The Lawyer's Escape Pod

A holistic approach to designing your career

Elena Deutsch is the founder and CEO of WILL (Women Interested in Leaving Law). With a background in executive and leadership coaching, Elena guides women through the process of discovering what they want, leveraging their strengths, and researching inspiring new possibilities. In this episode, Elena and I dive into our shared appreciation for a heart-centered approach to career planning. For so many people, their career dissatisfaction is not simply a question of finding a new job. It’s about taking a huge step back and really examining who you are and what you want.

 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

• How we define a heart-centered approach (to a job search or entrepreneurship)
• How this approach leads to more alignment and purpose
• Making internally informed decisions, rather than having your plans be externally dictated
• How to explore your creative or off-the-beaten-path interests
• How your lawyer brain gets in the way
• The mindset shifts people need to make to approach their career this way
• The Great Resignation 
• The importance of community and support

 

Find Elena:

Elena’s website: https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/ 

Book a Consultation with Elena: https://will-online.teachable.com/a/aff_0d5ngvx3/external?affcode=97439_ds-nv8nb

Free Gift: High Five Miracle Morning Checklist

https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/high-5-miracle-morning/

FREE Masterclass: How to Leave (big) Law with Ease:  https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/leave-with-ease/

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Connect with Megan!

Daydreams to Designs Private Podcast: https://bit.ly/daydreamstodesigns

Schedule a Catalyst Call: https://megansmiley.com/schedule-a-call

Website: https://www.megansmiley.com/

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Books referenced:

William Ury, The Power of a Positive No

Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic

It’s ok to be an accidental entrepreneur

I never would have guessed that I'd end up being an entrepreneur. I had some long-standing stories around how I just wasn't naturally built for it. I think so many of us have a certain idea of who built for entrepreneurial success and who isn't. But, there are different types of entrepreneurs and different kinds of businesses. So don't count yourself out just yet. 

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Connect with Megan!

Daydreams to Designs Private Podcast: https://bit.ly/daydreamstodesigns

Schedule a Catalyst Call: https://megansmiley.com/schedule-a-call

Website: https://www.megansmiley.com/

Jessica Medina shows us it’s possible to unlock the golden handcuffs

Jessica Medina is a former big law litigator and SEC investigator who is now an accredited financial counselor. She specifically helps big law attorneys who need a financial plan in place to allow them the freedom to explore new career options. Jessica also reassures us that it's possible to create a financial plan that supports a transition to entrepreneurship. Even if you have student loans!

 

In this episode, Jessica talks about:

• What exactly a financial advisor is, compared to other financial professionals
• There’s no shame if you’re not on top of your finances (that’s the case for a lot of people)
• The process Jessica takes her clients through
• Strategies for people with student loans
• How to plan specifically when you’re considering entrepreneurship 
• It’s possible to plan, even when there are unknowns
• FIRE movement planning
• How much house you can afford

You can find Jessica at:

Craft Your Exit Plan Cheatsheet: https://www.jessicamedinallc.com/exit 

 

Student Loan Repayment Series: https://www.jessicamedinallc.com/studentloanseries

 

Website: https://www.jessicamedinallc.com/biglawexit

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-medina-51040b19/

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Connect with Megan!

Daydreams to Designs Private Podcast: https://bit.ly/daydreamstodesigns

Schedule a Catalyst Call: https://megansmiley.com/schedule-a-call

Website: https://www.megansmiley.com/

A powerful self-coaching question

The #1 thing that is limiting your career options is your assumption that all of your thoughts are true. In this episode I talk you through how to question the reasons you dismiss certain options, like entrepreneurship.

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Connect with Megan!

Daydreams to Designs Private Podcast: https://bit.ly/daydreamstodesigns

Schedule a Catalyst Call: https://megansmiley.com/schedule-a-call

Website: https://www.megansmiley.com/

How do you define success?

In this episode, I question our historical definitions for success and challenge you to create a new, more personalized definition for yourself.

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Connect with Megan!

Daydreams to Designs Private Podcast: https://bit.ly/daydreamstodesigns

Schedule a Catalyst Call: https://megansmiley.com/schedule-a-call

Website: https://www.megansmiley.com/

 

What is a Heart-Centered Business?

In this episode, I dive into what I mean when I talk about heart-centered businesses and why I think they are the real key to your freedom and fulfillment.

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Connect with Megan!

