Podcasts about risk takers

Amber Johnson is an attorney whose legal career has evolved from civil rights and compliance work into helping small businesses compete for multimillion-dollar airport contracts. In this episode, Amber shares how her law degree opened unexpected doors, why transportation is full of legal careers beyond aviation law, and how lawyers can use their skills to build stronger organizations and stronger communities.   Lawyer Side HustlesAlthough Amber no longer practices law full time, she intentionally maintains her law licenses while continuing to grow her leadership career. Along the way, she has discovered that the skills lawyers develop are remarkably transferable across industries.  "Think about what you're passionate about and then find a role that fits that,” Amber Johnson expresses in Episode 253 of You Are a Lawyer.Amber's professional journey has taken her from diversity, equity, and inclusion work to civil rights compliance, public transportation, and now airport operations. Each transition built upon the last, proving that legal careers don't have to follow a straight line. Instead of limiting herself to one definition of success, she continues finding new ways to combine law, leadership, and community impact. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Anjie Vichayanonda is the founder and CEO of Leg Up Legal, a mentorship platform that connects aspiring law students with attorneys before they apply to law school. In this episode, Anjie shares how mentorship changed the course of her own career, why exposure matters before making the investment in law school, and how lawyers can use their knowledge to create opportunities for others.Lawyer Side HustlesLeg Up Legal began as an effort to solve a problem Anjie experienced firsthand. She knew how difficult it could be for aspiring lawyers to find mentors, learn about different practice areas, and understand what life as a lawyer actually looks like before committing to law school. Instead of accepting that challenge as inevitable, she built a platform designed to make mentorship more accessible. “I wanna be able to teach these things to hundreds of people, thousands of people,” shares Anjie Vichayanonda in Episode 28 of You Are a Lawyer.In addition to running Leg Up Legal, Anjie also became a published co-author of Networked, an anthology written alongside 19 other women lawyers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project captured stories of resilience, career pivots, personal challenges, and professional growth during a historic moment. Both the book and Leg Up Legal reflect Anjie's broader passion for helping people navigate uncertainty through connection, mentorship, and community.  This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Illicit romance. An abduction. An international manhunt. Starlets, sex appeal, and psychopaths. Sexual liberation and a scandalous story that’s almost too scandalous to talk about. These are some of the dark stories inspired by Lana Del Rey, an artist who doesn’t fit into a box, and whose music and image are as evocative and compelling as the myth she’s built around herself. This episode contains themes that may be disturbing to some listeners, including child sexual abuse and domestic violence. To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at www.disgracelandpod.com. This episode was originally published on August 27, 2024. To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to a monthly exclusive episode, weekly bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at disgracelandpod.com/membership. Visit www.disgracelandpod.com/merch to see the latest Disgraceland merch! Sign up for our newsletter and get the inside dirt on events, merch and other awesomeness - GET THE NEWSLETTER Follow Jake and DISGRACELAND: Instagram YouTube X (formerly Twitter) Facebook Fan Group See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Hartmann is a criminal defense attorney, author, and rainmaker who has spent nearly four decades building a successful law practice. In this episode, he shares why bringing in business is one of the most important skills lawyers can develop, how entrepreneurship created the lifestyle he wanted, and why lawyers should stop being afraid to build careers on their own terms.  Lawyer Side HustlesBob's side hustle eventually became a second professional identity. After years of building his own successful practice, he began teaching other lawyers how to develop business, create referral networks, and build sustainable firms. His upcoming book, Making It Rain: The Art of Building a Successful Law Practice, shares practical lessons for attorneys who want greater control over their careers and financial futures."You can absolutely live the life you want to live, not the life that's given to you or dictated to you by partners in a corner office,” Bob Hartmann expresses in Episode 251 of You Are a Lawyer.Much of Bob's motivation comes from personal experience. By operating his own practice, he was able to coach his daughter's softball teams, attend her games, travel with her during recruiting visits, and prioritize family without sacrificing professional success. His story demonstrates that entrepreneurship is not only about earning more money. It can also create the flexibility and freedom to build a life aligned with your values.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Daniel J. Hennessy took an unconventional path to law school. After years working in ministry, education, nonprofit leadership, and even serving in Rome with the Vatican Museums, Daniel enrolled in law school in his forties. Today, he works as in-house counsel for a national real estate development company, helping cities bring transformative projects to life while maintaining the family-focused life he and his wife envisioned.  Lawyer Side HustlesOne of the themes throughout Daniel's story is embracing change. Before law school, he successfully built careers in entirely different fields. Rather than viewing those experiences as detours, he sees them as essential parts of the person and lawyer he became.“Don't be afraid to make the changes that you need to make, even if they seem really big and scary,” Daniel J. Hennessy expresses in Episode 250 of You Are a Lawyer.Daniel encourages law students and lawyers to focus less on the degree itself and more on understanding who they want to become. For him, success was not about following a predetermined path but about aligning his work with his values, relationships, and priorities. His journey serves as a reminder that law can be part of a meaningful life without becoming the entire identity. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Santiago Cueto is an international business attorney, law firm owner, and author based in Miami, Florida. In this episode, Santiago shares how an interest in global affairs led him to law school, why he always envisioned owning a law firm, and how lawyers can build successful careers by combining legal knowledge with communication, leadership, and business development. Lawyer Side HustlesBeyond practicing law, Santiago has embraced writing, speaking, mentoring, and entrepreneurship. He recently authored Winning Lawsuits in Florida, a book designed to answer the questions clients most frequently ask about litigation and dispute resolution. The project grew out of a client handbook his firm had already developed and became a way to educate a broader audience. “Writing is a good way to get yourself known,” Santiago Cueto expresses in Episode 249  of You Are a Lawyer.Santiago is also passionate about helping younger attorneys develop confidence, communication skills, and professional judgment. Through mentoring his team and sharing practical business insights, he encourages lawyers to think beyond legal doctrine and focus on the traits that ultimately drive long-term success. His perspective reflects a belief that law school provides the foundation, but growth continues throughout an entire career.  This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Michael McFaul describes Vladimir Putin as an ideological risk-taker who views himself as a defender of "orthodox Christian values" against a threatening West. McFaul argues that previous US administrations failed to hedge against Russian aggression by not expanding NATO faster or providing sufficient weaponry to "gray zone" countries like Ukraine. This perceived lack of resolve may have emboldened Putin's 2022 full-scale invasion. Furthermore, the segment explores how autocracy is gaining global popularity, as some perceive it to be more efficient than the bureaucratic "veto points" often found in democratic systems. (5)1938

