How a Perfectionist Lawyer Learned to Stop Trying So Hard - with Kara McCarthy Perry

How a Perfectionist Lawyer Learned to Stop Trying So Hard - with Kara McCarthy Perry

What happens when the career you've spent decades building doesn't align with who you are? In this episode of the Wellness Esquire Podcast, Ariella Cohen Coleman sits down with Kara McCarthy Perry, a former Big Law and in-house attorney who transformed her career and life after realizing that success on paper wasn't enough. Kara shares her journey from corporate law to becoming a consultant, educator, mindfulness advocate, and a laughter yoga instructor. Ariella and Kara explore the pressures of legal practice, the challenge of balancing career ambitions with family life, and the moments that quietly signal it's time for change. Kara opens up about perfectionism, stress, parenting, meditation, yoga, and the powerful lessons she learned during the forced pause of the COVID-19 pandemic. This conversation is filled with wisdom for lawyers, professionals, and anyone questioning whether the path they're on still aligns with their values and purpose. From finding what truly feeds your soul to redefining success on your own terms, Kara's story is both inspiring and deeply relatable. Resources Mentioned: * Ziva Meditation (Emily Fletcher) [https://zivameditation.com/] * Jordana Confino [https://jordanaconfino.com/] * The Integrative Law Movement (J. Kim Wright) [https://integrativelaw.com/] * Lifebook Personal Development Program [https://www.mindvalley.com/lifebook] * Conscious Contracts® [https://consciouscontracts.com/] * TEDLaw [https://www.ted.com/law] About the guest:  Kara McCarthy Perry is a former attorney who spent more than two decades practicing law in both Big Law and in-house legal roles before transitioning into consulting, coaching, and teaching. Today, she helps organizations and leaders build healthier, more trust-based workplace cultures while advocating for mindfulness, well-being, and authentic leadership. Kara also teaches law students about negotiation, wellness, and professional development, and is passionate about helping legal professionals redefine success in a way that aligns with their values, purpose, and overall well-being.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-mccarthy-perry-jd-4442965/ Website: https://justbrilliantlife.com/ Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com [https://thewellnessesquire.com/] Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ [https://ariellaw.com/] Follow Ariella: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/ [https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/] * Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ [https://ariellacohencoleman.com/%5D(https://ariellacohencoleman.com/)]  Connect & Explore: * Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast [https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast] * Substack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/ [https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/ [https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/] Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a... We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2567434/fan_mail/new] Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com [https://thewellnessesquire.com/] Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ [https://ariellaw.com/] Follow Ariella: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/ [https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/] * Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ [https://ariellacohencoleman.com/%5D(https://ariellacohencoleman.com/)]  Connect & Explore: * Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast [https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast] * Substack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/ [https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/ [https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/] Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a...

How to Build a Multi-Million Dollar Practice While Maintaining Boundaries - with Heather Moulder

What does it take to walk away from a multi-million dollar law practice - and build something even better? In this episode, Ariella Coleman sits down with Heather Moulder, a former finance attorney turned lawyer wellbeing coach, to talk about the pivotal moments that forced Heather to reimagine her career, her identity, and her life. Heather shares her journey from a miserable associate at a hierarchical Texas law firm, to building a thriving book of business as a partner, to facing a stage-threatening breast cancer diagnosis at age 38 - and how each of those experiences planted seeds for a completely different way of practicing law and living life. If you're a lawyer who suspects there's a better way but can't quite see the path, this conversation will help you find it. About the guest:  Heather Moulder is a former big law finance partner who built and led a multi-million dollar practice before leaving to become a lawyer wellbeing and business development coach. She is the founder of Course Correction Coaching and host of her own podcast. She works with lawyers to clarify their values, build boundaries, develop authentic business development strategies, and create careers and lives that actually feel good - without sacrificing professional excellence. Resources Mentioned: * Connect with Heather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermoulder [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermoulder]   * Work with Heather: https://www.coursecorrectioncoaching.com [https://www.coursecorrectioncoaching.com/] * Listen to Heather's Podcast: https://www.lifeandlawpodcast.com/ [https://www.lifeandlawpodcast.com/] We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2567434/fan_mail/new] Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com [https://thewellnessesquire.com/] Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ [https://ariellaw.com/] Follow Ariella: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/ [https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/] * Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ [https://ariellacohencoleman.com/%5D(https://ariellacohencoleman.com/)]  Connect & Explore: * Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast [https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast] * Substack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/ [https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/ [https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/] Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a...

