The Thriving Lawyer

In episode 12 of Season Two, Kathleen Brenner and Carla Ferraz discuss the significance of reflective practice for lawyers, following their insightful interview in the previous episode with Professor Christian van Nieuwerburgh and David Love.

The episode explores themes from the duo's book on reflective practice, emphasizing its role as the missing piece for achieving performance and wellbeing.

Kathleen and Carla share personal experiences and offer practical tips on incorporating structured reflection into daily routines to help lawyers manage mindless busyness, overcome skepticism, and avoid rumination.

They highlight the importance of self-compassion and engaging in solution-focused reflection to create meaningful change. Tune in to learn how reflective practice can empower lawyers to thrive both in their professional and personal lives.

00:00 Introduction to The Thriving Lawyer Podcast

00:51 Reflecting on the Previous Episode

02:46 Carla's Journey with Reflective Practice

05:30 Implementing Reflective Practices with Clients

In episode 11 of season two of The Thriving Lawyer, hosts Kathleen Brenner and Carla Ferraz welcome  guests Professor Christian van Nieuwerburgh and leadership coach David Love.

The discussion centres around the value and integration of reflective practice and how it can be applied by lawyers.  

Professor van Nieuwerburgh and Love draw from their extensive expertise in coaching and positive psychology to explain how structured reflective practice can enhance lawyers' performance and wellbeing.

The episode explores practical applications, leadership roles in fostering a supportive environment, and the complementary relationship between reflective practice and coaching.

This episode is a must-listen for lawyers and professionals aiming to improve their practice and personal fulfillment.

GUEST PROFILES 

Prof. Christian van Nieuwerburgh (PhD) is an academic, consultant and executive coach. As Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology, he leads the Centre for Positive Health Sciences at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Ireland). In recognition of his contributions to the fields of positive psychology and coaching, he is Principal Fellow of the Centre for Wellbeing Science at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education of the University of Melbourne (Australia) and Honorary CollectivEd Fellow of the Carnegie School of Education at Leeds Beckett University (UK).

Christian is a certified executive coach and is well published in the academic literature on the topics of coaching and positive psychology. He has authored, co-authored and edited numerous books in the field of coaching, most notably An Introduction to Coaching Skills: A Practical Guide (2014, 2016, 2020). His latest books are Your Essential Guide to Effective Reflective Practice (2025, with David Love) and Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection (2025, with Robert Biswas-Diener). Follow Christian on Instagram (@coachonamotorcycle), on his YouTube channel (@coachonamotorcycle) and on his website (coachonamotorcycle.com).

David Love is a leadership coach with over 20 years’ experience of working with senior and
middle managers in UK public services (e.g. the NHS). He is also an experienced coach
supervisor, mentor and educator. Before becoming independent in 2013 he was Principal
Fellow at the Office for Public Management designing and leading projects with public
service organisations focusing on organisational and leadership development. Previous roles
included teaching and senior leadership positions in the post-16 education sector.
Reflective practice is at the heart of David’s approach to his work with clients and regular,
planned reflective practice is a central feature of a commitment to his own lifelong learning.
As an art-based practitioner he has established a habit of regular creative reflective practice
to explore his work and relationships with clients. In addition, David encourages clients to
create images or cartoons to enable them to explore the challenges and successes they
experience in their work.

David is an author and also contributes articles about coaching to journals and magazines,
focusing for example on creative approaches and paying attention to neurodiversity. He
describes himself as a “management cartoonist”’, using humour to encourage reflection
about the absurdities of organisational life. He is the resident cartoonist for the Association
for Coaching’s “Coaching Perspectives” magazine.

You can find their book 'Effective Reflective Practice: Improving Practice through Self-Reflection and Writing here.  

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions

01:08 Guest Backgrounds and Expertise

02:24 Reflective Practice and Its Importance

06:59 Defining Reflective Practice

23:57 The Cycle of Effective Reflective Practice

27:30 The Lawyer's Reflective Practice Experiment

29:52 Positive Psychology and Professional Wellbeing

31:48 Unique Challenges Faced by Lawyers

35:58 Implementing Reflective Practice in Busy Schedules

41:57 Creating a Supportive Organizational Culture

50:46 Reflective Practice and Coaching Synergy 55:45 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of The Thriving Lawyer, hosts Kathleen Brenner and Carla Ferraz discuss the concept of 'Flow' and its importance in the legal profession. They explore how physical environments can impact creativity and focus, share personal experiences, and offer practical tips on minimizing distractions to achieve a state of deep engagement.

The episode also introduces a new course designed to help lawyers reclaim their energy and improve their work-life balance through actionable steps and strategies.

