PossibLaw

The next PossibLaw show with guest Arjen van Berkem—Chief Strategy Wizard at CATS CM—digs into entrepreneurship as a craft: embracing the struggle, building a unique identity, and why real impact comes from relationships, community, and clarity of purpose. We reframe risk assessment as opportunity design, explore how emotional intelligence, transparency, and leadership reshape legal and business decisions, and get practical about using artificial intelligence and deep learning in the legal industry without losing the human edge. If you’re interested in growing your entrepreneurial mindset this episode is packed with life lessons, success habits, and professional development you can put to work today.

Takeaways

Entrepreneurial Mindset = test/learn cycles: try broadly, double-down on what works, harvest lessons from failure.

Treat risk as “opportunity with a downside”; make decisions with intent, not fear.

Identity fuels communication: find your voice, be consistent (and calm), ask for feedback often.

Transparency is kindness—clear, direct communication accelerates teams and trust.

Legal’s role: coach the business, don’t referee the play; align contracts to outcomes and accountability.

From “contract” to “contact” management: relationships matter—have the closeout dinner and keep the human touch.

Get lawyers into the business: shop-floor time beats email threads; culture > checklists.

AI in legal (LLMs, automation) is augmented intelligence: validate outputs, track process non-linearity, watch for bias.

Build adaptability: resource allocation management, capacity planning, and clear roles reduce firefighting.

Parenting, reading, and serendipity: mix domains to create tacit knowledge and durable innovation.

👤 Guest Bio

Arjen van Berkem is the Chief Strategy Wizard at CATS CM, a contract methodology company. A seasoned entrepreneur, teacher, and prolific writer, he blends culture, technology, and law to help organizations design outcome-driven contracts and resilient processes.

🔗 Connect With Arjen

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjenvanberkum/

• CATS CM: Search “CATS CM contract methodology”

https://www.cats-cm.com

🔗 More From Salvador

• Connect with Salvador Carranza on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvadorcarranza

• Explore more founder and transformation-leader interviews on PossibLaw

👉 If you’re fascinated by the entrepreneurial mindset, legal innovation, and career advice for modern operators, subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of this podcast.

