The Law School Toolbox Podcast: Tools for Law Students from 1L to the Bar Exam, and Beyond
The Law School Toolbox podcast is an engaging show for law students about law school, the bar exam, legal careers, and life. Each week, we offer practical tips and advice on academic matters, careers, and more. The Law School Toolbox podcast is hosted by opinionated law school and bar exam experts Alison Monahan and Lee Burgess. You might not always agree with us, but we guarantee you won’t be bored listening! Our goal is to impart useful, actionable advice in an entertaining manner. Join us! And, if you have an opinion on the show, please drop by and offer a review. We’re here to help, and we’d love to hear from you!
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549: Acing the Law Review Write-on Competition (w/Professor Dawn Young)
03/30/2026
549: Acing the Law Review Write-on Competition (w/Professor Dawn Young)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode features a conversation with Professor Dawn Young from Loyola University Chicago School of Law about legal writing, bluebooking, and law review write-on competitions. Professor Young explains how the write-on competition works and what 1L students need to focus on if they decide to participate. Note: We would like to thank Themis Bar Review for sponsoring this episode. Only until this Friday (April 3rd, 2026), you can save up to $1,100 on your 2027 or 2028 bar review course with just $25 down. Simply visit and select "Pay Partially" when opting for a 2027 or 2028 bar review course. The $1,100 discount will automatically apply at checkout. In this episode we discuss: An introduction to our guest and her path from legal practice to academia Why legal writing matters and how it's different from writing in undergrad Tips for preparing for the write-on competition How important is being on a law journal to potential employers? Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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548: A Week in the Life of a Successful 1L – What You Actually Do Hour by Hour
03/23/2026
548: A Week in the Life of a Successful 1L – What You Actually Do Hour by Hour
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we discuss time management strategies for first-year law students, walking through a detailed weekday schedule. We cover how to manage class and reading time with active study techniques, regular breaks, and actual downtime. Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you're thinking about student loans for law school, head to to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate. In this episode we discuss: The 1L weekly framework The "Thousand Minute Rule" A 1L student's weekday schedule breakdown What derails study time Tactical tools to help manage your time Focus blocks and Pomodoro method Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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547: Listen and Learn -- Duties to the Tribunal (Professional Responsibility)
03/16/2026
547: Listen and Learn -- Duties to the Tribunal (Professional Responsibility)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing ABA's Model Rule of Professional Conduct 3.3, which governs truth telling to the tribunal (a court, arbitrator, administrative agency, or any other body acting in an adjudicative capacity). We break down all of the rule's nuances and parts, and analyze a few hypothetical scenarios. In this episode we discuss: An overview of ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct The elements of Rule 3.3 "Candor Toward the Tribunal" A few hypothetical scenarios that show how this topic appears on an exam Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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546: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Legal Writing Organized (Part 2)
03/09/2026
546: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Legal Writing Organized (Part 2)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In a two-part episode, we discuss how organization is what makes legal writing usable and trustworthy -- allowing judges, supervisors, and clients to follow your reasoning and accept your conclusions. Together with Legal Writing professor and Law School Toolbox tutor Mary Fran Richardson, we cover five essential tips for keeping your legal writing clean and well organized. In this episode we discuss: Planning and outlining before you write Avoiding conclusory analysis Utilizing headers as signposts for your reader Organizing your paragraphs logically Writing simple, focused, and purposeful sentences How to write strong topic sentences Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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545: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Legal Writing Organized (Part 1)
03/02/2026
545: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Legal Writing Organized (Part 1)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In a two-part episode, we discuss how organization is what makes legal writing usable and trustworthy -- allowing judges, supervisors, and clients to follow your reasoning and accept your conclusions. Together with Legal Writing professor and Law School Toolbox tutor Mary Fran Richardson, we cover five essential tips for keeping your legal writing clean and well organized. In this episode we discuss: How thinking like a reader helps your writing The starting point: Audience and purpose The characteristics of the most effective legal writing AI and legal writing: Why you still need your own voice Macro and micro organization of legal writing Remember to follow the directions! Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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544: Quick Tips -- Rapid-Fire Legal Ethics Scenarios
02/23/2026
544: Quick Tips -- Rapid-Fire Legal Ethics Scenarios
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're going through three rapid-fire legal ethics scenarios and asking you, the listener, "What would you do?" We then provide you with the answers based on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. In this episode we discuss: Scenario 1: Conflict of interest Scenario 2: Client plans to lie on the stand Scenario 3: Pro bono when you're overworked Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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543: The CROWN Act – Fighting Discrimination in the Workplace (w/Karis Stephen)
