Sari Swears

If you've been listening to the podcast for a while, you probably know me as Coach K. While Sari is taking a well-deserved sabbatical, I'll be stepping in each week to share some of the mindset work I do with trial attorneys every day. If we haven't met yet, I'm Kevin de la Motte, mindset coach here at H2H. This week's episode is about something I see constantly with attorneys: Overwhelm. Not the kind that comes from having too much on your calendar. The kind that seems to follow you everywhere, even when you finally cross things off your list. Here's the surprising part: Most overwhelm isn't created by your workload. It's created by your brain's survival instinct. In this episode, I walk through: Why your brain defaults to overwhelm How slowing down actually gives you more control A simple breathing practice to calm your nervous system Why reminding yourself, "I have choice here," changes everything The journaling questions I use every day to stay grounded The goal isn't to eliminate discomfort. It's to stop letting discomfort make your decisions for you. If you've been feeling like you're constantly pushing through, I think this episode will give you a different way to approach it. See you next week, Coach K Resources:  Listen to the Two Windows Visualization and download the Four Square Breathing Exercise worksheet that I referenced throughout the episode.  If you'd like to dive deeper, I also highly recommend the two books that inspired much of this conversation: Your Survival Instinct Is Killing You by Marc Schoen Don't Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen Quote:  "The goal isn't to eliminate discomfort. It's to stop letting discomfort make your decisions. When you slow down, calm your nervous system, and choose thoughts that serve you instead of reacting from fear, you become a better trial lawyer—and a better human being."  Coach K 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

Ever feel like you're carrying around a heaviness you can't quite explain? Maybe you're exhausted, distracted, or constantly thinking about something that happened months or even years ago. Maybe you can't figure out why it's so hard to move forward. This week's podcast might explain it. Coach K and I are talking about something we don't do very well as humans: completion. We rush from one thing to the next. We don't celebrate our wins. We avoid difficult endings. We leave conversations unfinished. We never fully process losses, transitions, or even really great moments. And then we wonder why we feel stuck. In this episode, we talk about: Why endings often feel like failures How unfinished experiences create emotional and mental clutter Why completion is essential for learning and growth Practical rituals and conversations that can help you let go and move forward The question to ask yourself if life feels heavy right now: What in my life remains incomplete? Listen to the episode and let me know what comes up for you. Love, Sari   Quote:  "If you're feeling heavy and if you're feeling stuck, you might look at what is left incomplete in your life. Because if you go back and start intentionally completing those things, you're going to start feeling lighter right away." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

Most lawyers would have taken the $400,000… The plaintiff had healed. No surgery. Relatively modest medical bills. Plenty of risk heading into trial. But attorney Matthew Wilson saw something bigger. In this episode of Sari Swears, Matthew breaks down how he turned down the highest offer in the case, took it to verdict, and watched a jury return $1.8 million. More importantly, he shares what changed his approach in the courtroom. For years, voir dire was the part of trial that terrified him most. Then he started doing something different—having real conversations with jurors instead of relying on the same old script. In this episode, you'll hear: How a "small" injury case became a seven-figure verdict The overlooked damages that resonated with jurors What focus groups revealed about suing a city How authenticity changed Matthew's entire approach to voir dire The moment he realized jurors don't need perfection—they need a real person And perhaps the most powerful part of the story isn't the verdict itself. 😉 Love, Sari

Today marks five years since the day I learned there was no more cancer in my body. It's a milestone that means more to me than I can put into words. In this week's podcast episode, I'm sharing the full story—from the diagnosis that changed everything, to the moments I was certain I couldn't do it, to the people who carried me through when I couldn't carry myself. It's a story about hope, gratitude, and what it means to keep going when you don't know how the story ends. If you've ever walked through a hard season—or loved someone who has—I hope you'll listen. 💖 Love, Sari   Quote:  "There were many times during treatment when I would look at Kevin and say, 'Tell me how it goes.' I needed him to tell me the story of a future I couldn't see for myself. And every time, he would paint a picture of survival, healing, and getting our life back." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

One of the most common mistakes I see attorneys make in voir dire is unintentionally putting jurors in the wrong seat. When jurors answer your questions, they're automatically imagining themselves in that situation—and their brains are looking for ways they would have avoided the outcome. That's not because they're against you. It's because that's how people are wired. In this week's podcast, I break down: What it means to put jurors in the right seat How defensive attribution shapes juror thinking Why some questions accidentally create defense arguments How to structure questions that generate plaintiff-friendly principles It's a simple concept that can completely change the answers you get in voir dire. Love, Sari P.S. If you're ready to go deeper on voir dire, join me June 17–18 in Portland for my live Voir Dire Masterclass. We'll workshop your actual case, build stronger funnels, and help you avoid the common mistakes that can derail jury selection. → Grab Your Seat NOW: https://sariswears.com/voir-dire   Quote: "When jurors hear a story involving danger, their brains automatically place themselves into that situation and start looking for all the ways they would have avoided the outcome. That's not because they're against you. It's because that's exactly how the human brain is designed to work." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

