Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if the dream you've spent your entire life chasing is no longer the dream you're meant to live?

In this episode of Manders Mindset, Amanda Russo sits down with Shannon Russell, business coach, speaker, author, and host of the Second Act Success podcast, for a conversation about career transitions, entrepreneurship, identity, and having the courage to reinvent yourself.

Shannon shares her journey from landing her dream job at MTV and spending 16 years in the television industry to walking away from a successful career to create a life that aligned more closely with her values and priorities. Together, Amanda and Shannon explore what happens when your definition of success changes, how to navigate the fear that comes with starting over, and why your career is only one small part of who you are.

The conversation dives into motherhood, entrepreneurship, transferable skills, following intuition, and learning how to trust yourself through life's transitions. Shannon also shares how a simple idea sparked her first business, how that led to coaching women through their own career pivots, and why it's never too late to create a second act.

Whether you're feeling stuck in your current career, considering starting a business, or simply wondering what else may be possible for your life, this episode offers both practical advice and encouragement to take the next step.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

💜 Why your career is not your identity
🎬 How Shannon went from MTV producer to entrepreneur and business coach
🌱 The importance of allowing your dreams to evolve over time
✨ Why it's never too late to start a second act
🧠 How to identify transferable skills you may be overlooking
🚀 The value of learning before you leap into a new opportunity
🤍 Why giving yourself grace is essential during times of transition
📚 How accountability helped Shannon launch a podcast and write a book

⏰ Timeline Summary:

[2:00] Shannon shares her childhood dream of working in television and her journey to MTV
[7:00] Moving between New York and Los Angeles while building a successful career in TV
[12:00] Motherhood, changing priorities, and realizing her dream career no longer aligned with the life she wanted
[18:00] Leaving television and navigating the uncertainty of starting over
[24:00] Starting her first business and overcoming the fear of entrepreneurship
[31:00] How Second Act Success was born and why Shannon became passionate about helping women reinvent themselves
[38:00] Why your career is not your identity and how to embrace change without losing yourself
[44:00] Learning before you leap, transferable skills, and practical advice for career pivots
[48:00] Writing her book, giving yourself grace, and Shannon's final words of encouragement

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Shannon:

Website: secondactsuccess.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcoach

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondactsuccess/

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if one of the most common pieces of advice we've ever been given isn't actually true?

In this thought-provoking episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with author Adam Brownlie to explore one of life's biggest questions: Can we actually choose to be happy?

Drawing from years of research and the philosophy behind his book Happypedia, Adam challenges many of the beliefs society holds about happiness, emotions, forgiveness, and human behavior. Together, Amanda and Adam dive into the science of happiness, the six pillars that contribute to wellbeing, and why understanding the root cause of suffering may be more important than simply trying to "think positive."

The conversation explores hope, novelty, forgiveness, free will, personal responsibility, and the fascinating idea that emotions may not be as much of a choice as many people believe. Adam also shares his unique journey from growing up on a farm in Australia to becoming an author dedicated to helping others better understand happiness and the human experience.

Whether listeners agree with Adam's perspective or find themselves questioning it, this episode offers a fresh way of thinking about happiness and what it truly means to live a fulfilling life.

This conversation is a reminder that happiness isn't always about forcing positivity.

Sometimes it's about understanding ourselves more deeply, letting go of what we can't control, and focusing on what we can.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

🧠 Why Adam believes happiness is not a choice

✨ The six pillars of happiness and how they impact wellbeing

🌱 Why novelty may be one of the most overlooked ingredients for happiness

💭 How thoughts influence emotional states

🤝 The connection between forgiveness and happiness

🔄 Why hope plays a critical role in mental and emotional wellbeing

💜 How understanding suffering can help people navigate difficult seasons of life

⏰ Timeline Summary:

[2:00] Adam shares his unique upbringing on a farm and how it shaped his perspective on life

[8:30] The journey from farming and business to becoming an author

[14:00] The research behind Happypedia and the six pillars of happiness

[20:00] Why novelty may be one of the most overlooked keys to happiness

[28:00] Can we actually choose to be happy? Adam challenges conventional wisdom

[39:00] Hope, positive thinking, and navigating difficult situations

[48:00] Forgiveness, happiness, and Adam's biggest realization about human behavior

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Adam:

Website: https://adambrownlie.com.au

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if one of the most powerful things you could do for yourself wasn’t helping someone else… but learning how to stop abandoning yourself?

