Non-Billable Hours

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

She Left Practicing Law to Start a Magazine for Lawyers — Almost 20 Years Later It’s Still Thriving

What happens when a successful lawyer leaves practice to build something new? Melissa Kluger shares how she transitioned from law to launching Precedent Magazine, now thriving nearly *20* years later. Melissa Kluger is the Publisher and CEO of Law & Style Media Inc. and the creator of Precedent Magazine and the Precedent A-List. Odette sits down with Melissa to learn the story behind her career transition from law to entrepreneurship, and how she went from law school and articling (for a Bay Street firm and Canadian criminal law icon Edward Greenspan) to launching one of the most influential publications for lawyers in Canada. She explains why she left traditional legal practice, the risks and challenges of starting a legal magazine, and how Precedent grew into a platform that highlights innovation, leadership, and diversity of culture in the legal profession. Odette and Melissa also discuss: • The transferable skills lawyers might not even know we have • The financial realities of independent journalism in the legal industry • How Precedent has helped make the legal profession more transparent and inclusive • Melissa's much-deserved receipt of the Law Society Medal from the Law Society of Ontario in 2025 Melissa also shares the story behind the Precedent A‑List, including plans for its relaunch and how supporting the A-List helps sustain Precedent’s journalism. Melissa is an absolute light, filled with insight and inspiration. Her story might inspire you to think of your skillset in a new and interesting way and to reflect on how you want to write your next chapter. 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 📈 Find Melissa & Precedent here: https://www.precedentmagazine.com/ [https://www.precedentmagazine.com/] https://a-list.lawandstyle.ca/ [https://a-list.lawandstyle.ca/] Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/nonbillablehourspodcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@nonbillablehourspodcast  [https://www.tiktok.com/@nonbillablehourspodcast] https://www.youtube.com/@NonBillableHoursPod