Returning to Soul

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!