In this heartfelt episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with former bodybuilding pro turned functional health and fitness coach Allie Cass for a powerful conversation about self-worth, resilience, grief, identity, and the courage to choose yourself.

Allie opens up about a toxic teenage relationship that shaped much of her early life, sharing what it was like to feel responsible for someone else's wellbeing while slowly losing sight of her own. Together, Amanda and Allie explore the difficult lessons that come from loving someone who refuses help, the importance of boundaries, and the journey of coming back home to yourself after years of self-abandonment.

The conversation also dives into grief, healing, mindset, athletics, confidence, and the experiences that ultimately led Allie into the world of health and coaching. From losing both of her parents to cancer to navigating her own personal growth journey through therapy, fitness, and self-discovery, Allie shares the moments that taught her how to trust herself, embrace change, and create a life she truly loves.

This conversation is a reminder that you can care deeply about others without carrying responsibilities that were never yours to hold.

Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is choose yourself.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:
💜 How self-abandonment can quietly show up in relationships
🧠 Why you can't help someone who doesn't want help
🌱 The difference between caring for someone and being responsible for them
💔 How grief can resurface years after a loss
✨ Why confidence is built through keeping promises to yourself
🔄 The role identity plays in lasting personal transformation
🌟 Why creating a meaningful life starts now, not someday

⏰ Timeline Summary:

[2:00] Allie reflects on who she is at her core and her desire to experience life fully
[14:15] A teenage relationship that led to self-abandonment and emotional responsibility
[22:30] Learning that you can't help someone who doesn't want help
[29:15] College, grief, and becoming the "strong one"
[35:00] Losing her mother and the experience that sparked her passion for health
[49:00] Discovering bodybuilding and finding confidence through challenge
[54:00] From client to coach and helping women transform their lives
[57:30] Confidence, identity shifts, and creating lasting change

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Allie:

Website: www.alliecasshealth.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliecasshealth/

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if happiness isn't something you're born with... but something you can learn?

In this deeply honest and inspiring episode of Manders Mindset, Amanda sits down with author, keynote speaker, happiness coach, and former business executive Todd Patkin for a powerful conversation about mental health, perfectionism, burnout, and the habits that create a truly fulfilling life.

From being bullied as a child and struggling with homesickness to building a $100 million business, Todd spent much of his life chasing achievement, validation, and success. On the outside, he appeared to have everything but behind the scenes, the pressure of perfectionism and relentless ambition eventually led him to a complete mental and emotional breakdown.

Together, Todd and Amanda explore the life-changing lessons that emerged from his darkest season, including how he rebuilt his mindset, learned to quiet his inner critic, and developed a practical framework for creating greater happiness, purpose, and peace. Todd shares the 12 principles that transformed his life and explains why meaningful relationships, self-compassion, gratitude, and living in the present may be far more important than any achievement or accolade.

This episode is filled with heartfelt stories, powerful perspective shifts, and actionable wisdom for anyone who feels stuck in the pursuit of "more" and is ready to create a happier, more meaningful life.

💡 In this episode, listeners will learn:
🧠 Why perfectionism can quietly destroy happiness
💔 How burnout and mental health struggles can become a turning point for growth
🏃 Why exercise is one of the most powerful tools for emotional well-being
💭 How negative self-talk shapes self-worth and daily happiness
🌱 The importance of learning to love yourself without achievement
👥 Why the people around you influence your mindset more than you realize
🙏 How gratitude can completely shift your perspective on life
✨ Why happiness is a skill that can be learned and practiced

Timeline Summary:
03:15 – Growing up with bullying, perfectionism, and homesickness
09:45 – Choosing McGill over UPenn and redefining success
16:30 – Building a thriving family business and leading through mindset
22:45 – The breakdown that changed everything
30:20 – Why exercise became the foundation of happiness
37:15 – Learning to be kinder to yourself
44:10 – The power of positive relationships and environment
50:15 – Gratitude, giving, and living in the present
57:00 – Todd's biggest lessons on happiness, self-worth, and legacy

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if the biggest thing standing between you and the life you want… is the resistance to change?

