Sari Swears

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/

The truth is, facts ALONE won't get you the 6-FIGURE WINNING VERDICT. If your voice is stuck in monotone (which I know most of y'all are guilty of, because that's one of the very first things we work on… AHEM!), you're handing your jury an invitation to… MENTALLY. CHECK. THE. FUCK. OUT. In this episode, we break down how to harness genuine emotion by diving into the minor mindset shifts and vocal tweaks that transform bland openings into compelling, authentic, jury-winning stories. Tune in and learn exactly how to dial up the emotion (without tipping into full-blown theatrics) and MASTER the sweet spot that moves jurors from PASSIVE LISTENERS to ACTIVE BELIEVERS. Xo, Sari Mentions: On Becoming a Trial Lawyer – Rick Friedman Quote: "You want big verdicts? You've got to go there emotionally. This is why the Crew exists, by the way. A big reason. Because we know that figuring out how to put an opening statement together or which voir dire questions to ask is just the start. That alone won't get you where you need to go. 'Let me put some emotion in my voice' is not going to do it. Why? Because you're never going to put emotion in your voice until you feel you're able to risk emotionally and be vulnerable. That's what it takes." — 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/

This week, I'm talking with Jody Moore, a powerhouse trial lawyer who hit a breaking point and had to ask herself: 👉🏼 Is it possible to be a successful attorney without sacrificing my sanity? Here's what we're covering: ✅ The real reason most trial lawyers burn out (hint: it's not the workload). ✅ How to stop feeling like you have to "do it all" and still kick ass in the courtroom. ✅ Why making small shifts internally can completely transform your career — and your life. Jody went from overwhelm and exhaustion to building a practice that ACTUALLY works for her life. If you're ready to do the same, you don't want to miss this episode. Xo, Sari Quote: "I kept thinking the answer to burnout was external—hire more people, take fewer cases, change something out there. But what I really had to do was look inward. Why was I overworking in the first place? Why did I feel like I had to prove something by pushing myself to exhaustion? Once I figured that out, everything started to shift." Jody Moore * * * * 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 catch yourself bending over backwards to seem perfect — only to feel like a phony anyway? Sara Williams once said, "Freedom is understanding that you cannot control how other people perceive you," Stop letting external opinions define your self-worth. I'm gonna say it again. 🔥STOP LETTING EXTERNAL OPINIONS DEFINE YOUR SELF-WORTH🔥 This week's episode is all about saying goodbye to that mental straitjacket. Ready to stop hustling for approval and start trusting yourself? 🎧 Hit play now and hear how small mindset tweaks change your entire legal game. Xo, Sari Quote: "It takes work. We, as lawyers, need to talk more about therapy and mindset, because lawyering is more than knowing how to question a witness or structure an opening. To be more effective, you have to understand who you really are and get control of your mindset. That's what I love about H2H. If we're going to change the culture, we have to challenge ourselves to break free of that old-school path and really do the deep work, which makes us better advocates for our clients." — Sara Williams * * * * 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/

In today's podcast, I'm diving into why documented processes (yeah, those boring SOPs you've been avoiding) are actually the secret to scaling your practice and getting your damn life back. 🚫 Stop micromanaging. 🚫 Stop re-explaining. ✅ Start running your firm like a CEO. Xo, Sari Mentions: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks Quote: 'Why can't people read my mind?' I mean, you don't say that, but that's really what you're wanting people to do. And so my answer to that is, because you haven't told them how to read your mind. Here is the big secret when it comes to getting people to read your mind: write it the fuck down. There it is. If you want people to be able to read your mind, you've got to write it down." – 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/

Most attorneys think their job is to present information to the jury. But here's the truth: presenting isn't enough — you NEED to perform. The best trial attorneys don't JUST deliver a case. They OWN the courtroom, COMMAND attention, and MOVE jurors to action. Here's what we're covering: 💡 The four levels of trial presentation — and why most attorneys never reach the final stage. 🛑 Why writing out your opening statement could be quietly killing your persuasion. 🔥 How to stop "presenting" and start connecting with jurors so they take action. Most attorneys get stuck trying to "get it right." But when you MASTER this approach, you STOP performing for jurors and START influencing them. Tune in now 🎧 Xo, Sari Quote: "If you think your job is just to present information to the jury, you're already losing. Jurors don't give a shit about your polished script or perfect delivery — they care about how you make them feel. If you want to win, stop performing for them and start connecting with them." 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 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/

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/