Healing Forward: Grief, Community, and the Courage to Confront Life After Loss with Robin Bresky | Ep. 158

Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know needs support in the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, appellate attorney and Florida Bar leader Robin Bresky joins host Steve Riley for a candid and deeply human conversation about building a thriving law practice and a meaningful life after unimaginable loss. Robin's story shines a light on lawyer mental health, resilience, and the power of purpose. She shares how she grew from running a solo home office to leading a seven-lawyer appellate firm and eventually merging with a New York powerhouse. Her success wasn't built on cold calls or advertising; it was fueled by community involvement, bar leadership, and genuine relationships grounded in trust and service. After the tragic loss of her son to suicide, Robin found herself drawing on the very tools she had developed through years of Atticus coaching. Time management, planning, and focus became lifelines as she rebuilt one day at a time. Her experience highlights how intentional structure and clear boundaries can help lawyers navigate grief and return to their practice with clarity and strength. Robin also shares why lawyer mental health needs open, stigma-free conversations. In 2018, she founded the Attorney Wellness Exchange, which has helped countless professionals make wellness a priority. She discusses how physical fitness, mindfulness, and self-care can sustain emotional well-being in high-pressure careers and why checking in with struggling colleagues can truly save lives. This episode is about more than overcoming tragedy. It is a masterclass in transforming pain into purpose. Robin reminds us that community builds referrals, wellness builds strength, and courage builds a life worth living. If you or someone you know is struggling, call 988 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). In this episode, you will hear: Importance of wellness and self-care in the legal profession   Creation and impact of the Attorney Wellness Exchange   Building a referral engine through genuine relationships and community involvement   Destigmatizing mental health and the challenges of grief   Role of mentorship, community support, and professional development in overcoming adversity   Embracing resilience and intentional living for personal and professional fulfillment   Subscribe & ReviewNever miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐   Supporting Resources: Robin Bresky: ssrga.com/attorney/robin-i-bresky  Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP: ssrga.com  Attorney Wellness Exchange: www.awe.law  My Great Life Focus: mygreatlifefocus.com  Join the Trail Lawyer Group: atticusadvantage.com/contact-us/ Learn How to Support Those Struggling with Their Mental Health: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ If you're interested in becoming a mental health advocate in your community, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org for more information. Curious about growing your own practice? Contact Atticus to see whether our law firm coaching can help you strengthen attorney success, refine your law firm business strategy, and build a practice that actually supports your life. Experiences of grief and sudden loss can profoundly reshape lawyer life, reminding us that behind every role and responsibility is a human being navigating real pain and healing. Our coaching is grounded in building law firms and communities that recognize the importance of connection, compassion, and support—especially during life's most difficult moments. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get practical insights on how to grow a law firm, from leadership and management to marketing, hiring, operations, culture, and profitability, so you can build a Great Practice and a Great Life.