Beyond the Bar Podcast

Dina Kaplan is a force — in life and in the courtroom. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, she shares how a trauma at 14 set her on a path to change the system from the inside, why she chooses survivorship over victimhood, and how movement, mantras, and mindset fuel her both personally and professionally.🛑 Content note: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault and trauma (starting...

Most career paths are linear. Byron Chou’s is anything but. He started out valuing businesses in high-stakes divorces, grinding through full-time work while going to law school at night. Today he’s a rising force in family law, but what makes him stand out isn’t just the cases he handles, it’s the way he blends intellect with creativity, and discipline with community. We dive into how AI is reshap...

What does it take to turn adversity into leadership? On this episode of Beyond the Bar Podcast, Denisa Tova sits down with The Hon. Leela Sharon Aheer—a woman who went from Alberta farm fields to shaping Canadian policy, proclaiming the country’s first Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, and fighting for laws that protect women and girls. Leela’s story isn’t just about politics—it’s about resilience, co...

What do offshore yacht racing, courtroom battles, and co-parenting have in common? They’re all part of the extraordinary story of Michael Stutman —one of New York’s most respected matrimonial lawyers. In this Beyond the Bar Podcast episode, Michael goes way beyond legal strategy and opens up about: ⚖️ Falling into law by accident—and staying for 40+ years📚 How “writing the book” on divorce change...

What does it take to guide someone through one of the hardest chapters of their life? Sandra Radna, founding attorney of the Law Offices of Sandra M. Radna, P.C. and author of You’re Getting Divorced… Now What? , has been practicing family law since 1993. Known by her clients as a “pit bull with a heart,” she fights fiercely in the courtroom while showing deep compassion for the people she represe...

How do you win an argument when emotions run high—and keep your integrity intact? In this episode of Beyond the Bar Podcast, Denisa Tova sits down with Adam Schneid, partner at Most & Schneid, P.C., and graduate of Cornell & Cardozo School of Law. Adam shares:- Why crafting the right narrative is just as important as knowing the law- How personal experience with divorce shapes his client a...

What if AI could handle your inbox, prep your presentations, and build your SOPs - while you sleep? In this episode of Beyond the Bar, Denisa Tova sits down with Mark Kashef - AI educator, founder of Prompt Advisors, and automation mastermind - to explore real, practical ways attorneys can integrate AI into their workflows. From secure document handling to automating lead qualification, Mark expla...

What do hurricanes, blizzards, and high-conflict custody battles have in common? Bryce Levine knows. In this episode of Beyond the Bar, we sit down with the partner at Jeffrey Schecter & Associates to explore how a lifelong fascination with extreme weather shaped his perspective as a family law attorney. From dream job at the National Hurricane Center to 27 years of courtroom advocacy, Bryce s...

He sent over 1,500 emails just to get a foot in the door. Today, he’s coaching in the NFL.Host Denisa Tova sits down with Jordan Salkin, the Cincinnati Bengals’ new offensive assistant, whose journey from unpaid college gigs to high-powered offenses at Oregon and now the NFL is nothing short of inspiring. But this episode goes beyond the X’s and O’s — Jordan opens up about his mindset, leadership...

What if the hardest season of your life turned out to be your biggest breakthrough? In this soul-stirring episode of Beyond the Bar Podcast, singer-songwriter and The Voice finalist Thunderstorm Artis shares the raw truth behind his journey - from growing up in a family of 11 kids on the North Shore of Oahu to overcoming homelessness, grief, and self-doubt. He opens up about losing his father at 1...

This week on Beyond the Bar Podcast, Denisa Tova sits down with Andrew Schriever—a legal mind unlike any other. Co-founder of Holland Schriever LLP, Andrew is not only an attorney and mediator, but also a cannabis policy advocate, lifelong musician, and passionate skier. This is not your average legal chat. In this layered conversation, we explore:- How high school mock trials lit the spark for hi...

Legends. Storytellers. Survivors. In this unforgettable episode of Beyond the Bar Podcast, Denisa Tova sits down with David and Howard Bellamy—aka the Bellamy Brothers—to uncover the real story behind five decades of music, mayhem, and momentum.🎸 From dirt-farming in Florida to jamming with Neil Diamond’s band…🌍 From cattle ranches to chart-topping tours in 72+ countries…📺 From fighting industr...