02/16/2026
543: The CROWN Act – Fighting Discrimination in the Workplace (w/Karis Stephen)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, Lee is talking with Karis Stephen -- a plaintiff-side employment attorney and Law School Toolbox tutor -- about her career journey, law school success, and the CROWN Act. In this episode we discuss: An introduction to our guest and her professional journey Exploring different career and life interests Working in the employment discrimination field Why it's advisable to find a professional mentor What is the CROWN Act and how it fights discrimination Women and workplace discrimination Three important pieces of advice for law students Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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542: Listen and Learn -- Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress (Torts)
02/09/2026
542: Listen and Learn -- Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress (Torts)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode explains the concept of negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED) in tort law, outlining the four specific situations in which a plaintiff can recover for emotional harm caused by another's negligence. In this episode we discuss: A review of the elements of negligence The four situations in which NIED claims are valid Negligent versus intentional infliction of emotional distress Hypotheticals and examples illustrating NIED Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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541: Listen and Learn -- Injunctions and Restraining Orders (Civ Pro)
02/02/2026
541: Listen and Learn -- Injunctions and Restraining Orders (Civ Pro)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing the concept of injunctive relief (Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 65). We introduce three types of injunctions – temporary restraining orders (TROs), preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions, and the elements necessary for obtaining each of them. In this episode we discuss: Overview of injunctive relief Temporary restraining orders (TROs) Preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions Sample questions from previous California bar exams Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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540: Listen and Learn -- Self-Defense and Defense of Others
01/26/2026
540: Listen and Learn -- Self-Defense and Defense of Others
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode we explain the legal concepts of self-defense and defense of others, focusing on their importance in criminal law and in law school exams. In this episode we discuss: Self-defense: rules and elements Imperfect self-defense Defense of others: rules and elements Two hypothetical scenarios from previous California bar exams Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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539: Listen and Learn -- Impeachment (Part 1)
01/19/2026
539: Listen and Learn -- Impeachment (Part 1)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're diving into part one of a two-part series on the topic of impeachment. Specifically, we're focusing on character impeachment – that is, discrediting the credibility of a witness. In this episode we discuss: What is witness impeachment? Demonstration of bias Examining a witness's character for truthfulness Evidence of prior bad acts and convictions Analyzing two questions from previous bar exams Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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538: Using AI in Law School: Smart Strategies and Red Flags
01/12/2026
538: Using AI in Law School: Smart Strategies and Red Flags
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! As AI is becoming part of our everyday life, we're discussing the good practices and the questionable uses of AI in law school. In this episode we discuss: How law students are currently using AI How law schools and professors are responding to AI usage The upside: When AI genuinely helps you learn and practice Risks, pitfalls, and ethical landmines Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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537: Planning for a Better Second Semester in Law School
01/05/2026
537: Planning for a Better Second Semester in Law School
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In the first week of January, we're talking about the second semester – how to make a study plan, get feedback on your first-semester exams, and even use AI to help you out with organization and studying. In this episode we discuss: Dealing with disappointing first-semester grades Engaging with professors and seeking feedback Creating and sticking to a study schedule Minimizing distractions and maximizing focus Utilizing AI for academic success Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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536: Listen and Learn -- UCC Expectation Damages (Contracts)
12/29/2025
536: Listen and Learn -- UCC Expectation Damages (Contracts)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we're talking about the expectation damages of sellers and buyers of goods under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). In this episode we discuss: Sellers' expectation damages Buyers' expectation damages Hypothetical scenarios dealing with remedies for breaches of contract Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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535: Listen and Learn -- Public and Private Nuisance
12/22/2025
535: Listen and Learn -- Public and Private Nuisance
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series. This time, we're talking about nuisances (public and private). In this episode we discuss: How does nuisance show up on an exam? The similarities and differences between public and private nuisance Defenses to nuisance claims Analyzing a hypo from the California First-Year Law Students' Examination from June 2014 How to structure your answer to a question involving nuisance A reminder to extract individual facts from the fact pattern and figure out why each one matters Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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534: Handling ADHD in the Legal Workplace (w/Emily Haan)