In this deeply insightful episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with Harvard-trained psychotherapist, mindset expert, executive coach, and bestselling author Madeline Weiss for a powerful conversation about identity, self-worth, reinvention, and the hidden psychology behind personal transformation.

From losing her father unexpectedly at 15 years old to rebuilding her confidence through learning, growth, and self-discovery, Madeline shares the experiences that shaped her understanding of mindset, resilience, and human behavior. Together, Amanda and Madeline explore why people often stay stuck in familiar discomfort, how quieting the mind can help uncover purpose, and why real self-esteem comes from witnessing yourself show up in ways you admire.

Throughout the conversation, Madeline breaks down the five-step framework from her book Getting to Great, explains why the brain naturally resists change, and shares how unconscious patterns quietly shape the direction of life, relationships, health, and career decisions.

This episode is filled with honest reflections, practical wisdom, and meaningful mindset shifts about courage, personal responsibility, identity, and becoming the version of yourself you were always capable of being.

💡 In this episode, listeners will learn:

🧠 Why the brain naturally resists change and prefers familiarity
🌱 How identity shifts create lasting transformation
💭 The importance of quieting the mind to hear inner guidance
✨ What true self-esteem actually comes from
📖 How grief and life experiences can shape self-perception
🔥 Why “what you want more” ultimately wins
💪 The role discomfort plays in growth and evolution
🌍 How kindness toward both others and yourself can transform life

Timeline Summary:

05:00 – Losing her father at 15 years old
08:15 – Grief, moving, and struggling in school
17:40 – Quieting the mind & polyvagal breathing
26:00 – The GREAT framework explained
31:15 – Why resistance to change is the real work
35:45 – Why people stay stuck in familiar discomfort
39:20 – “What you want more wins”
42:00 – Amanda’s weight loss & identity shift story
46:10 – Manifestation vs becoming the future version of yourself
52:00 – “Just do good work”

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Madeline Weiss:
Website:

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if the shame carried for years wasn’t proof that something was wrong… but proof that healing had never truly been given space to begin?

In this deeply vulnerable episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with Dr. Zoe Shaw, licensed psychotherapist, relationship coach, author, and podcast host for a powerful conversation about shame, secrecy, identity, and emotional healing. Dr. Zoe opens up about growing up in a strict religious environment, navigating racial identity shame, becoming pregnant as a teenager, and carrying the burden of secrecy for decades after placing her daughter for adoption.

Together, Amanda and Dr. Zoe explore the emotional weight of people-pleasing, perfectionism, trauma, and the ways shame quietly shapes relationships, self-worth, and the ability to show up authentically in the world. Dr. Zoe also breaks down the difference between guilt, simple shame, toxic shame, and what she calls “complex shame”, a deeper form of shame built over years of painful experiences and hidden wounds.

This conversation is an honest and hopeful reminder that healing doesn’t begin through hiding…

It begins through vulnerability, self-forgiveness, and finally allowing the truth to be seen.

⏰ Timeline Summary

[5:40] – Growing up with racial identity shame and strict religious expectations [9:15] – Becoming pregnant at 15 and carrying the burden of secrecy [14:30] – Using achievement, success, and perfectionism to hide shame [19:05] – The moment she revealed her secret to her children and family [23:45] – The difference between guilt, simple shame, complex shame, and toxic shame [31:40] – Practical ways to begin untangling shame and finding forgiveness

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

🧠 The difference between guilt, simple shame, toxic shame, and complex shame
💔 How secrecy and people-pleasing can quietly shape identity and relationships
✨ The emotional impact of carrying shame from childhood into adulthood
📖 Dr. Zoe’s personal journey through teen pregnancy, adoption, and self-forgiveness
🪞 How perfectionism and achievement can become coping mechanisms for hidden pain

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Zoe:

📖 Get Dr. Zoe's Book Stronger in the Difficult Places: https://a.co/d/bWNSd4G

Get Dr. Zoe's Must Have Resources to untangle Shame:

https://dr-zoe-shaw-enterprises.kit.com/7247f0bc86

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What if rebuilding your life after trauma wasn’t about becoming who you once were… but learning how to embrace who you are now?

