In Episode 38 of Lawyerpreneur, John Hart talks about how the depth of storytelling culture in the South has been integral to his writing. He tells the story of bailing on his criminal law practice to give himself the opportunity to write a successful novel and the path that led to his first published novel, The King of Lies, making the New York Times bestseller list.

John Hart discusses how being a criminal defense lawyer played an important role in his understanding of crime and society, and how those experiences continue to mold his writing. We talked about why it's important to Hart to write thrillers with depth and authenticity. And we discuss his new book The Unwilling that is set in Charlotte, North Carolina in the 1970s.

In Episode 37 of Lawyerpreneur, Barbara Hinske and I have a great conversation covering a broad range of topics. We start with how recovering from breaking her neck led to the launch of her author career. Hinske talks about why she first decided to write under a pen name, which is a relevant conversation for many lawyers who are pursuing side hustles. 

Barbara Hinske shares how her book Guiding Emily has enabled to help those in the blind community. We also discuss how networking with purpose  (which is how her book The Christmas Club became a Hallmark movie), being prepared for opportunities, and investing in yourself and your work can increase your likelihood of success.

In Episode 36 of Lawyerpreneur, Natasha Hazlett and I discuss several of the themes of her inspiring business self-help book, Unstoppable Influence. Natasha is a former Memphis lawyer who has built a successful Nashville-based, business coaching enterprise with her husband. In my favorite parts of our conversation, Natasha shares the genesis of her transition from being a lawyer at a firm to founding an internet business; living on purpose and with purpose; and being the co-creator of your life.

In Episode 35, I talk about the goals that I achieved in 2020 and those that I failed to achieve. I discuss accomplishments that I had counted on. And I look ahead to my goals and what I want to accomplish in 2021.

Links from the show:

•  CLAW Alliance
• Becki Lee's Do You Draw Pictures?
• Scarlet Oak Press
• J. W. Judge'sVulcan Rising

In Episode 34 of Lawyerpreneur, Becki C. Lee returns to walk us through the common trademark, copyright, and other intellectual property issues that entrepreneurs might encounter when launching their businesses. It turns into an episode in which we discover all the things I did incorrectly as I launched my various side hustles.

Becki was previously on Episode 27, in which we discussed her children's book about intellectual property, Do You Draw Pictures?

In this episode, we also discuss the interviews I did with M.C. Sungaila (Episode 16) and Haley Altman (Episode 31), both of which are great conversations with extraordinarily accomplished lawyers.

 In Episode 33 of Lawyerpreneur, Patricia Baxter and I talk about the importance of setting client's expectations for how you will work together and how that works to the benefit of both you and your clients. We talk about Baxter's podcast "The Defense Never Rests" and the new book she colloborated on, #Networked, in which 20 women talk about their careers and the relationships they forged during a pandemic. 

 A short stint in private practice left Mark Bassingthwaighte feeling unfulfilled. So he pursued an opportunity that has turned into a career in risk management at ALPS Insurance, which has given him the chance to write expensively, develop his public speaking skills, and even get into screenwriting. But more importantly he has adopted a mindset to put himself in uncomfortable positions, because that's where we stretch ourselves and grow.

 Before I interviewed Mark on Lawyerpreneur, he interviewed me on Episode 53 of the ALPS In Brief podcast. Since we reference that interview several times, I wanted to give you an easy way to find it. 

Haley Altman had just become an equity partner at her firm when she announced to her husband that she was resigning to pursue an opportunity that she knew she'd regret passing up. In one of my favorite interviews yet, Haley Altman talks about her transition from a law practice to the CEO of a startup. 

 [Note: We had some audio difficulties in recording, so there may be a bit of wonkiness with volume levels. But I think I ironed most of it out.] 

Michael La Ronn is an author (of 55 books since 2012!), podcaster, insurance professional, and law student. To make time for his writing business, he dedicates time in the morning to write and also fills the small cracks that might otherwise be wasted with writing time. Michael and I also talk about diversity in fiction writing and the importance of being your authentic self.

In Episode 29, I talk about exploring new solutions by thinking like a child, challenging conventional approaches to problems, and refusing to play your opponents games. This episode is a snippet of two chapters of my second book, Stop Putting Out Fires, which you can purchase from your preferred retailer.