Like a mixtape straight from the 80s, this show is jam-packed, blending talks, tips, and tools on entrepreneurship, career, and life at 40+ all with a dash of pop culture flair. I’m Barbara Brooks, your pro-age|solo-ager host, inspo speaker, and visionary behind SecondAct|Women - a company and community of badass women in their 40s, 50s, and 60+. Tune in weekly for juicy conversations, stories, and tips served with a side of sass! Because, let’s face it, 50 is the new fabulous! From conqueri ...
…
continue reading
"Everything was going great... right up until the moment that it wasn't."Bonnie Somerville achieved great success quickly and with relative ease as an international model, singer/songwriter/Grammy-winning recording artist (Garden State soundtrack), and most notably, an actress who found herself working non-stop, including on a few of the biggest shows in TV history. For years, she was living the dream. But after a few setbacks, both professionally and personally, she found herself having to ...
…
continue reading

1
Master These 5 Game-changing Power Moves For #WomenOver40
18:40
18:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:40Feeling invisible, undervalued, and overlooked as a #womanover40? You're not alone. I'm sharing 5 actionable tips to help you take back control of your visibility, show up unapologetically, and achieve your goals. You'll: ✨ Discover the surprising truth about women over 40 in entrepreneurship ✨ Learn how to overcome age-related biases and get the r…
…
continue reading

1
My Facebook Was Hacked and They Took Over My Identity
57:31
57:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:31You open Facebook one day, and changes have happened—only you didn't make them, and now your profile picture, cover photo, name, or other personal information is all different. You've been hacked and no longer have access to your digital life—ever again. On average, 1.4 billion social media accounts are hacked every month, Today's guest, Michelle V…
…
continue reading

1
From Deaf to Defying the Odds: Three Time Cancer Survivor and Her New Disability
37:52
37:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:52Three-time cancer survivor Lori Frisher shares her new disability journey, having already been living being deaf with two Cochlear implants. July was Disability Pride Month, and this thriver and second-acter at 51 has recently 'rang the bell' receiving the "all clear" on her latest bought with cancer. Since her October diagnosis, she's been on a ri…
…
continue reading
You're burned out and stuck in life, your career, and everything; sometimes, it's hard to get unstuck. Add a little horseplay to your life. That'll help you. Today, we're talking about Equus coaching, also known as horse-assisted coaching. Our guest, Nancy McKay, knows all about it, and by that, I mean she was stuck until she herself took a journey…
…
continue reading

1
Adult ADHD and Autism Diagnosis'. We're Celebrating Our #Disabilities!
40:08
40:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:08It's #disability Pride Month, and we're celebrating our #neurodivergent brains. Both of us were diagnosed our late 40s and 50s, and it's been life-changing. There's that one friend who seems like they're never paying attention, cutting you off when you speak and sometimes moody, but you don't know why. Or the friend who seems always annoyed in cert…
…
continue reading

1
Women 40+ and Depression. We're Talking About It
41:46
41:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:4612.3% of women aged 40–59 have the highest rate of depression of any group in the United States according to the CDC. We're taking the shame out of our game! Mental health should be expressed, and #SecondActWomen licensed therapist Sarah Senst and former school principal Melanie Moreno, turned entrepreneur, talked to me about it. 1. Get the stats t…
…
continue reading

1
Job Seeking? Don't Put This on Your Resume Especially if You're 50+
39:03
39:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:03Job Fairness Act in Colorado took effect July 1, 2024. How does it apply to job seekers over 40? What can you do to use it in your favor? Why was it needed? What #career strategies will land you the interview? So we're talking about: 1. Ageism in the Workplace stats for you to be aware, understand, and overcome 2. Pro-aging activist and former atto…
…
continue reading

1
47. Quit My Corporate Job To Travel the World For Work
42:49
42:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:4922 million employed adults (aged 18 and over) in the U.S. always work from home. But what about quitting to start a company and travel while doing it? Nadia Mitchem did exactly that, leaving her position at St. Jude to start a company, get on the road, and travel the world. She's sharing tips and more on how she did it, and you can, too. Here's her…
…
continue reading

1
Age is a Disease. Tips to Refute the Stereotypes Next Time You're Faced with AgeISM
25:58
25:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:58Your age is a disease. You're 49, and in a few months, it's your birthday. What immediately came to mind? Fear of turning 50. That's what the world says about us, too. Because you're turning 50, you're shunned from working, living, being, and doing what YOU want. You're invisible. It's AGEISM! Your age is a superpower, and your spending authority i…
…
continue reading
Now more than ever, corporate boards are looking for qualified female candidates; by that, we mean paid boardships. It can be a boon to your household income, too! Michele Ashby with ACE Consulting is sharing the 'how-tos.' She's an expert at boards, teaching women everything they need to know to serve on corporate boards. Some have made a living f…
…
continue reading

