Returning to Soul

Like podcast host Jessie Brown, Haley Morrisson spent years trying to make law work.From transactional law in Boston, to a federal clerkship, to litigation at Gibson Dunn in DC, exploring practice areas searching for a fit. In this episode, Haley shares the turning point that changed everything: a Kundalini yoga retreat in India in March 2020 — just as COVID began reshaping the world. What emerged from that experience wasn't a plan, but a profound clarity. She couldn't go back to living the way she had been living.We explore:— What it felt like to keep pushing despite sensing something was off— The role financial security played in staying in Big Law — and what it meant to finally let that go— How breathwork and meditation helped her access a felt sense of trust in the body, not just the mind— Her discovery of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and why it has become the center of her life's work— What becomes possible in organizations and families when people learn to connect through feelings and needsHaley is now a conscious communication trainer, helping individuals and organizations build emotional awareness, improve listening, and navigate conflict with care. Her story is one of courage and coming home to yourself.Connect with Haley:Website: haleymorrisson.comLinkedIn: Haley MorrissonReturning to Soul is a podcast for lawyers and high achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their work and lives. Hosted by Jessie Brown, JD, PCC — career alignment coach, purpose guide, meditation teacher, breathwork facilitator, Reiki practitioner, and forest bathing guide.

What does it look like to leave a demanding corporate legal role — not out of burnout, but out of recognition that something more aligned is possible?In this episode, I sit down with Maria Flanagan, JD, founder of Flanagan Law PLLC in North Carolina. Maria's story isn't a dramatic escape from law — it's something more nuanced: she found a way to do the work she enjoys while reshaping it to fit her life.We talk about her unconventional path to law school, her decision to leave a senior counsel role after realizing she was doing GC-level work without the title or pay, and what finally gave her the courage to go out on her own. Maria also shares what her life looks like now — kayaking with her rescue dog, visiting her 102-year-old grandmother every other weekend, volunteering at animal shelters, and doing pro bono immigration work she calls the most rewarding thing she's done with her law license.This episode is for anyone who wonders: Is a different way of practicing law actually possible? Can I really have this kind of life? Maria's answer is yes — and she breaks down exactly how she got there.In this episode, we explore:How Maria put herself through evening law school while working full-time — and what that taught her about doing hard thingsThe moment she realized she was doing the work of a GC without the title or compensation — and what she did about itWhy the unknown is scarier than the reality, and how one conversation changed everythingWhat "set it and forget it" actually looks like for a solo practitionerHow she thinks about work-life harmony The question she asks herself: Is this the hard thing I actually want to do?Why reputation and fear of "losing face" keeps many lawyers from making the changes they long to makeConnect with Maria:LinkedIn: Maria FlanaganConnect with Jessie:LinkedIn: Jessie Brown, JD, PCCReturning to Soul is a podcast for lawyers and high achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their work and lives. New episodes explore what it looks like to return to who you actually are — and build a career and life from that place.

What would it be like to let go of the titles, the awards, and the accolades to make space for who you are becoming, which is who, deep down, you already are?In this rich and deeply moving conversation, Jessie is joined by Michael Tender Heart Denmeade, faculty member at the Purpose Guides Institute, longtime therapist, fire keeper, and vision quest guide. Drawing on 40+ years of participation in indigenous ceremonial traditions, Michael shares wisdom about what it means to live from the soul.In this episode, you'll hear:Why Michael held a sacred ceremony to burn his professional awards and what that freed in himHow culture conditions high achievers to seek recognition through achievement rather than through beingThe necessity of creating space to discover our true purposeWhy purpose isn't something we need to find outside of ourselves, it’s the jewel at the center of our being How to begin reconnecting with your deeper self even when you're working long hours with a full family lifeThis episode is for any lawyer or high achiever who senses that what they've built may no longer be what they're meant for and who wonders what it would look like to listen more deeply to the longing of their soul. About Michael Tender Heart Denmeade:Michael serves as faculty at the Purpose Guides Institute and has worked as a therapist for many years. He currently serves as a mentor, fire keeper, and vision quest guide, drawing on indigenous ceremonial wisdom he has received over four decades from elders. To connect with Michael, reach out to Jessie at [email protected] for his contact information.Resources & Links Mentioned:The ⁠Purpose Guides Institute⁠

What happens when you let go of the identity you've built your career around?In this episode, I sit down with Peggy O'Neal — lawyer, business advisor, strategist — for an intimate conversation about career pivots, identity, and what it means to listen to your own inner knowing.Peggy left a 12-year legal career to pursue work in human potential and coaching. And the external leap turned out to be far easier than the internal one.What she discovered: even when we know a change is right, our being takes time to catch up. The discomfort and the inner voice asking what are you doing? — these aren't signs we've made the wrong choice. They're signs we've been deeply identified with a role.In this episode, we explore:Why saying "I am a lawyer" is different from "I practice law" — and what that distinction reveals about how we understand ourselvesWhat Joseph Campbell meant when he said people don't want more meaning — they want more alivenessHow our body, language, and mood shape the possibilities we can perceiveThe "breadcrumbs" that point us toward what we truly want, even when we can't articulate it yetWhy so many high achievers reach a ceiling — and why it's often an identity issue in disguiseWhat it looks like to help a business go from $8.5M to $12.25M in nine months by doing this inner workWe also talk about a client of mine who became a lawyer to fulfill her mother's dream — and what her story reveals about how many of us are living someone else's vision of a life well-lived.If you've ever felt stuck between who you are and what you do, this conversation is for you.Connect with Peggy O'Neal:LinkedIn: Peggy O'Neal Email: [email protected] to Soul is a podcast for lawyers and other high achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their work and lives. If this episode resonated with you, please rate and share the show — and download my free Career Alignment Map to begin exploring what true motivation looks like in your own life.

What do you do when the career you chose is not a fit? In this episode, I sit down with Suellen Fagin-Allen, a Florida-based mental health therapist for women in midlife, attorney, performing musician, nonprofit leader, Reiki master, and amateur photographer. Suellen's story is one of the most honest and inspiring I've heard: she went to law school partly out of boredom, partly out of revenge, and partly because a friend secretly signed her up for the LSAT. What followed were decades of exploration and courage — finding the golden thread that was always there, and weaving it into something that truly fits.We talk about the very human experience of throwing up in the bathroom before trials, the decade-long detour that led to co-founding what became the Orlando Philharmonic, and the moment in midlife when she decided to start over again and became a licensed therapist at 50.In this episode, we explore:Why Suellen's reasons for going to law school were, in her words, "suspect" — and what that taught herHow she leveraged her legal expertise at every stage of her pivotThe concept of the "golden thread" — the through-line that runs from childhood through your career — and how to find it when it feels buriedWhy the first step to discovering your purpose might be learning to not freak out about not knowing your purposeThe somatic and mindfulness practices she uses with clients to help them get out of fight-or-flight and reconnect with what's alive in themHer journey to becoming a Reiki master — what prompted it, what she experienced, and how she incorporates it into her therapy practiceA simple, two-minute reset practice for stressed-out attorneys (and anyone else running on fumes)A practice to try:Set a random alarm on your phone today. When it goes off, step away, take a breath, and ask yourself: What am I doing right now? What am I noticing? That's it. Suellen calls it a reset — and it's more powerful than it sounds.Connect with Suellen Fagin-Allen:📧 [email protected]📱 407-929-0142🔗 LinkedIn: Suellen Fagin-AllenReturning to Soul is a podcast for lawyers and other high achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their work and lives.