Chapters

00:00 Show Intro

03:22 Intro and Personal Background

06:11 The Importance of Reading and Learning

08:41 Applying Knowledge and Taking Action

12:04 Understanding Risk and Opportunity

14:09 The Role of Failure in Growth

15:30 Finding Purpose in Entrepreneurship

19:38 Teaching Growth Mindset and Entrepreneurial Thinking

22:19 Build Growth Mindset

25:19 Embedding Legal Teams in Business

33:40 Learning to use AI and focusing on the business

39:38 Fostering Curiosity in Education

41:30 The Importance of Critical Thinking

44:21 Mastering Communication Skills

48:48 AI and Its Impact on Society

56:38 Building Human Connections in a Digital Age

01:06:03 Transforming Contract Management Practices

01:12:52 Closing Thoughts

In this conversation, Salvador Carranza and Wilfried Aubron go deep on leadership, culture, and what it really takes to thrive as a modern lawyer. From parenting and role-modeling to setting firm boundaries, Will shares the self development practices (meditation, nature, “one minute to arrive”) that rebuilt his energy and confidence after a health scare. He explains how ambition becomes fuel—not a trap—when it’s guided by emotional intelligence, transparency, and clear priorities. On the work front, Will breaks down how great managers design team “rules,” hire for complementary profiles, and align business decisions, risk assessment, and technology (AI, automation, legal tech) to move the business forward. Takeaways* Work–life integration beats balance: carve protected time; keeping promises to yourself builds confidence (self help, self improvement, success habits, parenting).* Role-modeling is leadership: someone is always watching—act with transparency and intention.* Ambition isn’t the enemy: point it at growth and service; pair it with emotional intelligence and adaptability.* Culture eats strategy: co-create team “rules” (how we communicate, handle conflict, deliver) to build safety and speed (culture, professional development).* Hire for profiles, not just résumés: match external brand needs and internal team dynamics; look for curiosity and collaboration (career advice).* AI makes lawyers better advisors: let artificial intelligence and deep learning handle heavy lifts; humans guide context, ethics, and decisions (technology, automation, legal tech).* Go slow to go fast: think first, then build—software is powerful, but aim and design win long-term (business decisions, risk assessment).* Test & learn mindset: try new things every quarter to expand skills—an entrepreneur’s habit that also powers in-house teams (entrepreneurship, startup, founder, innovation).* Your energy introduces you: show up with purpose—people feel it immediately (journey, learn).👤 Guest BioWilfried Aubron is a French business lawyer, professor, and consultant based in the Alps. He’s advised at global scale (including Rio Tinto), led legal teams in listed companies and aerospace in the UK, and teaches at two business schools. As the founder of Xperius, he helps organizations transform culture, leadership, and employee experience—bridging law, business, and technology. Off the clock, he’s an outdoors enthusiast and devoted dad who champions mindfulness and intentional living.🔗 Connect With Will• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilfried-aubron-91671b22/• Xperius (consulting): Culture & leadership transformation🔗 More From Salvador• Connect with Salvador Carranza on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvadorcarranza• New episodes of PossibLaw every week—subscribe for professional development and career advice tailored to modern legal leaders or if you want to learn how to grow your entrepreneurial mindset in the age of AI.👉 If you’re into entrepreneurship, leadership, and building a career with purpose, hit Subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss an episode!Chapters00:00 Opening Sequence01:20 Intro & Background04:03 The Importance of Nature and Mental Health06:57 Balancing Ambition and Family Life09:54 Setting Boundaries and Self-Care12:30 Self-Awareness and Personal Transformation15:41 The Journey to Finding Fulfillment18:36 Ambition: A Double-Edged Sword21:20 Embracing Change and Taking Risks24:24 Building Effective Teams and Leadership27:20 Navigating the Impact of AI on Legal Profession29:57 Creating a Positive Work Culture33:17 Finding and Attracting Talent36:21 The Role of Profile in Hiring39:11 The Importance of Time in Building Lasting Structures42:11 Servant Leadership43:20 AI & Legal46:39 Xperius49:16 Practical Tips to Building Culture51:56 How to Find Talent59:04 Go Slow Now to Go Fast Later01:01:47 Closing Thoughts

You Can use your people to a build a company or you can use the company to build your people. Always choose the latter to build a successful organization.

In this episode of PossibLaw, host Salvador Carranza sits down with Brad Bergmooser, lawyer turned credit union CEO, wrestler dad, and people first leader, to dive into intentional culture building, making bold business decisions in financial services, building people first for a successful company later, and how he swapped legalese for the C-suite. He has guided Financial Plus Credit Union to $1.5 billion in assets through mergers, rebrands, and rapid technology and automation roll-outs. Brad shares candid stories about risk assessment, transparent decision making, and staying grounded through parenting, gym time, and lifelong learning.

Along the way we unpack how emotional adaptability and emotional intelligence shape executive choices, why investing in people beats chasing quarterly numbers, and what founders and startup teams can learn from Brad’s unconventional journey. We even connect the dots between community finance, legal tech trends, and the coming wave of artificial intelligence. If you want to sharpen your entrepreneurial edge in the age of AI, stick around. 

🔑 Takeaways

• People first: Use the company to build people, not vice-versa.

• Internal mobility wins—100+ promotions stemmed from individual development plans.

• Mergers, rebrands & tech launches demand crystal-clear transparency and comms.

• Work-life “integration” beats outdated balance myths—find fulfillment, then grind.

• Small-business lending gaps = huge niche for credit-union innovation.

• Cross-disciplinary experience (law ➜ finance ➜ CEO) multiplies leadership impact.

• Humility, initiative & strong work ethic trump résumés in hiring decisions.

• Every generation must redefine workplace norms without losing respect for history.

• Profits aren’t bad—where they go matters; credit-union surplus fuels member value.

• Automation & AI will reshape compliance, customer service, and growth strategy—start preparing now.

🔈 Sound Bites

"Everything a bank does, we do."

"The legacy I will leave is in the people."

"Life's too short. Go find what you enjoy."

👤 Guest Bio

Brad R. Bergmooser is President & CEO of Financial Plus Credit Union (Michigan). A former legal and public-policy professional, Brad transitioned from the law firm trenches and state-senate campaigns to become General Counsel at $2 billion BCU before taking the helm at Financial Plus. He holds a J.D., an MBA from Notre Dame, and still hits the wrestling mats with his two sons between board-meetings.

🔗 Connect With Brad

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradbergmooser

• Financial Plus CU: www.myfpcu.com

🔗 More From Salvador

• Full library of founder stories & professional-growth interviews: https://possiblaw.substack.com

• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvadorcarranza

👉 If you’re fascinated by entrepreneurship, professional growth, and mastering the mindset to succeed, hit Subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss an episode!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Brad Bergmoser and Financial Plus Credit Union

00:43 Personal Life and Hobbies of Brad Bergmoser

03:51 Educational Background and Transition to Law

05:04 Early Career in Politics and Its Impact

06:34 Entry into the Credit Union Industry

09:37 Becoming General Counsel at Baxter Credit Union

11:37 The Role of General Counsel and Business Integration

17:10 Becoming the CEO at Financial Plus

21:47 Employee Development and Training Initiatives

23:14 Building a Culture of Growth and Development

26:10 The Importance of Individual Development Plans

28:53 Broadening Career Paths Beyond Traditional Vertical Growth

29:45 Navigating Career Growth and Multidisciplinary Experience

34:56 Identifying Talent and Leadership Qualities

37:07 Work-Life Integration in a Post-Pandemic World

43:14 Understanding Credit Unions and Their Role

51:03 Brad's Journey to Financial Plus and Leadership Lessons

In this wide-ranging conversation on the PossibLaw Podcast, host Salvador Carranza sits down with former sports-journalist-turned-law-firm-litigator-turned-Fortune 500 in-house counsel-turned AI legal technologist Kyle Bahr. Together they unpack the mind-set shifts that let lawyers—and anyone—thrive at the intersection of entrepreneurship, leadership, and rapidly evolving legal tech.

Kyle shares how a growth-oriented culture of curiosity, solid risk assessment, and candid transparency helped him navigate pivotal business decisions across journalism, Big Law, corporate law, and now cutting-edge artificial intelligence & deep learning products. They explore balancing ambition with parenting, the power of sports to teach emotional intelligence and adaptability, and why embracing automation is essential to the future of the legal industry.

Listen in for practical career advice, inspiring life lessons, and fresh insight into turning change into opportunity—whether you’re a founder, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a law student mapping your own startup-style professional development journey.

Takeaways

• Kyle Bahr exemplifies growth mindset and perseverance.
• Sports can foster community and connection.
• Navigating career transitions requires adaptability.
• Mental health awareness is crucial in the legal field.
• Embracing failure is essential for innovation.
• AI has the potential to enhance legal practice.
• Legal professionals must guide AI governance responsibly.
• The complexity of the world necessitates legal expertise.
• Experimentation is key to leveraging technology effectively.
• Lawyers possess unique skills that can be applied to AI.

Sound Bites

"Embrace experimentation, deal with failure."

"AI can elevate lawyers, not replace them."

"The world is not getting less complex."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kyle Bahr's Journey

02:45 The Role of Sports in Community Building

05:27 Transitioning from Journalism to Law

08:17 The Impact of 9/11 on Sports and Community

10:53 Parenting and Work-Life Balance

12:23 Navigating Career Changes and Mental Health

14:03 Embracing Failure and Growth Mindset

16:51 The Importance of Experimentation in Legal Tech

19:42 Finding the Right Support System

22:00 The Future of AI in Law

30:55 Building AI Muscle in Personal Life

33:56 Iterative Learning with AI

36:02 Legal Opportunities in the AI Era

39:40 The Future of Law and AI Integration

42:24 Redefining 'Good' in Legal Services

44:40 Empowering Franchisees with AI

50:18 Creating Accessible Legal Solutions

52:49 Understanding AI for Legal Professionals

58:09 Transitioning to Udia and Future Opportunities

01:02:32 Joining Cleary Gottlieb: A New Chapter

👤 Guest Bio

Kyle Bahr is an attorney, former Reed Smith litigator, ex-Westco in-house counsel, and AI product leader. He’s now AI Innovation Manager at Cleary Gottlieb, where he helps a 1,200-lawyer firm deploy next-gen innovation responsibly. Off-hours you’ll find him coaching his 11-year-old twins, skiing, or chasing pickup soccer matches worldwide.

🔗 Connect With Kyle

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-bahr

🔗 More From Salvador

• Full library of founder & transformation-leader interviews: https://possiblaw.substack.com
• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvadorcarranza

👉 If you’re fascinated by the entrepreneurial mind-set, professional development, and learning the skills to succeed, hit Subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss an episode!

In a world where inaction can hold you back, it’s the doers who light the way! These go-getters don't just talk about ideas—they make them happen. As Salvador Carranza puts it, a startup thrives on its doers; without action, dreams stay dreams.

So, how do you find these gems in the hiring maze? Ditch the traditional interviews! Look for candidates who show initiative and tackle challenges head-on. They thrive on curiosity and aren’t afraid to experiment, even if it means stumbling along the way.

To foster this energy, leadership must mirror that doer mindset—encourage open conversations, celebrate bold moves, and be willing to move on from those who resist change. It’s all about building a team that thrives on action!

So, who in your organization embodies the doer spirit? Let’s nurture that energy and watch our creative culture soar! 🚀

#Doers #Innovation #TeamSuccess

Are you ready to unleash the power of action in your organization?

In this conversation, Salvador Carranza and Avro Deb unpack the winding journey from real-estate finance to MBA-powered marketing strategist and Creative Insights Partner at global research powerhouse Ipsos. Together they dive into parenting while holding a “big job,” leadership that develops star contributors, and how emotional intelligence and transparency drive better business decisions, risk assessment and brand-building. You’ll hear practical tips on cultivating a growth mindset, staying adaptable amid rapid technology shifts like artificial intelligence and deep learning, and how a purpose-driven entrepreneurial outlook powers professional and personal success.Whether you’re scaling a startup, navigating the legal industry or simply hungry for self development and success habits, this Possiblaw episode is packed with actionable *career advice* and life lessons. Listen in and learn! 🎧✨---### Key Takeaways* Model leadership through action – why “doers” outperform micromanagers and how to nurture them.* Operate without fear by focusing on what could go *right* and owning every choice.* Parenting & performance – practical routines that keep family first while excelling at work.* Audience research 101 – decoding “consumer tension” to craft ads that break through, drive recall and action.* Growth mindset in practice – consistent small steps (yoga, meditation, continuous learning) fuel massive self-improvement.* AI vs. snake oil – where automation truly helps in market research and where human insight still wins.* Cross-industry adaptability – lessons from finance, marketing, and innovation that apply to law, legal automation, and beyond.* Culture eats strategy – how empathy, inclusion and clear boundaries build high-performing teams.* Embrace technology change without losing the human touch.* Purpose podcast mantra – leverage an *entrepreneur* mindset to thrive in any role. 👤 Guest BioAvro Deb is a marketing strategist, audience-research expert and Creative Insights Partner at Ipsos, one of the world’s largest market-research firms. His path spans real-estate finance, a marketing-focused MBA, and 15 years helping global brands optimize creative through data-driven insight. Outside the office, Avro is a dedicated yoga enthusiast, grill aficionado and proud dad committed to lifelong self help and professional development. 🔗 Connect With AvroLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avro-deb-61a2701/Ipsos: https://www.ipsos.com🔗 More From Salvador & PossiblawFull library of founder & transformation-leader interviews: https://joyfound.studioConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvadorcarranza👉 If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, career advice, and mastering the skills to succeed in an AI-augmented world, subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of the Possiblaw podcast!Chapters00:00 Intro03:04 Joy of Parenting with an Ambitious Job05:48 How to be Present09:57 Yoga: A Path to Mental Clarity14:33 Finding Balance: Work, Life, and Mental Health19:02 Teaching Mindfulness to Children19:27 The Journey into Marketing and Research24:56 The Journey to Creative Testing28:09 The Role of Self-Motivation and Adaptability31:34 Modeling Behavior in Leadership35:49 Navigating Challenges and Overcoming Adversity44:02 Understanding the Market Research Landscape47:41 Understanding Consumer Insights and Differentiation49:13 Logistics of Advertising Research for Large Companies49:26 The Value of Consumer Focus Groups for Small Businesses50:41 Navigating Research Choices: Quality vs. Cost51:40 Defining Advertising Effectiveness54:58 Exploring Consumer Tension in Marketing57:24 AI in Advertising: Opportunities and Skepticism01:02:59 Key Takeaways for Personal and Professional Growth

SummaryIn this conversation, Salvador Carranza and John Reikes discuss the critical importance of financial literacy in business, particularly for employees who may not understand how their roles contribute to the company's profitability. They explore the balance between creative pursuits and business needs, emphasizing the need for teams to be aware of both gross and net margins. The discussion also highlights the significance of building trust within teams and fostering a culture of curiosity about the business's financial health.TakeawaysUnderstanding how a firm makes money is crucial.Many professionals lack basic financial literacy.Balancing creativity with business needs is challenging.Employees often misunderstand gross vs. net margins.High gross margins can mask underlying costs.Trust is essential for team engagement.Employees should be aware of financial implications of their work.Training teams to be curious can improve business outcomes.Qualitative communication is necessary in private companies.Encouraging inquiry about profitability can enhance performance.Sound bites"I feel like it's missed, lawyers especially.""You have to talk a lot in qualitative terms.""How do we actually make money?"John Reikes is an entrepreneur and turnaround specialist who has led global teams, built managed-services products, and orchestrated successful exits in legal tech and visual trial strategy. A former civil-litigation attorney and self-taught coder, he’s passionate about fusing culture, technology, and innovation to help businesses (and people) thrive. When he’s not scaling companies, you’ll find him lifting weights, jamming on guitar, or coaching his kids’ activities.Connect with JohnLinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/john-reikes-b983ab5/🔗 More from SalvadorBinge the full library of founder journeys & professional-development deep dives → https://joyfound.studioConnect on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/salvadorcarranza

