Podcast
ArkBarOnAir: President's Mic
Hosted by Jamie Jones Walsworth · EN
ArkBarOnAir: President's Mic is the official podcast of the Arkansas Bar Association, hosted by Jamie Jones Walsworth, President of the Arkansas Bar Association. Each episode explores timely legal issues, emerging trends, and the work of the legal community in Arkansas and beyond. From AI and ethics to access to justice and public policy, ArkBarOnAir offers insightful discussions designed for attorneys, judges, law students, and engaged citizens alike. Join us for thoughtful conversations that connect the law to the people it serves, one episode at a time.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Leading With Strengths – Why Lawyers and Judges Should Discover CliftonStrengths
Apr 1600:50:08Tap to summarizeThis episode will focus on defining CliftonStrengths and the benefits of getting people excited about it for the Arkansas Annual Meeting. Description: Discover what CliftonStrengths is, why it matters, and how it can immediately improve the way you lead, collaborate, and communicate. In this episode, we break down the basics, how Strengths are defined, what a “Strengths-based” approach really looks like in practice, and why teams that lean into natural talent tend to perform better and burn out less.Whether you’ve already taken the assessment or you’re brand new to it, you’ll walk away with practical ways to recognize your own strengths, better understand others, and apply the results in your day-to-day work. Tune in ahead of the Arkansas Annual Meeting to get a quick, energizing primer, and a few simple takeaways you can start using right away.Also, be sure to check out The CliftonStrengths podcast: hereGuest Speakers• Nicole Benjamin — President, Rhode Island Bar Association• Abby Burnep — COO and Former Director of Training• Traci Adedeji — CliftonStrengths Coach• Judge Shawn Johnson — Arkansas Judge and Arkansas Bar Annual Meeting PlannerPodcast Pre-Roll Post - Roll
Transcribe →Devil in the Grove | Part 4
Apr 900:56:02Tap to summarizePodcast Pre-Roll Post - Roll
Transcribe →The Anxious Generation, Part I: What’s Driving the Surge in Youth Anxiety?
Apr 300:56:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of ArkBar OnAir: President’s Mic, Arkansas Bar Association President Jamie Jones Walsworth leads a timely and thought-provoking discussion of The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.Focusing on the first half of the book, the conversation explores Haidt’s central argument that around 2010, childhood fundamentally shifted, from a play-based experience to a phone-based one. Panelists examine the corresponding rise in anxiety, depression, and self-harm among teenagers, and consider what this shift means for families, professionals, and society as a whole.Bringing together perspectives from law, mental health, communications, and lived experience, the discussion balances research with real-world insight, particularly through the voices of parents and a member of the generation most impacted. Together, the group reflects on how technology is shaping childhood, the challenges it presents, and the role adults play in navigating this evolving landscape.This episode sets the stage for a continued conversation, with Part 2 focusing on the remainder of the book and deeper implications for the future.Featured Guest:Natalie Ghidotti – Founder & CEO, Ghidotti CommunicationsJennifer Donaldson – Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Arkansas Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP)Arden “AJ” Jones – Student, representing the Gen Z/teen perspective Podcast Pre-Roll Post - Roll
Transcribe →Devil in the Grove | Part 3
Mar 1301:00:21Tap to summarizePodcast Pre-Roll Post - Roll
Transcribe →Devil in the Grove | Part 2
Mar 600:58:52Tap to summarizePodcast Pre-Roll Post - Roll
Transcribe →Devil in the Grove | Part 1
Mar 300:59:23Tap to summarizeIn this opening session of our book club podcast, Bill Waddell leads a thoughtful discussion of The Devil in the Grove, focusing on the book’s historical foundations and its continued relevance today. As the group begins with Chapters 1–6, the conversation explores key themes raised in the book, including the role of lawyers in moments of racial injustice, the moral demands of advocacy, and the social context in which civil rights struggles unfold. The discussion also considers how the book (written before the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement) reads differently in light of more recent developments, including renewed debate and resistance around civil rights. Drawing on historical parallels, literary context, and personal reflection, this episode sets the stage for a deeper, multi-session conversation about why these stories still matter and what they ask of lawyers and citizens today. Guest Name: William “Bill” Waddell; Judge Joyce Williams Warren; Abby Brenneman; and Jonathan WarrenPodcast Pre-Roll Post - Roll
