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Welcome to The Practice Playbook Podcast, the go-to show for legal and dispute resolution professionals who want more than just survival in their practices; they want strategy, sustainability, and success.
Hosted by best-selling author, attorney, mediator, and practice development expert Susan E. Guthrie, this podcast brings you straight-talking insights, actionable tips, and real-world advice on what it takes to thrive in today’s evolving professional landscape. Whether you're a lawyer, mediator, coach, or consultant, you'll learn how to build a business that reflects your values, supports your lifestyle, and positions you as a trusted expert.
Each episode pulls from the strategies in The Practice Playbook book series, featuring topics like:
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Ditching the billable hour and implementing flat fees with confidence
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Building a thought leadership brand that attracts ideal clients
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Using AI and technology to streamline your workflow and boost productivity
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Mastering client experience, referrals, and pricing strategy
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Real-world case studies, expert interviews, and practice-building stories
From the creator of The Flat Fee Playbook, The Thought Leadership Playbook, and The Practice Accelerator membership community - this is your weekly shot of clarity, confidence, and momentum.
Your practice doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It just needs a better playbook.
Episodes
16 minutes ago
16 minutes ago
Most people think leadership happens because someone notices you. But real influence is built when people learn they can trust you to show up, follow through, and lead when things get hard. Susan Guthrie sits down with her friend and longtime colleague Liz Hill, Director of Communications and Development at MWI and current Chair of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, for a refreshingly candid conversation about what professional leadership actually looks like from the inside.
Together, Susan and Liz explore what "get involved" actually means in practice, how community, visibility, and contribution intersect, and why some of the biggest career breakthroughs come from the rooms you almost did not walk into.
Whether you are brand new to your field, looking to grow your professional network, or wondering how to step into a more visible leadership role, this conversation is packed with insights you can put to work immediately.
Inside this conversation, you'll hear:
- Why real influence is built through trust and follow-through, not visibility alone
- What "get involved" actually means in practice, and how to start
- The difference between early participation and strategic leadership
- How volunteer roles build skills that transfer directly to your professional practice
- Why your "why" matters before you say yes to any leadership role
- How consistent contribution creates a personal brand and platform others notice
- What it really means to lead when the buck stops with you
- The career opportunities that open when you commit to showing up over time
Meet Our Guest
Elizabeth "Liz" Hill is Director of Communications and Development at MWI, where she focuses on elevating the visibility and impact of organizational ombuds, mediation, and negotiation services.
She also serves as Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution for the 2025-2026 bar year, following years of leadership within the Section.
Liz brings more than 20 years of experience across higher education, corporate, government, and legal settings, and is known for her practical, systems-focused approach to conflict. She's especially passionate about building connections across the field and helping people navigate complex challenges with clarity and confidence.
Email: ehill@mwi.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethshill14/
Join The Practice Accelerator
The Practice Accelerator is now open for monthly membership pre-registration. Designed for professionals who want more than just ideas, the Accelerator delivers structure, strategy, accountability, and a community of forward-thinking professionals who are serious about building sustainable, successful practices.
Visit https://susaneguthrie.com/accelerator to join now.
Upcoming Live Webinars with Susan Guthrie
AI That Actually Works | May 28th A practical, real-world session on how lawyers, mediators, and dispute resolution professionals can ethically and effectively use AI tools in their practices right now. No hype, just strategies you can put to work immediately.
The New Legal Frontier: AI-Driven Disputes and How You Can Lead Them | June 9th A forward-focused look at how AI is reshaping disputes, client expectations, and professional opportunities, and how you can position yourself as a leader in a rapidly changing environment.
Attend individually or bundle both and save $95. Practice Playbook listeners save an additional 20% with code Susan20 at checkout. Register at https://susaneguthrie.com/webinars.
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.
Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.
As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.
Connect with Susan E. Guthrie
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/books
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe to The Practice Playbook Podcast on your favorite platform, leave a 5-star review, and share the episode with a colleague or professional friend who would benefit from this conversation. Your support helps us continue bringing practical insights, forward-thinking strategies, and meaningful conversations to lawyers, mediators, arbitrators, and entrepreneurial professionals looking to build stronger, smarter, and more sustainable practices.
And as always, please remember that this podcast is presented for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice, business advice, or professional advice of any kind, and listening to this podcast does not create any attorney-client or professional relationship.
