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/

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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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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/

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Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

Ann Sheu is what happens when intentional living meets elite execution. A speaker, entrepreneur, and Certified EOS Implementer, Ann helps founders at work and families at home craft a shared vision, communicate better, and actually enjoy the life they’re building together.

After earning three degrees from SMU and building a successful career in law, Ann realized that success without alignment wasn’t enough. When she and her husband — both high performers — tried to run their marriage like a business, their therapist was quick to advise, “Ooh, don’t do that.” That moment became the spark for Mpowered Journey, where Ann took everything she’d learned from business, law, and leadership to help other couples and families find purpose, clarity, and connection without losing themselves in the process.

Brew of Choice: Water 💧because clarity is her caffeine.

In this episode, we sip water with Ann and dive into:
💡 Her leap from the law to coaching and how she found her true calling
🏡 The story behind Mpowered Journey and the art of intentional family leadership
⚖️ Lessons in purpose, partnership, and ditching “perfect” for aligned
🎤 How she built a career around impact with one mindset shift at a time
☀️ Her honest perspective on building a thriving marriage, raising a family, and still making space for herself

Ann’s story is equal parts heart, strategy, and humor. Proof that you can design a life that performs as well as it feels. Whether you’re a lawyer, a leader, or someone just trying to keep your family calendar from imploding, this episode will leave you inspired to lead your own Mpowered Journey.

👉 Listen now

Find Ann at https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncsheu/

Check out MPowered Journey at https://www.mpoweredjourney.com/

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Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

Featuring Brad Pritchett, Chief Experience Officer at the Dallas Museum of Art

If there’s one person redefining how Dallas connects with culture, it’s Brad Pritchett. As the Chief Experience Officer at the Dallas Museum of Art, Brad isn’t just curating exhibits; he’s curating connection. With his trademark blend of creativity, candor, and charm, he’s turning one of the city’s most storied institutions into a living, breathing experience that invites everyone in.

His path here wasn’t exactly linear, and that’s part of what makes it brilliant. From growing up in a Southern Baptist home to performing on cruise ships, from television correspondent to community advocate, Brad’s story is about becoming who you really are, even when that means rewriting your own script.

In this episode of Counsel Brew, Brad opens up about authenticity, transformation, and finding joy in the work that moves you. He shares what it means to lead with empathy and imagination, and how art can be both a mirror and a megaphone for community. We talk about Dallas’ thriving arts scene, his passion for making the DMA accessible to everyone, and yes, his unapologetic love for fall décor and a perfectly crafted pecan cortado.

Brad reminds us that art isn’t confined to galleries; it’s found in the stories we tell, the spaces we create, and the courage it takes to live out loud.

So pour your brew (bonus points if has a hint of Fall flavor) and join us for a conversation with the man who Dreams it, Makes it, and Amplifies it, one bold, beautiful idea at a time.

👉 Listen now

Find Brad at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-pritchett-108042b/

Visit the Dallas Museum of Art at https://dma.org/

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Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

If there’s anyone who proves that planning is a form of art, it’s Susan Wetzel. Whether she’s mapping out her one-, five-, or ten-year goals, or guiding clients through the legal maze of mergers and acquisitions, Susan doesn’t wing it, she designs it. Every decision, every move, every cup of tea.

Her brew of choice? Ginger turmeric tea for its bold, balanced, and quietly powerful impact, much like her approach to leadership and life.

In this episode of Counsel Brew, Susan walks us through how she builds a career and a life by design. From her habit of printing every draft before she hits send (even emails!) to her meticulous approach to long-term planning, Susan shows us that being intentional doesn’t mean being rigid…It means making room for what matters most.

She also shares her deep commitment to the American Heart Association, where she channels her leadership beyond the boardroom, advocating for stronger, healthier communities with the same energy and focus she brings to her work.

And because life’s not all paper and plans, Susan lets us peek behind the scenes where Halloween and costumes reign supreme. From full-on costumes to an enthusiasm that could give the neighborhood kids a run for their candy, she reminds us that joy isn’t just something to schedule in; it’s something to celebrate.

This episode is for the planners, the thinkers, and anyone who finds peace in a well-organized stack of paper, a perfectly steeped cup of tea, and a great costume idea waiting in the wings.

👉 Listen now

Find Susan at https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-wetzel-b277337/

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Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

When your guest shows up in a white top hat and jokingly calls himself “the fun appellate lawyer,” you know you’re in for a great conversation.

For our 40th episode, we’re raising a mug to Chad Ruback — appellate attorney, on-air legal commentator, and all-around class act who somehow balances professionalism with a sharp sense of humor.

Chad shares his path from his family’s jewelry business in Kansas City to building a respected solo appellate practice in Texas. Along the way, he’s learned that showing up — with curiosity, consistency, and the occasional top hat — can take you a long way in both law and life.

He’s thoughtful, funny, and the kind of person who remembers everyone’s name and story — a rare gift in any profession.

And we couldn’t share this episode without a nod to Daisy Louise, Chad’s beloved dog who made frequent cameos and left an even bigger mark. She’s gone now, but her presence (and her timing) live on in our hearts — and this episode. 🐾

So grab your favorite brew and join us for this light-hearted episode — a conversation with the appellate lawyer who proves you can be serious about the law without taking yourself too seriously.

Find Chad at https://www.linkedin.com/in/appeal/

& more info about his Law Practice at https://appeal.pro/

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Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

“The worst thing in life is to look back and say, I wish I had.”
That one piece of advice changed everything for Hilda Galvan. She sold her brand-new home, headed to law school, and never looked back.

Fast forward three decades: Hilda became one of the most respected intellectual property litigators in the country, leading Jones Day’s Dallas office for nearly a decade and winning cases for clients like IBM, Motorola, OnStar, and Charles Schwab. Along the way, she mentored scores of lawyers, broke barriers in patent litigation, and became a role model for others.

Now, she’s in a new chapter; one she calls “retirement” but we’d call anything but. Hilda is pouring her energy into consulting with technology startups, joining corporate boards, and championing women-owned businesses and nonprofits.

In this episode of Counsel Brew, Hilda talks about resilience, leadership, and carving your own path. From her early engineering days to becoming a first-chair trial lawyer when few women had that seat, her story is packed with grit, wisdom, and plenty of humor. And yes, we get into her favorite brew — black coffee. No sugar. No cream. And efficient, just like her.

Hilda proves that when you mix brilliance with resilience (and a strong cup of black coffee never hurts), you don’t just build a career, you redefine the game.

Find Hilda at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hildagalvan/

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Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.