Strap in for a rollercoaster of football, fandom, and the human stories behind the headlines. In this Beyond the Bar episode, Denisa Tova brings back acclaimed sports journalist and Purple Insider host Matthew Coller — with special guest co-host and lifelong Vikings fan (and husband!) Glenn Liebman.🏈 From the heartbreak of Gary Anderson’s missed field goal to Justin Jefferson’s jaw-dropping catch...

Mia Poppe is the definition of resilience and realness. In this unforgettable episode, she opens up about her journey from rural South Carolina to becoming a powerhouse NYC family law attorney and the experiences that shaped her voice in and out of the courtroom. Inside this episode:• Her shift from corporate exec to courtroom advocate• The powerful inspiration behind "Unbreaking Wonder Woman"• Ho...

You've seen him as George Washington in Hamilton and Marvin Gaye in Motown the Musical—but you've never heard Bryan Terrell Clark like this. In this raw and inspiring episode of Beyond the Bar, Bryan opens up about:✨ Growing up in a household shaped by both faith and addiction🎭 How the arts gave him his voice—and saved his life🏳️‍🌈 The politics of identity and the power of living authen...

What does it take to stay kind in a cutthroat legal system? In this powerful episode of Beyond the Bar, Denisa Tova sits down with family and criminal law powerhouse Shari Gordon. With 35+ years of experience, Shari opens up about the lessons her father taught her, becoming a public defender in the Bronx, writing with legendary attorney Tim Tippins, and why civility is her platform as the incoming...

What does it really take to hold it all together—career, motherhood, grief, and everything in between? In this powerful episode, Alison Leigh Epilone, partner at Mantel McDonough Riso, LLP, reveals the full story behind her legal success. From competitive horseback rider to trusted attorney in high-net-worth divorces, Alison shares how she found purpose after personal loss and strength in unexpect...

Get to know Mudita Chawla, a top family law attorney in New York, in this powerful episode of Beyond the Bar Podcast. Mudita shares her unexpected law school journey, from nearly quitting to becoming a nationally recognized divorce lawyer and passionate advocate for survivors of domestic violence. We dive into her career in matrimonial law, how she maintains work-life balance, and her love for art...

This week on Beyond the Bar Podcast, host Denisa Tova sits down with the powerhouse attorney Brittany Mangan — partner at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, super mom of three, and a woman who proves that strength comes from both resilience and heart. Brittany opens up about growing up in a family law dynasty, balancing a demanding career with motherhood, coping with personal loss, and why staying groun...

Denisa Tova-Liebman sits down with Patricia Fersch, founding partner of Fersch LLC, fearless advocate, and contributor to Forbes. Patricia shares her unconventional journey from the fashion world to family court and opens up about the emotional highs and lows of fighting for families in crisis. She talks candidly about launching a second career, building the Matrimonial Lawyers Pro Bono Project, w...

Ever wonder what happens when musical talent meets legal expertise? In this fun episode of Beyond the Bar podcast, Anissa sits down with Melissa Glassman, a family law rockstar who's killing it at Advocate LLP in NYC.Melissa's story is anything but ordinary! She takes us from her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer to her surprising years at the famous LaGuardia High School for Performing...

Buckle up for an extraordinary conversation that peels back the layers of family law and human resilience. Jill Spielberg isn't just another attorney - she's a warrior who transforms personal pain into professional purpose. Hear the untold stories behind divorce, discover the shocking truth about how children really experience family breakdowns, and learn how one woman turns life's mos...

What happens when life's challenges reshape not just your personal journey, but your entire professional path? In this powerful episode of Beyond the Bar Podcast, host Denisa Tova sits down with distinguished family law attorney Dolores Gebhardt, who shares her remarkable journey from labor law to becoming a renowned family law expert. After experiencing divorce firsthand, Dolores shifted her...

In this special episode of Beyond the Bar Podcast, host Denisa Tova reunites with attorney Jacqueline Newman, who returns with her daughter Alexandra to share how a baking mishap during COVID led to their innovative dessert brand "That's the Way the Muffin Crumbles." Discover how this creative mother-daughter team balances family dynamics with entrepreneurship, learn about their uniq...

Join host Denisa Tova as she sits down with rising country star Karissa Ella on the latest episode of Beyond the Bar Podcast! This Ohio native shares her incredible journey from being a shy singer who refused to perform at family gatherings to making her CMA Fest debut and performing for Randy Travis himself. Karissa opens up about conquering stage fright, finding her voice in Nashville's comp...