Katherin Hervey is an award-winning filmmaker, artist, former public defender, and co-founder of On the Border Films. In this episode, Katherin shares how her legal background shaped The Prison Within, why storytelling became her form of advocacy, and how creativity helped her continue the work of justice outside traditional practice. Lawyer Side HustlesKatherin's creative work is not a side project anymore. It is her life's work. As a filmmaker, director, producer, and artist, she uses storytelling to examine the hidden corners of the American landscape and the human experiences often ignored by traditional systems. The Prison Within premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, won Best Social Justice Documentary, and has since become part of legal education, prison curricula, and broader conversations about criminal justice reform. “For The Prison Within, it was my baby, it came from my heart,” shares Katherin Hervey in Episode 34 of You Are a Lawyer.Her filmmaking continues the advocacy she began as a public defender, but in a different form. Rather than arguing cases one at a time, Katherin creates work that invites audiences to question punishment, trauma, accountability, and humanity. Her path reflects a core YAAL truth: legal training can become a creative tool when lawyers allow themselves to follow the work that feels most honest. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

The willingness to experiment helps make podcasting what it is. Sponsored by SpotsNow. SpotsNow is the AI operating system for podcast advertising. Join the webinar to learn how podcast networks can use AI to maximize their sales output using Claude, agents and ChatGPT. Book the free webinar now https://podnews.net/cc/3535 Visit https://podnews.net/update/risk-takers for the story links in full, and to get our daily newsletter.

Listen in on the culmination of this two-week series about what type of church God calls us to be.