How to Build a Law Firm When You Have No Experience and No Confidence - with Bradley Miller

On this episode of The Wellness Esquire Podcast, Ariella Cohen Coleman chats with Bradley Miller, a solo practitioner and M&A attorney who has built a practice focused on freedom and value over the billable hour. They explored Bradley's journey from being a "reluctant solo" fresh out of law school to becoming an intentional "freedompreneur." Bradley shares how he transitioned from hourly billing to value-based flat fees, the importance of setting hard boundaries—like turning his phone off at 5 PM—and why decoupling your identity from your profession is the ultimate key to happiness in the legal field. Guest Info: Bradley Miller, M&A Attorney and Solo Practice Mentor Follow Bradley Miller: * Website: www.newmodernlawyer.com [https://www.newmodernlawyer.com] * Follow him on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleymiller/] * Follow him on Substack [https://newmodernlawyer.substack.com/] Resources / Links Mentioned: * New Modern Lawyer [https://www.newmodernlawyer.com]  * New Fangled Lawyers Podcast [https://www.newfangledlawyers.com] We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2567434/fan_mail/new] Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com [https://thewellnessesquire.com/] Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ [https://ariellaw.com/] Follow Ariella: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/ [https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/] * Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ [https://ariellacohencoleman.com/%5D(https://ariellacohencoleman.com/)]  Connect & Explore: * Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast [https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast] * Substack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/ [https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/ [https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/] Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a...

How to Work Like You Vacation (and Why You Should) - with Gwen Griggs and Whitney Harper

On this episode of The Wellness Esquire Podcast, Ariella Cohen Coleman chats with Gwen Griggs and Whitney Harper, founders of Advos Legal, for their second appearance on the pod! They explore the wild idea of 'working the way you vacation' by ditching the legal industry's obsession with the misery competition and the billable hour. Gwen and Whitney share their journey of building a firm grounded in human-centric processes, learning from early practice 'disasters,' and why setting firm boundaries actually leads to more profitable business outcomes. They also cover the very important topic of what they wear “at the office” and how they handle OOO messages. Guest Info Gwen Griggs & Whitney Harper Founders of Advos Legal Follow Gwen & Whitney: * Website: https://www.advocos.com [https://www.advocos.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwengriggs/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwengriggs/] Resources / Links Mentioned * Winning the Week by Demir and Carey Bentley — https://lifehackmethod.com/book/ [https://lifehackmethod.com/book/] * The Way We're Working Isn't Working by Tony Schwartz — https://theenergyproject.com/books/the-way-were-working-isnt-working/ [https://theenergyproject.com/books/the-way-were-working-isnt-working/] * Tonal Home Gym — https://www.tonal.com [https://www.tonal.com/] We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2567434/fan_mail/new] Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com [https://thewellnessesquire.com/] Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ [https://ariellaw.com/] Follow Ariella: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/ [https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/] * Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ [https://ariellacohencoleman.com/%5D(https://ariellacohencoleman.com/)]  Connect & Explore: * Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast [https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast] * Substack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/ [https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/ [https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/] Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a...

The General Counsel Who Missed His Son’s Greatest Play for an Email He Can’t Remember - with Matthew Campobasso

On this episode of The Wellness Esquire Podcast, Ariella Cohen Coleman chats with Matthew Campobasso, a seasoned litigator and legal executive who reached the pinnacle of his career only to find it felt surprisingly empty. Matt shares what it was like to reach an incredible level or success and receiving all the recognition he could want, and yet wondering, "Is this it?" This realization sparked a journey of intense self-reflection, therapy, and a shift from being a "savior" who runs through walls to a leader who prioritizes internal validation over external accolades. The conversation dives deep into the concept of "lawyer brain" - the hyper-analytical programming that often turns every personal interaction into a problem-solving mission. Matthew shares a story about missing his son's milestone football play because of an email he can no longer remember, illustrating the high cost of professional “urgency.” They discuss the danger of "outsourcing" self-worth and the necessity of building an internal core of value. Matthew also details his evolution into creating his Substack and podcast, each carrying the name The Case For…, and to authoring his new book, The Case For Letting Go, which explores identity, renewal, and releasing the illusion of control. Guest Bio Matthew Campobasso is an experienced attorney with a 20-year career spanning government prosecution, Big Law, and executive leadership as a Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel. As an Adjunct Professor at UIC Law, he challenges students to master the new essentials: adaptability, ethical clarity, commercial fluency, and critical AI literacy. Recently recognized as one of the Top 40 Legal Innovators, Matthew is also the host of The Case For... podcast, featuring candid conversations with lawyers and creative thinkers making the case for what truly matters to their purpose and their people. His forthcoming book, The Case for Letting Go (2026), and his original screenplay, Another Life, explore identity, renewal, and releasing the illusion of control. A dedicated practitioner of Stoicism and meditation, Matthew focuses on judgment over impulse and purpose over noise, believing that in uncertain moments, composure creates credibility. Resources Mentioned * LinkedIn: Matthew Campobasso [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrc1921/] * Substack: The Case For… [https://thecaseforlettinggo.substack.com/] * Podcast: The Case For... [https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMGI2ZjU4MDQvcG9kY2FzdC9yc3M] * Book: The Case for Letting Go: How to Find Balance In A World That Rewards Burnout [https://a.co/d/0a6B0voz] We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2567434/fan_mail/new] Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com [https://thewellnessesquire.com/] Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ [https://ariellaw.com/] Follow Ariella: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/ [https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/] * Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ [https://ariellacohencoleman.com/%5D(https://ariellacohencoleman.com/)]  Connect & Explore: * Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast [https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcast] * Substack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/ [https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/ [https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/] Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a...