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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
7 days ago
7 days ago
If you want a clearer, steadier, and more grounded start to 2026, this episode offers the essential year-end reflection every legal and dispute resolution professional should be doing. As the year winds down, Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized mediator, legal entrepreneur, and bestselling author, guides you through a candid, deeply clarifying debrief of your practice.
Instead of waiting for the calendar to turn and hoping things feel different in January, Susan shows you how to understand the patterns, decisions, and dynamics that shaped your year. You’ll look closely at what worked, what drained you, and what you’re finally ready to let go of, so you can step into the new year with focus, intention, and renewed purpose.
This episode mirrors the same process Susan uses with her private coaching clients every December, and it includes access to a powerful companion worksheet to help you translate today’s insights into a written plan for the year ahead.
Whether you want to strengthen your systems, expand your visibility, refine your services, or simply create more ease in your business, this honest debrief will help you step into 2026 with clarity and confidence.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Your wins are your data! Identify the strategies and behaviors that moved your practice forward this year
- How to uncover the projects, habits, and commitments that drained your time or energy
- Why follow-up remains one of the most powerful (and underused) growth tools in any practice
- How to evaluate opportunities that aligned with your vision and those that didn’t
- Key questions for assessing visibility, client experience, efficiency, and sustainability
- How to identify what to refine, what to adjust, and what to release completely
- The emotional and practical power of letting go
- How to turn lessons learned into strategic choices for the year ahead
Download the Year-End Debrief Companion Worksheet
Make this reflection process easy and intentional with a guided worksheet created specifically for this episode. This companion resource walks you through each step of your year-end debrief so you can capture your insights clearly and turn them into meaningful action for 2026.
Download the worksheet here: https://susaneguthrie.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/ai-placeholder-5
Inside, you’ll find thoughtful prompts and supportive questions that help you identify your wins, acknowledge what didn’t work, and decide what you’re ready to release. It’s a simple, structured way to gather everything you uncovered in this episode and shape it into a confident plan for the year ahead.
Who This Episode Is For
- Mediators
- Family law and collaborative professionals
- Attorneys, arbitrators, and legal neutrals
- Coaches and consultants in conflict resolution
- Solo and small firm practice owners
- Entrepreneurs seeking more clarity, sustainability, and purpose
- Anyone preparing their strategic foundation for 2026
Resources Mentioned
- Jill Sherer Murray’s TEDx Talk: “The Unstoppable Power of Letting Go”
- Year-End Debrief Companion Worksheet – Free download can be found here https://susaneguthrie.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/ai-placeholder-5
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 E. 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 Nov 20, 2025
Thursday Nov 20, 2025
If you want more clarity, higher revenue, and a smoother path into 2026, this episode is your essential year-end roadmap. November is the strategic moment for legal and dispute resolution professionals to review their pricing, refine their services, and set the stage for a more profitable year ahead. In this solo episode, Susan E. Guthrie, nationally recognized mediator, legal entrepreneur, and author of The Flat Fee Playbook, walks you through a complete “Profit Checkup” designed specifically for mediators, attorneys, collaborative professionals, coaches, and conflict-resolution entrepreneurs.
Whether you are preparing to raise your rates, transition to flat fee services, improve client experience, or finally bring your systems in line with your value, this actionable episode gives you the structure and clarity to make smart, strategic decisions before the new year begins.
You will learn how to assess your current pricing, evaluate your true profit margins, analyze your most and least profitable services, and identify the bottlenecks that quietly erode your income and energy. Susan also explores the emotional side of pricing decisions and why most professionals struggle with raising their rates even when the data tells them they should.
And because year-end is the perfect time for strategic planning, Susan shares a powerful companion tool for this episode: The Profit Checkup Worksheet, a free downloadable checklist that walks you step-by-step through the exact process she uses with her coaching clients and inside The Flat Fee Playbook.
