The Practice Playbook Podcast with Susan Guthrie

Hosted by Susan E. Guthrie LLC

Business TechnologyInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

136

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

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: Ditching the billable hour and implementing flat fees with confidence Building a thought leadership brand that attracts ideal clients Using AI and technology to streamline your workflow and boost productivity Mastering client experience, referrals, and pricing strategy Real-world case studies, expert interviews, and practice-building stories From the best-selling author of The Flat Fee Playbook , The Thought Leadership Playbook , The Business Plan Playbook and the founder of 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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 5671 hr 8 min

Hired Before Hello: How Legal and DR Professionals Use Podcasting to Win Clients with Dennis Meador #566

Imagine a potential client calling your office for a consultation, and before you can even finish saying hello, they say, "I've been following your podcast for two years. You are already my professional. I just came to meet you." That is not a fantasy call. That is what it looks like to win a client before they ever call you, and how a podcast can make it happen. Susan Guthrie sits down with Dennis "DM" Meador, founder of the Legal Podcast Network, where he and his team produce podcasts for attorneys and legal professionals nationwide. An entrepreneur since his teenage years, DM spent decades in marketing after nearly 20 years as a pastor, and he came to the legal space with a very specific thesis: most attorneys and legal professionals were being set up to podcast the wrong way, for the wrong reasons, and with the wrong format. DM identifies five distinct types of podcasts that legal and dispute resolution professionals can use strategically, and the type most likely to actually generate clients is probably not the one most people are building. Whether you have thought about starting a podcast, have one that is not doing what you hoped, or have been dismissing the idea entirely, this conversation offers a framework you probably have not heard before. What You'll Learn Why the first question to answer is whether you are a business with a podcast or a podcaster with a business How an authority podcast flips the script, positioning you as the expert being interviewed on your own show Why a podcast designed for certain people at a certain time with a certain problem wins clients that mass consumption never will Why 50 targeted local listeners can be worth more than a million downloads, and which metric to track instead How publishing just five episodes as a real human (and not AI) puts you in the top 5% of all podcasts in existence Free Episode Companion Resource: Which Podcast is Right for Your Practice? Download the resource here: https://susaneguthrie.com/podcasts Meet Our Guest Dennis “DM" Meador has been an entrepreneur since he was a teenager, building business in everything from shoveling snow to SEO before finding his fit helping attorneys share their voices. A lifelong communicator, from his years as a pastor to his decades in marketing, DM believes the best ideas don't come from selling, they come from conversations. Website: https://www.thelegalpodcastnetwork.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennismeador/ Website YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelegalpodcastnetwork Join The Practice Accelerator Susan's Practice Accelerator is now open as a monthly membership subscription! 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. If you have ever wondered if you would benefit from professional coaching, this is your opportunity to test the waters with Susan at an accessible price point. Members receive: One monthly live webinar with Susan in her signature practical and easily implemented insights and strategies for building your practice. Two live monthly group Office Hours sessions with Susan. A place to bring your questions to receive expert advice and insights from colleagues on the same journey. Weekly Premium Resource that accompanies the latest Practice Playbook Podcast episode that supports you in implementing the golden nuggets in the episode. And much more for only $99/month. Visit https://susaneguthrie.com/accelerator to join now. 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.

June 4, 2026Episode 56622 min

AI Is Not the Issue. Your Professional Judgment Is with Susan Guthrie on the Practice Playbook Podcast #565

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of the infrastructure of modern professional practice, and it is already reshaping the competitive landscape. The question is no longer whether to use it. The question is what professionalism looks like now that it is here. In this solo episode, Susan Guthrie shares two real conversations that capture the tension so many professionals are feeling right now. One colleague rejected a document because it "reads like AI." Another rejected a job candidate because they failed to use AI to improve a basic follow-up email. Same technology. Completely opposite conclusions. So who's right? Susan's answer reframes the entire debate. The issue is not whether AI touched the work. The issue is whether a thoughtful professional stands behind it. This episode is part two of a two-part conversation. If you missed last week's companion episode, start there first: AI Just Changed Again. Here’s What Actually Matters with Susan Guthrie. What You'll Learn Why AI use is not a character flaw, but poor judgment might be How blind rejection of AI is not a strategy, and neither is blind adoption What the evolving standard of professionalism actually demands from legal and ADR professionals today Why your judgment, not AI, is your true competitive advantage How to evaluate whether AI-assisted work genuinely reflects your standards before it reaches a client or colleague Free Episode Companion Resource Susan created the companion resource, The Professional Judgment AI Check, specifically for this episode. It is a practical framework designed to help legal and ADR professionals evaluate AI-assisted workflows before they ever reach a client, colleague, or public audience. Use it as a filter to make sure your AI-assisted work is accurate, ethical, confidential, and genuinely reflects your professional standards. Download the resource here: https://susaneguthrie.com/podcasts The Practice Accelerator is Open It is the monthly membership for lawyers and mediators who are done guessing at pricing, flat fees, and the systems that make a practice run. You get the strategy, the tools, and a community building the same way you are, with new value every month. The work we cover on the show, made practical enough to use this week. Join The Practice Accelerator: susaneguthrie.com/accelerator Upcoming Live Webinar with Susan Guthrie 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. 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.

May 28, 2026Episode 56525 min

AI Just Changed Again. Here’s What Actually Matters with Susan Guthrie on the Practice Playbook Podcast #564

If opening LinkedIn lately has made you feel like AI evolved while you were busy working, you are not imagining it. The changing face of AI has real implications, and things are shifting faster than most professionals realize. We are no longer in the era of asking AI to draft an email. What professionals are navigating now is the movement from AI as a tool to AI as infrastructure, and that distinction changes everything about how competitive advantage gets built and lost. The real question is no longer whether AI is interesting or useful. It is what happens when your competitors begin operating with a fundamentally different level of leverage? In this solo episode, Susan Guthrie cuts through the noise and the endless parade of shiny new tools to talk about what this shift in AI actually means for professionals who are serving clients, building businesses, and trying to stay relevant. Because paralysis is not a strategy and the market is not standing still. What You'll Learn Why AI has moved from optional tool to operational infrastructure and why that distinction is a strategic shift, not just a technology update How client experience, not AI platform choice, is where competition now lives and what that means for how you build your practice Why "What's the best AI tool?" is the wrong question and what to ask instead How the divide between strategic adopters and dabblers is widening and where the real opportunity gap is opening Why this moment, despite the noise and chaos, represents one of the greatest leverage opportunities entrepreneurial professionals have ever seen Free Episode Companion Resource Awareness is good. Diagnosis is better. Susan's free AI Competitive Readiness Scorecard is a practical self-assessment designed to help you take an honest look at whether your practice is positioned for this changing landscape. Download the resource here: https://susaneguthrie.com/podcasts This Week's LinkedIn Newsletter: 7 Signs You're Already Losing Ground in the AI Era Sometimes the signs are subtle. And sometimes they are already showing up whether you realize it or not. Susan's latest LinkedIn newsletter breaks down the seven signals that your practice may already be falling behind. Check it out here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/practice-building-newsletter-6979857568605114368 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 Webinar with Susan Guthrie 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. 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.

May 21, 2026Episode 56457 min

The Consumer Has Changed. Has Your Practice? Insight from the CEO of Lawyer.com, Colleen Joyce on the Practice Playbook Podcast #563

Every assumption you have made about how clients find, evaluate, and hire legal professionals is being rewritten in real time. How they search has changed. How they evaluate trust has changed. How quickly they expect a response has changed. And if the practice you have built is still operating on assumptions from five or ten years ago, this episode is your wake-up call. Susan Guthrie sits down with Colleen Joyce, CEO of Lawyer.com, one of the leading platforms connecting consumers with legal professionals. Colleen brings something many in the legal and dispute resolution space simply do not have enough of: a true consumer lens. Coming from the media and startup world, she has developed sharp insights into branding, growth, intake, technology, and the rapidly evolving expectations that professionals need to understand to remain competitive. This conversation covers visibility, brand authority, AI-driven client expectations, the intake process, and what the future of practice growth actually looks like from the perspective of someone who talks to thousands of consumers and sits squarely between the professional and the client. What You'll Learn Why the client has changed and what that means for practices still built on assumptions from five or ten years ago How brand authority works in an AI-driven search landscape and why social media presence alone is not enough Why your intake process may be costing you more business than any marketing gap ever could How AI is shifting client expectations and why the real question is whether you are adapting with it Why thought leadership and community are the most powerful visibility tools available right now Free Episode Companion Resource Download the Free Client Journey Quick Audit here! Susan created a companion resource for this episode to help you move from insight into action. The Client Journey Quick Audit is a practical tool designed to help you evaluate your practice through your client's eyes, identify friction points, and spot missed opportunities before they cost you more business. Download the resource here: https://susaneguthrie.com/podcasts#free-resource Meet Our Guest Colleen Joyce is the CEO of Lawyer.com, one of the leading platforms helping consumers connect with legal professionals, and she brings something many in our industry simply do not have enough of: A true consumer lens. Colleen’s background is anything but traditional. She came into legal from the media and startup world, and that outsider perspective has given her remarkable insight into branding, growth, consumer behavior, intake, technology, and the rapidly changing expectations professionals need to understand if they want to remain competitive. Website: http://Lawyer.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenjoyce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleenjoyce1 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.

May 14, 2026Episode 56347 min

From Volunteer to Voice: How Leadership and Influence Are Really Built with Elizabeth Hill on the Practice Playbook Podcast #562

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.

May 7, 2026Episode 56246 min

Inside the AI and the Practice of Law Summit: The Real State of AI in the Legal Profession on the Practice Playbook Podcast #561

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.

April 30, 2026Episode 56135 min

What the Top 10% Do That the Other 90% Don’t with Susan Guthrie on the Practice Playbook Podcast #560

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

April 16, 2026Episode 56038 min

Be That Professional: Business Development Without Feeling Salesy with Steve Fretzin on the Practice Playbook Podcast #559

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

April 2, 2026Episode 55924 min

The 7 Fastest Ways to Grow Your Practice in 2026 with Susan Guthrie on the Practice Playbook Podcast #558

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

March 19, 2026Episode 55848 min

From Litigator to Mediator: How to Build a Successful Neutral Practice with Scott Zucker on the Practice Playbook Podcast #557

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 —--------------------------

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing

More Business podcasts

SowGrow Marketing Council

sgmc

BusinessMarketing

Toldjya Finance Podcast

Zac Huish, Cameron Cooke, and Paul Lamb

BusinessInvesting