You want the breakthrough. You want the next level. What if the thing keeping you stuck isn't your trial skills, but the habits driving them? In this week's podcast episode, I'm breaking down the hidden thought patterns and old wiring that keep trial lawyers operating on autopilot—even when they desperately want change. We're talking about: why success still feels hard the habit of overworking how "authenticity" can become an excuse the money stories running your life and the real reason transformation feels so uncomfortable Because here's the truth: What got you here won't get you there. Love, Sari     Quote:  "What got you here is not going to get you there… and what got you here are the habits that you created a long time ago. Those habits sometimes have a voice. That's the saboteur that we've talked about. But oftentimes, the problem is not that we have the habits, it's the fact that we don't uncover the habits. We don't even know that they are there." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Most lawyers focus on how to argue damages. Very few spend enough time truly understanding the loss. And jurors can feel that. In this week's episode, I break down the 3 components every damages argument needs: Understanding the loss Valuing the loss Communicating the loss We also talk about: Why metaphor matters How small stories hit harder than big explanations A simple framework I use to think about non-economic damages Because damages aren't about formulas. They're about helping jurors understand what was taken. Love, Sari P.S. If this episode hit home for you, my live webinar on May 28th is going even deeper into how the H2H Method™ helps jurors connect to what actually matters in trial. We're going beyond the FHTH book and into what works in today's courtrooms.Register now → sariswears.com/webinar   Quote: "When everything says trial should be this very formal, sterile process, we have to fight against that. It's a very human process. The things jurors talk about in voir dire — family, health, purpose, connection — those are the exact things your plaintiff lost." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

Today is my 54th birthday, which honestly feels surreal to say out loud. And it got me reflecting on how I somehow went from being a classically trained pianist… to becoming the "Queen of Voir Dire." There was no grand plan. No moment where I suddenly felt ready. Just a series of moments where my want became bigger than my worry. In this week's podcast, I share the full story of how I found this work, the risks I took before I could afford to take them, the mentors who changed my life, and the 7 biggest lessons I've learned over the last 24+ years. But more than anything, this episode is about what happens when you stop waiting for certainty and start trusting what you really want. And THANK YOU for being part of this community and this journey with me. 💖 Love, Sari P.S. Speaking of becoming the "Queen of Voir Dire"… I just announced a brand new live webinar happening May 28th! We're going beyond the FHTH book and into how the H2H Voir Dire method performs in today's courtrooms. Register now → sariswears.com/webinar   Quote: "The people who change their lives aren't the ones with the perfect roadmap. They're the ones willing to keep going before they know exactly how it all works out." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

You're spending your voir dire on the wrong thing. And it's not subtle. You're trying to get ahead of the defense's argument—funneling defense points, repeating their story, mapping out everything wrong with what they might bring up. Meanwhile, your jury is soaking up defense point after defense point. That's the problem. Because what you give airtime to, they give weight to. In this week's podcast, I break down the 4 topics you should avoid in voir dire, because they quietly hand power to the other side (even when you think you're doing it right). Love, Sari P.S. If you want to go deeper on this, join me LIVE on May 28th for my Beyond the Book Webinar. I'll walk you through the H2H Method™ and how it actually works in real cases and you can even bring your own case for live feedback. Register NOW → sariswears.com/webinar

You might be asking the wrong questions. Not bad ones.  Just ones that never get past small talk. And if that's happening in your voir dire… you're missing the moment where jurors actually connect. Because connection doesn't come from: "Where are you from?" "What do you do?" "Have you ever…?" It comes from something deeper. From getting jurors to talk about what they value and actually staying there long enough for it to mean something. Most attorneys don't do this. Not because they don't care… but because they've never been shown how. And that gap? It shows up later in your damages. Coach K and I break all of this down in this week's podcast: What a resonant conversation actually is Why it changes the way jurors see your case And how to start shifting your questions (without it feeling forced or awkward) If your jury feels a little disconnected… this is likely why. Love, Sari Download FREE Worksheet Quote:  "What we're really wanting from our jurors is to invest in the process. And the best time to do that is in voir dire — when they can talk about themselves and what they value… because at its core, what our plaintiff attorneys are fighting for are human values, things that we all care about. And that's what was taken in every single case."  Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

I'm seeing this a lot lately, so let me say it straight: If your case feels too simple, you're probably FINALLY getting it right. You keep trying to add more: more detail, more explanation, more persuasion. But jurors don't need more. They need clarity. When you hit the point where someone hears your case and thinks, "Well… duh," that's the sweet spot. Because "duh" means: It's common sense It's easy to understand It's hard to argue with And most importantly, it triggers the question you want: "If it's so obvious… why didn't they do it?" That's where your power is. Not in being clever. Not in making it complex. In making it undeniable. So if part of you is thinking, "This feels too basic…" Good. Lean in. Love, Sari   Quote:  "If your case makes someone think, 'Well, duh,' that's when you know you've got it right. It means it's clear, it's common sense, and it's something no one can argue with. That's where your power is — not in being clever, but in being undeniable." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

Have you ever caught yourself thinking: "Why does everything feel so overwhelming lately?" It might not be your caseload. It might not be your schedule. It might be this: You're making thousands of decisions every single day. Big ones. Small ones. Constant ones. And it's draining you. In this week's episode, I break down the exact tools I use to cut through decision fatigue, so you can STOP spinning and START moving. Here's a quick look: Why "just thinking about it" keeps you stuck (and what actually works instead) How to create a personal litmus test so decisions become automatic The simple shift that instantly reduces overwhelm (hint: zoom out) Because the goal isn't to make more decisions. It's to make fewer and better ones. If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or mentally tapped out… this one's for you. Love, Sari P.S. If you're stuck between options right now, don't overthink it, grab the free decision-making download and work through it step-by-step: https://sariswears.com/decisions   Quote:  "The average person makes like 35,000 decisions a day… and for trial attorneys, you're making more high-stakes decisions than most people. All of these decisions lead to overwhelm." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

Have YOU ever thought: "I don't think I want to do this anymore." Not forever. Not dramatically. Just… quietly, in the back of your mind. In this week's episode, I sat down with Coach K to talk about why so many trial attorneys hit this exact point. And no, you're not alone. 😉 What we've seen time and time again is this: It's not that you actually want to quit… It's that you can't keep doing it the way you've been doing it. Doing everything yourself. Carrying too much. Feeling stuck in a system that's draining you. And here's the shift… That moment where you start questioning everything? That's not the end. It's the turning point. Inside the episode, Coach K and I break down: Why this feeling is so common for trial attorneys (even my Masterminds) The problem in tackling everything alone And how to shift out of this mindset If you've been on the edge of quitting, this one is for you. Love, Sari    Quote:  "I don't think I want to be a trial attorney anymore… or it's, 'I don't know, I might be crazy for saying this, but I've been wondering if I even want to do this anymore.' We hear that all the time. And out of all the hundreds of trial attorneys we've worked with… almost none of them actually quit." Coach K 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

