Second Act Stories

If you're of a certain age, you may not know the name Andy Lindberg. But you definitely know his most famous role. Andy played Lard Ass Hogan in the legendary Rob Reiner film "Stand By Me," one of the most beloved coming-of-age movies ever made. His scene, the unforgettable "barf-o-rama" at the pie-eating contest, remains one of the most memorable movie moments of the 1980s. It was gross. It was hilarious. It was impossible to forget. Andy was 14 years old when he filmed the scene in Oregon, a local kid doing local theater who suddenly found himself working on a major motion picture based on a Stephen King story and directed by a man who would go on to become one of the great filmmakers of his generation. And then life kept going. In this episode, Andy shares what it was like to be cast as Lard Ass, how he felt about the role as a teenager, what it was like to return to high school after the movie came out, and why he has had to rethink the shame he carried for years about being "the right fat kid in the right place at the right time." He also shares some wonderful behind-the-scenes stories from the set, including working with Rob Reiner, watching Kiefer Sutherland hold the boom mic, and putting his face into what he estimates were more than 250 pies over the course of filming. To this day, blueberry pie is not exactly his favorite dessert. But Andy's story doesn't end with "Stand By Me." Not even close. After years of acting, including a move to New York and stage work around the country, Andy eventually returned home to Oregon. Today, he is the executive director of Westwind, a remarkable camp and natural area on the Oregon coast that helps kids unplug, connect with nature, and experience something increasingly rare: being fully present in a beautiful place. For Andy, running a summer camp is not as different from theater as it might seem. Both involve creating a temporary world; both have a beginning, middle, and end; both can change people in ways they may not understand until years later. In this episode, Andy shares his journey from childhood movie fame to steward of nature, from the stage to the forest, and from one unforgettable movie scene to a life built around helping kids find wonder in the real world. As Andy says, life is long. You can change course entirely. And it's never too late to become the person you were meant to be. To learn more about Andy's work, visit Westwind.org. ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

If you know tech, you know David Pogue. His resume includes 13 years as the top personal technology columnist for THE New York Times, and prior to that, 13 years as a columnist for Macworld magazine. Today he's a full-time correspondent for the venerable weekly news program CBS Sunday Morning. His work there has earned him seven… SEVEN… Emmy Awards. He's also a five-time TED speaker, and he's hosted 20 NOVA science specials on PBS. David is also a prolific author. He's written or cowritten more than 120 books, including dozens in the Missing Manual tech series, which he created in 1999; six books in the For Dummies line; two novels; his three bestselling Pogue's Basics books of tips and shortcuts; his practical guide to the climate crisis, How to Prepare for Climate Change; and his newly released magnum opus, Apple: The First 50 Years. This is a man who doesn't sit still. But before he summited the tech world, David climbed to the top of the mountain on Broadway. He spent ten years conducting and arranging Broadway musicals. During that time he earned a reputation as the kid who could help people with tech. That reputation led him to the apartments of the Broadway elite, where he gave private lessons to the likes of Cy Coleman, Mia Farrow, Stephen Sondheim, and a host of others whose names you definitely know. In this episode David shares what prompted his love of technology, how it gave way to success on Broadway, and the unusual way it all came together to reveal the path that led directly to the pages of The New York Times and the airwaves of CBS News. How did the magic happen (pun intended; he's also an accomplished magician and has written a book on magic)? It's the advice he gives to everyone: "Say yes to everything." He didn't have a plan for his career, but he reached the peak in more than one industry. One of the most interesting things, however, is how his career in tech journalism started. Believe it or not, it had nothing to do with wanting to write. In this episode, David shares his journey from Shaker Heights, Ohio to the "Great White Way," to the pages of The New York Times, and beyond. He also dives deep on two of his legendary CBS Sunday Morning segments: his interview with Elon Musk that created worldwide headlines, and his experience as a passenger in the ill-fated OceanGate Titan submersible. Learn more about David by Googling his name or visiting his website. Buy David's new book, Apple: The First 50 Years anywhere books are sold. ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