In this deeply moving episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with author, speaker, and trauma survivor Shannon Michelle for a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, healing, and the life changing power of staying present. After surviving a near-fatal motorcycle accident that left her in a coma for two months, Shannon shares what it was like to relearn how to walk, read, speak, and rebuild her life from the ground up.

Together, Amanda and Shannon explore the emotional journey of letting go of old identities, learning to accept life’s hardest moments, and finding beauty even in the middle of pain and uncertainty. Shannon opens up about surviving childhood abuse, building a successful interior design career, navigating physical and emotional recovery after her accident, and eventually transforming her experiences into a book designed to inspire others through trauma and healing.

This conversation is a reminder that healing isn’t always about returning to who you once were…

Sometimes it’s about discovering a completely new version of yourself.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

🧠 What it was like for Shannon to relearn how to read, walk, and navigate life after a traumatic brain injury
🌿 Why staying present became one of the biggest lessons of her recovery
💔 The emotional process of letting go of old identities and expectations
✨ How childhood trauma shaped Shannon’s drive, resilience, and independence
📖 The unexpected journey that led her to writing and publishing her book
🛁 Why relearning simple daily tasks became some of her biggest victories
💫 How acceptance, grace, and small moments of joy helped her rebuild her life

⏰ Timeline Summary

[2:10] Shannon reflects on how her accident transformed her identity and perspective on life
[7:50] Growing up in a chaotic and abusive household while learning independence young
[15:40] Starting her first business at 22 and unexpectedly entering interior design
[28:15] The motorcycle accident that changed everything and surviving a two-month coma
[39:20] Relearning how to walk, read, and navigate life after traumatic brain injury
[47:30] Letting go of her old life and learning to embrace “Shannon Michelle 2.0”
[53:50] Writing her book, rebuilding purpose, and helping others through trauma
[58:40] Staying present, acceptance, and finding abundance through life’s hardest moments

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Shannon:

Website: https://stepintoyourmiracle.com/

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!

What happens when you’ve spent most of your life believing your voice doesn’t matter… and then you decide to use it anyway?

In this milestone Episode 200 of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with podcast host and sustainability advocate Amy Bolduc for one of the most raw and honest conversations yet. From navigating a challenging childhood and years of self-doubt to building a podcast and showing up consistently despite insecurity, Amy shares what it really looks like to grow through the mess... not after it.

Together, Amanda and Amy unpack the reality of doing things before you feel ready, learning to trust yourself after life-altering decisions, and the quiet but powerful realization that… people actually care. This episode is a reminder that your voice matters, even if you’re still learning how to believe that.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

🧠 How childhood experiences can shape self-worth and identity
💭 What it feels like to live with deep-rooted insecurity and still move forward
🎙️ The reality of starting a podcast (and hitting record) before feeling ready
🔥 Why “do it anyway” can be the most life-changing mindset shift
🌱 How growth often comes from uncomfortable, unexpected life transitions
💔 Navigating big life changes like divorce, relocation, and starting over
🧭 The powerful realization that your voice matters more than you think

⏱️ Timeline Summary:

[1:30] Celebrating Episode 200 & how Amanda and Amy connected
[6:00] Amy’s childhood, family dynamics, and early instability
[14:30] School struggles, insecurity, and not following a traditional path
[24:00] Early adulthood, relationships, and career journey beginnings
[34:30] Job transitions, COVID struggles, and emotional burnout
[43:00] Starting her podcast despite fear and self-doubt
[52:00] The mindset shift: “do it anyway” & finding her voice
[1:00:00] Realizing people care & reflections on growth and self-worth

TAKE THE SURVEY TO WIN A $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD & A MANDERS MINDSET TEE: https://form.jotform.com/mandersmindset/200-episodes-of-manders-mindset

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

Follow & Support the Podcast:

📱Instagram: @MandersMindset
👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!

To Connect with Amy:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groundedinmainepodcast_/

Listen to Grounded in Maine Podcast: https://www.groundedinmaine.com/