From Hostage To Hero
305 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 121 ratingsSari de la Motte is the host of "From Hostage to Hero" and has been dubbed the "Attorney Whisperer" because of her unique ability to help attorneys communicate their real selves. Join us weekly as Sari shares tips that will help you up your game at trial and connect with your jurors.
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Episodes
Teaching vs. Storytelling: Why You Shouldn’t Be Doing Both at the Same Time
October 02, 2020 09:30 - 22 minutes - 30.8 MBIn my opening template, I have an “educate the jury” section and a “defendant’s story” section. But in nearly every case, when a client shows up to perform their opening, I’m confused as to whether they are teaching or storytelling. This is a problem. Teaching and storytelling are two VERY different things and must be kept separate. Give this podcast a listen to learn why and how to “keep your story clean.”
Why Bad Things Happen to Good People
September 25, 2020 09:30 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MBWhy do we lose worthy cases? Why do we break our leg after we start an exercise program to get healthy? Why do spouses die, kids get cancer and every other horrible thing? Why why why? Instead of asking WHY, I invite you, in this podcast to ask an entirely different question. Give it a listen to find out how to move from seeing bad things as a cosmic "F* YOU!" from the universe to an opportunity for growth.
Ep. 82 - Why Bad Things Happen to Good People
September 25, 2020 09:30 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MBWhy do we lose worthy cases? Why do we break our leg after we start an exercise program to get healthy? Why do spouses die, kids get cancer and every other horrible thing? Why why why? Instead of asking WHY, I invite you, in this podcast to ask an entirely different question. Give it a listen to find out how to move from seeing bad things as a cosmic "F* YOU!" from the universe to an opportunity for growth.
Tackling Racism in the Legal Profession: Let's Get Uncomfortable, Shall We?
September 18, 2020 09:30 - 21 minutes - 29.8 MBA little over a week ago, I hosted a webinar called, "Tackling Racism in the Legal Profession." Boy did that ever open a can of worms. If you didn't catch the webinar, you can watch a replay in the From Hostage to Hero FB group, or on our YouTube channel. I then invite you to listen to this podcast episode to dispel some myths you might believe about tackling racism in the legal profession and ways to become an ally.
How Language Shapes Your Experience
September 11, 2020 09:30 - 18 minutes - 25.9 MBAre you "stressed and busy?" Do you tell yourself you're not a good public speaker? Do you ever hear yourself saying things like, "This is too hard," or, "I'll never get this?" Yeah, stop that shit. How you talk about your experience shapes your experience. Give a listen to this podcast to learn more. (And to hear about that one time I attempted to take a weapon on the plane. No joke.)
How to Deal with Lack of Motivation
September 04, 2020 09:30 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBFeeling a bit unmotivated lately? If you're like my clients, I bet you're also giving yourself a hard time about it. What if I told you that not feeling motivated was a very important sign you needed to pay attention to? Give a listen to this podcast to learn more. -Sari
What's Your Next Move?
August 28, 2020 09:30 - 21 minutes - 29.7 MBRecently, my family moved out to the beach. It wasn't a long thought-out, carefully planned move. Nope. But it was an instinct move and we're pleased we did it. Life doesn't always allow you to plan everything to the tee, and it rarely goes the way you have it perfectly outlined in your head. Give a listen to this podcast to learn what you need to do in order to navigate YOUR next move.
But What If I'm Not Likeable?
August 21, 2020 09:30 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MBTwo podcast episodes ago, I talked about how you need to stop trying to become someone else in court and instead just be yourself. But then someone asked, "But what if I'm not likeable?" Ah...likeability. The holy grail of "personality traits" for trial attorneys. It may not be as important as you think. Give a listen to this podcast to learn more. -Sari
You Create the Juror You Fear
August 14, 2020 09:30 - 13 minutes - 18.8 MBYou know that juror we all worry about meeting in the jury box? Yeah, we create that person. No. Really. Give a listen to this podcast to learn more.
Integration: Stop Trying to Be Someone Different in Court
August 07, 2020 09:30 - 15 minutes - 21.5 MBWhy do so many of you become unrecognizable the minute you step into court? Who you are OUTSIDE of court shouldn't be different than who you are the minute you step within the courtroom walls. The key is integration. Give a listen to this podcast to learn more. -Sari
If You're Not Being Criticized, You're Doing it Wrong
July 31, 2020 09:30 - 16 minutes - 22.6 MBI recently received my first 2-star review. After months of 5-star reviews for my book, From Hostage to Hero, I was beginning to despair thinking NO one would tell me they didn't like it. And well, if EVERYONE liked the book, it wasn't a book worth writing. Think I'm nuts? The same thing applies to you. If you're not being criticized, you're doing something wrong. Give a listen to this podcast to learn more. -Sari
BONUS - H2H Membership Founder's Launch FB Live Episode
July 26, 2020 09:30 - 31 minutes - 42.7 MBWe've got a full week of activities July 27-31, 2020 during our H2H Membership Founder's Launch. Find out what we're up to and what you can expect once you're in the H2H Membership. Founder's Launch events and registration at www.saridlm.com/events
Can You Form a Group On Zoom?
July 24, 2020 09:30 - 13 minutes - 18.6 MBThe legal landscape is changing. Due to Covid-19, many of you are being forced to conduct jury selection over Zoom. The question is, can a group be formed over Zoom? Yes and....no. Give a listen to this podcast to learn more. -Sari
From Hostage to Hero: THE METHOD (Special FB Live Episode)
July 17, 2020 09:30 - 40 minutes - 55.9 MBThe H2H Membership opens October 1st! But we have a special "Founder's Launch" happening, you can join July 27th. To get you familiar with the From Hostage to Hero method in the meantime, we've uploaded this previous FB live from the From Hostage to Hero FB group. Enjoy, and join us the week of July 27th for free membership activities all week! -Sari
The One Communication Rule that Blows all Other Communication Rules Out of the Water
July 10, 2020 09:30 - 20 minutes - 28.2 MBTreat people how you want to be treated, right? Wrong. Treat people how they want to be treated. How do you know how others want to be treated? Listen to this podcast to learn how. -Sari
The One Thing You Have to Accept About Yourself to Be Truly Great
July 03, 2020 09:30 - 25 minutes - 35.1 MBWe presume someone is innocent until proven guilty, right? Why can't we do the same for ourselves? What are you guilty of, you ask? Listen to this podcast to learn what it is. -Sari
The Importance of Boundaries for Trial Attorneys
June 26, 2020 09:30 - 23 minutes - 32.2 MBYou are your client's last hope. If you don't get this right, they'll leave with nothing. You've got to sacrifice everything when you become a trial attorney. Baloney. You are -not- your client's last hope, and thinking you are screws everything up. You have to have strong boundaries in order to do this work; boundaries empower you and allows you to do your best job in the courtroom. Listen to this podcast to learn more.
How to Empower Your Client
June 19, 2020 09:30 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBRegardless of your client's injury, they are perfect and whole, exactly the way they are. Money doesn't heal. Helping your client reclaim their identity and live into their purpose is what makes a real difference. Give this podcast a listen to learn the four things you can do to help empower your client and help them heal.
Your Client Is Not Broken
June 12, 2020 09:30 - 28 minutes - 38.5 MBBroken backs, brain injuries, and missing limbs...let's face it; most plaintiffs appear 'broken.' But they're not. Most of you, when I ask about your client, tell me all the things they -can't- do. But seeing your client as broken has the ability to derail your case and ultimately hurt your client further. Give this podcast a listen to learn more. -Sari
Competing Values
June 05, 2020 09:30 - 17 minutes - 24.1 MBWe all have values. Family, personal growth, professional development, work...amongst others. Values are what help guide our life and our decision making. But what do you do when you have to make a decision that pits two values against each other? Listen to this podcast to learn how to make a decision when your values are competing with each other. -Sari
Time Management Tips
May 29, 2020 09:30 - 20 minutes - 28.8 MBWhat's the best way to manage your time? I've got three major tips that have revolutionized how I manage my time and my life. Listen to this podcast to learn more. -Sari
Trial is Not About You
May 22, 2020 09:30 - 17 minutes - 24.1 MB"I'm not charismatic." "I need to be more persuasive." "I wish I was more like [insert-famous-trial-attorney]." Newsflash: Trial is not -about- you. But it's also -totally- about you. Listen to this podcast to learn more.
Stop Victimizing Your Client, Yourself and the Jurors
May 15, 2020 09:30 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MBIn my webinar with Jesse Wilson we talked about how to harness the power of the underdog. In that webinar, we talked about three ways you victimize your client, yourself and the jurors. I've taken the highlights from that webinar and put them in this podcast. Learn how to make the underdog story work for you. Listen to this podcast to learn more.
Stop Acting Like Defense Attorneys
May 08, 2020 09:30 - 23 minutes - 31.7 MBWhat are the main tools of a defense attorney? As Rick Friedman, in his book Rules of the Road, says: Confusion, Complexity and Ambiguity So why are you playing into their game? Your job as a plaintiff attorney is to communicate a simple, clear story. It's -not- to jump in after every defense theory and defend it as if your life depended on it. Listen to this podcast to learn more.
The Problem with Thought Work
May 01, 2020 09:30 - 23 minutes - 32.4 MBY'all know I love thought work. We don't have to believe every bullshit thought our brain throws up for consideration. And yet, there is a downside to thought work, one that can really mess with your quest to improve your life. Give this podcast a listen to learn what it is. -Sari
Resonant Conversations
April 24, 2020 09:30 - 22 minutes - 30.3 MBWhat are resonant conversations? And why are they important? Your goal in voir dire is to create resonance with jurors. When you do this, your verdicts will go up. Give this podcast a listen to learn more. -Sari
The Real Reason for Issue-Oriented Voir Dire
April 17, 2020 09:30 - 21 minutes - 29 MBMy "issue-oriented" voir dire method is being used by attorneys all over the United States. But sometimes lawyers get "stuck" conducting an issue-oriented voir dire. Issue-oriented voir dire is WAY more than just focusing your voir dire on the issues in your case. Give this podcast a listen to learn more.
Jurors Don't Have to Like Everything You Do
April 10, 2020 09:30 - 25 minutes - 34.9 MBYou get bad feedback from a juror in a focus group, mock jury or after trial. That means you should NEVER do that thing AGAIN. Right? Wrong. You have to learn how to translate juror feedback by looking at the larger picture. That, and sometimes we do things, on purpose, that the jury won't like. Give this podcast a listen to learn more.
How to Ring the Bell at Trial
April 03, 2020 09:30 - 18 minutes - 25.4 MBWhat does it mean to "ring the bell?" It means repeating your trial theme in a way that really focuses the juror's attention. It's part content, part nonverbal delivery. Give this podcast a listen to learn more. -Sari
How to Lean into the Pause
March 27, 2020 09:30 - 24 minutes - 33.4 MBThe world is on pause right now. Whether it's pausing in a presentation, during voir dire, or in our lives, we tend to resist the pause. That's a mistake. Wisdom lives in the pause. And right now we have a huge opportunity to redirect our lives and live life on purpose. But only if we lean into the pause. Give this podcast a listen and learn more.
SPECIAL EPISODE: We’ve Got This
March 20, 2020 09:30 - 17 minutes - 23.7 MBI've recorded a special podcast in light of the recent coronavirus outbreak and the fear it is creating. Dudes, we've GOT this. Give this podcast a listen and learn how we can emerge from this stronger than ever. -Sari
We Must Balance the Scales for Jurors
March 13, 2020 09:30 - 16 minutes - 23 MBWhen it comes to jurors, we do a lot of taking. But what do we give them? And why does that matter? Give this podcast a listen to learn more.
How to Reverse the Brain Attack Jury Selection Creates for YOU
March 06, 2020 10:30 - 20 minutes - 28.3 MBYour brain is under attack during jury selection too. This also isn't good for you. You must be able to reverse the attack jury selection creates for yourself before jury selection even begins. Give this podcast a listen to learn how. * * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * * * LET THE JURY SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS IN 3 EASY STEPS Aren’t you tired of searching for the shiny new formula for winning? I love you but the truth is: the shit you’re doing with the jury isn’t working. You need ...
How to Reverse the Brain Attack That Jury Selection Creates for Jurors
February 28, 2020 10:30 - 25 minutes - 34.3 MBWhat do you mean “brain attack?” The jury selection process launches potential jurors into an absolute mental frenzy. Fight or flight has been activated and they are hostages to the process. But, there are five specific areas you MUST address in order to move them from this internal panic state to a space where they can show up as the heroes for your case. Give this podcast a listen to learn how you can reverse the attack on the jurors’ brains. * * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * * *...
Haven't You Had Enough?
February 21, 2020 10:30 - 19 minutes - 27.4 MBI've had enough. Have you? I've had enough of hearing about why you can't do X, or why defense won't let you do Y. Due to our fear of losing, we've let the defense win. Let's take our power back, shall we? Give this podcast a listen to learn how I've had enough and I hope you have too.
It's Time to Level Up
February 14, 2020 10:30 - 26 minutes - 36.3 MBSo many of my clients have old communication rules they bring into my office. Things like, "Never turn your back to the audience." Or, "Always make eye contact." The problem is, communication rules don't serve you. Great communication is all about timing. What are your communication rules? Give this podcast a listen to learn why you should think about leveling up.
What's Fueling You?
February 07, 2020 10:30 - 19 minutes - 26.4 MBIt's our 50th episode! What is fueling your goals? Are you in a mad panic, rushing toward your intended outcome, or are you calmly taking action toward your goals while at the same time releasing your result? It matters. A lot. Give this podcast a listen to learn why.
The Power of the Flip Chart
January 31, 2020 08:30 - 19 minutes - 27.4 MBWhen it comes to what visuals to use in Opening Statement, if you're not using a flip chart, you're missing out. Give this podcast a listen to find out more. * * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * * * LET THE JURY SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS IN 3 EASY STEPS Aren’t you tired of searching for the shiny new formula for winning? I love you but the truth is: the shit you’re doing with the jury isn’t working. You need to let the jury solve your problems for you. Use my H2H Funnel Method for voir di...
The One Thing Groups Need to Form
January 24, 2020 10:30 - 22 minutes - 30.7 MBGroup formation. It's a big deal. I talk about it a lot; here in the podcast and in the book. But groups really only need one thing to form. Give this podcast a listen to find out what it is.
The Saboteur (And How to Deal With It)
January 17, 2020 10:30 - 31 minutes - 43.5 MBThe saboteur. I kinda love the word, but man, I hate the actual saboteur. You know, that incessant voice in our heads that constantly gets in our way. Here's the problem: we think that voice is us. It isn't. * * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * * * LET THE JURY SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS IN 3 EASY STEPS Aren’t you tired of searching for the shiny new formula for winning? I love you but the truth is: the shit you’re doing with the jury isn’t working. You need to let the jury solve you...
FB Live Episode - How to Help Jurors Write the Ending to Your Client’s Story
January 12, 2020 10:30 - 23 minutes - 32.5 MBMy FB Live from Wednesday 1/08/20 has been uploaded as a bonus podcast episode on the From Hostage To Hero Podcast. This week we discussed "How to Help Jurors Write the Ending to Your Client’s Story." Subscribe in iTunes or in your preferred podcast app to make sure you get all new episodes, and leave us a Review!
Not the Ideal Juror, but the Ideal Group
January 10, 2020 10:30 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MBSo you found your ideal juror. Now what? Won’t identifying them mean they get kicked off? Shouldn’t I “hide” them from opposing counsel? This really is a question about group dynamics. Give this episode a listen to learn why “hiding” them not only is a poor strategy, but why I also think you don’t need to be afraid of showing the other side your ideal jurors.
How to Plan Your Year in 2020
January 03, 2020 10:30 - 22 minutes - 30.7 MBI love planning. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE planning. But. Planning is only successful if you answer these five questions first. Give this episode a listen to learn the five questions you should ask yourself as you go about planning your year.
How to Deal With Pain
December 27, 2019 10:30 - 23 minutes - 32.3 MBIf you've been listening to the podcast, you know I'm all about thought work. You can choose your thoughts, which means you can affect how you feel. But that doesn't mean you'll never experience pain. Pain is a part of life and knowing how to deal with will make a tremendous impact on your success in and out of court. Give this episode a listen to learn about how you cause yourself unnecessary pain and what to do instead.
There are Really Only Three Questions You Need to Follow Up
December 20, 2019 10:30 - 17 minutes - 24.2 MBIf you're working hard to follow up with jurors in voir dire, you're working too hard. There are really only three questions you need to follow up. You're making it too hard my friends. It really is more simple than you think to follow up. Give this episode a listen and put these three questions in your back pocket for the next time you're in voir dire. * * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * * * LET THE JURY SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS IN 3 EASY STEPS Aren’t you tired of searching for th...
How to Navigate Transition
December 13, 2019 10:30 - 23 minutes - 31.6 MBAnyone out there going through a transition? (My hand is raised.) Transitions are hard. But they don't have to be. William Bridges, author of Transitions offers some great insight into the three phases of any transition which I'll break down for you in this episode. Give this episode a listen to learn how to navigate any transition you're experiencing in your life.
BONUS EPISODE - From Hostage to Hero Book Launch Party
December 08, 2019 10:30 - 1 hour - 96.9 MBThis is audio from the virtual Book Launch Party we hosted on Thursday, November 21st. In it, I go through why I wrote From Hostage to Hero, how I wrote it, and how you can get the most out of your reading experience. If you don't have a copy yet, you can place your order HERE.
Your Case in Never About Your Client
December 06, 2019 10:30 - 24 minutes - 33.8 MBYour case is about your client, right? Wrong. Your case is NEVER about your client. Jurors don't find for clients; they take a stand for principles. Figure out what principle was violated by the defendant and clearly communicate that to the jurors. Give this episode a listen to learn how to do that.
How Women Should Behave in Court
November 29, 2019 10:30 - 29 minutes - 39.9 MB"When I communicate authoritatively, I'm called a bitch." "I'm naturally confident, but I'm often viewed as aggressive." "Being a female trial lawyer is so much harder than I thought." Lady lawyers, you are up against it. But the answer isn't to hide who you are. Give this episode a listen to learn what to do instead.
How to Deal with Anger at Trial
November 22, 2019 15:53 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBShould you communicate anger in trial? The answer is a bit complicated. Anger is a natural emotion, but it's also what I call a "cover-up" emotion. There are three reasons you need to be careful when it comes to anger at trial. Give this episode a listen to learn what they are.