real estate agents evolved into an 18-year climb to the top, proving that consistent effort, courage, and a willingness to take risks can transform a career. Today, Adam channels those experiences as an entrepreneur, professor, author of Start With a Win, and executive coach, showing others how to build momentum, embrace growth, and lead with purpose. Starring: Michael Newborn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@michaelnewborn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) John Ballenger (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@john-ballenger53⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Guest: Adam Contos https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcontos/ https://www.adamcontos.com/ Network/Produced by: Seltzer Kings (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@seltzerkings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seltzerkings.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Theme Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Josh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen Here: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john/id1707412739⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a6b369bb-36a9-47ab-9f22-1bacfcff6166/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeart: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-second-act-with-michae-123242148/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Socials: Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠secondactmovement.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

September 5, 20251 hr 1 min

66: Strength Through Struggle with Giovanna Camacho (Discover How Giovanna’s Journey from Foster Care to NASA Teaches Resilience, Reinvention, and Finding Your True Path)

What do a foster kid, a West Point boxer, an Olympic Trials competitor, and a NASA engineer have in common? They are all chapters in the extraordinary journey of Giovanna Camacho. From being taken from her family at 12 to carving her way into West Point and creating the women’s boxing team, she proved early on that grit and resilience would define her path. She went on to lead medical operations, compete at the highest levels of sport, and serve abroad before realizing her true calling as an innovator. By saying yes to every opportunity, from submarines and tanks to human performance systems, Giovanna ultimately found her place at NASA, where she is pioneering wearable technology to help pilots, divers, and the visually impaired. Her story shows that reinvention is possible, and that challenges can be transformed into purpose. Starring: Michael Newborn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@michaelnewborn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) John Ballenger (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@john-ballenger53⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Guest: Giovanna Camacho https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovanna-camacho-668998162/ https://www.instagram.com/dat_cherry_girl_/ Network/Produced by: Seltzer Kings (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@seltzerkings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seltzerkings.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Theme Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Josh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen Here: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john/id1707412739⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a6b369bb-36a9-47ab-9f22-1bacfcff6166/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeart: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-second-act-with-michae-123242148/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Socials: Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠secondactmovement.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

August 8, 20251 hr 2 min

65: Reclaiming Real Connection with Joey Odom (What Missing One Moment Taught Him About Life, Family and Focus)

Joey Odom began his journey in Tulsa, Oklahoma with no clear path, transitioning from theology to marketing at Oral Roberts University before building a 15-year career in commercial real estate. Everything changed when he missed his son’s first soccer goal while looking at his phone, a moment that revealed how deeply technology was affecting his relationships. That experience, combined with a timely conversation with a friend, sparked the idea for Reclaimwell, a company focused on helping people disconnect from their devices and reconnect with what matters most. Guided by faith, a strong sense of purpose, and the belief that change starts with a single choice, Joey left behind a successful career to build a movement centered on presence, intentionality, and generational impact. Starring: Michael Newborn (⁠⁠⁠⁠@michaelnewborn⁠⁠⁠⁠) John Ballenger (⁠⁠⁠⁠@john-ballenger53⁠⁠⁠⁠) Guest: Joey Odom https://www.goaro.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeyodom Network/Produced by: Seltzer Kings (⁠⁠⁠⁠@seltzerkings⁠⁠⁠⁠) (⁠⁠⁠⁠seltzerkings.com⁠⁠⁠⁠) Theme Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Josh⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen Here: Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/71Uji4fPLsnGEJjeAqomiJ?si=77e3d7bb636c422a⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john/id1707412739⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a6b369bb-36a9-47ab-9f22-1bacfcff6166/the-second-act-with-michael-and-john⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeart: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-second-act-with-michae-123242148/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Socials: Linktree: ⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@secondactmovement⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠secondactmovement.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices