“Do I Even Want This?” Michelle Thompson on the Question Lawyers Rarely Have Time to Ask

“Do I Even Want This?” Michelle Thompson on the Question Lawyers Rarely Have Time to Ask

“I thought… ‘I’m earning forty thousand dollars a year, working seventy to ninety hours a week… and I’m going to have a heart attack.’” Before becoming a coach for lawyers, Michelle Thompson practiced as a labor lawyer. Fueled by caffeine and alcohol, the years of overwork and financial stress took a tool.  She faced the real “costs” of how she was lawyering. In this honest conversation, Michelle shares her journey from lawyer to PhD candidate to coach. She explains why so many women lawyers stay trapped in survival mode for years longer than they want to.  This episode covers: * Hidden physical and emotional costs of legal culture. * How women lawyers lose touch with what they actually want. * Nervous system impacts from chronic stress, overwork, and perfectionism. * Burnout, depression, and rebuilding her life. * How Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT/tapping) can help lawyers regulate stress and reconnect with themselves. This episode is especially for you if you’re a high-achieving lawyer, conditioned to white knuckle and push through exhaustion, and no longer want to live that way.  About Michelle Michelle Thompson, JD, PhD, works with women lawyers to build their book of business and/or hit their billable hours without the burnout. She does this through public speaking at Bar Associations and law firms, as well as through coaching programs in Resistant Vision. Connect LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michelle-thompson-esq-b75317403/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michelle-thompson-esq-b75317403/]  WILL The WILL- Women Interested in Leaving Law Podcast is hosted by Elena Deutsch, a dedicated legal career coach and catalyst. This podcast is more than a good listen; it’s an invitation to explore new possibilities and shed limiting beliefs.  As WILL Alumni and guests share their journeys beyond traditional legal careers, you’ll see that you can leave or love law. Feel stuck, unhappy, or ready to explore your own WILL journey? Book your consultation: https://consultation.womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/2-step-sales-page-page-4160 [https://consultation.womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/2-step-sales-page-page-4160]

Find Gold Beneath Your Negative Thoughts

What if your negative thoughts aren’t the problem, but actually clues pointing you toward what you truly want? In this episode, Elena shares a powerful mindset revelation she recently uncovered while coaching women lawyers through the CPR process: underneath every critical or limiting thought is actually a deeper value, desire, or goal. Through personal stories and client examples, Elena walks listeners through how to transform self-criticism into clarity, create more empowering thoughts, and generate the energy needed to take meaningful action toward a more aligned life and career. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why negative thoughts are often clues to your deepest desires * How to reframe self-criticism into empowering beliefs * The 3 questions that help generate positive energy and action If you’ve been feeling stuck, uncertain, or trapped in negative self-talk, this episode offers a practical framework to help you uncover the “gold” hidden beneath those thoughts and use it to move forward. WILL The WILL- Women Interested in Leaving Law Podcast is hosted by Elena Deutsch, a dedicated legal career coach and catalyst. This podcast is more than a good listen; it’s an invitation to explore new possibilities and shed limiting beliefs.  As WILL Alumni and guests share their journeys beyond traditional legal careers, you’ll see that you can leave or love law. Feel stuck, unhappy, or ready to explore your own WILL journey? Book your consultation: https://consultation.womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/2-step-sales-page-page-4160 [https://consultation.womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/2-step-sales-page-page-4160]

From In-House Executive to Coach: Pam Richardson’s Journey Beyond Law

“I thought people with rich husbands could make career pivots, not me.” After 20 years as a lawyer and in-house executive, Pam Richardson had the career many attorneys work decades to achieve. But beneath her title, compensation and success, she couldn’t shake the feeling “There has to be something more than this!” As a single mom of twins, leaving law felt impossible. In this episode, Pam shares how she slowly shifted from feeling trapped in a high-achieving legal career to building a path toward work that feels aligned and meaningful. We cover: * Why so many women lawyers struggle to imagine careers outside law. * The mindset shifts that helped Pam stop seeing herself as “stuck.” * How coaching, community, and possibility changed the trajectory of her career. * The financial planning and practical steps behind making a sustainable career transition. * Why lawyers often stay years longer than they want to. As a woman lawyer, leaving a legal career is almost unthinkable, especially if you believe you can’t do anything other than be a lawyer or you are accustomed to people-pleasing. This conversation is a powerful reminder that meaningful change is possible as a woman lawyer, even if it happens one step at a time. About Pam After more than 20 years as an attorney and in-house executive advising leaders at Fortune 1000 and Global 500 companies, Pam decided to step away from the practice of law and focus fully on the work she finds most meaningful; partnering directly with people as they navigate growth, change, and leadership challenges.  She founded Waypoint Partners where she works with organizations and individuals at all stages of their careers. Connect * https://pamrichardsonllc.com/ [https://pamrichardsonllc.com/] WILL The WILL- Women Interested in Leaving Law Podcast is hosted by Elena Deutsch, a dedicated legal career coach and catalyst. This podcast is more than a good listen; it’s an invitation to explore new possibilities and shed limiting beliefs.  As WILL Alumni and guests share their journeys beyond traditional legal careers, you’ll see that you can leave or love law. Feel stuck, unhappy, or ready to explore your own WILL journey? Book your consultation: https://consultation.womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/2-step-sales-page-page-4160 [https://consultation.womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/2-step-sales-page-page-4160] Follow * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-deutsch/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-deutsch/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninterestedinleavinglawwww.instagram.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw [http://www.instagram.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw [https://www.facebook.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw] * Web: https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com [https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com]

