In this episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin interview Jewelyn Cosgrove, a government affairs professional in Washington D.C. Jewelyn currently serves Melwood, a 501(c)(3) organization serving people with disabilities, as the Vice President of government relations, bringing with her 15 years of experience in public policy, lobbying, and advocacy. Outside of work, Jewelyn is passionate about elevating the needs of mothers and families and serves as the treasurer of Raising Our Future Political Action Committee, a PAC that’s aimed at electing congressional candidates that prioritize the needs of families.
Jewelyn’s work has been focused on promoting and empowering parents to negotiate and advocate for their needs. She lives in Asheville, Virginia with her husband Greg, two children, and their two amazing cats. She is an alumna of the Mindful Return program and continues to serve the program as a coach to new mums. Jewelyn shares how Lori’s program, Mindful Return, helped her with her career and motherhood and highlights the fact that being a working mom, especially with more than one kid, means more work and a bigger family that you'll want to keep happy and strong.
Organizational skills become more important than ever when you mix in growing your career, and Jewelyn has learned to manage “balancing” her time on a weekly basis, instead of getting obsessed about day-to-day work-life balance. You’ll want to join this lively conversation to learn more about life as a parent who works on Capitol Hill, the challenges of working in government affairs and parenting at the same time, navigating challenging conversations with your kids, and most importantly, how to figure out your own effective way of successfully parenting your kids while growing your career.
Show Highlights
Links and Resources
In this episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin interview two working dads who work in government relations: Clif Porter and Jeff McNichols.
Clif is the Senior Vice President of government relations at the American Healthcare Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), which represents more than 14,000 for-and not-for-profit nursing homes, assisted living residences, and facilities for the care of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
He has been married for 31 years and has three children (Chanel, 28, Christian, 25, and Clifton, 22). He has served in various leadership positions within his local church and has been actively involved in several professional and community organizations.
Jeff is the Director of the Alliance for Congress at the Partnership for Public Service, a new program committed to strengthening the institution of congress to better serve the American public. His career in government affairs began in 2004 when he left the Navy to work as a congressional staffer. Subsequent opportunities took him to the Department of Defence and the Boston Consulting Group. Jeff has been married for eight years and has two children (ages 5 and 3)
The four of us dug into the life cycle of a government relations career, what it’s like to work as a congressional staffer, the adjustments to make when one has to constantly travel for work to ensure that they still stay engaged as a parent, creating a work environment where parents feel that their family life is considered, thriving at raising kids while building a successful career, and so much more. Cliff and Jeff’s candor on their experience as working parents in the government relations space was not just incredibly insightful but inspirational. Stay tuned for more.
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Links and Resources
In this episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin interview Nedra Pickler. Nedra is a partner at the global public affairs firm, Finsbury Glover Hering, where she advises clients on communications strategy, including crisis communications, reputation management, thought leadership, and brand awareness. She brings deep perspective from inside the media after 17 years at The Associated Press and as a commentator on television and radio. Nedra covered the George W. Bush and Barack Obama presidencies, and the 2004 and 2008 presidential campaigns.
Nedra is a single mother to two amazing young boys and has successfully managed to thrive in her career despite the numerous challenges and bumps in the road that come with juggling the two. From constantly travelling on the campaign trail as a journalist covering presidential politics to dealing with different working parent challenges in the different roles she’s held throughout her career, Nedra has always found ways to make sure that she strikes some kind of balance between work and parenting her boys.
In this conversation, she talks about the advantages of working in public relations as a working parent and expresses her concerns about the issue of paid leave in America. At the end of this episode, you’ll have learned so much about how you can make it work as a working parent in a way that suits you and your kids, so don’t miss out.
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Links and Resources
In this episode of Parents at Work, Lori welcomes to the podcast her husband and new co-host, Jason Levin, MBA. Jason is the founder of Ready Set Launch, LLC where he helps organizations, professional associations, executives and lawyers with career transition and business development needs through outplacement, individual coaching, training and webinars. Jason comes on as a guest to share his own experience with parenting (during a pandemic!) while also holding down a job and working for himself in his own business.
Jason shares some empowering and actionable tips on everything from how to thrive at working from home with kids in the house, to how you can get your employer to be more accommodating of your needs as a working parent, and so much more. Tune in for a jam-packed 20-minute episode.
