Season Four of the Better Understanding Podcast opens with a candid, grounding conversation between Sarah and Marcy—one that meets leaders exactly where many find themselves right now: coming out of the holidays, stepping into a new year, and feeling both anticipation and overwhelm.

Together, they explore the emotional complexity of transitions—why January can feel disorienting, how expectations (especially around the holidays) shape our energy, and what it really means to reset when life feels off-center. Through personal stories—from pauses forced by injury, to moments of stillness, to noticing what the body is asking for—they reflect on the power of small, daily resets and giving ourselves permission to manage differently.

The conversation also turns toward intention-setting for 2026, not through rigid goals, but through guiding words. Sarah shares her word Action—a commitment to move out of rumination and into lived experience. Marcy’s word, Explore, reflects a desire to follow curiosity, creativity, and the things that spark joy, even (and especially) after decades in familiar routines.

This episode is a reminder that leadership—and life—doesn’t require having everything mapped out. Sometimes growth comes from pausing, listening inward, and allowing space for what’s next to reveal itself.

Season Four kicks off with honesty, humanity, and an invitation: to reset, reimagine, and reconnect with what matters most.

In this special 2025 season closer, Sarah and Marcy take the mic—no guests, just reflection. Celebrating three years of podcasting, 36 episodes, and 25 years of friendship, they look back on the conversations, themes, and moments that shaped Happy Beyond 40 this year. From reinvention and the courage to pivot, to heart-centered leadership, service, voice, and vulnerability, they reflect on how guests’ stories (and their own) reinforced a powerful truth: life after 40 is not about having it all figured out—it’s about staying open, curious, and connected.

Sarah and Marcy also revisit their “words of the year”—joy and surrender—sharing honestly how those intentions challenged and stretched them in different ways. They talk about presence, gratitude, trusting the process, and learning to be comfortable with discomfort. As they look ahead to Season 4, they name an exciting intention to bring in more diverse perspectives, explore topics outside their comfort zones, and continue creating a space that fosters community, growth, and meaningful connection. Here’s to what’s next—and to continuing to follow what lights us up. 🎙️✨

In this episode, special guest Brandon Mastrangelo—business coach, facilitator, and in-house advisor at Inspyre, New York State’s largest business incubator. Brandon helps founders identify the behaviors and mindset shifts needed to move a business from survival to sustainable growth, with a deep commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in underserved communities.

Brandon shares his unexpected and very human career path—from working in a Pennsylvania fiber mill and learning Spanish on the factory floor, to HR roles, economic development work in Boston, financial literacy education, refugee support, and ultimately business advising. His throughline? A belief that people deserve kindness, fairness, and access to the tools they need to succeed.

We explore:

• The behavior shifts entrepreneurs must make to scale (communication, strategic clarity, trust, delegation, and identity work).
• Why innovation matters for small businesses—and how Brandon’s team supports it through accelerators, intrapreneurship programs, and a new venture studio.
• The realities of serving minority-owned and underserved entrepreneurs, and the profound relationships built along the way.
• Brandon’s personal story of burnout, being laid off, launching his own coaching practice, landscaping to bridge income gaps, and finding meaning through resilience.
• The health and lifestyle changes that now anchor him.

Brandon’s journey is a powerful reminder that careers aren’t always linear, leadership requires identity shifts, and communities thrive when entrepreneurs are supported with dignity and care.

Connect with Brandon:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandonmastrangelo
Website: bmastrangelo.com