Some people change careers. These people rewrote the menu. This week on Second Act Stories we highlight an incredible group of entrepreneurs who traded in wildly different first acts for lives spent building bold, food-focused brands. What connects them isn't a straight line or a master plan, but the moment they realized it was time for a second serving: to take what they'd learned, trust their instincts, and build something deliciously their own. These are stories of reinvention, risk, and recipes. Proof that sometimes the most satisfying work comes after you decide to start over. Anna Vocino has an impressive IMDb resume dotted with comedic acting roles, sketch comedy appearances on shows including the Lance Krall Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, and professional narration work for a number of TV series and documentaries. She has risen to the top of the voiceover industry, lending her vocal skills to an endless array of video games and TV commercials, and she's even the female voice of the NBC television network. In the midst of a career in entertainment, Anna was diagnosed with Celiac disease and was forced to eliminate gluten from her diet. A gifted cook, she created gluten-free versions of the recipes she loved and posted them to a blog. A circuitous series of decisions led her to co-host a very successful podcast with health entrepreneur Vinnie Tortorich, and her path ultimately resulted in the release of two bestselling Eat Happy cookbooks. She combined her love of cooking with a passion to create foods that are clean, gluten-free, no sugar added alternatives to the processed options available on most store shelves. Today, Anna is also the CEO of packaged food company Eat Happy Kitchen, which has realized substantial growth in both distribution and revenue since its launch. Most surprisingly, Anna's path was not linear. She didn't set out to embark on a second act, and she didn't know she was on that path until she looked back and realized it. Learn more about Anna Vocino at www.annavocino.com. ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

Some people change careers. These people rewrote the menu. This week on Second Act Stories we highlight an incredible group of entrepreneurs who traded in wildly different first acts for lives spent building bold, food-focused brands. What connects them isn't a straight line or a master plan, but the moment they realized it was time for a second serving: to take what they'd learned, trust their instincts, and build something deliciously their own. These are stories of reinvention, risk, and recipes. Proof that sometimes the most satisfying work comes after you decide to start over. Andrew Pudalov spent 15 years working his way up the ladder in the competitive ranks of NYC's financial industry. But the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center changed everything. "I was traumatized. My wife too. We have little kids. I lost good friends. One jumped. I could not believe the towers came down." Andrew, his spouse and their young family were ready for a change. So they headed west to Boulder, Colorado with very little idea what was ahead. With zero experience in the retail food industry, Andrew started Rush Bowls a company that specializes in all-natural acai bowls and smoothies. Over the past 20+ years, the company has grown to over 50 locations across the United States with another 20 stores in development. ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a successful writer, but wondered if the moment had already passed? This week, in our "Author! Author!" series, we're sharing stories from people who answered that question by simply starting - often much later, and after building careers elsewhere. These conversations show how the path to authorship isn't something you find so much as something you clear, step by step, by leaning into the life you've already lived. Together, these episodes capture the heart of Second Act Stories: the idea that reinvention doesn't have an expiration date, and that sometimes the most meaningful work begins after you've already lived a few chapters. If you've ever dreamed of writing the Great American Novel, this episode is for you. For most of his professional career, Marty Herman was a business turnaround specialist. He would come into troubled companies, figure out what was wrong and implement a solution. And then he'd move on to the next company. But he always had a love of writing – he even sold a couple of short stories in his life. So at the age of 75, and with the help and encouragement of his youngest daughter Aimee, he published his first mystery novel called "The Jefferson Files." Since then he's published four other mystery novels, a book of short stories and a biography of a local jazz musician. Marty loves writing. But he also loves selling his books. Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he attended 200+ book and craft fairs each year and estimates that he's sold 15,000-18,000 of his books in this manner. Click here to learn more about his work and purchase one of his books. I read his latest mystery, "The First Tuesday Of The Month Murder Files," and it is terrific. ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a successful writer, but wondered if the moment had already passed? This week, in our "Author! Author!" series, we're sharing stories from people who answered that question by simply starting - often much later, and after building careers elsewhere. These conversations show how the path to authorship isn't something you find so much as something you clear, step by step, by leaning into the life you've already lived. Together, these episodes capture the heart of Second Act Stories: the idea that reinvention doesn't have an expiration date, and that sometimes the most meaningful work begins after you've already lived a few chapters. Peggy Rowe has accomplished a lot in her 87 years. She started her career as a schoolteacher in Baltimore, where she and her husband John – also a teacher – raised three sons. It was a pretty normal life by all accounts. But life got extraordinary somewhere along the way. One common thread in the Rowe household was humor, and Peggy had a finely tuned ability to recognize funny and write about it. See, writing has always been her creative outlet. She wrote all the time. She wrote fun poems for her students, which she would later hear them recite on the playground; she wrote short stories that were published in newspapers and magazines; she wrote stories about things that happened in everyday life; and she wrote about her family. Her son Mike (yes, THAT Mike Rowe) loved her stories, but every time she called to share one, he'd tell her, "Mom, don't TELL me about it; sit down and WRITE about it." This happened a lot. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Peggy had a wonderful career as an educator, but it wasn't until long after that came to an end that her real career took off. When she was 80, Peggy's first book of humor was published. "About My Mother: True Stories of a Horse-Crazy Daughter and Her Baseball-Obsessed Mother: A Memoir" became a New York Times bestseller. Then came more bestsellers. "About Your Father and Other Celebrities I Have Known: Ruminations and Revelations from a Desperate Mother to Her Dirty Son" was Peggy's next bestselling book, when she was 82. "Vacuuming in the Nude: And Other Ways to Get Attention," book number three and bestseller number three, was published when Peggy was 84. Judging by the title, it seems Dirty Jobs run in the family. Her fourth book, "Oh No, Not "The Home": Observations and Confessions of a Grandmother in Transition," came two years later. At age 87, Peggy is working on her fifth book and she shows no signs of slowing down. Thankfully. In this inspiring episode, Peggy shares her incredible journey from the classroom to the bestseller list, complete with a few fun stories woven in. ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