00:00 Welcome to The Thriving Lawyer Podcast

01:01 Introduction to Flow

01:12 Creating a Productive Workspace

02:54 The Reality of Legal Work Today

05:08 Understanding Flow and Its Benefits

09:51 Barriers to Achieving Flow

12:59 Practical Tips for Lawyers to Achieve Flow

17:45 Introducing Our Course: Achieving Flow and Thriving as a Lawyer

Check out our on-demand seminar 'Achieving Flow and Thriving as a Lawyer' here. 

Embracing a Growth Mindset: Essential Strategies for Lawyers.

In Episode 9 of Season 2 of The Thriving Lawyer Podcast, hosts Kathleen Brenner and Carla Ferraz discuss the importance of adopting a growth mindset, specifically for lawyers. L

awyers often think they have a growth mindset, and that they understand the concept. However, misconceptions are common. Kathleen and Carla explore what a growth mindset REALLY is, and how lawyers can foster one.

They explore the transformation and change that can be locked by this single shift in mindset. They delve into the pressures and complexities of the legal profession and how a growth mindset can help lawyers navigate challenges and improve their practice.

With real-life examples and practical advice, they emphasize the role of self-reflection, experimentation, and resilience in professional and personal growth. The episode also highlights the importance of self-compassion and curiosity while offering tips for shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset. 00:00 Introduction to The Thriving Lawyer Podcast

00:55 Weekly Catch-Up and Mindset Reflection

03:46 Understanding Growth Mindset

05:48 Growth Mindset in the Legal Profession

08:32 Practical Tips for Developing a Growth Mindset

11:45 Overcoming Barriers to Growth Mindset

18:40 Course Introduction: Growth Mindset for Lawyers

20:40 Conclusion and Resources

The classic resource on growth mindsets comes from the work of Carol Dweck. We highly recommend her book 'Mindset: The New Psychology of Success'.

If you want to learn more about growth mindsets and how lawyers can foster them, you go deeper by exploring our one hour seminar 'The Lawyer's Growth Mindset'. 

In Episode 8 of Season 2 of the Thriving Lawyer Podcast, hosts Kathleen and Carla delve into why coaching skills are essential for lawyers.

Most lawyers think of coaching as something leaders and managers can use with their teams. This is of course very true - and coaching skills is most certainly an essential skill for legal leaders.

However, coaching skills can play a critical role far beyond team management. All lawyers can develop and use coaching skills to enhance client relationships, improve team collaboration, and foster personal growth - and wellbeing.

The episode highlights key coaching techniques such as active listening, powerful questioning, and maintaining a coaching mindset. Kathleen and Carla share their experiences and practical insights on how lawyers can integrate these skills into their practice to become more effective and trusted advisors.

If you enjoyed the episode and want to find out more, you can go deeper by completing our 1 hour seminar designed specifically for lawyers called 'Lawyer as Coach'.  The training is designed to equip lawyers with essential coaching skills. Depending on the requirements of your jurisdiction, this may be able to be claimed as CPD. Find the 'Lawyer as Coach' here: https://www.thrivinglawyer.com.au/store

00:00 Introduction to the Thriving Lawyer Podcast

00:18 The Importance of Coaching Skills for Lawyers

02:17 Why Coaching Skills Matter in Today's Professional World

03:29 Applying Coaching Skills in Legal Practice

11:34 Key Coaching Skills for Lawyers

18:06 Introducing the Lawyer as Coach Course

19:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources mentioned 

Michael Bungay Stanier, The Coaching Habit 

You can get our Guide to Thriving here 

In this episode, Carla Ferraz turns the tables on Kathleen, interviewing her about the changes she's made since discovering the power of coaching, and explores why she came up with the idea for the Thriving Lawyer.

Resources mentioned - Martin Seligman, Flourish.  

Check out and join the waitlist for our signature course here.  

Sign up to our newsletter here

Embracing the Future: Wellbeing, AI, and Human-Centric Leadership in Law In this episode of The Thriving Lawyer, hosts Kathleen Brenner and Carla Ferraz delve into insights from a recent conference in New York focused on coaching and leadership. The discussion covers crucial topics such as the decline in human performance vis-à-vis AI advancements, the critical role of wellbeing in organizational success, and innovative leadership strategies. They emphasize the importance of creativity, effective communication, and ethical AI integration in fostering resilient, high-performing teams. The episode also underscores the necessity for lawyers and legal managers to adapt to these evolving dynamics to thrive both professionally and personally. 00:00 Introduction to The Thriving Lawyer Podcast 00:50 Exploring Insights from the Uplift Conference 03:53 The Human Performance Crisis 11:30 The Rise of AI and the Manager's New Job 17:13 The Power of Creativity in the Workplace 25:41 Communication and Connection: Becoming a Super Communicator 32:24 Wellbeing as a Business Imperative 38:42 Embracing the Unknowns in Leadership 44:16 Conclusion and Upcoming Announcements

Key resources mentioned 

Uplift: https://www.betterup.com/built-for-growth

Podcast : 

Art and Flow: The Neuroaesthetics Revolution 

Books:  

Supercommunicators: The Power of Conversation and the Hidden Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg

Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us  by Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross 

Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters: The Science Behind Employee Happiness and Organizational Performance by Jan-Emmanuel De Neve & George Ward

Check out our signature Thriving Lawyer course at here.  

