blog: behind the scenes.
Helping Minnesota (With Cari Brunkow, criminal defense and civil rights attorney on So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast for People)
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**Note: Before you listen**
This episode contains discussions of disturbing events that occurred in Minnesota. Please take care while listening.
“Shouldn't we as a society really be taking a step back and dissecting this hate, and realize that it is shameful and embarrassing?... Right now, you guys might be interviewing me about what's happening in Minneapolis. I hope nobody is ever interviewing you about what is happening in your neighborhoods.” - Cari Brunkow
What happens when the national headlines are in your neighborhood?
In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey sit down with Cari Brunkow, founder and counsel of Lotus Legal, a Minneapolis-based criminal defense and civil rights attorney who is living and lawyering in the middle of escalating community unrest.
Cari shares what it feels like to launch a human-centered law practice and watch violence unfold in her own city just days later. She speaks candidly about fear, grief, anger, and hope, and about what it means to show up as a lawyer, a mother, and a community member when the fight feels personal.
This is not a neat conversation. There are no easy answers. But there is honesty, proximity, and a reminder that we are not alone and we can all do something.
You’ll hear about:
Why Cari named her firm Lotus Legal, and what the lotus symbolizes in criminal defense and civil rights work
What she’s seeing firsthand in Minneapolis, and how it differs from national narratives
The emotional toll of witnessing violence in your own community
What it means to “get proximate” even if you don’t live in Minnesota
Practical ways to support affected communities
Why speaking up makes all of us safer
About Cari Brunkow:
Cari Brunkow is the founder and counsel of Lotus Legal, a Minneapolis-based criminal defense and civil rights firm. With more than a decade of experience representing individuals in law enforcement brutality cases and protecting constitutional rights, Cari launched her solo practice in 2025 to align her legal work fully with her values. She is a mother, a community advocate, and a fierce believer in proximity, truth, and collective courage.
Ways You Can Get Involved:
Support local journalism (e.g., Minnesota Public Radio)
Buy gift cards or directly support small businesses in affected communities - Learn more about Mercado Central
Call your congressional representatives
Check out the National Lawyers Guild
Check out the National Immigration Law Center
By Jennifer Ramsey and Megan SeneseWhy You Can't Be Prepared for Everything (Minis with Megan on So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast for People) (Copy)
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Even when a risk feels calculated, it’s still a risk.
In this mini episode, Megan Senese shares a memorable story about skydiving on her 18th birthday, and how it became a lasting lesson about control, fear, and the moments in life when all you can do is jump.
Who this episode is for:
Anyone standing on the edge of a big decision
People trying to calculate every outcome before moving forward
Lawyers, professionals, and creatives facing uncertainty
Anyone who needs permission to act without guarantees
Episode takeaways:
Why even “well-planned” risks can spiral out of control
How trying to manage every variable can give a false sense of safety
What happens when circumstances force you to move forward anyway
Why action, not certainty, is often the turning point
A reminder that courage doesn’t always mean feeling calm
A different way to think about taking risks:
You can set all the criteria, and still lose control
Risk doesn’t disappear just because you planned for it
Fear doesn’t mean you’re doing the wrong thing
Sometimes there is no perfect moment or exit strategy
Listen on Apple here:
By Jennifer Ramsey and Megan SeneseWhat If the Traditional Legal Path Isn’t the Right One?
In a recent episode of This Can’t Be It: Women Making Moves, Megan Senese sits down with host Amy Pons to share her journey leaving a high-paying law career to build a women-owned business development and marketing boutique. She discusses manifestation, goal-setting, and the importance of well-being and balance, especially for lawyers and other demanding professions. Megan also highlights how her approach helps professionals grow their businesses in a sustainable and meaningful way.
Listen on Apple
Listen on Spotify
By Jennifer Ramsey and Megan SeneseMasking Made Me Successful and Also Burned Me Out (With Sarah Ennor, Founder of Growth Counsel, on So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast for People)
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“I realized the reason I was so passionate about authenticity was because I hadn't had the opportunity to be that way myself in these corporate roles.” - Sarah Ennor
What does it take to be a different kind of leader in legal?