This week we're bringing you a powerhouse series of episodes that celebrate some of the most formidable women to ever take the mic on Second Act Stories. These conversations are fueled by bold decisions, hard-won confidence, and the kind of reinvention that only comes after you've lived a little. From breaking the rules to rewriting the script, these women didn't just pivot; they claimed their second acts with clarity, grit, and momentum. Whether you're a longtime listener or tuning in for the first time, these episodes capture the fire at the heart of our show: fearless choices, earned wisdom, and stories that prove it's never too late to bet big on yourself. Ruth Lavigne grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father was a doctor (a radiologist) and she used to fill-in the date on patient sheets when her dad reviewed their films at home. As Ruth followed her father around his hospital, she always thought "that will be me someday." She ended up studying French in college and then business in graduate school. After marrying, starting a family and relocating to California, she found herself working as a banquet waitress in a San Diego hotel. She enjoyed the work and the flexible schedule which gave her time with two kids. Ruth's dream of becoming a doctor re-emerged one night as she held her oldest daughter Ariel in her arms and told her "you can be anything you want when you grow up." And Ruth thought, "one day this kid is gonna look back up at me say, so you wanted to be a waitress all your life?" With financial help from her parents and childcare support from her in-laws, she went back to school at 31 to take the necessary pre-med coursework. At 36, she returned home and entered medical school at the University of Cincinnati. At 40 she began a four-year residency to become a radiation oncologist. And at 45-years-of age, she finally became Dr. Ruth Lavigne. Ruth's story of persistence and overcoming obstacles is as inspirational as they come. ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

