59. Court Reporting and Sustainability with Vanessa Johns

  Court reporters hold one of the most important roles in the justice system. We're entrusted with the official records of the courts, and we also have to run our own businesses, which is not something most of us were prepared for. I'm Bryn Seymour, court reporter and life coach, and I invite you to join the discussion about the problems we face and the solutions we create on the unique journey of a stenographer.

Welcome to the Court Reporter Podcast.

So today's episode is with a special guest. Her name is Vanessa Johns. She is a court reporting student currently at 160 words per minute. We met at the NCRA convention and we did a podcast interview on the spot. I apologize in advance for the audio because we were standing in the streets in Louisville, right outside the Galt Hotel.

Where the convention was held. And it's a very busy street. And we were using microphones. We were actually testing out new Court Reporter Podcast microphones for the first time. And I thought that the microphones were really like high quality, good enough to block out like literally all background noise, even though we were standing in a busy street.

But, After listening to it and editing it, you could clearly hear the cars and the noise and the commotion in the background. So I guess maybe that'll add to the feeling of the fact that we were standing in the street at the convention. We had a news reporter microphone with the branding of the Court Reporter podcast.

It was really cool because people could walk by. by and see like what was going on and how we were doing podcast interviews at the convention outside the hotel. So that was really cool. We covered topics ranging from the sustainable development goals and climate change, how sustainability is impacting our industry as court reporters, as well as Vanessa's personal journey and her growth.

Just her overall journey as a Steno student, advancing, getting stock, going through all the difficulties of being a student, the loneliness. The isolation, the camaraderie of the online and virtual world and also in person when attending conventions. So we attended, the NCRA attended her hometown, Louisville, Kentucky.

She brought up a question that I think is really powerful. At the rate I'm going, am I going to finish? So like in the coaching world, we talk a lot about the power of questions. And this applies not only to Vanessa, but to all students who might be feeling stuck. At the rate you're going, are you really going to finish or are you too comfortable staying where you are to really give it that push, that dedication, that commitment, and that passion that you need to break out of the rut that you're in?

When I think back to my own journey and how, like, just a few episodes ago, I was like, I was talking about getting the RPR, being so determined to pass it, like, I really tried to convince myself that I was determined and that I was going to do it, because to a certain extent, through the brain and through the thoughts, you can accomplish certain things, but you have to actually believe those thoughts.

So if I'm just like, pushing these thoughts on myself about getting the RPR, but I truly don't believe it enough to, uh, Or want it enough or, you know, have that determination, it may not really happen. So, I mean, I can't remember if I updated on any of the episodes after the convention, but I don't think so.

So, basically, I had signed up to take the test at the convention on Sunday, and I was determined, and I had bought Ali Hall's practice program, and I was going to do it every single day. Part of that program is that you have to do it every single day, I think for, I think it's an hour, but it's for 30 days.

So because it's for 30 days, it's not like an indefinite time period. It's like you have to, like, you know, if you do it every single day for 30 days, you will pass the test no matter what you will. So that's what I love about her program, even though I didn't actually follow through with it, but I really like it.

And I know that if I did decide to get the RPR, that is the route that I would take, because it's a set time period with a guarantee that you will pass the RPR if you Do this so it's like a formula and that formula is enough for me to have the faith That if I follow it, I will definitely pass it and that faith that belief in that formula basically will Drive the actions of actually following through with it and therefore passing it.

I definitely recommend checking out Ali Hall's program if you're determined to get your RPR and to get your higher level certifications, but for me, I did have that drive when I was in school because I think, like, what drove me to finish so fast in the 13 months that I finished, I think it was, like, shame of being in school, which is crazy.

Like, I know you. That's nothing to be ashamed of, like I don't even know why I would think that, but it was kind of like Okay, I'm at an age where I'm independent. I should, like, all my friends are already working, already graduated from college, but I went back to court reporting school. I was able to focus 100 percent of my energy.