Show Highlights
Links and Resources
Being a working parent can be a long and intimidating journey, but we are fortunate to live in a time when there is an array of resources to support you on your path.
Today’s guest is none other than Tom Spiggle, founder of the Parents at Work Podcast and Spiggle Law, an employment law firm. Co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin interviews Tom about his inspiration for starting the podcast, as well as his own personal journey as a working parent.
Join Lori and Tom in this conversation for tips on how to navigate your working parent journey and to say farewell to Tom in his co-host role.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Lori@mindfulreturn.com
Resources:
https://www.google.com/calendar/about/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/All-Joy-and-No-FunJennifer-Senior/1114315283?ean=9780062072269
In today’s episode, Tom Spiggle and Lori Mihalich-Levin interview two engineer dads about their experience as working parents. We are joined by Matt Jensen, Business Owner and Senior Project Manager at Kimley-Horn, who has been an engineer manager and structural design specialist for over 20 years. We were also joined by Paul Andrukonis, Director of Personalization for Citi’s US Consumer Digital organization.
Both dads share what it’s like to be a parent in the engineering field, as well as the cultural shifts that have been happening in the workplace. They discuss the importance of empathy and how client relationships have been impacted by developing a more common understanding, along with tangible tips on how to utilize a more flexible schedule. Join Tom Spiggle and Lori Mihalich-Levin in this interview to learn more about what it’s like to be a working dad in the engineering field.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
What is it like to be a mom in a field where only 15% of practitioners are women? In this episode of the Parents at Work Podcast, we interview Dhruva Lahon and Victoria Hills, who share what it’s like to be working mom engineers. They talk about the experience of being managed, of managing others, and of parenting during COVID. They also share how they found supports in this male-dominated field, along with how they leaned on family and friends and adopted flexible hours. Join Tom Spiggle and Lori Mihalich-Levin in this knowledge-filled and inspiring conversation.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Resources:
Being a working parent looks different for every career, every family, and every parent. In today’s episode, Robin Smith, licensed marriage and family therapist shares his experience as a working dad in the mental health field. He shares wise insights, including the self-inflected pressure that can occur as a parent from having heightened awareness as a mental health professional, the shifts happening due to COVID-19, what it looks like to have grace and compassion for yourself and your children, and the many elements of being self-employed. Join Tom Spiggle and Lori Mihalich-Levin in this interview for incredible insight and advice from Robin Smith.
Show Highlights:
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Resources:
This month, we’re focusing on moms and dads in the mental health field. And today we‘re delighted to be joined by two working moms who are mental health professionals, Dr. Elizabeth Allen and Dr. Aimee Danielson, to talk about navigating life as a working parent.
Dr. Elizabeth Allen is an assistant professor of psychology and clinical psychiatry, and she’s also an assistant attending psychologist. She specializes in treating adolescents and young adults with anxiety disorders and OCD. Liz lives in New York, and she’s the mom of two girls, ages one and three.
Dr. Aimee Danielson is an associate professor of psychiatry and OB-Gyn, and she’s the director of a women’s mental health program that provides treatment and support for pregnant and postpartum women. Aimee has had the privilege of working with mothers every day for the last twenty years, supporting them through their transitions into motherhood. She lives with her very supportive partner and her three wonderful daughters, ages seven, ten, and thirteen, in Arlington, Virginia.
Be sure to listen in today, to benefit from Liz and Aimee‘s expertise, and to find out what they bring from their jobs to the way that they’re parenting their children.
Show highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
The Working Parent Group Network
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
For a copy of “You’re pregnant, You’re fired”- tom@spigglelaw.com
Resources:
Books mentioned:
Laughter and Tears: The Emotional Life of New Mothers, by Elisabeth Bing and Libby Colman
Cribsheet, by Emily Oster
Expecting Better, by Emily Oster
Back To work After Baby, by Lori Mihalich-Levin
The Awesomest 7 Year Postdoc or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Tenure-Track Faculty Life, by Professor Radhika Nagpal on the Scientific American blog.
App:
COVID-19 has seemingly shifted everything about our work force and our family dynamics. As many of us are working from home and have children who are also now occupying that space, it can be a process to find a routine that works for everyone.
Today Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin share what has worked for them in their shift to working from home and actionable tips for parents to find some small amount of sanity in their work and parenting.. Join Tom and Lori to learn more about how you can integrate a schedule and use connections to make your at-home experience as productive as possible.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Email Lori for Free Webinar on “How to Go Back to Work After Parental Leave” on April 2nd
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
For a copy of “You’re pregnant, You’re fired”- tom@spigglelaw.com
Professionals who work in corporate social responsibility often exude a passion for making a difference in their jobs. What happens when CSR professionals are also passionate about their families? In today’s interview, Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin interview Justin Steele and Brian Breckenridge, to take a deep look at what it means to be a dad in the social impact field.
Justin Steele, Director at Google.org and leader of philanthropic grantmaking for the United States, Canada, and Latin America, shares how his position at Google has supported and improved his parenting experience. He discusses the benefits of a flexible work arrangement and how the trajectory of how we work as a society has drastically affected what it looks like to be a parent today.
Brian Breckenridge, Senior Director and Executive Director at Box.org, also shares the different dynamics of his family experience and how he’s incorporated mindfulness into his parenting techniques and career.
Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this interview for great insight on not only the major impacts CSR is making today, but for practical tips to balance work and parent life.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
For a copy of “You’re pregnant, You’re fired”- tom@spigglelaw.com
Resources:
The Meritocracy Trap by Daniel Marovitch
https://families.google.com/familylink/
https://www.mindfulschools.org/inspiration/mindful-reflection/
Today’s guests, Abby Davisson and Anne Wintroub, are both mothers in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR, or corporate impact). Abby, Senior Director at the Gap Foundation, launched and currently leads the employee network group for working parents at Gap Inc. She shares what her experience as a working parent at Gap Inc. has been, what her hiring and leave process looked like, as well as what inspired her to launch the employee network group. Anne, leader of social innovation at AT&T, discusses the many benefits of being a working parent in social impact and how her position has given her a new perspective on parenting and empowering kids with respect to media and technology..
Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in these captivating interviews to learn more about the shifts that are happening in corporate impact, how these shifts are affecting working parents, and raising socially conscious children, along with great tips for new parents.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
For a copy of “You’re pregnant, You’re fired”- tom@spigglelaw.com
Resources:
The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Leiber
Today’s guests, Drs. Steve Silvestro and George “Chaucer” Hwang discuss a variety of shifts and systems within the medical profession that are affecting the lives of physician parents. Both guests embody an array of roles - Dr. Steve is a pediatrician, bone marrow harvesting physician, mindfulness educator and host of the award-winning podcast, The Child Repair Guide, while George is an anesthesiologist, runs an entertainment company in China, and works with a clinic focused on treating depression.
Yet above all else, both guests are dads doing their best to juggle their passion for helping others, nurturing creative outlets, and being a parent.
Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this conversation to learn more about how juggling medical residency with parenthood children, the vitality of a support group, how the internet is impacting the medical field, and so much more.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
For a copy of “You’re pregnant, You’re fired”- amiller@spigglelaw.com
Being a mom in the medical field comes with its own unique rewards, but also its own challenges. Today, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and Medical Director, Dr. Nawl Johansen, shares her experience of being a working parent in the clinical field. She describes many of the challenges mothers face in finding time to have children in the midst of a challenging career and how to navigate time windows as efficiently as possible.
This episode is full of tangible advice on how to practice compassion towards yourself and others that parents in any work field can benefit from. Join Lori Mihalich-Levin in this episode for authentic insights on being a physician mom.
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Links:
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Resources:
Being a dad in the accounting industry looks different for everyone. With different roles and different types of employers, some accountants are in the office all day, while others work remotely or from client sites.
Today’s guests, Kevin Stout and Jevon Knowles, talk about the benefits, flexibility, and struggles of being a working parent as an accountant. With over 18 years of experience in different positions, Kevin has a unique take on how to prioritize family and create a strong workplace culture. Javon’s position as an audit partner at BDO has also allowed him to give insightful advice on how to optimize so-called “work-life balance.”
Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this interview for an array of diverse and tangible tips.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
Resources:
https://www.google.com/calendar/about/
https://www.vitalsmarts.com/crucial-conversations-training/
What is the life of a parent accountant like? While public accounting may offer an array of benefits, such as a flexible schedule and paid parental leave, there are also struggles and client demands that accompany work in this profession. This episode explores what it looks like to be a mom in the accounting field with working parents, Jennifer Todling and Aneika Perez.
Both Jennifer and Anika are employees of Ernst & Young and have an abundance of tangible advice for working mothers, no matter where you work. Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this conversation as they dive into the importance of self-care, developing self-awareness and the emotional identity transition of becoming a working mom.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
Resources:
https://www.mindfulreturn.com/back-work-baby-book/
http://www.thefifthtrimester.com
Today’s episode dives behind the scenes of the lives of three moms in the Tech industry. As parents and career-oriented women, Henri Loh, Shadiah Sigala, and Vanessa Loder have a lot on their plates. As entrepreneurs in Tech and leaders of parent groups, each woman has a unique experience to share in this interview. Henri, Shadiah, and Vanessa reveal shifts happening in the current workplace and take a look at how the structures reflect on moms and dads.
In this episode, they discuss the importance of establishing fundamental paid parental leave policies, ramp-up benefits, and the necessity of childcare support. Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this episode to learn more about what it’s like to be a mother in the Tech industry, and how the tech industry is innovating in the working parent space.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
Resources:
https://www.mindfulreturn.com/working-mom/
https://www.mindfulreturn.com/wpgn/
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-calendar/id909319292
Work, Pause, Thrive by Wisen Stromberg
https://www.silverskyimports.com/categories/tibetan-singing-bowls
Technology has changed the way we parent in the modern world, but how does it impact parents in the tech sector? Today’s guests, Matt Burke, member of the programs team at Thumbtack and founder of the parent resource group, along with Hugh Molotsi, founder of Ujama, both share their experiences as working parents within the tech industry and advice to fully lean into the working fatherhood experience.
Hugh and Matt discuss the challenges all parents have, the positive impact of organizational support, and how to build a community of uplifting parents. Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this interview to learn more about how the tech sector is leading the way in supporting working parents, and how you can use technology to enhance your life as a working parent.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
Resources:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/third-shift-michele-bolton/1101205293
https://www.mothermag.com/benefits-of-working-moms/
Being a parent in a field with sporadic schedules, travel requirements, and remarkably long rehearsals can create an array of complications. Today’s guests, Jeremy Chernick and Jerry Rapier are both involved in the theater and arts community while juggling parenthood.
In this episode, they share what their journey as a parent and a theatre professional has looked like for them. They discuss the changes that are currently impacting parents, resources that have helped them throughout their careers, and the benefits of taking non-traditional career paths. Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this exciting interview for a look behind the curtain as a theater dad.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
Resources:
Google calendar
https://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510321/wow-in-the-world
Being a parent in a field with sporadic schedules, travel requirements, and remarkably long rehearsals can create an array of complications. Today’s guests, Jeremy Chernick and Jerry Rapier are both involved in the theater and arts community while juggling parenthood.
In this episode, they share what their journey as a parent and a theatre professional has looked like for them. They discuss the changes that are currently impacting parents, resources that have helped them throughout their careers, and the benefits of taking nontraditional career paths. Join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this exciting interview for a look behind the curtain as a theater dad.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
Resources:
Google calendar
https://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510321/wow-in-the-world
In today’s episode of Parents at Work, Tom Spiggle and co-host, Lori Mihalich-Levin, introduce us to two moms in the performing arts, Rachel Spencer Hewitt and Roberta Pereira.
Rachel details her personal challenges as a working mom and the logistics of trying to find acting work while juggling new motherhood. Roberta addresses common practices in the theatre industry that previously haven’t been questioned. Join us as they share insight, tips, and resources for theatre moms, on today’s Parents at Work Podcast.
Rachel Spencer Hewitt received her MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama. Her credits include Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theatre. She is mom of 2 children, a 4 year old and a 2 year old, the Founder and Executive Director of The National Organization for Individual Caregivers in Institutional Support, and the Founder of the Parent-Artist Advocacy League (PAAL) for the performing arts.
Roberta Pereira is a Tony-nominated, Olivier-award winning theatre producer. She’s currently the producing director of “The Playwrights Realm”, an off-Broadway theatre company committed to amplifying the voices of emerging playwrights. She’s the solo mom of 20-month old Bianca.
Show Highlights:
Links / Resources:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
https://www.broadwaybabysitters.com
Facebook.com/paalperformingarts
Twitter.com/paaltheatre
Instagram.com/paaltheatre https://www.playwrightsrealm.org
https://www.playwrightsrealm.org/rpi
Anna Moensch's Mothers: https://www.playwrightsrealm.org/2019-20
Book:
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool by Emily Oster”
Article:
“End the Plague of Secret Parenting” by Emily Oster
The “Parents at Work” Podcast is sponsored by:
The Spiggle Law Firm, representing people who have been wrongfully fired, or fear they might be, with a particular focus on pregnancy discrimination.
In today’s episode of Parents at Work, Tom Spiggle and co-host, Lori Mihalich-Levin, introduce us to 2 working dads in the HR field: Wiley Simmons and Adam Calli. Human resources are generally a women-dominated industry, yet men contribute a unique and valuable perspective.
Wiley Simmons is a single father of 2 and came to the HR field through a complete accident. Having an executive and administrative assistant background, he took an admin assistant temp job in the human resources field, and his boss was so impressed with his work, he was offered a position as a benefits coordinator. What he found was that with being prior military, the rules and regulations of the HR profession, as well as his enjoyment of helping people and interacting with staff, turned out to be the perfect career choice for him.
Adam Calli is the proud father of 2 and an HR professional. He is also the principal consultant and founder of the human resources consulting firm, Arc Human Capital, LLC. Prior to working in HR and having children, hotel operations were Adam’s specialty, but it was not especially conducive to family life. He did something quite revolutionary for 2002: he saved up his leave time and took 3 weeks FMLA leave after the birth of his son.
Both HR and non-HR professionals alike will enjoy hearing this discussion on industry trends, and finding that perfect balance between work and life. There’s something for everyone here. Please join us!
Show Highlights:
Links / Resources:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
This week’s episode of Parents at Work brings you three thoughtful and experienced mothers in Human Resources. Being a mother and meeting the demands of an office can be difficult to balance, so Kelly, Kecia, and Heather share their personal journeys to help others succeed at work while raising children.
This interview covers how to navigate negotiations with your employer, the benefits of having flexibility to set clear expectations, and the importance of giving yourself grace. To learn more about what it’s like to be a parent in HR and how to balance parenthood along with professional life, join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in this interview.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
Contact Lori:
Books mentioned:
Being a working parent looks different for everyone, but there are many tactics and techniques that are effective no matter what your current circumstances are. This episode of Parents at Work interviews two lawyer dads, Justin Johnson and Kenny Kraft, who are currently navigating how to be successful both in their careers and as parents.
In this episode, Justin and Kenny share their experiences transitioning back into the office after paternity leave, how to effectively communicate and collaborate with your partner, and how to make time for other valuable aspects of life. For more insight on how to navigate work life and parenthood join Tom Spiggle and co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin in today’s interview.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
Books mentioned:
Juggling parenthood as a working mom can be a challenge, especially as a lawyer. Today, Tom Spiggle and Co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin interview two moms who work within the legal field, Anjali Patel and Katy Robinette.
Both mothers currently have two children ranging from the ages of 15 months to 4 years., They discuss their experience as working parents in the private and public sectors, how they found a system that works for them, and the most important things they’ve learned throughout their time as a working parent.
For more insight on what it looks like to succeed in life as a mom and lawyer, tune into this episode of Parents at Work.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori: lori@mindfulreturn.com
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/
Books mentioned:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17383921-all-joy-and-no-fun
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/769016.How_to_Talk_So_Kids_Will_Listen_Listen_So_Kids_Will_Talk
Juggling parenthood and a career can be handful. It can be difficult to balance both, but we’re here to share ways employers and employees are working together to make work and life possible.
In this episode Tom Spiggle and (new!) co-host Lori Mihalich-Levin introduce the upcoming themes and scheduling for the Parents at Work podcast. In this updated podcast format, you’ll hear the perspectives of parents in a new industry or sector each month, parents from different career paths, and a plethora of advice for parents or employers will be included in these upcoming episodes.
To join Tom and Lori on this journey and for helpful insight on balancing work and parenthood, tune into this episode of Parents at Work.
Show Highlights:
Links:
Contact Lori:
https://www.mindfulreturn.com or lori@mindfulreturn.com
Contact Tom:
https://www.spigglelaw.com/podcasts/parents-at-work/ or tspiggle@spigglelaw.com