Jennifer Gardner is a trial attorney, administrative judge, speaker, and law firm owner based in Los Angeles. In this episode, Jennifer shares how she built a career rooted in leadership and service, why lawyers need stronger communication and influence skills, and how legal professionals can use their creativity far beyond traditional practice.Lawyer Side HustlesIn addition to running her law firm and serving as an administrative judge, Jennifer has expanded into leadership education and public speaking. She now teaches professionals and lawyers how to improve their influence, communication, persuasion, and visibility skills while helping highly sensitive communicators become stronger leaders.“These are the irreplaceable human skills that I think are going to become more valuable as we use AI more and more,” Jennifer Gardner expresses in Episode 247 of You Are a Lawyer.Jennifer also created a free guide called How to Save Money on Legal Fees Before Hiring a Lawyer to help people navigate legal problems more efficiently and communicate more effectively with their attorneys. Her broader work reflects a consistent theme throughout her career: empowering people through education, preparation, and thoughtful leadership.  This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Wendy S. Meadows is a family law attorney, mediator, coach, adjunct professor, and author of Sparkle & Grit. In this episode, Wendy shares how burnout pushed her to rethink her career, why coaching became a natural extension of her legal work, and how lawyers can build lives that actually fit who they are becoming. Lawyer Side HustlesWendy's coaching business grew out of her own burnout and reinvention. What started with fitness coaching and personal development eventually evolved into helping lawyers navigate career pivots, entrepreneurship, confidence, and work-life balance. She now coaches attorneys across the country while still maintaining the parts of legal practice she genuinely enjoys, including mediation and collaborative family law. “What I've been able to cobble together is take all my favorite parts of my job and just amplify them,” Wendy S. Meadows expresses in Episode 246 of You Are a Lawyer.Her book, Sparkle & Grit, became another extension of that work. Wendy wrote the book as a guide for the version of herself who felt stuck years earlier, hoping other women would feel less alone while figuring out what comes next. Her career today blends law, coaching, writing, entrepreneurship, and education into something that feels intentionally designed rather than inherited.  This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Advertising SponsorIf you find value in what we do at Map It Forward and would like to work with us or support the business, here are a few ways to get involved:• Work with us as your business advisors — support@mapitforward.org • Advertise on the podcast — support@mapitforward.org • Join our Patreon community — https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward • Subscribe to our YouTube channel — https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward • Or share this episode with someone who would benefit from itEpisode DescriptionThis is episode 4 of a 5-part series with Stitch Coffee founder, Nawar Adra, and Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we're discussing what it takes to expand a coffee business in this economy, and in this episode we focus directly on what “this economy” actually means.Lee and Nawar compare the current market to the era when many coffee businesses were built by copying what seemed to work around them. That world is gone. In its place is a tougher environment where brand clarity, innovation, operational discipline, and multiple revenue streams matter far more than just opening another cafe that looks like everyone else.The conversation covers why generic coffee businesses are now a dangerous bet, why e-commerce is harder than many operators want to admit, how government policy affects risk appetite in Australia, and why businesses that built patiently over time may now be the best positioned. This episode is direct, practical, and especially relevant for anyone still assuming old coffee playbooks will work in the market we have now.Connect with Nawar Adra and Stitch Coffee here:- https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/ - https://stitch.coffee/- https://www.instagram.com/nawar.adra/- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawar-adra-12909516a/If you found this episode valuable, make sure you're subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains.***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorIf you find value in what we do at Map It Forward and would like to work with us or support the business, here are a few ways to get involved:• Work with us as your business advisors — support@mapitforward.org • Advertise on the podcast — support@mapitforward.org • Join our Patreon community — https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward • Subscribe to our YouTube channel — https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward • Or share this episode with someone who would benefit from itEpisode DescriptionThis is episode 4 of a 5-part series with Stitch Coffee founder, Nawar Adra, and Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we're discussing what it takes to expand a coffee business in this economy, and in this episode we focus directly on what “this economy” actually means.Lee and Nawar compare the current market to the era when many coffee businesses were built by copying what seemed to work around them. That world is gone. In its place is a tougher environment where brand clarity, innovation, operational discipline, and multiple revenue streams matter far more than just opening another cafe that looks like everyone else.The conversation covers why generic coffee businesses are now a dangerous bet, why e-commerce is harder than many operators want to admit, how government policy affects risk appetite in Australia, and why businesses that built patiently over time may now be the best positioned. This episode is direct, practical, and especially relevant for anyone still assuming old coffee playbooks will work in the market we have now.Connect with Nawar Adra and Stitch Coffee here:- https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/ - https://stitch.coffee/- https://www.instagram.com/nawar.adra/- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawar-adra-12909516a/If you found this episode valuable, make sure you're subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains.***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Michael McFaul explores the evolution of Putinism, characterizing Vladimir Putin as an ideological risk-taker who views the West as a threat to "Russian civilization." He critiques the West for lacking a "Plan B" during Putin's early aggressions in Georgia and Crimea, suggesting that faster NATO expansion might have deterred the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. McFaul highlights how autocratic models of development are gaining popularity globally, challenging the efficiency of democratic systems. He emphasizes that Putin's actions are motivated by anti-Western ideas rather than simple national interest, making him an unpredictable and dangerous global actor. (5/8)1900 BRUSSELS

