The Rainmaking Podcast

In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Jessica Rhodes, founder of Interview Connections, about how professionals can leverage podcast guest appearances to boost visibility, build credibility, and attract more clients. Jessica explains why guesting on podcasts is one of the most scalable, evergreen ways for professionals to share their expertise and develop trust with prospective clients. Unlike one-time events or short-form posts, podcast interviews allow audiences to hear your voice, connect emotionally, and consume your content over time—often leading to deeper engagement and qualified leads.

Jessica outlines the steps to get started, including creating a compelling one-sheet, identifying shows that reach your ideal audience, and delivering value without being overly promotional. She also shares how to repurpose podcast content for email, social media, and outreach to prospects and clients. For rainmakers and service professionals looking for a high-impact visibility strategy, this episode offers a roadmap to becoming a sought-after podcast guest.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:

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Jessica Rhodes founded Interview Connections, the world’s first and leading podcast booking agency in 2013, back when no other agencies like it existed. Since its founding, Interview Connections has booked over 30,000 podcast interviews for over 800 clients! Jessica is passionate about helping entrepreneurs who feel like the best-kept secret grow their business online through genuine, human-to-human connection. The podcast interviews Jessica and her team have booked have helped their clients generate millions of dollars in sales, sell thousands of books, and transform countless lives.

Links:

https://interviewconnections.com/prep-checklist/

https://www.instagram.com/interviewconnections/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rhodes-9a291020/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=8227848

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Chuck Curtis, legal industry consultant and former director of lateral partner hiring at Pillsbury, about navigating the complexities of law firm partner compensation. With decades of experience at firms like Latham & Watkins and PricewaterhouseCoopers, Chuck shares practical insights into how law firms determine partner pay and how legal recruiters can facilitate more successful negotiations.

Chuck emphasizes the importance of establishing clear communication between firms and candidates early in the process, particularly around compensation expectations. He explains why compensation is rarely the only factor in a lateral move, but often becomes the deciding one. Chuck also highlights the role of guarantees, performance incentives, and market perception in shaping offers, while addressing the delicate balance firms must maintain between attracting talent and preserving internal equity.

This episode provides valuable advice for law firm leaders, recruiters, and lateral partners on how to approach partner compensation negotiations strategically, ensuring outcomes that are beneficial for all parties.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:

https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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Chuck Curtis is a dynamic professional with nearly 40 years of professional services experience, including as Senior Director of Attorney Recruiting at Pillsbury from 2007 until his retirement in 2023. Shortly thereafter he began his own coaching/consulting practice utilizing his deep expertise and industry knowledge to consult with law firms regarding upgrading their partner hiring and integration processes, including aligning firm leadership with practice section leadership and recruiting leadership to developing winning hiring strategies and practices. He also provides strategic coaching to partners, associates, high level internal recruiting leaders and external legal recruiters.

Links:

https://clcurtis31consulting.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-curtis-7461a39

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Anna Rappaport, business development strategist and legal industry expert, about how lawyers and professionals can create a sustainable rainmaking strategy. Anna emphasizes that business development isn’t about quick wins—it’s about building long-term habits that generate consistent client opportunities. She explains that many professionals struggle with rainmaking because they approach it as a task rather than an ongoing practice. By shifting to a strategic, relationship-focused mindset, professionals can create a steady pipeline of new business while avoiding burnout.

Key topics include how to develop a repeatable business development routine, the importance of balancing proactive outreach with deepening existing client relationships, and why focusing on ideal clients leads to better long-term results. Anna also shares insights on how to track business development progress, the role of thought leadership in building credibility, and why professionals should prioritize meaningful conversations over high-volume networking. Additionally, she discusses how firms can support attorneys in their rainmaking efforts by fostering a culture of business development. This episode provides practical, actionable strategies for professionals looking to develop a long-term, sustainable approach to rainmaking.

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:

https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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Anna Rappaport, JD, is the founder of Excelleration Coaching. She is a former lawyer with 25 years of experience coaching individual lawyers on career strategy, making partner, lateral moves and business development. Her work with law firms and practice groups includes strategic planning, teamwork and communication. Anna publishes regularly in the ABA's Law Practice Today and other bar publications, and speaks around the country on various career and business development topics. She is a member of the Maryland and Washington, D.C. bars. Anna is also a former Tango dancer and snow-boarding instructor, both of which have surprising relevance for business communications.

Anna supports lawyers to thrive in all aspects of their careers. See here for more information.

For more information specifically about Anna's approach to Business Development for Lawyers, see here.

If you would like to schedule a free-30 30-minute consultation with Anna, you can do so here.

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Hy Pomerance, Chief Talent Officer at Vinson & Elkins, about developing rainmakers within law firms and professional organizations. Hy, a psychologist by training, shares insights on how firms can foster a rainmaking culture from the earliest stages of a lawyer’s career—starting as early as the summer associate level. He explains that business development isn’t just about technical expertise but about building habits of networking, trust-building, and thought leadership. By embedding rainmaking principles into a firm’s culture, professionals can develop the skills necessary for long-term success.

Key topics include the core competencies of successful rainmakers, such as active listening, curiosity, and trustworthiness, and how early exposure to networking and client engagement helps build these skills over time. Hy discusses the importance of internal networking within a firm, how firms can gamify business development training to make it engaging, and why associates should be encouraged to proactively seek work opportunities to develop their confidence. He also explores how partners can mentor younger attorneys by bringing them along to client meetings, pitches, and conferences. Additionally, Hy shares best practices for keeping in touch with clients without being intrusive, reinforcing the importance of consistent, relationship-driven outreach. This episode provides a structured roadmap for firms looking to develop the next generation of rainmakers and create a culture of proactive business development.

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:

https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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Hy Pomerance joined Vinson & Elkins in November 2021 and oversees the firm’s human resources, reward and benefits, legal recruiting, talent development and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion functions. Working closely with firm leadership, Hy is responsible for developing and delivering the firm’s talent and culture strategy. Prior to Vinson & Elkins, he was Chief Talent Officer at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton. Hy brings 25 years of strategic talent and change experience. He was Chief HR Officer for NY Life Insurance Company and Global Managing Director of Talent at UBS. As a clinical psychologist and senior business executive, Hy brings a unique blend of skills and experience to the firm.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hy-pomerance-58023a14/

https://www.velaw.com/people/hy-pomerance/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Terry Isner, founder of Jaffe PR, about how professionals can stand out in high-stakes pitch meetings and beauty contests. Terry shares insights on why traditional sales pitches fail and explains that buyers already know a firm’s expertise before the meeting. Instead of focusing on credentials, firms should prioritize building connections, demonstrating authenticity, and showing why they’re the best fit for a long-term partnership. He emphasizes that engagement, creativity, and emotional connection are key factors that set winning firms apart.

Key topics include how to structure a pitch for engagement, ensuring that every team member has a voice rather than relying on a single partner to lead the meeting. Terry also discusses the importance of storytelling in pitches, using real-life client success stories to create memorable, relatable, and impactful presentations. He shares strategies for making pitches interactive and dynamic, avoiding static PowerPoint slides, and leaving prospects with a lasting impression through creative branding elements. Additionally, Terry introduces the concept of emotional marketing, explaining how personal stories, humor, and vulnerability help build trust and differentiate a firm from competitors. This episode provides practical strategies for professionals looking to transform their approach to pitching and dramatically improve their win rates.

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:

https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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A marketing philosopher, brand consultant and dynamic speaker for the legal industry, Terry M. Isner is known as “the empathy man” because of his humanistic approach to business strategy. Whereas many business professionals overlook compassion as part of the branding equation, Terry believes humanism is essential to a firm's success in today’s socially conscious environment. As Terry says, “If humanity gets left out of the board room, nobody wins.”

In the world of legal marketing, Terry fulfills a niche as a business strategist with an extensive background as an award-winning creative director and artist. This unique mix of creative and analytical thinking makes him more likely to set trends than follow them. In fact, Terry often draws inspiration from other industries to formulate new approaches to legal marketing, PR and branding. He also stays current on the latest trends in technology to devise ways to leverage innovation to advance brands.

Terry’s philosophical approach to business is just that – a philosophy. Bringing concepts such as creativity, inclusion and compassion into corporate culture is a reflection of the world we live in. Firms that fail to be cognizant of such issues risk damage to their reputations and devaluation of their brands. Terry helps preserve brand equity by helping firms adapt to these changing times and sharing their unique stories in creative ways across multiple channels, including print, digital and social media. He also uses his passion and expertise to empower marketers to be effective agents of change within their own organizations and help drive their firm’s sales, branding and culture.

Increasingly, employees desire an employer that emphasizes a culture of diversity and compassion. This trend is accelerating as significant generational shifts ignite change in the workplace. Terry specializes in helping firms maintain a cohesive culture and navigate generational change through creative internal campaigns, unique team-building activities and community engagement opportunities that foster camaraderie at all levels.

Links:

https://www.jaffepr.com/our-team/terry-m-isner

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharingtmi/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Amy Malo, professional certified coach, about navigating career transitions with clarity, courage, and confidence. Amy, who has extensive experience in both internal and third-party legal recruiting, shares insights on how professionals can take control of their careers rather than simply following opportunities that come their way. She explains that career inflection points—moments when professionals feel misaligned with their work—are natural and should be seen as opportunities for reassessment and growth.

Key topics include recognizing the signs of an inflection point, conducting self-assessments to identify core values, key skills, and ideal work environments, and creating a career plan similar to a business strategy. Amy discusses the importance of choosing rather than feeling trapped in a career path, reframing career decisions with intentionality, and managing external pressures from family or societal expectations. She also shares actionable strategies for professionals considering a lateral move, including how to evaluate opportunities, align career choices with long-term goals, and avoid the pitfalls of counteroffers. This episode provides a structured approach to career management for professionals seeking fulfillment, growth, and long-term success.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:

https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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As an Executive and Career Coach, Strategic Talent Management Consultant, and Experienced Recruiter with over three decades in the legal field, I empower clients to navigate challenges, set meaningful goals, and actualize their professional aspirations with clarity, courage, and confidence.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-berenson-mallow/

https://talent-success.org/

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:

https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Charlene Gisele, professional coach and burnout prevention expert, about how high-performing professionals—especially in the legal industry—can prevent burnout and thrive in their careers. Charlene shares her insights on recognizing the early warning signs of burnout, such as behavioral changes, strained relationships, and physical health issues, emphasizing that burnout doesn't happen overnight but leaves "breadcrumbs" along the way. She explains that by noticing these subtle shifts early, professionals can take proactive steps to prevent burnout before it leads to serious health or personal consequences.

Key topics include identifying behavioral shifts like increased reliance on unhealthy coping mechanisms, the impact of burnout on relationships and team dynamics, and practical strategies for sustainable recovery. Charlene outlines adaptive behaviors such as prioritizing quality sleep, engaging in physical activities, and adopting mindful practices like meditation and self-hypnosis. She also highlights the importance of treating personal health like a business by tracking key health metrics and conducting regular behavioral audits. This episode offers actionable advice for rainmakers and high achievers looking to balance intense workloads with sustainable, healthy lifestyles.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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At Charlène Gisèle®, I partner with professionals and leading organisations to achieve sustainable high-performance and burnout prevention.

🔹 Our Approach: Using our unique and CPD accredited ‘Sustainable High Performance' method, clients achieve enhanced well-being and productivity, balancing personal and professional lives.

🔹 Experience-Driven: My background as a Big Law litigator, combined with Master certifications in NLP, Business, and Health Coaching, shapes our tailored guidance.

🔹 Recognition: Our methods have been featured in leading publications such as the The Financial Times, The Times, and BBC Radio.

Client Benefits:

✅ Burnout Prevention: Tailored strategies for industry-specific challenges.

✅ Leadership Growth: Unlocking leadership potential.

✅ Emotional Resilience: Strategies to maintain composure and performance in high-pressure environments.

✅ Speaking Engagements: Delivering Award-winning keynotes on well-being and performance.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charl%C3%A8ne-gis%C3%A8le-bourliout/

https://charlenegisele.com/

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:

https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Janet Falk, founder of Falk Communications, about how professionals can maximize their time and networking opportunities at conferences. Janet shares expert strategies for preparing before an event, engaging effectively during the conference, and following up afterward to build lasting business relationships. She emphasizes that conferences are not just about attending sessions but about making meaningful connections that can lead to new business and valuable referrals.

Key topics include how to research and reach out to key attendees and speakers in advance, using LinkedIn and membership directories to set up meetings, and leveraging informal networking opportunities such as coffee breaks, meals, and receptions. Janet also shares practical tips on asking insightful questions during panel discussions, strategically using business cards and branded materials, and following up with personalized messages to maintain relationships after the event. This episode provides a comprehensive framework for professionals looking to turn conferences into powerful business development opportunities.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Janet Falk, Ph.D., is a Communications professional with more than 30 years of experience in-house, as a consultant and at public relations agencies. As Chief Strategist at Falk Communications and Research (www.JanetLFalk.com), she advises attorneys at small law firms and with a solo practice on Media Relations and Marketing Communications to: attract new clients, remain top of mind with prior clients, keep in touch with referral sources, help recruit associates, generate a news story about litigation that puts pressure on opposing counsel and achieve business goals. Janet leads workshops on these topics and advises on media relations, website, LinkedIn profile, articles in non-legal industry trade publications and client newsletters, among other areas. She has published articles on Media Relations and Marketing in The New York Law Journal, The New Jersey Law Journal and Marketing the Law Firm and is a frequent speaker on webinars and podcasts about Public Relations, Networking and Legal Marketing. Speak with her for a complimentary Strategic Communication Session (30-minute consultation) to assess your Communications activity and online presence. She guarantees TWO IDEAS.

Links:

Website: https://www.Janetlfalk.com

Subscribe to monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/2MNB11W

http://www.linkedin.com/in/janetlfalk

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:

https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with David Ackert, business development expert and author of The Short List, about how professionals can focus on high-value relationships to grow their book of business. David explains the concept of applying the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) to networking, where 80% of results come from just 20% of relationships. By identifying and nurturing a select group of key clients, referral sources, and prospects, professionals can maximize their impact without wasting time on low-yield connections.

Key topics include defining a "short list" of 9 to 35 key relationships, strategically engaging with those contacts to drive business opportunities, and using data-backed insights to optimize networking efforts. David shares practical steps on how to track and maintain these relationships, ensuring consistent follow-up and meaningful engagement. He also highlights the importance of relationship-building over transactional networking and explains how to create authentic connections that lead to long-term success. This episode provides a clear, structured approach to business development for professionals looking to streamline their efforts and see measurable results.

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David is Co-Founder and CEO of Ackert, Inc. and its subsidiary, PipelinePlus. He is a highly regarded business development thought leader. Over the past two decades, David has pioneered revenue acceleration programs for hundreds of professional services firms around the globe.

He is the founder of several groundbreaking ventures in the industry, including Legal Lift, the MLR100, the MLR200, BDI, numerous Managing Partner Roundtables, and the PipelinePlus software suite. His programs have won “Your Honor Awards” in both the U.S. and Canada, and his software has been featured in NLJ’s “Technologies on the Rise.” David regularly keynotes at partner retreats and speaks at industry conferences. He also serves as a guest lecturer at USC’s Marshall School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, and at the UCLA School of Law.

David is the author of The Short List: How to Drive Business Development by Focusing on the People who Matter Most, published by Greenleaf. He has contributed quotes and articles to numerous media including the Los Angeles Times, the National Review, the Daily Journal, the Wall Street Journal, Above the Law, Attorney at Work, Law.com, The Recorder, and the Los Angeles Business Journal. His Market Leaders Podcast has won several JD Supra Reader’s Choice Awards.

David volunteers as a Big Brother with the Big Brothers and Sisters program in Los Angeles. He is also the co-founder of Voices in Harmony, a mentoring organization that has worked with at-risk youth around the globe. He co-produced and appeared in the documentary film, “After Kony: Staging Hope,” chronicling mentoring programs he helped to design and facilitate for former child soldiers in Northern Uganda. The film was used as part of an awareness-raising campaign that raised millions of dollars for health and education in underserved Ugandan communities. David’s charitable work earned the “Difference Maker” award from one of his alma maters, Ithaca College.

David holds a master’s in psychology and is a Fellow at the College of Law Practice Management.

Links:

Order The Short List here: https://pipelineplus.com/theshortlist/

www.PipelinePlus.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidackert/

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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:

https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Mark C. Fava, a seasoned aviation lawyer, retired Navy captain, and author of Lessons from the Admiral, about how to build a thriving legal practice from the ground up. Mark shares the story of how he pivoted from being Delta Airlines' chief operations attorney during 9/11 to returning to private practice in South Carolina—where he had to start over and build his book of business from scratch.

Mark outlines the deliberate strategies he used to position himself as the go-to aviation lawyer in his region, including writing targeted articles, speaking at niche conferences, and becoming a visible and reliable contributor in key legal associations. He explains how volunteering for the least desirable job (like fundraising for an ABA section) helped fast-track his leadership credibility and ultimately led to speaking engagements and board positions. He also discusses how publishing thought leadership—no matter how small the outlet—boosted his visibility and credibility over time, attracting both clients and media.

Mark emphasizes the importance of aligning your brand with your passions, targeting specific niches where you can own mindshare, and focusing on long-term relationship-building over short-term gains. He shares tactical advice for new rainmakers, including how to leverage Google search visibility, create a content calendar, and cultivate media relationships through punchy, quotable commentary.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Mark C. Fava is a career aviation lawyer and retired naval flight officer. He is a prolific writer and entertaining speaker. Mark retired from the US Navy as a captain, having commanded three units, including an aviation squadron. He has been a law firm partner and a corporate executive lawyer. As a law school adjunct professor, he has also taught aviation law and legal writing.

Mark was the chief operations attorney at Delta Air Lines on 9/11 and spent years in the Navy’s P-3 Orion chasing Soviet submarines. He has practiced law for over thirty years and is currently a vice president at the world’s largest aerospace company.

He lives in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and three daughters. When not working, reading, or writing, Mark enjoys life in the low country and appreciates a cold glass of sweet tea in the summer and a good oyster roast in the fall.

His first book, “Lessons from the Admiral, Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders” was an Amazon New Release Bestseller in January of 2025.

Links:

https://markcfava.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcfava/

Order Mark’s book, Lessons from the Admiral, here: https://a.co/d/bg9tc6Q

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