So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People

Stop Pitching, Start Helping This Summer (Minis with Megan)

Business development doesn't have to start with a sales pitch - it starts with a conversation. In this mini episode with Megan Senese, we explore why the most effective networking isn't about selling yourself or asking for work. It's about getting curious, building genuine relationships, and showing up with a simple question: How can I help? Megan shares the outreach strategy that transformed stage's first year of business and offers a simple challenge to help you build meaningful connections this summer. Who this episode is for: * Lawyers looking for a more authentic approach to business development * Professionals who feel uncomfortable reaching out to new contacts * Anyone who worries networking feels too transactional * People wanting to grow their network through genuine relationships rather than sales Episode takeaways: * Business development begins with relationships, not sales * Most people are far more open to connecting than we assume * A simple, thoughtful outreach often works better than a perfectly crafted pitch * Asking "How can I help?" creates stronger, more memorable relationships * Small, intentional conversations today can become opportunities tomorrow What to do this summer to build your network: * Reach out to someone new: Invite them to a 15-20 minute virtual coffee or meet-and-greet. * Lead with curiosity: Ask about their work, their interests, and what's keeping them busy. * End every conversation by asking, "How can I help?": You may be surprised by the answer. * Remember what matters to them: Take notes and follow up later on the things they shared. * Plant seeds now: Thoughtful relationships built during slower seasons often grow into meaningful opportunities later. Stay Connected: At stage, we believe the strongest business development strategy isn't about selling, it's about building trust one conversation at a time. We help lawyers create relationship-first approaches that feel natural, authentic, and sustainable. The next meaningful opportunity probably isn't waiting in your inbox. Send the note. Start the conversation. Build the relationship. * Learn more about stage [https://stage.guide/] * Connect with Megan Senese  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/] * Connect with Jennifer Ramsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferramseysd/] Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.

The Bad Boss Episode: Mita Mallick on Toxic Workplaces, Burnout, and Boundaries

“If anyone takes anything out of today's conversation, it's you gotta find ways to recharge and replenish so you can go back to work and make impact.” - Mita Mallick Why do so many smart, capable people stay in unhealthy work environments? And why do bad bosses seem to exist in every industry? In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey are joined by Mita Mallick, bestselling author, workplace culture expert, and speaker on a mission to make work more human. Drawing from the stories in her book The Devil Emails at Midnight, Mita shares why toxic leadership is often enabled by systems, why self-awareness is the foundation of great leadership, and how many high achievers unknowingly normalize unhealthy behavior. This conversation unpacks everything from micromanagers and "rainmakers" to people-pleasing, burnout, and the surprising ways our childhood experiences can shape the bosses we tolerate. If you’ve ever given a bad boss a code name, this episode is for you. You’ll hear about: * Why Mita believes bad bosses aren't born, they're made * The essential role self-awareness plays in becoming a better leader * How organizations unintentionally protect toxic high performers * Why fear creates short-term results but destroys culture over time * Why people often normalize unhealthy workplace behavior * The importance of boundaries in a 24/7 world * Why taking care of yourself isn't selfish, it's good leadership * What Mita is exploring in her upcoming book, Office Villains About Mita Mallick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822/]: Mita Mallick is a bestselling author, speaker, workplace culture expert, and business leader focused on creating more human, inclusive organizations. She is the author of The Devil Emails at Midnight and Reimagine Inclusion, and her work has been featured by major organizations and media outlets around the world. Through her writing, coaching, and speaking, Mita helps leaders build self-awareness, navigate change, and create healthier workplaces. Learn More: * Mita’s Website [https://www.mitamallick.com/] * Check out Mita’s books [https://www.mitamallick.com/book] This episode is brought to you by: Latitude Legal [https://latitudelegal.com/] In partnership with Latitude Legal, stage offers four free business development sessions for any lawyer returning from parental leave. We call it Corduroy. It is open to any lawyer. We know how challenging it can be to be a working parent, and this is our way of giving back to the legal community through business development support. If you are interested in learning more about Corduroy for yourself or your team, you can email us at info@stage.guide. Thank you to Latitude Legal and Kyle Robisch for being the sole partner supporting our Corduroy initiative. They recognize the importance of supporting working parents in the legal industry and are generously underwriting this program. To learn more, visit www.latitudelegal.com [http://www.latitudelegal.com] or contact Kyle directly at KRobisch@latitudelegal.com. Stay Connected: Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.  Want to go deeper? Curious about 1:1 coaching with Megan or Jen? Or want the inside scoop on stage? Hit us up below, we’d love to chat! * Learn more about stage [https://stage.guide/] * Connect with Megan Senese [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/]  * Connect with Jennifer Ramsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferramseysd/]

What Are You Really Building? (Minis with Megan)

As we celebrate 50 episodes of So Much To Say, we're reflecting on a question that has quietly shaped many of our conversations surrounding the legal industry: * What are you really building? Often it goes beyond just a book of business.  * A successful law practice that helps and connects people? * A stronger reputation that adds purpose?  * More autonomy? * More freedom? In this special mini episode, Megan explores why milestones matter, the surprising power of conversation, and the question many professionals never stop long enough to ask themselves:  If you keep building exactly what you're building today, where does it lead? Who this episode is for: * Lawyers questioning what success actually means to them * Professionals who have achieved external success but feel unfulfilled * Firm owners and legal marketers seeking more autonomy and purpose * Anyone wondering whether they're building a life they truly want Episode takeaways: * Milestones are an opportunity to pause and reflect * Success means different things to different people * Joy and purpose can exist inside your work, too * Building a meaningful career requires intention, not just momentum * Pause and reflect: What would your milestone look like? * Define your version of success: Don't inherit someone else's definition * Ask yourself what you're really building: Money, freedom, reputation, impact, or something else? * Reconnect with joy: Identify the parts of your work that energize you * Celebrate your milestones: They deserve acknowledgment  * Choose purpose intentionally: Small decisions compound into the life you're creating * Keep building with intention: Because where you're headed matters just as much as how hard you're working Stay Connected: * Learn more about stage [https://stage.guide/] * Connect with Megan Senese [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/]  * Connect with Jennifer Ramsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferramseysd/] Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.