Sarah Ennor, former in-house compliance lawyer, joins Megan Senese & Jennifer Ramsey to talk about what happens when you stop chasing credibility through control, and start building it through presence, curiosity, and trust.
With humor, humility, and fierce honesty, Sarah shares her experience of navigating burnout, leaving a high-powered role, and redefining success on her own terms. They talk about psychological safety, the power of silence, why so many legal teams struggle with fear, and how to create more human workplaces where people feel safe to try.
You’ll hear about:
What Sarah wishes more legal leaders understood about team dynamics
The invisible weight of credibility, and how she learned to set it down
Why coaching helped her rewire how she showed up in the room
Her take on legal ops, burnout, and building trust in high-pressure roles
What makes a workplace feel safe (hint: it’s not perfection)
About Sarah Ennor:
Sarah Ennor is a legal operations consultant, certified leadership coach, and former in-house counsel who helps legal teams build trust, collaboration, and clarity. She brings nearly two decades of experience in legal leadership and now works with individuals and teams to create more human-centered legal cultures where people thrive.
Learn More:
Explore Sarah’s work at Growth Counsel
This episode #32 of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People is accredited for 35 minutes of EDI Professionalism hours for lawyers in Ontario!
By Jennifer Ramsey and Megan SeneseOverwhelmed? Here’s Small Things You Can Do (Minis with Megan on So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast for People)
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When the news is overwhelming, and the world feels like it’s on fire, it’s easy to feel powerless.
In this mini episode, Megan Senese shares a deeply human check-in about why relationships matter, how small actions can help us regain a sense of agency, and why resilience, not “self-care”, is what we need most right now.
Who this episode is for:
Anyone feeling overwhelmed
Lawyers and professionals struggling to show up “as usual” when things aren’t normal
People craving connection, grounding, and reassurance that they’re not alone
Episode takeaways
How stage defines relationships as people, not transactions, optics, or metrics
How talking it out with someone you trust can shift how you show up at work and in life
Why one small action can interrupt feelings of helplessness
How resilience looks different for everyone, and doesn’t require perfection
A reminder that you don’t have to measure your response against anyone else’s
What you can do right now:
Start with one small action: Movement helps break the feeling of being stuck
Practice resilience, not perfection: Rest, pause, and refill your cup when needed
Protect your nervous system: Set boundaries around news, screens, and noise
Lean into community: Connection is a form of care and resistance
Engage in ways that feel aligned: Donating, volunteering, pro bono work, or reaching out
Learn More:
Donate if you are able: Support Minnesota
Volunteer, do pro bono work:
Stay Connected:
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know this: you’re not alone.
If you need an ear, a place to land, or someone to remind you that small things matter, we’re here. Always.
Learn more about stage
Connect with Megan Senese
Connect with Jennifer Ramsey
Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.
Listen on Apple here
By Jennifer Ramsey and Megan SeneseYou Just Made Law Firm Partner, Now What? (Minis with Megan on So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast for People)
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You made law firm partner, congratulations! But once the title settles in, many new partners ask the same question: now what? In this mini episode, Megan Senese walks through practical, people-first steps to help new law firm partners transition from employee to owner and start building real autonomy inside their firm.
Who this episode is for:
Newly promoted law firm partners
Senior associates preparing for partnership
Lawyers navigating the shift from biller to business builder
Episode takeaways:
Why becoming a partner doesn’t magically change your day-to-day, and what should
How gratitude and relationship-building set the tone for your first year
The right way to tell people you’ve made partner
Why understanding how you get paid matters more than you think
How to start building a portable book of business early
What to do after you’ve made partner:
Pause and acknowledge the milestone: Take a moment to recognize the work it took to get here.
Thank the people who helped you: Mentors, colleagues, and clients who supported your path.