I didn't go out. I didn't go to parties. Monday through Friday, I was fully committed and it was driven by those negative emotions, that uncomfortability of being ashamed and being, like, so eager to get out of that rut, to get out of that Like, to just start working. And also, hyperfocus. With ADHD, that's one of the good things about having ADHD, is that you can really hyperfocus on practicing on the machine.

Like, I would literally bring it with me everywhere, even in classes that no one else was writing on their machine, but I would be writing everything that the teacher said. I really believe that that dedication, that determination, that hyper focus is what helped me to get through school really fast, and I would even stay late.

On the nights that they offered extra tests like so I was in the day program, but there was also a night program So the night students would take their tests, I think once a week or something I can't remember the schedule. It was nine years ago, but They would have their night tests and we the daytime students were allowed to stay if we wanted to to take extra tests That was an extra chance to pass.

So like if I hadn't passed that week Or if I hadn't passed during the day, I could stay and try again. And during those, like, three or four hours that I was staying to try again, I would be practicing non stop. I would take a break maybe to get lunch. I, I remember right across the street from the school was just salad.

That was like my favorite place to go. I would always get my salad. Eat my lunch or dinner, I guess. And then I would just practice, practice, practice. And my thing was hyper focusing on speed building without looking at the screen, without worrying about if it's clean, without transcribing. I did not like the transcribing part or the editing part.

I just loved writing on the machine without worrying about what's coming up. Because that's what really got the speed up and that's what really got me used to those high speeds and not Like so that my nerves wouldn't kick in so that I could overcome those emotions. I think having those negative emotions Can be a positive driving factor to achieving our goals quickly.

So anyway, I just wanted to give a little intro to explain why the audio is a little bit crazy in this episode. And also, there was a segment that we forgot to talk about. So I had done some pre planning for this episode because there were some questions I wanted to ask her about the sustainability. And then after our interview, she reached out and reminded me that we had forgotten one thing.

Topic one point and I was like, oh my gosh. Yes. I was thinking about that too. Like I totally forgot In regard to the the industry the sustainability in our industry So that's where i'm just gonna throw that little section in at the beginning because the audio quality is Better in that little segment than the rest of it is Enjoy the episode.

Okay, so speaking of sustainability and saving the earth and climate change and that issue, let's talk about it as it pertains to our industry specifically. In court reporting, in the legal industry, where I see a need for implementation of sustainability, I think, is in the use of paper. So I think we're still on the bandwagon of using and overusing paper.

I'll tell you I'll tell you a story of a few years ago when I went to a deposition at a small agency that I worked for in Poughkeepsie. And the attorney had a ginormous, very thick, looked like 300 pages transcript, and then another 300 page pile, or you know, a very thick pile of pages for exhibit. And those had just been printed out for him.

He maybe flipped through it once or twice and used a couple pages in there. And then at the end of the deposition, he walked out and threw both of them in. Both piles, both ginormous stacks of paper into the garbage bin. Not even in a recycling bin, just straight into the garbage can and walked out. And I mean, it was just alarming for me because I was just getting into sustainability.

Being a volunteer for the non profit that I was posting and helping out with social media for, I had been exposed to a lot of, my awareness had been raised about the problem of the garbage patch and the issues that. are happening in the world with pollution and plastic and resources are filling like things that can't be broken down are just filling the earth more and more and like where are they supposed to go right so they're finding their way into the ocean and it's creating massive problems considering the fact that the ocean regulates so much of our lives including the temperature the weather the air we breathe everything like so much of human life is regulated by the ocean.

The ocean is so important. So when things are making their way into the ocean because they have nowhere else to go and landfills are overflowing and we just keep producing more and more and more single use plastic items, where are they supposed to go? I mean, the earth only has so much space to hold everything.

So it is a problem. And you know, the transcripts, of course, it's paper. Paper is not as much of a problem as plastic, but you know, it can add to the problem. So I'm wondering what, what are your thoughts on this in the court reporting industry? How can we. What are some innovative ideas that you might have to implement sustainable solutions for attorneys and court reporters?

Well, I really like that you used the word sustainability because to me that helps me see it as not just one problem with one solution. This is kind of a long term project we're working on and, you know, it's, it's really not a problem that one person can, can tackle on their own. Um, this is You know, an industry wide problem.

This is a worldwide problem. So, as far as within the court reporting industry, you know, I have very little experience in this industry specifically, but, um, I was a teacher for many years, and so I understand that dependence on paper. Um, I think it starts with changing our habits and changing our processes.

So, you know, thinking about where can we cut back? Yes, on paper for sure, but maybe other office supplies as well. Um, I, I know that I like to buy new school supplies, office supplies, organizational tools, and I try them out and then I don't like them the way I thought I was going to like them. So. One thing I love to do is instead of throwing it away or sending it to Goodwill, um, I utilize my neighborhood buy nothing group where I can post the things I no longer want and there's almost always somebody who sees value in those things that I just don't want in my house anymore.

So, you know, I think that even as we are in a, you know, world in a community where we're so, um, attached to these physical items, maybe there are ways that we can at least, um, get rid of them, uh, responsibly. Um, you know, a lot of the sustainable living ideas that I have gained the last few years following and learning through the community, zero waste community on Instagram, um, have really been about transforming my daily habits.

So, um, to the point where I don't even think about it anymore, you know, I, I bring my lunch to work, but I don't just bring my lunch. I'll bring, Um, a cloth napkin and, uh, silverware. We have, um, coffee mugs and plates and, and things at my office that I'll use that we can wash and, and use again. Um, I think that's a great way to cut back on, on waste, just to use the things that we already have.

And, uh, I'm really proud that again, for this, uh, for this convention, I have a fully thrifted, fully secondhand wardrobe, um, the waste within the fashion industry. I know you are passionate about this as well. Um, it's, It's absolutely ridiculous. The more you learn about it, the more infuriating I think it is.

And so there's definitely ways to cut back on that waste and to shop more responsibly. And right now with my budget as a student, um, I'm leaning towards secondhand and there have been some really fantastic options out there. Um, whether it's a local secondhand store and, oh my gosh, do I love thredUP for buying those.

Brands that I know I love, I know that are gonna fit me well. So I wish I had, you know, the answer for reducing waste in this industry. And I'm sure as I learn more about it, I'll learn to be more vocal about it. But that's what I have for right now. How to, um, how to say, should I be, you're supposed to, you can mostly look at Brynn, but if you look at the camera, that's fine.

Okay. But I would say just feel, feel,

let us know when it's rolling. It's rolling. It's rolling. Okay. Hi, Vanessa. Can you introduce yourself? Tell us what is your name and where are you from and what brings you to Louisville? Nice try. I'm Vanessa Vanessa Johns. I'm from Louisville, Louisville. Close enough. Close enough. We'll take it. What brings me here?

Well, I should ask you what brings you to Louisville. I'm here for the NCRA annual convention. I'm so happy that everyone decided to come visit my amazing town. So you're actually a Louisville native. Louisville, Louis, Louisville. I wasn't born here, so I can't officially claim that, but I've lived most of my life here.

And it's a really great city. So where are you from originally? I was born in Massachusetts. You look like you would have been born in Massachusetts. I don't know what that means. You're a New Englander. I mean, I'm a New Englander. So you're here for the NCRA convention. Me too. I think you asked me that, so I'll answer yes.

I'm also here for the convention. We both were able to give presentations. Do you want to share what yours was about? I got to present on, uh, the session was called Steno Study Buddies. And I spoke with Chris DiGrazio about virtual practice groups and students supporting each other and reporters supporting each other through finding and creating virtual practice spaces.

That's awesome. It's really important for students to have resources available to them and not feel like they're alone. It is so lonely out there. And when I heard somebody whisper, practice group, I was like, tell me more. That's how I got connected to Chris, and I joined a practice group. It was not the right fit for me, it was way too vast, it was way too this and that, too early in the morning.

I just couldn't find out, find one that really fit my schedule, and I eventually created my own practice group because I wanted to put my own practice first, and it saved me. I would have quit if it wasn't for my practice group. How many people join? It depends on the day. We meet Monday through Friday, and sometimes we have two people.

Sometimes there's seven or eight, and I encourage everyone to come check it out and see if it is a good fit for them. But it does meet in the middle of the afternoon. So I get that's not everyone's best time of day to practice. So if you're available, you're welcome to come try it out. That's so amazing and inspiring, like a true leader.

You are, I think, because you commit to doing that, even if If only two people join, or even if no one joins, you're still committed to at least doing it yourself because you know it's important. So, since we're at the convention, I want to ask you, what's been your biggest takeaway so far? This year, I've been hearing a lot about practicing for accuracy.

I guess as a student, I'm probably taking away different things than, um, a reporter, videographer, someone would. But when it comes to practicing, I've been thinking a lot about how am I going to change my practice to allow for more accuracy. I've chatted with a few students about what they do. To work on their accuracy.

So I'm excited to try those things out and you really can just not replace in person interaction, like getting to network and talk to people that you've only seen online. And I'm, I don't want you all to leave, like please stay and hang out with me here another week. Yeah, I totally agree. Like the in person is so important and it really changes the dynamics of everything.

Well, don't worry. I'm sure We'll be coming to visit all the time in Louisville. Yes. Okay, so what have you learned working for an agency as a student? Okay, so about a year or so ago, I was connected with a court reporter who invited me to come work for his firm. And I said, yes, because what else do you say?

But yes, so I still been a great opportunity, but. It wasn't until after I said yes to that job that I really thought about what is what is this job I just agreed to. And the way that he described it to me was just to learn the back end of the business and what goes into all of these. And these were, you know, words that I've heard before.

I know what an agency is. I know what a transcript is. I know what a schedule is, but when you put that in the context of the court reporting freelance world, I learned a lot those first couple of weeks and just how seeing how everything happens behind the scenes and like our reporters will turn in their transcripts and exhibits and they just like walk away and sometimes I still have more questions for them.

gotta come back and get those. But there's a lot that I still don't know a lot about. And maybe I don't want to know about the, you know, the billing side of things or something like that. But so much that goes into supporting those reporters so that they can be on their machines. Um, the reporter who hired me always says I'm not making money unless my hands are on that machine.

So, um, he's constantly out there getting Getting transcripts out so that, uh, we have work to do behind the scenes for him. Yes, it is definitely a lot that goes into running an agency. But I don't want to say unfortunately, but the truth and the reality is that we as freelance, if we freelance, you know, we are also running an agency, which takes a lot.

So I, I love that you learned that and it definitely is going to prepare you for when you start working, even if you're not like running an agency, because you really will be. running your own little mini agency. So what inspired you to become a court reporter? This question always could be like a whole podcast episode.

It really could be, and I've given different versions of the story, but the long and the short of it is in January of 2021, I was having a real bad month in January, as I think a lot of people do. Louisville's not this nice in January. As I'm sure you can imagine and having feeling really stuck in my job and I literally googled what is my dream job and I took a bunch of personality and interest tests and inventories and the first one came back and it said, adult education.

I said, no, that's what I'm trying to get out of. Let me clear my mind and try this again. Second time, police officer, judge, attorney, like, can you see me as a police officer? Come on. I kept reading down the list and like maybe fifth or sixth was court reporter. I said, oh, you know, in my ESL classes, I taught English as a second language.

We had a big civics unit and there was a lesson all about jury duty and I would talk about there's the bailiff and there's the judge when a plaintiff versus defendant is and there's the court reporter and there's the gallery and So I knew what a court reporter was. So when that quiz came back and it said court reporter It's like oh, let me look into this and I had heard about court reporting before because I had done This is a very long story, but I'd come across it previously and I had heard three years.

It's so cool, but I don't want to spend three years learning how to do that. And I wanted to teach, right? But in January 2021, when that came up again, I was like, okay, this is, this is what I'm going to do. This is what I'm going to do. So here I am. That's awesome. I love hearing everybody's story about how they get into it.

And it's just like interesting because they don't. We don't know about it really, like you said you knew what it was, but it's not like it was really advertised in our high school or like offered to us as an option for me, at least I had never heard of it until halfway through college. So, so you have an Instagram page that caught my attention from the beginning.

It's called Waste Less Ness. So you're passionate about living a reduced waste lifestyle. And I want to ask you what inspired that? How did you? You know, I can't really remember the first thing that created this interest, but I don't, I don't really know. But at some point, um, my sister had moved to California and she was learning a lot about the world outside of Kentucky.

And she She must have sent me a podcast or a blog or a book. Like I honestly have no idea, but I learned this term zero waste. And, um, I have a, maybe very, probably very common in court reporters. Like you learn a topic and you just want to know everything about it. And you just like go down the rabbit hole and everything that you can.

So I learned all about zero waste. I learned all about, you know, reducing your waste using metal straws and, uh, keeping a trash jar and like all of this. stuff. And it was very popular back in 2015 or so. And I think it still is. Probably. You know what? I think the thing that inspired this whole thing was I read the life changing magic of tidying up, which is all about minimalism and reducing down to only the things that bring you joy and that kind of thing.

And so minimalism less brought me to environmentalism, which brought me to, you know, all of these different, I explored veganism for a little while. There's just like so many different ways that you can go. So anyway, what inspired my instagram was I got, I couldn't find my friends anymore. So I created a separate instagram account just to follow those things.

And at first I was only following and learning as much as I could before I started posting little things about my own life. And if you've noticed, I don't really post that much about it anymore cause it's, it's not the same that it was in 2015 and I'm still interested, I still keep a lot of those habits but I don't, um, I'm not as active in that community anymore.

Got it. Yeah, I also I feel like I was raised in a kind of a little bubble. And I didn't have much of, I don't wanna say I was ignorant, but. I wasn't too aware of the global issues that existed. And when I started doing social media for a nonprofit, I was very looking for content about like sustainability and cleaning the earth and things like that.

And I started seeing really disturbing information, videos, pictures, like really, really, really, I, I became very passionate when I saw a picture, a video of the garbage patch and it was literally just like massive piles of garbage. Do you know the seahorse? The seahorse that's tails curled around the Q tip.

That's heartbreaking. I've seen a lot of like turtles and whales that have like massive amounts of plastic in their stomachs and in their noses and restricting their throats. And so when I started seeing all that, I became passionate about it. So I do, I think it's really important for us to, even though we can't live a perfectly waste free lifestyle, but like to implement those little changes, like there's a quote I love, if one person does waste free perfectly, it's not as bad.

It's beneficial as if a million people do it imperfectly, so, yeah, it makes a bigger impact for many people to do it imperfectly, so I love that. You know, as, you know, the Instagram zero waste world has kind of shifted a lot, it's, uh, it's still a very political issue and maybe even more so than it was in 2015, and, I mean, we only have one Earth, I don't know why we wouldn't take care of it, and if you look at, you know, even where we're sitting right now.

Like, just imagine what this place looked like 200, 300, 400 years ago and like how cool that we have these beautiful river and these trees and hills. We have hills here. I promise. Why wouldn't we take care of it and do the best that we can and the most minimal steps that we can. And I don't really think it's, there's a lot that we can't change.

We don't have control over and it's very systemic in a way that I didn't understand in 2015. But You know, it makes me feel a little bit better to do some of these more performative things, but just to, to be aware of the world outside of my tiny little bubble, my tiny little bubble. I know, you know, I don't post so much on Instagram anymore because I'm trying to find I'm trying to put myself in that little bubble right now, but still not losing sight of the world that we live in, the people that are affected by the decisions that we make.

And I think we have to care about the climate. We have to care about our environment. So like if the opportunity presented itself, you would probably, you would want to be involved in something maybe once you finish school, like if there was an answer, I would do whatever it could. And I guess I'll just keep learning and trying until we figure that out.

Cool. So speaking of trying to finish school and getting through that, Hump of difficulty when it comes to speed building. You're, you're at 140, right? I just passed 150. You just passed 150? Congratulations. I just saw your pin and it says 140. They don't make a 150 pin and my mentor gave me my 140 pin. So I'm waiting, working really hard for my 160.

Well, I love it. It looks really cute. I like the color. Are they all different colors? They're all different colors. I'm trying not to look. I don't know what color the next one is. I love that. That's so cute. So, what is your journey like as a student? And what can you say to other students who might be struggling?

And Like, can you share something that you've gone through and what helps you to overcome? Oh, you know, I mean, they say, like, just practice. Keep practicing. And truly, that's what you have to do. But remember why you started. Keep, keep practicing. Keep going. Find what you need, what's missing, and, and figure out how to make that work.

Maybe that's joining a practice group. Maybe that's finding a mentor, maybe that's changing programs. I did that. It was really, really scary, but it was what I needed to do in order to become a court reporter. And actually that's the question that I ask myself all the time is, uh, does it help me become a court reporter and when.

You have to make a big decision about going on a real fun trip for making a big purchase or even how you're going to spend your weekend. Does it help me become a court reporter? You say, you say no to some really big things, but you're going to say yes to big things also. I did not go to a court.

conference. Yes, that would have helped me become a court reporter, but also no because it was time and money and energy that I didn't have to give at that time. So does it help me become a court reporter? That's my my question. That's so inspiring because, like, yeah, it's true that whenever you have a goal, Anything worth achieving is not easy, and in order to achieve it, just like, you know, now the Olympics are on TV, like, they have to give up certain things in order to achieve their goals, in order to win gold medals, and so we do have to give up certain things in order to accomplish that goal, and I always would, like I shared in episode 32, there's a time for everything, I would tell myself, it's only for right now, like, once you've passed that goal.

You don't have to live this lifestyle anymore. You'll be free. You're going to be a working court reporter and you don't have to practice so hard anymore, like, to get that speed up. It's a lot of hard work and it can be really tempting to take a day off, to stop your practice early, or to say yes to something that maybe doesn't help you become a court reporter.

And that's where my second question comes into play. And that second question I've recently started asking is, if I keep going, At the rate I am now, am I gonna finish if I keep going at this rate? Am I gonna finish? And that's a really scary question to ask, but it is something that's been helping me keep on pace and you know, life gets hard.

Things come up that you want to do. Um, I got, I got covid a couple of weeks ago and there's, there's nothing you can do in that case. And you have a bad day, you get sick, your kid gets sick, like there's so much going on. And so it's okay to take a break. It's okay to take time off, but it can be also really easy to just kind of get sick.

stuck in a little rut. And like I'm doing the bare minimum and it's okay to do the bare minimum sometimes. But if I keep going at this rate, am I gonna finish? I gotta step it up. What else can I commit to? Can I show up a little bit early tomorrow? Can I do 15 more minutes today? Can I reach out to someone who can answer a question for me?

You know, just what is the next step? I think that's a really good point. point because the questions we ask ourselves ultimately are so important and will take us to the results that we want to achieve. So knowing how to ask ourselves the right questions and actually asking ourselves and answering them is going to really propel you in the right direction.

So even how, yeah, like you said, how can I finish faster? How can I finish by. or whatever deadline you set for yourself. And then you start actually coming up with answers and ideas, and it, you put them into practice. It's hard because there's no, there is no end date, and so that's why I like, I can set a goal, and then I get sick, and now I've lost my timeline, right?

But it's that question of, If I keep going at this rate, am I gonna finish? What do I need to, what do I need to get back on track in order to get there? Have you tried setting a deadline for yourself? I did, and I got sick and I didn't meet that deadline. So that's a little bit frustrating. Sounds like that deadline was, um Well, I like to set unreasonable goals and then try to go after them.

And I had passed, I had passed my 1 40 and I really wanted that 1 60 pin by this convention. And I was gonna work really, really hard. My sister was gonna be in town and I was gonna go for it anyway. And then we both got sick. And kind of threw all of my plans off. I did hit 150, but I didn't get quite to 160.

Understood. Yeah, sometimes we get overly ambitious with the short term goals that we forget about the long term goals. So it could be, maybe your next goal could be like a long term more realistic goal, and that might help. Yeah, you know, the question is when are you gonna finish? When are you gonna graduate?

My question, my answer is this time next year, and I've been saying that For a couple of years, no one's noticed this time. Next year is a great goal. I understand the need for higher levels of accountability. I sometimes I need to ask for external accountability and sometimes that doesn't work either, but at least we can try.

And it's nice that you. At least decided on a date and even though you haven't accomplished it yet If you decide more firmly you will definitely accomplish it So I recently decided to change my answer to that question. Now i'm going with six to eight months I don't know when someone's going to notice that i've passed that deadline, but it's still like it's within reach and as stuff comes up I can still work to get to that place and um, you know that Holding myself accountable is one thing and looking for that outside accountability, especially as an online student Doesn't exist.

I have to create it for myself and and that's exactly what you did through your group Right that practice group truly saved me and kept me going at least kept me in the right mindset That and kept reminding me why I wanted to finish school, even though I wasn't in a place to really apply myself at that time.

Um, but it kept me interested. It kept me connected. It kept me, uh, talking to students and thinking about what, what am I gonna do to get there? How can students who are listening to this podcast. Join this group. Reach out to me and I'll connect you. It may not be the best group for you because it is my practice group for me and my goals, but I can help get you connected to one that'll meet your schedule, meet your goals, connect you with a group of students that, if you are working on this alone, you're You really shouldn't be.

You need students to connect to and mentors to connect you. And okay, so should I put your instagram in the show notes? Yes, definitely. Wastelessness. It's a little play on my name. My name is Vanessa and my family calls me Ness. I haven't figured out, like, should I rebrand it to stand though? But I really like the name and I don't know.

So I love it. Is there anything else that you want to share? I don't think so. Well, we can always, we can always connect again. This is not a one time only thing. You know, we can always do more podcast interviews. If you're ever feeling inspired about anything and you want to share it with the world, or at least the court reporting world, you know who to call.

Ask me in six to eight months. Okay, I'll do that. Yeah, we can do like a congratulatory interview. You can share how you feel once you finished it. Are you still working as a, A teacher part time? Okay, so you're focusing on, got it. I've appreciated working in a job that's allowed me to focus on school, and help me, I've learned a lot of, you know, applicable skills, but it's, it's not, it's still not the job I want, you know?

It's great, the people are great, it's a stepping stone, but it doesn't pay quite as well as court reporting will, and I can't get too comfortable, I'm not comfortable there, and I think it's hard to It's that level of discomfort that helps, you know, kind of kick your, kick your butt into gear. For sure. You got this.

And thank you so much for coming on the Court Reporter Podcast!

To the listeners: Hey, thanks for listening. Before we wrap up, I just want to say, if you're feeling like you could use a little more confidence in the courtroom, or maybe you just want to take command of the deposition room, I've been there and I'd love to help you.

Whether it's speaking up with more authority, navigating tough interactions with attorneys, or just feeling more at ease and in control of your career and life, you can reach out and schedule a free consultation for Court Reporter. By going to brynnseymourcoaching. com or you can find my scheduling link on the Court Reporter Podcast website, which is courtreporterpodcast.com and I'll also leave it in the show notes. Have a great day.