Kristyan Gilmore is an attorney, professor, consultant, and founder of To Be Free, a business advisory company focused on helping entrepreneurs align their work with their values. In this episode, Kristyan shares how the 2008 financial crisis reshaped her legal career, why she believes lawyers should “find their voice,” and how she built a life centered on freedom, teaching, and creative entrepreneurship. Lawyer Side HustlesKristyan's consulting business, To Be Free, helps entrepreneurs streamline operations, clarify their mission and values, and create businesses that support both impact and freedom. She works primarily with creatives, nonprofit leaders, and mission-driven founders who want to spend less time buried in backend operations and more time focused on the work they actually care about.“The goal is to always monetize the vocation,” Kristyan Gilmore expresses in Episode 245 of You Are a Lawyer.Her work is deeply personal. Inspired by watching her entrepreneurial parents struggle financially despite being creative and community-driven, Kristyan built a business focused on helping people avoid burnout while still making meaningful contributions. Through automation, systems, and strategic advising, she helps clients create businesses that align with who they really are instead of simply surviving inside systems that exhaust them. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Patrick Jester is a metrology consultant, law school graduate, and JD Advantage professional who built a meaningful career outside traditional legal practice after facing repeated bar exam setbacks. In this episode, he shares how he navigated disappointment, trusted the process, and created a path that aligned with his skills, faith, and long-term vision.  Lawyer Side HustlesBeyond his primary career, Patrick has remained committed to causes that originally drew him to law school, including advocacy work related to foster care. While his professional path shifted, his underlying motivations, helping people and contributing to meaningful systems, did not disappear. Instead, they evolved alongside his career.“I still participate with advocacy groups for foster parents and foster children and adoptive children as much as I can,” Patrick Jester expresses in Episode 244 of You Are a Lawyer.Patrick also speaks openly about the emotional and mental journey that came with redefining his career. Through mentorship, leadership roles in professional organizations, and sharing his story, he contributes to a broader conversation about resilience and non-linear success. His work outside traditional practice reflects a deeper truth: fulfillment often comes not from following a prescribed path, but from staying aligned with your values even when the path changes. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Elaine Lee is a lawyer, travel journalist, and author of Go Girl: The Black Woman's Book of Travel and Adventure. In this episode, Elaine shares how she built a legal career rooted in civil rights work, how a trip to Paris changed the trajectory of her life, and how she designed a lifestyle that allows her to travel the world while still using her law degree. Lawyer Side HustlesElaine's “side hustle” became her calling. After traveling the world, she pursued travel writing at a time when there were few, if any, examples of Black women doing that work. When traditional publishing avenues did not open, she created her own opportunity by developing an anthology featuring well-known Black women writers. “I have figured out a way to combine my life as an attorney and my soul's work as a travel journalist,” Elaine Lee expresses in Episode 243 of You Are a Lawyer.Her work now centers on storytelling, global citizenship, and empowering women to see the world. Through her books, including Go Girl, she encourages others to travel, explore, and expand their sense of what is possible. Law remains part of her life, but it supports a broader purpose rooted in joy and connection. This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Anne Marie Engel is a lawyer, fractional general counsel, and self-described accountability architect. In this episode, Anne Marie shares how her 30-year legal career led her to rethink the role of lawyers in business, why accountability and fiduciary duty are being lost in the profession, and how she now helps companies prevent problems before they start.Lawyer Side HustlesAnne Marie's current work as an accountability architect and fractional general counsel brings all of her experience together into one model. She works with businesses to audit their legal structures, build systems, and create processes that reduce risk while supporting growth. Instead of acting as a traditional outside lawyer, she steps in as a partner who helps leaders understand what their legal function should actually be doing.“I can come in and we're going to map out your legal issues and we're going to set the legal operations up in your business,” Anne Marie Engel expresses in Episode 242 of You Are a Lawyer.Her work focuses on structure, clarity, and accountability. She helps companies move away from reactive legal strategies and toward intentional systems that support their goals. It is less about solving isolated problems and more about building a foundation that prevents them.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Sean Olson is a trial lawyer and founder of Olson Law Firm in Colorado. In this episode, Sean shares how he transitioned from journalism into law, built a personal injury firm from a solo practice into a growing team, and why he still makes time for the courtroom even as a CEO.Lawyer Side HustlesWhat started as a solo practice eventually became Olson Law Firm, a growing personal injury firm with multiple attorneys and a full support staff. Sean built the firm by continuously learning, investing in himself, and developing skills beyond traditional legal work, including marketing, business operations, and leadership.“I didn't understand what was possible,” Sean Olson expresses in Episode 241 of You Are a Lawyer.That growth required humility and adaptability. Sean spent years attending conferences, reading, and refining his approach to both law and business. His work today reflects that evolution. He is not just practicing law. He is building systems, leading people, and creating opportunities for others within his firm.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Eric J. Dolan explores the lucrative sealing industry of the early 19th century, where millions of pelts were harvested for the Chinese market at five dollars each. Against the backdrop of the looming War of 1812, risk-taker Charles Barnardand his 63-year-old father Valentine departed New York on the brig Nanina, timing their exit just as an embargo was being implemented. The presence of four different captains created a volatile leadership dynamic, setting the stage for a dramatic collision between young America and Great Britain at the "edge of the world." (1)1928 FALKLANDS

Caroline Vickers is an attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of Bar Prep Champs, where she coaches first time and repeat bar takers to pass the exam with strategy and confidence. In this episode, Caroline shares how her own law school experience shaped her career, why mindset is the missing piece in bar prep, and how she built a business helping lawyers overcome shame and finally pass.What Can You Do with a Law DegreeCaroline's legal career included clerking for multiple judges, working in private practice, nonprofit work, and federal government service. She had the credentials. She had the licenses in Maryland and DC. She had the traditional path. But as she began helping friends study for the bar while working as a law clerk, something clicked. She saw a pattern in repeat takers that was not about intellect.“I realized that there's a mindset piece that's missing from the bar exam experience and nobody's really talking about it," explains Caroline Vickers, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.Her law degree gave her credibility, but more importantly, it gave her perspective. She understood how law students think, how lawyers internalize failure, and how ego and shame can derail performance. Instead of staying inside the courtroom, she chose to build something that addresses the emotional and strategic gaps law school leaves behind. Her JD did not limit her to practice. It equipped her to coach at scale.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Aman Costigan is a former law firm partner, life strategist, yoga teacher, podcaster, and financial independence advocate. In this episode, Aman shares why she left the law from a place of happiness and completion, how she and her husband planned their exits strategically, and why financial literacy is the key to career freedom.Lawyer Side HustlesToday, Aman introduces herself as a life strategist, vision board workshop leader, podcaster, and tarot reader. She works one on one with high achieving women to turn ideas into execution through planning, accountability, and strategic prioritization.“I follow through and I do it,” Aman Costigan expresses in Episode 239 of You Are a Lawyer.She also runs The Sisterhood, a yearly program where women turn vision boards into lived reality. For Aman, strategy and intuition coexist. Planning and manifestation coexist. Law was one skillset. Execution is another. And she continues to build, speak, teach, and create on her own terms.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Victoria Inoyo is the Director of Advising at Juris Education, an edtech platform advising students toward careers in law, and a lawyer working in business affairs and creative marketing at Apple. In this episode, Victoria shares how she navigated law school as a first generation American, why she chose the creative side of the legal industry, and how she now helps aspiring lawyers “take the elevator” instead of the stairs through the admissions process.Lawyer Side HustlesIn addition to her work in business affairs, Victoria serves as the Director of Advising at Juris Education, an edtech platform advising students toward careers in law. The platform supports applicants nationwide and internationally through every stage of the admissions process.“This is what I wish I had,” Victoria Inoyo expresses in Episode 238 of You Are a Lawyer.She sees mentorship as a way to close information gaps and reduce unnecessary stress. By helping students identify their goals early and understand the full spectrum of legal career options, she is building access and confidence for the next generation of lawyers.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Kyla Denanyoh shares six key aspects of being a podcast host, emphasizing the power and control that comes with managing a show, the importance of streamlining processes, the freedom to choose guests, the potential for monetization, and the transformative impact podcasting can have on one's life and career. The discussion highlights the tools (Honeybook) and strategies that can make podcasting easier and more effective, ultimately encouraging others to embrace the medium.Celebrate six years of podcasting with Kyla Denanyoh!This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