If you want a profitable, focused, and confident start to 2026, this episode is your guide.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• Why November, not January, is the smartest time to review and revise your pricing (although it's never too late!)
• How to evaluate whether your fees reflect your expertise, market, and current demand
• The three questions every practitioner should ask when assessing their pricing
• How to calculate your “effective hourly rate” and why it matters more than your billed rate
• Why flat fees reduce friction, increase predictability, and enhance client experience
• Which services are most likely ready for a pricing change or structural redesign
• How to assess your service mix for profitability, client fit, energy impact, and alignment
• What bottlenecks silently drain your revenue and how to identify them
• The emotional barriers that prevent professionals from raising prices
• Why pricing is a leadership decision, not a math exercise
• Key system updates you must complete before implementing new pricing in 2026
Download the Profit Checkup Worksheet
Make this process effortless with a step-by-step worksheet that guides you through your year-end pricing review, service audit, and 2026 planning.
Download the worksheet here:
https://susaneguthrie.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/profit-checkup-worksheet
This companion resource includes prompts, checklists, and guided questions that help you make informed, confident pricing decisions without overwhelm.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is ideal for:
• Mediators
• Family law and collaborative attorneys
• Arbitrators and legal neutrals
• Coaches and consultants in conflict resolution
• Solo practitioners and small firm owners
• Professionals transitioning to flat fee or hybrid pricing
• Legal entrepreneurs building or scaling their practices
• Anyone preparing for 2026 business planning and revenue strategy
If you want more profit, simplicity, and stability in your practice next year, this episode gives you the exact roadmap.
Resources Mentioned
• The Flat Fee Playbook – Your guide to building, structuring, and pricing flat fee services
• Profit Checkup Worksheet – Free download
• Thought Leadership Playbook – Build your platform and elevate your visibility
• Business Planning Playbook (Coming Soon) – A complete framework for building a modern, strategic business plan
• Practice Building Tip of the Day Newsletter on LinkedIn
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 Nov 06, 2025
Thursday Nov 06, 2025
In this special solo episode, Susan shares behind-the-scenes lessons from her appearance on The Oprah Podcast. Discover how years of preparation and purpose can lead to extraordinary opportunities, how to steward visibility with integrity, and how to turn gratitude into growth.
This isn’t just an episode about a big media moment, it’s a heartfelt reflection on what it means to stay consistent, stay true to your mission, and trust that the right people will find your work when the time is right. Consider this your reminder that you don’t chase moments like this - you build toward them one intentional step, one thoughtful piece of content, and one act of service at a time.
Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode:
- How consistent, clear messaging reaches the right person at the right moment when you stay committed to your work.
- The intentional preparation and mindset Susan used to show up professionally and honor the platform and community she represents.
- A simple shift that turns nerves into gratitude, presence, and grounded confidence in high-visibility moments.
- Insights from meeting Oprah and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the reminder that true greatness is humble, steady, and rooted in service.
- The real “Oprah Effect”: expanding impact, deepening connection, and inspiring others through meaningful visibility.
Links and resources from this episode:
The Oprah Podcast: Gray Divorce Episode
Watch on YouTube // Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Divorce & Beyond Episode Archive
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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
============================
WANT MORE CONTENT?
Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan
Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter
Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE! https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal
Reach out to Susan at susan@susaneguthrie.com
Susan's Coaching Services: https://susaneguthrie.com/services
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Social Media:
Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq
Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating
*****************
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Most professionals in dispute resolution don’t start out dreaming of marketing strategies and social media plans, they become mediators, arbitrators, and facilitators because they want to help people resolve conflict, not “sell” themselves. Marketing done right isn’t about selling at all, it’s about educating, connecting, and building trust.
In this episode, Susan breaks down the Top 3 Must-Dos for Modern Marketing in Dispute Resolution, sharing practical, accessible strategies that help professionals attract the right clients, establish credibility, and grow their practices authentically.
