
Advertise on podcast: Lawyer Life Experiment
This podcast has
49 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Lawyer Life ExperimentExplicit
Yes
Date created
2020/11/28
Latest episode
2026/08/13
Average duration
36 min.
Release period
93 days
Description
Hosts Anya Smirnova and Frieda Levycky use their experience as lawyers and coaches to address the myriad of day-to-day issues which make every lawyer question whether work-life balance is ever achievable. We know it is! Join us every couple of weeks as we set theories and test out ways to help you have more balance, better health and more fulfilment in your lives. | Find more about Frieda's work here: https://bravingboundaries.com/ | Find more about Anya's work here: https://anyasmirnova.com/
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Check latest episodes from Lawyer Life Experiment podcast
#49 How to Become a Better Leader: The Courage to Let Go
2026/08/13
What happens when the identity that made you successful becomes the very thing you need to let go of when you become a leader? Drawing on Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection and L. David Marquet’s Turn the Ship Around!, we explore the hats we wear in leadership and the courage, compassion and connection required to move from being an expert and doer to being an authentic leader and enabler of others. This episode invites you to consider what will develop you as a leader, whether it's leading yourself, your team or an organisation.
Resources mentioned in the podcast:
Brene Brown's resources: https://brenebrown.com/resources/;
YouTube summary of David Marquet's Turn the Ship Around: https://youtu.be/OqmdLcyES_Q?si=WCnv57Kv7GAvP4FE.
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
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(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#48 Head, Heart & Gut: Making Better Decisions
2026/07/08
This episode explores why our best decisions come from combining logic with the wisdom of our gut, heart and emotions - not relying on reason alone. We unpack how emotions are valuable data that can guide us toward what truly matters. E-motion = energy in motion. We invite you to pause at the year's midpoint to create a vision board based on emotional energy and subconscious rather than practical goals alone. If you're craving more motivation or clarity of direction, this conversation will help you reconnect with the inner signals that often know the way before your mind does.
Referenced in the episode: book "Finding Your Element" by Sir Ken Robinson.
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
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(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#47 Driven but Directionless: What Happens When You Lose Drive in a Career You’re Good At?
2026/05/15
In this episode of the Lawyer Life Experiment, we explore why motivation dips in law often signal misalignment and not fatigue, and how pushing harder can actually make things worse. We unpack the quiet guilt of wanting something different in a profession built on endurance, and test a simple three-question experiment to help you reconnect with what drives (and drains) you. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s burnout or a deeper shift, this episode offers a practical way to step back, recalibrate and rethink your direction.
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#46 Your Reputation Is Being Built Whether You Do Something About It Or Not
2026/03/02
In this episode, Frieda and Anya explore the often uncomfortable gap between how we experience ourselves and how others experience us, and why that gap matters more than we think.
Drawing on insights from reputable leadership development research (Leadership Circle, Hogan assessments, Johari window), we unpack how reputations are formed (with or without our input), how perception shapes opportunity and why acting without awareness can quietly limit our impact. As always, we share a practical reflection experiment to help you start closing perception gaps, gather actionable feedback with curiosity and lead with greater alignment and effectiveness.
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
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(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#45 Creating a Year You’ll Be Proud to Look Back On
2025/12/12
As the year draws to a close, we reflect on how we’re really finishing it — and why looking at the facts can tell a very different story from memory or gut feeling. In this episode, we talk about goal-setting: how to set stretch goals, the difference between directional intentions and SMART goals, and why reviewing the evidence of your year can be surprisingly empowering.
It’s a conversation about clarity of focus, intentionality, and choosing the right markers for a year you’ll be proud to look back on. We also offer a few ideas to experiment with as you think about your own goals for the year ahead - https://bravingboundaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Reflection-Questions-2025-for-podcast-episode-compressed.pdf.
As we prepare for a new year of podcasting, we’d love to hear your thoughts — and any topics you’d like us to explore. Have a wonderful festive season.
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#44 The Surprising Power of Group Coaching for Lawyers
2025/11/07
In this episode, we explore the surprising power of group coaching — how it differs from 1:1 coaching and why it can be such a transformative space for lawyers. We unpack the research-based benefits of group coaching. Of which #1 is how learning from others’ perspectives — especially those in similar roles — challenges your habits, expands your thinking, and helps you grow bolder in your career.
If you’re ready to stretch yourself in 2026, join the Women in Leadership in Law group coaching programme - more information here. To join, email us at .
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#43 Developing Mental Toughness in Law
2025/08/06
In this episode of #Lawyer Life Experiment, we dive into the concept of mental toughness—what it really means, is it innate or can it be developed (good news spoiler: yes, it is a skill and can be built up as a muscle), how it differs from resilience and grit, and why it’s essential for lawyers navigating high-pressure environments. We explore how mental toughness can be developed intentionally and share a practical exercise with 5 tips lawyers can start using right away to build this powerful mindset.
Download "The Five Tips To Develop Mental Toughness" here.
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#42 The Truth About Emotions (Especially at Work)
2025/07/25
In this episode, we unpack the myth of "good" and "bad" emotions, explore how emotional rigidity, denial, and pressure to stay positive can harm our well-being and performance. We explain how emotions are data (not directives), and discuss how to navigate feelings - like anger or vulnerability - in environments that often suppress them, eg work. The truth about emotions is - “what we resist, persists”. Lawyers and leaders must learn emotional intelligence to have fulfilling lives and successful careers.
As always, we do not leave our listeners wondering where to start - we offer an experiment to start practising EQ: the Emotional Wheel - to help you name, express and move through emotions rather than avoid them. Download it here.
TED Talk mentioned in this episode is: The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage by Susan David
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#41 Is This Me, or Was I Made This Way? Unlocking Identity, Unleashing Potential
2025/05/22
Do you ever ask yourself, “Am I even capable of becoming a partner, an impactful leader, building a business, or [insert your own dream here]?” In this episode, we explore what it means to feel stuck and ask who we really are - unpacking identity, is it fixed or flexible, nature vs. nurture, internal beliefs, and the glass ceilings we place on our potential. We examine how recognising our past choices can help us reclaim our power, and offer an identity exercise to help shift from feeling trapped to feeling in charge.
Download the Identity exercise.
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#40 Navigating Grief at Work: What to Say, Do and Understand
2025/02/21
In this deeply personal episode, we open up about our own experiences with grief and how work showed up - both for better and worse. We explore the reality of grief at work, the fear of sharing and why colleagues often don’t know what to say.
We ask: (i) Why is grief so hard to talk about at work? (ii) How can we be more open about what we need when grieving? (iii) What role do colleagues and managers play in creating a safe space? (iv) Why flexible workplace policies around grief actually matter?
We also challenge you with a simple but powerful experiment: If you’re grieving, how can you share just a little bit more? If you’re supporting someone, how can you show up in a way that truly helps?
We hope you find this episode helpful.
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#29 Book Talk: "Working Identity" and "Mr Unavailable and The Fallback Girl"
2023/07/19
In this episode, Anya and Frieda explore the theme of getting unstuck in our romantic relationships and in our careers. We all sometimes find ourselves feeling lost or stuck, walking in a fog. These books take us on a journey of self-discovery, unconventional strategies for reinvention and finding your way when the path is unclear. Join us as we uncover the secrets to navigating career transitions and breaking free from unhealthy relationships.
0m27s - Intro
3m11s - Anya talks about the book that changed her career trajectory - "Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career" by Herminia Ibarra.
20m55s - Frieda talks about the book "Mr Unavailable and the Fallback Girl” by Natalie Lue that appeared in her life at just the right time.
We would love to hear your stories of getting unstuck in your career and romantic relationships! Email us your stories at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#28 Book Talk: "Four Thousand Weeks" and "The Art of Possibility"
2023/06/09
We are trying something new this week! We love thought-provoking books and often share book recommendations with clients. In this episode, we each reflect on one book which we've found inspiring on our journeys as lawyers and coaches.
0m50s - we discuss the experiment of the previous episode "The Power of Pets in Stress Management"
8m00s - Frieda talks about the book "Four Thousand Weeks". It's a thought-provoking exploration of embracing the finite nature of time and making the most of our limited weeks on this Earth.
22m45s - Anya talks about the book "The Art of Possiblity" which presents 12 practices and mindset shifts for individuals seeking to redefine success, unleash their full potential, and create a more fulfilling and balanced life both personally and professionally.
We would love to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes! Reach out to us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#27 The power of pets in stress management
2023/05/19
It is Mental Health Awareness month. Join us as we dive into the science-backed benefits of spending time with a pet, from reducing anxiety and depression to helping you balance your energy for a more sustainable career. Frieda's dogs even take part in her coaching sessions! As always, we finish with an experiment and you can already guess that it will involve spending time with animals!
We would love to hear your thoughts. Please get in touch with Frieda at and Anya at .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#26 The Joys of Conflict
2023/03/31
In this episode, Frieda and Anya explore the often-overlooked benefits of conflict. While most people view conflict as something negative to be avoided, we argue (no pun intended!) that conflict can be a powerful tool for positive change and improving relationships. Join us as we delve into how conflict can help us better understand ourselves and others, build stronger relationships, and improve workplace dynamics.
We would love to hear your thoughts. Please get in touch with Frieda at and Anya at .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
#25 Connected vs Contactable. Musings on the power of choice.
2023/01/27
In this episode, we explore the concept of choice in the legal profession. Lawyers are so aware of the legal rights, but how do we navigate the limits of our own autonomy, are lawyers truly in control of their own daily actions or are they following the rules set by the system? We'll talk about how our mindsets impact our daily choices. We will also touch on the concept of "power of choice" from Viktor Frankl, which holds that even in dire circumstances, one can always choose one's attitude and mindset. Join us as we question if lawyers truly exercise choice in their daily lives.
We would love to hear your thoughts. Please get in touch with Frieda at and Anya at .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at and .
Please rate, review and subscribe.
(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)
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