In this conversation, Erin Gerner interviews Jacob Molina, founder of storyleads.io, who specializes in helping lawyers build their personal brand through storytelling on LinkedIn. Jacob shares his journey from working in tech to discovering the power of storytelling for lawyers. He discusses the importance of sharing unique perspectives, overcoming fears of vulnerability, and how effective storytelling can lead to client referrals. The conversation emphasizes the significance of personal branding and human connection in the legal profession, encouraging lawyers to embrace their stories and share them authentically.

Jacob works with lawyers across virtually every practice area to build their personal brand and attract clients and referrals through LinkedIn storytelling — in just one hour a month. Reach out to Jacob directly on LinkedIn to connect or get started with a free post.

CONNECT WITH JACOB

Work with Erin Gerner:

Erin coaches high-achieving female attorneys who are successful on paper but struggling with burnout, identity crisis, and knowing what's next—helping them redefine success on their terms without sacrificing family or wellbeing.

Stay connected with Erin Gerner:
Website: eringerner.com
LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
Instagram: @eringerner
Facebook: Erin Gerner

Hey Powerhouses! This week we're talking about what happens when you wake up and realize you're living someone else's perfect life—and what it takes to create one that actually fits. Wendy Meadows, seasoned family law attorney, former litigator, certified life coach, mediator, and author of the bestselling book Sparkling Grit, joins us to share her journey from BigLaw burnout to building a practice (and life) on her own terms.

We dive into why Wendy left her firm after 13 years (spoiler: asking permission for vacation was the last straw), how Beachbody coaching taught her more about running a business than law school ever did, and why so many lawyers who go solo end up making MORE money while working fewer hours than they ever imagined. Wendy breaks down the math (yes, there's a spreadsheet), walks us through the hardest part of going solo (the breakup conversation with your partners), and explains why hiring an assistant before you think you need one is non-negotiable.

We also talk about the Sparkle and Grit framework—why you need both the feminine (sparkle) and masculine (grit) energy to succeed, how to recognize burnout before you hit the wall, and why 2026 is Wendy's year of "ease." Plus, Wendy gets real about her divorce, redefining success on her own terms, and learning to let opportunities flow to her instead of grinding for them.

And yes, she wore two different shoes to court. Twice.

Sparkling Grit Book: Available on Amazon

Connect with Wendy Meadows:
LinkedIn: Wendy S. Meadows
Instagram: @wendy_s_meadows
Website: WendySMeadows.com

Wendy works with lawyers going solo, provides strategic coaching and systems consulting, and speaks at law firms on burnout prevention and retention. She also coaches high-achieving women who've checked all the boxes but still feel stuck.

Work with Erin Gerner:

Erin coaches high-achieving female attorneys who are successful on paper but struggling with burnout, identity crisis, and knowing what's next—helping them redefine success on their terms without sacrificing family or wellbeing.

Stay connected with Erin Gerner:
Website: eringerner.com
LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
Instagram: @eringerner
Facebook: Erin Gerner

Hey Powerhouses! This week we're diving into the wild world of legal tech with Colleen Joyce, CEO of Lawyer.com. From interviewing A-list celebrities at Popstar.com to building one of the leading online legal marketplaces, Colleen brings authenticity, energy, and a growth-first mindset to everything she does—including her new ice skating lessons (yes, really).

We talk about riding the AI wave instead of getting crushed by it, why your competitors are already using AI and what you need to know, and how Colleen runs Lawyer.com like a startup with a flat organizational structure where anyone can bring an idea to the table. The conversation highlights the importance of leading by example, creating a culture where fun is a pillar (hello, dress-up days!), and why community and networking are some of the biggest growth levers you can pull.

Colleen and I delve into the challenge of being a beginner at something, the power of testing every AI platform out there (even if you don't buy anything), and why understanding your baseline metrics is critical for growth. We also discuss how the legal tech space has shifted from buttoned-up lawyers to a more casual, Google-style startup environment, and why joining masterminds and communities—even when it's uncomfortable—is what builds longevity in business.

Plus, Colleen shares her legally blonde moment of walking into a glass wall while scrolling on her phone (we've all been there), and invites us all to embrace the chaos, have fun, and maybe even lace up some ice skates.

Connect with Colleen Joyce and Lawyer.com:
LinkedIn: Colleen Joyce
Website: Lawyer.com
Phone: Give Lawyer.com a call—you might get Colleen herself!

Stay connected with Erin Gerner:
Website: eringerner.com
LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
Instagram: @eringerner
Facebook: Erin Gerner

Key Takeaway: If you're not using AI, your competitor is. Start with something fun to build your foundation, test every platform out there, and join community—it's one of the biggest growth levers you can pull. Oh, and maybe take up ice skating. Life's too short not to try new things.

Episode Description

What happens when you start a law firm with zero clients, zero contacts, and a vision that doesn't fit anyone else's mold? Gabriela Smith did exactly that—and built it so successfully that her anesthesiologist husband retired from medicine to join her. In this powerful conversation, Gabriela shares how she transformed from a BigLaw litigator who hated asking permission for vacation into an entrepreneur building a tech-powered, human-centric M&A law firm that's rewriting the rules. She talks about legal subscriptions replacing billable hours, why AI can't replace human intuition, creating a law firm "umbrella" for entrepreneurial attorneys who want freedom, and what it really takes to walk through the thick mud of reinvention. This is for every attorney who's ever felt like they don't fit the traditional mold—because you don't have to.

Connect with Gabriela Smith

Instagram: @thegabbysmith
LinkedIn: Gabriela Smith
Email: gsmith@gnslawplc.com
Podcast: Exit Ed Podcast

Gabriela mentors moms and entrepreneurs—reach out if you want to connect. For attorneys interested in joining the GNS Law umbrella model, contact her husband Tim (he handles those conversations).

Work with Erin Gerner

Erin coaches high-achieving female attorneys who are successful on paper but struggling with burnout, identity crisis, and knowing what's next—helping them redefine success on their terms without sacrificing family or wellbeing.

Contact: @eringerner on Instagram | Book a Free Call

Key Takeaway: You don't have to fit the traditional mold. Start where you are, walk through the thick mud, and create what works for YOU. Legal subscriptions, AI-powered tools, entrepreneurial freedom—the future of law is human-centric, and it doesn't look like BigLaw anymore.

In this episode of the Powerhouse Lawyers podcast, host Erin Gerner interviews Amy Terwilleger, a certified sex and relationship coach. They discuss Amy's unique journey from law to coaching, the common struggles faced by high achievers regarding intimacy, and the importance of pleasure in both personal and professional life. Amy shares insights on how to enhance intimacy, the coaching process, and the significance of addressing grief and loss during transitions. The conversation emphasizes the need for open discussions about sexuality and the link between pleasure and success.

Key Topics Covered

• Amy's journey from engineer to Women's Studies to BigLaw partner to sex coach
• Living the "perfect life on paper" but feeling empty inside
• The midlife reawakening (not crisis) that so many women experience
• What high-achieving women aren't talking about: libido decline and intimacy struggles
• Why 80% of women don't orgasm from penetration alone (and why that's NORMAL)
• The difference between sex coaching and therapy
• How sex education failed us (all negative, zero pleasure)
• Why we're taught to be prim and proper but expected to be sex goddesses
• The science behind pleasure: oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, endorphins
• How pleasure literally heals your body (backed by science)
• Why you should schedule sex (and why spontaneity is overrated)
• Responsive desire vs. spontaneous desire
• The 20-second hug that releases oxytocin
• Solo play as self-discovery (yes, we're talking about masturbation)
• Holding space for grief even when you're moving forward
• The loss of identity when you leave the law
• Permission slips for pleasure, joy, and prioritizing yourself

Work with Amy Terwilleger:

Amy provides sex and relationship coaching for driven professionals, power couples, and individuals. Amy offers a judgment-free space where you can talk openly about sex, intimacy, and pleasure without shame. Her sessions are goal-oriented, forward-looking, and results-driven—with homework assignments to help you take action (because you have to take action to get action).

Ready to prioritize pleasure and reclaim intimacy?

• Website: ConfidentConnections.net
• Instagram: @MillennialDrRuth

Amy reads all her DMs and is available for discovery calls. If you're a high-achieving professional who's been putting everyone else first and is ready to prioritize yourself—Amy gets it. She's been there. Reach out.

Work with Erin Gerner:

Erin coaches high-achieving female attorneys who are successful on paper but struggling with burnout, overwhelm, and identity crisis. If you're questioning whether this is "all there is," feeling stuck in your career, or ready to reclaim your time and set boundaries without sacrificing your family or wellbeing—Erin can help.

Erin's approach is direct, no-nonsense, and challenges traditional legal culture norms. She focuses on calling out broken systems rather than helping you optimize within them. If you're ready to stop "shoulding" all over yourself and start building on YOUR terms—let's talk.

Ready to stop apologizing and start building the life you actually want?

• Instagram: @eringerner
• LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
• Website: www.eringerner.com
• Book a Free Powerhouse Connection Call

Erin reads every DM and email. If you're feeling stuck, burned out, or ready for something different—reach out. You're not alone. And you don't owe anyone an explanation for how you build your life.

In this engaging conversation, Erin Gerner interviews Heather Reese, a Philadelphia-based attorney, speaker, content creator, and plus-size model. Heather shares her journey from disliking school to becoming a lawyer, emphasizing the importance of multi-dimensionality in professional careers. She discusses her cultural identity as a Latina and her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in the legal field. The conversation highlights the significance of community support, mentorship, and the power of women supporting women in overcoming challenges. Heather also shares her modeling journey and the lessons learned about self-confidence and breaking self-imposed limits, looking forward to a bright future in 2026.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Heather's journey to law school was inspired by a family friend who was a lawyer.
• The importance of being a multi-dimensional professional in today's world.
• Cultural identity plays a significant role in shaping one's career and advocacy.
• Advocating for BIPOC communities is essential in the legal field.
• Mentorship and community support are crucial for young professionals.
• Women supporting women can lead to incredible outcomes in the workplace.
• Navigating challenges as a female lawyer requires resilience and support.
• Modeling has opened new opportunities and connections for Heather.
• Self-imposed limits can hinder personal growth and success.
• The future is bright, and opportunities are meant to be seized.

