21 Oct 2026
What If Success Isn't What You Thought It Would Be? With Erin Gerner
What happens when we follow the path we were taught would lead to success, only to discover that the life we've worked so hard to create isn't the life we actually want?
For many lawyers, we've spent years chasing the next achievement: getting into a great law school, landing the prestigious job, making partner, earning more money.
But what happens when our priorities change? When the career that once made sense no longer fits who we've become?
In this episode of Aligned, I'm joined by attorney, entrepreneur, coach, and founder of Powerhouse Lawyers, Erin Gerner, for an honest, heartfelt, and sometimes hilarious conversation about redefining success, navigating life's transitions, and finding the courage to create a career and life that truly align with who we are.
Erin shares her journey from Big Law to an in-house legal role, stepping away from practicing law after becoming a mother, building businesses, coaching lawyers, and eventually finding her way back to legal work on her own terms.
We explore what happens when our identity becomes wrapped up in being a lawyer, why it's so difficult to let go of the expectations we've internalized, and how we can begin trusting ourselves enough to pursue what we truly want.
We also talk about the unique challenges of midlife, including changing priorities, perimenopause, and the realization that what worked in one season of life may no longer work in another.
In this conversation, we explore:
Why a successful legal career doesn't always translate into a fulfilling life.
The difference between what we've been conditioned to want and what we authentically desire.
How becoming a mother or entering a new season of life can fundamentally shift our priorities and capacity.
Why career paths don't have to be linear, and how we can give ourselves permission to pivot, experiment, and evolve.
The power of community and surrounding ourselves with people who remind us of what's possible.
How small acts of courage, including simply saying no, help us develop self-trust.
Why fear, perfectionism, and the pressure to always get things right can keep lawyers stuck.
How taking imperfect action builds confidence and helps us move toward meaningful change.
One of my favorite reminders from our conversation is that we don't need to have the entire path figured out. We can simply take the next best step.
And sometimes, the greatest growth comes not from achieving another goal, but from who we become when we're willing to feel the fear and move forward anyway.
Whether you're questioning your career, navigating a transition, or simply feeling called toward something different, I hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone, that there are many ways to define success, and that it's never too late to create a life that feels authentic to you.
Connect with Erin Gerner:
Website: ErinGerner.com
Podcast: Powerhouse Lawyers
Find Erin on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
If this episode resonates with you, I'd love for you to share it with another lawyer who might need to hear this conversation.
And please follow Aligned for more honest conversations about creating meaningful careers and lives.
