Talking Respect

On this episode we speak to a top professional from the financial field with over 15 years of experience, Asra Abdulaziz. Asra is the Founder of Rise and Lead, a centre for executive coaching and mentoring. She previously worked for Credit Agricole CIB Paris. BNP Paribas and Natixis. Asra speaks openly of her transition from her secure role as a Managing Director to becoming an entrepreneur. She helpfully shares her personal experience of moving from Iraq during the war period and how this built her resilience and fighter mentality. She explains that we need to bring our full self to the workplace and not offer too much power to the organisations that we work for. She shares the common traits and issues that she encounters with her senior clientele that she coaches and how her work assists them by becoming better leaders. If your looking to transition from your current role in 2022 or are simply seeking top tips from an expert coach then this is the episode for you. To learn more about Asra Abdulaziz visit her LinkedIn page or go to www.rise-lead.com

Ex Linklaters Lawyer, Mindset & Well-being Coach, Podcast host, Caitlin McFee shares with us how we can set boundaries in the workplace. She helpfully shares her experience of depression, anxiety and stress in a high pressured legal environment (magic circle law firm) which enabled her to pause and reflect on her life. This led Caitlin to undertake a neurolinguistics Programme and hypnotherapy then becoming a Mindset and Wellbeing coach. Leaving the law behind, she now works with top law firms and lawyers driving them to adopt a positive work environment which promotes mental health and well-being in the legal industry. Caitlin impressively tells us that she started out with a non law degree and zero legal work experience which landed her a training contract at a magic circle law firm. She further shares her tips and advice on how to have the confidence and belief in yourself in a difficult work environment. Don’t miss this very important discussion about a lawyers experience in high pressured law firm and what she did to transition her life and make it her mission to help others. To learn more about Caitlin McFee go to law-lifebalance.co.uk or her social media page @Caitlin.McFee

In this episode I uncover the full details on the SQE course which allows law students to finally qualify as lawyers without the heartache and burnouts. Skipping time and money on the LPC altogether and heading straight out into the legal world.

A new system has now come into place by the Solicitors Regulation Authority allowing law students to use their work experience gained over a 2 year period to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales.

For those who waited on a training contract after emptying their pockets on law school studies only to be left without paid employment the SQE course is a total game changer! Today Ben Davis from the SQE School shares with us his invaluable insights as to what the SQE is about, in particular:

1. What the SQE course involves;

2. What constitutes work experience and how far back you can claim;

3. If international lawyers can take the SQE;

4. Cost of course and payment plans involved;

5. The application itself and submitting it to SRA;

5. Course content and remote studying!

To listen to this podcast head over to your favourite platforms : Apple, Spotify and Audible or www.talkingrespect.com

Mohamed Lahna was born and raised in Casablanca Morocco from a humble background. Mohamed missing a femur was bullied and picked on as a young child. Instead of losing hope, he fought to get his first prosthetic leg and set out to represent his Country to become a Paralympic champion. In 2016, Mohamed won his medal competing in Paralympic Triathlon in Rio de Janeiro. Challenge after challenge, he speaks of the blood, sweat and tears as he set out across the Marathon de sables, a famous desert crossing in the Sahara that takes place over 6 day period - bandages wrapped around his hands and crutches to aid his walk he held on firmly to his faith as he crossed the finish line! Mohamed shares his winner mindset when he didn’t have the finances for a wheelchair to enter a competition, with the help of his good friend they built one together. Mohamed, a husband and a father residing in California works on the “Challenged Athletes Foundation” that offers funding to those that want to compete in sport and need the funding. A truly inspirational and feel good podcast filled with excitement, laughter and gripping adventure. Tune in via Apple, Spotify and Audible to hear this episode. To learn more about Mohamed Lahna visit his social media page @mohamedlahna

Tune in to hear insights from shipping expert, Marina Hadjipateras who is General Partner and Founder of Trail Mix Ventures based in New York. An early stage venture Capital firm reimagine the future of investments focuses on positive causes such as sustainability, next generation investments, mental health and woman focused co-working space “The Wing” and “Cityblock”. On the podcast, Marina speaks about leading the in house roadshow for $135m raised on behalf of 150 year old maritime business, advice on how to invest as new starter and how to reach out to TMV if your seeking an investment for a new impactful business and looking to scale. To learn more about TMV and their services reach out to www.TMV.VC or contact Marina Hadjipateras directly.

Robert Hanna is a High Profile legal recruiter in London, Founder and Managing Director of KC Partners, mentor and the Podcast host of Legally Speaking. On this podcast he shares with us his leading expertise of what you can do to get your application into the hands of recruiters by providing a personalised application (not a generic one), specifics things that you can do to stand out in interview when interviewing remotely and how to ensure you get the job you want in law. If you’re working on your CV and are unsure what to add to it, want to get ahead in your career or want to land a job in law then this is the podcast for you. We speak about mentoring and the benefits this has in getting ahead in your career. If you want to learn more on Robert Hanna tune into his podcast Legally Speaking or visit his social media @rob_law_kc

Sana is an award-winning, gender expert and women’s advocate. In 2016, she established Womenpreneur Initiative, an organisation with a community of 13,000 across 20 countries, that aims to advance women’s place in the entrepreneurial scene, technology, innovation & society. Through her work, Sana reached thousands of women, to drive visibility, social impact, and resources for women in the ecosystem and beyond. For the past 7 years, Sana advised the United Nations, European Commission, corporate institutions and organisations on gender issues. She helped draft several resolutions and recommendations on gender in New York, Bali, Geneva, and Paris and presented them to UN representatives. In this podcast Sana speaks about her journey and book “Invisible Women of the Middle East”, what inspired her to stand for women’s rights in MENA and what you can do to assist. If you want to learn more visit her social media @sanaafouaiz and her webpage www.womenpreneur-initiative.com

Dr. Nick Nwabueze is an allopathic trained Medical Physican who holds a keen interest in nutrition and fitness. He shares his science based views on the importance of muscle, on how we all, without mitigating factors, start to lose muscle from the age of 20 onwards and how working on muscle over a period of time can only do us good and increase our ability to live life. He discusses the impact of sleep deprivation on the human body and how this is linked to increased blood sugar levels. That sleep is one of the pillars of maintaining good health. He vulnerably shares his challenging experience of getting through medical school. He helpfully talks through his covid-19 experience and swears by his well invested health and fitness regime which helped him to overcome the virus at home. An episode filled with invaluable science and data, not to be missed! To learn more about Dr Nick and his focus on fitness, health, nutrition, and mindset visit his social media on Instagram @thefittestdoc.

Michelle Fonseca-Kamana is Principal Founder and Partner of West Coast Lemons Law Firm in California. Michelle proudly speaks of her brave move to start a new law firm just before the Pandemic hit in 2020. She speaks of empowering women through mentoring in hope to see more women stand up for themselves transitioning into happier roles at work and negotiating higher salaries. Michelle vulnerably shares her experience of imposter syndrome and prioritising work before family and friends milestone events. She shares insights including the importance of setting priorities to ensure a balance in work and life. Michelle speaks of the benefits of virtual working for her law practice and so much more. To learn about Michelle visit her webpage at www.westcoastlemons.com and her social media: @westcoastlemons

Vanessa Abou Sleiman a Speech Pathologist and Founder of The Communicator Lab from Australia shares her expertise on Bilingualism and how to identify speech problems from an early stage. Vanessa, originally from Lebanon helpfully speaks about her Vegan journey @V_gan_v and shares the types of Middle Eastern dishes that can be prepared using meat alternatives. If your interested in learning more about Speech pathology, want to try delicious vegan recipes with a Middle Eastern spin and learn about the benefits of fasting then this is the one for you. Vanessa is also a Co-author of the book “Women who Inspire”. To learn more about Vanessa Abou Sleiman you can visit her social media @thecommunicatorlab