RISK TAKER | WS#491 | March 22, 2026 | Victory Church#VictoryChurch #OdessaTX

Kyle Sherman is a trial specialist, civil plaintiff's attorney, and founder of Trial Structure. In this episode, Kyle shares why law school was the hardest season of his life, how Jerry Spence Trial College reshaped his confidence, and why he believes jury work is about persuasion, not convincing.What Can You Do with a Law DegreeKyle's career demonstrates that legal education is less about memorizing doctrine and more about learning how to relate to people. He explains that jury trial work is not primarily about statutes or case law. It is about understanding human behavior, credibility, and persuasion.“Jury trial work is not law. Jury trial work is relating to people," explains Kyle Sherman, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.Through his own growth, especially after attending Jerry Spence Trial College, Kyle reframed trial advocacy as structured storytelling. Legal training gave him analytical tools, but his success in the courtroom comes from listening, adapting, and presenting cases in a way jurors can understand and internalize.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

On this week's Wrap Party, Zeth is talking about Dennis Hopper's place in the pantheon of greatest uncompromising risk takers of Hollywood history. Plus, your voicemails, texts, and emails about the movies you saw way too young. Become an All Access member today by visiting disgracelandpod.com. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Wrap Party, Zeth is talking about Dennis Hopper's place in the pantheon of greatest uncompromising risk takers of Hollywood history. Plus, your voicemails, texts, and emails about the movies you saw way too young. Become an All Access member today by visiting disgracelandpod.com. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Kyla Denanyoh shares her journey from law firm volunteer to law school graduate and beyond. Kyla is interviewed by a fellow Southern University Law Center (SULC) alum, Vernon W. Thomas and she discusses her experiences at SULC, the challenges of the bar exam, and her unexpected career path that led her to work in a call center before finding her footing in the legal profession. Kyla also delves into her motivation for starting the podcast, the importance of mindset in content creation, and the value of sharing diverse stories within the legal community. Kyla Denanyoh explores themes of risk-taking, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Kyla shares her journey from law school to podcasting, emphasizing the importance of embracing risks and creating opportunities. They discuss the evolution of her podcast, the challenges of monetizing content, and the significance of self-care and leisure in a busy life. The conversation culminates in reflections on the value of a law degree and the importance of taking risks in both personal and professional realms.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Take the risk.

Lawrence Blackmon is a trial attorney, Mississippi House Representative, and the CEO of Legal Ease, a consumer facing legal tech company using artificial intelligence to help people handle certain non complex legal matters without hiring an attorney. In this episode, Lawrence shares how mock trial shaped his confidence, how he stepped into public service, and why he believes lawyers can use their training far beyond traditional practice.Lawyer Side HustlesLawrence co-founded Legal Ease in 2023 with the goal of making legal easier and more accessible for consumers. Legal Ease is built to help people handle what he calls non complex legal matters without going through the full traditional attorney process, especially when the work is largely checklist driven and expensive simply because it requires a lawyer's time to ask questions and process information.“I like getting up every day and working towards building something,” Lawrence Blackmon expresses in Episode 234 of You Are a Lawyer.He describes Legal Ease as consumer facing legal technology powered by artificial intelligence, designed for matters like expungements, no fault divorce, and certain personal injury situations. The platform is meant to guide users through the same questions a lawyer would ask and help them move through the process without paying what he calls exorbitant fees. He even names the AI component of the platform.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Over the past decade, Rice Business has scaled with intention.MBA enrollment has doubled. Faculty ranks have grown. New MBA formats have launched. The Virani Undergraduate School of Business was established. And a new building will open soon, designed to further fuel collaboration, research and innovation.In this conversation, Dean Peter Rodriguez reflects on the strategy behind that momentum — from championing the Online MBA to building one of the nation's strongest entrepreneurship ecosystems in the heart of Houston. He discusses AI's impact on business education, the evolving energy landscape, and the leadership lessons that come with guiding a school through rapid transformation, all while shaping the next chapter for Rice Business.Episode Guide:00:00 Meet Dean Peter Rodriguez01:20 Online MBA Origins and Vision for Growth07:50 Virtual Campus Advantage09:41 From Space Crunch to Expansion: Designing the New Building16:29 Launching the Virani Undergraduate School of Business21:51 AI and Business Education28:46 Dean Life and Daily Headwinds29:23 Why Rice Ranks High & Houston's Entrepreneurship Advantage36:32 What Deans Learn on the Job43:37 Next 50 Years Vision48:25 ClosingThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On Rice MBA's Growth over the decade01:37: If there was one overarching theme of the last decade, I think growth is it. The question is always like, well, why growth? Or growth for what? And of course, clearly want growth for the good outcomes, and that good outcomes all start with pursuing the mission.We have a mission to create and disseminate knowledge at the vanguard of business and the business disciplines. And so that is what we really do. And when I was really looking at the job almost exactly 10 years ago and thinking about where Rice was and where it needed to be, one of the first conclusions that was easy to draw was that it needed to be about twice as big as it was, at least, you know, and, and it is not that growth is all good, but why would I say that? And the thinking was, you know, in order to advance that mission, we needed more tenure track faculty. And there the foundation on which more or less everything else proceeds.How does the Rice Business navigate AI? 22:19: On the basic part of our mission, which is delivering an education, we have to do two things. We have to prepare people to think really critically and to be able to assess them as individuals without this incredible, unprecedented tool. That is to say, what can Peter do of his own accord? What does he know? And then I have to train him very aggressively to make sure that with the tool, he is also highly capable, far more capable to do some things, and as capable as anybody in any university in the country is using the tool. So there's sort of almost sounds like martial arts mastery. You know, you have to sort of, wax on, wax off, you know, learn these sort of things that are apart from the tool, and then you are sort of empowered. That's where we are, is trying to do that.Houston loves risk takers30:59: Houston loves risk takers. It is part of the environment, it is part of a Texas thing too, but, you know, it is going to space, drilling out in the Permian Basin or deep in the ocean, putting in an artificial heart, whatever it is. I think there is a real admiration for trying hard things and picking yourself up if you fail and not being discouraged because things did not go right the first time.Show Links: Rice Business New Building PlansTranscriptGuest Profile:Peter Rodriguez | Rice BusinessLinkedIn 

