Welcome to WorkPeacefully, where I’m dedicated to helping you transform your work life through mindfulness. I’m the founder and managing partner of Southworth PC, a law firm committed to representing federal employees worldwide, and on a mission to help 500 federal employees resolve their employment disputes in the next five years. Outside of the law, my mission at WorkPeacefully and the Mindful Workplace Podcast is to help as many people as possible learn about mindfulness so they can find peace and fulfillment both inside and outside of work.

Why should you listen to me? With over 15 years and 20,000 hours of experience as an employee rights attorney, I’ve seen firsthand the damaging effects of toxic work environments. I’ve successfully litigated against large governmental agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, securing significant settlements and influencing meaningful changes in workplace structures. My legal expertise and deep commitment to social justice make me a trusted advocate for employee rights.

But it’s not just about legal victories. My unique approach integrates mindfulness techniques into my practice, helping clients not only confront their legal battles but also find peace and stay present in the midst of chaos. I’m a trained mindfulness practitioner, and I’ve guided hundreds of employees through hostile work environments, showing them how mindfulness can transform their lives.

My journey began in Wyoming, where I was the first in my family to attend college. I earned my degree from Grinnell College in Iowa and joined Teach for America, teaching middle school English in a low-income school. This early dedication to service set the stage for my legal career, which began at Duke University School of Law, where I graduated receiving a labor and employment award. Facing my own professional challenges, including being laid off through no fault of my own, I understand the struggles many people face in the workplace—the feelings of powerlessness and uncertainty that come with such situations. In other words, I have been there.

I am so passionate about mindfulness because I believe it is the answer to one of our society’s biggest problems: workplace stress. Did you know that 83% of US workers say they suffer from daily work-related stress, and 76% say that workplace stress affects their personal relationships? Workplace stress is linked to serious health issues, including heart attacks and hypertension. In fact, job stress is estimated to cost the US industry more than $300 billion in losses due to absenteeism, diminished productivity, and accidents. Every day, approximately one million workers are absent because of stress, and work-related stress costs the United States $190 billion in annual healthcare costs.

Stress in the workplace is a highly personalized phenomenon and can vary widely even in identical situations. My goal is to provide practical mindfulness strategies that empower employees to manage their stress and improve their well-being.

On my podcast, "The Mindful Workplace Podcast," I share my insights, interview amazing people, and answer your questions about using mindfulness to survive and thrive at work. I offer practical tips on how mindfulness can help you help yourself. Whether you're dealing with a high-stress job, navigating workplace politics, or striving to be a better leader, I’m here to help you with real solutions from a mindfulness perspective.

Thank you for being here, and I look forward to our journey together.