Thursday May 07, 2026
Thursday May 07, 2026
For the past three years, most conversations about AI in the legal and dispute resolution professions have fallen into one of two categories: fear or hype.
Either AI was coming to replace everyone, or it was being presented as a magical solution that could somehow run your practice for you overnight.
But professions are finally moving into a new phase of the conversation, one grounded in practical reality, thoughtful implementation, ethical responsibility, and strategic opportunity.
In this episode of The Practice Playbook Podcast, Susan Guthrie goes inside the upcoming AI and the Practice of Law Summit with two of the leaders helping shape that conversation: Joseph Gartner, Director of the ABA Center for Innovation and Deian McBryde, Chair of the Planning Committee for the upcoming ABA AI Summit.
Together, they explore where AI adoption in legal practice actually stands right now, what professionals are getting wrong, what is finally starting to work, and why the future of professional practice may belong to those who learn how to combine technology with the uniquely human skills clients value most.
This is not another surface-level AI conversation.
It is a candid and practical discussion about:
- Real-world AI implementation in law firms and professional practices
- The shift from AI theory to actionable workflows
- Billing and pricing challenges in an AI-driven practice environment
- Ethical guardrails and responsible technology adoption
- AI agents and what they may mean for the future of legal work
- Why solo and small firm professionals have enormous opportunities right now
- How mediators, arbitrators, and dispute resolution professionals fit into the evolving landscape
- The growing importance of judgment, creativity, strategy, and counseling in an AI-supported profession
Whether you are AI-curious, actively experimenting with tools like ChatGPT and Claude, or already integrating AI into your practice, this episode offers practical insights and a grounded perspective that cuts through the noise.
Susan and her guests also discuss the upcoming AI Summit, a virtual two-day program designed to help professionals at every level of AI adoption move from information overload to practical implementation.
ABA's "The AI and the Practice of Law Summit", May 18th and 19th
The program is fully virtual and all sessions will be available on demand afterward, which honestly was the deciding factor for me because I cannot attend live either, but I absolutely registered so I can access all of the content afterward.
Registration is very reasonably priced at about $200 for members and $240 for non-members, and there is also a discount code available. Use code SUMMIT10 for 10% off registration.
More information and Registration
Meet our Guests:
Joseph“Joey”Gartner focuses on the skill set of the modern lawyer. As Director and Counsel at the ABA Center for Innovation and former staff counsel to the ABA Task Force on Law and Artificial Intelligence, he approaches the profession’s challenges and opportunities with a broad, practical lens. Joey believes innovation starts with the individual and grows from well-rounded capabilities—such as data fluency, an iterative mindset, and technology competence—to complement legal expertise. His experience across practice and legal operations informs a steady approach to change and skill-building. He encourages balanced adoption of technology—AI included—grounded in client value and risk awareness rather than hype. He also helps lawyers develop the mindset to work at the top of their license and think creatively about how legal services are delivered. Joey frequently speaks on innovation, change readiness, the delivery of legal services, and artificial intelligence. He holds a J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
Deian McBryde is a New Mexico litigator and appellate attorney, mediator and settlement facilitator, and a judge pro tempore for the Tonto Apache Tribal Court in Arizona. Deian worked in business consulting, adult learning, technology, wellness, and the arts before pivoting to the law later in his career. He is a former chair of the State Bar’s Solo & Small Firm Section and is currently a member of the governing board of the ABA’s Center for Innovation and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, who has presented continuing education sessions locally and nationally. Deian is online at www.mcbrydelaw.com.
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.
Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.
As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.
Connect with Susan E. Guthrie
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/books
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe to The Practice Playbook Podcast on your favorite platform, leave a 5-star review, and share the episode with a colleague or professional friend who would benefit from this conversation. Your support helps us continue bringing practical insights, forward-thinking strategies, and meaningful conversations to lawyers, mediators, arbitrators, and entrepreneurial professionals looking to build stronger, smarter, and more sustainable practices.
And as always, please remember that this podcast is presented for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice, business advice, or professional advice of any kind, and listening to this podcast does not create any attorney-client or professional relationship.