I'm bringing this episode back because this question keeps coming up: "How do I explain my number for non-economic damages?" And here's the truth… You don't. At least not the way most attorneys try to. There is no real formula for non-economic damages. And when you try to force one… jurors can feel that it's not real. What they're actually looking for is much simpler: Do YOU believe the number you're asking for? In this episode, I walk through: The difference between price vs. value Why jurors don't need a calculation And how to present your number in a way they'll trust If you want to actually practice this, my Damages Masterclass is happening THIS June, and this is exactly what we work on. It's small group, hands-on, and designed to change how you show up in court. Give the episode a listen, and if this is something you've struggled with, come work through it with me in June. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari    Quote:  "You're all looking for formulas, tricks, and techniques—but that's not what's going to win the day. What wins is when you stand in front of a jury, fully own your number, and they believe you—not because of your calculation, but because you've made believers out of them."  Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

This is my most listened-to podcast episode… ever. 🤯 So I'm bringing it back. If you've ever thought: "I don't have enough time in voir dire" "This judge limits us" "I can't get through everything I want" This episode is for you. Because the truth is, you don't need more time. You need to focus on the right things. In this episode, I walk you through the three principles you MUST get from jurors: 👉🏽 People should take responsibility when they hurt someone 👉🏽 Money holds people responsible 👉🏽 Money can help That's it. If jurors say these out loud, they begin to align. And when they align, your job gets a whole lot easier. This is the foundation. Whether you have 20 minutes or two hours, THIS is what matters. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari   Quote:  "We are not trying to convince the jury to believe anything. These are things they already believe. Our job is to bring those beliefs into the room so jurors can rally around them and when they do, they solve the case for us." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

What if the issue isn't your case… but HOW you're thinking about the jury? Most lawyers won't say this out loud, but it's happening. You're asking the jury to do MORE than their job. Not just decide the case, but decide if you're good enough. If they rule in your favor → you feel validated. If they don't → you question everything. That's the trap. Because the jury's job is simple: hold bad actors accountable. That's it. They are NOT there to: 🚫 Like you 🚫 Validate you 🚫 Prove you're a good lawyer And the moment you start needing that from them… YOU stop serving them and start trying to get something from them. They can feel that. 🙅🏽‍♀️Stop asking, "What do they think of me?" ✅Start asking, "How can I help them do their job?" That's where everything changes. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari   Quote:  "You are giving them the job of making you feel good about yourself. That is not their job. So much of your self-worth is tied up in whether these six or eight or twelve people like you… and that is dangerous." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

One of our H2H™ crew members, Chrissy Hagen, recently tried a medical malpractice case that resulted in a defense verdict. After trial, she reached out with a great question: Should we be spending MORE time addressing defense points during trial? In this episode, we talk through: 👉🏽 The med mal case involving a delayed prostate cancer diagnosis 👉🏽 What Chrissy heard from jurors after the verdict 👉🏽 Why some jurors admitted they "flipped" during deliberations 👉🏽 The concept of defensive attribution and how it shows up in trials 👉🏽 And the bigger lesson: WHY framing matters more than time spent on defense points As we dug into the case, something important emerged. The real issue in this case wasn't just the delayed diagnosis. It was agency. A doctor making a decision for a patient instead of giving that patient the information needed to make the decision themselves. And when you find the real piss-off point for jurors, everything about how you frame the case can change. If you've ever walked out of a courtroom wondering what happened in that verdict room, this episode is for you.  Tune in NOW! 🎧

What's actually motivating you in trial? 🤔 Is it love for your client? Love for justice? Love for the craft? Or is it fear? Fear of screwing up. Fear of missing something. Fear of not being good enough. In this week's episode, I'm back with Coach K talking about why so many trial attorneys are fueled by self-criticism and WHY that strategy quietly burns you out. We break down: 👉🏽 Why being hard on yourself doesn't create excellence 👉🏽 Why replaying mistakes reinforces them 👉🏽 How fear-based motivation keeps you stuck 👉🏽 And what happens when you shift to love instead Because fear constricts. Love expands. And what you focus on, you create. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari    Quote:  "Whatever's motivating you is what's going to move you forward. If it's fulfilling, resonant, exciting — that's the energy you want behind your work. But if it's beating yourself up, focusing on failure, working long hours until you can't think anymore — that's the wrong motivation. It's going to drag you down. You won't be fulfilled. You won't feel joy. And it's not sustainable." Coach K 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Let's talk about the voice in your head. The one that says: "You should settle." "You're not ready." "If you lose, you're exposed." That's NOT wisdom. That's your saboteur and it's trying to keep you "safe." In this week's episode, I break down: 🤨 What the saboteur really is 🤨 Why your brain resists growth 🤨 The 7-step process to stop self-sabotaging your trials (BONUS: Free downloadable prep sheet)  👉🏽 Download FREE 7 Step Process Prep Sheet 👈🏽 You can't stop thoughts from entering your brain. But you CAN decide what to do with them. Start growing the box. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari    Quote:  "You cannot stop thoughts from entering your brain. That's not how the brain works. But you can be intentional about what you do with the thought once it's there. You can decide: this thought is here — what do I want to do with it? Because when you don't decide, the saboteur decides for you."  Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

You ever feel like your brain just… won't cooperate? 😣 You're overwhelmed. You're reactive. You're exhausted by 3:00 PM. You can't focus the way you know you should be able to. And then you beat yourself up for it. In this week's podcast, Coach K and I are talking about something that might hit closer to home than you expect: Why SO many trial lawyers operate like they have ADHD (even if they don't). We break down: 👉🏽 What actually happens when your prefrontal cortex gets hijacked 👉🏽 Why chronic stress mirrors ADHD symptoms 👉🏽 The connection between overwhelm, impulse control, and addiction 👉🏽 The three things you can start doing immediately to get your brain back online If you've ever thought: "Why can't I just get it together?" This episode is for YOU. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari    Kevins ADHD Coach: https://lyndahoffman.com/ Quote:  "The brain fog and overwhelm that happens with ADHD — it takes so much more work just to do basic tasks. By the end of the day, you're exhausted. And there are a lot of times where you're just tapping out like, 'I can't do this anymore.' That can feed addiction or whatever coping mechanism you reach for. And it's very reminiscent of an attorney, because trial attorneys have that same brain fog, that same fatigue, that same overwhelm because of their jobs — even if they don't have ADHD." Coach K 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/    

Michael was here in Portland for our January Masterclass… so of COURSE I had to take the opportunity to sit down with him in the podcast room. 😉 Michael Cowen is a trial lawyer, firm owner, author of Big Rig Justice, AND host of Trial Lawyer Nation. We talk about: 👉🏽 His path from Wall Street litigator to plaintiff trial lawyer 👉🏽 The evolution of his practice (and his firm) over the years 👉🏽 What shifted when he focused on the internal work (not just trial tactics) 👉🏽 Why loving trial is very different from simply getting through trial It's a grounded, honest conversation about growth, professionally and personally, and what it REALLY takes to keep getting better in this work. If you care about mastery, you'll want to listen. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari    Quote:  "I could do all the trial techniques in the world. I could memorize other people's openings and copy their moves. But none of it would matter until I fixed myself. When I didn't trust the jury, when I didn't trust myself, that came through — in my tone, in my body language, in my eyes. And if they don't trust you, they shouldn't trust you. The shift for me was learning to believe that I am just as deserving, capable, and worthy as anyone else — not better, not worse. Once I stopped tying verdicts to my worth, everything changed." Michael Cowen Trial Lawyer Nation Podcast: https://triallawyernation.com/ 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

I'm joined by special guest Nate Cobb, a New Mexico-based trial lawyer who used to say, "I don't need that mindset stuff." Until a case forced him to find out the hard way that mindset isn't optional — it's EVERYTHING. In this episode, Nate breaks down a recent case that settled mid-trial for $17.5 million and exactly what made the difference when the pressure was on. We talk about: 👉🏽 Why ignoring mindset almost cost him the case 👉🏽 How owning the number changed negotiations 👉🏽 Why trusting the jury matters more than fighting the defense 👉🏽 The moment he knew the case had shifted (and the defense knew it too) If you've ever told yourself "I'll focus on mindset later", this episode is for YOU. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari   Quote:  "I went from operating out of fear and reaction to realizing that the only reason my practice felt overwhelming was because I made it that way. Coaching didn't just change how I tried cases — it changed how I thought, how I showed up, and how much I actually enjoyed my work. Mindset isn't extra. It's the foundation." Nate Cobb 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

One decision changed Tom D'Amore's (one of my FAVORITE clients) entire practice: He stopped being "great at settling cases"… and became a trial beast. In this episode, Tom and I break down what actually shifted everything: 👉🏽 Why lawyers who don't try cases get paid less, even when they settle 👉🏽 How fewer cases created bigger results 👉🏽 Why most serious cases aren't about one bad actor, but systemic failure 👉🏽 And what it really takes to walk into a courtroom prepared — not hoping for luck This is REAL trial work, real verdicts ($26.5M, $21M), and real growth. This is the stuff NO one teaches in law school and very few people are willing to say out loud. If you've felt that pull toward trial or you KNOW you're capable of more… Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari   Quote:  "If you've got 150 cases, you're never going to excel at trial work. You just can't do all the things you need to do to prepare properly. That's why we keep our caseload small—so we can actually do the work." Tom D'Amore  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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Here's what I see all the time in trial openings: 😴 Same tone 😴 Same pace 😴 Same energy  The WHOLE way through…  And THAT'S the problem. In trial, you're always doing one of three things: 👉🏽 Teaching 👉🏽 Storytelling 👉🏽 Dealing with resistance Each one needs a different energy. Teaching should FEEL electric. Storytelling should FEEL like a movie. Dealing with resistance requires calm & confident leadership.  When all three sound the same, jurors don't feel anything. Great openings manage energy on purpose. They let jurors learn, feel, and engage — moment by moment. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari    Quote:  "Most openings are boring and unmemorable because the energy never changes. It's the same energy the entire time — and that's mindless and boring for jurors. Great openings work because they manage energy from section to section, letting jurors learn something, feel something, and stay engaged." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Hot take: Closing is NOT your last chance to re-argue the evidence. By the time you stand up, jurors are overloaded, stressed, and terrified of getting it wrong. And piling on more facts? That's not helping. Closing has one job 👉 empower the jury to act. In this week's Sari Swears podcast 🎙️, I break down the 8 ingredients every closing needs — the pieces that calm juror brain threat, give them structure, and show them exactly how to do their job. We're talking: 🚨 Why themes beat facts at the end 🚨 The part most lawyers skip (and shouldn't) 🚨 How to turn jurors from hostages into heroes If your closing feels heavy, forced, or flat… this might be why. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari  Quote:  "The purpose of closing is not to re-argue the evidence or shove more facts into jurors' brains. At that point, they're already overloaded. The real purpose of closing is to empower the jury to take action — to give them structure, tools, and confidence so they know exactly how to do their job and trust themselves enough to do it." 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