In this episode, Jessie explores the concept of identity rest — a powerful practice for anyone whose sense of worth has become entangled with their productivity, performance, or professional title. Jessie first encountered the concept of "identity rest" from Chandani Patel Thompson, a lawyer and creator of the Rest to Rise Summit (May 19–22, free to attend).When we spend years in environments that reward us for what we produce, we can unconsciously begin to equate our value with our output. The result? An inner voice that never lets us fully rest, a "striver driver" that's taken over the wheel.In this episode, I share:Why children and elders posses a type of wisdom that many high achievers lose touch withHow the law firm model — built around billable hour quotas — can deepen our identity-performance fusionThe Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework and how to understand the parts of us that push, achieve, and striveA surprising question to ask your inner striver The childhood photo exercise to reconnect with your essence before the world told you who to beThree real examples from my clients: dance class, improv, pottery — and why these aren't hobbies, they're medicineThe AWE walk practice and why I stopped tracking my stepsThis episode is for you if you've ever felt the exhaustion of living from your résumé instead of your soul.Links & Resources:Rest to Rise Summit (free, May 19–22): register hereSedona Retreat (October 1–4): reach out to reserve your spotDownload my free Career Alignment MapReturning to Soul is a podcast for lawyers and other high-achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their work and lives.

In this conversation, Chandani Patel-Thompson, who spent 20+ years in corporate legal departments, shares how a six-minute daily gratitude practice transformed her capacity to work, parent three young children, and show up as a leader — and how the people around her noticed the shift before she did.We talk about the neuroscience behind gratitude, why lawyers are especially prone to worst-case-scenario thinking, and how reconnecting to why you do your work can restore a sense of meaning — even on the hardest days.In this episode:How Chandani stumbled upon gratitude journaling and why her executive coach noticed the change firstThe Point One Method — a six-minute daily practice Chandani designed for busy professionals The six forms of rest in Chandani's framework: mental, emotional, physical, identity, relational, and strategicThe FREE Rest to Rise Summit — what it is, who it's for, and how to join (sign up here).Resources mentioned:Clarity Print Co.: clarityprint.coPoint One Daily Gratitude Journal: clarityprint.coRest to Rise Summit: rest2rise.clarityprint.co Rest to Rise Guide (post-summit): rest.clarityprint.coFollow Chandani on LinkedIn and SubstackAbout Chandani Patel-Thompson:Chandani is a seasoned lawyer and the founder of Clarity Print Co., creator of the Point One Daily Gratitude Journal, and host of the Rest to Rise Summit. Her mission is to help professionals in high-pressure roles — law, medicine, education — find clarity, reduce cognitive overload, and build a more sustainable relationship with their work.Returning to Soul is a podcast for lawyers and other high achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their work and lives. Hosted by Jessie Brown — attorney turned coach, meditation teacher, breathwork facilitator, and retreat leader based in Arizona.

When we're doing the brave work of aligning our careers and lives with what truly matters to us — whether that's a professional pivot, stepping into our purpose, or simply living more authentically — the people we surround ourselves with matter deeply.In this episode, Jessie celebrates two friends and fellow coaches, Becky Roberts and Alex Pitt, and their recent wins: Becky signed a lease for her own office space and launched her Substack; Alex launched her coaching program Hopeful Healers for healthcare professionals facing burnout, and closed on her dream home in Costa Rica. These milestones didn't come easily — they came from years of consistent action, facing fear, and trusting the path.Jessie explores what it looks like to have truly aligned friendships as you pursue your dreams, and why the people in your inner circle can either fuel your growth or quietly keep you small.In this episode, you'll explore:Why the people we spend time with are "seeds" planted in the fertile soil of our minds (a concept from The Four Agreements)The qualities to look for in friendships that support leveling up — healing, self-trust, courage, healthy boundaries, and celebration of each other's winsHow to distinguish between a friend going through a hard time (whom we support) versus ongoing patterns of negativity or limitationWhat happens when our values shift and some friendships no longer feel like a fit — and how to navigate that with compassionThe most common regret at the end of life, from Bronnie Ware's The Top Five Regrets of the Dying — and why it matters for who you choose to walk besideMentioned in this episode:Becky Roberts — LinkedIn Alex Pitt & Hopeful Healers - LinkedInThe Four Agreements by Don Miguel RuizThe Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie WareInternal Family Systems (IFS) — Dick SchwartzJessie's upcoming retreat: A women's retreat in Sedona, Arizona, October 1–4. Three spots remaining. Reach out to learn more: [email protected]; ReturningToSoul.comReturning to Soul is a podcast for lawyers and other high achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their work and lives. Hosted by Jessie Brown — attorney turned coach, purpose guide, meditation teacher, sound healer, and retreat facilitator.

What if the career and financial choices you've been making aren't really yours — but instead reflect what you were programmed to want?In this episode, I sit down with Billy Zerillo, founder of Your Money Your Purpose, to discuss the intersection of money, identity, and living a life that's truly aligned with what matters most to you.Billy brings a unique approach to financial advising — one that starts not with investment returns, but with the stories and beliefs about money we've carried since childhood. His clients are primarily women executives, lawyers, business owners, and entrepreneurs who are ready to stop spending, saving, and earning on autopilot and start making intentional choices.We explore:Why so many high achievers find themselves in careers and financial patterns that don't actually reflect their valuesHow childhood money stories shape financial decisions we make as adultsThe powerful reframe for anyone considering a pay cut to pursue more meaningful workWhat "golden handcuffs" really cost us — and how one CFO broke free without sacrificing her lifestyleThe dangerous myth of "just one more year" and why waiting to live the life we want is a gamble we can't affordHow status-driven spending keeps us trapped in work we don't loveWhy curiosity and awareness are the most underrated tools in both financial and career alignmentWe also dive into identity — how our job titles can become a kind of prison, and what it means to let go of who we've been in order to step into who we're becoming.This conversation will resonate deeply if you've ever wondered whether the life you're building is the one you actually want.Connect with Billy: LinkedInResources mentioned:The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie WareThe Psychology of Money by Morgan HouselReturning to Soul is a podcast for lawyers and other high achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their work and lives. Hosted by Jessie Brown — former lawyer turned career coach, purpose guide, and retreat facilitator based in Arizona.

There's an old Irish proverb that says: "Death is in the middle of a long life."In this episode, Jessie explores what this kind of death means, not a physical ending, but a profound inner transformation. The death of a former way of living. The shedding of an ego-driven life built on fear, control, and the relentless pursuit of external approval.Drawing on the caterpillar-to-butterfly metaphor, Jessie walks through the three stages many lawyers and other high achievers find themselves in:🐛 The Caterpillar — living in a way that still feels workable, not yet feeling the pull toward something deeper🫧 The Chrysalis (the Goo Stage) — that disorienting in-between phase where the old no longer fits but the new hasn't yet taken shape. Old habits, relationships, and conversations start to feel misaligned. It can feel like loneliness, loss, and groundlessness.🦋 The Emerging Butterfly — struggling out of the chrysalis, building inner strength, learning to be led by intuition and soul rather than fear and controlJessie also shares her own experience of this transition — the "monk period" of reading, meditating, and pulling back from happy hours and surface-level socializing — and what it looked like to slowly, authentically rebuild a life and community that truly resonated.This episode is for you if you've been feeling like you've outgrown something — a job, a relationship, a version of yourself — but you're not yet sure who you're becoming.In this episode:What "ego death" actually means (and why the ego doesn't fully disappear)The science behind the caterpillar's "imaginal cells" and what they teach us about trusting our own transformationWhy the struggle is the point — and what happens when we try to shortcut itHow to find your people when you're in the messy middleThe role of guides, coaches, and mentors in the death and rebirth processConnect with Jessie:🌐 ReturningToSoul.com📧 [email protected]💼 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jessiebrowncoachingJessie Brown practiced law for 15 years before becoming a career alignment coach, purpose guide, meditation teacher, breathwork facilitator, sound healer, and forest bathing guide. She facilitates transformational retreats in Sedona, Arizona.

In this interview, lawyer Brad Miller shares his journey of creating a legal practice that aligns with his values, emphasizing happiness, authenticity, and intentional living. Learn how to craft a legal career that brings joy and fulfillment while maintaining professional success. Key topicsDiscovering legal practice that aligns with personal valuesThe importance of happiness and authenticity in lawStrategies for lawyers to create fulfilling careersKey wordslawyer happiness, legal practice, authenticity, values, solo law practice, career change, self-awareness, work-life balance, legal entrepreneurship, personal growthFind out more about Brad Miller:https://www.bradleymillerlaw.com/https://www.newmodernlawyer.com/Download Jessie's free Career Alignment Map.

