Some guests command the room without ever raising their voice. They make you sit up straighter, rethink your posture, and question whether your coffee order is sufficiently ambitious.

In this episode of Counsel Brew, we sit down and debrief with The Honorable Judge Barbara Lynn (Ret.) who takes us from her early days in Florida—pushing past stage fright and finding her voice—to becoming one of the most respected federal judges in the country. She embodies what it means to lead with courage, wit, and unwavering conviction.

We start with her early inspirations: Perry Mason, debate kid enthusiast, and a childhood dream of firefighting. As a young woman, she landed at the University of Virginia during the first year women were admitted (a 22:1 men-to-women ratio). Then comes the legendary story of how she became the first woman inducted into the Jefferson Literary & Debating Society…a moment that set the tone for a lifetime of firsts guided by her passion, grit, and an unshakable refusal to accept “that’s just how it is.” She says it best: “There really is no door you can’t open… you just have to be courageous enough to put your hand on the door handle.”

Judge Lynn takes us behind the bench, tracing the journey from the phone call that set it all in motion (courtesy of Congressman Martin Frost) to her Valentine’s Day swearing-in in 2000.” She opens up about the shift from advocate to judge, the surprises of day one, and the courtroom moments that are equal parts profound and hilarious.

Yes, that “stupid shit” story makes an appearance along with the now-famous Chauncey case (guns, perjury, and a baby-daddy reveal!). Life after the bench hasn’t slowed her down. These days, she’s mediating, consulting, traveling, and enjoying the joy of being slightly less canon-compliant. And through it all, Judge Lynn’s favorite compliment remains simple and telling: “You were well prepared.”

And every great conversation deserves a lightning round, and Judge Lynn’s doesn’t miss. Picture speed dating meets the federal bench with quick questions, clever answers, and a dose of brilliance between the laughs.

Judge Lynn may be retired from the bench, but she’s still teaching the rest of us how to lead. Be true to your values. Be courageous. And if you want something—ASK FOR IT!

👉 Listen now:

Find Barbara at https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-m-g-lynn/

And learn more about Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann at https://www.lynnllp.com/

Message us at hello@counselbrew.com

Visit us at http://www.counselbrew.com

And Follow follow us

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/

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Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

A New Year at Counsel Brew

Time really does fly when you’re having fun.

In this New Year reflection, we’re looking back on the stories, sips, and moments that shaped Counsel Brew in 2025—and sharing what we’re brewing next as we head into 2026.

Happy New Year from Counsel Brew! 🍻

In this special year-end reflection episode, we’re looking back on a year that flew by—and gave us so much more than we expected.

✨ 2025 Highlights:

• 24 episodes, 25 incredible guests, and countless stories of reinvention, resilience, and bold next chapters
• Sampling brews inspired by our guests (yes, coffee still reigns supreme ☕)
• A road trip sparked by one of our favorite super fans—proof this community is real and growing
• Plenty of laughter, a few tears, and some unforgettable “stupid sh*t” moments along the way

As we look ahead, we’re dreaming bigger in 2026—more engagement with you, more conversations sparked on social, more road trips, and expanding Counsel Brew beyond our usual borders.

So grab your favorite brew, reflect on what you built this past year, and dream a little about what’s next. And if you’re ringing in the New Year with us in your ears, we hope this episode leaves you inspired, entertained, and ready to create your own next chapter.

🎧 Cheers to 2026—and thanks for being part of the Counsel Brew community.

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Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

At its core, this episode is about legacy with intention. Sharon and Jenny King — a mother–daughter duo built on service, strategy, and grit — show how generational leadership is passed down when lived into and shaped together. Their story is a masterclass in intergenerational badassery.

Sharon came of age in turbulent 1960s Atlanta, stumbled into a dream job at a legendary department store, and got pulled into community work by a woman who simply said, “Would you help me?” That one yes became decades of impact:

• mentoring low-income girls in Atlanta housing projects
• building out women’s programming at the YWCA
• running nonprofits across the Southeast and Southwest
• going toe-to-toe with big corporations and even testifying before federal regulators
• becoming a fierce advocate for early childhood education and economic equity

Fast forward a generation, and Jenny is the child who didn’t play school or doctor; instead she pretended to go to work. She grew up in pews and boardrooms at First Presbyterian, watching her mom organize, strategize, and raise money without the job title or paycheck to match. Now, Jenny’s the connector-in-chief:

• pulling together civic leaders, donors, and policy thinkers
• serving on boards from Head Start to public schools
• organizing MLK oratory competitions that launch young voices onto national stages
• helping parents, refugees, and first-gen families navigate public education and opportunity

And when you get these two in a room? You get wisdom, humor, and a master class in intergenerational power with purpose.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why Jenny kept “King” in 1991 and what a credit card addressed to “Mrs. John Smith” had to do with it.
• Child care deserts and why underpaid early childhood educators aren’t a women’s issue; they’re a business issue, a family issue, and frankly, a democracy issue.
• How to build multicultural school communities where 20+ languages are spoken and “everyone is welcome” is not a slogan — it’s operating procedure.
• Why collaboration is hard, communication breaks down, and how Jenny somehow always spots the crack in the foundation before anyone else.
• How three generations of King women have passed the baton.

Because it’s Counsel Brew, we of course talk brews:

• Sharon: A chamomile-and-sweetener ritual that hits in any season.
• Jenny: Half-and-half coffee with a hazelnut pod. Zero guilt.

👉 Listen now:

Find Sharon at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonking5/

Find Jenny at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennykingmpa/

Message us at hello@counselbrew.com

Visit us at http://www.counselbrew.com

And Follow follow us

@counselbrew

https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/

Send us a text

Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.