Want to connect with Heather about BIPOC-owned brands, modeling, being a multi-dimensional professional, or just need another female attorney who gets it? She's your person. DM her on Instagram.

• Instagram: @heather_r_xoxo
• DMs are OPEN - Heather reads all her messages and is available to mentor young attorneys and models
• Looking to volunteer and help aspiring attorneys or models—reach out!

Connect with Erin

• Instagram: @eringerner
• LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
• Website: www.eringerner.com
• Book a Call: Powerhouse Connection Cal

Welcome to 2026! In this first episode of the new year, Erin gets real about what she's NO LONGER apologizing for—and why you shouldn't either. After sitting down to plan 2026, she realized something: she'd been running her business based on what things "should" look like instead of what she actually wanted. No more. In this powerful solo episode, Erin shares the 5 things she's done apologizing for in 2026—from not 10x-ing her business to building something that doesn't look like anyone else's. If you've ever felt guilty for not wanting MORE, for being multi-passionate, or for not having it all figured out—this is your permission slip to stop apologizing and start building on YOUR terms.

Key Topics Covered

• Why "maintenance is a strategy" and you don't have to 10x everything
• Being a multi-passionate entrepreneur without apologizing for it
• Charging what you're worth (and why the right clients never complain about price)
• Not having it all figured out at 45 (and why that's actually a good thing)
• Building a business that looks different than everyone else's
• How to stop "shoulding" all over yourself
• The moment Erin realized she was apologizing to no one
• Why the Like-Know-Trust factor matters more than "staying in your lane"
• The 45th birthday funk and the sermon that changed everything
• LFG: The theme for 2026

Connect with Erin

• Instagram: @eringerner
• LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
• Website: www.eringerner.com
• Book a Call: Powerhouse Connection Call

What are YOU no longer apologizing for in 2026?

Tag Erin on Instagram or LinkedIn and let her know. She reads every single message and wants to hear your story.

Want to come on the show or know someone who should? DM Erin—let's set up a coffee chat and make it happen.

Ready to stop apologizing and start building on your terms? Book a free Powerhouse Connection Call with Erin.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Powerhouse Lawyers podcast so you never miss an episode.

What happens when two female lawyers from different countries realize they're fighting the same battles? In this powerful conversation, Erin sits down with Odette Ansell—a Canadian litigator and host of the Non-Billable Hours podcast—to talk about the universal struggles female lawyers face: loneliness, identity crisis, the pressure to "have it all," and the desperate need for community. They discuss why it's so hard to separate your identity from your job, what to do when you feel stuck, and why vulnerability might be the bravest thing you do as a lawyer. If you've ever felt like you're the only one crumbling while everyone else looks like they're crushing it—this episode is your reminder that you're not alone.

About Odette Ansell

Odette Ansell is a Canadian litigator and the host of Non-Billable Hours, a podcast dedicated to honest conversations about life in and beyond the law. With a passion for connecting with lawyers across every practice area, she creates space for candid discussions about the joys, pressures, and personal passions that shape legal professionals. Odette is driven by a desire to spotlight what truly lights lawyers up outside their work—from creative pursuits to family life to unexpected hobbies. Through her thoughtful interviews, she explores the common challenges many lawyers experience but rarely voice. Her work aims to build community, normalize vulnerability, and remind lawyers that their identities extend far beyond their billable targets.

Key Topics Covered

• Why Odette became a lawyer (and the personality test that said she'd be terrible at litigation)
• The universal struggles female lawyers face—regardless of country or practice area
• Why lawyers desperately need people who "get it" without needing context
• The loneliness epidemic in the legal profession (especially for women)
• How to separate your identity from your job when being a lawyer IS your personality
• The seasons of life and why "having it all" doesn't mean having it all at once
• Why women lawyers feel guilty for wanting something outside the law
• The bad advice that made Odette delete her food blog in law school
• How to find community when you work from home and feel isolated
• The power of saying your goals out loud (even if you don't know how to achieve them)
• Why vulnerability is so hard for lawyers (and why we desperately need it)
• The retreats that made Erin realize: "These women get me at a visceral level"

Connect with Odette Ansell

• Podcast: Non-Billable Hours (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts)
• Instagram: @nonbillablehourspodcast

Want to connect with Odette about building community, navigating identity outside the law, or just chat about life as a lawyer? Find her on Instagram or check out her podcast!

Connect with Erin

• Instagram: @eringerner
• LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
• Website: www.eringerner.com
• Book a Call: Powerhouse Connection Call

If this conversation reminded you that you're not alone in what you're feeling, share it with another woman lawyer who needs to hear it. Tag Erin and Odette on social media and let them know what resonated.

Feeling stuck and ready to make a change? Book a free Powerhouse Connection Call with Erin and let's figure out what's next.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Powerhouse Lawyers podcast so you never miss an episode.