This week we're bringing you a powerhouse series of episodes that celebrate some of the most formidable women to ever take the mic on Second Act Stories. These conversations are fueled by bold decisions, hard-won confidence, and the kind of reinvention that only comes after you've lived a little. From breaking the rules to rewriting the script, these women didn't just pivot; they claimed their second acts with clarity, grit, and momentum. Whether you're a longtime listener or tuning in for the first time, these episodes capture the fire at the heart of our show: fearless choices, earned wisdom, and stories that prove it's never too late to bet big on yourself. Stuckey's is a legendary and iconic thread in the fabric of Americana. Founded in Eastman, Georgia in 1937 by WS "Sylvester" Stuckey, Sr., Stuckey's grew into a roadside empire by the 1970s, with 368 stores in more than 30 states. Part of the charm that made Stuckey's so iconic were its ubiquitous billboards, more than 4,000 of them, which were dotted along U.S. highways. Stuckey's was an inextricable part of what became known as "The Great American Road Trip." Fast forward to 2019, Stuckey's was on life support. The brand had gone through hard times, and its former stand-alone locations, still identifiable by their teal blue roofs, were now relics of a bygone era. Some were abandoned and boarded-up; others became home to less-than-savory businesses. By this time the brand had changed hands multiple times and become an unprofitable line item on a bigger company's balance sheet. But Stuckey's was about to experience a surprising rebirth. In 2019, former Georgia legislator Stephanie Stuckey, a practicing attorney at the time, received a fateful phone call. Stuckey's, the brand started by her grandfather all those years ago, was up for sale. With no experience in running a business, 53-year-old Stephanie defied the odds (and the advice of virtually everyone she spoke to), cashed in her entire life's savings, and traded her future to buy back and revive the business bearing her family's name. Since then, Stephanie has become a legend in the business community. A perfect storm of scrappiness, shrewd business sense and passion, she's now a bone fide rock star with all the street cred to stage a successful turnaround. And she has the receipts to prove it. Under Stephanie's leadership, Stuckey's and its flagship pecan log rolls are back in black. In this episode, Stephanie discusses growing up with an iconic last name, her career as a legislator and attorney, her decision to lay it all on the line to buy back her family's business, how she's rebuilt the brand, and what's next for Stuckey's. Stephanie chronicles her life on the road at her Instagram account, @stuckeystop. Her new book, "UnStuck: Rebirth of an American Icon," is available at Amazon or wherever you buy books. ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

This week on Second Act Stories, we're featuring a series called "Rewriting the Playbook." This group of episodes features guests whose journeys share a common connection to sports, sometimes front and center, sometimes quietly shaping the path forward. In these conversations, the influence of competition, teamwork, and discipline shows up in different ways, informing career pivots and personal reinvention. Together, these stories explore how the lessons learned on the field can echo long after the final whistle, guiding second acts that are anything but predictable. Mike Huber had a 20-year career as a top consultant with Ernst & Young, Cushman Wakefield and KPMG. His focus was in the area of site selection consulting – helping major companies like Samsung, Time Warner and Bausch & Lomb find new business locations. He worked hard and made a very good living. But over time he became frustrated with the corporate rat race and began to ask, "is this the right career for me?" He went back to school, got a masters in Sports Psychology and became a mental performance coach. Today he works with middle-school and high school athletes helping them improve their mental fitness and game performance. Mike took a major cut in compensation to launch Follow The Ball, his new consulting practice. But he is so much happier in his new line of work. ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

This week on Second Act Stories, we're featuring a series called "Rewriting the Playbook." This group of episodes features guests whose journeys share a common connection to sports, sometimes front and center, sometimes quietly shaping the path forward. In these conversations, the influence of competition, teamwork, and discipline shows up in different ways, informing career pivots and personal reinvention. Together, these stories explore how the lessons learned on the field can echo long after the final whistle, guiding second acts that are anything but predictable. Michael Strahan is an NFL legend. He spent his entire 15-year Hall of Fame career as a defensive end for the New York Giants. A five-time All-Pro, Strahan appeared in seven Pro Bowls, he accumulated 141.5 career sacks, he held two NFL sack titles, and he was a key member of the NY Giants team that won Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots in 2008. Following his NFL retirement, Michael Strahan joined Fox NFL Sunday as an analyst. This first foray into the broadcast booth was the catalyst for what has made him a broadcasting legend. Strahan went on to host Live! with Kelly and Michael after Regis Philbin retired, and today he's one of the hosts of ABC News Good Morning America. The two-time Emmy Award winner also hosts the highly successful reboot of the popular game show, The $100,000 Pyramid. In 2023, Strahan was honored with a star on the venerable Hollywood Walk of Fame. In this episode, Michael Strahan shares details about his careers, he discusses his transition from the gridiron to the TV studio, and he reveals the mindset and philosophies that have helped him reach the top in such a profound way. ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