When clarity, connection, and consistency guide your marketing, growth becomes not just possible, but sustainable.
Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode:
- Why you should be marketing dispute resolution itself, not just your own services.
- How to build your brand around trust, not titles + why educational content builds trust
- And why consistent follow-up might be your most powerful growth tool.
Links and resources from this episode:
The Thought Leadership Playbook: How to Get Known, Build Trust, and Grow a Profitable Practice (The Practice Playbook Series 2)
Join the waitlist for The Practice Accelerator, Susan’s brand-new subscription program packed with resources, tools, and community support to help you grow smarter.
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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
============================
WANT MORE CONTENT?
Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan
Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter
Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE! https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal
Reach out to Susan at susan@susaneguthrie.com
Susan's Coaching Services: https://susaneguthrie.com/services
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Social Media:
Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq
Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating
*****************
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.
Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Thursday Oct 09, 2025
If you’ve been looking for ways to expand your services, stand out in a competitive market, and deliver greater value to your clients, this week’s conversation is for you. Early Dispute Resolution (EDR) is transforming the way practitioners help clients resolve cases, faster, more cost-effectively, and with higher satisfaction on all sides. It’s also a smart way to grow your practice and position yourself as a future-focused professional.
To explore the power of EDR, Susan Guthrie welcomes Anne Jordan, a Chicago-based arbitrator and mediator, Of Counsel to Mandell Menkes LLC, and one of the leading national voices on EDR. Anne serves on the American Arbitration Association’s Commercial, Large Complex Case, Employment, and International panels, as well as the CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals. She’s also a Trustee of the EDR Institute and past chair of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution’s Task Force on Early Dispute Resolution, so she’s been shaping this movement from the inside out.
Together, Susan and Anne break down what EDR really is, how its four-step process helps clients save time and money, and why it’s such an attractive service to offer as a mediator or dispute resolution professional. Anne also shares how the ABA and AAA are embracing EDR, and why now is the perfect time to integrate this approach into your practice and your marketing strategy.
Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode:
- How EDR can give you a business advantage by delivering faster, more cost-effective results and attracting clients.
- Why introducing EDR early in a case can save time, money, and reduce conflict before litigation escalates
- EDR’s four-step framework and how it can be adapted to fit the unique needs of each dispute
- Why demand for EDR is growing and how being trained now gives you a clear edge.
More About This Week's Special Guest, Anne Jordan: Anne Jordan is a Chicago-based arbitrator and mediator, Of Counsel to the firm Mandell Menkes LLC, and a leading national voice on Early Dispute Resolution (EDR). She serves on the American Arbitration Association’s Commercial, Large Complex Case, Employment, and International panels, as well as the CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals. Over the course of her career, she has handled countless high-value cases involving technology, intellectual property, and employment disputes. Before establishing her practice as a neutral, Anne served as General Counsel for three major technology companies — PeopleSoft, Sega of America, and Worlds of Wonder.
Anne is also a Trustee of the EDR Institute and the past chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution’s Task Force on Early Dispute Resolution, playing a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of the EDR process.
Website and Contact Information:
Early Dispute Resolution Institute: https://www.edrinstitute.org/
Anne Jordan’s email: anne(at)annjordanassociates.com
Social media:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-jordan-759867
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This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party
Build your practice like a CEO with Fourth Party, the all-in-one platform for dispute resolution professionals. Manage intake, scheduling, files, and payments in one place.
As a listener of The Practice Playbook Podcast, you can get 20% off your first three months. Just visit fourthparty.app and use the code SUSAN20 at checkout.
Take control of your business and start building it like a CEO with Fourth Party.
============================
WANT MORE CONTENT?
Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan
Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter
Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE! https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal
Reach out to Susan at susan@susaneguthrie.com
Susan's Coaching Services: https://susaneguthrie.com/services
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Social Media:
Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq
Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating
*****************
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Susan Guthrie welcomes you back to The Practice Playbook Podcast with a focus on one of the most important shifts you can make in your business: moving from chasing clients to attracting your perfect clients.
