In this episode of Message in the Middle, I sit down with Marcia Heath, professional editor, writer, and founder of Bungalow Hill. Marcia’s career was the kind most people would envy—publicist at Simon & Schuster, executive editor at Harcourt, brand strategist for startups and Fortune 500s. But by her early sixties, she found herself burnt out and questioning what came next.

Then came Aruba and a small, soulful surf shop that changed everything.

Marcia’s debut book, The Little Giant: The Story of Aruba’s Surf Shop and the Rebels Who Built It, is more than a story about a store—it’s a celebration of risk-taking, reinvention, and the surprising places inspiration can live.

💬 In this episode, we talk about:

• How a “successful” career can still leave you feeling unfulfilled—and what to do when burnout hits in midlife
• Why The Little Giant was the book Marcia had circled her whole life, but only found the courage to write now
• The emotional and practical hurdles of publishing your first book later in life
• Self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and starting over at sixty
• The surprising lessons we learn when we step away from our corporate life and toward creativity
• A message of hope and courage for anyone who feels like they’ve missed their chance
• How writing changed Marcia’s perspective—and her life

✨ Whether you're standing at a crossroads or simply looking for permission to dream again, this episode will meet you in the middle—with honesty, wisdom, and warmth.

🔗 Connect with Marcia Heath
Visit Bungalow Hill: https://www.bungalow-hill.com/
Explore The Little Giant: https://littlegiantbook.com

Connect with Marianne:

• Website: Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email: Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

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• YouTube

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In this episode of Message in the Middle, Marianne is joined by Shannon Russell, a woman who truly understands what it means to pivot with purpose. Shannon is a Career Transition and Business Coach, speaker, author of Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life, and the host of the Second Act Success Career Podcast.

Shannon’s own path has taken her from producing for major networks like MTV, E!, TLC, and Yahoo!—to launching a successful STEM franchise for kids—and now, coaching women through their own major life and career transitions. Through her story and expertise, she helps women redefine success on their own terms and embrace the opportunity that lies in their next chapter.

We talk about:

• What led Shannon to make bold moves in her own career—and how she knew it was time
• The less obvious signs that might be nudging you toward a change
• Why so many of us tie our worth to a job title—and how to begin unraveling that
• Exercises to help you identify your true strengths, apart from the roles you’ve been playing
• What a thoughtful exit strategy looks like (and why you need one)
• How generational shifts are changing the way women think about reinvention
• And one message Shannon hopes every listener walks away with

Whether you're actively planning your second act or just starting to ask “what else might be possible?”—this conversation is packed with insight, encouragement, and practical tools to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Connect with Shannon Russell:

• Website: www.secondactsuccess.co
• Book: Start Your Second Act — Available on Amazon
• Podcast: Second Act Success Career Podcast
• Instagram: @secondactsuccess
• LinkedIn: Shannon Russell

Connect with Marianne:

• Website: Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email: Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content.

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Welcome back to Message in the Middle! I’m your host, Marianne, and Today I’m joined by Dr. Michelle Maidenberg—psychotherapist, TEDx speaker, adjunct professor at NYU, author, and passionate advocate for mindfulness and emotional wellness.

In this episode, Dr. Maidenberg and I dive into the powerful concept of emotional avoidance—what it looks like in everyday life, why we do it, and how to move through uncomfortable emotions instead of shutting them down. We also unpack what it really means to feel stuck, how to spot it (even when it’s not obvious), and what practical steps we can take to get unstuck and create meaningful change.

You’ll also hear about Michelle’s inspiring nonprofit, Thru My Eyes, where she helps chronically ill individuals leave behind a meaningful legacy through free guided video storytelling. Plus, she shares her best advice for sustaining personal growth and the most valuable piece of wisdom she’s ever received.

If you’re ready to step out of autopilot, face your feelings, and live with more intention, this conversation is for you.

Topics We Cover:

• What emotional avoidance really is—and how it shows up
• The difference between managing vs. avoiding difficult emotions
• How to know when you’re stuck (and how to get out of it)
• Why change can feel hard—and how to make it stick
• The powerful impact of legacy work through Thru My Eyes
• The best advice Dr. Maidenberg has ever received

Connect with Michelle:

• Website
• Psychology Today Blogger
• Facebook
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

Connect with Marianne:

• Website: Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email: Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content.

Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in th...