116: Breaking Free from Fear: Finding Clarity and Resilience in Your Life with Brother Curtis
Great Practice. Great Life. by Atticus
Release Date: 01/27/2025
Great Practice. Great Life. by Atticus
On today’s episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley chats with attorney and athlete Lea Anne Groover as she shares her journey and the tangible habits for law firm growth that challenge what’s possible at any age, in any career, and at any stage of life. Lea Anne’s journey wasn’t about grand gestures or overnight success. It began with a small, intentional act, writing the word “move” in the habit-building section of her My Great Life Focus, a tool provided by her Atticus Advisor, Teresa Morgan. For Lea Anne, “move” meant getting on her Peloton for 20 minutes a...
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In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve Riley is joined by Adam Rossen, a criminal defense attorney who’s doing more than building a successful firm, he’s reinventing criminal defense training for the next generation of lawyers. Adam’s firm has quadrupled since 2020, yet his passion is mentoring future attorneys. His Florida-based internship program, once a casual drop-in setup, has evolved into a structured, immersive model for reinventing criminal defense training. In 2020, he took on 13 interns, introducing a mock law school exam project, virtual court sessions,...
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On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve Riley welcomes Dre Baldwin, former professional basketball player, prolific author, and founder of Work on Your Game Inc. Dre shares how his career was shaped not just on the court, but at home, where his parents modeled daily discipline and quiet resilience that made him “too stupid to quit.” From an early age, Dre watched his parents show up for their responsibilities, day in and day out, regardless of how they felt. That consistency became the foundation of his own mindset: showing up was non-negotiable. It’s a lesson he...
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John Morgan doesn’t lead quietly—and he doesn’t build small. In part two of his conversation with Steve Riley, he shares the systems, standards, and mindset that built a law empire. On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve Riley welcomes back John Morgan, founder of Morgan & Morgan, for an insightful continuation of their conversation. In this episode, you’ll discover John Morgan’s leadership lessons on how to grow a law firm with integrity. He also shares how long-term vision, and well-built systems can support both business growth and personal success. John...
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In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve Riley is joined by visionary attorney and entrepreneur John Morgan for a focused conversation on law firm expansion. As the founder of Morgan & Morgan, John built one of the largest plaintiffs’ firms in the United States. He explains how a growth-focused mindset and strong systems helped his firm scale in a fast-changing legal industry. John, now 69, continues to lead with a “grow or die” mindset. Back in 2009, he wrote a speech that shaped his entire growth strategy. He compared the future of law to the shift from...
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In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve Riley welcomes back content marketing guru Robert Rose for a powerful conversation tailored to attorneys and law firm owners looking to improve their marketing strategy. Robert shares how lawyers can turn their natural communication strengths, advocacy, storytelling, and clarity into a winning content marketing strategy. His tips are practical, achievable, and designed for busy professionals. Many small and solo law firms rely almost exclusively on referrals. While referrals are important, they aren’t a full marketing plan. Robert...
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What does it take to shift from a struggling solo attorney to a CEO leading a thriving full-service law firm? Learn how authentic leadership transformed one law firm from solo practice to thriving law firm. In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve sits down with Ross Albers, CEO of Albers & Associates in Timonium, Maryland. Ross shares his inspiring and raw journey—from getting fired just days before his wedding to building a successful law firm with 13 attorneys spanning multiple practice areas. His story is a powerful reminder that setbacks can become the foundation...
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Surviving a plane crash wasn’t part of Attorney Blinn Bates’ plan, but it became a pivotal chapter in his life story. A routine flight turned into a near-tragedy and forced a year-long recovery. As a third-generation attorney, Blinn faced the unimaginable. But instead of succumbing to despair, he used the pause to transform his law practice and reevaluate his personal life. On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Blinn shares his story of resilience and transformation through adversity. He turned the experience into an opportunity to innovate and modernize his family law...
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In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve Riley explores time management and focus strategies with Shawn McNalis, an Atticus Practice Advisor and trainer with over 30 years of experience. Together, they uncover the most common time traps that prevent attorneys from reaching their full potential. They also share proven strategies for defending strategic time blocks and establishing boundaries that support professional growth. Shawn brings her wealth of knowledge from coaching thousands of lawyers and co-authoring pivotal books on time management and performance. Steve and...
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In this follow-up episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley welcomes back guest Barb Betts for a deeper dive into a powerful idea: the confidence to build a thriving law practice begins with embracing your authentic self. For lawyers, authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a strategic advantage that drives client trust, firm growth, and personal satisfaction. Barb shares her powerful concept of “17 moments”—life-changing events like teenage pregnancy and severe hair loss—that taught her to stop hiding and stand in her truth. These moments are critical for...
info_outlineIn a world where emotions often run wild, Brother Curtis has spent over 40 years uncovering the secret to taming the beasts of fear and anxiety. Having journeyed through his own emotional landscapes, he shares his wisdom on how these powerful feelings shape both personal and professional realms.
On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, inspired by the comforting lines of Psalm 23, we highlight the power of recognizing that none of us face our fears alone. Brother Curtis joins us to reveal the importance of emotional intelligence, a tool more potent than IQ in breaking through life's barriers. Together, we reflect on aligning life choices with desired outcomes, paving a path toward growth and gratitude.
The haze of anxiety can obscure our creative vision, much like heating a home with the windows wide open. We unravel the differences between anxiety and fear, exploring how anxiety's roots often trace back to our earliest experiences. Brother Curtis and Steve engage in a heartfelt dialogue about how many high achievers, despite their success, often carry unspoken anxieties clouded by shame. By bringing these feelings into the open and practicing gratitude, we can reclaim the energy lost to anxiety. We also explore how vulnerability and shared fears can act as bridges to deeper connections and healing.
Embrace the art of resilience by trusting and revealing your true self. Authentic connections strengthen our emotional resilience, allowing us to navigate life's challenges more easily. Brother Curtis emphasizes the human longing to be known and safe, underscoring the value of supportive relationships that encourage open communication. We leave you with the empowering notion that each person can inspire others, stepping beyond fear to embody positivity and strength.
Join us as we champion gratitude, connection, and personal growth, lighting the way for others who may still wander in the shadows of fear.
In this episode, you will hear:
- The transformative power of recognizing fear and anxiety as universal experiences
- Brother Curtis’s insights on emotional intelligence surpassing IQ for personal and professional growth
- Differentiating anxiety from fear and addressing their origins and impacts
- Importance of vulnerability and shared fears in building deeper connections
- Exploring how authentic connections enhance emotional resilience
- Role of gratitude practices in reclaiming energy lost to anxiety
- Emphasis on trust and open-hearted communication as tools for resilience and empowerment
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Supporting Resources:
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Brother Curtis Almquist, SSJE: www.ssje.org/br-curtis-almquist
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Society of Saint John the Evangelist, Massachusetts: www.ssje.org
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101: A Monk, a Lawyer and a President Walk into a Podcast: A Conversation Featuring Brother Curtis: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/a-conversation-featuring-brother-curtis/
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109: Breaking Free from Envy: Finding Joy and Focus in Your Life with Brother Curtis: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/breaking-free-from-envy-finding-joy-and-focus-in-your-life-with-brother-curtis/
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Grow Your Law Practice with AI: atticusadvantage.com/workshops/grow-your-law-practice-with-ai/
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.