12/15/2025
534: Handling ADHD in the Legal Workplace (w/Emily Haan)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we're speaking with ADHD and executive function coach Emily Haan about the unique challenges attorneys with ADHD face in the workplace, such as time management, task switching, and email overload. We share practical coping strategies --including using physical timers, planning ahead, and body doubling -- to help manage these difficulties, and emphasize the importance of self-advocacy and finding supportive mentors. In this episode we discuss: Introduction to our guest Emily Haan and her work as an ADHD and executive function coach Understanding ADHD in professional environments Challenges faced by young lawyers with ADHD Effective time management and coping strategies Seeking support in the workplace Advantages of ADHD and finding the right fit career-wise Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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533: Quick Tips -- How to Engage Meaningfully with Your Professors in Office Hours
12/08/2025
533: Quick Tips -- How to Engage Meaningfully with Your Professors in Office Hours
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about using office hours in a productive way – this time, from your professor's perspective. We emphasize preparing specific questions, demonstrating prior effort, and engaging thoughtfully with the feedback your professor gives you. In this episode we discuss: Preparing your materials for office hours Effective communication during office hours Seeking feedback on written work What questions to ask and how to take notes Attitude and professionalism in office hours Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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532: Listen and Learn -- Criminal Procedure: Identifications (Part 2)
12/01/2025
532: Listen and Learn -- Criminal Procedure: Identifications (Part 2)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode continues the discussion on criminal identification procedures, focusing on potential due process violation issues. Through analyzing a hypothetical scenario, we illustrate how courts look at the totality of the circumstances and assess whether identification procedures are unnecessarily suggestive. The episode concludes with a step-by-step approach to tackling identification procedure questions on an exam. In this episode we discuss: A question from the October 2020 California bar exam The various types of identification procedures How to consider the totality of the circumstances when determining potential due process violations An exam strategy for answering identification procedure questions Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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531: What Law Students Should Know About New Legal Tech (w/Gabe Teninbaum)
11/24/2025
531: What Law Students Should Know About New Legal Tech (w/Gabe Teninbaum)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, Alison and Gabe Teninbaum -- law professor and creator of SpacedRepetition.com -- discuss how technology is rapidly transforming the legal profession, emphasizing the importance for law students and lawyers to develop technological competence and adapt to new tools and roles in the legal profession. In this episode we discuss: Gabe's background and work in legal innovation and technology The evolution and future of legal work Important soft and tech skills for future lawyers Resources for keeping up with legal innovation Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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530: Listen and Learn -- Criminal Procedure: Identifications (Part 1)
11/17/2025
530: Listen and Learn -- Criminal Procedure: Identifications (Part 1)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about the rules and timing of the different types of criminal identification procedures. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. In this episode we discuss: Types of criminal identifications procedures Timing of identifications procedures and right to counsel Due process in identifications procedures Analysis of a hypothetical scenario Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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529: Last-Minute Law School Exam Prep: Triage Tips for Success
11/10/2025
529: Last-Minute Law School Exam Prep: Triage Tips for Success
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing how you can regroup, triage, and get the most out of the final weeks before law school exams. In this episode we discuss: Preparing outlines and other study materials How to use study groups effectively Writing practice exams and getting feedback Optimizing study time and minimizing distractions The importance of sleep and wellbeing How to prepare for exam accommodations Using AI tools for exam prep Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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528: Optimizing Sleep and Productivity in Law School (w/Lindsay Scola)
11/03/2025
528: Optimizing Sleep and Productivity in Law School (w/Lindsay Scola)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This podcast episode explores the critical connection between sleep and productivity, especially for students and professionals. Guest Lindsay Scola shares her personal journey with sleep disorders and emphasizes that sleep is foundational for cognitive performance, memory, and overall well-being. The conversation offers practical tips for improving sleep habits and highlights the importance of being intentional about rest to support both academic and career success. In this episode we discuss: The science of sleep and its relation to productivity Building your sleep blueprint Balancing social life and sleep Managing middle-of-the-night-wakeups The "Snooze" button myth Sleep chronotypes and productivity Top 5 sleep tips for law students, and what you can find in Lindsay's sleep course Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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527: Listen and Learn -- Excuses for Non-Performance of a Contract
10/27/2025
527: Listen and Learn -- Excuses for Non-Performance of a Contract