Francesca Chang is a lawyer, former travel blogger, and entrepreneur who sued the U.S. Department of Education to discharge nearly $260,000 in student loan debt. In this episode, Francesca shares what it was like to declare bankruptcy, represent herself pro se, and fight for relief in a system with a historic 0.1 percent success rate.Lawyer Side HustlesBefore pursuing bankruptcy relief, Francesca built multiple careers outside traditional practice. From legal marketing to entrepreneurship to travel blogging in Taiwan, she consistently followed alignment over expectation.“Don't let the debt keep you strapped to something you don't want to do,” Francesca Chang expresses in Episode 233 of You Are a Lawyer.Her journey reflects the broader YAAL theme that a law degree is a tool, not a cage. Whether building businesses abroad or litigating pro se against the Department of Education, Francesca's path demonstrates that lawyers can redefine success on their own terms.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Every food company starts with a gamble - and not all of them pay off. In this episode Ruth Alexander speaks to business owners about the risks they've taken to get where they are today, from financial leaps to personal sacrifices, and the painful decisions that have shaped their journeys. Ruth hears from Kim Kiarie, chef-owner of Five Senses Nairobi in Kenya, about building a high-end restaurant in a challenging market. Adonis Norouznia, who runs Nomas Gastrobar in Macclesfield in North-West England, on the risks of deciding to serve meat at his vegan restaurant, and Keith Bearden, CEO and co-owner of Alta Eco Foods in Houston, Texas, about scaling a food business in a competitive industry. They describe the compromises that cost them dearly, the moments they wondered whether it was all worth it, and what kept them going. Produced by Rumella Dasgupta and Izzy GreenfieldImage description: A foot comes down amidst a cartoon landscape of bright yellow banana skins. Credit Getty.

SeNita McRae is a legal operations professional with a background in broadcast journalism, public administration, and law. In this episode, SeNita shares how she built a thriving career in eDiscovery and legal operations, why passing the bar was not required for her success, and how every degree she earned eventually fit together.What Can You Do with a Law DegreeAfter law school, SeNita's career took an unexpected turn into eDiscovery and legal operations. Starting as a project attorney in document review, she gradually moved into litigation support, preservation coordination, and eventually legal operations roles embedded within large corporate environments.“This is an industry that I would stay in," explains SeNita McRae, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.Her legal training allowed her to translate complex technical concepts for attorneys while also working directly with vendors and internal teams. SeNita's experience shows how a JD can be a powerful credential even without bar licensure, particularly in operational, technology driven legal roles.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

