Why Lawyers Feel So Overwhelmed— Mindfulness, Meditation, and Combating Perfectionism (with Claire E. Parsons)

Becoming a Recruiter after Law School & Building a Meaningful Career

What happens when you go to law school… but don’t actually want to be a lawyer?   In this episode of Non-Billable Hours, I sit down with Travis Usher - law student turned legal recruiter - to talk about unconventional legal careers, identity outside the law, and building a career on your own terms.   We discuss: • going through law school without a clear passion for legal practice • transitioning into legal recruiting and entrepreneurship • the differences between firm and in-house legal roles • how lawyers can build fulfilling careers beyond traditional expectations   Travis shares an honest perspective on what modern legal careers really look like, and why success in law doesn’t have to follow one rigid path. We also chat about personal identities outside of the law, what kept Travis grounded and sane during law school, and why your personal health and happiness should *not* fall by the wayside when you enter the practice of law.   Whether you’re a law student, junior associate, in-house counsel, or someone questioning your future in the legal profession, this conversation is for you.   Find Travis here: https://www.zsa.ca/our_team/travis-usher/ [https://www.zsa.ca/our_team/travis-usher/]   Full video episodes can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@NonBillableHoursPod/   If you're feeling generous, please give us a like and a subscribe! It's free for you and it really helps this little channel grow   Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/nonbillablehourspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/nonbillablehourspodcast/] https://www.tiktok.com/@nonbillablehourspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@nonbillablehourspodcast]     The Legal Stuff (because obviously): This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. This is a podcast by a lawyer, for lawyers. But I am not *your* lawyer. I’m also not your therapist, your finance professional, or your personal life coach. Nothing in this podcast should be considered legal advice, and any suggestions or recommendations that you decide to undertake of your own accord, those are on you my friend. This podcast is meant to be a place where we can talk about life as lawyers, but at the end of the day, you are the one making your own decisions. Perhaps we can help you make some better ones. We are not liable for any choices you make. But you probably already knew that.

What Happens When You Realize Practicing Law Isn’t Your Passion? with Jordan Nahmias

Ever wonder why so many people become lawyers - even when they’re not passionate about practicing law? In this episode of The Non-Billable Hours Podcast, I sit down with former entertainment lawyer and current creative entrepreneur Jordan Nahmias to talk about the path that led him into law, why practicing never felt right (even after an elite law school education and Big Law experience), and the turning point that changed everything: Jordan opens up about: • Choosing law school without a clear plan • The pressure lawyers feel to follow a “traditional” path • Identity, and questioning success • Embracing creativity, yoga, and the arts • Building a meaningful career in coaching and speaking that still allows for a meaningful life outside of work This conversation is for anyone in law who’s questioning whether the life they built is actually the one they want. Sometimes the career you thought you wanted is just the bridge to the one you were meant to create. Find Jordan Here: https://getunstuckconsulting.com/

Divorce Without War: Family Law Mediation and how to Lessen Litigation Stress with Mardi Chadwick-Balcom

What if family law didn’t leave people more broken than when they started—but actually helped them move forward? I recently had a conversation with Mardi Chadwick-Balcom on the Non-Billable Hours Podcast that challenged a lot of assumptions about how we practice family law. Mardi is a family law mediator, yoga instructor, and someone who is deeply rethinking how we approach conflict. We talked about what it looks like to integrate nervous system awareness, mindfulness, and somatic practices into legal work—not as extras, but as essential tools. Because the reality is, traditional family law often escalates conflict. And much of that is driven by trauma and dysregulation—on all sides. With 25 years in practice, Mardi brings a perspective that feels both grounded and forward-thinking. In our conversation, we explored: • Why conflict so often intensifies in the current system • How the nervous system shapes client behaviour and outcomes • What somatic and mindfulness-based tools can look like in mediation • Practical ways lawyers can reduce stress—for themselves and their clients • What a more humane, effective model of family law could be If you’re practicing in this space (or thinking about how the profession can evolve), this is a conversation worth listening to. Find Mardi here: https://www.integrativedivorcemediation.com/

Why Lawyers Feel So Overwhelmed— Mindfulness, Meditation, and Combating Perfectionism (with Claire E. Parsons)

Mindfulness, stress management, and practical tools to avoid burnout in a legal career In this episode Odette interviews Claire E. Parsons, a practicing school lawyer, mindfulness teacher, and author of How to Be a Badass Lawyer. Claire shares how she began meditating one minute at a time during a stressful period after childbirth and how the practice helped her manage perfectionism, anxiety, and overthinking. They discuss practical, lawyer-focused mindfulness: starting small, increasing practice gradually, the value of compassion and community, and using mindfulness to make better decisions rather than trying to solve anxiety with thinking. Claire also talks about her books (including a children’s book and a novel in progress), teaching, and tips for getting started. 👤 About Claire E. Parsons Claire E. Parsons is a lawyer, mindfulness and meditation teacher, and author of How to Be a Badass Lawyer. She works in civil litigation, employment law, school law, and municipal law, and is actively involved in wellness initiatives for lawyers. Find Claire here: * Book: *How to Be a Badass Lawyer* https://www.amazon.ca/How-Badass-Lawyer-Development-Mindfulness/dp/B0BLR3JDQR// [https://www.amazon.ca/How-Badass-Lawyer-Development-Mindfulness/dp/B0BLR3JDQR//] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claireeparsons/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claireeparsons/] * Claire's Website & Blog: https://www.brilliantlegalmind.com/

The Hidden Reason High Achievers Can’t Switch Off - Why You're Always Stressed (and don't know why)

Host Odette interviews Hannah O'Donovan about shutting down a multi‑six‑figure business after severe burnout and rebuilding a life and business rooted in nervous system regulation, somatic practices, and aligned ambition. They discuss signs of burnout, practical tools (orienting, breathwork, transition rituals), redefining success as full‑body wealth, and how high achievers - especially women - can move from survival to sustainable, embodied success. Find Hannah here: 💻 https://www.somasoma.ca/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0pGWkNmRHhFS2J4VE52cF95amN4emstaG51UXxBQ3Jtc0trVFFwSU9LVTNGNmRUdDQxYV9xblBqVkNFWjlLVTIyenZsWDR4Nmc5NzVMbUgwWTJRTzg2QzhjbTN4TXJ2XzctV3JyQzY3SmNDeXNmLXd6SVJPaEU3SGRLRkFsUmozSnNWcFBUUEtHdTRSZE9nNW55UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.somasoma.ca%2F&v=990IclJc9Ps] 📽️    / @somasomawithease   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2cgDnocuyBYfJzJ-D91YQ]   💗 Hannah's free gift to our audience: http://somasoma.podia.com/thereturnjo... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0R4MGJkNVBfcklhYVg2WGJRbUNBZ0Q3ekdpQXxBQ3Jtc0trNm45bXhCUUJqRkRaOGN5ZE9GZEZBU3FWS2ViNmJGSUhLcGhsbGZwSFltODJSOU9MSFZNN3RFQ29xTzRCNGptZ1hYMGg0bmRtdkdPMk5oVHlMMWoyd0xoc0s5M2lZaXRac2l6THI1N012ZjFMX3FlVQ&q=http%3A%2F%2Fsomasoma.podia.com%2Fthereturnjourney%2F&v=990IclJc9Ps] ➡️ Female leaders are releasing anxiety & self-doubt in less than 10-minutes a day with this new devotion to self method -- The Return Journey