397. AMMA — Success Debt: The Trap at the Top

The fastest way to scale your firm might not be more hours in the office — it’s the hours you spend sleeping and the fuel you put in your body. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill reveal why law firm owners can’t afford to treat their health as an afterthought. From the science of sleep to the truth about nutrition, they share how optimizing your body is the ultimate unfair advantage for building a thriving practice. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why prioritizing health is a scaling strategy, not a luxury How sleep and nutrition directly impact your energy, focus, and decision-making as a leader Practical ways to build recovery and discipline into your daily routine without sacrificing your business If you want to lead with energy, clarity, and longevity, start where it matters most: your health. ---- 11:58 – Why health and longevity are just as critical as business strategy for law firm owners 13:49 – The mistake of waiting until after success to prioritize your health 16:19 – Why you don’t have a time management problem — you have a priorities problem 18:12 – Health precedes wealth: how neglecting your body sabotages your firm’s growth 20:10 – The difference between negative excuses and positive excuses 24:52 – Why you can’t outrun a bad diet — and why nutrition drives weight loss more than exercise 28:05 – How tracking sleep, nutrition, and exercise creates predictable results 30:44 – How poor sleep, stress, and lack of recovery compound to stall business growth ---- Links & Resources: MyFitnessPal Peloton Crumbl Cookies The Murph workout Avengers (Marvel Universe) ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 396. Why High Performers Can’t Afford to Ignore Wellness with Dr. Taz Bhatia 326. Matteo Franceschetti — Revolutionizing Rest: The Future of Sleep Technology 322. AMMA — Health, Hustle, and High Performance: Michael Mogill’s Fitness Journey

What if the fastest way to grow your law firm was not about keeping score but about giving more? In this encore episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill sits down with Randy Kessler, one of the most recognized family law attorneys in America. With decades of experience, a national reputation, and a client roster that includes athletes, celebrities, and high-profile figures, Randy has built his practice on something most lawyers overlook: generosity. This conversation reveals why giving first is not only the right thing to do but also the most powerful growth strategy in law. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why abundance-minded attorneys never run out of opportunities How generosity and referrals have fueled Randy’s career and reputation The overlooked habits that attract clients, colleagues, and media attention If you want to build a practice that stands the test of time, start by asking not what you can get but what you can give. ---- Show Notes: 02:24 – Why Randy chose family law and how passion shaped his career 05:35 – Building a practice through generosity, referrals, and showing up 07:53 – The Evander Holyfield story and the power of authentic relationships 09:20 – How media presence built his brand and why availability matters more than perfection 13:04 – Why so many marriages fail and the biggest reasons couples get divorced 17:14 – The emotional side of divorce and how judges really make decisions 19:16 – Why networking and referrals are the foundation of Randy’s recurring revenue 22:07 – How giving cases to other lawyers became Randy’s most underrated growth strategy ---- Links & Resources: Kessler & Solomiany National Football League Buffalo Bills New Orleans Saints Evander Holyfield Atlanta Hawks Laura Wasser Michael Jordan Magic Johnson Kobe Bryant ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 372. The Surprising ROI of Doing the Right Thing with Chaffin Luhana 121. Ben Crump — Speaking Truth to Power: The Fight for Social Justice in America 19. Harlan Schillinger — The Future of Legal Marketing

The higher you climb, the heavier success can weigh you down. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill expose the hidden cost of achievement: success debt. It’s the trap that catches high performers when wins pile up faster than the systems, habits, and discipline needed to sustain them. If you’ve ever felt restless, pressured, or like your own achievements are starting to box you in, this conversation will hit close to home. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why success debt builds silently at the top and how to recognize it before it crushes you How to avoid coasting on past wins and instead create challenges that keep you sharp What it takes to stay competitive without letting complacency or comparison set the pace If you want to avoid being owned by your own success, this is the episode you cannot afford to miss. ---- 07:29 – Why momentum can make or break your firm 08:55 – Reframing losses as the turning point for growth 09:59 – How to regain control by mastering fundamentals 10:23 – The compounding cost of skipping steps 11:42 – Why chasing one big win is a gambler’s fallacy 12:43 – The restless nature of high performers at the top 14:25 – Finding the next challenge that keeps you sharp 18:27 – Why obsessing over competitors keeps you from innovating ---- Links & Resources: The Game Changing Attorney episode with James Amaro – Amaro Law Firm ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 221. AMMA — How to Lead A-Players and Maximize Team Potential 246. AMMA — From Burnout to Breakthrough: The Key Differences Between Winners and Losers 369. Your Ego Is Making You Miserable with Cy Wakeman

