Integrating 'Cultural Intelligence' into Law and Business: A Conversation with Peter Alfandary

From Dangerous Career Burnout to Goodbody Wellness: A Conversation with Ann-Marie Goodbody

After collapsing in the lobby of the law firm where she worked, Ann-Marie Goodbody spent nearly a year confined to bed as her body began shutting down. More than two years later, she returned to work — but with a completely different perspective on success, stress, and survival in the legal profession. In this powerful conversation, Ann-Marie shares her journey through burnout, chronic illness, and recovery, and explains how it ultimately led her to leave law behind and launch Goodbody Wellness, where she now helps professionals avoid sacrificing their health for their careers.

Integrating 'Cultural Intelligence' into Law and Business: A Conversation with Peter Alfandary

Peter Alfandary grew up in Great Britain, but his parents made a decision that would shape the course of his life: they sent him to a French school because they believed true success in business and life required understanding cultures beyond one's own. That philosophy became the foundation of his career. As a lawyer, Peter built a thriving practice representing French clients seeking English legal counsel, using his cross-cultural fluency as both a professional strength and a competitive advantage. But after his firm merged with a larger practice, he began to question his path and plan his next chapter. Today, Peter is an internationally respected cultural consultant specializing in "cultural intelligence" — helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of communication, trust, and relationships across borders. In this fascinating episode, he reflects on his remarkable journey and offers thoughtful insights into whether our increasingly interconnected world is truly learning how to understand itself.

From Leading Litigator to Navigating a Smooth Transition: A Conversation with Steve Harper

"This is my son Steven. He's going to be a lawyer someday," was the introduction Steve Harper grew accustomed to whenever his Dad met someone new. Although his father wasn't a lawyer, Harper took his encouragement to heart, built a substantial practice, and became a leading litigator. Early on, however, one of his mentors gave him the chance to enter a courtroom just eighteen months into his first job. That experience taught Harper that a secret to success is delegating to capable younger lawyers, trusting them, and refusing to let the practice of law consume his life. The rest is history. In this episode, hear how Harper balanced red-eye flights with coaching 25 kids' sports teams, building a thriving practice, and eventually navigating a smooth transition out of the firm and into pursuing new interests.

From the Top Lawyer in the Navy to a Floridian Retirement: A Conversation with John D. Hutson

Retired Rear Admiral John D. Hutson once thought he might pursue life as an Episcopal priest, until he was called to the law and to serving his country. After joining the Navy and earning his law degree, he rose through the ranks to become Judge Advocate General. Throughout his military career, he visited at least 50 naval offices around the globe to get to know his staff personally—a management style he called "leadership by walking around." From the Navy to academia to endorsing presidential candidates, Hutson's influence has been far-reaching, always with a mission to make the world a better place. In this episode, hear Hutson tell his story, from serving as the Navy's top lawyer to his retirement in Florida.

From Corporate Lawyer to Winemaker: A Conversation with Amy LaBelle

Amy LaBelle was assistant general counsel at Fidelity in Boston when a hand-painted sign on a Nova Scotia roadside changed everything. Following it to a "teeny-tiny winery" sparked an epiphany; 4,083 days later, she opened her first winery. The transition from attorney to entrepreneur was a marathon of balancing a full-time legal career, motherhood, and family life—all while fermenting her first batches in a fourth-floor walk-up. In this episode, LaBelle shares her journey of leaving a secure legal career to forge a unique path toward her dream.