The Practice Playbook Podcast with Susan Guthrie

Technology now sits at the center of modern ADR practice, and the decisions we make about tools, pricing, and security have real consequences for our efficiency, profitability, and client experience. In this episode of the Practice Playbook Podcast, I’m joined by legal tech pioneer Gary Doernhoefer to unpack what actually works for mediators, arbitrators, and dispute resolution firms today. Gary and I talk candidly about how ADR technology has evolved, why many traditional pricing models no longer serve neutrals, and how integrated platforms can eliminate friction while protecting confidentiality. If you’re rethinking your tech stack for 2025 and beyond, this conversation offers practical insight and strategic clarity. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why eliminating friction points like manual data entry, repetitive forms, and disconnected tools is critical to a sustainable ADR practice How automated intake, conflict checks, document generation, and secure communications can reclaim hours of professional time The risks of piecemeal tech stacks and why integrated platforms offer stronger security and reliability How AI tools like ADR Coach can support both practitioners and parties without replacing professional judgment More About This Week's Special Guest: Gary Doernhoefer graduated from the University of Chicago School of Law and has 40 years of experience in private practice, as an in-house attorney, general counsel and entrepreneur in two successful technology startup companies. His legal experience convinced him of the benefits of ADR and inspired him to apply his skills to the development of technology for dispute resolution practitioners. He is the founder of ADR Notable - the leading case and practice management software designed specifically for ADR practitioners. He also serves as Co-Chair of the ADR Practice Skills and Technology Innovations Committee of the ABA Dispute Resolution Section, and is a frequent speaker on ADR technology. Website and Contact Information: ADR Notable: https://www.adrnotable.com Social media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gdoernhoefer/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/adr-notable/ Who This Episode Is For Mediators Family law and collaborative professionals Attorneys, arbitrators, and legal neutrals Coaches and consultants working in conflict resolution Solo practitioners and small to mid-size ADR firms Practice owners seeking efficiency, scalability, and sustainability Resources Mentioned The Flat Fee Playbook – Your guide to building, structuring, and pricing flat fee services ADR Notable website and demo signup The Flat Fee Playbook by Susan Guthrie Join the waitlist for The Practice Accelerator, Susan’s brand-new subscription program packed with resources, tools, and community support to help you grow smarter. RPS Coach Revealed: Professor John Lande’s New Tool to Transform Your Mediation Practice (Part One) on Make Money Mediating #532 RPS Coach Revealed: Professor John Lande’s New Tool to Transform Your Mediation Practice (Part Two) on Make Money Mediating #533 Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices. Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following. As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world. Connect with Susan E. Guthrie Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast 

