Lawyer Life Experiment – Details, episodes & analysis

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.

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(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

In this episode, we delve into the value of visualising your future to set a clear direction, so that you can focus on what truly matters. We also share our approaches to end-of-year reflections, combining thoughtful insights with a bit of fun to round off the year meaningfully. 

We encourage you to take some time this holiday to reflect on 2024, so that you can mindfully enter 2025.

We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.

Please rate, review and subscribe.

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

As Anya approaches her 40th birthday in September and with Frieda already having two years of experience in her 40s, we dive into a discussion about midlife. We explore the juggling act of family, caregiving, health and career challenges that define this phase of life. We share the invaluable lessons we've learned. We celebrate the unique gifts that midlife brings. Join us for an honest conversation as we navigate these complexities while embracing the new opportunities that come our way.

We would love to hear your midlife stories! Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.

We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.

Please rate, review and subscribe.

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.

Please rate, review and subscribe.

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.

Please rate, review and subscribe.

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.

Please rate, review and subscribe.

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.

Please rate, review and subscribe.

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.

Please rate, review and subscribe.

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

Join Anya and I for the final episode of 2022 as we reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly of 2022! Reflecting doesn’t come naturally to a lot of people. Often, we just sweep the past under the rug and move on forwards without a second thought. However, it’s actually really beneficial to acknowledge our achievements, to understand our challenges and to identify the things we've learned about ourselves and others, so that we can step into the future with intention. So grab a cuppa and come and have a giggle with us as we close off the year.
Happy holidays!
With Love, 
Frieda and Anya

We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.

Please rate, review and subscribe.

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

With COP27 underway, we are reflecting on how climate change (and other world issues for this matter) affect lawyers personally. We have multiple elements in our life that want balance. Giving back affects us deeply. What we do might feel in dissonance with what we believe in. Or causes that matter to us might feel too big for us to change.  In this episode, we explore how we can express what matters to us within our lives in a way that is meaningful and available without having to drastically change our life.  

We would love to hear your thoughts. Please get in touch with Frieda at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and Anya at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.  

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 <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>.

Please rate, review and subscribe.

(Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)