Join our newsletter here.  

Mastering Flow for Legal Peak Performance - Episode 5, Season 2 In this episode of The Thriving Lawyer Podcast, Kathleen Brenner and Carla Ferraz dive deep into the concept of 'flow' and how it serves as a secret weapon for achieving peak performance in the legal profession. They cover the importance of deep focus amidst the distractions of modern life and share practical strategies for achieving and maintaining flow. Listeners will learn about the challenges faced in a high-pressure legal environment, the stages of flow, and actionable tips to manage time and distractions effectively. The co-hosts discuss their personal experiences and offer insights from renowned experts in flow like Steven Kotler and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. They also emphasize the necessity of recovery and self-care to sustain peak performance. Whether you're a seasoned lawyer or new to the profession, this episode offers valuable advice for enhancing productivity and overall well-being. 00:00 Introduction to The Thriving Lawyer Podcast 00:50 Episode Introduction: The Flow State 04:14 Understanding Flow and Its Importance 06:33 Practical Tips for Achieving Flow 09:32 Stages of Flow and Legal Applications 15:32 Challenges and Solutions for Lawyers 26:42 Recovery and Sustaining Flow 31:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 31:34 Outro and Additional Resources https://www.thrivinglawyer.com.au/thrivinglawyercourse

In this episode of The Thriving Lawyer with Kathleen Brenner and Carla Ferraz, the duo dive into the PERMA Model from positive psychology to provide practical insights and actionable tips for lawyers so they can thrive, not just survive. As lawyers, and in the rest of their lives. They discuss how elements like Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment, along with the added factor of Health, can be applied to cultivate flourishing. The hosts share personal anecdotes and client experiences to illustrate how lawyers can easily apply the model in both their practice as lawyers and in the rest of their lives. They also highlight the significance of maintaining mental and physical well-being as foundational to thriving in the legal profession. 00:00 Introduction to The Thriving Lawyer Podcast 01:07 Episode Overview: Positive Psychology and the PERMA Model 01:42 Personal Updates and PERMA in Action 05:49 Foundations of Positive Psychology 09:21 Applying Positive Psychology in Legal Practice 12:27 The PERMA Elements 19:43 Practical Strategies for Positive Emotions 23:50 Achieving Flow and Deep Work 30:53 The Importance of Relationships 38:03 Finding Meaning and Purpose in Legal Work 46:49 The Role of Achievement and Growth Mindset 51:56 Prioritizing Health for Wellbeing 56:16 Practical Steps for Lawyers' Wellbeing 01:00:41 Conclusion and Resources Check out the Lawyer's Guide to thriving in 2025 at www.thrivinglawyer.com.au/guide

In episode three of season two of the Thriving Lawyer podcast, Kathleen Brenner and Carla Ferraz delve into the hidden obstacles preventing lawyers from thriving. They explore both cultural and individual barriers, such as societal factors and profession-specific challenges, that contribute to lawyer burnout.

The hosts provide practical strategies and real-world examples for identifying and addressing these obstacles. Key points discussed include the 'doing obsession,' the role of pessimism, and the prevalence of perfectionism among legal professionals. The episode emphasises the importance of self-reflection, setting boundaries, and gradual experimentation in overcoming these challenges to achieve well-being and professional satisfaction.

00:00 Introduction to Episode Three

00:13 Understanding Hidden Obstacles

01:49 Personal Check-In with Hosts

04:20 Statistics on Lawyer Burnout

05:40 Exploring Individual Obstacles

07:14 The Doing Obsession 35:06 Perfectionism in the Legal Profession

43:42 Practical Steps to Overcome Obstacles

47:53 Conclusion and Encouragement

Resources mentioned

For more on the 'Doing Obsession' refer to Brad Stulberg, The Practice of Groundedness: A Transformative Path to Success That Feeds--Not Crushes--Your Soul

For the classic article on why lawyers are unhappy, see: Seligman, Martin E P; Verkuil, Paul R; Kang, Terry H --- "Why Lawyers are Unhappy" [2005] DeakinLawRw 4; (2005) 10(1) Deakin Law Review 49 at 

For research on lawyer wellbeing see:

2021 International Bar Association report on Mental Wellbeing in the Legal Profession 

2019 Victorian Legal Services Report on Lawyer Wellbeing. https://lsbc.vic.gov.au/resources/2019-lawyer-wellbeing-project-report

Download Your  Free Lawyer's Guide to Thriving in 2025 here. 

See our Instagram here. 

You can find Kathleen on Linkedin here and Carla here.