Lawyer Life Experiment

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May 2026

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About the show

Hosts Anya Smirnova and Frieda Levycky use their experience as lawyers and coaches to address the myriad of day-to-day issues which make every lawyer question whether work-life balance is ever achievable. We know it is! Join us every couple of weeks as we set theories and test out ways to help you have more balance, better health and more fulfilment in your lives. | Find more about Frieda's work here: https://bravingboundaries.com/ | Find more about Anya's work here: https://anyasmirnova.com/

Listen to episodes

47 recent

May 15, 2026Episode 4738 min

#47 Driven but Directionless: What Happens When You Lose Drive in a Career You’re Good At?

In this episode of the Lawyer Life Experiment, we explore why motivation dips in law often signal misalignment and not fatigue, and how pushing harder can actually make things worse. We unpack the quiet guilt of wanting something different in a profession built on endurance, and test a simple three-question experiment to help you reconnect with what drives (and drains) you. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s burnout or a deeper shift, this episode offers a practical way to step back, recalibrate and rethink your direction. We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>. Please rate, review and subscribe. (Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

March 2, 2026Episode 4642 min

#46 Your Reputation Is Being Built Whether You Do Something About It Or Not

In this episode, Frieda and Anya explore the often uncomfortable gap between how we experience ourselves and how others experience us, and why that gap matters more than we think. Drawing on insights from reputable leadership development research (Leadership Circle, Hogan assessments, Johari window), we unpack how reputations are formed (with or without our input), how perception shapes opportunity and why acting without awareness can quietly limit our impact. As always, we share a practical reflection experiment to help you start closing perception gaps, gather actionable feedback with curiosity and lead with greater alignment and effectiveness. We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>. Please rate, review and subscribe. (Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

December 12, 2025Episode 4531 min

#45 Creating a Year You’ll Be Proud to Look Back On

As the year draws to a close, we reflect on how we’re really finishing it — and why looking at the facts can tell a very different story from memory or gut feeling. In this episode, we talk about goal-setting: how to set stretch goals, the difference between directional intentions and SMART goals, and why reviewing the evidence of your year can be surprisingly empowering.It’s a conversation about clarity of focus, intentionality, and choosing the right markers for a year you’ll be proud to look back on. We also offer a few ideas to experiment with as you think about your own goals for the year ahead - https://bravingboundaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Reflection-Questions-2025-for-podcast-episode-compressed.pdf.As we prepare for a new year of podcasting, we’d love to hear your thoughts — and any topics you’d like us to explore. Have a wonderful festive season.We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>. Please rate, review and subscribe. (Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

November 7, 2025Episode 4431 min

#44 The Surprising Power of Group Coaching for Lawyers

In this episode, we explore the surprising power of group coaching — how it differs from 1:1 coaching and why it can be such a transformative space for lawyers. We unpack the research-based benefits of group coaching. Of which #1 is how learning from others’ perspectives — especially those in similar roles — challenges your habits, expands your thinking, and helps you grow bolder in your career. If you’re ready to stretch yourself in 2026, join the Women in Leadership in Law group coaching programme - more information here. To join, email us at <anya@anyasmirnova.com>. We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>. Please rate, review and subscribe. (Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

August 6, 2025Episode 4339 min

#43 Developing Mental Toughness in Law

In this episode of #Lawyer Life Experiment, we dive into the concept of mental toughness—what it really means, is it innate or can it be developed (good news spoiler: yes, it is a skill and can be built up as a muscle), how it differs from resilience and grit, and why it’s essential for lawyers navigating high-pressure environments. We explore how mental toughness can be developed intentionally and share a practical exercise with 5 tips lawyers can start using right away to build this powerful mindset. Download "The Five Tips To Develop Mental Toughness" here. We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>. Please rate, review and subscribe. (Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

July 25, 2025Episode 4237 min

#42 The Truth About Emotions (Especially at Work)

In this episode, we unpack the myth of "good" and "bad" emotions, explore how emotional rigidity, denial, and pressure to stay positive can harm our well-being and performance. We explain how emotions are data (not directives), and discuss how to navigate feelings - like anger or vulnerability - in environments that often suppress them, eg work. The truth about emotions is - “what we resist, persists”. Lawyers and leaders must learn emotional intelligence to have fulfilling lives and successful careers. As always, we do not leave our listeners wondering where to start - we offer an experiment to start practising EQ: the Emotional Wheel - to help you name, express and move through emotions rather than avoid them. Download it here. TED Talk mentioned in this episode is: The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage by Susan DavidWe love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>. Please rate, review and subscribe. (Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

May 22, 2025Episode 4143 min

#41 Is This Me, or Was I Made This Way? Unlocking Identity, Unleashing Potential

Do you ever ask yourself, “Am I even capable of becoming a partner, an impactful leader, building a business, or [insert your own dream here]?” In this episode, we explore what it means to feel stuck and ask who we really are - unpacking identity, is it fixed or flexible, nature vs. nurture, internal beliefs, and the glass ceilings we place on our potential. We examine how recognising our past choices can help us reclaim our power, and offer an identity exercise to help shift from feeling trapped to feeling in charge. Download the Identity exercise.We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>. Please rate, review and subscribe. (Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

February 21, 2025Episode 4048 min

#40 Navigating Grief at Work: What to Say, Do and Understand

In this deeply personal episode, we open up about our own experiences with grief and how work showed up - both for better and worse. We explore the reality of grief at work, the fear of sharing and why colleagues often don’t know what to say.We ask: (i) Why is grief so hard to talk about at work? (ii) How can we be more open about what we need when grieving? (iii) What role do colleagues and managers play in creating a safe space? (iv) Why flexible workplace policies around grief actually matter?We also challenge you with a simple but powerful experiment: If you’re grieving, how can you share just a little bit more? If you’re supporting someone, how can you show up in a way that truly helps?We hope you find this episode helpful. We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>. Please rate, review and subscribe. (Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

December 12, 2024Episode 3934 min

#39 Reflect & Goal Set (Meaningfully)

In this episode, we delve into the value of visualising your future to set a clear direction, so that you can focus on what truly matters. We also share our approaches to end-of-year reflections, combining thoughtful insights with a bit of fun to round off the year meaningfully. We encourage you to take some time this holiday to reflect on 2024, so that you can mindfully enter 2025.We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>. Please rate, review and subscribe. (Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)

October 18, 2024Episode 3836 min

#38 Identity and Purpose: Visualising What's Next

In this episode, we reflect on how we approach the question of “What’s next?”—whether it’s short-term (1-2 years), mid-term (5-10 years), or long-term (retirement). This question often touches on sensitive topics like identity, relevance, purpose, fears of the unknown, finances, and the physical and health challenges of ageing (including menopause for women). Join us as we explore how to navigate these transitions smoothly and take control of your future. Our experiment for this episode is a visualisation exercise, a powerful tool from professional sports that can help you figure out what’s next for you. We love hearing how experiments work out for you. Email us at <frieda@bravingboundaries.com> and <anya@anyasmirnova.com>. Please rate, review and subscribe. (Thanks to tedefame from Pixabay for the music.)