Ex Law-Firm Partner Speaks Out: Can Wellbeing and the Legal Sector Co-Exist?

Crisis and the Emergence of a Second Life with Dan Kieran

Do you feel it?   As you get older you want to make a change to your life. Things that once felt like your purpose no longer align.   Well, you’re not alone.   My guest in this episode has not only experienced the same thing, he has written about it in award winning fashion. Dan Kieran suffered from many phobias from agoraphobia, fear of flying, getting in lifts and more. To move through them he had to put in the work.   And every time he did, he felt more whole. As though he had discovered a missing piece of himself.   Dan talks about how he moved through the phobias and his experiences in business leading companies. As well as his second journey of individual development later in life.   “In failure, in disaster you will always find the most lifechanging realisations” – Dan   You'll hear about:   01:56 - What does success mean to Dan? 06:39 - Dan's journey to where he is today 12:43 - The symptoms showing things weren't right 18:20 - The seed leading to an authentic life 27:19 - Did Dan have any crisis moments? 33:04 - Dan or writing The Surfboard 38:30 - The impacts Dan's fear of flying has had 44:27 - You have to sit in the pain   Dan’s resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-kieran-b49a3329/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-kieran-b49a3329/]   Find out all about Dan and his books - https://www.dankieran.com/ [https://www.dankieran.com/] Petra’s resources: Petra’s website - https://www.petravelzeboer.com/ [https://www.petravelzeboer.com/]  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/]  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/petra.velzeboer/ [https://www.instagram.com/petra.velzeboer/] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@petravelzeboer397 [https://www.youtube.com/@petravelzeboer397]  Buy Petra’s book: Begin With You: Invest in Your Mental Well-being and Satisfaction at Work - https://shorturl.at/nyDOX [https://shorturl.at/nyDOX]

Ex Law-Firm Partner Speaks Out: Can Wellbeing and the Legal Sector Co-Exist?

Mental health in the legal sector, does it even exist?   In this episode I am joined by ex-partner of a law firm, Helen Pamely, who speaks out against the sector’s record on mental health.   Helen challenges the pre-conceptions and norms of the industry to forge a new way. An ex-lawyer turned coach; she has lived experience at the top levels of this high-pressured environment. She discusses the radical changes needed to prioritise mental health and how the culture needs to evolve.   She calls out the practices that are compromising mental health in law firms, and the toxic cultures that enable them.   There is a real need for a more supportive and understanding work environment in law, Helen shows the way in how to achieve that.   “It’s misogyny, it’s bullying, it’s being iced out, it’s being fired. People hurt people” – Helen   You'll hear about:   00:56 - What does Helen aspire to? 01:52 - Is it possible to prioritise mental health in the legal sector? 05:33 - How Helen changed career help others 10:09 - The toxic nature of becoming a partner 13:04 - Helen on emotional intelligence 17:29 - Helen's messaging that resonates the most 19:45 - The real impact of tragic stories 24:21 - What is the radical change needed in law? 28:47 - Helen's mental health non-negotiables   Helen’s resources LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenpamely/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenpamely/] Website - https://helenpamely.com/ [https://helenpamely.com/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/helenpamely/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/helenpamely/?hl=en]   Listen to Helen’s podcast More Than A Lawyer - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/more-than-a-lawyer/id1729325503 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/more-than-a-lawyer/id1729325503]  Petra’s resources: Petra’s website - https://www.petravelzeboer.com/ [https://www.petravelzeboer.com/]  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/]  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/petra.velzeboer/ [https://www.instagram.com/petra.velzeboer/] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@petravelzeboer397 [https://www.youtube.com/@petravelzeboer397]  Buy Petra’s book: Begin With You: Invest in Your Mental Well-being and Satisfaction at Work - https://shorturl.at/nyDOX [https://shorturl.at/nyDOX]

Getting Men to Talk with Todd Hopwood

“Men don’t talk about their mental health.”   This is the perception that my guest in this episode, Todd Hopwood, has been fighting to break.   The cultural expectations of men often mean they keep quiet about their wellbeing, a problem in itself that can do far more damage. Todd has been using his position as a leader to advocate for the mental health of his workforce by leading by example.   After posting his mental health score at work one day his colleagues began to open up to him, which led him down a path of supporting people, in particular men, to talk about their own challenges.   We discuss the challenges of showing vulnerability, and the need for trust and communication in relationships. Todd also shares his personal journey of caring for a family member with mental health issues, the barriers he faced in disclosing his struggles, and the transformative power of being open about emotions.   The conversation emphasizes the necessity for radical changes needed to support men to talk more.    “What I wasn’t planning for was that lots of people started talking to me about mental health” – Todd   You'll hear about:   01:35 - Why is mental health important to Todd? 04:41 - Todd on showing vulnerability 08:48 - The impacts of sharing his mental health score at work 17:40 - Networks and leading by example 22:35 - Todd's relationship with mental health growing up 29:40 - Could anyone have supported Todd differently? 33:43 - How partners can support men challenging conditioning 40:52 - The impacts of stress on your responses 44:33 - Should we care for ourselves first before others? 48:00 - The most radical change we need in wellbeing 51:24 - What do men need to know about mental health?   Todd’s resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-hopwood-00404310/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-hopwood-00404310/]    Petra’s resources: Petra’s website - https://www.petravelzeboer.com/ [https://www.petravelzeboer.com/]  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/]  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/petra.velzeboer/ [https://www.instagram.com/petra.velzeboer/] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@petravelzeboer397 [https://www.youtube.com/@petravelzeboer397]  Buy Petra’s book: Begin With You: Invest in Your Mental Well-being and Satisfaction at Work - https://shorturl.at/nyDOX [https://shorturl.at/nyDOX]

Digital Wellbeing: Is your device ruling you?

How long do you spend on your devices?   Be honest. It’s probably a lot isn’t it, your phone, TV, your laptop. They are always there next to you or in your pocket.   You do not have to live your life being ruled by technology. In this episode I want to explore how you can do this, because the impacts they have on your mental health can be huge.   It is so important to self-reflect regarding your relationship with technology, we need deeper connections in life to thrive. I give practical tips on how to manage your digital life, and why setting boundaries can have significant impacts for the better.   Ultimately, we need to take collective responsibility for our digital habits and strive for a balanced approach to technology use.   “Are Your Devices Ruling You?” - Petra   You'll hear about:   00:42 - Are your devices ruling you? 02:26 - What do we need more of? 03:45 - What is in our control? 07:30 - What is our social responsibility? 09:11 - Technology in the workplace 10:45 - Are digital detoxes the solution? 14:09 - Assess your relationship with your device 18:59 - Tips to evolve your relationship with technology   Petra’s resources: Petra’s website - https://www.petravelzeboer.com/ [https://www.petravelzeboer.com/]  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/]  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/petra.velzeboer/ [https://www.instagram.com/petra.velzeboer/] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@petravelzeboer397 [https://www.youtube.com/@petravelzeboer397]  Buy Petra’s book: Begin With You: Invest in Your Mental Well-being and Satisfaction at Work - https://shorturl.at/nyDOX [https://shorturl.at/nyDOX]

How to turn your Trauma into Triumph

Do you own your story, or does it own you?   The moment you take ownership of it is the moment you take power over it.    My incredible guest in this episode, Chana Buisson, experienced trauma in her childhood. Physical and mental abuse led to depression and suicidal thoughts later in life.   Chana shares with so much honesty what she went through, and beauty the lessons she has since learned. She discusses how she overcame her trauma to find empowerment. She also talks about the challenges of dealing with depression and finding the motivation to keep moving forward.   What Chana says resonated so much with me and my story. And it also shows that real self-care involves giving ourselves tough love to get us out of situations to get up and move forward.   “It’s worth being uncomfortable with your story so you own it and it doesn’t own you” – Chana   You'll hear about:   01:15 - An introduction to Chana 06:40 - The role Chana had in her family 10:50 - Was nursing a follow on from her childhood role 13:27 - Femininity and owning your power 19:09 - Things Chana still works on because of her past 23:40 - Perpetuating the idea of staying stuck 28:24 - Did anyone say anything useful to move from the dark? 34:51 - The self-care we really need 38:22 - What Gen Z need? 42:11 - The radical change we need in wellbeing   Chana’s resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chana-buisson-1922002b2/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chana-buisson-1922002b2/] Website - https://www.fullofnectar.com/ [https://www.fullofnectar.com/]   Petra’s resources: Petra’s website - https://www.petravelzeboer.com/ [https://www.petravelzeboer.com/]  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/]  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/petra.velzeboer/ [https://www.instagram.com/petra.velzeboer/] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@petravelzeboer397 [https://www.youtube.com/@petravelzeboer397]  Buy Petra’s book: Begin With You: Invest in Your Mental Well-being and Satisfaction at Work - https://shorturl.at/nyDOX [https://shorturl.at/nyDOX]