If you want a clearer, steadier, and more grounded start to 2026, this episode offers the essential year-end reflection every legal and dispute resolution professional should be doing. As the year winds down, Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized mediator, legal entrepreneur, and bestselling author,  guides you through a candid, deeply clarifying debrief of your practice. Instead of waiting for the calendar to turn and hoping things feel different in January, Susan shows you how to understand the patterns, decisions, and dynamics that shaped your year. You’ll look closely at what worked, what drained you, and what you’re finally ready to let go of, so you can step into the new year with focus, intention, and renewed purpose. This episode mirrors the same process Susan uses with her private coaching clients every December, and it includes access to a powerful companion worksheet to help you translate today’s insights into a written plan for the year ahead. Whether you want to strengthen your systems, expand your visibility, refine your services, or simply create more ease in your business, this honest debrief will help you step into 2026 with clarity and confidence. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Your wins are your data! Identify the strategies and behaviors that moved your practice forward this year How to uncover the projects, habits, and commitments that drained your time or energy Why follow-up remains one of the most powerful (and underused) growth tools in any practice How to evaluate opportunities that aligned with your vision and those that didn’t Key questions for assessing visibility, client experience, efficiency, and sustainability How to identify what to refine, what to adjust, and what to release completely The emotional and practical power of letting go How to turn lessons learned into strategic choices for the year ahead Download the Year-End Debrief Companion Worksheet Make this reflection process easy and intentional with a guided worksheet created specifically for this episode. This companion resource walks you through each step of your year-end debrief so you can capture your insights clearly and turn them into meaningful action for 2026. Download the worksheet here: https://susaneguthrie.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/ai-placeholder-5   Inside, you’ll find thoughtful prompts and supportive questions that help you identify your wins, acknowledge what didn’t work, and decide what you’re ready to release. It’s a simple, structured way to gather everything you uncovered in this episode and shape it into a confident plan for the year ahead. Who This Episode Is For Mediators Family law and collaborative professionals Attorneys, arbitrators, and legal neutrals Coaches and consultants in conflict resolution Solo and small firm practice owners Entrepreneurs seeking more clarity, sustainability, and purpose Anyone preparing their strategic foundation for 2026 Resources Mentioned Jill Sherer Murray’s TEDx Talk: “The Unstoppable Power of Letting Go” Year-End Debrief Companion Worksheet – Free download can be found here https://susaneguthrie.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/ai-placeholder-5 This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party FourthParty bridges the gap between great mediators and great businesses by offering technology and guidance that make running a mediation practice feel effortless. Say goodbye to the pain of scheduling, payments, and communications.   FourthParty is offering listeners 20% off their first 6 months with the codes SUSAN20. Head over to FourthParty.app and schedule a conversation with the team. https://fourthparty.app Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan E. Guthrie Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices. Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following. As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world. Connect with Susan E. Guthrie Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast 

If you want more clarity, higher revenue, and a smoother path into 2026, this episode is your essential year-end roadmap. November is the strategic moment for legal and dispute resolution professionals to review their pricing, refine their services, and set the stage for a more profitable year ahead. In this solo episode, Susan E. Guthrie, nationally recognized mediator, legal entrepreneur, and author of The Flat Fee Playbook, walks you through a complete “Profit Checkup” designed specifically for mediators, attorneys, collaborative professionals, coaches, and conflict-resolution entrepreneurs. Whether you are preparing to raise your rates, transition to flat fee services, improve client experience, or finally bring your systems in line with your value, this actionable episode gives you the structure and clarity to make smart, strategic decisions before the new year begins. You will learn how to assess your current pricing, evaluate your true profit margins, analyze your most and least profitable services, and identify the bottlenecks that quietly erode your income and energy. Susan also explores the emotional side of pricing decisions and why most professionals struggle with raising their rates even when the data tells them they should. And because year-end is the perfect time for strategic planning, Susan shares a powerful companion tool for this episode: The Profit Checkup Worksheet, a free downloadable checklist that walks you step-by-step through the exact process she uses with her coaching clients and inside The Flat Fee Playbook. If you want a profitable, focused, and confident start to 2026, this episode is your guide. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: • Why November, not January, is the smartest time to review and revise your pricing (although it's never too late!) • How to evaluate whether your fees reflect your expertise, market, and current demand • The three questions every practitioner should ask when assessing their pricing • How to calculate your “effective hourly rate” and why it matters more than your billed rate • Why flat fees reduce friction, increase predictability, and enhance client experience • Which services are most likely ready for a pricing change or structural redesign • How to assess your service mix for profitability, client fit, energy impact, and alignment • What bottlenecks silently drain your revenue and how to identify them • The emotional barriers that prevent professionals from raising prices • Why pricing is a leadership decision, not a math exercise • Key system updates you must complete before implementing new pricing in 2026 Download the Profit Checkup Worksheet Make this process effortless with a step-by-step worksheet that guides you through your year-end pricing review, service audit, and 2026 planning. Download the worksheet here: https://susaneguthrie.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/profit-checkup-worksheet This companion resource includes prompts, checklists, and guided questions that help you make informed, confident pricing decisions without overwhelm. Who This Episode Is For This episode is ideal for: • Mediators • Family law and collaborative attorneys • Arbitrators and legal neutrals • Coaches and consultants in conflict resolution • Solo practitioners and small firm owners • Professionals transitioning to flat fee or hybrid pricing • Legal entrepreneurs building or scaling their practices • Anyone preparing for 2026 business planning and revenue strategy If you want more profit, simplicity, and stability in your practice next year, this episode gives you the exact roadmap. Resources Mentioned • The Flat Fee Playbook – Your guide to building, structuring, and pricing flat fee services • Profit Checkup Worksheet – Free download • Thought Leadership Playbook – Build your platform and elevate your visibility • Business Planning Playbook (Coming Soon) – A complete framework for building a modern, strategic business plan • Practice Building Tip of the Day Newsletter on LinkedIn Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices. Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following. As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world. Connect with Susan E. Guthrie Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast 