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we're exploring the situations in which a party to a contract is claiming that their contractual obligations should be discharged as a result of supervening events that occurred after the formation of the contract. The three excuses for non-performance of a contract we'll look at are: impossibility, impracticability, and frustration of purpose. In this episode we discuss: The rules for the impossibility, impracticability, and frustration of purpose excuses for non-performance of a contract Two essay questions from previous California bar exams Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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526: Quick Tips -- Legal Latin Decoded
10/20/2025
526: Quick Tips -- Legal Latin Decoded
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Much of Western legal tradition evolved from Roman law, and even when legal systems modernized, many principles and terms remained in Latin. Today, as part of our "Quick Tips" series, we provide you with the meaning of various Latin phrases that are commonly used in law school classes. In this episode we discuss: The meaning and uses of various Latin words and phrases used in the legal context Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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525: Being an Adult (w/Julie Lythcott-Haims)
10/13/2025
525: Being an Adult (w/Julie Lythcott-Haims)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, author and educator Julie Lythcott-Haims discusses with Lee the complexities of becoming an adult, emphasizing that adulthood is less about age and more about taking responsibility for oneself. We highlight the importance of developing independence, financial literacy, and the ability to have difficult conversations, while also stressing the value of vulnerability, community, and human connection in navigating adult life. Ultimately, the discussion encourages embracing the challenges of adulthood as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. In this episode we discuss: What does it mean to be an adult? Tests of adulthood: Handling life's challenges Managing helicopter parents and creating autonomy The power of vulnerability and connection Financial literacy and money management Being a helper in your community Technology, AI, and the future of the legal profession Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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524: LSAT Changes and Prep Strategies with AI (w/Steve Schwartz)
10/06/2025
524: LSAT Changes and Prep Strategies with AI (w/Steve Schwartz)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, Steve Schwartz from LSAT Unplugged shares the latest changes to the LSAT format. We also explore the evolving role of AI in test preparation and admissions and offer practical advice for effective LSAT study strategies. In this episode we discuss: The latest LSAT format, consisting of: logical reasoning tasks reading comprehension tasks writing sample The role of AI in test prep and admissions LSAT prep strategies and resources Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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523: Listen and Learn -- Negligence: Factual Causation
09/29/2025
523: Listen and Learn -- Negligence: Factual Causation
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, we're focusing on one of the most highly-tested topics on law school exams: Negligence. In particular, we're talking about the different ways in which factual causation can be demonstrated. In this episode we discuss: Review of the elements of negligence What is factual causation and the five tests that are used to prove it Analyzing two hypos from previous California bar exams Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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522: Is Social Media Destroying Our Ability to Focus?
09/22/2025
522: Is Social Media Destroying Our Ability to Focus?
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about a topic we've been thinking about a lot recently – whether social media is destroying our ability to focus. We reflect on how our daily routines were impacted by a week-long break from social media, and how we used the freed up time. In this episode we discuss: Pain points that led to our social media break Effects of a social media detox Reflections on how social media has evolved Implications of excessive social media usage for law students Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans
09/15/2025
521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're speaking with Nikhil Agarwal from Juno about how law students can make smarter choices about student loans. We focus on the benefits of group negotiation for better interest rates and the differences between federal and private loans. Thanks to Juno for their support in sponsoring this episode! In this episode we discuss: An introduction to our guest, and the origin of Juno group loan negotiation Understanding student loan options The power of a lower interest rate How Juno's team guides students to make the best decisions for themselves Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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520: Preparing for the NextGen Bar Exam with Themis
09/08/2025
520: Preparing for the NextGen Bar Exam with Themis
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode features a discussion with Dan Smith from Themis Bar Review about the upcoming NextGen Bar Exam, highlighting its new computer-based format and integrated question sets, as well as the importance of memorization and practical skills. The conversation also covers how Themis is adapting its prep materials for the new exam format. Note: This episode is sponsored by – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. Save $1,200 on any 2026 Themis Bar Review course by using the code LAWSCHOOLTB1200 at checkout. (This offer is valid until October 15, 2025.) In this episode we discuss: Changes to the bar exam with the NextGen format How Themis materials support bar studiers Bar prep timeline for NextGen In-school bar preparation programs Choosing your jurisdiction for the exam Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the (). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, (). You can also sign up for our weekly () to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
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