What does it take to be successful?

As stage closes out its third year in business, Megan Senese reflects on what has actually fueled growth, and it might not be what you think. In this mini episode, she shares why showing up consistently, a little bit every day, is what compounds into real business development and sustainable success.

Who this episode is for:

• Lawyers building their book of business
• Founders navigating early years of entrepreneurship
• Professionals frustrated by not being the “strategy” or “influencer” type
• Anyone questioning whether steady effort really matters

Episode takeaways:

• Why discipline might be your most underrated strength
• How consistency compounds over time in business development
• The power of oscillating between thinking and doing
• Why there is no single “best practice” for building a book of business
• How steady, stubborn consistency outlasts quick wins

Business development tips from this episode:

• Discipline beats flash: Long-term growth comes from consistent effort, not one viral moment
• Thinking alone isn’t enough: Someone still has to do the doing
• Small daily actions compound: Business development is built little by little
• Consistency builds credibility: Especially when no one is watching
• There is no one-size-fits-all formula: The best approach is the one you’ll actually sustain

Stay Connected:

• 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.

**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

When the news is overwhelming, and the world feels like it’s on fire, it’s easy to feel powerless.

In this mini episode, Megan Senese shares a deeply human check-in about why relationships matter, how small actions can help us regain a sense of agency, and why resilience, not “self-care”, is what we need most right now.

Who this episode is for:

• Anyone feeling overwhelmed
• Lawyers and professionals struggling to show up “as usual” when things aren’t normal
• People craving connection, grounding, and reassurance that they’re not alone

Episode takeaways

• How stage defines relationships as people, not transactions, optics, or metrics
• How talking it out with someone you trust can shift how you show up at work and in life
• Why one small action can interrupt feelings of helplessness
• How resilience looks different for everyone, and doesn’t require perfection
• A reminder that you don’t have to measure your response against anyone else’s

What you can do right now:

• Start with one small action: Movement helps break the feeling of being stuck
• Practice resilience, not perfection: Rest, pause, and refill your cup when needed
• Protect your nervous system: Set boundaries around news, screens, and noise
• Lean into community: Connection is a form of care and resistance
• Engage in ways that feel aligned: Donating, volunteering, pro bono work, or reaching out

Learn More:

• Donate if you are able: Support Minnesota
• Email Your Representatives
• Call Your Representatives
• Volunteer, do pro bono work:
  • ABA Pro Bono Opportunities
  • NY State Bar Pro Bono Opportunities
  • California State Bar Pro Bono Opportunities

Stay Connected:

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know this: you’re not alone.

If you need an ear, a place to land, or someone to remind you that small things matter, we’re here. Always.

• 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.

You made law firm partner, congratulations! But once the title settles in, many new partners ask the same question: now what? In this mini episode, Megan Senese walks through practical, people-first steps to help new law firm partners transition from employee to owner and start building real autonomy inside their firm.

Who this episode is for:

• Newly promoted law firm partners
• Senior associates preparing for partnership
• Lawyers navigating the shift from biller to business builder

Episode takeaways:

• Why becoming a partner doesn’t magically change your day-to-day, and what should
• How gratitude and relationship-building set the tone for your first year
• The right way to tell people you’ve made partner
• Why understanding how you get paid matters more than you think
• How to start building a portable book of business early

What to do after you’ve made partner:

• Pause and acknowledge the milestone: Take a moment to recognize the work it took to get here.
• Thank the people who helped you: Mentors, colleagues, and clients who supported your path.
• Let people know about it - intentionally! Share the news by asking how you can support them.
• Understand how your compensation works: Know where your income will come from and how origination is measured.
• Start building your own book of business: Focus on long-term autonomy, flexibility, and ownership.

Learn More:

• What Should You Do as a New Law Firm Partner? 5 Tips for Your First 90 Days

Stay Connected:

Have questions about navigating your first year as a partner? We’re always happy to talk through strategy, structure, and next steps.

• 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.

“If you're going to say lawyers can’t enter a courtroom because they’ve represented people in unpopular causes, then the rule of law falls apart.” - Neel Chatterjee

What happens when lawyers speak up, not just in court, but in defense of the rule of law itself?

In this powerful conversation, Neel Chatterjee joins Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey to share the story behind Law Firm Partners United (LFPU): a grassroots movement that began with a single LinkedIn post and grew into a coalition of over 800 Big Law partners. Formed in response to executive overreach threatening the right to counsel, LFPU became a rare and urgent example of professional solidarity in action.

Neel opens up about the risks, the unexpected momentum, and why being a lawyer has never felt more meaningful. From his Attorney of the Year speech to organizing public amicus briefs, this is a conversation about courage, citizenship, and how even the most traditional institutions can change when people choose to act.

You’ll hear about:

• Why Neel started LFPU, and how it grew almost overnight
• The real risks Big Law partners faced when speaking out
• The constitutional stakes of recent executive orders
• How amicus briefs and town halls turned into tools of change
• What gives Neel hope about the future of the legal profession

About Neel Chatterjee:
Neel Chatterjee is a partner at King & Spalding and a nationally recognized technology litigator. He’s the founder of Law Firm Partners United, a coalition of 800+ Big Law partners defending the rule of law in response to executive overreach. His leadership earned him The American Lawyer’s 2025 Attorney of the Year award and national recognition for legal activism.

Learn More:

• Join Law Firm Partners United
• Watch Neel’s acceptance speech

This episode is brought to you by: ICVM Hawk

ICVM Hawk is a digital marketing and AI solutions consultancy that helps law firms build stronger brands and future-ready marketing systems.

They specialize in data-backed brand strategy, web design and development, SEO and AI-optimized content, and an AI-enabled marketing system designed to improve visibility, credibility, and long-term growth. ICVM Hawk's solutions help law firms and legal marketing teams scale without losing the trust that matters most.

Visit icvmhawk.com to learn how your firm can benefit.

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

For the holidays, we're sharing a couple of our favorite episodes from the year.

Enjoy this encore conversation with Stephanie Harrison!

Stephanie Harrison is a bestselling author, podcast host, and founder of The New Happy, a movement grounded in the art and science of well-being. Stephanie holds a master’s in positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, formerly led learning at Thrive Global, and her work now reaches millions through her podcast, newsletter, and widely shared visual art.

Stephanie shares her journey from burnout to breakthrough, and why everything changed when she stopped chasing external validation and started redefining happiness on her own terms. She unpacks the difference between “Old Happy” and "New Happy".

Stay tuned until the end for a special treat from Stephanie.

Learn more about our guest:

• Connect with Stephanie Harrison
• Check out New Happy

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

Music Credits:
Track: Follow Your Heart
Artist: Neil Cross
License type: Music Standard
Source: Envato Market
License Info: https://audiojungle.net/item/follow-your-heart/7195577