1
SPEAKING. 5 Tips to Get Paid Speaking
1:03:05
1:03:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:05Are you tired of not earning anything when you speak? You can generate revenue by speaking and giving keynotes at conferences, and it's a great way to share your expertise to help others, build your reputation, and earn money. Public speaking coach and expert Mari Geaseair shares her five tips to help you get started: Have something to say Don't le…
…
continue reading

1
Job Seeking at 40+. 5 Things to Stop Doing
38:26
38:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:26Let Chelle Johnson, a talent acquisition expert and founder of Career Connectors, give you tips on what NOT to DO and do when looking for your next job. If you're over 45, finding a job, let alone getting an interview, can be incredibly daunting. The age bias that can arise if you don't follow her tips. Don't stop using AI for resumes. It's part of…
…
continue reading

1
Ozempic, Mounjara and Menopause. Winning the Weightloss War
53:12
53:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:12Menopause—what's the deal? Why don't we talk about it enough, and why don't our doctors tell us what we need to know? After all, there are over 80 symptoms of menopause, yet we mostly hear about hot flashes but who knew brain fog, sleepless nights and weigh gain were some of them? Board-certified adult nurse practitioner, Kimberly Cunningham with t…
…
continue reading
AI. Using it not? Well, you should. It can shave precious time, leaving you space to be the CEO of your company and focus on business development, sales, and revenue. Angela Green Urbaczewski, a Fractional CMO | Revenue Optimization, AI & Marketing Automation Expert with RevOppAI who says productivity can increase by 10-30%. She shares tips on usin…
…
continue reading

1
6 Job Strategies Navigating the Job Search at 50+
34:26
34:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:26Navigating the job search in our 40s, 50s, and beyond is tricky. We're often seen as 'out of date', expired, ready to retire, or better yet, lazy, unadaptable to change, and invisible after 50. Whether you've sent hundreds of resumes or you're just starting out, age may be a factor in your job search—but it doesn't have to hold you back. Take out y…
…
continue reading

1
Top Trends: Linkedin Dating, NYC Fashion Week and 40+ Models - A Must-Listen
1:02:04
1:02:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:04We're talking about three hot topics today: #1 Thing we regret in life. The NY Fashion Week Designer featured ALL 40+ models she found off the streets and Dating. Should you find them on LinkedIn? It's the hottest new dating site. I may be the only single one on the panel, but it's bound to be a good discussion! Let's get this Podcast Party jumpin'…
…
continue reading

1
5 Caregiving Things I Wish I Knew Before My Mom's Stroke
1:01:06
1:01:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:06Caregiving. There's so much we don't know, and 19% of Americans are caregiving today. I'm pretty sure many didn't realize the undertaking ahead, from the paperwork and legal docs needed to decide to find mom or dad a new home to patient advocacy. There's A LOT to know, and we talk about it, giving you 5 things to get in order now. When my brother c…
…
continue reading

1
Women 40+ Just starting that thing? Do it.
52:32
52:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:32Amy Cosper is with Bizee, and we're talking about and giving tips on "just starting" in all things (life, business, behaviors, etc.) and why it's so hard, but we can "start" anything we wish at any age. ➡️ Embracing transformations - you can, sister. ➡️ Recognizing opportunities - they are there! ➡️ Fear/fear of failure - who cares? ➡️ Storytelling…
…
continue reading

1
Big change happening. Women 40+, this is your space
1:03:59
1:03:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:59Welcome to Second Act with Barbara Brooks. Today's the launch of something special, and it's been a long time coming. For years, I've wanted to launch a YouTube channel and Podcast specifically for us women in our midlife quest looking to celebrate this time in life, share ideas, talk about the good and sometimes that ick, but always leave inspired…
…
continue reading

1
016 Kim Stolz - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
43:49
43:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:49In this episode Bonnie talks with one time America's Next Top Model contestant, author, MTV host, restauranteur, Wall Street bad ass, and long time friend, Kim Stolz. Their parents worked together at Goldman Sachs for 30 years, and Bonnie has watched Kim grow up and seen her many acts - always inspiring, uniquely and unapologetically herself, Kim h…
…
continue reading

1
015 Tom Arnold - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
1:05:46
1:05:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:46In this episode, Bonnie hosts her former TV stepdad and dear friend, Tom Arnold. Fresh off of his recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show, they get together for a no-holds-barred discussion about everything from loss, love, divorce, sobriety, kids, comedy and then some. One of the most honest, kind, generous humans on the planet - and always the…
…
continue reading

1
014 Michaela Watkins - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
1:09:34
1:09:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:34In this episode, Bonnie talks to one of her comedy heroines, actress Michaela Watkins. From her beginnings with The Groundlings to Saturday Night Live (Bonnie still quotes Michaela’s iconic Angie Tempura character) to her current role on the hit CBS show, The Unicorn, Michaela has been through it all. She’s had leading roles, supporting roles, crea…
…
continue reading

1
013 Darrell Redleaf - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
56:26
56:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:26In this episode Bonnie talks to her long time friend, award winning hair and makeup artist, photographer and producer, Darrell Redleaf. Darrell has worked with everyone in the biz from Faye Dunaway to Oscar award winner Helen Hunt to Joss Stone to even Bonnie herself. Recently, he did the reboot of “Saved by the Bell” for NBC/Peacock, “Mixed-ish” o…
…
continue reading