If delegating feels risky and holding on feels exhausting, this episode will hit home. On the podcast this week, I'm joined by Coach K and Meredith Berg, an EOS Implementer, to talk about the real reason running your firm feels so damn heavy — and what ACTUALLY fixes it. 🎯 We get into: 👉🏽 Why delegation fails (even when you want to let go) 👉🏽 How accountability (not micromanagement) creates freedom 👉🏽 The biggest mistake law firm owners make with roles and people 👉🏽 Why culture matters just as much as skillset 👉🏽 How to stop spinning and start executing on a real vision This isn't a theory. It's structure. It's clarity. It's relief. If you want your firm to support your trial work instead of competing with it, press play. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari    Quote:  "Everyone hits a ceiling. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or leading a growing organization, there's only so much time and capacity one person has. At that point, you either choose to grow — by delegating and elevating — or you stay stuck." Meredith Berg   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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

This year will look EXACTLY like last year unless something deeper changes. MOST people don't fail because they lack discipline or ambition. They fail because they're chasing results instead of identity. You don't want the verdict. You want the feeling you think comes with it. And here's the part no one wants to admit: Willpower is trash. It runs out. Every time. In this week's podcast, I break down: ⚡ Why goals alone don't work ⚡ Why "doing more" keeps you stuck ⚡ Why everything shifts when you decide who you are first If you want different results this year, don't write a longer to-do list… Decide who the hell you are. Then act like it. The rest follows. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari   Resource:  jamesclear.com/identity-based-habits Quote:  "We think we have to have the thing before we can do the things and then finally be the person. It has never worked that way. You decide who you are first. Then you do the things. Then you get the results." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

If you're a trial lawyer, you've probably been told some version of this: 🚫 "Don't be arrogant." 🚫 "Stay humble." 🚫 "Let the work speak for itself." Sounds right… until it starts shrinking how you show up. In this week's podcast, Coach K and I talk directly to YOU about a mindset trap we see all the time — the humble saboteur 🧠. It's the voice that tells you: 🗣️ "Don't own that win too much." 🗣️ "You're not there yet." 🗣️ "If you think you're great, you'll get lazy." That voice is NOT humility. It's fear. And juries feel it. Confidence is NOT arrogance. This episode breaks down WHY a brag list isn't ego — it's how you have your own back. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari    Quote:  "Most people want to skip celebrating and move straight to the next thing. But what you celebrate is what you build on—growth doesn't come from self-criticism, it comes from recognizing your wins." Coach K 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

The year is winding down. Trials are slowing. Your brain is STILL going a mile a minute. This week on Sari Swears, I'm joined by guest speaker Coach K for a conversation that feels like hitting the reset button before the new year. We talk through the mindset traps that quietly wear trial lawyers down and what to do about them. We Break Down: 👉🏽 Why chasing "100% prepared" keeps you stuck 👉🏽 How fear bloats your opening and blurs your story 👉🏽 Why isolation lies to you about everyone else having it together 👉🏽 How your saboteur plays its favorite holiday reruns 👉🏽 What it really takes to trust yourself again If you've been carrying too much into this season, consider this your permission to put some of it down. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari    Quote:  "Your saboteur is going to try to throw all these things at you that you're never going to be able to achieve. You have to notice it showing up and say, 'I know you're here, but I don't need that right now.' It all starts with awareness—it starts with changing the way you think." Coach K 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

Have you ever felt COMPLETELY drained by this work… even when everything is technically "going fine"? Not just tired, but heavy? That's exactly what we're talking about this week on Sari Swears and Coach K is back with me for this episode. We're diving into secondary trauma — the kind you absorb from: 👉🏽 The cases 👉🏽 The injuries 👉🏽 The families 👉🏽 The devastation It doesn't just affect your health… it can quietly limit your damages in the courtroom. If you've been feeling exhausted, disconnected, overwhelmed, or like you're always just pushing through — this episode WILL hit home. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari  Quote:  "Secondary trauma is when you take on trauma that didn't happen to you directly. You absorb what your clients have gone through — the cases, the deaths, the injuries — and that weight really sits on you. Even though it didn't happen to you, your body still carries it." Coach K 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/    

Let's talk about money. Specifically: what money can buy... and what it can't. That distinction? It's everything in trial. And it's everything when it comes to damages. Economic damages? You've got bills, life care plans, receipts… Non-economic? You're asking the jury to put a number on grief. On lost joy. On the inability to hold your child again. In this podcast episode, I'll show you EXACTLY how to:   ✅ Separate price from value in voir dire, opening, and closing ✅ Use stand-in language and metaphor to anchor your ask ✅ Reframe the jury's role so they stop thinking they're buying something and start seeing what their number really represents If you've ever struggled to confidently ask for a big number… This one is for YOU. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖 P.S. I threw in the 3 questions I use in closing to reframe damages every time. You can thank me later. Quote:  "You're not pricing the pain. You're pricing the value of relieving that pain. You're pricing the value of reclaiming your life. What would you pay to get that back? That's what you're asking the jury to consider." 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

