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Artwork for The Former Lawyer Podcast

The Former Lawyer Podcast

Sarah Cottrell
Career Transition
Mental Health
Work-Life Balance
Law Profession
Burnout
Career Change
Lawyers
Law
Therapy
Real Estate Development
Commercial Real Estate
Law School
Depression
Transitioning Careers
Big Law
Legal Profession
Vacations
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Existential Crisis

Do you hate working as a lawyer? Are you an unhappy lawyer who wants to leave the law, but isn't sure what to do next? Do your family and friends think you're crazy for wanting to leave the law, or are you too afraid to tell them you don't want to be a lawyer? The Former Lawyer Podcast is for you! Each week, host Sarah Cottrell interviews a different former lawyer who has left the law behind. Hear... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes316Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
CareersSelf-ImprovementBusinessEducation

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Artwork for The Former Lawyer Podcast

Latest Episodes

Ever feel trapped in the cycle where one week you swear you have to get out of law, and the next you convince yourself it isn’t so bad? That back-and-forth isn’t clarity, it’s burnout and fear of judgment keeping you stuck. 

In this episode, Sarah C... more

Many lawyers, when they stop and reflect, realize that one of the reasons they went to law school was to impress other people. Prestige mattered. But the moment they name it, the shame sets in — “That was a bad reason. I shouldn’t care what others th... more

You’ve been in therapy. You’ve talked through your career. You understand, logically, that your boss’s mood isn’t your responsibility, that your worth isn’t measured by productivity, and that burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken. And yet… you’re still ... more

2025 is more than halfway through, and if you told yourself this was the year you’d leave practice, this is your check-in. September is basically here, which means four months left in the year. That’s still plenty of time to make progress. And honest... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Tiffany Obeng
Former practicing lawyer turned author and publisher focusing on diverse children's literature
Sugar Cookie Books
Episode: From Biglaw Impostor Syndrome to Publishing Diverse Children's Books with Tiffany Obeng
Ben Chiriboga
An executive in legal tech and former lawyer
Nexl
Episode: Escaping Lawyer Burnout for Legal Tech with Ben Chiriboga
Bryson Malcolm
Legal recruiter and founder of Mosaic Search Partners, focused on representing historically underrepresented attorneys in Biglaw
Mosaic Search Partners
Episode: Legal Recruiter Bryson Malcolm Calls Out Firms That Abandon Diversity
Dan Lemon
Lawyer and member of The Collab who practices family law after leaving big law.
Episode: From Biglaw Misery to a Meaningful Career in Family Law
Elisa Schatzman
Co-founder of the Legal Accountability Project
Legal Accountability Project
Episode: Supporting The Legal Accountability Project Because Transparency Shouldn’t Be Controversial
Laura Markham
Former attorney turned General Counsel for a tax-deferred exchange company
1031 Corp
Episode: When Tragedy Leads to Career Changes and Better Balance with Laura Markham
Ed Cottrell
Legal tech professional with experience as a former lawyer
Ironclad
Episode: Advice to Get a Job in Tech after Law with Ed Cottrell
Amisha DeYoung-Dominguez
Staff member for a member of Congress and former attorney.
Episode: Why Amisha DeYoung-Dominguez Left the Law for Public Service
Megan Nogasky
Former lawyer, now working as a therapist
Episode: How to Take A Mental Health Leave of Absence From Your Law Firm with Megan Nogasky

Host

Sarah Cottrell
Host of a podcast dedicated to helping former lawyers navigate their career transitions and share their journeys. She focuses on issues faced by unhappy lawyers, addressing prevalent themes such as burnout, impostor syndrome, and finding fulfillment outside traditional legal roles.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 131 ratings
  • Helpful to hear the truth

    As an attorney, I’ve gotten so used to lying to myself. Listening to this podcast reminds me of truths I’ve buried for a long time. And that tells me I’m not alone. It’s eerie. Thank you so much Sarah, for doing this work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kimacima
    United States10 months ago
  • A must for anyone even thinking about thinking about leaving the law

    If you’re feeling the push to leave the law Sarah shares incredible and actionable insights + hear from former lawyers about their experiences leaving the law.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheStaceyHarris
    United States3 years ago
  • Thank You

    Thank you for this podcast. Relatable and well thought out. Feels great that someone gets it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Meggers1233
    United States3 years ago
  • Great podcast!

    So happy to have found this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Elizabeth in VA
    United States4 years ago
  • Great interviews

    I feel seen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pehmbeh
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The diverse range of guests and their unique stories are frequently praised for resonating with those experiencing similar dilemmas.
Some feedback indicates a desire for improved audio quality, but overall satisfaction with the content remains high.
Many find the content to be therapeutic, offering valuable insights and support for navigating career transitions.
Listeners appreciate the honest and relatable discussions about the struggles of leaving the legal profession.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From Biglaw Misery to a Meaningful Career in Family Law
Q: Why did you decide to become a lawyer in the first place?
I was the kid who always wanted to be a lawyer and I didn't have any lawyers in my family. I didn’t know really what practicing law was all about.
From Biglaw Misery to a Meaningful Career in Family Law
Q: Can you just briefly introduce yourself to the listeners?
My name is Dan Lemon and I am not a former lawyer. Spoiler alert. I still practice law.
Escaping the Legal Grind to Build a Balanced Life with Dan Branagan
Q: Can you talk a little bit about sort of what your thinking was and how you ended up at the firm?
I was hoping that moving to a more low-key area would help with balance, but I wasn't fully out on private practice just yet.
How a Misalignment of Values and Career Helped a Lawyer Become a Therapist with David Sazant
Q: Can you talk a little bit about how you have thought about what type of therapy clients you want to work with?
I primarily work with men aged 20 to 60 and professionals struggling with their value systems.
How Adrian Hern Beat Legal Burnout and Transformed Her Career
Q: What did you learn about your identity while working together?
Adrian learned to separate her identity as a lawyer from her true self, realizing she was out of alignment with her values.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Former Lawyer Podcast

What is The Former Lawyer Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content primarily revolves around supporting legal professionals who are dissatisfied in their careers, particularly those contemplating leaving the profession. Episodes feature personal narratives from former lawyers who have transitioned to diverse and fulfilling careers, discussing the emotional and practical aspects of their journeys. Unique perspectives are provided on topics such as burnout, mental health, career assessments, and the stigma surrounding career changes within the legal field. This offering stands out for its candid discussions about the challenges facing lawyers and actionable advice that resonates with those seeking to transform their professional lives.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Former Lawyer Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Former Lawyer Podcast:

1. Find Your Dream Job: Insider Tips for Finding Work, Advancing your Career, and Loving Your Job
2. The Money with Katie Show
3. The Mel Robbins Podcast
4. Dare to Lead with Brené Brown
5. Networth and Chill with Your Rich BFF

How many episodes of The Former Lawyer Podcast are there?

The Former Lawyer Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 316 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Former Lawyer Podcast?

Recent guests on The Former Lawyer Podcast include:

1. Tiffany Obeng
2. Ben Chiriboga
3. Bryson Malcolm
4. Dan Lemon
5. Elisa Schatzman
6. Laura Markham
7. Ed Cottrell
8. Amisha DeYoung-Dominguez

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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