Transcribe →Ep. 9: Rule 702 Updates: Insights with John Wilkerson
Jan 1400:19:06Tap to summarizeHost Jamie Jones Walsworth sits down with John Wilkerson, General Counsel and Legislative Director for the Arkansas Municipal League, to unpack the recent amendments to Rule 702. Together, they explore the rule’s implications for Arkansas municipalities, how the changes may affect expert testimony in litigation, and what attorneys need to know to navigate the updated standards. Podcast Pre-Roll Post - Roll
Transcribe →Bonus Content: Body Scan Meditation for Lawyers with Claire Parsons
Dec 1800:11:42Tap to summarizeNeed a quick reset between hearings, deadlines, or difficult conversations? In this special standalone bonus episode, attorney and mindfulness teacher Claire Parsons guides listeners through a calming body scan meditation designed to be reused anytime—at your desk, at home, or wherever you can take a few quiet minutes.Claire begins by helping you set up a safe, comfortable environment, then leads you step-by-step through noticing physical sensations from head to toe—releasing tension in common stress-holding areas like the jaw, shoulders, chest, and belly. The practice is gentle and flexible: you’re encouraged to move past any area that feels uncomfortable and return to the breath whenever needed.This episode is meant to be a practical, repeatable tool for lawyers looking to slow down, reconnect with the body, and support steadier focus and emotional regulation—without needing to “clear your mind” or do anything perfectly.(For additional guided practices and resources, visit BrilliantLegalMind.com or connect with Claire Parsons.)
Transcribe →Ep. 8: Mindfulness for Lawyers: Claire Parsons on Meditation, Burnout, and Building a Practice That Lasts
Dec 1800:30:25Tap to summarizeArkansas Bar Association President Jamie Jones Walsworth welcomes attorney, author, and wellness advocate Claire Parsons—licensed in Ohio and Kentucky—to talk candidly about stress in legal practice and why mindfulness and meditation are practical tools (even for skeptics). Claire shares her personal path into meditation during early motherhood, postpartum depression recovery, and the pressure of an intense litigation schedule—and how a simple “one minute a day” start helped her build resilience, self-compassion, and focus over time.Together, they break down what mindfulness is (and isn’t), why meditation doesn’t require “shutting your mind off,” and how stress management can actually improve performance, decision-making, and professional confidence—especially through big transitions like firm growth and mergers. Claire also introduces the concept of a body scan meditation, explains how it helps lawyers reconnect with the body, recognize emotions before they escalate, and create space for calmer, more skillful responses.Listeners will also hear where to find Claire’s resources—including her blog, guided meditations, her book How to Be a Badass Lawyer, and opportunities to practice with other attorneys through the Mindfulness in Law Society—plus a reminder to check out the standalone body scan episode for an on-demand mindfulness reset.https://brilliantlegalmind.com/Podcast Pre-Roll Post - Roll
Transcribe →Ep. 7: Inside Arkansas JLAP and the Proposed Wellness CLE Hour
Dec 1800:50:58Tap to summarizeArkansas Bar Association President Jamie Jones Walsworth sits down with Jennifer Donaldson, Executive Director of the Arkansas Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP), for a practical conversation about lawyer wellness—what it looks like in real life, why it matters to clients and the public, and how JLAP can help at every stage (from stress and burnout to depression, anxiety, substance use, and crisis situations).Jennifer breaks down what JLAP is (a confidential program of the Arkansas Supreme Court), what happens when someone reaches out, and how lawyers, judges, and law students can access support—including clinical services, a statewide network of vetted providers, and help navigating higher levels of care when needed. The episode also highlights key findings from JLAP’s 2024 statewide attorney survey and explains the Arkansas Supreme Court’s consideration of a required wellbeing CLE hour—without increasing the total number of required credits—and how attorneys can submit comments before December 31, 2025.If you or a colleague needs support, you can learn more or reach out confidentially at arjlap.org or confidential@arjlap.orgPodcast Pre-Roll Post - Roll
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