In this episode of PossibLaw, host Sal” Carranza sits down with entrepreneur and former legal-tech CEO John Reikes to unpack the mind-set that turns failing ventures into successful exits. From scaling global teams and leading culture change to balancing parenting with high-stakes business decisions, John shares hard-won lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, emotional intelligence, transparency, risk assessment, adaptability, AI, deep learning, and professional development. Listen in to learn how a “software-developer mentality” and a bias for action can supercharge your career—no matter your industry.---Takeaways* Curiosity and adaptability are the cheat codes for long-term success.* Great culture starts with transparency and genuine trust.* Treat teammates as irreplaceable partners, not fungible resources.* Luck matters—so widen your “luck surface area” by taking more shots.* Map every decision to measurable KPIs, then test and iterate fast.* A 51% win rate compounded over time beats perfectionism.* Align pricing with perceived value; educate clients when AI shifts expectations.* Cutting costs slows decline; investing in people fuels growth.* Parenthood can sharpen patience, foresight, and emotional control at work.* Emerging AI tools won’t replace the problem-solvers who learn to wield them.---👤 Guest BioJohn Reikes is an entrepreneur, ex-CEO of High Impact (visual legal strategy) and former product leader at Kroll Ontrack and Elevate. With a background that spans software development, sales, legal tech, and executive management, he specializes in turning business units into high-growth, tech-enabled profit centers. Off the clock, he’s a guitarist, gym-rat, and proud dad of two.🔗 Connect With John• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-reikes-b983ab5/🔗 More From Salvador• Full library of founder & transformation-leader interviews: https://joyfound.studio• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvadorcarranza👉*If you’re fascinated by the entrepreneurial journey, growth mind-sets, and success habits, hit Subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss an episode!Sound Bites"You have to act, not just talk about it.""Success isn't just about the end result.""The journey is what life is about."Chapters00:00 Introduction to John Reikes: A Multifaceted Journey04:15 College08:54 After Law School12:19 Software Startup Learning15:17 Back to Leading in the Legal Industry25:30 The Impact of Parenthood on Professional Life27:22 Emotional Intelligence: Lessons from Parenting30:09 The Importance of Listening in Leadership32:43 Transparency and Decision-Making in Business34:57 Building a Culture of Trust and Communication37:44 The Role of Data and Reflection in Decision-Making40:20 The Intersection of Law and Business Strategy45:16 Build Culture around Transparency of Information48:49 The Builder Mentality is the key to success52:07 The Importance of Objective Decision-Making54:18 Practitioner over Professor55:48 Financial Literacy for Everyone in the Company is Critical01:01:25 Aligning Employee Incentives with Business Goals01:03:29 Navigating Value Perception in Business01:07:15 Embracing Technology and Job Security01:08:37 Growth vs. Cost-Cutting in Business Management01:15:20 Embracing Failure and Learning01:15:20 The Role of Luck in Success01:19:33 Finding Fulfillment in the Journey

In this conversation, Salvador Carranza and Leo Park explore the complexities of investing in emerging technologies, particularly large language models. They discuss the challenges of business models in tech, drawing parallels with the airline industry, and the commoditization of AI technologies. The importance of evaluating model performance and the landscape of AI applications is emphasized, alongside a philosophical discussion on the nature of intelligence in AI and language models. Listen to the entire podcast and learn even more!

Takeaways

Investing in tech startups is uncertain and risky.

The airline industry serves as a cautionary analogy for tech businesses.

Large language models are becoming commoditized, affecting their profitability.

Evaluating model performance is crucial for application developers.

Domain expertise can create defensible business models in AI.

AI applications need to differentiate themselves in a crowded market.

Understanding the nature of intelligence in AI is complex and evolving.

Multimodal models challenge our understanding of thought and language.

The rapid pace of AI development makes it hard to keep track of innovations.

Consumers need better education to navigate the AI landscape.