The Upside of Both: Lessons from In-House and Private Practice (with Global Franchise Lawyer, Brittany Johnson)

“The goal was never to be the department of ‘no’. The goal was to find a way for the business to proceed while identifying the risks that you are willing to take and those that you are not.” - Brittany Johnson What do in-house lawyers actually want from outside counsel? After spending more than a decade inside one of the most recognizable brands in the world, Brittany Johnson has a surprisingly clear, and uncomplicated, answer. In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey sit down with Brittany Johnson to talk about her journey from Big Law associate to leading licensing and expansion work at a global brand, and why she recently made the decision to return to private practice. Along the way, Brittany shares what life inside a global brand really looked like, the lessons she learned working alongside business leaders, and why the best outside counsel don't just identify risks, they stand by their team and share in the responsibility of all decisions made. You’ll hear about: * Why Brittany left her "dream job" to begin a new chapter * The anxiety dream that perfectly captured career transitions * What surprised her most about moving from private practice to in-house * Why in-house lawyers are rarely the most important voice in the room * The difference between identifying risks and helping businesses make decisions * The business development mistakes that immediately turn in-house counsel off * Why relationships with in-house lawyers are often a long game * What outside counsel can do to become indispensable partners * The brands Brittany is watching right now * How a non-billable assignment changed the course of her career forever About Brittany Johnson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-johnson-09a2443/]: Brittany Johnson is a franchise and licensing attorney with more than a decade of experience spanning both private practice and in-house legal leadership. Throughout her career, she has advised brands on growth, expansion, licensing, and strategic partnerships, helping businesses navigate complex legal and commercial challenges. Today, Brittany brings her unique perspective as both a former in-house business partner and outside counsel to help emerging and established brands grow thoughtfully and sustainably. Her practice focuses on franchising, licensing, and building practical legal solutions that support business objectives. Learn More: * Franchising for Dummies [https://www.amazon.com/Franchising-Dummies-Michael-H-Seid/dp/0470045817] This episode is brought to you by: Vista Consulting [https://vistact.com/] Vista Consulting helps law firms navigate the rapidly shifting landscape of private equity and MSO-driven transactions. They serve as strategic advisors to firms preparing for acquisition, merger, or partnership, strengthening operations, aligning leadership, and pressure-testing financial performance. Their hands-on experience ensures firms enter the market organized, confident, and positioned to maximize value when it matters most for long-term success ahead. For more information, check out their Law Firm Owner’s Guide to PE Readiness here [https://ss-usa.s3.amazonaws.com/c/308482259/media/191669ef98ecb8d7409745193664477/Vista_PE_Readiness_Guide.pdf] or explore Vista Consulting’s M&A advisory services [https://vistact.com/mergers-acquisitions/] for law firms considering a sale. Stay Connected: Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.  Want to go deeper? Curious about 1:1 coaching with Megan or Jen? Or want the inside scoop on stage? Hit us up below, we’d love to chat! * Learn more about stage [https://stage.guide/] * Connect with Megan Senese [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/]  * Connect with Jennifer Ramsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferramseysd/]

How You Feel About Business Development Matters (Minis with Megan)

What if the biggest thing holding you back from business development isn’t your strategy, it’s how you think and feel about it? In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Minis with Megan, we explore why so many lawyers immediately answer "I'm bad at business development" when asked how they feel about it. By shifting the conversation from performance to emotion, Megan shares a more useful way to identify what’s really getting in the way, and how small, consistent actions can help you build confidence over time. Who this episode is for: * Lawyers who feel overwhelmed, intimidated, or stuck when it comes to business development * Professionals who believe they're "bad" at networking or relationship building * Anyone looking for a more sustainable and realistic approach to growth * People who want to improve their business development skills authentically  Episode takeaways: * "I'm bad at business development" is often a judgment about yourself * Understanding how you feel about business development helps identify the real challenges you’re facing with BD * Mindset isn't about blind positivity, it's about awareness and practice * There is no one-size-fits-all business development strategy * Small, consistent actions create momentum and confidence over time Some BD tips you can try:  * Start with the right question: Ask yourself how you feel about business development, not whether you're good at it * Identify the real obstacle: Overwhelmed, nervous, time-constrained, uncertain? Name it first * Treat business development like a skill: Practice matters more than perfection * Take small steps consistently: A few minutes a day is better than waiting for the perfect plan and doing nothing * Experiment without judgment: Find approaches that fit your personality and season of life * Focus on progress, not performance: Confidence grows through action Stay Connected: At stage, we believe business development should feel human, sustainable, and aligned with who you are. We help lawyers build relationship-first strategies that work for their strengths, not a one-size-fits-all, cookie cutter approach. * Learn more about stage [https://stage.guide/] * Connect with Megan Senese [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/]  * Connect with Jennifer Ramsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferramseysd/] Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.