John Lopez is the Legal Director of the Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project, where he supports children charged as adults across Pennsylvania. In this episode, John shares how combining law and social work allowed him to practice in alignment with his values, and why treating people as people is central to meaningful legal advocacy.Lawyer Side HustlesOutside of his legal role, John co-founded a nonprofit called Toolshed Boxing with his sister, providing trauma-informed boxing and yoga programs for kids in the Lehigh Valley. While the programs involve physical movement, the real focus is connection, mindfulness, and helping young people feel safe in their bodies.“The real transformative thing is the relationship,” John Lopez expresses in Episode 231 of You Are a Lawyer.Through both his legal and community work, John demonstrates that advocacy can take many forms. Whether in courtrooms, classrooms, or parks, his work centers on presence, care, and helping people reconnect with themselves.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Casey Berman is the founder of Leave Law Behind and a former in-house lawyer who helps attorneys transition into careers that better align with their skills, values, and lives. In this episode, Casey shares how he left traditional legal practice, built a remote business from Hawaii, and helps lawyers rethink identity, risk, and what fulfillment can look like after law.Lawyer Side HustlesCasey began Leave Law Behind in 2008 by writing online about his own experience leaving law. What started as a personal, cathartic project eventually gained traction as lawyers around the world resonated with his story and reached out for support.“People started reaching out and saying, can you help me and I will pay you for your time,” Casey Berman expresses in Episode 230 of You Are a Lawyer.Today, Leave Law Behind is a robust platform offering resources, coaching, and guidance to lawyers exploring new paths. Casey's work reflects how side projects, creativity, and experimentation can grow into meaningful careers, especially when lawyers allow themselves to try something new without attaching to a specific outcome.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Bianca Van Heydoorn is the Executive Director of the Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project in Philadelphia. In this episode, Bianca shares how criminal sociology, reentry work, and lived experience shaped her leadership, and why meaningful justice work starts with proximity, dignity, and seeing young people as children first.Lawyer Side Hustles and Parallel WorkWhile Bianca is not a lawyer, her work runs parallel to legal advocacy. She leads an organization committed to holistic legal support, positive youth development, and adolescent brain science, while also building sustainable infrastructure so the work can continue long term.“We should not be living to work but work should be an adjunct to our life,” Bianca Van Heydoorn expresses in Episode 229 of You Are a Lawyer.Bianca is also deeply intentional about leadership succession. She is actively working to prepare YSRP for a future executive director with lived experience of incarceration, reflecting her commitment to stewardship, shared power, and building institutions that last beyond any one leader.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Newlyweds, a promotion, a new house, a baby - new things, new experiences are great aren't they? But eventually the shine comes off and life falls into the same routine. Would you like to know how to keep the joy and the wonder in your work and relationships? Then join Chip as he shares how you can overcome personal stagnation.All living things are either growing or dying.Growth is exciting!Growth comes from God!Growth is not automatic!Growth is difficult!Growth can be stymied, thwarted, stagnated, and retarded!7 Keys to Personal Growth:People Who Grow . . .Live daily with the END IN VIEW. -Matt 5:48; Eph 4:13; Rom 8:29Make a PERSONAL COMMITMENT to grow. - Luke 9:23-25; 1 Tim 4:7-8Value PROCESS more than event. -Heb 5:11-14Cultivate stimulating RELATIONSHIPS. -Heb 10:24-25; Pro 13:20Choose to become progressive RISK-TAKERS. -Heb 11:6; Luke 6:38Leverage life's HARDSHIP. -James 1:2-4Make time for SOLITUDE and SILENCE. -Mark 1:35Developing a Plan for Your Personal Growth:Make a commitment to grow TODAY!PRIORITIZE the area of your growth!Take one specific step this WEEK!Broadcast ResourceDownload MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource MentionsI Choose Love BookDaily Discipleship - Psalms of HopeConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

Newlyweds, a promotion, a new house, a baby - new things, new experiences are great aren't they? But eventually the shine comes off and life falls into the same routine. Would you like to know how to keep the joy and the wonder in your work and relationships? Then join Chip as he shares how you can overcome personal stagnation.All living things are either growing or dying.Growth is exciting!Growth comes from God!Growth is not automatic!Growth is difficult!Growth can be stymied, thwarted, stagnated, and retarded!7 Keys to Personal Growth:People Who Grow . . .Live daily with the END IN VIEW. -Matt 5:48; Eph 4:13; Rom 8:29Make a PERSONAL COMMITMENT to grow. - Luke 9:23-25; 1 Tim 4:7-8Value PROCESS more than event. -Heb 5:11-14Cultivate stimulating RELATIONSHIPS. -Heb 10:24-25; Pro 13:20Choose to become progressive RISK-TAKERS. -Heb 11:6; Luke 6:38Leverage life's HARDSHIP. -James 1:2-4Make time for SOLITUDE and SILENCE. -Mark 1:35Developing a Plan for Your Personal Growth:Make a commitment to grow TODAY!PRIORITIZE the area of your growth!Take one specific step this WEEK!Broadcast ResourceDownload MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource MentionsI Choose Love BookDaily Discipleship - Psalms of HopeConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