Let people know about it - intentionally! Share the news by asking how you can support them.
Understand how your compensation works: Know where your income will come from and how origination is measured.
Start building your own book of business: Focus on long-term autonomy, flexibility, and ownership.
Read More:
By Jennifer Ramsey and Megan SeneseHow Can Lawyers Start 2026 Differently With Smarter Business Development?
Jennifer Ramsey and Megan Senese offer strategies for lawyers to make business development more effective and meaningful in 2026. They emphasize prioritizing existing relationships, reconnecting thoughtfully with clients and contacts, and sending personalized, consistent outreach rather than generic messages. By focusing on authentic connections over transactions, lawyers can build trust, strengthen professional networks, and create opportunities that grow naturally over time.
Read the Article: Start Differently This Year: 3 Smart Business Development Tips for 2026
By Jennifer Ramsey and Megan SeneseWhat Happens When the Rule of Law Is Put to the Test? (with law firm partner, Neel Chatterjee on So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast for People)
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What happens when lawyers speak up, not just in court, but in defense of the rule of law itself?
In this powerful conversation, Neel Chatterjee joins Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey to share the story behind Law Firm Partners United (LFPU): a grassroots movement that began with a single LinkedIn post and grew into a coalition of over 800 Big Law partners. Formed in response to executive overreach threatening the right to counsel, LFPU became a rare and urgent example of professional solidarity in action.
Neel opens up about the risks, the unexpected momentum, and why being a lawyer has never felt more meaningful. From his Attorney of the Year speech to organizing public amicus briefs, this is a conversation about courage, citizenship, and how even the most traditional institutions can change when people choose to act.
You’ll hear:
Why Neel started LFPU, and how it grew almost overnight
The real risks Big Law partners faced when speaking out
The constitutional stakes of recent executive orders
How amicus briefs and town halls turned into tools of change
What gives Neel hope about the future of the legal profession
About Neel Chatterjee: Neel Chatterjee is a partner at King & Spalding and a nationally recognized technology litigator. He’s the founder of Law Firm Partners United, a coalition of 800+ Big Law partners defending the rule of law in response to executive overreach. His leadership earned him The American Lawyer’s 2025 Attorney of the Year award and national recognition for legal activism.
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This episode is brought to you by: ICVM Hawk
ICVM Hawk is a digital marketing and AI solutions consultancy that helps law firms build stronger brands and future-ready marketing systems.
They specialize in data-backed brand strategy, web design and development, SEO- and AI-optimized content and AI-enabled marketing system designed to improve visibility, credibility, and long-term growth. ICVM Hawk's solutions help law firms and legal marketing teams scale without losing the trust that matters most.
Visit icvmhawk.com to learn how your firm can benefit.
By Jennifer Ramsey and Megan SeneseWhat Happens When You Tell Your Story? (with Diana Lauritson on So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast for People)
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**Note: Before you listen**
This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, childhood abuse, homelessness, and related trauma. Please take care while listening.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788.
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In this episode, What Happens When You Tell Your Story: Healing, Resilience, and Overcoming Trauma, Megan and Jennifer are joined by Diana Lauritson, legal marketing leader, LMA board member, and a survivor with one hell of a story.
With raw honesty and unwavering courage, Diana opens up about her journey from a turbulent childhood and teenage homelessness to law school, leadership, and building a career in Big Law. She shares why she’s choosing to tell her story now, what it’s been like to post openly about trauma and healing on LinkedIn, and how she’s defining her brand on her own terms.
This episode is a powerful reminder that everyone brings a story to the table. Diana’s vulnerability is a gift, and her voice will stick with you long after the episode ends.
Learn more about our guest:
Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.
Want to go deeper? Curious about 1:1 coaching with Megan or Jen? Or want the inside scoop on stage? Hit us up below, we’d love to chat!
Learn more about stage
Connect with Megan Senese
Connect with Jennifer Ramsey
By Jennifer Ramsey and Megan Senese