From Hostage To Hero

Jurors won’t follow a lawyer who second-guesses. If dread runs your prep… it’s running your case. Break the cycle before it breaks your case. 🎧 Hit play now. Love, Sari 💖   Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Bringing back one of the MOST popular debriefs EVER on my podcast. Scott Maucere had a complex securities fraud case — three state laws, seven claims, and 11 defendants. And he shaped it into a sharp and simple story the jury didn’t JUST understand… they BELIEVED in it. And yes… he brought a pink piggy bank into court, pulled out a hammer and made the jury GASP. 🐷 Verdict?  $2M, including $1M in punitives. Here’s what Scott shares: 👉🏽 HOW he distilled a legal jungle into 3 simple jury rules — so clear they quoted them back in closing. 👉🏽 WHY trying to “persuade” the jury is the wrong move — and what actually works. 👉🏽 WHAT happened when he pulled out a hammer and made the jury gasp. 👉🏽 HOW honest voir dire, designed alliance, and a COVID delay turned strangers into a team. 👉🏽 WHY giving up your “brilliant ideas” might be your smartest move. This episode is PACKED with heart, strategy, and proof that fun and truth still WIN in trial. Love, Sari 💖   Quote:  “You don’t have to be a magician. You don’t have to persuade people that lying is wrong. You just have to give the jury the truth and let them act. I went in with three simple rules: tell the truth, don’t cover things up, and if you do—make it right. We treated the jury with respect, let go of control, and they showed up every single day, even after COVID delays, because they wanted to do the right thing.”  — Scott Maucere Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

Ever walked out of a courtroom feeling defeated and thought, "Maybe I'm not as great as I hoped?" I know you’ve been there. But I want you to remember: 🌟 GREATNESS ISN'T DEFINED BY A VERDICT. 🌟 It’s defined by what you consistently choose to do: 🤝 You show up overprepared — not because you have to, but because you care. 🤝 You don’t just fight uphill battles, you run toward them. 🤝 You turn heartbreak into fuel. Every. Damn. Time. And it's THOSE choices — day after day, trial after trial — that prove your greatness beyond doubt. In this week's episode, I'm handing you undeniable proof that you're already fucking GREAT, and that you don’t need a verdict to prove it. All that's left is for YOU to believe it. 🎧 Hit play now and shut that inner critic up for good. Love, Sari 💖   * * * * JOIN US FOR COMMAND THE COURTROOM: 2-DAY IN-PERSON OPENING MASTERCLASS WITH SARI DE LA MOTTE * * * * 🗓️ Date: June 12th – 13th, 2025 👑 Train, LIVE, with Sari 📍Location: H2H Headquarters (Portland, OR) 💰 Investment: $10K - Expense it to your case! ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT. *spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here: https://sariswears.com/courtroom-master-class-opening/   Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Yeah, I turned 50 three years ago... BUT. Everything I said back then?  Still true.  Maybe truer. This encore episode is about what I’ve learned after five decades of building a life, a business, and a body that BEAT f*cking cancer — and what I REFUSE to do anymore. If you're GRINDING your way to some imaginary finish line… If you're WAITING to enjoy the life you’ve already built… You NEED to hear this. You’re so focused on the end, you’re missing the life happening right NOW. Love, Sari    Quote:  “The point is the journey, my friends. It’s not where we’re headed. It’s not where we think happiness lies. Happiness lies in enjoying the journey.”  — Sari de la Motte   * * * * JOIN US FOR COMMAND THE COURTROOM: 2-DAY IN-PERSON OPENING MASTERCLASS WITH SARI DE LA MOTTE * * * *    🗓️ Date: June 12th – 13th, 2025 👑 Train, LIVE, with Sari 📍Location: H2H Headquarters (Portland, OR) 💰 Investment: $10K - Expense it to your case!   ONLY 12 SPOTS AVAILABLE *spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here: https://sariswears.com/courtroom-master-class-opening/ Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Have you ever realized that every verdict you’ve EVER won started BEFORE you “felt” ready? That is because… ⚡ “READY” is a decision, not a feeling. ⚡ Take this 15-minute power shot and hit the ground running: 1️⃣ Myth-buster: Perfection ≈ Procrastination → Fastest path to regret. 2️⃣ Mind-hack: Swap “someday” for “right f–ing now” by reframing this belief. 3️⃣ Action trigger: A 3-word mantra that karate-chops analysis paralysis right in the throat.  Count backwards from 3, then just. fucking. go.  🏁💨 You got this. I believe in YOU. 🎧 Listen now.   Love, Sari 💖     Quote:  "You get to decide what “ready” means." — Sari de la Motte   * * * * JOIN US FOR COMMAND THE COURTROOM: 2-DAY IN-PERSON OPENING MASTERCLASS WITH SARI DE LA MOTTE * * * *  🗓️ Date: June 12th – 13th, 2025 👑 Train, LIVE, with Sari 📍Location: H2H Headquarters (Portland, OR) 💰 Investment: $10K - Expense it to your case! ONLY 12 SPOTS AVAILABLE *spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here: https://sariswears.com/courtroom-master-class-opening/   Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Hosted by the one and only Kevin de la Motte — my husband, our lead mindset coach, and beloved “Coach K” to the H2H crew. In this powerful episode, Kevin takes on a habit so MANY trial attorneys cling to: over-preparing.  And he shows you how it’s NOT helping your case — in fact, it might be hurting it. Inside, Kevin breaks down: ⚡️ 3 damaging myths about preparation ⚡️ Why you’ll never feel “100% ready” — and why that’s okay ⚡️ What actually wins cases (hint: it’s not your color-coded outline) ⚡️ The mindset practice that can shift everything in the courtroom You’ve got nothing to prove. But you DO have a powerful message to deliver. Let Kevin show you how to show up as the badass you already are. Tune in NOW! 🎙️ Xo, Sari   Quote:    “You think preparation wins cases. It doesn’t win cases—you do. Preparation is important, sure. But what wins cases is YOU. You, fully present. You, connected to your jury. You, believing in your case. That’s more powerful than 14 attorneys and unlimited resources on the other side.”    — Kevin de la Motte   * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury  Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/   * * * * JOIN US FOR COMMAND THE COURTROOM: 2-DAY IN-PERSON OPENING MASTERCLASS WITH SARI DE LA MOTTE * * * *  🗓️ Date: June 2nd - 3rd, 2025 👑 Train, LIVE, with Sari 📍Location: H2H Headquarters (Portland, OR) 💰 Investment: $10K - Expense it to your case! ONLY 12 SPOTS AVAILABLE *spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here: https://sariswears.com/courtroom-master-class-opening/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Website: https://sariswears.com/ Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