Michelle Words is a business law professor and licensed attorney who has spent the last seven years living and teaching abroad in the Middle East. In this episode, Michelle shares how her law degree became a tool for freedom, travel, and reinvention, and why choosing the life you actually want matters more than following a traditional legal script.Lawyer Side HustlesMichelle's life abroad grew out of a moment of reflection and loss. After being laid off from her corporate role and losing a close friend from law school unexpectedly, she reevaluated what she wanted from life. Travel, time, and freedom rose to the top, leading her to pursue teaching opportunities overseas.“Life is too short and you need to do what it is that you enjoy,” shares Michelle Words in Episode 35 of You Are a Lawyer.In addition to teaching, Michelle hosts the Flipping the Script podcast, where she helps women navigate change and embrace new chapters. Through podcasting, mentorship, and future plans to support women of color living abroad, her work continues to center empowerment, self authorship, and the courage to rewrite your own story.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Do you feel like you're stuck in a rut? You know, same job, same routine, day in and day out, same old thing. Would you like to learn how to break out of that rut and experience renewed joy and motivation? Join Chip as he shares how you can overcome personal stagnation.All living things are either growing or dying.Growth is exciting!Growth comes from God!Growth is not automatic!Growth is difficult!Growth can be stymied, thwarted, stagnated, and retarded!7 Keys to Personal Growth:People Who Grow . . .Live daily with the END IN VIEW. -Matt 5:48; Eph 4:13; Rom 8:29Make a PERSONAL COMMITMENT to grow. - Luke 9:23-25; 1 Tim 4:7-8Value PROCESS more than event. -Heb 5:11-14Cultivate stimulating RELATIONSHIPS. -Heb 10:24-25; Pro 13:20Choose to become progressive RISK-TAKERS. -Heb 11:6; Luke 6:38Leverage life's HARDSHIP. -James 1:2-4Make time for SOLITUDE and SILENCE. -Mark 1:35Developing a Plan for Your Personal Growth:Make a commitment to grow TODAY!PRIORITIZE the area of your growth!Take one specific step this WEEK!Broadcast ResourceDownload MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource MentionsI Choose Love BookDaily Discipleship - Psalms of HopeConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

Do you feel like you're stuck in a rut? You know, same job, same routine, day in and day out, same old thing. Would you like to learn how to break out of that rut and experience renewed joy and motivation? Join Chip as he shares how you can overcome personal stagnation.All living things are either growing or dying.Growth is exciting!Growth comes from God!Growth is not automatic!Growth is difficult!Growth can be stymied, thwarted, stagnated, and retarded!7 Keys to Personal Growth:People Who Grow . . .Live daily with the END IN VIEW. -Matt 5:48; Eph 4:13; Rom 8:29Make a PERSONAL COMMITMENT to grow. - Luke 9:23-25; 1 Tim 4:7-8Value PROCESS more than event. -Heb 5:11-14Cultivate stimulating RELATIONSHIPS. -Heb 10:24-25; Pro 13:20Choose to become progressive RISK-TAKERS. -Heb 11:6; Luke 6:38Leverage life's HARDSHIP. -James 1:2-4Make time for SOLITUDE and SILENCE. -Mark 1:35Developing a Plan for Your Personal Growth:Make a commitment to grow TODAY!PRIORITIZE the area of your growth!Take one specific step this WEEK!Broadcast ResourceDownload MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource MentionsI Choose Love BookDaily Discipleship - Psalms of HopeConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

David Sclar is a technology lawyer and the author of Workplace Strategies for Technology Lawyers. In this episode, David explains why soft skills are essential for modern legal careers, how he found his place in law after early uncertainty, and what lawyers can do to build careers that align with how they actually work.Lawyer Side HustlesDavid's book grew out of real-world experience rather than personal branding. While working at a startup, he began documenting lessons learned from chaos, growth, and leadership. Over time, those notes became a concise resource designed to help lawyers work better with clients and colleagues.“I wanted to make this book as efficient as possible in giving people practical, useful information,” David Sclar expresses in Episode 227 of You Are a Lawyer.In addition to writing, David spends time mentoring and advising early-career lawyers. His work outside traditional legal practice focuses on helping others navigate uncertainty, find mentorship, and build careers that feel sustainable rather than performative.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Mary Ellen O'Connor is a New York law firm owner who practices workers' compensation and Social Security disability law. In this episode, Mary Ellen shares how she moved from teaching to law, built a firm rooted in advocacy and empathy, and created a legal career that supports both families and real impact.Lawyer Side HustlesIn addition to running her firm, Mary Ellen has intentionally built a workplace culture that reflects her values. She leads a team of attorneys and staff with flexibility, empathy, and realism, offering split shifts, family-friendly policies, and an environment where people are treated as humans first.“We should not be living to work, but work should be an adjunct to our life,” Mary Ellen O'Connor expresses in Episode 226 of You Are a Lawyer.Rather than a traditional side hustle, Mary Ellen's parallel work shows up in leadership and mentorship. She models what it looks like to build a legal business that prioritizes sustainability, inclusion, and respect, proving that success in law doesn't have to come at the expense of family, health, or humanity.This episode is produced by Skip the Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

CONTINUED 6/8 Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking a robust response and failing to provide arms after the 2014 Crimea invasion, stressing that helping Ukraine win is essential to inspire Russian democrats. 1917

CONTINUED 7/8 Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking a robust response and failing to provide arms after the 2014 Crimea invasion, stressing that helping Ukraine win is essential to inspire Russian democrats.... 1920

5/8  Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking a robust response and failing to provide arms after the 2014 Crimea invasion, stressing that helping Ukraine win is essential to inspire Russian democrats. He asserts that the appeal of autocracy is growing globally and advises that the US must align democracies against autocrats while advocating for human rights, citing the need to support imprisoned publisher Jimmy Lai. Long-term strategy requires the US and its allies to unite, as they are collectively stronger economically and militarily than autocracies, and McFaulstrongly recommends attracting international talent by reversing restrictive immigration policies, calling it a great strength the US is currently losing. 1913

CONTINUED 8/8 Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking a robust response and failing to provide arms after the 2014 Crimea invasion, stressing that helping Ukraine win is essential to inspire Russian democrats.... 1917