Lawyer Liberation: Heather’s Move From Big Law to Coach

“The world's not gonna fall apart without you for a couple of hours.” It’s the phrase that EVERY woman lawyer needs to hear. From early career misery to making partner in big law, Heather did everything “right.” Until a life-changing cancer diagnosis forced her to rethink what success actually meant. In this episode, Heather shares how she rebuilt her career and her life on her own terms. We cover: * Why you can’t just “think” your way to clarity. * The identity shift required to leave or redefine your legal career. * How to build a successful, sustainable career without sacrificing your life. Learn how to leave law or love your role within law. As a woman lawyer, leaving a legal career is almost unthinkable, especially if you believe you can’t do anything other than be a lawyer or you are accustomed to people-pleasing.  About Heather Heather Moulder is a former BigLaw partner turned lawyer business coach and host of Life & Law, a lawyer podcast about achieving success without the sacrifice. After building a multi-million dollar law practice around a full life, she left it all to help other lawyers do the same.  Connect * Coaching Website: https://www.coursecorrectioncoaching.com/ [https://www.coursecorrectioncoaching.com/]  * Podcast Website: https://www.lifeandlawpodcast.com/ [https://www.lifeandlawpodcast.com/]  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermoulder/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermoulder/] WILL The WILL- Women Interested in Leaving Law Podcast is hosted by Elena Deutsch, a dedicated legal career coach and catalyst. This podcast is more than a good listen; it’s an invitation to explore new possibilities and shed limiting beliefs.  As WILL Alumni and guests share their journeys beyond traditional legal careers, you’ll see that you can leave or love law. Feel stuck, unhappy, or ready to explore your own WILL journey? Book your consultation: https://consultation.womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/2-step-sales-page-page-4160 [https://consultation.womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/2-step-sales-page-page-4160] Follow * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-deutsch/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-deutsch/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninterestedinleavinglawwww.instagram.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw [http://www.instagram.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw [https://www.facebook.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw] * Web: https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com [https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com]

From Law to Coaching: How Values Led Jessie Brown

“What if nothing is wrong… but it still doesn’t feel right?” Jessie Brown didn’t hate being a lawyer. She had a prestigious career, stable income, and was at a “good” firm. But beneath it all, something felt off. After years of pushing through and ignoring what her body told her, Jessie reached a turning point. In this episode, Jessie shares her journey from Big Law to coaching and how she left behind a life built on safety to follow something far more aligned. We talked about: * How you can outgrow a “good” legal career and what keeps lawyers stuck * How to listen to your body as a compass for career decisions * Why curiosity (not clarity) is the first step to career change * The difference between career coaching and deeper “soul-level” work * Why not everyone needs to leave law, but everyone needs alignment About Jessie Jessie is a former lawyer turned coach, purpose guide, meditation teacher, and breath work facilitator. She also facilitates sound baths and forest bathing. She’s a mom of two boys and married to a lawyer. Connect www.linkedin.com/in/jessiebrowncoaching [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessiebrowncoaching] www.jessiebrown.org [http://www.jessiebrown.org] https://substack.com/@returningtosoul [https://substack.com/@returningtosoul] WILL The WILL- Women Interested in Leaving Law Podcast is hosted by Elena Deutsch, a dedicated legal career coach and catalyst. This podcast is more than a good listen; it’s an invitation to explore new possibilities and shed limiting beliefs. As WILL Alumni and guests share their journeys beyond traditional legal practice, you’ll see that change is not just possible, it’s within your reach. Feel stuck, unhappy, or ready to explore your own WILL journey? Book your consultation with Elena: https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/book-a-callwomeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/book-a-call [http://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/book-a-call]  Follow Us: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-deutsch/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-deutsch/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninterestedinleavinglawwww.instagram.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw [http://www.instagram.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw [https://www.facebook.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw] * Web: https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com [https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com]