When you’re chasing, you’re hustling, discounting, and saying yes to everyone. It keeps you stuck in scarcity and often leads to burnout. Attracting, on the other hand, is about clarity, alignment, and building a practice that feels lighter, more intentional, and more successful.
In this episode, Susan lays out the step-by-step process to help you research, define, and validate your perfect client profile and then put that information to work so that the right people naturally find you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why chasing doesn’t work long-term and how it keeps you in scarcity
- How to define your perfect client using both demographics and psychographics
- The key questions to ask yourself: Who brings out my best work? Who leaves me fulfilled? Who values what I bring?
- Practical tools for validating your perfect client profile through market research, from AI prompts to social listening to direct conversations
- Ways to put your research into action by refining your messaging, shaping your offers, and positioning yourself where your perfect clients already are
➡ Grab Your Copy of the Perfect Client Worksheet referenced in the episode: https://susan-s-site-47d7.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/ai-placeholder
==================
This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party
Build your practice like a CEO with Fourth Party, the all-in-one platform for dispute resolution professionals. Manage intake, scheduling, files, and payments in one place.
As a listener of The Practice Playbook Podcast, you can get 20% off your first three months. Just visit fourthparty.app and use the code SUSAN20 at checkout.
Take control of your business and start building it like a CEO with Fourth Party.
============================
WANT MORE CONTENT?
Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan
Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter
Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE! https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal
Reach out to Susan at susan@susaneguthrie.com
Susan's Coaching Services: https://susaneguthrie.com/services
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Social Media:
Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq
Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating
*****************
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Have you noticed something strange happening on LinkedIn lately? Old videos from months ago are suddenly resurfacing and getting traction? That’s not a glitch, it’s the algorithm talking to you. And if you’re not paying attention, you could be missing one of the biggest visibility opportunities available right now.
In this episode, Susan shares how a nine-month-old video suddenly went viral and what that means for your own content strategy. LinkedIn has shifted its priorities in favor of short-form video, at least for now. Susan helps break down the best practices you can use to ride the wave of this (and future) algorithm changes.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- A quick checklist to optimize content for the LinkedIn algorithm
- Why short, direct, personal, educational, or emotionally resonant content performs best
- The importance of captions, attention-grabbing openers, and calls to action in video posts
- Why your LinkedIn profile is not a static brochure and how to use analytics to adjust what’s working and what’s not
- The bigger lesson: stay engaged with the platforms that work for you and repurpose content strategically
If a nine-month-old ChatGPT joke can resurface and go viral, just imagine what your next post might do. Visibility is a moving target, but if you pay attention, you’ll stop guessing about what and how to post and start growing with intention.
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Get Real, Actionable Strategies
Join the free Profitable Practice Strategies webinar on Thursday, September 18th at 12 noon ET.
In 60 minutes, Susan will walk you through practical, real-world tips that have helped hundreds of professionals raise their revenue, improve their systems, and finally feel in control of their practice.
We’ll cover:
* How to transition away from the billable hour
* A consult framework that actually converts
* How to position yourself to attract premium clients
* Simple ways to use AI to save time and increase profit
* Your next steps with a profitability checklist
Whether you’re a solo, firm leader, or neutral in transition, this one’s for you.
➡️ Save your seat at susaneguthrie.com
============================
WANT MORE CONTENT?
Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan
Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter
Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE! https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal
Reach out to Susan at susan@susaneguthrie.com
Susan's Coaching Services: https://susaneguthrie.com/services
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Social Media:
Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq
Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating
*****************
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Susan Guthrie is back with some big news: the podcast has a new name! Welcome to The Practice Playbook Podcast, your hub for building a smart, sustainable, and fulfilling practice. And what better way to kick things off than by tackling one of the most powerful (and most avoided) topics out there: finding your niche.