If you're anything like I was a few years ago… You're doing everything. You're hustling. You're building. And you're running a successful business. BUT, you STILL feel trapped. That's because you're operating like a solopreneur, not an entrepreneur. (Spoiler: one burns out, the other builds a team.) In this week's podcast, I'm sharing something outside of the trial world, but essential to your success inside the courtroom: 👉🏽 HOW to get the right people in the right seats 👉🏽 WHY the traditional org chart is completely ass-backwards 👉🏽 WHAT I've learned from implementing the EOS system (and why I wish I'd done it sooner) I'm pulling back the curtain on my own journey — where I was the bottleneck — and how structure created more creativity, more impact, and yes… MORE freedom. If you're tired of building alone, and ready to lead differently… This one's for you. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖   Quote:  "You can't grow if you're the one doing everything. The more I let go, the more the business grew — and the more I grew. That's the magic of getting the right people in the right seats." -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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Do you ever catch yourself repeating things in trial and worry it's too much? Let me stop you right there: it's NOT too much. In fact, you probably need to repeat yourself MORE. This week's podcast episode is all about how intentional repetition helps your jurors: ✔️ Understand your case ✔️ Remember your core messages ✔️ Trust YOU Too many attorneys are afraid of sounding redundant. But repetition, when done right, is one of the most powerful teaching tools you have. In the episode, I break down: 🗣️Why repetition builds neural pathways and increases recall 🗣️How to use repetition throughout voir dire, opening, and closing 🗣️The difference between GOOD repetition (strategic) and BAD repetition (nervous rambling) And I walk you through exactly where in trial you should be repeating key phrases, hooks, gestures, and more. Because when jurors hear it again and again it STICKS.  And if it sticks, they carry it into the verdict room. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari   Quote:  "If you want the jury to remember something, you have to be willing to say it over and over and over again. Not just in voir dire, not just in opening, not just in closing—but throughout the entire trial. Because repetition creates neural pathways. That's how the brain works. Repetition is how we learn, how we connect, how we remember. And if you're not repeating your most important points? You're leaving the jury with nothing to hold onto." -- 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

You ever meet someone and think, "Oh, they're about to break wide open." That was PI attorney Shaun Lieser. When he first joined our H2H world, he was smart (still is), capable (still is), and honestly?  A little stuck. Then he FLIPPED the switch. Inside the episode, we talk about: 👉🏽 Why wanting to be liked is killing your presence in court 👉🏽 The moment Shaun realized voir dire isn't all about being smart — it's about connection 👉🏽 How the H2H Method™ helped him step FULLY into his voice and style There's SO much gold in this one, and Shaun brings the kind of honesty that I know will land deeply with you. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖   Quote:  "What I appreciated most about the H2H work was the freedom it gave me to fully express myself in court. Before, I was always trying to fit into this 'trial lawyer' mold I thought I needed to be in. But when I started working with you, Sari, and the H2H method, I realized—my presence, my instincts, my style… it's all enough. In fact, it's more than enough. And that gave me a whole new level of confidence in front of a jury." Shaun Lieser  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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Ever been in a conversation that went sideways fast? 🫣 You had good intentions… but suddenly it felt like you were speaking different languages? Yeah. Been there. That's WHY I'm dropping this week's episode: How to Master Difficult Conversations: The Tool I Swear By. It's based on a life-changing framework I got from my very first coach and I still use it TO. THIS. DAY (yeah it's that good). Learn how to STAY grounded, clear, and powerful when sh*t hits the fan. Inside this episode, I'm sharing: ✨ What most people get wrong when trying to "tend to the relationship" ✨ Why not knowing your outcome can derail the entire conversation ✨ The surprising reason you might be avoiding hard convos (it's not what you think) And that's JUST the beginning. I walk you through the full 4-step Focus Tool that'll help you prepare and show up with presence — whether it's your co-counsel, your kid, or your partner. (Or save it for when you're about to text "we need to talk…") Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖   Focus Tool Sheet - sariswears.com/focus-tool   Quote:  "Just because you're having a hard conversation doesn't mean it has to be a hard experience. When you're grounded in clarity, when you know what you're asking for, what your emotions are trying to tell you, and how you're contributing to the dynamic—you can show up with compassion and confidence."  — Sari de la Motte   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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

If instinct is your only strategy in the courtroom, you've already lost ground. This week's episode might ruffle a few feathers. Because I'm calling BS on the myth of "natural trial talent." You know the one. 😉 The idea that great trial lawyers are just BORN that way.  That some people just have it. Instincts are a starting point.  BUT they'll only take you so far.  If you're not practicing, really practicing, you're playing small. In this episode, I talk about: 👉🏽 Why you confuse instinct with what it really is: trained responsiveness 👉🏽 How trial lawyers need to practice like musicians or athletes 👉🏽 Why making mistakes in practice is exactly what you need 👉🏽 How mindset always wins over technical skill It's honest.  It's direct.  And it MIGHT just change how you prep for your next trial. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖   Quote:  "It's not that you're born a natural. It's that you've done the reps. You've trained your brain and your body to respond a certain way in the courtroom. That's not magic—it's muscle. And every lawyer has the ability to build it." 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

If you've ever found yourself spiraling mid-trial, wondering "am I doing this right?" — this episode is for you. Because here's the truth:  ⚡️ There is no "right." ⚡️ You can't perform your way to presence. ⚡️ You can't think your way into connection. You have to practice being present. In this episode, I share 7 ways to step out of your head and into the courtroom with power and presence.  Here are 3 to get you started: 👉🏽 STOP trying to "get it right." That's just fear with lipstick. 👉🏽 FOCUS on being, not performing. Connection > content. 👉🏽 DITCH judgment. Curiosity kills the critic. Ask: "What's going on here?" The rest?  You'll have to tune in to hear them. 😉 If you're craving MORE support, I'll be LIVE in our Portland courtroom teaching the Opening Masterclass on Nov 13–14. Only a FEW spots left.  Come practice presence in the room with ME. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖   Quote:  "If you're going to ask a jury for millions of dollars, you've got to be right with it. Not ashamed. Not shrinking. Not 'I hope they like me.' You have to believe it's the right thing to do. That kind of certainty is contagious and that's what jurors follow."  -Sari Download resource sheet HERE 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

