As is typical in the winter, Minnesota was in a deep freeze - schools were closed, my weather app showed -15°F with a "real feel" of -30°F, and I had to bundle up in a stocking cap and winter coat just to step outside and head to the law school to teach (law school classes are never canceled, it see...

A few years ago, I had one of those relentless weeks - the kind where every minute felt accounted for before the day even began. 

Client calls, urgent emails, back-to-back meetings, late-night work … and no time to even think about taking care of myself. I told myself I would catch up on sleep late...

Let’s be real - lawyers are trained to argue. 

We build cases, poke holes in opposing arguments, and advocate fiercely. But outside of the courtroom? How we disagree matters just as much as whether we’re “right.”

I was scrolling Instagram the other day and I saw this quote by Adam Grant:

“Thought...

Great mentoring can change everything, and I’ve experienced that firsthand.

When I arrived at the University of Pennsylvania to pursue my master’s in social work, I felt like I had landed on another planet. I wasn’t just out of my comfort zone—I couldn’t even see it in the rearview mirror. Moving f...

Happy New Year! 🎉 I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that your new year is off to a terrific start. I’m just getting back into the swing of things with those last couple of weird workweeks.

And, of course, I’m trying to do all of the “new year” reflecting, journaling, planning, etc. that...

Happy birthday to EsquireWell!

With this anniversary, I’ve taken a step back to think about what’s working, what I want to keep, and where I’d like to make some changes. I’ve refreshed my website (you can check it out here), updated my logo, and have exciting plans in the works for 2025 (stay tuned...

Every year since the kids were small, we stop by the annual festival in our town, eat some “fair food”, check out the vendors, and let the kids ride a few carnival rides.

This got me thinking about the merry-go-rounds that we all see at every carnival.

For you history buffs: the merry-go-round, al...

 I was in my hometownhere (population about 900!) for my 30th high school reunion, and I couldn't wait to see my classmates for a BBQ get-together and bonfire. 

I grew up in that small town, and my parents have lived in the same house by the railroad tracks since I was born. My grandmother still li...

Every year, my family and I have a tradition of watching fireworks from our pontoon on the lake at our cabin (a very Minnesotan thing to do!). Once, all five of us together with my husband’s father, cooler weather, and (almost) no mosquitoes - a small miracle. 

As we all sat together, mesmerized by...

Let’s face it – saying “I’m sorry” isn’t always easy. 

But have you ever noticed how powerful those two little words can be? Apologizing isn’t just about etiquette; it can show a deep level of emotional intelligence and is essential for nurturing strong, healthy relationships. 

Especially in the l...

I've been thinking of my former neighbors. Although we didn't know each other well, we occasionally encountered each other at neighborhood gatherings. They certainly seemed nice enough, and we always exchanged pleasantries and small talk at the mailbox or waved as we drove past each other.

Reflecti...

Recently, with many personal milestones taking place, I can’t help but reflect on the themes of endings and beginnings in our lives and careers. (You know me - never one to miss a metaphor!)

Why Endings and Beginnings Are Hard

Change and Uncertainty: Endings often mean stepping into the unknown. W...