Thursday Apr 30, 2026
Thursday Apr 30, 2026
Seven habits. That is what separates the top 10% of practitioners from everyone else. Not talent, not experience, not working harder. Seven specific, actionable habits that most professionals either overlook or avoid entirely. This week, every single one gets unpacked so you can begin implementing them into your practice today.
Most professionals believe success comes from doing more. More marketing, more networking, more credentials, more training. But after working with hundreds of professionals and colleagues building their practices, the truth is clear: volume is not what creates a thriving practice.
What does? Intention. Top performers make decisions with purpose, take action consistently, and build their practices strategically instead of reactively. This episode walks through all seven habits so you can identify exactly where you are operating like the 90% and where you can start operating like the top 10%, instead.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why top performers are not working harder than everyone else and what they are actually doing differently.
- How to use data from your last five clients to stop reacting and start building your practice with intention.
- What ruthless clarity around who you serve does for your referrals and how one sentence can change everything.
- How to build visibility as a habit instead of an event so you stay top of mind without burning out.
- What happens to most opportunities after the first conversation and the simple habit of followup keeps them alive.
Get the FREE Resource:
A free scorecard was created to go along with this episode. The Top 10% Practice Assessment walks through each of the seven habits and helps you identify exactly where your gaps are and where to focus next. Awareness is the first step, but action is what creates change. Get the Resource here: https://practiceplaybook.pro/practice-assessment
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.
Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.
As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.
Connect with Susan E. Guthrie
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
Thursday Apr 16, 2026
Thursday Apr 16, 2026
You can be exceptional at what you do, the best lawyer, mediator, consultant, or coach in the room, but if people don’t know who you are or how you can help, building a thriving practice becomes an uphill climb.
In fact, if you’ve ever left a conference, networking event, or even a series of great meetings thinking, “That was really valuable… so why aren’t any leads coming from it?” then you’ve already felt the gap we’re going to talk about in this episode.
With the help of guest Steve Fretzin, we’re exploring the difference between simply meeting people and actually building a meaningful book of business, or put another way, how to grow your practice without feeling like you’re selling.
Steve is a nationally recognized business development coach, author of five books on legal marketing and rainmaking, and host of the podcasts Be That Lawyer and Future Rainmakers. He works with professionals across the country to help them grow their practices in a way that feels both effective and authentic.
In this conversation, we’ll talk about how to become what Steve calls “that lawyer,” or in our world, that professional, the one people remember, trust, and want to work with.
What You’ll Learn:
- Business development is not selling. It’s relationship building, and when you approach it that way, everything changes.
- Meeting people is not the same as building business. Without follow-up, adding value, and deepening relationships, it’s easy to become what Steve calls a “professional meeter.”
- Activity without strategy does not create results. You need a system you can follow, track, and improve over time.
- Consistency is what separates successful professionals from everyone else. Not intensity or short bursts of effort, but showing up week after week in a meaningful way.
Get the FREE Resource:
- The Professional "Meeter" to Rainmaker Reset Kit: a companion resource to this episode designed to help you move from just meeting people to actually building a book of business building on the insights shared by Steve Fretzin in this episode. Get the Resource here.
Guest
Driven, focused, and committed to helping attorneys realize their full potential, Steve Fretzin is an internationally recognized coach, skills trainer, and roundtable facilitator for lawyers who want to build meaningful books of business and take control of their careers. He has authored five books on legal marketing and business development and hosts two highly rated podcasts, BE THAT LAWYER and Future Rainmakers. Steve also writes a monthly column for Above the Law, and his podcasts are regularly featured on the Above the Law and Attorney at Work websites.
Find out more about Steve’s new Be That Lawyer Community.
Website: bethatlawyer.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/fretzinsteve
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fretzinsteve/
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.
Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.
As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.
Connect with Susan E. Guthrie
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
Thursday Apr 02, 2026
Thursday Apr 02, 2026
Most professionals are busy, capable, doing good work and yet the practice is not growing the way they expected. The issue is not effort. The issue is usually strategy, or lack thereof. Because most professionals are focused on what feels productive, not what actually drives growth.
In this solo episode, Susan Guthrie walks through the seven fastest ways to grow your practice in 2026 and beyond. These are not trends. These are patterns, the things she sees consistently with professionals whose practices are growing, whose calendars are full, and who are being sought out rather than chasing work.