We've all done it. Sat at our desk, typing out an opening statement word-for-word, hoping it'll somehow click once we're standing in court. But here's the thing: The way you practice is the way you'll perform. And if you're only rehearsing in your head, hunched over a keyboard, your brain's gonna BAIL on you the moment you stand up. In this week's podcast episode, I'm breaking down how to FINALLY get off your notes and deliver an opening that's confident, conversational, and compelling. I'm giving you: 🗒️ A better way to practice (yes, it's awkward…at first) 🗒️ My 5-step process to ditch the script 🗒️ And a whole lot of tough love (you know I can't help myself 😉) You DO NOT need to memorize your opening.  You NEED to internalize it. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖 P.S. Spots for the Opening Masterclass (Nov 13–14) are filling up FAST. Lock in your spot NOW.    Quote:  "The thing you must understand is that you're not just delivering words. You're delivering you. If you haven't practiced your opening out loud—if you haven't stood in your body, heard your own voice, felt your own fear, worked through it—you won't connect. The jury will sense the dissonance. And that's why typing your opening and calling it done is a mistake. The practice is the performance. You've got to embody it before you ever walk into court." 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

Have you ever heard a phrase in court and cringe a little? Not because it's wrong, but because it's so… overused.  We've all said them. BUT.  The game has changed. Jurors are sharper. Attention is shorter.  And credibility is everything. So in this week's podcast, I'm breaking down 7 phrases that are killing your case and offering better ways to build connection and trust. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖   Quote:  "The reason we say things like 'you must be fair and impartial' is because we're trying to sound lawyerly. But that language doesn't move people. What moves people is truth. When you speak from principle — when you say things like 'we hold people accountable when they hurt others' — you connect with jurors on a human level. That's where your power is." -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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/    

I recently sat down with Mike Takla on the Bad Law, Worse Facts podcast, and we went deep. 🗣️We talked bias. 🗣️We talked voir dire. 🗣️We talked WHY so many attorneys are afraid to ask for the damn money. And of course, I shared what I've been teaching inside the H2H Playground, at Command the Courtroom, and our upcoming Damages Masterclass — including one of my favorite tools: the Funnel Method. If you've ever struggled to confidently talk about damages, if you're still letting the defense set the tone in voir dire, or if you're stuck prepping your trial the week before (don't lie, I see you), you NEED to hear this. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖   Quote:  "Most attorneys believe the juror is your enemy. That's why I wrote the whole book. We're scared of them, we think they're going to screw us over. But what plaintiff attorneys forget to their detriment is that you stand on the side of the right. In most cases the defense is covering up, trying to get away with something. And when you remember that, you realize jurors aren't against you—they're actually biased for you. You just haven't uncovered the principles that connect them to your case yet." Sari de la Motte 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

Life hurts sometimes. 👎🏽 Your case bombs. 👎🏽 Someone says something that cuts deep. 👎🏽 You lose something or someone that mattered. That's PAIN.  That's inevitable. BUT, then your brain chimes in: 🧠 "This shouldn't be happening." 🧠 "I should've done it differently." 🧠 "I'm not good enough." That's NOT pain. That's suffering… and it's OPTIONAL. (even if it doesn't feel optional.) This week on the podcast, I'm walking you through one of the most powerful mindset shifts I've made in the last decade. If you're in a season of chaos or pain, I hope this feels like a little light breaking through. 💞 Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖 Quote:  "Pain is life, your highness, but suffering is optional. It's something we do in response to pain and that, we can learn to stop doing." -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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

This week's episode is a little different. Raw. Real. And one of the MOST powerful stories we've ever shared on the podcast. I sat down with the incredible Kim Valentine — a powerhouse trial attorney who went from being homeless… To someone who now walks into the courtroom fully expressed, fully embodied, and fully herself. 💖 Her story WILL move you. Because it's not just about becoming a lawyer. It's about becoming the version of yourself you were always meant to be — before the trauma, the chaos, and the noise told you otherwise. We talk about: 👉🏽 Why dissociation and success often go hand-in-hand 👉🏽 The grief no one warns you about when you start healing 👉🏽 Reclaiming your voice, your body, and your right to be seen Kim doesn't sugarcoat anything. She swears. She cries. She tells the truth. And by the end of this episode, you'll be reminded that you can rebuild too — no matter where you started. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖 Quote:  "I used to think being strong meant not feeling anything. But the truth is, strength is being willing to feel everything — the grief, the shame, the regret — and still get back up. That's what makes you powerful in the courtroom. Not the performance. The presence."  - Kim Valentine 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/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

Welcome to the very first episode of Sari Swears — the podcast that FINALLY sounds like me, looks like me, and says the things I've ALWAYS wanted to say without editing myself down to fit in a box. We ditched the old name.  Rebuilt the studio.  And YES — there's a theme song now that SLAPS. This episode is the start of something completely new. 🚫 NO more staying in my lane. 🚫 NO more "shoulds." 🚫 NO more tone-policing myself so people don't get uncomfortable. And if you've been doing the same — shrinking to fit, waiting to be "ready," pretending not to be the badass you actually are — then this is YOUR episode too. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖   Quote:  "I don't stay in my lane—and neither should you. Because guess what? There are no lanes. It's all made up. The rules, the expectations, the labels—they were never yours to begin with. So why the hell are you still playing by them?" —Sari de la Motte New theme song FULL Version   Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SariDLM  Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/  

