**Note: Before you listen**

This episode contains discussions of disturbing events that have taken place in Minnesota. Please take care while listening.

“Shouldn't we as a society really be taking a step back and dissecting this hate, and realize that it is shameful and embarrassing?...Right now, you guys might be interviewing me about what's happening in Minneapolis. I hope nobody is ever interviewing you about what is happening in your neighborhoods.” - Cari Brunkow

What happens when the national headlines are in your neighborhood?

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey sit down with Cari Brunkow, founder and counsel of Lotus Legal, a Minneapolis-based criminal defense and civil rights attorney who is living, and lawyering, in the middle of escalating ICE activity and community unrest.

Cari shares what it feels like to launch a human-centered law practice, and watch violence unfold in her own city just days later. She speaks candidly about fear, grief, anger, and hope, and about what it means to show up as a lawyer, a mother, and a community member when the fight feels personal.

This is not a neat conversation. There are no easy answers. But there is honesty, proximity, and a reminder that we are not alone and we can all do something.

You’ll hear about:

• Why Cari named her firm Lotus Legal, and what the lotus symbolizes in criminal defense and civil rights work
• What she’s seeing firsthand in Minneapolis, and how it differs from national narratives
• The emotional toll of witnessing violence in your own community
• What it means to “get proximate” even if you don’t live in Minnesota
• Practical ways to support affected communities
• Why speaking up makes all of us safer

About Cari Brunkow:

Cari Brunkow is the founder and counsel of Lotus Legal, a Minneapolis-based criminal defense and civil rights firm. With more than a decade of experience representing individuals in law enforcement brutality cases and protecting constitutional rights, Cari launched her solo practice in 2025 to align her legal work fully with her values. She is a mother, a community advocate, and a fierce believer in proximity, truth, and collective courage.

Ways You Can Get Involved:

• Support local journalism (e.g., Minnesota Public Radio)
• Buy gift cards or directly support small businesses in affected communities - Learn more about Mercado Central
• Call your congressional representatives regarding ICE and DHS funding
• Check out the National Lawyers Guild
• Check out the National Immigration Law Center

Stay Connected:

Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.

Want to go deeper? Curious about 1:1 coaching with Megan or Jen? Or want the inside scoop on stage? Hit us up below, we’d love to chat!

• Learn more about stage
• Connect with Megan Senese
• Connect with Jennifer Ramsey

Even when a risk feels calculated, it’s still a risk.

In this mini episode, Megan Senese shares a memorable story about skydiving on her 18th birthday, and how it became a lasting lesson about control, fear, and the moments in life when all you can do is jump.

Who this episode is for:

• Anyone standing on the edge of a big decision
• People trying to calculate every outcome before moving forward
• Lawyers, professionals, and creatives facing uncertainty
• Anyone who needs permission to act without guarantees

Episode takeaways:

• Why even “well-planned” risks can spiral out of control
• How trying to manage every variable can give a false sense of safety
• What happens when circumstances force you to move forward anyway
• Why action, not certainty, is often the turning point
• A reminder that courage doesn’t always mean feeling calm

A different way to think about taking risks:

• You can set all the criteria, and still lose control
• Risk doesn’t disappear just because you planned for it
• Fear doesn’t mean you’re doing the wrong thing
• Sometimes there is no perfect moment or exit strategy

Stay Connected:

If you want a partner to share ideas with or to walk you through a big decision, we’re always here for you.

• Learn more about stage
• Connect with Megan Senese
• Connect with Jennifer Ramsey

Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.

“I realized the reason I was so passionate about authenticity was because I hadn't had the opportunity to be that way myself in these corporate roles.” - Sarah Ennor

What does it take to be a different kind of leader in legal?

Sarah Ennor, Founder of Growth Counsel, is a former firm lawyer, and in-house counsel and compliance for big-bank asset managers, she felt the pressure to “fit in.” After receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult, she is on a mission to bring simple inclusion strategies to life through relatable stories. Culture, morale, and financial results improve when we marry revenue to respect, coach with curiosity, and begin to banish bias.

Sarah joins Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey to talk about what happens when you stop chasing credibility through control, and start building it through presence, curiosity, and trust.

You’ll hear about:

• What Sarah wishes more legal leaders understood about team dynamics
• The invisible weight of credibility, and how she learned to set it down
• Why coaching helped her rewire how she showed up in the room
• Her take on legal ops, burnout, and building trust in high-pressure roles
• What makes a workplace feel safe (hint: it’s not perfection)

About Sarah Ennor:

Sarah Ennor is on a mission to make ADHD human. She works with law firms and organizations to make ADHD human and profitable through workshops and presentations to support their talent.

Learn More:

• Explore Sarah’s work at Growth Counsel

This episode #32 of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People is accredited for 35 minutes of EDI Professionalism hours for lawyers in Ontario!

Stay Connected:

Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.

Want to go deeper? Curious about 1:1 coaching with Megan or Jen? Or want the inside scoop on stage? Hit us up below, we’d love to chat!

• Learn more about stage
• Connect with Megan Senese
• Connect with Jennifer Ramsey