In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Peter Mallouk, President and CEO of Creative Planning, to explore how clarity, discipline, and servant leadership can transform both legal and financial service firms.

Peter shares his unexpected journey into law — a path chosen partly by default — and how his time as an estate planning attorney became the foundation for something much bigger. By delivering high-end service quickly, charging flat fees, and explaining complex estate strategies in plain English, Peter built one of the largest estate planning practices in his region.

His real breakthrough came when he recognized what clients wanted before they could articulate it themselves: a fully integrated model combining financial planning, tax preparation, estate planning, and investment management under one roof. That vision led him to acquire Creative Planning in 2004 — then a small firm with just thirty clients and thirty million under management — and scale it into a nationally recognized powerhouse.

Peter dives deep into the practical habits behind that growth, from eliminating distractions and attacking the hardest task first each morning to embracing disciplined execution even when it’s not enjoyable. He also shares candid insights about the coming AI transformation in law and business, predicting that much of traditional legal work will be automated — and explaining why specialization and complex problem-solving will be key to survival.

Above all, Peter emphasizes the power of servant leadership and being a “player-coach” — leading from the front, working alongside your team, and eliminating the ivory tower mentality that holds organizations back.

Listeners will learn:

- How Peter scaled from estate planning attorney to CEO of a national firm

- Why delivering fast, flat-fee, high-quality service creates exponential growth

- How to eliminate daily noise and focus only on what truly moves the needle

- Why attacking the hardest task first changes productivity outcomes

- How AI will reshape law and professional services — and how to prepare

- Why specialization and complexity will protect professionals from automation

- How servant leadership and player-coach mentality build winning cultures

👉 Tune in for a high-impact conversation filled with practical strategies, bold predictions, and timeless leadership principles that apply to law firms, financial firms, and growth-focused organizations alike.

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Demitrus Evans, an international business and intellectual property attorney based in the Chicagoland area, to explore how purpose, people-centered leadership, and innovation-driven lawyering are shaping the future of legal practice.

Demitrus shares how her path into law wasn’t driven by a childhood dream of becoming an attorney, but by a deep-rooted passion for justice and human rights. Her early work with Amnesty International exposed her to the complex role businesses play in global justice issues — a realization that ultimately led her into international business law, intellectual property, and cross-border innovation.

She reflects on one of her most rewarding growth success stories: guiding a small, immigrant-owned “mom and pop” automotive business from humble beginnings to an international acquisition by a German company. Through years of strategic legal support — from IP protection to contracts to mergers — Demitrus helped the client scale globally while preserving what mattered most to them.

Beyond client wins, Demitrus opens up about her leadership philosophy and the non-legal skills that set her firm apart. From incorporating yoga, breathing exercises, and mindset work into team meetings to fostering a culture of care, wellness, and long-term connection, she explains why investing in people is the foundation of sustainable growth.

Looking ahead, Demitrus shares her forward-thinking perspective on AI, international trade, intellectual property, and even the metaverse — encouraging law firms and businesses alike to claim space early, adapt boldly, and stay curious about where innovation is headed next.

Listeners will learn:

- How a passion for human rights led Demitrus into international business law

- Why intellectual property plays a critical role in global business growth

- How long-term client relationships can turn small businesses into international success stories

- Why staff wellness, mindset, and culture directly impact firm performance

- How AI is reshaping international law, trade, and innovation

- Why law firms should be thinking about IP, AI, and the metaverse now

- How people-first leadership creates loyalty, longevity, and growth

👉 Tune in for a thoughtful, energizing, and future-focused conversation that blends global business insight with deeply human leadership — and shows why innovation works best when it’s grounded in care.

In this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast, host Aaron Fulk sits down with Trina Nudson, founder of The Layne Project, Inc. and My Child Advocate, to explore how purpose-driven leadership, coaching, and systems-level thinking can radically change outcomes for families navigating the legal system.

Trina shares her powerful journey from foster care social worker to attorney and entrepreneur, driven by deep frustration with a system that too often fails the people it is meant to protect. Encouraged by her then-boyfriend (now husband) to “go be one of them,” Trina leapt into law school and ultimately into building not one, but two mission-driven organizations dedicated to helping families and children through moments of crisis.

Opening both a law firm and a social service agency at the same time in 2008, Trina reflects on the resilience it took to survive the early years, the lessons learned through entrepreneurial education, and how falling down repeatedly became the foundation for long-term success. She explains why coaching—not traditional lawyering—became her most powerful tool, and how guiding people to find their own clarity leads to better legal, emotional, and life outcomes.

Trina also discusses the evolving role of courts, attorneys, and technology, highlighting a shift from being “right” to truly “getting it right.” She introduces her newest platform, Be Aligned, a reflection and preparation tool designed to help clients arrive more grounded, focused, and ready—allowing attorneys to practice law instead of crisis management.

Listeners will learn:

- How Trina’s background in social work shaped her legal and entrepreneurial path

- Why she opened two mission-driven organizations at the same time—and survived

- How coaching differs from lawyering and why it matters for client outcomes

- Why emotional preparation is missing from most legal processes

- How technology and tools like Be Aligned can transform family law and mediation

- Why attorneys need systems that support clients without burning out lawyers

- How intellectual property and lived experience can be scaled for greater impact

👉 Tune in for a deeply inspiring and forward-thinking conversation about leadership, resilience, and building systems that serve people—not just cases.

Join host Aaron Fulk on this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast as she sits down with Megan Stumph-Turner, litigator and partner at Baker Sterchi, to discuss the realities of growth, authenticity, and technology in today’s legal world. A first-generation lawyer who found her footing through resilience and adaptability, Megan shares how she built her practice from scratch while staying true to herself.