High performers think they can outwork stress — until their bodies prove them wrong. In this encore episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill sits down with Dr. Taz Bhatia, a nationally recognized integrative medicine physician, to uncover why ignoring your health is the fastest way to sabotage your success. From cortisol spikes and energy crashes to the hidden costs of “powering through,” Dr. Taz reveals why the most ambitious leaders can’t afford to treat wellness as optional — and what it really takes to build resilience that lasts. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why Type-A achievers often miss the early red flags of burnout — and how to spot them in yourself How to design a health plan that fits your lifestyle instead of adding another job to your calendar What it takes to extend not just your lifespan, but your health span, so every year is high performing If you want to keep winning at the highest level, this conversation will show you why performance starts with wellness. ---- Show Notes: 03:11 – Dr. Taz shares her personal health collapse that forced her to rethink conventional medicine 13:57 – The difference between holistic, integrative, and functional medicine 17:35 – Why the U.S. health care system became “sick care” instead of true health care 23:24 – The five bodies of wellness: physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and community 27:22 – Common health challenges high achievers face under chronic stress 30:26 – The red flags of burnout and why powering through makes them worse 36:20 – The hidden dangers of sugar and fad diets 41:33 – How to create a realistic, sustainable wellness plan without making it a full-time job ---- Links & Resources: CenterSpringMD Institute for Functional Medicine Blue Zones ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. —- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 110. Leading Ladies: Four Leaders in Business 132. Summit Spectacular: Part 1  214. Dream Team: How to Hire & Keep High-Performing Talent

Consensus feels safe — but in business, it’s often the very thing holding you back from growth. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill unpack the hidden costs of consensus-driven decision-making. From firms with five partners debating every choice to small teams waiting on unanimous buy-in, they reveal why trying to please everyone creates delays, missed opportunities, and stalled growth. If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting wondering why it took two hours to argue over a single decision, this conversation will change how you lead. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why speed beats consensus — and why imperfect decisions made quickly can fuel faster growth How to assign decision rights by expertise so your team stops spinning in circles What it takes to embrace “disagree and commit” so your firm moves forward even without unanimous agreement If you’re tired of decision gridlock, this episode will show you how to lead with clarity, speed, and conviction. ---- 02:20 – Why many attorneys know more about their favorite sports team than their own firm’s numbers 04:15 – The importance of wearing your own “jersey” and taking pride in your brand 14:10 – Why consensus among five partners is the slowest way to make decisions 15:50 – Not every partner should have an equal vote — expertise matters 16:25 – Speed beats consensus: why fast imperfect decisions win 17:35 – The power of “disagree and commit” in high-performing firms 18:05 – Treating failure as data, not identity 20:00 – Why you can’t always wait for buy-in before leading change ---- Links & Resources: Brazil Nut Georgia Power Comcast AT&T ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 393. AMMA — Why Simplicity Is a Superpower in Law Firms 363. AMMA — How to Master Decision-Making Like a Pro 345. AMMA. The AI Advantage: What to Automate, What to Keep Human, and How to Stay Ahead

