491. Breaking the Stigma of Addiction in Legal with Brian Cuban [Encore Edition]

The same instincts that make a great lawyer can be the exact thing keeping them from asking for help.

In this encore episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill sits down with Brian Cuban, an attorney, author, and long-term recovery advocate, for a raw account of the depression, eating disorder, and addiction that nearly ended his life, and the moment he finally chose to fight for it. Brian pulls back the curtain on what drives so many lawyers toward substance abuse in silence, and why the legal profession's culture of strength makes it one of the hardest places to ask for help. This is a candid look at what recovery actually requires, and what it means to build a profession where struggling colleagues don't have to hide.

Here's what you'll learn:

Why lawyers face a higher risk of addiction, and why the profession makes it so hard to admit it

How to spot the early warning signs before they become a rock-bottom moment

What it takes to build a compassionate community that helps colleagues before they have to hit bottom

Brian walked back from the edge. His story is here for anyone who needs to know it's possible.

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:04:05) A childhood shaped by shame

(00:14:55) Choosing law school to hide

(00:27:04) His brother steps in to help

(00:33:38) Trading tickets for cocaine