In this engaging conversation, Megan opens up about discovering her passion for civil litigation after graduating during the 2008 financial crisis, how relationships and authenticity became the foundation of her success, and why humor, empathy, and adaptability are underrated traits in law. She also dives into the evolving role of AI and ethics—offering real insight into how attorneys can use technology responsibly without losing the human touch that defines great advocacy.

Listeners will learn:

• How Megan built a thriving book of business through authenticity and relationships

• Why humor and humility are vital in sustaining a long-term legal career

• How empathy and mentorship strengthen firm culture and retention

• What attorneys must know about AI, ethics, and confidentiality in practice

• How to embrace innovation while keeping professionalism and people first

Tune in for a candid and inspiring discussion on leadership, growth, and why laughter—and integrity—belong in every courtroom and conference room.

Join host Aaron Fulk on this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast as she sits down with Elizabeth Souder, attorney, advisor, and business consultant helping law firms and organizations strengthen culture, strategy, and leadership. Elizabeth shares how her journey from political science major to corporate counsel to consultant taught her the power of innovation, empathy, and team-driven success.

In this insightful conversation, Elizabeth explains how her career evolved from launching Sprint’s first wireless network to advising national law firms on business development and organizational health. She reveals what it means to be both a lawyer and a strategist—and how empathetic problem solving and “discerner” thinking can transform entire teams.

Elizabeth and Aaron also explore the shifts reshaping law firms today—from the broken partnership model to the urgent need for collaborative, people-centered cultures that attract and retain top talent.

Listeners will learn:

• How Elizabeth pivoted from law firm partner to business advisor

• Why empathy and analytical thinking drive effective problem solving

• How the traditional partnership model is failing a new generation of lawyers

• Why culture, coaching, and collaboration now define firm success

• How data and assessments can pinpoint dysfunctions inside organizations

• What law firms must do to retain emerging talent and build leadership pipelines

Tune in for a refreshing conversation about leadership, innovation, and why the next era of law demands more humanity, strategy, and shared success.

Join host Aaron Fulk on this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast as she sits down with Destiny Bounds, attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of her own small business law firm. Destiny shares her deeply personal journey from childhood dreams of becoming a lawyer to overcoming adversity, finding her passion for small business law, and creating a culture that empowers women in the legal profession.

In this inspiring conversation, Destiny opens up about how her father’s wrongful conviction motivated her to pursue law, how she discovered her calling in helping entrepreneurs start and protect their businesses, and what she’s learned from building her own thriving firm from the ground up. She also reveals how her background as a TV journalist unexpectedly became one of her greatest assets in marketing, leadership, and public speaking.

Destiny and Aaron dive into the evolving legal landscape, the rise of AI and automation in modern law firms, and what it takes to build a business rooted in culture, innovation, and purpose.

Listeners will learn:

• How early experiences shaped Destiny’s drive to become an attorney

• Why helping small business owners—especially women—is her true passion

• How building a strong team and culture transformed her firm’s growth

• Why storytelling and communication are underrated legal skills

• How AI and automation are redefining efficiency in today’s law firms

• What it takes to balance innovation with authenticity in leadership

👉 Tune in for a powerful and energetic conversation about resilience, reinvention, and building a business that truly makes an impact.

Join host Aaron Fulk on this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast as she sits down with Stacey Janssen, soon to be sworn in as President of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. Stacey shares her unexpected path into law, how estate planning found her, and why serving everyday families—not just the wealthy—has become her life’s work.

In this conversation, Stacey opens up about the early experiences that shaped her desire for financial independence, how Kansas Legal Services introduced her to elder law, and how launching her own practice (twice!) became one of her biggest growth surprises. She also explains why relatability, empathy, and truly listening to clients have been the most valuable non-legal skills of her entire career.

Stacey and Aaron explore the changing landscape of estate planning, the rise of AI in law firms, and why the human element—discernment, connection, and the ability to understand family dynamics—will always matter more than document drafting.

Listeners will learn:

• Why estate planning isn’t just for wealthy families

• How early life experiences shaped Stacey’s mission and client approach

• Why relatability and empathy strengthen attorney-client trust

• How running her own practice sparked unexpected, rapid growth

• How AI can support (but never replace) discernment and real human counseling

• How law firms can automate routine tasks while staying deeply client-centered

👉 Tune in for a thoughtful, encouraging conversation that reminds us the best legal work happens when wisdom, humanity, and heart lead the way.

Join host Aaron Fulk on this episode of the Legal Growth Podcast as she sits down with trial lawyer Mark Emison of Langdon & Emison. Mark shares his journey from following his father into courtrooms as a teenager to becoming a leading attorney in product liability, trucking litigation, and auto defect cases.

In this conversation, Mark breaks down how the civil justice system is shifting as vehicle technology evolves. From collision mitigation systems to the realities of so-called self-driving cars, he explains the legal implications attorneys and firm leaders must understand. He also explores how empathy, storytelling, and knowing your clients deeply remain essential tools in modern trial work.

Listeners will learn:

• How automated driving technologies are reshaping product liability

• Why “self-driving” cars aren’t truly self-driving — and the cases proving it

• How product liability litigation has changed over the last 30 years

• Why empathy and storytelling create stronger trial advocacy

• How staff loyalty and firm culture fuel sustainable growth

• What attorneys must do to adapt to fast-changing automotive technologies

👉 Tune in for a candid, energetic conversation that shows trial law is at its best when fueled by authenticity, resilience, and heart.