
From Hostage To Hero
Sari 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.
Latest episodes

Feb 14, 2025 • 16min
Encore Episode: Voir Dire Done Right – Jury Selection Strategies to Win Over Jurors
Ever found yourself scrambling to come up with voir dire questions and hoping they land Stop. Right. There. Asking, “What should I ask in voir dire?” is like asking “What turn should I take?” without knowing where you’re headed. Before you focus on the questions, you need to know the destination. In this power-packed 15-minute episode, we’re breaking down how to craft a voir dire strategy that actually inspires jurors to take action in favor of your case instead of leaving them confused or disengaged. 🎙️ Tune in and fix your voir dire strategy today. Xo, Sari Quote: “Asking yourself, ‘What should I ask in voir dire?’ is not the question. The question you need to ask is, ‘Where am I going?’ Or, as Sari says, ‘What principle are you driving to?’ Before you even sit down and start writing your voir dire questions, I want you to think, ‘What do I want my jurors to give me? What am I sourcing from them?’ Have an endpoint. It’s kind of like going, ‘Where should I go? Should I turn right or should I turn left on a road trip?’” — 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/

Feb 7, 2025 • 32min
Encore Episode: Mastering Voir Dire - Effective Strategies for Discussing Monetary Damages with Jurors
Should you talk about money in voir dire? Before you panic and say, “No way, Sari! That’s too risky!” — HEAR ME OUT. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most controversial questions in jury selection: Should you tell jurors the number you’re asking for? Spoiler alert: I usually say yes. BUT, (and it’s a big but) HOW and WHEN you bring it up makes all the difference. Here’s what we’re covering: 💰 Why saying the number early could backfire (and when it actually works in your favor). 💰 How to get jurors to justify your number themselves — instead of rejecting it. 💰 The secret to making a big ask (I’m talking $100M+) feel completely reasonable. The truth is, most attorneys are scared to say the number. And I get it. But if you own it, if you believe it, the jury will believe it too. Xo, Sari Quote: "If it’s a huge number, like $100 million, I’m going to suggest you throw it out there—but systematically, at the right time. When you do it right, jurors don’t just accept the number, they start justifying it themselves." 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/

Jan 31, 2025 • 16min
Encore Episode: Voir Dire & Preponderance – Expert Strategies for Trial Attorneys to Persuade and Win
Let’s talk about the preponderance of the evidence. You know, the thing that’s supposed to make your job easier but somehow ends up confusing the hell out of your jury? 🤯 In this week’s episode, you’ll learn how to STOP shooting yourself in the foot during voir dire. 🎙️ Tune in and fix your voir dire strategy today. Xo, Sari "So if what they want is to really be sure before they hand over this money—which again, yes, it’s not their money, but they’re in charge of it for all intents and purposes—and what they want to be able to spend it or allow it to be spent is to be sure, let’s do things that make them sure. Let’s remove their objections and their doubts. And as you know, if you follow me, the best place to do that is in voir dire." — 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/

Jan 24, 2025 • 20min
Encore Episode - My Most Favorite Time Management Tool Ever
You know that endless to-do list that never stops chasing you? Yeah, I ditched that ages ago. Instead, I’ve found a system that’s SAVED my sanity — and my schedule. Here’s what we’re covering in the episode: ⏰Why working against your natural energy cycles is setting you up for burnout. ⏰How to schedule your time first (yes, before work and everyone else). ⏰The genius way I’ve stopped letting random tasks derail my day. Spoiler alert: this system has helped me stay productive while working less than 40 hours a week, even with a growing business and all the life chaos. Oh, and if you’re juggling ALL the things and thinking, “There’s no way I could make this work,” let me tell you — YOU CAN. (I’ve even got my time blocked for Netflix binges. Priorities, people!) Tune in now and learn how to reclaim your time and your life. 🎧 Xo, Sari P.S. Have you tried time mapping? If you’re inspired after the episode, reply back and let me know how you plan to map YOUR time — I’d love to hear! Quote: “Now, what's really important about this is when I see what's left for work, I get real clear, real fast about what I'm going to say yes to. Because I know I only have 30-ish hours a week to work and you might think, oh my God, Sari, how could you get shit done? Because I get really choosy about what I am saying yes to and I get focused. When I know I only have 30 hours a week, I get shit done.” * * * * 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/

Jan 17, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 277 - [TRIAL DEBRIEF] A $20 Million Med Mal Verdict: Lessons for Every Trial Attorney (with Nick Loizzi and Shauna Reitz)
“This case was a mess — so many moving parts, we were overwhelmed. But H2H changed everything. With Sari and Jody’s help, we turned that chaos into a $20 MILLION DOLLAR verdict.” — Nick and Shauna 🌪️ A med mal case tangled in chaos? CHECK. 💰 A $10 MILLION DOLLAR offer mid-trial? DECLINED. 💪 Confidence in their prep and jury? UNSHAKEABLE. Nick and Shauna didn’t just survive the storm — they CONQUERED the fuck out of it. Need I say more? Listen NOW and learn how a high-stakes med mal case turned into a career-defining win! Xo, Sari Mentions: Gerry Spence | 3-Week Program Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Quote: "Mindset was the anchor that kept us steady during the storm. Recognizing and naming our fears didn’t make them disappear, but it allowed us to take control and refocus. We shifted to trust—trust in ourselves, trust in our preparation, and trust in the jury. That confidence transformed how we presented our case. The work we did on our mindset wasn’t just part of the process; it was the reason we walked into that courtroom ready to win." — Nick Loizzi * * * * 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/

