Burnout, fear of failure, and the pressure to stick to a single career path are challenges many face in modern work. In this episode, Michael Newborn shares his journey from 18 years in tech to launching a podcast about second acts and building a platform connecting people with professional coaches through AI.

Why this conversation matters: As careers stretch longer and job loyalty diminishes, reinvention ceases to be a bug and becomes a feature of the evolving work landscape. Learning how to embrace curiosity, accept imperfection, and design work and life intentionally is essential.

In this episode, we explore:
- How burnout sparks the need for a second act
- The power of choosing design over default
- Embracing fear and failure as learning tools
- Finding your voice through experimentation
- Managing identity beyond job titles
- Cultural differences in business and relationship-building
- The magic of small, consistent progress
- Using AI as a human-centered coaching matchmaker
- The need for creativity and adaptability in future work
- Diversifying skills and pursuing multiple passions

Modern work is no longer a linear path; it demands agency, creativity, and values-driven leadership. Michael's story reminds us that reinvention is not only possible but necessary.

Michael Newborn is an entrepreneur, podcast host of The Second Act, and co-founder of Try Sam AI, a platform that connects individuals with professional coaches using AI technology. His mission is to empower people to explore new paths, find purpose, and embrace their next chapter fully.

Find Michael on LinkedIn at Michael Newborn and explore TrySam.ai to start your own journey toward clarity and growth.

Humans still matter. And so does your second act.

This week's Midweek Momentum was inspired by a conversation I just wrapped up with two fellow coaches during a session called "How to Job Search Right(er)."

One theme kept surfacing again and again:
A lot of people are incredibly busy in their job search — but they're not actually making progress.

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized this isn't just a job search problem. It's a modern work problem.

Today we have endless ways to stay active:

• tweaking resumes

• rewriting LinkedIn profiles

• responding to emails

• experimenting with AI tools

• reading productivity advice

• preparing for the next step

But activity isn't the same as momentum.

Real progress comes from the actions that actually move something forward — starting conversations, asking for introductions, following up, making decisions, and putting things out into the world.

In this episode, Angie explores:

• why activity often feels productive

• why real progress can feel uncomfortable

• how modern work rewards visible busyness

• and one question that can help you refocus on what truly moves things forward

If you've been feeling busy but stuck, this one is for you.

Because busy isn't the same thing as moving forward.

Monday has become shorthand for dread, but what if we reclaimed it as the best day of the week? In this episode, Ron Monteiro, author of Love Mondays, joins me to explore how leaders can build human-centered cultures that spark joy, engagement, and real growth.

This conversation matters because we still spend the bulk of our lives at work—more than we sleep—and the way we approach those hours impacts everything: our health, our fulfillment, our productivity. Ron and I dig into how to shift from a culture of burnout and transactional leadership to one that values people first and thrives sustainably.

In this episode, we explore:
- The cost of work culture that prioritizes profit over people
- Why investing in your team's growth builds trust and performance
- The danger of the 'annual review surprise' and why ongoing feedback matters
- How to foster connection in high-pressure environments
- Practical leadership tips to balance productivity with personal fulfillment
- The power of recognition and positive feedback
- The personal responsibility each of us has to lean into what lights us up
- Stories from Ron's career transition and journey to coaching
- How AI and automation highlight the need for authentic human connection
- The future of work and the role of values-based leadership
- Why loving Mondays starts with knowing your superpowers

As leaders, the way we cultivate culture shapes the very fabric of modern work. And as individuals, choosing to advocate for ourselves and lean into what energizes us offers a path beyond the Sunday scaries.

Guest bio:
Ron Monteiro is a speaker, facilitator, coach, and author of Love Mondays. Drawing from over 20 years in finance and accounting, Ron now helps leaders build healthier, high-performing teams through practical training and immersive workshops. His mission is to reconnect people with purpose and joy in their work.

You can find Ron's book Love Mondays on Amazon and Audible, and follow his insights on LinkedIn.

Remember: Humans still matter. Investing in people is not just good ethics—it's smart business.