In this special solo episode, Susan shares behind-the-scenes lessons from her appearance on The Oprah Podcast. Discover how years of preparation and purpose can lead to extraordinary opportunities, how to steward visibility with integrity, and how to turn gratitude into growth. This isn’t just an episode about a big media moment, it’s a heartfelt reflection on what it means to stay consistent, stay true to your mission, and trust that the right people will find your work when the time is right. Consider this your reminder that you don’t chase moments like this - you build toward them one intentional step, one thoughtful piece of content, and one act of service at a time. Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode: How consistent, clear messaging reaches the right person at the right moment when you stay committed to your work. The intentional preparation and mindset Susan used to show up professionally and honor the platform and community she represents. A simple shift that turns nerves into gratitude, presence, and grounded confidence in high-visibility moments. Insights from meeting Oprah and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the reminder that true greatness is humble, steady, and rooted in service. The real “Oprah Effect”:  expanding impact, deepening connection, and inspiring others through meaningful visibility. Links and resources from this episode: The Oprah Podcast: Gray Divorce Episode Watch on YouTube // Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts Divorce & Beyond Episode Archive =================== This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party FourthParty bridges the gap between great mediators and great businesses by offering technology and guidance that make running a mediation practice feel effortless. Say goodbye to the pain of scheduling, payments, and communications.   FourthParty is offering listeners 20% off their first 6 months with the codes SUSAN20. Head over to FourthParty.app and schedule a conversation with the team. https://fourthparty.app ============================ WANT MORE CONTENT? Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE!  https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal Reach out to Susan at [email protected] Susan's Coaching Services:  https://susaneguthrie.com/services Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Social Media: Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating ***************** Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.

Most professionals in dispute resolution don’t start out dreaming of marketing strategies and social media plans, they become mediators, arbitrators, and facilitators because they want to help people resolve conflict, not “sell” themselves. Marketing done right isn’t about selling at all, it’s about educating, connecting, and building trust. In this episode, Susan breaks down the Top 3 Must-Dos for Modern Marketing in Dispute Resolution, sharing practical, accessible strategies that help professionals attract the right clients, establish credibility, and grow their practices authentically.  When clarity, connection, and consistency guide your marketing, growth becomes not just possible, but sustainable. Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode: Why you should be marketing dispute resolution itself, not just your own services. How to build your brand around trust, not titles + why educational content builds trust  And why consistent follow-up might be your most powerful growth tool. Links and resources from this episode: The Thought Leadership Playbook: How to Get Known, Build Trust, and Grow a Profitable Practice (The Practice Playbook Series 2) Join the waitlist for The Practice Accelerator, Susan’s brand-new subscription program packed with resources, tools, and community support to help you grow smarter. ==================== This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party FourthParty bridges the gap between great mediators and great businesses by offering technology and guidance that make running a mediation practice feel effortless. Say goodbye to the pain of scheduling, payments, and communications.   FourthParty is offering listeners 20% off their first 6 months with the codes SUSAN20. Head over to FourthParty.app and schedule a conversation with the team. https://fourthparty.app ============================ WANT MORE CONTENT? Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE!  https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal Reach out to Susan at [email protected] Susan's Coaching Services:  https://susaneguthrie.com/services Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Social Media: Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating ***************** Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.