The Wellness Esquire Podcast

Ariella Cohen Coleman

Join me, Ariella Cohen Coleman, as I explore a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. On The Wellness Esquire Podcast, I have honest, vulnerable conversations with attorneys and thought leaders about what it really takes to thrive in law - mentally, emotionally, and professionally. We cover the things people are often afraid or embarrassed to talk about: anxiety, burnout, addiction, imposter syndrome, misery, anger, alcohol, depression, health challenges, loss, mistakes, and the realities of legal culture. Each episode blends personal storytelling with practical insights to help lawyers and other high-performing professionals build careers that energize rather than exhaust. Subscribe for weekly Wellness Wednesday episodes and join the movement toward a healthier, more fulfilling way to work and live.

  1. 4d ago

    Clothes Are a Portal to Your Power — Melanie Lippman on Style, Confidence & Personal Branding for Lawyers

    On this episode of The Wellness Esquire Podcast, Ariella Cohen Coleman sits down with Melanie Lippman — a New York–based style consultant and certified neurocoach who helps high-performing women, especially attorneys, use clothing as a tool for confidence, authority, and connection. For Melanie, clothes are never just clothes: done right, they become a portal to the visibility, authority, and success her clients had been reaching for but couldn't quite unlock — the kind of shift that turns into making partner, attracting a higher caliber of client, and finally being seen at the level they've always operated on. They get into the outdated law firm "handbook" that quietly tells women they don't belong, why femininity is a courtroom superpower rather than a liability, and the reason a $10,000 shopping spree almost never sticks without the inner identity work underneath it. Melanie shares how she rewires the way clients see themselves so they can actually wear the clothes they buy — one safe, incremental step at a time — and how that inner work is what unlocks results a new blazer never could on its own. And Ariella opens up about her own journey: what it's like to not recognize your own size or shape, dressing through chronic illness and sensory sensitivity, and how losing her father at seventeen quietly froze part of her identity there — and what it's taking to show up as the woman she is now. Work with Melanie Ready to make your wardrobe match the woman you've become and are becoming? Melanie works with women one-on-one, in group programs, and through corporate workshops — and hosts a free five-day closet challenge each month to help you build power outfits from clothes you already own. Website: https://www.melanielippman.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imagecoachmelanielippman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanielippman/We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC: strategic legal support for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations — formation, contracts, compliance, and fractional general counsel, delivered project-based or by subscription. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.comSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella hire an amazing paralegal and legal operations manager to support her firm's growth. Ask for help. Hire well. Get $250 off: ...

  2. Jul 8

    "Being Yourself Takes 0% Energy" — Jonathan Cullen on Ditching the Lawyer Mask

    Jonathan Cullen spent 18 years as General Counsel at Pfizer Canada before walking away to build a full-time coaching and consulting practice for lawyers and law firms. In this episode, he sits down with Ariella Coleman to unpack what it actually takes to lead — and stay yourself — inside a profession built on formality. Jonathan shares the early-career moment he decided authenticity wasn't optional, even when it landed wrong. He breaks down "touchdowns and fumbles," the weekly team ritual he built around admitting mistakes first — his own — to make it safe for everyone else to do the same. He opens up about his son Tristan's six-month hospitalization as an infant, and how that experience permanently changed his definition of urgency and his tolerance for making hard calls. The conversation turns to what law firms consistently miss: curiosity. Jonathan explains why firms that never ask about a client's culture, decision-making structure, or definition of "winning" end up delivering technically correct advice that still misses the mark — including his own story of winning a case in court, only to find the business disappointed by the outcome. He and Ariella also dig into the built-in tension of the billable hour, why "principle-based advice" builds more trust than a flat yes-or-no, and why the best leaders are the ones you barely notice — until the exact moment they need to step in front of their team. About the guest:  Jonathan Cullen spent 18 years as General Counsel at Pfizer Canada before recently leaving law practice entirely to launch a full-time coaching and consulting practice. He now works with lawyers and law firms on leadership, business development, and professional growth — bringing an insider's view from nearly two decades of sitting on the client side of the table. We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC: strategic legal support for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations — formation, contracts, compliance, and fractional general counsel, delivered project-based or by subscription. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.comSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella hire an amazing paralegal and legal operations manager to support her firm's growth. Ask for help. Hire well. Get $250 off: ...