Niching can feel scary. Maybe you’ve worried about turning people away, missing opportunities, or “leaving money on the table.” But the truth is, your niche is not a limitation, it’s the key to standing out, attracting the right clients, and building a business that feels aligned with who you are.
In this episode, Susan shares a simple, step-by-step playbook to help you get clear on your niche and shows you how to put it to work in your practice.
This is a conversation full of “aha” moments and golden nuggets that will inspire you to focus your energy where it matters most: on the clients and work that light you up.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why so many professionals resist choosing a niche (and why that fear is holding you back).
- The difference between a job title and a niche and why the latter is where your power lies.
- A step-by-step process to reflect, refine, and test your niche so it feels authentic to you.
- Practical ways to leverage your niche, from your messaging and pricing to building authority in your field.
- Golden nuggets to remember, including: why a well-defined niche builds trust, credibility, and income faster.
Resources and Next Steps:
Grab your copy of The Flat Fee Playbook: https://amzn.to/4213I22
Download the Find Your Niche Worksheet: LINK https://bit.ly/PPP-Niche-Worksheet
Join the waitlist for The Practice Accelerator, Susan’s brand-new subscription program packed with resources, tools, and community support to help you grow smarter.
Inside The Practice Accelerator, you’ll get exclusive access to:
- Ad-free episodes
- A monthly behind-the-scenes email from Susan with insights, updates, and the real story of what she’s seeing in the industry
- Quick tip downloads like pricing tools, client scripts, checklists, and strategy sheets you can use in your practice right away
- And if you choose the higher tiers, you’ll even get live Q&A sessions with Susan, monthly office hours, practical, step-by-step action plans, access to our growing resource library, and discounts on courses and books.
This is not just extra content, it’s structured support to help you implement what you’re learning here and accelerate your growth. It was created because it’s time we stop just talking about what works and start giving you the tools to build it.
So if you want to be the first to know when we open the doors and get access to exclusive founding member perks, sign up for the early access list here!
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This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party
Ready to streamline your practice? Fourth Party is the all-in-one platform built just for dispute resolution professionals, handling your intake, scheduling, file management, payments, and more.
As a listener of The Practice Playbook Podcast, you’ll get 20% off your first three months. Visit FourthParty.app and use code SUSAN20 at checkout to start building your practice like a CEO.
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CHECK OUT THE PRACTICE PLAYBOOK SERIES:
Susan's growing collection of practical, no-fluff guides designed for legal, mediation, and service-based professionals who want to build modern, profitable, and purpose-driven practices. Each book is a focused “playbook” packed with actionable strategies, tools, and templates to help you grow with clarity and confidence—one smart step at a time.
The first title, The Flat Fee Playbook, launched as a #1 New Release on Amazon. The next book, The Thought Leadership Playbook, arrives October 1st— with more to follow covering branding, business planning, launching your practice, and more.
Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter
Reach out to Susan at susan@susaneguthrie.com
Susan's Coaching Services: https://susaneguthrie.com/services
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Social Media:
Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susaneguthrie
Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/practiceplaybookpod
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Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan Guthrie is a top 1% attorney, mediator, coach, keynote speaker, trainer and #1 Amazon bestselling author with over 35 years of experience, now helping professionals build modern, profitable, and purpose-driven practices. A leader in the legal and dispute resolution fields, Susan is the former Chair of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution and the creator of The Practice Playbook Series and Podcast and The Practice Accelerator. Through her books, podcast, and coaching, she empowers legal and entrepreneurial professionals to grow with clarity, confidence, and impact.
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Melissa Brogdon, CEO and co-founder of Fourth Party, joins me today for a must-listen conversation on the backbone of every successful mediation practice: your backend systems. Whether you're launching your practice or trying to fix one that's stalled, chances are the issue isn’t with your logo or your website colors—it’s in your operations.
