The Thriving Lawyers Podcast

As a computer scientist, MIT alumnus, and patent attorney specializing in computer technology, Robert Plotkin has been immersed in the tech landscape for decades. He’s written seven books on the social impact of technology, co-founded the Hack Your Mind series at MIT, and trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. In 2015, he launched Technology for Mindfulness based on his unique O.R.D.E.R. m...

In Part 2 of our interview with Prof. Sean O'Brien, you'll learn more about how this veteran innocence and exoneration lawyer navigates one of the most gut-wrenching and yet rewarding practice areas there is, and manages to fight on another day at a time.. Tune in to hear about the toll that Prof. O'Brien's lifelong labor of criminal appellate work took on him ,and how he learned to persevere and...

Michael sits down with Allison Wolf, founder of ShiftWorks Coaching for Lawyers (https://thelawyercoach.com/). She is also the publisher of the law blog “Attorney With A Life," and has co-presented with Michael on a number of occasions. Tune in for a lively, frank, and insightful conversation about the unique challenges lawyers face in juggling the many roles they play, and some practical tips and...

In Part 2 of our interview with Alexis Robertson, Director of D&I for Foley & Lardner, LLP, Alexis provides insights from her work as a D&I professional--with some real gems of wisdom on the key ingredients that make D&I training actually effective. We also discuss the crucial role that personal well-being and self care play-- not only for doing the hard work of fostering genuine a...

Join us for Part 1 of our interview with the intrepid, engaging, insightful, and introspective Alexis Robertson, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for national law firm Foley & Lardner, LLP. You'll be inspired, encouraged, and moved as you hear about her career development as a BigLaw labor & employment litigator, a top shelf legal recruiter, and her current gig as a DE&I professiona...

This week, Michael Kahn interviews Sean O'Brien, Professor at Clinical Program Director at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. In Part 1 1, Sean shares some of the struggles he faces in representing innocent persons on death row. He describes the immense stress & pressures that come with the work, the challenges of battling the appalling injustices that many people encounter,...

Join us for part 2 of Michael Kahn's interview with Cheyne Scott, Partner at Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC.  In the second part of this interview, Michael and Cheyne dive into the importance of accepting and internalizing thoughts and emotions and taking a moment to analyze their source; especially the ones that are unexpected and negative. Cheyne also talks about coping mechani...

Listen to part 1 of Michael Kahn's interview with Cheyne Scott, Partner at Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC.  In this episode, Cheyne shares some of her personal experiences  dealing with the immense stress of being a lawyer and how she found peace and relief through the practice of mindfulness. Michael and Cheyne also discuss the power of mindset and the importance of focusin...

Listen to part 2 of, "Put Away Your Legal Pad: How to Stop Litigating Ourselves out of Good Relationships," excerpted from a webinar that ReelTime presented in conjunction with the ABA during Lawyer Wellbeing Week in May 2020. Special guests include Wendy Osborn (wife of Chris and a counseling intern in her own right), and ReelTime Affiliate and dear friend Dr. Andrea Cochran (D. Psych.). Tune in...

Join us for a 2 part series called, "Put Away Your Legal Pad: How to Stop Litigating Ourselves out of Good Relationships," excerpted from a webinar that ReelTime presented in conjunction with the ABA during Lawyer Wellbeing Week in May 2020. Special guests include Wendy Osborn (wife of Chris and a counseling intern in her own right), and ReelTime Affiliate and dear friend Dr. Andrea Cochran (D. Ps...

In this second part of Michael Kahn's interview with Sidney Evering,  they dive deeper into the issues surrounding the #BlackLivesMatter movement. You won't want to miss Sidney's poignant observations  about what he believes to be the core problem in racial disparities experienced by people of color. Sidney also offer insights into his own experiences as a lawyer of color, and into how h...

This week Michael Kahn interviews Sidney Evering, a partner in the Columbia, SC office of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, and former chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee.  Tune in for Sidney’s poignant and powerful observations on the national outpouring of response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, as well as the increasing light being shined on persi...

Listen to this week's episode as Michael Kahn interviews Jay Reeves, the owner of Your Law Life LLC, helping lawyers and firms add purpose, profits and peace of mind in their law lives, and author of "The Most Powerful Attorney in the World." Jay shares the power and importance of telling your story (and telling it the right way!) and how it can have an immense impact on each individual and the pe...

In this second part of this interview, Sigalle Barness, author of Chief Operating Mommy blog at COO of Lawline, talks with Michael and Chris about the challenges of being a parent, spouse, and legal professional. Sigalle shares candidly about some of the commitments and sacrifices she has had to make in order to successfully grow and sustain her family, career, and personal well-being.  &nbsp...

Today’s guest is our dear friend and ACLEA colleague, Sigalle Barness, Chief Operating Officer of Lawline.com, a nationwide provider of continuing legal education content. In part 1, with her trademark warmth, intellect, and humor, Sigalle shares about her experiences as a baby lawyer, a baby mama, and in helping launch and grow a baby legal education startup.  Tune in to hear some of the les...

In this second part of Michael Kahn’s interview with Cedric Ashley, they discuss some of the impacts that COVID-19 has been having on lawyers in their personal and professional lives. Cedric shares some ways to make the most out of the crisis and get through it with a positive and transformative mindset. Also listen as Cedric offers several important points to ponder for any lawyer struggling with...

Michael Kahn interviews Cedric Ashley, a solo attorney and founder of the Ashley Law Firm in Princeton, New Jersey. Cedric spends a copious amount of time working with lawyers and helping them find meaning and satisfaction in their careers and life. In Part I of the interview, Michael and Cedric discuss the importance of finding a job or practice setting that aligns with your personal values in or...

Michael Kahn interviews Alison Cowan, senior director of professional development at Fasken, a leading international law firm based out of Toronto, CA. Alison talks about the importance of cultivating a healthy culture in law firms. She also addresses the challenges that many lawyers go through during the different transition periods of their careers and how to make those shifts easier and less da...

Part 2 of Michael’s interview with Derek LaCroix, Executive Director of the Lawyers Assistance Program of British Columbia, explores some of the negative mindsets that lawyers can be conditioned into from the start of their careers. Often, lawyers can get caught up in perfectionism and relentless comparison—and they have no idea that many of their colleagues are stuck in the same mental traps. Tun...

Michael Kahn interviews our good friend Derek LaCroix, Executive Director of the Lawyers Assistance Program of British Columbia. Tune in to Part 1 to hear Derek’s own story of not-so-much thriving early in his career, and then ultimately learning practical strategies for dealing with the stress and pressures of practicing law.  Michael and Derek discuss several “mindset” shifts and practical...

Pain and loss--in the many different forms they may show up--are an unavoidable aspect of life, and dealing with them can be immensely draining. Listen in as Chris and Michael chat about the impact that grief can have on lawyers in particular, and practical tools for healing and growing through the grieving process.

Michael Kahn interviews Chris Osborn about his roundabout road to becoming a small firm lawyer and continuing education presenter. Tune in for a healthy dose of laughter, tears (well, referred to, if not actually shed, during the recording), and encouragement for any lawyer who has encountered challenges in discovering where they best fit within the legal profession. 

Welcome to the Thriving Lawyers Podcast. Meet your hosts Chris Osborn and Michael Kahn of Reel Time Creative Learning Experiences. In this episode, Michael and Chris discuss their hopes and purpose for launching this podcast, and what you can expect in future installments. Michael also recounts his journey from practicing lawyer to mental health therapist to his current work  helping lawyers...