  3. Jul 1

    AI, Anxiety, and the Myth of the Perfect Lawyer with Colin Levy

    What happens when a perfectionist lawyer embraces imperfection? In this episode of The Wellness Esquire Podcast, Ariella sits down with legal innovator Colin Levy for an honest conversation about mental health, perfectionism, authenticity, and the evolving role of AI in the legal profession. Colin shares his personal journey with anxiety and depression, the importance of asking for help, and how showing up authentically has transformed both his career and his life. Together, they discuss grief, self-criticism, resilience, and the pressure lawyers often feel to have everything under control. The conversation also explores the opportunities and limitations of artificial intelligence in law, why AI should enhance—not replace—human judgment, and how embracing imperfection can lead to stronger leadership, healthier careers, and more meaningful connections. Whether you're a lawyer, leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone striving to balance ambition with well-being, this episode offers thoughtful insights into navigating change while staying true to yourself. About the guest:  Colin Levy is a lawyer, legal technology expert, author, and speaker who is passionate about helping the legal profession embrace innovation while keeping people at the center of the conversation. Drawing from his own experiences with anxiety, depression, and perfectionism, Colin advocates for greater authenticity, mental health awareness, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in legal practice. Through his writing, speaking, and consulting, he helps lawyers and organizations leverage technology to work more effectively while emphasizing that AI should enhance—not replace—human judgment, empathy, and critical thinking.  Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcastSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a... We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcastSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/ Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a... We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcastSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/ Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a... We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC: strategic legal support for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations — formation, contracts, compliance, and fractional general counsel, delivered project-based or by subscription. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.comSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella hire an amazing paralegal and legal operations manager to support her firm's growth. Ask for help. Hire well. Get $250 off: ...

  4. Jun 24

    His Wife Has Cancer, He Has Depression, And He Just Launched a New Law Firm - with Randy Kramer

    On this episode of The Wellness Esquire Podcast, Ariella Cohen Coleman chats with Randy Kramer, an international attorney based in Quebec who pivoted from a 20-year career in personal injury litigation to international trade and maritime law. They discuss the navigating his wife’s Stage IV colon cancer diagnosis while simultaneously managing clinical depression and anticipatory grief and building a new legal practice. Randy shares insights on the challenges of solo practice, the necessity of rejecting perfectionism, and the reality of the "trade-offs" we make for family and health. About the guest:  Randy Kramer is an international trade, customs, transportation, logistics, and maritime attorney based in Montreal, Canada. After spending nearly two decades as a successful personal injury litigator, Randy made the bold decision to reinvent his legal career and build a solo practice in an entirely new area of law. Known for his curiosity, resilience, and commitment to continuous learning, he has developed a practice focused on helping businesses navigate the complexities of international commerce. Beyond his legal work, Randy is an advocate for open conversations about mental health, sharing his experiences with depression, entrepreneurship, and supporting his wife through her battle with Stage 4 colon cancer.  Follow Randy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-kramer/ Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcastSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a... We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcastSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/ Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a... We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC: strategic legal support for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations — formation, contracts, compliance, and fractional general counsel, delivered project-based or by subscription. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.comSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella hire an amazing paralegal and legal operations manager to support her firm's growth. Ask for help. Hire well. Get $250 off: ...

  5. Jun 17

    How a Perfectionist Lawyer Learned to Stop Trying So Hard - with Kara McCarthy Perry

    What happens when the career you've spent decades building doesn't align with who you are? In this episode of the Wellness Esquire Podcast, Ariella Cohen Coleman sits down with Kara McCarthy Perry, a former Big Law and in-house attorney who transformed her career and life after realizing that success on paper wasn't enough. Kara shares her journey from corporate law to becoming a consultant, educator, mindfulness advocate, and a laughter yoga instructor. Ariella and Kara explore the pressures of legal practice, the challenge of balancing career ambitions with family life, and the moments that quietly signal it's time for change. Kara opens up about perfectionism, stress, parenting, meditation, yoga, and the powerful lessons she learned during the forced pause of the COVID-19 pandemic. This conversation is filled with wisdom for lawyers, professionals, and anyone questioning whether the path they're on still aligns with their values and purpose. From finding what truly feeds your soul to redefining success on your own terms, Kara's story is both inspiring and deeply relatable. Resources Mentioned: Ziva Meditation (Emily Fletcher)Jordana ConfinoThe Integrative Law Movement (J. Kim Wright)Lifebook Personal Development ProgramConscious Contracts®TEDLaw About the guest:  Kara McCarthy Perry is a former attorney who spent more than two decades practicing law in both Big Law and in-house legal roles before transitioning into consulting, coaching, and teaching. Today, she helps organizations and leaders build healthier, more trust-based workplace cultures while advocating for mindfulness, well-being, and authentic leadership. Kara also teaches law students about negotiation, wellness, and professional development, and is passionate about helping legal professionals redefine success in a way that aligns with their values, purpose, and overall well-being.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-mccarthy-perry-jd-4442965/ Website: https://justbrilliantlife.com/ Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: Creating a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC provides strategic legal support - from formation, contracts, and compliance to fractional general counsel - through project-based services and monthly subscriptions for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/ Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com/podcastSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella find an amazing paralegal a... We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC: strategic legal support for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations — formation, contracts, compliance, and fractional general counsel, delivered project-based or by subscription. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.comSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella hire an amazing paralegal and legal operations manager to support her firm's growth. Ask for help. Hire well. Get $250 off: ...

  6. Jun 10

    How to Build a Multi-Million Dollar Practice While Maintaining Boundaries - with Heather Moulder

    What does it take to walk away from a multi-million dollar law practice - and build something even better? In this episode, Ariella Coleman sits down with Heather Moulder, a former finance attorney turned lawyer wellbeing coach, to talk about the pivotal moments that forced Heather to reimagine her career, her identity, and her life. Heather shares her journey from a miserable associate at a hierarchical Texas law firm, to building a thriving book of business as a partner, to facing a stage-threatening breast cancer diagnosis at age 38 - and how each of those experiences planted seeds for a completely different way of practicing law and living life. If you're a lawyer who suspects there's a better way but can't quite see the path, this conversation will help you find it. About the guest:  Heather Moulder is a former big law finance partner who built and led a multi-million dollar practice before leaving to become a lawyer wellbeing and business development coach. She is the founder of Course Correction Coaching and host of her own podcast. She works with lawyers to clarify their values, build boundaries, develop authentic business development strategies, and create careers and lives that actually feel good - without sacrificing professional excellence. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Heather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermoulder  Work with Heather: https://www.coursecorrectioncoaching.comListen to Heather's Podcast: https://www.lifeandlawpodcast.com/ We'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC: strategic legal support for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations — formation, contracts, compliance, and fractional general counsel, delivered project-based or by subscription. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.comSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella hire an amazing paralegal and legal operations manager to support her firm's growth. Ask for help. Hire well. Get $250 off: ...

  7. Jun 3

    How to Build a Law Firm When You Have No Experience and No Confidence - with Bradley Miller

    On this episode of The Wellness Esquire Podcast, Ariella Cohen Coleman chats with Bradley Miller, a solo practitioner and M&A attorney who has built a practice focused on freedom and value over the billable hour. They explored Bradley's journey from being a "reluctant solo" fresh out of law school to becoming an intentional "freedompreneur." Bradley shares how he transitioned from hourly billing to value-based flat fees, the importance of setting hard boundaries—like turning his phone off at 5 PM—and why decoupling your identity from your profession is the ultimate key to happiness in the legal field. Guest Info: Bradley Miller, M&A Attorney and Solo Practice Mentor Follow Bradley Miller: Website: www.newmodernlawyer.comFollow him on LinkedInFollow him on Substack Resources / Links Mentioned: New Modern Lawyer New Fangled Lawyers PodcastWe'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC: strategic legal support for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations — formation, contracts, compliance, and fractional general counsel, delivered project-based or by subscription. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.comSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella hire an amazing paralegal and legal operations manager to support her firm's growth. Ask for help. Hire well. Get $250 off: ...

  8. May 27

    How to Work Like You Vacation (and Why You Should) - with Gwen Griggs and Whitney Harper

    On this episode of The Wellness Esquire Podcast, Ariella Cohen Coleman chats with Gwen Griggs and Whitney Harper, founders of Advos Legal, for their second appearance on the pod! They explore the wild idea of 'working the way you vacation' by ditching the legal industry's obsession with the misery competition and the billable hour. Gwen and Whitney share their journey of building a firm grounded in human-centric processes, learning from early practice 'disasters,' and why setting firm boundaries actually leads to more profitable business outcomes. They also cover the very important topic of what they wear “at the office” and how they handle OOO messages. Guest Info Gwen Griggs & Whitney Harper Founders of Advos Legal Follow Gwen & Whitney: Website: https://www.advocos.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwengriggs/ Resources / Links Mentioned Winning the Week by Demir and Carey Bentley — https://lifehackmethod.com/book/The Way We're Working Isn't Working by Tony Schwartz — https://theenergyproject.com/books/the-way-were-working-isnt-working/Tonal Home Gym — https://www.tonal.comWe'd love to hear from you through Fan Mail! Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman The Wellness Esquire: a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. https://thewellnessesquire.com Ariella Law, PC: strategic legal support for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations — formation, contracts, compliance, and fractional general counsel, delivered project-based or by subscription. https://ariellaw.com/ Follow Ariella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/Connect & Explore: Website: https://thewellnessesquire.comSubstack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/Support & Sponsors Zirtual helped Ariella hire an amazing paralegal and legal operations manager to support her firm's growth. Ask for help. Hire well. Get $250 off: ...

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Join me, Ariella Cohen Coleman, as I explore a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. On The Wellness Esquire Podcast, I have honest, vulnerable conversations with attorneys and thought leaders about what it really takes to thrive in law - mentally, emotionally, and professionally. We cover the things people are often afraid or embarrassed to talk about: anxiety, burnout, addiction, imposter syndrome, misery, anger, alcohol, depression, health challenges, loss, mistakes, and the realities of legal culture. Each episode blends personal storytelling with practical insights to help lawyers and other high-performing professionals build careers that energize rather than exhaust. Subscribe for weekly Wellness Wednesday episodes and join the movement toward a healthier, more fulfilling way to work and live.