Melissa and I go deep into why building a strong business structure is make-or-break, what most mediators get wrong (spoiler: it’s not your branding), and how Fourth Party is transforming the way dispute resolution professionals run their practices.
Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode:
- Why the backend of your business matters more than your brand colors
- How Fourth Party helps practitioners go from booking to billing seamlessly
- The role of onboarding and client experience in sustainable growth
- Why ease of use and thoughtful tech matter more than flashy tools
- What to audit right now in your intake process to avoid losing clients
More About This Week's Special Guest, Melissa Brogdon: Melissa leverages a career in operations management as a law firm administrator and as a nonprofit executive. She has been recognized as one of Georgia’s top 40 under 40 business leaders and secured key partnerships with Google for Startups, SAP/Pyxera Global, and Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center, Georgia’s oldest tech incubator.
Melissa is a graduate of Spelman College and The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.
Website:
https://www.fourthpartyapp.com
Social Media:
http://instagram.com/4thpartyapp
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This Episode is Sponsored by Smith.ai
Never miss a client call again. Smith.ai’s 24/7 virtual receptionists combine live agents + AI to answer calls, chats, and texts — helping you capture more leads and boost client satisfaction.
MMMP Listeners Get:
- $100 off first month (Code: GUTHRIE)
- 5% off bundled reception + chat
- 10% off annual plans
🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/MMMP-SmithAI
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WANT MORE CONTENT?
Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan
Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter
Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE! https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal
Reach out to Susan at susan@susaneguthrie.com
Susan's Coaching Services: https://susaneguthrie.com/services
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Social Media:
Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq
Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating
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Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Susan Guthrie brings a solo episode that challenges one of the most common mindset traps among mediators, coaches, and conflict resolution professionals: waiting for the “right time.” If you’ve been circling the runway, stuck in planning mode while telling yourself you just need one more training, a better schedule, or a sign from the universe, this conversation offers the clarity and push you’ve been needing.
Waiting feels responsible, but in reality, it’s a form of self-sabotage. Susan breaks down how this delay is costing you revenue, momentum, and confidence and how to shift into action now, without needing perfection.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why “the right time” is a myth and how waiting is holding your business back
- The hidden fears that keep you in the waiting room
- How to reframe readiness and start small instead of not at all
- A simple 3-step action plan to move you forward in 48 hours
- The power of accountability and why telling someone your next step can make all the difference
Announcing the upcoming launch of The Practice Accelerator with Susan Guthrie: a brand-new subscription for professionals who are serious about building a profitable, modern mediation or legal practice.
Inside The Practice Accelerator, you’ll get exclusive access to:
- Ad-free episodes
- A monthly behind-the-scenes email from Susan with insights, updates, and the real story of what she’s seeing in the industry
- Quick tip downloads like pricing tools, client scripts, checklists, and strategy sheets you can use in your practice right away
- And if you choose the higher tiers, you’ll even get live Q&A sessions with Susan, monthly office hours, practical, step-by-step action plans, access to our growing resource library, and discounts on courses and books.
This is not just extra content, it’s structured support to help you implement what you’re learning here and accelerate your growth. It was created because it’s time we stop just talking about what works and start giving you the tools to build it.
So if you want to be the first to know when we open the doors and get access to exclusive founding member perks, sign up for the early access list here!
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This Episode is Sponsored by Smith.ai
Never miss a client call again. Smith.ai’s 24/7 virtual receptionists combine live agents + AI to answer calls, chats, and texts — helping you capture more leads and boost client satisfaction.
MMMP Listeners Get:
- $100 off first month (Code: GUTHRIE)
- 5% off bundled reception + chat
- 10% off annual plans
🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/MMMP-SmithAI
============================
WANT MORE CONTENT?
Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan
Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter
Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE! https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal
Reach out to Susan at susan@susaneguthrie.com
Susan's Coaching Services: https://susaneguthrie.com/services
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Social Media:
Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq
Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating
*****************
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.