One important note before diving in: you do not need to do all seven. You should pick one from the list and do it consistently. Work through the episode, refer to the companion download, and find the one strategy that resonates.
What You’ll Learn:
- Every successful practice is built on three things: positioning, visibility, and trust. If your practice is not growing, at least one of those is off.
- The market does not reward general capability. It rewards clear positioning. You can do many things, but you must be known for one.
- You do not need more visibility. You need the right visibility, showing up where your referral sources already gather.
- Stop asking how to find more clients. Start asking who already works with your clients and build real relationships with those people.
- Thought leadership is what turns visibility into demand. It is not about being louder. It is about being clearer.
Related Resources
- Companion Worksheet: Download and refer back to it as you listen to the episode!
- The Business Planning Playbook
- The Flat Fee Playbook
- The Thought Leadership Playbook
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.
Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.
As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.
Connect with Susan E. Guthrie
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
Most people think you can simply stop practicing law one day and become a mediator the next. But as this episode makes clear, building a successful neutral practice takes years of credibility, relationships, and intentional effort. For anyone who has thought about making the transition from litigator to mediator, or who is already building a neutral practice and wondering what it really takes to succeed, this episode is exactly where to start.
Susan Guthrie sits down with Scott Zucker, a commercial litigator with nearly four decades of experience who has built a thriving mediation and arbitration practice. He is also the author of Mediation Minute: Insights on Alternative Dispute Resolution. Scott pulls the curtain back on what his journey really looked like, including the long runway and the simple but powerful marketing principle he calls “Go out, get seen, get asked”.
This conversation is packed with the kind of real-world insight that only comes from someone who has walked the walk. Scott and Susan cover everything from making the mental shift from advocate to neutral, to building thought leadership, and to why trust is the true bedrock of dispute resolution work.
What You’ll Learn:
- Building a mediation practice does not happen overnight, and why reputation, relationships, and credibility take years to develop.
- Thought leadership builds credibility before anyone picks up the phone, and how writing and speaking about what you observe as a neutral lets people understand you better
- Some of the best ways to build skills and get cases early in a neutral practice
- Why and how trust is the foundation of dispute resolution
Guest
Scott Zucker is a founding partner of the Atlanta law firm Weissmann Zucker Euster + Oblinger P.C. and has been practicing law since 1987. His law practice focuses on real estate, employment and construction matters. He is also a certified Mediator and Arbitrator and assists parties in resolving matters through Alternative Dispute Resolution. Scott is a frequent lecturer at national and state real estate and construction trade conventions and is a contributing legal writer for trade industry magazines.
Scott is actively involved in the community and has sat on the advisory boards for Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute as well as the Rollins School of Public Health. He is a past president of Temple Sinai in Atlanta and is a Vice-Chair for the Southeast Division of the Anti-Defamation League.
Scott is a fervent writer and educator on the topic of “Ethical Wills” and is a passionate advocate of the importance of legacy writing. Scott presented a TEDx talk on Ethical Wills in 2019 which is available on YouTube.
Scott obtained his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and his law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Scott and his wife Melanie are proud parents of two sons (and two wonderful daughter-in-laws) and especially proud grandparents.
Connect with Scott
Practice: https://milesmediation.com/neutrals/scott-zucker/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-zucker-3643b712/
Book: THE MEDIATION MINUTE: Insights on Alternative Dispute Resolution
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.
Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.
As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.
Connect with Susan E. Guthrie
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
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Thursday Mar 05, 2026
Thursday Mar 05, 2026
What if credibility does not come from sounding like an expert? What if it comes from being understood? That is the question at the heart of this week's conversation and for legal professionals trained to believe that complexity signals expertise, it may be the most important question to sit with.
Susan Guthrie is joined by Lee Shainis, founder of Simplify Language, who has trained hundreds of organizations nationwide to make their written and spoken communication clearer, more efficient, and more inclusive. Lee brings a grounding reminder that simplifying communication is not dumbing it down. It is tightening it up, editing, sharpening, and making space for the people across from you to actually follow along.
