In this engaging conversation, Erin Gerner interviews Heather Reese, a Philadelphia-based attorney, speaker, content creator, and plus-size model. Heather shares her journey from disliking school to becoming a lawyer, emphasizing the importance of multi-dimensionality in professional careers. She discusses her cultural identity as a Latina and her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in the legal field. The conversation highlights the significance of community support, mentorship, and the power of women supporting women in overcoming challenges. Heather also shares her modeling journey and the lessons learned about self-confidence and breaking self-imposed limits, looking forward to a bright future in 2026.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Heather's journey to law school was inspired by a family friend who was a lawyer.
• The importance of being a multi-dimensional professional in today's world.
• Cultural identity plays a significant role in shaping one's career and advocacy.
• Advocating for BIPOC communities is essential in the legal field.
• Mentorship and community support are crucial for young professionals.
• Women supporting women can lead to incredible outcomes in the workplace.
• Navigating challenges as a female lawyer requires resilience and support.
• Modeling has opened new opportunities and connections for Heather.
• Self-imposed limits can hinder personal growth and success.
• The future is bright, and opportunities are meant to be seized.

Want to connect with Heather about BIPOC-owned brands, modeling, being a multi-dimensional professional, or just need another female attorney who gets it? She's your person. DM her on Instagram.

• Instagram: @heather_r_xoxo
• DMs are OPEN - Heather reads all her messages and is available to mentor young attorneys and models
• Looking to volunteer and help aspiring attorneys or models—reach out!

Connect with Erin

• Instagram: @eringerner
• LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
• Website: www.eringerner.com
• Book a Call: Powerhouse Connection Cal

Welcome to 2026! In this first episode of the new year, Erin gets real about what she's NO LONGER apologizing for—and why you shouldn't either. After sitting down to plan 2026, she realized something: she'd been running her business based on what things "should" look like instead of what she actually wanted. No more. In this powerful solo episode, Erin shares the 5 things she's done apologizing for in 2026—from not 10x-ing her business to building something that doesn't look like anyone else's. If you've ever felt guilty for not wanting MORE, for being multi-passionate, or for not having it all figured out—this is your permission slip to stop apologizing and start building on YOUR terms.

Key Topics Covered

• Why "maintenance is a strategy" and you don't have to 10x everything
• Being a multi-passionate entrepreneur without apologizing for it
• Charging what you're worth (and why the right clients never complain about price)
• Not having it all figured out at 45 (and why that's actually a good thing)
• Building a business that looks different than everyone else's
• How to stop "shoulding" all over yourself
• The moment Erin realized she was apologizing to no one
• Why the Like-Know-Trust factor matters more than "staying in your lane"
• The 45th birthday funk and the sermon that changed everything
• LFG: The theme for 2026

Connect with Erin

• Instagram: @eringerner
• LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
• Website: www.eringerner.com
• Book a Call: Powerhouse Connection Call

What are YOU no longer apologizing for in 2026?

Tag Erin on Instagram or LinkedIn and let her know. She reads every single message and wants to hear your story.

Want to come on the show or know someone who should? DM Erin—let's set up a coffee chat and make it happen.

Ready to stop apologizing and start building on your terms? Book a free Powerhouse Connection Call with Erin.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Powerhouse Lawyers podcast so you never miss an episode.

What happens when two female lawyers from different countries realize they're fighting the same battles? In this powerful conversation, Erin sits down with Odette Ansell—a Canadian litigator and host of the Non-Billable Hours podcast—to talk about the universal struggles female lawyers face: loneliness, identity crisis, the pressure to "have it all," and the desperate need for community. They discuss why it's so hard to separate your identity from your job, what to do when you feel stuck, and why vulnerability might be the bravest thing you do as a lawyer. If you've ever felt like you're the only one crumbling while everyone else looks like they're crushing it—this episode is your reminder that you're not alone.

About Odette Ansell

Odette Ansell is a Canadian litigator and the host of Non-Billable Hours, a podcast dedicated to honest conversations about life in and beyond the law. With a passion for connecting with lawyers across every practice area, she creates space for candid discussions about the joys, pressures, and personal passions that shape legal professionals. Odette is driven by a desire to spotlight what truly lights lawyers up outside their work—from creative pursuits to family life to unexpected hobbies. Through her thoughtful interviews, she explores the common challenges many lawyers experience but rarely voice. Her work aims to build community, normalize vulnerability, and remind lawyers that their identities extend far beyond their billable targets.

Key Topics Covered

• Why Odette became a lawyer (and the personality test that said she'd be terrible at litigation)
• The universal struggles female lawyers face—regardless of country or practice area
• Why lawyers desperately need people who "get it" without needing context
• The loneliness epidemic in the legal profession (especially for women)
• How to separate your identity from your job when being a lawyer IS your personality
• The seasons of life and why "having it all" doesn't mean having it all at once
• Why women lawyers feel guilty for wanting something outside the law
• The bad advice that made Odette delete her food blog in law school
• How to find community when you work from home and feel isolated
• The power of saying your goals out loud (even if you don't know how to achieve them)
• Why vulnerability is so hard for lawyers (and why we desperately need it)
• The retreats that made Erin realize: "These women get me at a visceral level"

Connect with Odette Ansell

• Podcast: Non-Billable Hours (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts)
• Instagram: @nonbillablehourspodcast

Want to connect with Odette about building community, navigating identity outside the law, or just chat about life as a lawyer? Find her on Instagram or check out her podcast!

Connect with Erin

• Instagram: @eringerner
• LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
• Website: www.eringerner.com
• Book a Call: Powerhouse Connection Call

If this conversation reminded you that you're not alone in what you're feeling, share it with another woman lawyer who needs to hear it. Tag Erin and Odette on social media and let them know what resonated.

Feeling stuck and ready to make a change? Book a free Powerhouse Connection Call with Erin and let's figure out what's next.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Powerhouse Lawyers podcast so you never miss an episode.