What happens when two prosecutors risk it all with a $9,000 loan and turn it into an eight-figure firm while raising three kids? In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill sit down with Benson Varghese and Anna Summersett, co-founders of Varghese Summersett, to uncover the story of how they built one of Texas’s fastest-growing firms. From humble beginnings and early challenges to scaling across multiple practice areas and offices, Benson and Anna share how they’ve redefined the client journey, built a culture rooted in growth, and balanced the chaos of entrepreneurship with family life. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why the client journey, not just courtroom wins, defines the future of law firm growth How to scale from 5 to 70+ employees without losing culture (or your mind) The tough truth about team members who won’t grow with your firm—and how to move forward If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your firm, your family, and your future without losing control, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss. ---- Show Notes: 03:15 – From rivals to partners: how Benson and Anna first met as prosecutors 09:23 – Launching a law firm with just $9,000 and no safety net 12:57 – Balancing opposite strengths: quick start vs. fact finder 16:16 – The hard truth about team members who can’t grow with the firm 19:13 – Building a culture rooted in growth mindset 22:16 – Redefining the hiring funnel to find the right people, not just any people 26:02 – Transforming the client journey with automation and human touch 34:37 – Leaving the courtroom to work on the business, not in it ---- Links & Resources: Varghese Summersett Lawft Legal Case Management Software Point Blank Tequila Kolbe Assessment Print Assessment  ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 355. How Two Lawyers Took on Legal Giants and Won with Spetsas Buist 361. The Hidden Blueprint for Creating a Thriving Work Culture with Josh Nelson 372. The Surprising ROI of Doing the Right Thing with Chaffin Luhana

What if doing more is the very reason your firm isn’t growing? In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill answer law firm owners’ toughest questions — from why growth efforts aren’t paying off, to why adding more people doesn’t always solve capacity problems, to how firms can avoid drowning in their own processes. Along the way, Michael shares how a new gardening hobby surprisingly mirrors the discipline it takes to build and scale a thriving practice. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why spreading your attention across too many initiatives will slow your progress — and how to concentrate resources for real growth The trap of “throwing bodies at problems” and how to use data-driven capacity planning instead of guesswork How successful firms simplify processes to maintain quality without getting buried in bureaucracy If you want your firm to grow, it’s time to cut the noise and double down on what matters. ---- Show Notes: 02:12 – Michael’s new gardening hobby and what it reveals about balance and focus 07:50 – Why spreading resources too thin stalls growth 09:36 – The gardening lesson that proves focus beats diversification 10:58 – Why every marketing channel works — and what really determines success 13:47 – The trap of “throwing bodies at problems” and why capacity must be data-driven 17:18 – Hiring without clarity: why adding people often increases complexity 18:48 – How firms unintentionally create bureaucracy as they grow 20:23 – The power of auditing processes and running a “stop doing” list ---- Links & Resources: The Three-Body Problem (Netflix) The Three-Body Problem book series by Cixin Liu Garden with a Y (Indoor hydroponic gardening system) ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 387. AMMA — Stop Cleaning Up Their Mess: The Secret to a Self-Sufficient Team 382. What It Takes to Build a $100M Legal Business 375. AMMA — Stop Being The Bottleneck: Lead Your Firm Without Being Needed

What if the future of personal injury law wasn’t written by tradition — but by a tech startup? In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill sits down with Ray Mieszaniec, Co-Founder and COO of EvenUp, a legal technology company using artificial intelligence to transform how personal injury claims are prepared, resolved, and ultimately valued. From his family’s personal experience with catastrophic injury to building the fastest-growing legal tech startup in history, Ray shares how EvenUp is rewriting the rules of PI law through AI, efficiency, and a relentless drive to level the playing field for plaintiffs.   Here’s what you’ll learn: Why Ray’s family’s tragedy planted the seed for a company now disrupting the PI industry How EvenUp’s AI-powered tools are helping firms maximize case values and streamline operations What the rise of autonomous vehicles, fee caps, and private equity mean for the future of PI law — and how firms must adapt now   The legal landscape is shifting fast. If you want to see what the next decade of PI law could look like, this episode is your front-row seat.   ---- Show Notes: 03:26 – The family tragedy that exposed the imbalance between insurers and victims 07:38 – Founding EvenUp: leveling the playing field with data and AI 11:12 – How missing records and treatment gaps cost firms millions 14:13 – Headwinds in PI law: autonomous vehicles, tort reform, and fee caps 16:19 – How law firms’ attitudes toward AI shifted from fear to adoption 19:56 – Building an AI model for PI law and keeping humans in the loop 23:42 – Why efficiency isn’t optional if firms want to survive fee caps 35:15 – Ray’s definition of being a game changer   ---- Links & Resources: EvenUp ABA Journal: AI in Law Tort Reform ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ----   Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 374. You're Not Too Late: Joe Fried on Finding Purpose in Law 372. The Surprising ROI of Doing the Right Thing with Chaffin Luhana 355. How Two Lawyers Took on Legal Giants and Won with Spetsas Buist