In this solo episode, I share a mini version of my signature workshop on the neuroscience of manifestation — a six-step formula drawn from the work of the late neurosurgeon and neuroscientist Dr. James Doty.Think of this formula as planting a tree.We begin by preparing the soil — calming the nervous system and focusing the mind through a guided meditation. Then we choose our seeds by clarifying our intentions. We pull the weeds by identifying and reframing the limiting beliefs that would choke the life out of our vision. We plant our seeds by embedding our intentions into the subconscious through repeated visualization paired with positive emotion. We nurture our growing tree through daily practices that keep us connected to what we want to create. And finally, we let go — releasing attachment to a specific outcome and trusting that the universe often has something even better in store.Science shows that when we repeatedly visualize our intentions, two powerful things happen: our vision becomes familiar to the brain, reducing resistance to the risks required to pursue it, and the brain begins scanning our environment for opportunities to help bring it into reality. Of the 10 million bits of data our brains process every second, only 50 make it through to conscious awareness. This episode is about learning to reorient what gets through that filter.We close with a beautiful poem — Until One is Committed — and an invitation to reflect on what it would look like to fully commit to your vision.In this episode:A guided visualization to connect with your future selfThe six-step neuroscience of manifestation formulaWhy limiting beliefs are the weeds that choke our intentions — and how to uproot themHow visualization rewires the brain to notice opportunitiesWhy letting go of attachment is part of the processIf a vision came up for you during this episode, I'd love to hear about it. And if you're ready to explore what true alignment looks like in your career and life, download my free Vision Board Workbook. Returning to Soul is a podcast for lawyers and other high achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their work and lives.You can find out more about Jessie and her work at returningtosoul.com and azsoundandbreath.com

In this episode of Returning to Soul, Jessie Brown and Courtney Schulnick discuss the transformative power of mindfulness in the legal profession. Courtney shares her journey from being a litigator to becoming a mindfulness educator, highlighting the importance of aligning one's career with their true self. They explore how mindfulness practices can help lawyers manage stress, cultivate self-awareness, and reconnect with their inner guidance. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-care and the courage to explore difficult emotions, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and authentic life. Takeaways:Mindfulness can help align your career with your true self.Self-care is essential for high achievers, including lawyers.Awareness of the body can lead to greater insight.Pushing through discomfort can lead to burnout; mindfulness offers a way to check in.The journey to self-discovery often involves peeling back layers of self-judgment.Mindfulness practices can enhance clarity and reduce stress in high-pressure environments.Connecting with your true self can lead to more authentic career choices.Embracing the messiness of life can lead to growth and healing.Investing time in mindfulness is not selfish; it benefits all areas of life.Courage is required to explore and accept difficult emotions. Connect with guest, Courtney Schulnick.Download Jessie' free Career Alignment Map.

Are you making career choices based on what genuinely satisfies you — or are you driven by something else?In this episode, we explore the concept of true motivation and what it means for the work you do every day. Physician, author, and trauma specialist Gabor Maté defines true motivation as doing what satisfies you and aligns with your genuine preferences and inclinations, regardless of what people may think, as long as you're not intentionally harming others.Many lawyers find themselves successful by every external measure and yet deeply unfulfilled. This episode explores why that happens and what we can do about it.In this episode, you'll hear:What "true motivation" really means — and how to know if you have itA simple test to assess whether your work is genuinely aligned with who you areReal stories from attorneys who made career choices for reasons other than true motivationWhy so many of us lose our connection to our own motivation — and the role childhood playsWhy this isn't about blame, and how awareness can open the door to changeHow to begin honoring your true preferences, values, and desiresA reflection to sit with: What would it feel like to make a career decision based entirely on what genuinely interests and satisfies you — with no thought for what anyone else thinks?Free Resource: Download the Career Alignment Map Connect with Jessie:LinkedInWebsiteReturning to Soul is a podcast for lawyers and other high-achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their work and lives. Jessie Brown practiced law for 15 years before becoming a career alignment coach and purpose guide. She also works as a meditation teacher, breathwork facilitator, sound healer, and forest bathing guide, and facilitates nature-based retreats in Arizona.