Together, Susan and Lee explore the hidden costs of complex language, why most people will never tell you when they are confused, and how small, intentional shifts in clarity can strengthen trust, influence, and authority.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why complexity can actually work against your credibility
- How institutional language creates distance, even when you do not mean it to
- Why most people will never tell you when they are confused, and how to make it easier for them
- Why knowing your audience is always step one, before you write a word or say a thing
- How to use AI to simplify your communication without losing your voice
Join Us at the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Skills Summit
Lee Shainis is the featured presenter on day two of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Skills Summit this April. He will be diving deep into practical tools for simplifying communication, elevating your public speaking, and strengthening your facilitation skills. It is a two-day virtual program, so you can attend from anywhere.
Register at https://events.americanbar.org/event/b68303d1-af4a-495c-abc3-a67a5bd67a9b/summary
Guest
Lee is founder of Simplify Language, providing training to make written and spoken communication more concise, understandable, readable, and efficient for all audiences.
Since 2023 he has led hundreds of custom trainings nationwide for educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, and others.
Lee co-founded the nonprofit lntercambio Uniting Communities in 2000 and was the CEO for 20 years. During his leadership, lntercambio connected 10,000 adult immigrants with 5,000 volunteer English teachers in Boulder County and established a national network of several hundred organizations. lntercambio continues to thrive and in 2024 received $2M from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation.
Connect with Lee
Website: simplifylanguage.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-shainis
Resources Mentioned:
Get All Three Practice Playbook Books for Just $19.99
If you are serious about building a profitable, sustainable practice, Susan's entire Practice Playbook series is now available as a PDF bundle. That includes the Flat Fee Playbook, the Thought Leadership Playbook, and the Business Plan Playbook. One PDF with three strategic guides designed to help you clarify your positioning, strengthen your authority, and build a practice that actually works for you.
Grab the full bundle at https://bit.ly/Three-Books
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Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.
Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.
As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.
Connect with Susan E. Guthrie
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
Thursday Feb 19, 2026
Thursday Feb 19, 2026
Are you building a firm, or have you really built yourself a very high-paying job? That is a question every entrepreneurial professional needs to confront at some point, whether you are five years into practice or thirty-five. This week, Susan Guthrie welcomes Andrea Steinbrenner for a thoughtful and eye-opening conversation about what it truly means to build something that can sustain itself beyond the founder.
Andrea is the CEO and Partner of Exit Consulting Group, where she helps business owners plan for succession, transition, and exit. A former fractional CFO and operational leader, she brings deep strategic and practical experience. What makes this conversation especially powerful is that she does not view exit planning as simply a transaction. She frames it as something much bigger. It is about transition, legacy, and long-term relevance.
Together, Susan and Andrea explore what happens when a business is built around one person, the emotional and practical challenges of letting go, and what it really takes to create something that can endure.
Whether you plan to sell, wind down, pass your work on, or simply want more freedom in your life, this conversation invites you to consider an essential truth: A business that depends entirely on you is inherently fragile, and building something that lasts requires intentional planning long before any transition begins.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why a business that cannot run without you is not yet transferable and what that actually means about structure, not success
- How to think about exit strategy as transition, legacy, and future freedom rather than simply selling
- Why timing matters and how early structural changes create more options later
- How to assess whether you are building a scalable firm or sustaining a high performing job
- Where founder dependency shows up and how to identify if you are a single point of failure
- One practical step you can take in the next ninety days to build real leverage in your business
Guest
Andrea Steinbrenner is the Chief Executive Officer and Partner of Exit Consulting Group, Inc. (ECG), where she leads with strategic vision and cultural integrity. Her career spans retail management, accounting, and operations, including serving as a fractional CFO and VP of Operations at TGG Accounting, where she helped scale the firm significantly. After earning her EMBA, she founded Canopy Consulting before joining ECG in 2019, rising from consultant to COO and ultimately CEO in 2022. Known for her clear communication and “Tarzan” analogy of bridging strategy and execution, Andrea prioritizes active listening to align company goals with client success. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, hiking, reading, and raising poodles with her husband, Todd.
Connect with Andrea:
Website: https://exitconsultinggroup.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasteinbrenner/
Featured Companion Resource: The Founder Independence Scorecard
Take this conversation from insight to action with The Founder Independence Scorecard, a companion resource created for this episode.
This short, strategic self assessment helps you see clearly whether you are building a scalable firm or sustaining a high performing job. More importantly, it helps you identify where you are structurally strong, where you may be a single point of failure, and one practical move you can make in the next ninety days to build real leverage.