Jan 10, 2025 • 48min
Ep. 276 - [TRIAL DEBRIEF] How Anna Martinez Turned a $75k Offer into an $890,000 Verdict
Let’s talk about mindset shifts that ACTUALLY WIN TRIALS. Anna Martinez ditched the fear-driven playbook and leaned into the POWER of juror connection. The result? 🎯 A CAREER-BOOSTING WIN. In this week’s episode, Anna breaks down the H2H strategies that led her to a confident, concise, and powerful case presentation: ✨ Step 1: Make voir dire count. Anna turned the awkward Q&A into a real conversation, making jurors feel respected, heard, and ready to stand behind her client. 🧠 Step 2: Simplify, simplify, simplify. Even with a case about drainage systems (not exactly Netflix material), Anna broke it down into a compelling narrative jurors could relate to and follow with ease. 🏠 Step 3: Show, don’t just tell. Using the “Damages House” framework from the brilliant Christy Crowe Childers (or TRIPLE C 💪 as I like to call her), Anna made every loss feel tangible, real, and impossible to overlook. If you’re TIRED of overwhelm, fear, and overcomplicating your trial strategies, THIS is the episode that will change your game. Xo, Sari Mentions: 12 Heroes, 1 Voice Anatomy of Lies The articles Quote: “One of the things that I said is, well—what would Sari say?—‘What do you want to know from the jurors, Anna?’ I thought, ‘Oh, I know what I want to know. I want to know how many jurors here help people. Why is it important to help people? Why would you want to help people? That’s just out of the goodness of your heart. Basically, do you want to protect people and help them? Is that your spirit? Is that your heart?’ I want to find those people and put them on my jury.” — Anna Martinez * * * * 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/

Jan 3, 2025 • 47min
Ep. 275 - [TRIAL DEBRIEF] Introduced to H2H on Friday, Trial on Monday, 7 Figure Verdict on Thursday, WHAT!?!?
Join Frank Fratello, a Florida and Georgia trial attorney who recently snagged a stunning $2.1 million verdict after Sari de la Motte's training. He shares his rapid journey from learning the H2H Method to executing it flawlessly in court. Frank reveals how he skillfully engaged a skeptical jury facing daunting challenges, including no visible injuries and rejecting a million-dollar offer. His insights on trusting jurors and navigating high-stakes decisions offer an inspiring masterclass in courtroom confidence and strategy.

Dec 20, 2024 • 27min
Ep. 274 - Protecting Your Mental Energy: A Holiday Survival Guide for Trial Lawyers
Let’s be real — holidays aren’t all twinkling lights and cozy vibes. In this week’s episode, we’re diving into 7 strategies to protect your energy during the holiday chaos. Here’s a sneak peek: 🎯 How to Say No: Without guilt. Without drama. Without over-explaining. 🎯 How to create boundaries that keep you sane and stress-free. 🎯 Why the “Grey Rock” technique is a lifesaver for dealing with toxic relatives. 🎯 How to find joy without bending over backward to meet everyone else’s expectations. Protect your energy, ditch the guilt, and learn how to actually enjoy the season. 🎄✨ 🎧 Ready to protect your peace? Listen now 👇🏽 Xo, Sari Mentions: Grey Rock Technique Quote: "Joy isn’t a to-do list item. Joy is something you need to notice. It’s something that’s in the ether that just bypasses us unless we’re looking for it. I have a personal mantra right now: 'I create space for joy.' We tend to think we don’t have time for joy, but once you create that space, you have more opportunities to find it. Look for it in those messy, funny moments, like when the flour spills on the floor and the dogs get powdery noses. Find the moments. They’re there if you look." — 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/

4 snips
Dec 13, 2024 • 36min
Ep. 273 - Non-Economic Damages Made Easy With Christy Crowe Childers
Christy Crowe Childers, a leading expert in trucking law and soon-to-be-published author, shares her innovative 'Damages House' strategy to help jurors analyze non-economic damages. She reveals how this visual framework simplifies the complex task of assigning value to emotional pain in trials. The discussion also emphasizes storytelling and understanding juror psychology, focusing on how metaphorical language can create impactful connections. With expert insights on trial techniques, Childers is ready to change the game in legal presentations!

Dec 6, 2024 • 32min
Ep. 272 - How to Get What You Need in a Deposition (SPECIAL GUESTS: Coach Jody and Coach Marlo)
I sat down with Coach Jody and Coach Marlo to discuss a smarter and more intentional way to tackle depositions. MOST attorneys are doing them on autopilot, and we’re here to show you HOW to approach them with purpose and creativity. Here’s what we cover: ➡ WHY fact-finding depos alone are holding you back and how to flip the narrative. ➡ THE DIFFERENCE between being reactive and proactive in depo prep. (Spoiler: one gets you better results.) ➡ HOW to bring the same clarity and confidence from voir dire into depos. ➡ WHY collaboration will always beat going it alone — EVERY TIME. Hit play NOW and start rethinking your depositions. Xo, Sari Quote: "If I’m the director at trial, I’m also the director in the deposition. I want to direct where we’re going, not just follow where the witness leads me. Strategic depo work is how cases shift." -Coach Jody * * * * 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/