Every law firm wants more leads — but what if chasing them is the very thing holding you back? In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessical Mogill tackle one of the most common (and costly) mistakes law firm owners make: pouring money into marketing before fixing the foundation of their business. A $100,000 ad campaign might sound like the fast track to growth, but if your systems, team, and client experience can’t handle the volume, you’ll end up scaling chaos instead of results. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why investing in marketing before your systems are ready creates more problems than profit How to recognize whether your firm needs capacity, optimization, or true demand generation The mindset shift that separates law firm owners who burn cash from those who build scalable, thriving practices Before you write your next big marketing check, listen to this episode. It might just save you $100K — and set your firm on the right path for sustainable growth. ---- 00:00 – Intro and setup: The difference between growing revenue and scaling your business 02:30 – Why mistakes don’t define you — it’s how you respond that matters 03:24 – Miles Davis on wrong notes and life lessons 06:42 – The $100K marketing question: Should you invest in leads or systems? 09:42 – Why scaling demand without capacity only creates bigger problems 10:36 – Run your own race: Why comparing your growth to competitors is a trap 13:40 – Should you hire before perfecting processes, or wait until everything is “just right”? 16:39 – How to expand capacity without sacrificing client experience ---- Links & Resources: Miles Davis Quote ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 389. AMMA — Stop Fixing $5 Problems and Start Solving $1M Ones 379. AMMA — If You’re Still Chasing Leads, You’ve Already Lost 358. Your Competitors Don't Want You to Know These Game Changing Marketing Strategies

From pitmaster to business powerhouse, Rodney Scott proves that passion, process, and a relentless commitment to craft can transform not only a career but an entire industry. In this encore episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill sits down with James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Rodney Scott, a man who went from reluctantly tending the family barbecue pit to building a nationally recognized brand. With decades of lessons forged over open flames, Rodney shares how discipline, resilience, and an obsession with detail built his success. From overcoming doubters to scaling his craft across multiple locations, his journey offers timeless wisdom for any law firm leader serious about turning their passion into a lasting legacy. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why sticking with your craft through decades of hard work creates mastery that shortcuts cannot match How attention to detail turns a good product into an unforgettable experience The leadership mindset shifts needed to scale your business without sacrificing quality Whether you are running a smokehouse or a law firm, Rodney’s story is proof that when passion meets process, you can change the game and the world will know your name. ---- Show Notes: 00:00 – Introduction and Rodney’s early life on the farm 04:46 – From no interest in barbecue to finding his passion 05:58 – What makes whole hog barbecue unique and challenging 08:44 – Overcoming doubt and choosing to dream big 13:53 – Landing a feature on Netflix’s Chef’s Table 18:51 – The art and science of whole hog cooking 22:38 – Training pitmasters and maintaining consistency across restaurants 41:39 – What being a game changer means to Rodney Scott ---- Links & Resources: Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q Chef’s Table (Netflix TV show) Eric Church James Beard Foundation Billions (Showtime TV show) ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 110. Leading Ladies: Four Leaders in Business 132. Summit Spectacular: Part 1  214. Dream Team: How to Hire & Keep High-Performing Talent