This week's episode is your blueprint for setting the bar (and the boundaries) before the case ever starts. We're talking SYSTEMS that protect your time, your team, and your peace. We're getting into: 💣 My 7+ Point Case Filter: the BS-proof checklist every case goes through 💣 Three-Strikes + Deal-Breakers Rules: no more back-and-forth with on-the-fence cases 💣 How to Redesign Mid-Case: reset expectations without burning the bridge 💣 Ideal Client + Case Profiles: filter out red flags before they pop up 💣 The Case-Slot Mindset: calendar space is currency — allocate, don't accommodate 💣 The Design Intake Conversation: save future-you (and your staff) from endless backtracking When you start designing your caseload on PURPOSE, you don't just avoid nightmare clients — you attract the right ones. The ones who energize you. The ones who remind you WHY you do what you do. And because your calendar should FUEL you, not FRY you. YOU are the gatekeeper. FUCKING OWN IT. — Sari 💖   Quote:  "Three strikes and the case is out. For example: discord between heirs, geographic remoteness, and small damages—three issues, we decline. Deal breakers include clients who are rude to staff, hang up, or insist on speaking only to me. Lying is another: false heir status, hidden criminal history, faked POA. If I can't get a basic design of mutual respect, we're done. It's collaborative and democratic. Any attorney on the team can raise a red flag. If we reach three, we don't take the case—no debate. That clarity prevents 'I told you so' later."  — Jody Moore   * * * * JOIN US FOR COMMAND THE COURTROOM: 2-DAY IN-PERSON OPENING MASTERCLASS WITH SARI DE LA MOTTE * * * *    🗓️ Date: September 11th – 12th, 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/  

Ever wonder what you're REALLY communicating in the courtroom? Your posture. Your tone. Your presence. It ALL lands with the jury LONG before your words do. This week, I'm talking about something I call Nonverbal Intelligence and WHY it's one of the most overlooked (and powerful) tools in your trial arsenal. Here's what we get into: 👉🏽 WHAT you're unconsciously broadcasting in court 👉🏽 HOW to actually see what you're doing (and shift it) 👉🏽 WHY awareness is the first step to showing up like a damn leader You don't have to be loud to lead… But you do have to be intentional. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖   Quote:  "Most trial lawyers think if they just get the words right, they'll win. But your nonverbals are saying more than your opening ever could. The jury is watching how you walk, how you breathe, how you hold space and if you're not aware of what you're communicating, you're not in control of your message." —Sari de la Motte 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/  

Your brain's job? To keep you safe. Your job? To lead anyway. Most of the fear you feel in trial is fake news — just recycled thoughts about losing, judgment, or not measuring up. But here's the kicker: Your thoughts aren't facts, and you can rewrite them. This week's episode hands you the tools to: 💣 Ditch the vague labels and call it what it is: dread? shame? rage? Name it to tame it. 💣 Sit in the suck and breathe. Stop numbing out and start showing up. 💣 Trade panic-fueled prep for power-fueled presence. Jurors can feel your shift from frantic to fierce. Confidence isn't something you find, it's something you create. 🎧 Listen now and learn to lead the jury like a force they can't ignore. And remember, your clients didn't hire FEAR.. THEY HIRED YOU.   Time to show up, 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/  

There's this quiet habit so many of you have… AND it's costing you in the courtroom. You're waiting. Waiting to be liked. Waiting to be approved of. Waiting for some signal that it's safe to lead. But here's the truth: Nobody hands you authority in that courtroom, you CLAIM it. In this episode, I'm diving into what I call the Permission Principle.  So many of you are holding back without even realizing it. 📣 You don't need to be louder.  😇 You don't need to be nicer.  💸 You don't need to earn it.  You just NEED to SHOW up like you already belong… BECAUSE YOU DO.  Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari 💖   Quote:  "You don't need the jury to approve of you before you lead them. You don't need to wait until you've earned the right to take up space. You are the authority in that courtroom — not because someone gave it to you, but because you showed up ready to lead." —Sari de la Motte 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/  

Jurors DON'T need a show. They NEED a leader. In this week's episode, I'm handing you the entire back-of-house blueprint, so you can finally STOP faking confidence and START generating real influence — WITHOUT THE BURNOUT. Ditch the fear-based prep. Drop the performance act. And lead the hell out of your next trial. 🎧 Hit play. Your real influence starts BEFORE the opening. Love, Sari 💖   * * * * JOIN US FOR COMMAND THE COURTROOM: 2-DAY IN-PERSON VOIR DIRE MASTERCLASS WITH SARI DE LA MOTTE * * * *  🗓️ Date: July 24th - 25th, 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-voir-dire-master-class/ ONLY 12 SPOTS AVAILABLE *spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.   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/  

People always ask me: "How do I get big verdicts using the H2H Method?" Well… this episode breaks it down. No fluff. Just the real, step-by-step story of how I used H2H to help secure an 8-figure verdict in a REAL case. From the very FIRST consult to the moment the jury DELIVERED the verdict — this is exactly what went down. In this episode, I walk you through: 👉🏽 What I focused on FIRST (before strategy, before storytelling) 👉🏽 The moment we THREW the closing in the trash (and what we did instead) 👉🏽 How we MADE the jury feel — not just think 👉🏽 Why "we don't win cases, jurors do" has NEVER been more TRUE If you've ever wanted a behind-the-scenes look at how the H2H Method plays out in the wild, this is it. You're closer than you think. Tune in NOW! 🎧 Love, Sari   Quote:  "We didn't win because we had the perfect theme or the flashiest visuals. We won because we trusted the jury. We built a story that made them feel something, we showed up as our full selves, and then we got the hell out of the way. That's the work. That's H2H."  —Sari de la Motte   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/

Waiting to feel confident before stepping into court is like waiting to get in shape BEFORE hitting the gym. Cute idea, but that's not how this works. PLEASE, for the love of voir dire: ❌ STOP rehearsing defeat. ❌ STOP letting fear run your case. ❌ STOP pretending some "big name" lawyer is better for your case than you are.  🎧 Push past panic, polish your prep, and prove you've got what it takes — because you already do. Your clients hired YOU. Don't you forget that. 🎧 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/