Non-Billable Hours

Uncharted Journeys: One Lawyer's Globe-Trotting Adventures (& other stories)

In this episode, Carolyn shares her recent journey to the untouched wonders of the Galapagos Islands, where she immersed herself in the unique wildlife and landscapes.
Through lively discussions, Carolyn and Odette explore the intricacies of balancing a high-pressure legal career with a desire for exploration, revealing how travel provides a refreshing perspective, and life lessons that transcend the courtroom. Discover her insights on embracing life’s unpredictabilities, prioritizing personal time, and the courage it takes to step out of the ordinary.
👂🏼Listen as always to audio on Apple or Spotify, and now you can also find us on YouTube at @NonBillableHoursPod🎥
If you want to follow Carolyn on her legal and travel adventures:
Professional (LinkedIn): www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-mckeen
Personal & Travel (Instagram): @wanderingcarolyn & @mscarolynmck

Breaking Stereotypes in the Legal Industry (& Our First Video Podcast!)

Welcome to the first video episode of the Non-Billable Hours Podcast! In this exciting debut, Odette sits down with Carolyn McKeen, a brilliant litigator and one of Odette's law school classmates, to chat law school litigation competitions, discuss Carolyn's transition from public health to law, and share insights into juggling a career in civil litigation with travel, running, and learning to fly (literally!).✈️
Recorded on International Women's Day, this episode is a tribute to the strength and achievements of women in the legal profession.  Odette and Carolyn talk about breaking down the stereotypes, and how you can be a 'serious' lawyer, while still embracing who you are both in and out of the office.
Whether you're a lawyer or just curious about the life of one, this episode offers an honest look at the human side of practicing law.
👂🏼Listen as always to audio on Apple or Spotify, and now you can also find us on YouTube at @NonBillableHoursPod🎥
If you want to follow Carolyn on her legal and travel adventures:
www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-mckeen
Instagram: @wanderingcarolyn & @mscarolynmck

Mastering Self-Care Amidst Chaos: A Lawyer's Practical Guide

When life and work seem overwhelmingly busy, it can be hard to even take little moments to take care of ourselves. Today I want to share some genuine, practical reminders for maintaining mental and physical well-being amidst chaotic work schedules. Learn how small efforts can yield significant benefits and discover the key role discipline plays when motivation fades. It's not as scary as it sounds, I promise!
Finally, don't miss an exciting announcement about the podcast's venture into... a new frontier! And get a sneak peek at what's to come.
Follow us on Instagram at @nonbillablehourspodcast 

Breaking Free of Expectations as a Lawyer: Living Life on Your Own Terms

Welcome back to Non-Billable Hours! In this episode, we explore the challenges and triumphs of ignoring external opinions and embracing one's true desires. As lawyers and law students, we are so good, almost too good, at following directions, instructions, and looking to others for approval before making a move. Do we do that too much in our every day life, our life outside of our work?
Join the conversation as we candidly discuss the tug-of-war between societal expectations and personal satisfaction, reminding us all to focus on what truly matters in our lives.

Embracing Failure: It's Scary & The Only Way to Grow

Hiya pals! Welcome back. Today we dive into the challenging topic of failure and its crucial role in personal and professional growth. Discover why seeking out failure can lead to success and resilience, especially for lawyers who often avoid it. We'll discuss the importance of embracing setbacks as opportunities for learning and development, drawing from personal anecdotes and professional experiences.
I encourage you to confront failure and use it as a stepping stone on your pathway to achieving your goals. In looking for opportunities where we may fail, we will find new ways to build strength and create versions of ourselves we didn't know were possible.

Surviving the Trials Pt 2: Your Self-Care Toolkit for Court

As lawyers, we all know that trial is a different beast. Those of us who have been lucky (??) enough to go to trial or a hearing understand that it’s not your everyday. And it can definitely take over your life. Even someone with the best work-life balance (whatever that means) can have a hard time taking care of themselves during trial.
But that doesn’t mean you throw in the towel completely. You adapt, you think about *good enough* instead of perfect, *some* of it instead of *all* of it, and you do your best. What does that look like? In our last trial episode, we talked about food and fuel during trial and hearings. Today, we get into the other stuff:
Movement/Exercise - How to shift your mindset and prioritize shorter periods of movement so your body and brain can function at their best;
Sleep - Sleep during trial. Who's they? Why you need it, why all-nighters are a horrible idea, and how you can do your best to get at least *okay* sleeps when it matters most.
Weekends - If your trial or hearing spans a weekend or two, look at it as a blessing/opportunity in disguise. I’ll give you some tips for balancing work and happiness, so that you don’t burnout before the jury receives their final charge.
Trials. Hearings. Yes, they are hard. Abandoning your health and well-being will not make them any easier. See you in Court. (From this podcast) So tune in and transform your trial experience with simple yet effective self-care practices!

Escaping Lifestyle Creep: A Lawyer's Journey to Financial Awareness

Part 4 of our financial mini-series already! This week, we get into the concept of lifestyle creep - a sneaky phenomenon that can derail your financial goals. Fittingly,  I edited this podcast episode from a location I had no intention of traveling to when I left my home a few weeks ago. And the opportunities for lifestyle creep to take over were plentiful. So let's explore together how lifestyle inflation can impact your financial health.
From vacations that tempt you to splurge to societal pressures that push you to upgrade your lifestyle unnecessarily, we discuss ways to keep your finances in check. Using real-life examples, we illustrate how quickly spending can escalate as income rises and how it can hinder important financial milestones like paying off debt or saving for retirement.
Tune in to learn practical strategies to avoid lifestyle creep, embrace conscious spending, and make deliberate choices that align with your long-term financial goals. Whether you're a seasoned lawyer or new to managing your personal finances, this episode is packed with valuable tips to empower you on your financial journey.

Overcoming Catastrophic Thinking (Hey lawyer, it's okay we all do it!)

Welcome back! And welcome to a new year. Hello 2025!
I hope it was a joyful holiday season for each of you. If you just got through it and survived, then congratulations on surviving! That's amazing and you should be proud. 
And now, I invite you to join me as we dive into the practice of "best case scenario thinking." I discuss the common habit of catastrophizing, especially prevalent in high-pressure professions like law. While preparing for the worst is part of being a successful lawyer, it's essential to recognize when it spills over into our personal lives. Throughout this episode, I share insights on balancing worst-case scenario preparedness with optimism, offering tips on how to focus on the best possible outcomes, or even just neutral outcomes, to protect your brain and body from constant stress.
I explore the importance of mental health and how to reduce anxiety by reframing our thoughts. Let's learn together how to cherish the present, embrace new experiences, and approach the new year with a hopeful mindset.

Therapy for Lawyers: Yes You Need It

In this season finale of the Non-Billable Hours Podcast, we get into a topic extremely close to my heart: therapy and mental health. Yes, you need this conversation and no, being a lawyer doesn't mean you aren't a whole emotional being with complex needs. We emphasize the importance of therapy in the legal profession, addressing common misconceptions and sharing personal experiences that highlight its transformative impact.
Luckily, your mental health can benefit from time, care, and attention, just like your physical health can.
This episode will conclude this season but don't worry, we will be back! I invite you to contact me through our instagram page @nonbillablehourspodcast with feedback and suggestions for future episodes. In the meantime, prioritize your mental health and take care of that big, awesome brain of yours.

Work From Home in 2024: WFH & You, A Dream Come True

Welcome back to "Non-Billible Hours," hosted by Odette, your friendly neighborhood lawyer and hype girl. In this episode, Odette explores the modern work-from-home landscape, offering practical tips and insights to enhance your remote working experience. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the home office scene, there's something here for everyone.
Discover how to create a physical and mental separation between work and life, the importance of establishing a morning routine, and how to incorporate movement into your day. 
Let's navigate the challenges and perks of working from home!
And don't forget to check out the podcast's Instagram page (@nonbillablehourspodcast) for more!