January is the season of reinvention — new goals, new habits, and sometimes even a new haircut. But how much of that change is real, and how much is just cosmetic?

In this special, live-from-the-barbershop episode of Sports ’N Torts, host Joshua Stein welcomes back returning fan-favorite Alvaro Arouz of 3A Law Management for his third appearance on the show — and this time, Alvaro takes “new year, new you” literally with a live haircut during the recording.

As the scissors start cutting, the conversation digs into what real change actually looks like inside a law firm. From launching 13 new law firm startups across the U.S. and internationally, to helping burned-out lawyers rediscover clarity and purpose, Alvaro explains why emotional pain often sparks change — and why most lawyers fail to convert that moment into lasting systems.

In the final segment of the episode, attorney Nik Erramilli joins the conversation to share his own journey over the past year. Nik reflects on stepping into a highly specialized NIL-focused practice, how working with Alvaro helped him sharpen his strategy, and what intentional growth looks like for his firm in 2026. His perspective brings the episode full circle — moving from theory to a real-world example of purpose-driven practice building.

This episode blends philosophy, practicality, and humor — proving that sometimes the most meaningful transformations start with clarity, consistency, and the courage to do things differently.

Guest: Alvaro Arouz, 3A Law Management

Special Guest: Nik Erramilli

Host: Joshua Stein

Episode Theme: New Year, New You — Turning Emotional Resets into Real Change

Location: Recorded live from the barbershop

• New Year, New Me — Fact or Fiction?
• Why January triggers emotional resets, and why most lawyers mistake visible change for meaningful progress.
• The Live Haircut Metaphor
• How external change (like a haircut) mirrors internal commitment — and why clarity matters more than optics.
• Launching Law Firms Like Startups
• Alvaro breaks down lessons from launching 13 firms in January across the U.S. and six international markets.
• Mindset Before Mechanics
• A practical framework for diagnosing problems:
  • What’s the real issue?
  • What’s the obstacle?
  • What habits are sustaining it?
  • What’s the desired end goal?
  
  
• The 7 January “Resolution Buckets” for Lawyers
  • Better clients
  • Better marketing
  • Stronger systems
  • More leverage
  • Higher profit margins
  • Burnout avoidance
  • Meaning, purpose, and legacy
  
  
• Marketing That Actually Works in 2026
  • Why referral-based marketing is gaining ground
  • Using AI to accelerate — not replace — authenticity
  • Consistency over perfection in content creation
  
  
• Why Firms Overspend on Marketing
  • The danger of untracked ad spend
  • How intake data and accountability meetings change decision-making
  
  
• Hiring, Firing, and Accountability
  • Why chaos is expensive
  • Personality testing, fast feedback, and decisive leadership
  
  
• Leverage and Growth Decisions
  • When to hire paralegals vs. attorneys
  • How case count reveals firm health
  
  
• Nik Eramilli’s Journey & 2026 Vision
  • Building a niche NIL-focused practice
  • Transitioning from traditional litigation into a purpose-driven specialty
  • Learning to “do the fishing” rather...

In this annual Year in Review episode of Sports ’N Torts, Joshua Stein continues a personal tradition—pausing before the calendar turns to reflect on the year that was. Guided by thoughtful questions from his wife Dana, the conversation feels less like an interview and more like a real check-in on family, work, and the moments that mattered most.

The episode touches on life at home with both kids now in high school, the pace of milestone moments, and the role youth sports played throughout the year—from travel baseball highs to the perspective gained by coaching instead of competing. The two also reflects on a year filled with music, travel, and shared experiences that helped create space outside of work.

Professionally, the focus stays on meaning rather than metrics: standout cases, growth within the firm, the satisfaction of mentoring, and why community-based relationships continue to matter more than traditional marketing. The episode closes with reflections on podcasting itself—why the conversations and connections outweigh downloads—and why taking time to reflect has become an annual priority.

This is a grounded, honest look back at a full year—before turning the page to what’s next.

• Why a year-in-review episode has become an annual tradition
• Life at home with both kids now in high school, including:
  • Prom, homecoming, and senior-year moments
  • College applications and tryouts
  
  
• Youth sports reflections:
  • Travel baseball season and Maccabi Games in Arizona
  • Coaching volleyball instead of playing
  • What sports continue to teach about patience, growth, and perspective
  
  
• Making time for fun and shared experiences:
  • Concerts including Pearl Jam and Zac Brown Band at the Sphere
  • A memorable Nashville trip
  
  
• Professional reflections:
  • Two cases that stood out for personal and professional reasons
  • The fulfillment that comes from mentoring and leadership
  
  
• Community-based marketing and connection:
  • Hosting golf tournaments
  • Sponsoring local high school teams
  • Staying connected through authentic outreach and video
  
  
• Podcast reflections:
  • Recording more than 50 episodes this year, including Last Call
  • Favorite conversations and meaningful feedback
  • Meeting many guests for the first time through the podcast
  • Why impact and relationships matter more than downloads
  • The creative fun of evolving episode cover art
  
  

In this episode of Sports ’N Torts, Joshua Stein sits down with Gracyn Tucker, a redshirt sophomore on the Georgia Tech softball team, for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to compete at a high level—on the field, in the classroom, and in life.

Gracyn pulls back the curtain on the day-to-day reality of being a Division I student-athlete, from 6 a.m. lifts and packed class schedules to managing injuries, nutrition, mental toughness, and expectations. She shares how she navigated the recruiting process, why academics matter just as much as athletics, and what parents often get wrong when it comes to youth sports.

The conversation goes far beyond softball. Gracyn reflects on leadership, failure, pressure, and mindset—including the mental framework she uses to recover from mistakes in high-stakes moments. She also talks candidly about NIL, the transfer portal, team culture, and why loving the game—not money or pressure—is essential to long-term success.

Finally, Gracyn discusses her growing interest in law and criminal defense, how a summer internship shaped her perspective, and why the skills she’s learning through sports will stay with her long after her playing days are over.

Whether you’re a parent, coach, young athlete, or professional thinking about leadership and discipline, this episode delivers insight, perspective, and wisdom well beyond Gracyn’s years.

• Gracyn’s journey from East Cobb youth softball to Georgia Tech
• The realities of being a redshirt athlete and balancing injuries with development
• Why multi-sport exposure matters (and when specialization goes too far)
• Travel ball vs. high school sports—and why high school memories still matter
• How college recruiting actually works (camps, showcases, social media, emails)
• The importance of academics in college athletics and recruiting decisions
• A real look at time management for student-athletes
• Nutrition, recovery, and the behind-the-scenes support systems at Georgia Tech
• Using technology and analytics (bat speed, exit velocity, pitch data) in softball
• Why mindset and process matter more than stats
• Leadership, team chemistry, and being a “culture carrier”
• The ORCA method for handling failure and bouncing back mentally
• How parents can help—or hurt their child’s athletic future
• Burnout, pressure, and why loving the game is non-negotiable
• NIL, the transfer portal, and how college sports culture is changing
• Lessons sports teach that translate directly to law, business, and life
• Gracyn’s interest in criminal law, public defense, and advocacy
• Rapid-fire fun: walk-up songs, superstitions, and game-day routines

This episode isn’t just about softball—it’s about discipline, resilience, leadership, and growth. Gracyn brings a thoughtful, mature perspective that will resonate with:

• Parents navigating youth and high school sports
• Student-athletes balancing big goals and real pressure
• Coaches focused on development and culture
• Professionals who see parallels between sports, law, and business

If you care about doing hard things the right way, this conversation is worth your time.

As always, the episode is powered by the J. Stein Law Firm - a personal injury law firm in Atlanta, GA -...