29. How to Build Trust in a World That Moves Fast — with Laura Walda

Loyalty might sound old-fashioned, but in an AI-enabled world, it’s quickly becoming one of the most powerful “unautomatable” skills you can have. In this episode of the B-Student Podcast, we sit down with attorney and community leader Laura Walda, shareholder at Lowndes, to explore what loyalty really looks like in law, leadership, friendship, and civic life.


Laura shares her journey from growing up in Indiana and working in state government to becoming a law partner, board chair, mom, and deeply engaged community advocate in Orlando. Together, we unpack how loyalty shows up in real client relationships, how to build a reputation you don’t want to lose, and why saying “I’ve got your back” still matters in a world obsessed with speed and short-term gains.

In this Episode you’ll learn:

How to practice loyalty in your career without becoming a doormatWhy reliability (showing up when you say you will) is a quiet superpowerNavigating mistakes, owning them, and building long-term trustWhat it means to have someone’s back in business, law, and community workHow women in law and business are reshaping the “one seat at the table” mindsetBalancing work, family, and board service without losing yourselfWhy the next generation views loyalty to employers differently — and how firms must adaptThe human qualities AI can’t replace: credibility, judgment, trust, and character

Time Stamps:
00:00 – Introduction + Laura Walda’s accolades
02:18 – How Laura found her path to law
05:10 – Early career lessons from state government
07:42 – Choosing Lowndes + community-minded career values
10:25 – Balancing partnership, motherhood, and leadership
13:04 – Loyalty inside the attorney–client relationship
15:33 – When loyalty costs you
18:49 – The meaning of “I’ve got your back”
21:12 – Women in law, mentorship, and breaking old models
24:45 – Redefining loyalty in a new workforce era
27:58 – Listening, trust, and building a better workplace
30:40 – Why AI can’t replace credibility and judgment
33:02 – Everyday loyalty “hacks” for young professionals
35:15 – Serving your community with purpose
36:20 – Final reflections + closing

Connect with Laura:
Linkedin: @laura-walda
Website: lowndes-law.com

-----------------------------------
Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Like this video, subscribe, and comment your favorite London spot or what city has most transformed you.

-----------------------------------

Connect with Betsy Gardner:
Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/ 

Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/

--------------------------------
Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/