1
012 Thad Cockrell - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
58:42
58:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:42In this episode Bonnie talks to singer/songwriter, Thad Cockrell, who after years of being a professional musician touring and playing with some of the best in music, found himself being "discovered" again recently by talk show host Jimmy Fallon. Jimmyheard Thad's song "Swingin'" at a hardware store during the COVID-19 pandemic, and used Shazam to …
…
continue reading

1
011 Andrew Fleming - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
1:19:43
1:19:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:19:43In this episode Bonnie talks with her friend, writer / director / producer – and recent Golden Globe nominee – Andrew Fleming. Back in 1998, Andrew directed the pilot for Grosse Pointe, Bonnie’s very first TV pilot and series, and was a central figure in the crazy story of how Bonnie ended up on the show. Since his one-in-a-million start to his car…
…
continue reading

1
010 Jacqueline Obradors - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
1:16:20
1:16:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:16:20In this episode, Bonnie catches up with the one and only Cagney to her Lacey, the amazingly talented Jacqueline Obradors. That’s right, NYPD Blue fans, Detectives Ortiz and Murphy partner up again for an emotional, hilarious, no-holds barred conversation. Jacqueline shares her stories about how a “nobody” (her word, not ours) ended up in a huge mov…
…
continue reading

1
009 Lochlyn Munro - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
1:12:53
1:12:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:53In this episode of Second Act, Bonnie talks with Lochlyn Munro, actor, musician, and former hockey phenom. Before an amazing run as Hal Cooper on Riverdale, you’d probably seen him on… well, It’s probably quicker to list the shows he hasn’t been on rather than the ones he has. Bonnie talks with him about transitioning from music to acting (a backgr…
…
continue reading

1
008 Stellene Volandes - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
1:08:39
1:08:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:39Welcome back to Second Act! We’re starting the new year off with Bonnie’s fellow Brooklyn native and high school alumni, and Editor-In-Chief of Town & Country magazine (America’s longest running magazine still in print), Stellene Volandes. They talk about their days at Poly Prep in Bay Ridge, what they did after high school, and everything that’s h…
…
continue reading

1
007 Lindsay Sloane - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
1:14:19
1:14:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:14:19In this episode, Bonnie talks with one of her best and oldest friends, actress Lindsay Sloane. They met on Bonnie’s very first show, the ahead-ot-its-time Grosse Pointe, created by Darren Star. What happened to get that job is the beginning of an intimate and brutally honest conversation about acting, growing up in this business, navigating multipl…
…
continue reading

1
006 Whitney Leigh Morris - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
53:37
53:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:37In this episode, Bonnie talks with her longtime friend, Whitney Leigh Morris, a multi-talented designer, small space living expert, author, mother, photographer, influencer - almost every title you can think of. Whitney’s passion is the belief that you don’t have to “live large” to live beautifully. She applied this idea to her own personal life, a…
…
continue reading

1
005 Greg Grunberg - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
1:12:06
1:12:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:06In this episode Bonnie talks with her old friend, actor, musician, writer, director, author, and former frozen yogurt store proprietor, Greg Grunberg. You know Greg from Heroes, Alias, Lost, A Star Is Born, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars; Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, and countless other TV shows and films. They talk ab…
…
continue reading

1
004 Elon Gold - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
1:10:41
1:10:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:41In this episode Bonnie talks with her first TV husband and long time friend, actor and comedian, Elon Gold. Elon’s show, The In-Laws, came right after Bonnie's run as Mona on Friends, and was her first leading role on a sitcom. These two native New Yorkers discuss it all and don’t hold back - from Hollywood, marriage, faith, failure, comedy, Second…
…
continue reading

1
003 Jesse Bochco - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
52:06
52:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:06What do you do for a Second Act when your first act was one of the biggest and most acclaimed shows in TV history? In this episode, Bonnie talks with director, longtime friend, and one-time boss, Jesse Bochco about life, love, legacies, and how you keep going when you're only as good as your last job or your last name. They also trade anecdotes abo…
…
continue reading

1
002 Kristian Harloff - Second Act with Bonnie Somerville
59:39
59:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:39In the inaugural episode of Second Act, Bonnie brings it full circle by interviewing her long time friend, Kristian Harloff, Creator of the Schmoedown Entertainment Network (#SEN) and Chairman of the Movie Trivia Schmoedown. They talk about how long they've known each other, their journeys from New York to LA, and whether or not Bonnie will ever le…
…
continue reading

1
001 Second Act with Bonnie Somerville Teaser Trailer
1:38
1:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:38"Everything was going great... right up until the moment that it wasn't." Bonnie Somerville achieved great success quickly and with relative ease as an international model, singer/songwriter/Grammy-winning recording artist (Garden State soundtrack), and most notably, an actress who found herself working non-stop, including on a few of the biggest s…
…
continue reading