This week we're sharing a series of episodes that capture one of our favorite themes on Second Act Stories: the moment when life changes key. These Key Changes episodes feature people whose lives have been shaped by music: some who left it behind for something new; others who found their way to it later than expected. Together, they're the stories we return to when we want to show how reinvention really works, not as a clean break, but as a shift in rhythm, perspective, and purpose. Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering the show, these episodes reflect the heart of the podcast: bold pivots, unexpected harmony, and second acts that still have plenty to say. Tom Forst was 57 years old. He was a regional vice president with Cox Media, a huge communications company. He was jetting around the country on private planes. He had an army of people reporting to him. He was making a hefty salary. That was 10 years ago. He decided to quit his corporate gig to pursue a life-long passion – music. He put out his first blues-rock album as Tom "The Suit" Forst. He did a month-long tour of China as the headlining act. And now he's back in the studio now working on his next album. You can check out his music at www.TomTheSuitForst.com. He also launched the "Chasing The Blues" podcast which is well worth a listen. As the Jethro Tull song concludes, "You're never too old to rock n' roll." ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

This week we're sharing a series of episodes that capture one of our favorite themes on Second Act Stories: the moment when life changes key. These Key Changes episodes feature people whose lives have been shaped by music: some who left it behind for something new; others who found their way to it later than expected. Together, they're the stories we return to when we want to show how reinvention really works, not as a clean break, but as a shift in rhythm, perspective, and purpose. Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering the show, these episodes reflect the heart of the podcast: bold pivots, unexpected harmony, and second acts that still have plenty to say. Tracy Bonham built a reputation as a "badass rocker" with the debut of "Mother, Mother," a powerful anthem that made it to #1 on Billboard's "Alternative Rock" charts. The song and her "The Burdens of Being Upright" album were nominated for two Grammy awards and led to arena tours with Aerosmith and the Blue Man Group. But in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down live music across the world, Tracy launched Melodeon. The new enterprise is aimed at teaching a younger audience she lovingly calls "young music enthusiasts." Inspired by Sesame Street, Electric Company and School House Rock, she created an innovative, music education curriculum for pre-school children. In April 2021, Tracy released her first children's album, Young Maestros along with a series of music videos. Click here to learn more about Tracy, Melodeon and songs like "Feeling Pretty Major," "I Like Big Beats" and "Let's Take the Subway." ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.

This week we're bringing you a series of five episodes we always point to when people ask what Second Act Stories is all about. These "Unbelievable All-Stars" all have one thing in common: they exemplify what we're looking for in an incredible Second Act Story. Whether you're a longtime listener or brand new to the show, these episodes bring together the stories that best capture the heart of the podcast: bold choices, hard-earned wisdom, and journeys that continue to surprise and inspire. Fraidy Reiss' story is among the most inspiring tales we've ever profiled on the Second Act Stories podcast. Part of the Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn, New York, Fraidy was married at the age of 19. It was an arranged marriage to a man she barely knew. He demonstrated a violent streak within a week of the wedding punching his fist through a wall and threatened to kill her. Over the next twelve years, she feared for her own life on a daily basis. But she eventually she found a way to get a college education, achieve financial independence, divorce her husband and escape with the custody of her two daughters. Today, she is the Founder and Executive Director of Unchained At Last, the only organization in the United States dedicated to ending forced and child marriage through direct services and advocacy. Want to learn more about Fraidy Reiss and Unchained At Last? Check out her TED Talk on YouTube and visit the Unchained At Last website. Fraidy is also featured in Bruce Feiler's book "Life Is In The Transitions" (which is how we first heard of her) and Hillary and Chelsea Clinton's "The Book of Gutsy Women." ******* If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes.