Brief Encounters

D.C. Bar Communities Office

Listen in for exclusive interviews and conversations with D.C. Bar members and guests about hot topics! To learn more about D.C. Bar Communities, join a community, and/or register for upcoming programs, visit www.dcbar.org/communities Presented by the D.C. Bar Communities Podcast Network. Other network channels include "The Tea on International Arbitration" with the D.C. Bar International Law Community (anchor.fm/DCBarTea) and "Let's Brief It" with the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (anchor.fm/DCLSC). Theme Music: "If" by Broke for Free

  1. Jul 22

    Securities Regulation and Enforcement Series: Spotlight on CFP Board - Innovation, Investor Protection, and the Fight Against Financial Fraud

    In this Season 3 episode, co-hosts A. Valerie Mirko, Partner at Armstrong Teasdale LLP and leader of the firm’s Securities Regulation and Litigation Practice, and William Nelson, Director of Public Policy and Associate General Counsel at the Investment Adviser Association, speak with Erin Koeppel, Managing Director, Government Relations & Public Policy Counsel at CFP Board. Valerie, William, and Erin discuss CFP Board’s role as a standard-setting organization, its certification program, and its public policy and advocacy priorities. Erin also shares insights on CFP Board’s recently issued fraud research, including the role of CFP® professionals as financial first responders,   legislative efforts to address fraud and better support victims of fraud. The conversation also explores the SEC’s regulatory agenda, including its focus on innovation, and CFP Board’s complementary emphasis on investor protection as a core public policy priority. This episode is a must-listen for securities lawyers, compliance professionals, regulators, and anyone navigating today’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. Recent Past Episodes of this Series: Key Developments in SEC Enforcement, Exams, and Rulemaking (6/17/2026) ⁠Redefining Retirement: New Rules, New Opportunities⁠ (5/20/2026) ⁠⁠A New Enforcement Era and the Potential Coming Wave of SEC Rulemaking⁠⁠ (4/22/2026) ⁠⁠⁠Congress Puts the SROs Under the Microscope: SEC Oversight, Transparency, and Reform⁠⁠⁠ (3/18/2026) ⁠⁠⁠⁠Congress Puts the SEC Under the Microscope: Accountability, Due Process, and Reform⁠⁠⁠⁠ (2/11/2026) Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  2. Jul 19

    The 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being: The Social Pillar

    Join us for an engaging conversation on the social pillar of well-being with Maryland based psychotherapist, Cintra Harbold. This episode concludes the Lawyer Well-being Community’s series, The Six Pillars of Well-Being. In this dynamic discussion with your community host, Winsome Gayle, a social justice lawyer and leadership coach, Cintra provides practical ways for us to connect. From Aristotle to the outdoors, Cintra, a nature certified therapist, tells us how we are built to connect and why it is important for our personal and professional well-being. And, if you are an introvert, Cintra shares some useful tips for you as well! Learn more about Cintra Harbold’s practice here. Learn more about Winsome Gayle here. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  3. Jul 18

    The 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being: The Spiritual Pillar

    Join us for a conversation on the spirituality pillar of well-being with best-selling author and psychotherapist Claudia Cauterucci. This episode is part of the Lawyer Well-being Community’s series, The Six Pillars of Well-Being. In this lively exchange with your community host, Winsome Gayle, a social justice lawyer and leadership coach, Claudia shares practical and accessible ways to (re)connect with your sense of purpose, meaning, and community. In 2025, Claudia launched two books: Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: Rebuild from Relationship Trauma and Find Your Light Again, and the 2nd edition of The Empath Leader. Claudia is known for translating complex psychological and spiritual ideas into grounded, practical, and inspiring conversations. Learn more about Claudia Cauterucci here. You can also access herpodcast channel here. Learn more about Winsome Gayle here. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  4. Jul 17

    The 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being: The Intellectual Pillar

    In the episode on intellectual well-being, attorney Lee Robbins speaks with Carlyn Schofield about the misconception that intellectual well-being always means adding more information, learning, or productivity to our lives. Instead, we explore the idea of “intellectual exhale”, which includes engaging with creativity, curiosity, and ideas outside of work in ways that nourish rather than deplete us. We discuss the importance of creating more, consuming less, stepping back regularly, and treating the brain like a muscle that needs both use and rest. Different ways of thinking and creative engagement can help us make new connections that ultimately strengthen our work and careers. Particularly for attorneys, the answer is not always to do more. In fact, trying too hard to constantly “be better” at your job can actually make you worse at it over time. You have to give yourself a break. Intellectual well-being often requires doing less, making space for reflection, creativity, and recovery so that insight and sustainable growth are actually possible. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  5. Jul 16

    The 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being: The Physical Pillar

    Join us for a discussion on the physical pillar of well-being with internationally-recognized educator and researcher Dr. Stella Volpe, PhD. This episode is part of the Lawyer Well-being Community’s series, The Six Pillars of Well-Being. In this insightful discussion with your community host, Tom Kane, a former government attorney who is currently active in public health and exercise science education, advocacy, and policy, Dr. Volpe discusses how one can meet the prevailing Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and why the environment in the DMV, as annually evaluated by the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual American Fitness Index, is especially conducive for meeting those Guidelines. Dr. Volpe is currently the Chair of the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Tech and is a Past President of the ACSM. Dr. Volpe’s research focuses on obesity and diabetes prevention using nutrition and exercise, and she has conducted research on athletes across all levels of sports activity. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  6. Jul 15

    The 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being: The Emotional Pillar

    This podcast episode explores the pillar of emotional well-being. In this conversation, attorney Lee Robbins speaks with Dr. Tyra Moore about how to adopt the idea that emotional well-being is really a lifelong journey, not a destination. They discuss practical ways to apply emotional well-being in everyday life and explore the importance of addressing well-being at both the individual and systems levels, recognizing that many of the challenges attorneys face are deeply connected to the systems and environments we are part of. They also talk about normalizing the reality that many attorneys are operating under chronic stress and the importance of speaking more openly about that within the legal community. Part of emotional well-being is helping people realize they do not have to experience these struggles in isolation, that they are not alone, and that it is not a personal shortcoming to acknowledge that they are struggling. Emotional well-being is not separate from our careers, effectiveness, or success, but deeply connected to how we sustain ourselves and our work over time. Resources Mentioned:Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky with Connie Burk The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. The Happy Lawyer: Making a Good Life in the Law by Nancy Levit & Douglas O. Linder To learn more about how the D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program can help, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  7. Jul 14

    The 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being: The Occupational Pillar

    This conversation with Professor Sandra Simkins and attorney Lee Robbins explores occupational well-being and burnout in the legal field, with a focus on public interest law. Professor Simkins discusses her research on how structural factors can shape attorney well-being in high-intensity, mission-driven legal environments. The conversation critically examines the concept of “self-care,” noting that it is often overemphasized at the individual level while underplaying the systemic conditions that drive burnout. The discussion highlights how organizational culture and sustained exposure to emotionally demanding work are central contributors to stress and fatigue among mission-driven attorneys. It also emphasizes that while systems-level change is essential, understanding personal risk factors can help individuals and organizations make more informed choices about careers, roles, and work environments. Overall, the conversation underscores that attorney well-being requires changes at multiple levels rather than relying solely on individual coping strategies. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

  8. Jul 13

    The 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being: Introduction

    Join the D.C. Bar's new Lawyer Well Being Community as we launch "The Six Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being," a podcast series exploring the six aspects of wellness that support a healthy and sustainable legal career. In this conversation, host Abi Baxendale shares the inspiration behind the new community and the well-being framework that will guide the series. We are also joined by staff from the D.C. Bar's Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP), who discuss the confidential resources available to attorneys, how to recognize when support may be needed, and ways individuals and organizations can foster well-being within the legal profession. Join us every day this week for a more in depth look of each of the 6 Pillars of Lawyer Well-Being! To learn more about the D.C. Bar Lawyer Well-Being Community and discover programs and resources designed to support your well-being and professional success, visit the D.C. Bar website. Click Here to view the wide range of resources LAP can offer! Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

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About

Listen in for exclusive interviews and conversations with D.C. Bar members and guests about hot topics! To learn more about D.C. Bar Communities, join a community, and/or register for upcoming programs, visit www.dcbar.org/communities Presented by the D.C. Bar Communities Podcast Network. Other network channels include "The Tea on International Arbitration" with the D.C. Bar International Law Community (anchor.fm/DCBarTea) and "Let's Brief It" with the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (anchor.fm/DCLSC). Theme Music: "If" by Broke for Free

Information

  • Creator
    D.C. Bar Communities Office
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    166
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © D.C. Bar Communities Office
  • Show Website
    Brief Encounters

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