My BarStory
The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association is proud to bring you the most compelling content, and to bring our commitment to the Rule of Law to your favorite podcast stream. As our Bar approached its 150th Anniversary with Legacy 150, you'll hear the impact our Bar has had on some of Northeast Ohio's most distinguished legal leaders. You'll also hear from a new generation, ready to take on work and life with optimism and courage. We honor the past, we look to the future, and we wanna have some fun! Watch our feed for frequent updates!
Episodes
71 episodes
My BarStory S02E17 - Fr. Raymond Guiao and Eric Levasseur
Fr. Raymond Guiao has always been a teacher. His impact as President of St. Ignatius and the Welsh Academy has been tremendously beneficial to Northeast Ohio families, especially those of more modest means.In this week's My BarSto...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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32:33
My BarStory S02E16 - Stacey Ganor and Heather Zirke
“I was actually thinking, I don’t think it matters if I’m alive.” Those were the thoughts that led CMBA member Stacey Ganor to finally face her mental health challenges and get real help. Along the way, she inspired her friend and CMBA member H...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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22:37
My BarStory S02E15 - Karyn Washington and Matt Besser
Karyn Washington is an attorney and active CMBA leader. She also has an extraordinary story to tell about struggle, perseverance and success. Karyn was denied the opportunity to take the Bar exam after spending years learning the law, all while...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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40:23
My BarStory S02E14 - Chris Schmitt and Matthew Besser
Big new ideas are coming to the CMBA, from our members, our staff, and from new CMBA and CMBF CEO Chris Schmitt. If you don't know Chris, this conversation is a great way to start. Chris talks about growing up in Ohio's farm country and the val...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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35:35
My BarStory S02E13 - John Cipolla and Matt Besser
Mental illness doesn't just affect individuals. It affects families, teams, and even the entire legal industry. As we continue our emphasis on lawyers' mental well-being with our In It Together theme. Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP Firm Chai...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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31:51
My BarStory S02E12 - Introducing the Cleveland Legal Collaborative Fellows
The CMBA is proud to present our first class of Cleveland Legal Collaborative Fellows! The Cleveland Legal Collaborative is a brand-new legal resource for people and fami...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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23:25
My BarStory S02E11 - Lauren Hamilton and Matt Besser
Lauren Hamilton wants to share her story to help others. Her legal career and her life were nearly destroyed by addiction. But, she came forward. She asked for help. Now, in this special edition of My BarStory, she talks with CMBA President Mat...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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30:31
My BarStory S02E10 - B. Nicole Bush and Allison M. McMeechan
Technology has put a whole new twist on the challenges of work and family. Senior Associate Attorney with the Family Law Group B. Nicole Bush, and Reminger Shareholder Allison M. McMeechan talk honestly about the reality of being a professional...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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29:44
My BarStory S02E09 - Tatyana Norman-Webler and John Enger
Our theme for this Bar year is "In It Together". CMBA 2024-25 President Matthew D. Besser is dedicated to creating honest conversations about mental health like the one you're about to hear.University of Akron law students John En...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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41:55
My BarStory S02E08 - Carmina Mares, Kay Niehaus, Liz Niehaus and Elaine Pryatel
“We were the helpers, now our daughters are now the professionals.”You might not remember the CMBA Auxiliary, which dissolved in 2000, but the legacy of that organization lives today in Mock Trial, the 3Rs and our Stokes Scholars program...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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24:10
My BarStory S02E07 - Andrew November and Dr. Andrew Goldberg
CMBA's My BarStory podcast is back with a new episode, and it deals with a critical topic. Mental health concerns are always high on the list for lawyers, with stress and substance abuse being two of the biggest traps in this profession....
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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36:56
My BarStory S02E06 Judge Lasheyl N. Stroud, Brandon Brown, Leslie S. Johns, and Ron V. Johnson
This week's MyBarstory podcast features an honest discussion about Celebrating the Lived Experiences of Black Attorneys. This challenging and compelling conversation was recorded on the last day of Black History Month. Moderated by Judge Las...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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49:38
My BarStory S02E05 - Kathleen Dugan, Joe Gross, Carla M. Tricarichi
In a world where information is online and at our fingertips, we can forget the value of good old personal connections. Like the CMBA, the Cleveland Law Library turned 150 years old recently, and that’s not where the comparisons end. Join Libra...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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18:49
My BarStory S02E04 - James Hardiman, Raymond S. Ling, Adrian Thompson, and Dan McMullen
We are proud to present a new episode of our My BarStory podcast this week. The battle over the desegregation of Cleveland schools began in the 1960’s, and culminated with a 27-year series of legal ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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56:00
My BarStory S02E03 - Mary Groth, Jose Feliciano, and John T. Mulligan
CMBA Director of Member and Donor Engagement Mary Groth has been behind the scenes raising money for our
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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33:56
My BarStory S02E02 - Ellen Hobbs Hirshman and Meghan P. Connolly
Our second season of My BarStory podcasts continues on Sunday at Noon with the release of our session with Ellen Hobbs Hirshman and Meghan P...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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21:31
My BarStory S02E01 - Hon. Donna Congeni Fitzsimmons and Matthew Fitzsimmons
Rocky River Municipal Court Judge Donna Congeni Fitzsimmons December 31st, 2023. Among her most notable accomplishments was serving as the lead prosecutor in a three-month trial in federal court that resulted in the conviction of ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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25:19
My BarStory - 53 - Pat Espinosa and Pablo Castro
Pablo Castro is an attorney and former magistrate, but he's pursuing his current passion in launching a Jiu-Jitsu academy after coaching Cleveland MMA Champion Stipe Miocic through his multiple world championships (and winning a w...
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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31:59
My BarStory - 52 - Judge Joseph Burke, Judge Anne C. McDonough, and Judge Bridget M. O'Brien
This week's My BarStory podcast demonstrates the power of
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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28:44
My BarStory - 51 Thankful Edition with Kari Burns, Chavone Nash, Mary Groth and Caitlin Peterson
What a year! In this week's My BarStory, we chose Thanksgiving weekend to give thanks for all of the love and generosity our Bar is experiencing because of our donors! We just launched our $150 for 150 campaign, raising money to fund the
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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23:10
My BarStory - 50 Celebrity Edition Part Two with Michael Symon, Angela and Anthony Russo, and Judge John J. Russo
We interrupt your podcast feed this week for a special My BarStory Celebrity Edition, and we are talking about Hollywood A-listers! Chef Michael Symon, and Anthony and Angela Russo of AGBO, blockbuster movie producers, are joined by Antho...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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18:23
My BarStory - 49 Celebrity Edition Part One with Chef Michael Symon, Angela and Anthony Russo, and Judge John J. Russo
We interrupt your podcast feed this week for a special My BarStory Celebrity Edition, and we are talking about Hollywood A-listers! Chef Michael Symon, and Anthony and Angela Russo of AGBO, blockbuster movie producers...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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21:54
My BarStory - 48 John Mitchell and Chris Klasa
On this Sunday before election day,, this week's My BarStory podcast features a talk with Taft Partner John Mitchell, co-chair of the Judicial Candidates Rating Coalition, the group that has published
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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24:25
My BarStory - 47 Katrice Williams and Bianca Smith
We were happy to hear from our Young Lawyers Section this week. Katrice Williams and Bianca Smith are living proof that lawyers come from all backgrounds, and some have more life challenges to overcome than others. In this ...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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32:41
My BarStory - 46 Meredith Shoop and Caitlin Peterson
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation President Meredith Shoop has a surprising background. With degrees in fine art painting and philosophy, her interests range from the arts to teaching to tireless volunteering. Her excitement for the ...
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23:32