In this episode, Jessie Brown explores the true nature of workplace burnout, common misconceptions, and practical ways to realign your career with your core values and needs. Perfect for high achievers feeling disconnected from their soul, this episode offers research-backed insights and actionable steps to transform your professional life from draining to deeply fulfilling. Key Topics:The distinction between burnout as an individual experience and a systemic issue (Dr. Christina Maslach’s research)The six areas of potential misalignment: workload, control, reward, community, fairness, and valuesHow high sensitivity impacts workload sustainability and job satisfactionThe importance of social reward in preventing burnoutRecognizing signs of exhaustion, cynicism, and self-erosion (negative self-evaluation)Practical tools: conducting a six-area career audit and understanding your nervous systemCareer flexibility: exploring different paths within and outside of law for authentic fulfillmentCase example of a lawyer transitioning from burnout to thriving in a role aligned with her valuesResources:Free Career Alignment Map Connect with Jessie Brown:WebsiteLinkedIn

In this episode of Returning to Soul, Jessie Brown and Jonathan Lowsley explore the powerful concept of life arcs, inspired by Michael J. Meade’s Awakening the Soul. Together, they unpack the transition from the first arc of life — focused on achievement, approval, and external success — into the second arc, where the soul invites us inward toward alignment, authenticity, and deeper purpose.For high-achieving professionals, this shift can feel unsettling. It requires slowing down, listening to whispers , and allowing the “little self” to soften so the deeper self can lead.In This Episode, We Explore:Why the first arc of life centers on achievement and social approvalHow cultural conditioning keeps many professionals stuck in overachievementWhat signals it might be time to step into the second arcWhy slowing down is essential to hear the soul’s whispersThe role of inner healing in authentic career alignmentHow the “little self” (ego) both protects and limits usWhy the journey of self-discovery is nonlinear and uncomfortableThe call to adventure as a return to purposeHow service becomes a natural expression of aligned livingListeners can learn more about Jonathan Lowsley and his work by visiting https://www.deepeningpurpose.com/ or https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlowsley/

Welcome to Returning to Soul, a podcast for lawyers and high achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their work and lives.In this episode, Jessie Brown — former Big Law attorney turned career alignment coach and purpose guide — shares her personal journey of returning to her soul after years of living in survival mode and chasing external measures of success.After losing both of her parents in college, Jessie prioritized financial security and prestige, building a successful legal career that never truly felt aligned. Over time, through coaching, meditation, time in nature, spiritual exploration, and deep inner healing, she began to listen to her inner wisdom and courageously shift toward a soul-led life.Jessie shares a powerful dream that became a turning point in learning to let go of control and trust life’s flow, along with reflections on how our protective habits are rooted in old fears — and how compassion can lead to true transformation.This episode is an invitation to explore what it means to return to yourself, release fear, and live in alignment with your deepest truth.In this episode, you’ll explore:• How survival mode can shape career decisions• The cost of chasing external success• How meditation and nature reconnect us to our soul• Letting go of control and trusting inner guidance• Healing the parts of us that kept us safe when we were younger but now limit us• The journey to soul-led livingConnect with Jessie on LinkedIn, Substack, or at ReturningtoSoul.com to continue the conversation.

In this episode of Returning to Soul, Jessie Brown discusses the relationship between one's calling and career, emphasizing that fulfillment can come from various sources beyond paid work. She explores the importance of aligning one's job with personal gifts and purpose, the journey towards meaningful work, and the individual capacity to engage in fulfilling pursuits. Jessie shares her personal journey and insights on how to discover and utilize one's gifts in both professional and personal contexts.

In this short intro episode, I welcome you to the podcast and share a bit about who I am and what to expect. So glad you're here!