Six Weeks.
Six Bold Steps.
Launch Your Second Act.
Your launchpad to find more meaningful work in this changing world. A live, online program and community to help you tackle a creative project and kickstart your Second Act.
Conceive
Validate
Execute
Conceive of different creative project ideas (aligned, scoped, shareable)
Validate your project concept through conversations, writing, and feedback
Execute your creative project via weekly challenges – and share it with the world
Conceive
Validate
Execute
Validate
Execute
Are You Ready for a Change?
You’re not alone – countless people feel it, deep in their bones. Deny it, ignore it, pretend it's not there. But it always returns, that unshakeable thought: “I was made for more than this.”
The good news: there’s never been a better time to reinvent yourself. In the Age of AI, the rules are being rewritten in real-time. This is your opportunity.
Here’s how Act Two works:
01
Tackle a creative project of your choice
02
Share it with the world
03
Kickstart your Second Act
Real People. Real Second Acts.
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![A man with a mustache wearing a black long-sleeve shirt stands on a mesh walkway, holding a railing, inside a multi-level indoor space filled with plants, wooden furniture, and bookshelves.]()
“Start today. You’ll be glad you did right away and forever regret it if you don’t.” — Warren
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![A woman with curly blonde hair wearing a black sleeveless top and white patterned pants sitting on a balcony with a city view in the background, smiling at the camera.]()
“Clarity builds through action, not planning.” — Charlotte
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![A woman with dark hair is illuminated partially by light, revealing one eye and part of her face and shoulder, while the rest is in darkness, with blurred warm lights in the background.]()
“Most mornings I wake up at 4:30 AM. I do not set an alarm. I just can’t wait to write.” — Charlie
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![A woman stands at a podium speaking into a microphone, holding papers with a serious expression, in front of a green-indigo geometric glass background.]()
"It feels like I’ve finally landed in work that mirrors my values, purpose, and natural strengths." — Paz
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![Black and white portrait of a smiling man with a close-cropped hairstyle, wearing a casual t-shirt.]()
"“I didn’t go get an MBA. I started a podcast instead.”" — Andrew
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![Man sitting barefoot on green grass in a backyard, with a brick wall and wooden shed in the background.]()
“I’m doing the work I want to do—writing and investing in companies I love." — Packy
Real People. Real Second Acts.
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![A man with a mustache wearing a black long-sleeve shirt stands on a mesh walkway, holding a railing, inside a multi-level indoor space filled with plants, wooden furniture, and bookshelves.]()
“Start today. You’ll be glad you did right away and forever regret it if you don’t.” — Warren
Quote Source
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![A woman with curly blonde hair wearing a black sleeveless top and white patterned pants sitting on a balcony with a city view in the background, smiling at the camera.]()
“Clarity builds through action, not planning.” — Charlotte
Quote Source
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![A woman with dark hair is illuminated partially by light, revealing one eye and part of her face and shoulder, while the rest is in darkness, with blurred warm lights in the background.]()
“Most mornings I wake up at 4:30 AM. I do not set an alarm. I just can’t wait to write.” — Charlie
Quote Source
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![A woman stands at a podium speaking into a microphone, holding papers with a serious expression, in front of a green-indigo geometric glass background.]()
"It feels like I’ve finally landed in work that mirrors my values, purpose, and natural strengths." — Paz
Quote Source
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![Black and white portrait of a smiling man with a close-cropped hairstyle, wearing a casual t-shirt.]()
"“I didn’t go get an MBA. I started a podcast instead.”" — Andrew
Description goes here -
![Man sitting barefoot on green grass in a backyard, with a brick wall and wooden shed in the background.]()
“I’m doing the work I want to do—writing and investing in companies I love." — Packy
Description goes here
Act Two Launches September 3rd
Ready to step into your next act?
Share your email below. We’ll notify you when enrollment opens.
A new online program from the team behind Write of Passage:
“Hands down the best investment I've made in years, maybe ever.”
3,100+ students from 75+ countries
98% alumni would recommend
“Life-changing” results
Six Weeks. Six Bold Steps.
No more wishing. No more waiting. Act Two is anchored in action.
In Act Two, you’ll put your creative idea into undeniable motion. Over six weeks you’ll tackle six challenges – all designed to build your momentum and kickstart your Second Act.
Each week, expect one 90-minute Core Session, a weekly challenge linked to your project, Action Gyms, Guest Workshops, and AI Labs to discover and learn new tools.
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What creative act will you complete in six weeks? Why is this important to you? How will executing on this project start to transform your inner identity and outer circumstances? This is the focus of Week 1.
You’ll complete a “Creativity Crossfit” exercise to map out your creative project vision in writing. Call it a “Commitment Letter-to-Self”. This document will guide your six week experience.
We’ll also offer 1:1 Welcome Calls before the program starts to help you clarify your project concept, so you’re ready to commit on Day 1.
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No more overthinking. Time to produce. In Week 2, you’ll work through a rapid-fire series of exercises to complete a key step toward your creative project – one that “scares you”. We’ll help you set the scope and move from thinking to actually doing.
As you’re working through this step, there will be Action Gyms and Core Session breakout rooms where you can talk out sticking points or uncertainties with peers in your same creative field. -
Time to learn from others who have been there before. In Week 3, you’ll cold-outreach to at least five people in your creative domain who are a few rungs ahead of you, and whose work inspires you. You’ll continue to follow-up until you’ve held three conversations to learn from others. You’ll pick up tacit knowledge that can’t be found in books or LLMs – and expand your “weak tie” network in the process.
In addition to your own outreach, you’ll also have the chance to connect with our handpicked Act Two “practitioners” – friends of the program who work in your creative field. Act Two has built a network of dozens of creative practitioners across the most popular creative domains. -
As the creative process unfolds, doubts and uncertainties creep in.
Week 4 gets you out of your own head and into direct contact with reality. You’ll outline your top open questions around your project. Then, you’ll undergo several rounds of round-robin feedback, receiving constructive comments from multiple perspectives. This creative cross-pollination will bash your mental barriers while making meaningful improvements to your final product. -
Week 5 is about completion. You’ve conquered your doubts – now finish executing on your vision. Starting in the Week 5 live session, and continuing throughout the week, you’ll create a v1, prototype or messy first draft of your project. It doesn’t have to be perfect. A version that’s done beats perfection every time. Using your scope outlined in Week 1, get to a self-defined point of “done.” Continua peer and handpicked-practitioner feedback leading up to this deadline will help you iterate and improve on your work.
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It’s go time – time to go public. In Week 6, you’ll publish your work to the world. We’ll help you choose the medium, the format, and the content. But only you can hit publish on your work – and start to show the world what you’ve got. Your publicly-shared project will make you a magnet for new people, ideas, and opportunities you never knew existed. Welcome to the Internet used for good.
In the days leading up to the final night, you’ll also create a plan for continuous action once the final Act Two live session has wrapped. And we’ll still be here to support you along the way – you’ll keep indefinite access to all program resources and the Act Two virtual community. You’ve now taken one bold step on an “Infinite Game” creative journey that will last a lifetime.
Who is this for?
You’re a good fit if:
✓ You’re seeking more fulfillment in your day-to-day
✓ You’re ready to harness your full creative capabilities
✓ You’re ready to invest in a lasting personal transformation
✓ You’re willing to adopt cutting-edge tools & mindsets
✓ You’re done with excuses and ready to get to work
X You’re content with your current career trajectory
X You’re not motivated enough to put in the work
X You expect to sit back and consume information
X You’re not a self-starter or internally motivated
X You’re someone who prefers comfort over new challenges
Not a good fit if:
What’s Your Creative Project?
What’s that thing you’ve always wanted to create? Maybe it’s a half-finished idea, a long-held dream, or something brand new you’re ready to tackle. Below are some potential options. But creative projects aren’t limited to these categories. Simply choose something you feel called to create that you can share in public. We’ll help you with the rest
Write, Film, Record
Share what you know with the world. In six weeks, start writing online via a website or newsletter, launch a podcast, or publish your first YouTube videos.
Learn In Public
Undertake a multi-week learning journey. Document and share your progress publicly, including challenges, breakthrough moments, and post-learning reflections.
Software Projects
Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a wet-behind-the-ears vibe coder, develop and launch a V1 software product and start attracting users.
First Online Dollar
Sell your expertise. Find your framing, productize yourself (and your specific knowledge), and sell your first-ever online info product.
Visual Storytelling
Show off your data analytics and data viz chops – explain a concept or craft a narrative via an aesthetic presentation of data.
AI Wildcard
For the curious and the brave – take on a project that’s only recently become possible. Maybe it’s an AI-co hosted podcast, a slick custom GPT, or an art project at the intersection of artificial intelligence and the avant garde.
Not sure if you’re project is suitable, or need help getting a head start? Get in touch.
Why Join Act Two?
Accountability
No more excuses. No more delays. In Act Two, you’ll commit to a clear project timeline and actions each week. We’ll hold you accountable. Expect six bold steps in six weeks. On-the-spot exercises will get you moving in the moment. And regular check-ins will ensure you keep your momentum.
Know-How
The mindsets, methods, and real-time exercises needed to overcome internal and external barriers. What new practices will help you execute consistently? How can you use the Internet to gain an unfair advantage? And in this Age of AI, what tools will help melt your mental roadblocks while unleashing new types of creativity?
Community
Here, you’ll find your people. Expect to meet enthusiastic, curious, driven peers building Creative Projects alongside you. You’ll receive feedback and encouragement from people who care. Share your wins. Make friends. And once you join, you’re a member for life. Eventually, there will be thousands of Act Two-ers in this virtual community.
What’s Inside
Your Creative Project
Whether it’s a newsletter, podcast, video series, software project, info product, an AI wildcard, or something else – take that idea you’ve always had kicking around in your mind and make it real.
Core Sessions
90 minutes. Fast-paced. You’ll hear core concepts, then immediately apply them to your own project and weekly challenge.
7:00pm ET each Wednesday, plus timezone-friendly “Watch Parties” .
META Framework
You’ll learn the Mindsets, Eliminations, Tools and Actions required to thrive in this changing world. These concepts will be rolled out in Core Sessions.
Workshops & AI Labs
Expect regular “Action Gym” workshops where you’ll progress through the core curriculum and work on your project, plus AI-specific Labs where you will discover and master new tools.
Handpicked Practitioners
You’ll be joined by some of the internet's leading ‘doers’, in guest workshops and as advisors.. Learn the most up-to-date tactics to sharpen your knife in your creative domain.
Feedback & Support
You’ll be surrounded by hundreds of, driven, enthusiastic peers who will be curious about your project (and eager to offer feedback and support).
Lifetime Access
The program ends after six weeks. But creative pursuits last a lifetime. Once you’re a member of Act Two, you always will be. Expect indefinite access to all resources, community forums, and peer directories.
Act Two Launches September 3rd
$2000
USD
✓ Six 90-minute Core Sessions
✓ Weekly Challenges (The Six-Step Unlock)
✓ Daily Action Gyms with real-time feedback
✓ Five tactical guest workshops
✓ Personalized project feedback
✓ AI Labs to discover and master new tools
Ready to step into your next act?
Express interest below. We’ll notify you when enrollment opens.
Want to be a Founding Member?
We’re accepting early enrollments. Secure your spot here.
A word from the Founders
In past lives, we both had a burning feeling within that we were “made for more.”
We were both working in bureaucratic institutions, feeling stuck in Act One.
Then, by taking bold action, we both stepped into fresh Second Acts. Professionally, we’ve co-founded and worked on multiple seven-figure startups, helping to push the frontiers of online education. But we also have cherished personal creative projects of our own – whether it’s launching a thriving community of woodworkers, and rebuilding his house from scratch (Dan), or learning fluent Chinese to the point of becoming a professional standup comedian in Mandarin (Will).
We’re living proof of the transformation that occurs when you align yourself – professionally and personally – with what you’re meant to be doing. Sometimes, a Second Act makes all the difference.
That’s why we’ve chosen to found Act Two.
Act Two is a virtual community of people ready to make a change. People who know they’re made for more, and are looking to tackle a creative project to kickstart a Second Act of their own. It’s a simple system:
Choose an exciting Creative Project (we’ll help you think it through)
Execute massively – six bold steps in six weeks
Share it with the world
Start attracting new ideas, people, opportunities into your life
By finishing and sharing a bold creative project, you’ll tip the first domino of your Second Act. In a world of abundant opportunity and infinite leverage, who knows what path you’ll carve?
We spent the past five years building Write of Passage, the gold standard of online learning programs. We helped thousands of students – including famous authors, Ivy League professors, even billionaire founders – learn to write in the Internet Age.
But something bigger is brewing. The landscape has changed. Writing alone isn’t broad enough. As we enter the Golden Age of Creativity, we realized it’s time to expand our scope.
What’s your calling? What’s that creative project you’ve always wanted to complete, but keep putting off? What gives you that gnawing sense of having had, and lost, an infinite inner potential?
In Act Two, you’ll smash these barriers, alongside hundreds of other curious, driven learners from around the world. Once you enroll, you’ll have lifetime access to the resources and community. We hope you’ll join us.
– Will and Dan
Will Mannon
Dan Sleeman
“We spent the past five years building Write of Passage, the gold standard of online learning programs. We helped thousands of students – including famous authors, Ivy League professors, even billionaire founders – learn to write in the Internet Age.
But something bigger is brewing.”
Become a Founding Member
Secure your spot in the Inaugural Cohort today with a 10% deposit.
Only 100 places are available.
We’re looking for people with a creative inclination, the desire to make a change, and a curiosity and enthusiasm that will help drive the entire group forward.
If that sounds like a fit, please share your email here, and let us know what you plan to work on. What will you build?
If you have an questions, comments, or concerns, please let us know.
We want to hear from you
FAQs
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A completed creative project
A public-facing showcase of this project, on the platform of your choice
New know-how and skills around your creative domain (including the latest AI tools)
A supportive community of curious, driven peers (with lifetime access to the virtual Act Two workspace)
Lifetime access to all program materials and resources
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You will be able to take Act Two alongside a full-time job.
Expect a minimum of five hours per week. Most people will spend 7-10 hours per week on the program.
Five hours includes: core session attendance, completing each weekly step, additional project work, and exchanging peer feedback. 7-10 hours will include attending optional Action Gyms, AI Labs, and tactical guest workshops.
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Any project that involves creativity, making something, and can be shared publicly is fair game. Some common project areas include:
Writing, podcasting, creating videos, software products and projects, visual storytelling, learning in public, making your first online dollar, or using AI to create a fundamentally new creative output (ex: an AI- co-hosted podcast or an AI-driven art project).
If you’re unsure if your project is a good fit, we’d love to chat to you about it. Send us a note here.
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Yes. We’ve built a wide network of creative practitioners who will be available for conversations and support. Some will even be featured more prominently as leaders of guest workshops.
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Yes. Even after the program ends, you will be a permanent member of the Act Two virtual community as long as it exists. You’ll also have unlimited access to all program materials and resources.
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Yes and no.
Yes – in the sense that it’s a fixed-timeframe learning program that will help you to produce a creative output, acquire new mindsets and skills, and grow in the process.
No – in the sense that it’s much more than a course, as that term is typically used. Typically a course implies some materials to work through, maybe some calls, and maybe some assignments to submit. Act Two is far more – it’s a fast-paced action sprint. It’s a smorgasbord of sessions. It’s a thriving community of creatively-minded, ambitious people from dozens of countries around the world. Call it “Coachella for Creativity.”
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No. This is a live learning experience, focused on taking action on your creative project. There will be plenty of activities beyond the weekly 90-minute core sessions, including personalized pre-course 1:1 Welcome Calls, weekly Action Gyms, AI Labs to experiment with new tools, tactical guest workshops, and an active community hub to talk and exchange feedback with fellow students.
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Core Sessions include central themes for the week, plus key live steps toward your creative project, so we encourage you to join them all. But if you have to miss one, that’s okay. All sessions will be recorded and shared in the virtual community hub. You’ll have indefinite access to watch all session recordings, even after the program ends.
We also offer “Watch Parties” – live, next-day replays of Core Sessions with the opportunity to complete all live exercises alongside fellow students. If you have an ongoing conflict or live in a time zone that makes Core Session attendance inconvenient, we’ve designed the Watch Parties just for you.
One of our Europe-based Write of Passage alums put it best:
“The Watch Parties are truly incredible. A second bite of the apple for those that just can't make a session and a great way to include people in non-US time zones in the Write of Passage community.”
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Enrollment is risk-free. If you’re not satisfied with your program experience, you can request a full refund within 14 days of the start of the course.
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Yes, you can receive a certificate of completion for Act Two.
That said – we believe the real qualification you earn will be:
Your completed creative project
Your public-facing project showcase
The personal transformation achieved while completing your project
Ongoing connections and friendships with dozens of fellow Act Two-ers
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Yes, in the sense that you’ll complete a creative project and share it publicly. This is the first step toward attracting like-minded followers and fans.
In another sense, this is a six-week program focused on taking action and kickstarting your Second Act. It is not a tactical marketing or audience growth bootcamp. The momentum from your creative project can and will produce audience growth for Act Two members (the same dynamic played out for countless students in our last program, Write of Passage). That said, there’s also tremendous value that can come from sharing a creative project in public that’s separate from audience growth. Consider this quote from Andrew, who launched a niche Marketing History podcast just a few months ago:
“I had doubts about whether the podcast was worth pursuing, but I’m a few months into the podcast and it’s going great.
I get to speak with some of the most interesting authors, academics, and marketers I admire just because I host a podcast. Other important and influential people have discovered my podcast, either organically or through podcast guests sharing the show. It’s not topping the Spotify charts, but these connections have been incredibly rewarding.” -
Picture a recurring workout class for your mind.
Action Gyms are high-intensity virtual work and feedback sessions. You’ll jump online with fellow students to work on your weekly challenge, progress your project, jam on feedback, and overcome mental roadblocks.Actions Gyms are frequent and convenient. Expect more than 50 Action Gyms spread across time zones throughout the six weeks. Attendance is strictly optional, but in our past program (Write of Passage), these were viewed as some of the most valuable parts of the program. You can attend as many or few as you’d like week to week. Whatever helps you make headway on your project.
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New AI tools arrive by the week. AI Labs are designed to help you make sense of the current landscape. You’ll have a chance to discover and learn the cutting-edge version of AI-driven tools across creative domains.
These sessions use a choose-your-own breakout room technique. Expect 10-15 breakout rooms led by experts familiar with the latest features and functions of each tool. You’ll have the flexibility to jump between rooms as you see fit. AI Labs will recur weekly throughout Act Two. We’ll also share written summaries of all rooms so you’re able to catch up on highlights of rooms you don’t join.
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The first Core Session kicks off on Wednesday, September 3rd. All Core Sessions:
Wednesday, September 3rd
Wednesday, September 10th
Wednesday, September 17th
Wednesday, September 24th
Wednesday, October 1st
Wednesday, October 8th
We’ll also have a “Project Showcase” closing session:
Monday, October 13th
There will also be a number of other optional sessions each week (Watch Parties, Action Gyms, AI Labs, tactical Guest Workshops), with specific dates to follow.