Daydreams to Designs Private Podcast: https://bit.ly/daydreamstodesigns

Schedule a Catalyst Call: https://megansmiley.com/schedule-a-call

Website: https://www.megansmiley.com

 

Marni Blank leaves law to become a multi-passionate entrepreneur

Marni Blank began her career as a lawyer, working both for the Federal and NYC government. Ultimately realizing law was not her passion, she decided to switch paths to real estate while co-founding Blank Studio NYC and Blank Farmhouse with her sister. Marni continues to evolve her career, pursuing her many interests. As a lifelong learner and explorer, she believes that one does not need to be boxed into a single career or path, but that there is room to create a life that encompasses whatever brings you joy. She is an occasional food styling assistant, maintains her real estate license at Tungsten Property and enjoys continuing her education on emotional intelligence and counseling. 

In this episode we discuss:

• Having work-life balance in government wasn’t enough for Marni
• She still woke up wishing her day away
• Marni followed her interest in real estate and got her license 
• Her approach was to give it a shot - and let it take you where it will
• She has now launched two businesses with her sister and a third on her own, leaning into her multiple interest areas 
• It’s ok to be multi-passionate and to evolve your career intuitively 
• Human Design can be a great tool for permission and validation 

You can find Marni at:

Blank Studio: https://www.blankstudionyc.com/

The Blank Farmhouse: https://www.theblankfarmhouse.com/

Work Related: https://www.work-related.co/

Well Plan: https://www.marniblank.com

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Connect with Megan!

Daydreams to Designs Private Podcast: https://bit.ly/daydreamstodesigns

Schedule a Catalyst Call: https://bit.ly/yourcatalystcall

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megansmileyesq/

Sigalle Barness leaves law, becomes a COO, then creates her own role as Chief Storyteller

Sigalle Barness is a former lawyer who is now the Chief Storyteller at Lawline, the leading online education platform for lawyers. After her experience in practicing law did not go as she expected, Sigalle transitioned to working at Lawline where she’s built an incredible career. She rose to COO, but after a health scare, decided to take a step back. That was when she created this new role for herself, which leverages her love of storytelling, writing, and creativity. 

 

Sigalle’s story really highlights the ability to carve your own path, define success by your own metrics, and create a career you love.

 

You can find Sigalle at:

Lawyer’s Who Lead Podcast: https://lawyerswholeadpodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sigalle/

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Connect with Megan!

Daydreams to Designs Private Podcast: https://bit.ly/daydreamstodesigns

Schedule a Catalyst Call: https://bit.ly/yourcatalystcall

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megansmileyesq/

Emily Hirsekorn goes from law to higher education to career confidence coaching

Emily Hirsekorn is a former lawyer turned career confidence coach. After a stint in higher education, she decided to pursue a certification in professional coaching with iPEC. Specifically, Emily now helps lawyers and other ambitious professionals navigate their careers, develop as conscious leaders, and integrate work and life for faster success and greater fulfillment.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Emily followed her long-standing interest in psychology into coaching
• Emily wanted more control over her work and life, and realized self-employment was the best route for her

• The progression from thinking about a big jump to committing to it
• It’s possible to start while you’re still employed and before you’re fully “ready”
• Get clear on what your bottom line, sufficient income number is
• The early entrepreneurial experience

 

You can find Emily at:

Accessible Coaching Campaign: https://www.hirsekorncoaching.com/accessible-coaching

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhirsekorn/

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Connect with Megan!

 

Private Podcast Waitlist: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6192f9743a0e5bcf6f54234d

 

Schedule a Catalyst Call: https://bit.ly/yourcatalystcall

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megansmileyesq/

Seth Bradley leaves big law to pursue his passion for real estate

Seth Bradley is a former big law attorney who decided to follow his passion for real estate and create his own unique career path. He started his own firm, Bradley Law Limited, where he helps his clients with their real estate and asset protection needs. He has also become a real estate entrepreneur and an expert at creating passive income. Seth is also the host of the Passive Income Attorney Podcast, educating attorneys and other professionals on how to stop trading their time for money so that they can practice when they want to, not because they have to.

Seth talks to us about his evolution from medical school student to big law associate to independent law firm owner and entrepreneur. His story really shows how you can design a multi-faceted career around your interests if you have the courage to go for it.

 

You can find Seth at:

Free Gift - The Freedom Blueprint: https://sethpaulbradley.lpages.co/freedomblueprint/

Passive Income Attorney Website: https://passiveincomeattorney.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethpaulbradley

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Connect with Megan!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megansmileyesq/

Lawyer’s Escape Call: http://bit.ly/escapecall

Lawyer’s Escape Plan Quiz: http://bit.ly/lawyersescaperoutequiz