In this special episode, Natalie Woodward shares the story of how she landed a 💥 $77.7 MILLION 💥 MED-MAL VERDICT for a mentally ill, drug-addicted plaintiff — one that became the LARGEST in Georgia’s state history. READ THAT AGAIN. If you’re ready to shatter old stereotypes and deliver results that surpass even your wildest asks, THIS is the game plan you need. 🎧 Listen now and discover how to turn what they call “impossible” into your next big win. 🏆 Xo, Sari   Quote:  "That's what we talk about in H2H: you've got to own your number. This is exactly how we teach our clients to deal with the money issue in wrongful death cases, by talking about what it means—what does that verdict mean? Here, it meant that your verdict is a statement about mental health and addiction issues. When you communicate that clearly, it resonates with the jury and builds trust. It transforms a trial into a message that can change the way we view mental health care and substance abuse treatment." — Sari de la Motte   * * * * JOIN US FOR COMMAND THE COURTROOM: 2-DAY IN-PERSON OPENING MASTERCLASS WITH SARI DE LA MOTTE * * * *  🗓️ Date: June 2nd - 3rd, 2025 👑 Train, LIVE, with Sari 📍Location: H2H Headquarters (Portland, OR) 💰 Investment: $10K - Expense it to your case! ONLY 12 SPOTS AVAILABLE *spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here: https://sariswears.com/courtroom-master-class-opening/   Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

So, you think you nailed your voir dire… Jurors are bonding with you, they’re engaged, and it feels like a REAL conversation instead of a STALE Q&A.  Then, OUT OF NOWHERE, one juror starts “helpfully” suggesting random facts they believe you need. If you’ve ever seen a NEAR-PERFECT VOIR DIRE get blindsided by off-topic tangents, this episode is for YOU.   We’re diving into H2H strategies like: 🎯 Stop, Start, String – The ULTIMATE TRIFECTA to smoothly steer jurors back on track. 🎯 Devil’s Advocate Tone – How to raise the defense’s argument without confusing your jury. 🎯 Embracing Objections – Because a lively group discussion often riles up the defense, and that’s a GOOD SIGN. Jurors mean well, but if you’re not CAREFUL, their “help” can blow up your ENTIRE opening strategy.  WANT TO KEEP YOUR MASTERPIECE VOIR DIRE FROM BACKFIRING? Tune in NOW and learn how to nudge jurors back on track WITHOUT KILLING the connection you’ve built. Xo, Sari   Mentions: FHTH Episode #30 – How to Use the Devil’s Advocate Question Quote:  “There are three things I always teach when I talk about how to facilitate, especially when the conversation starts going the wrong way: Stop, Start, or String. ‘Stop’ means you tell the juror, ‘I’m going to stop you right there,’ and clarify it’s irrelevant or not part of the case. ‘Start’ means you shift the focus with a new question or direction. ‘String’ means you connect a piece of what they said to what actually matters. With these three techniques, you keep the discussion productive and aligned with your case.” — Sari de la Motte   * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury    Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Let’s get one thing straight: Time isn’t your problem. You don’t need another planner, color-coded calendar, or “productivity hack.” What do you NEED?  A complete rewire of how you think about time — and yourself. In this episode, I’m calling bullshit on the time management cult and sharing what actually works when you’re ready to stop living in overwhelm and start creating the life you actually want. If you’ve ever said, “I just need to get through this day/week/month,” this episode is for you. Listen now 🎧 Xo, Sari   Quote:  "You don’t have a time management problem. You have a ‘doing too much sht you don’t want to do’ problem. The moment you stop cramming your life with tasks you hate and start filling it with things that light you up—that’s when everything changes. That’s when time stops feeling like the enemy and starts working for you." - Sari * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury  Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

Ever dread facing awkward courtroom moments or uncomfortable topics with jurors? 🥴  You're not alone. I recently sat down with Heather Mitchell — a total badass trial lawyer who won a whopping $7.5 million medical malpractice verdict.  Her secret?  Bravely tackling tough topics like HPV, sexual history, and invisible injuries head-on.  Heather shares how she moved past her fear of awkward courtroom silence (cue crickets).  She reveals exactly HOW she shut down the potential "slut-shaming" defense before it got started.  Heather proves that vulnerability and authenticity aren't weaknesses — they’re your greatest strengths in court.  Listen now 🎧  Xo, Sari   Quote:  "Fear is the saboteur. You have to get all those fears out of your head and remember there's always two cases: the one you litigated, and the one you actually try. A lot of what you're worried about won't even come out at trial. Letting go of that fear and believing in your jury—that’s everything."  — Heather Mitchell * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury  Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/