Download the companion scorecard here:
bit.ly/PPP-Founder-Scorecard
This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party
FourthParty bridges the gap between great mediators and great businesses by offering technology and guidance that make running a mediation practice feel effortless. Say goodbye to the pain of scheduling, payments, and communications.
FourthParty is offering listeners 20% off their first 6 months with the codes SUSAN20. Head over to FourthParty.app and schedule a conversation with the team. https://fourthparty.app
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.
Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.
As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.
Connect with Susan E. Guthrie
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
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Thursday Feb 05, 2026
Thursday Feb 05, 2026
This is not your typical episode on profitability. Susan Guthrie welcomes guest Darren Wurz,CFP®, who brings a fresh and innovative approach to what profit really means for legal professionals. He explains why chasing higher revenue alone can actually leave firm owners feeling more stressed, stretched thin, and disconnected from the life they want their practice to support.
Darren is the founder of The Lawyer Millionaire and a fiduciary financial planner who works exclusively with law firm owners. He brings a rare perspective shaped by his background as an educator and his deep understanding of both business strategy and personal finance.
In this conversation, they dig into what profitability really means, why growing a firm can actually reduce profit if you’re not careful, and the practical systems that help lawyers keep more of what they earn while building businesses that support the lives they want.
This episode invites you to slow down, challenge familiar assumptions, and think about profit in a more intentional, sustainable way.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why profitability is not the same thing as revenue, and how a growing practice can still leave you financially strained if you’re not being intentional
- How separating business and personal finances, paying yourself consistently, and setting profit aside on purpose can transform both your numbers and your decision-making
- Why profitability is a team sport, and how aligning your staff around clear financial goals leads to better choices across the firm
- The hidden cost of rushed decisions, and why slowing down to think strategically can protect your profit and your long-term vision
Guest
Darren Wurz, CFP®, is the founder of The Lawyer Millionaire®. He is a fiduciary financial planner who works exclusively with law firm owners, helping them bridge the gap between running a successful practice and actually building lasting wealth.
What makes Darren’s perspective so compelling is his path. He didn’t come up through traditional finance sales. He started as a teacher, driven by a genuine commitment to helping people grow, and that mindset carries through everything he does today.
Through his work with lawyers across the country, Darren saw a pattern that will sound very familiar to many of you. Talented, driven professionals bringing in good revenue, but still struggling with cash flow, taxes, long-term planning, and the question of what all that hard work is really building toward.
So he built something that didn’t exist. A flat-fee advisory firm designed specifically for law firm owners, combining business strategy, tax-smart planning, and personal financial coaching.
Connect with Darren
Community: https://community.lawyermillionaire.com
Website: https://thelawyermillionaire.com
Podcast: https://www.lawyermillionaire.com/the-lawyer-millionaire-podcast
Book: https://www.lawyermillionaire.com/the-lawyer-millionaire-book
Related Resources
- Download the Law Firm Profit First Set Up Guide and Instant Cash Flow Assessment
- Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
- Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits by Greg Crabtree
- The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack
- The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.
Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.
As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.
Connect with Susan E. Guthrie
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
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Thursday Jan 22, 2026
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
You’re posting on LinkedIn. People are liking and commenting on your posts. And yet, when you look at your practice, nothing has really changed.
In this episode, Susan Guthrie unpacks a pattern she sees repeatedly in workshops, retreats, and strategy sessions with experienced professionals using LinkedIn. The effort is there. The consistency is there. But the results do not match the visibility.
Susan explores why LinkedIn engagement can be misleading, how professionals get stuck being visible without being positioned, and how to use the platform as a long-term trust builder rather than a popularity contest.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why LinkedIn likes and comments reflect agreement, not trust, and what decision-makers are actually evaluating before they reach out
- How the content that leads to clients often receives less engagement, and why authority-signaling posts work differently by design
- How to tell when your LinkedIn visibility is not positioning you clearly, and why positioning matters more than posting consistency
Related Resources
Upcoming Live Session
🎙 Ask Susan Anything: New Year Practice Building Focus
📅 February 2 at 11am CT
A free live session for dispute resolution professionals ready to break old patterns and build smarter strategies.
Register here: https://lnkd.in/ggtQJudk
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.
Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.
As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.
Connect with Susan E. Guthrie
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast