Legal Talent Talk Network

Lawyers often approach the practice of law as a solitary task, internalizing their challenges, stressing over their workload and giving in to self-inflicted beliefs. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Angela Han shares with Mark Yacano why burnout is so prevalent in the legal profession and how perception skews reality—and increases our stress levels.

We work hard to appear strong by putting on armor, but in reality, we are much stronger once we drop the armor and own our narrative. That’s what Niti Nadarajah has learned since her “aha” moment of realization that she was holding on to a lot and needed to let go. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, she shares with Mark Yacano details of her personal journey and why she started writing about her life on LinkedIn.

“Thoughts are not facts.” Chelsy Castro’s interest in neuroscience and psychology led her for the legal profession to helping legal professionals develop healthy coping mechanisms to overcome the thinking errors we all project. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Mark Yacano chats with Chelsy who provides examples of our flawed logic and explores how to overcome these hurdles.

When her son suffered a traumatic brain injury, Francine Tone began studying brain science and discovered (through her research) how stress truly impacts lawyers. Francine shares with Mark Yacano her findings and tools for understanding what stress does to the brain and how to manage it.

There are myriad diets and nutrition program as well as fitness programs in the market today—but which ones to try? In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Mark Yacano sits down with Roxie Jones, founder of BodyROX, to discuss nutrition and strength training. Roxie explores the elements of a balanced diet, supplements you should consider taking and equipment you should have to work out from home.

After a year of remote work and isolation, law firm lawyers are feeling the effects of COVID. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Mark Yacano sits down with Dr. Rachel Fry to discuss the impact of COVID on lawyers looking at how junior associates have struggled to transition into practice and older associates have experienced extreme burn out. She shares her observations and encourages lawyers to get passed the stigma and seek help.

In order for your lawyers and professionals to thrive, they need to be in an environment where they are comfortable and receptive to constructive feedback. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Sheila Murphy, CEO of Focus Forward Consulting, explains to Mark Yacano the importance of cultivating your culture and then identifying the skills within each of your employees that will allow them to contribute the best to your firm or team.

Brad Baum, venture capitalist with Lightbank, knows a good idea when he hears it, which is why he believes in the development and distribution of technology that supports mental health and access to its services. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Brad and Mark Yacano talk about various technological tools available to clinicians and their clients and how the digitization of therapy has lowered the barrier to access—and hopefully the stigma.

Mark Goldstein accepted his depression and set out to feel like himself again, taking a leave of absence from the law. When he returned, he shared his story in The American Lawyer and now he shares his story with Mark Yacano in this episode of Erasing the Stigma. Listen in as Mark G. discusses the reactions he received and why he advocates for mental health awareness and normalization in the law and society.

Everyone comes to a place in their life and career where they may feel stuck and unsure of how to get out of their rut. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma with Mark Yacano, Madelaine Weiss, clinical social worker and executive, career and life coach, shares real-life examples of how people, particularly lawyers, have made positive transformations in their lives and found sustainable happiness using her G.R.E.A.T. strategy.

Creating a healthy work environment starts with the tone set by leadership. In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Misti Burmeister, author and executive coach, discusses with Mark Yacano the importance of leaning in, listening and asking questions to connect commonalities. Using her personal experiences, Misti explains how we all need to get in touch with the emotional and accept that vulnerability in order to truly understand your people and create a safe space.

Managing—and maintaining—your physical and mental health is an ongoing challenge for many people. Kelsey Heenan, co-founder of HIIT Burn and The Daily Kelsey, explores the mind-body connection needed to find happiness and embrace your body image in this episode of Erasing the Stigma. As she chats with host Mark Yacano, she talks about finding confidence in the clothes you wear, not measuring success by a number on the scale, and taking the first step to a sustainable lifestyle.

Issues of mental health in the legal profession have been a hot topic for ALM Media. Gina Passarella, editor-in-chief, speaks with Mark Yacano about the results of the yearlong Minds Over Matters project and the impact of COVID-19 on the lawyers with whom she’s recently spoken.

In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Mark Yacano chats with Robin Belleau, director of well-being at Kirkland & Ellis, about Kirkland’s commitment to well-being, its unique program and Robin’s role in supporting the attorneys and staff within the firm.

In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Mark Yacano chats with Michael Kahn, co-founder of ReelTime CLE and former lawyer, about the grieving process as it relates to the unprecedented times we’re living in.

In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Mark Yacano chats with Mark Schubert, managing director of Guide+Thrive—powered by BHS. They discuss how organizations and law firms can support their lawyers through the right mix of wellness programming and individualized support.

In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Lora Cheadle, former attorney, life choreographer, and author, shares the story of her internal struggle between embracing her authentic self and conforming to society’s restrictions and how that led her on a journey to self-discovery and acceptance. As she speaks with Mark Yacano, Lora encourages women, in particular, to discover what they love and embrace movement.

In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Taylor Welsh, CEO of Walker Tracker, chats with Mark Yacano about structuring fitness into your day at home. She explores creative tools you can use when you lack equipment and resources available on the Internet to keep you physically and mentally healthy.

In this episode of Erasing the Stigma, Chris Parsons, Chairman of Herbert Smith Freehills’ India practice, tells Mark Yacano his story of depression, addiction, and alcoholism. He talks about how his upbringing impacted his mental health and how telling his story has helped his colleagues in the legal profession face their mental health demons.

Denise Gaskin, president of RavenWork Inc., shares with Mark Yacano advice for lawyers to help them create a new routine, build stronger relationships with their teams and clients, and manage the emotional roller coaster associated with uncertainty.