Sari Swears

When working on the story in the opening statement (or in closing) I tend to run into some problems with my clients. Storytelling can be difficult. That's why I've come up with three fundamental truths you need to understand to get your story right. Give this podcast a listen to learn what they are and how to make your next story a winning one.  -Sari

In my opening template, I have an "educate the jury" section and a "defendant's story" section. But in nearly every case, when a client shows up to perform their opening, I'm confused as to whether they are teaching or storytelling. This is a problem.  Teaching and storytelling are two VERY different things and must be kept separate.  Give this podcast a listen to learn why and how to "keep your s...

Why do we lose worthy cases? Why do we break our leg after we start an exercise program to get healthy? Why do spouses die, kids get cancer and every other horrible thing? Why why why? Instead of asking WHY, I invite you, in this podcast to ask an entirely different question. Give it a listen to find out how to move from seeing bad things as a cosmic "F*&# YOU!" from the universe to an opportunity...

A little over a week ago, I hosted a webinar called, "Tackling Racism in the Legal Profession." Boy did that ever open a can of worms. If you didn't catch the webinar, you can watch a replay in the From Hostage to Hero FB group, or on our YouTube channel. I then invite you to listen to this podcast episode to dispel some myths you might believe about tackling racism in the legal profession and way...

Are you "stressed and busy?" Do you tell yourself you're not a good public speaker? Do you ever hear yourself saying things like, "This is too hard," or, "I'll never get this?" Yeah, stop that shit. How you talk about your experience shapes your experience. Give a listen to this podcast to learn more. (And to hear about that one time I attempted to take a weapon on the plane. No joke.)

Feeling a bit unmotivated lately? If you're like my clients, I bet you're also giving yourself a hard time about it. What if I told you that not feeling motivated was a very important sign you needed to pay attention to? Give a listen to this podcast to learn more. -Sari

Recently, my family moved out to the beach. It wasn't a long thought-out, carefully planned move. Nope. But it was an instinct move and we're pleased we did it. Life doesn't always allow you to plan everything to the tee, and it rarely goes the way you have it perfectly outlined in your head.  Give a listen to this podcast to learn what you need to do in order to navigate YOUR next move.

Two podcast episodes ago, I talked about how you need to stop trying to become someone else in court and instead just be yourself. But then someone asked, "But what if I'm not likeable?" Ah...likeability. The holy grail of "personality traits" for trial attorneys. It may not be as important as you think. Give a listen to this podcast to learn more. -Sari

You know that juror we all worry about meeting in the jury box? Yeah, we create that person. No. Really. Give a listen to this podcast to learn more.

Why do so many of you become unrecognizable the minute you step into court? Who you are OUTSIDE of court shouldn't be different than who you are the minute you step within the courtroom walls. The key is integration. Give a listen to this podcast to learn more. -Sari

I recently received my first 2-star review.  After months of 5-star reviews for my book, From Hostage to Hero, I was beginning to despair thinking NO one would tell me they didn't like it. And well, if EVERYONE liked the book, it wasn't a book worth writing. Think I'm nuts? The same thing applies to you. If you're not being criticized, you're doing something wrong. Give a listen to this podcast to...

We've got a full week of activities July 27-31, 2020 during our H2H Membership Founder's Launch. Find out what we're up to and what you can expect once you're in the H2H Membership. Founder's Launch events and registration at www.saridlm.com/events

The legal landscape is changing.  Due to Covid-19, many of you are being forced to conduct jury selection over Zoom. The question is, can a group be formed over Zoom? Yes and....no. Give a listen to this podcast to learn more. -Sari

The H2H Membership opens October 1st! But we have a special "Founder's Launch" happening, you can join July 27th. To get you familiar with the From Hostage to Hero method in the meantime, we've uploaded this previous FB live from the From Hostage to Hero FB group. Enjoy, and join us the week of July 27th for free membership activities all week! -Sari

Treat people how you want to be treated, right? Wrong. Treat people how they want to be treated. How do you know how others want to be treated? Listen to this podcast to learn how. -Sari

We presume someone is innocent until proven guilty, right? Why can't we do the same for ourselves? What are you guilty of, you ask? Listen to this podcast to learn what it is. -Sari

You are your client's last hope. If you don't get this right, they'll leave with nothing. You've got to sacrifice everything when you become a trial attorney. Baloney . You are -not- your client's last hope, and thinking you are screws everything up. You have to have strong boundaries in order to do this work; boundaries empower you and allows you to do your best job in the courtroom. Listen to th...

Regardless of your client's injury, they are perfect and whole, exactly the way they are . Money doesn't heal. Helping your client reclaim their identity and live into their purpose is what makes a real difference. Give this podcast a listen to learn the four things you can do to help empower your client and help them heal.

Broken backs, brain injuries, and missing limbs...let's face it; most plaintiffs appear 'broken.' But they're not. Most of you, when I ask about your client, tell me all the things they -can't- do. But seeing your client as broken has the ability to derail your case and ultimately hurt your client further. Give this podcast a listen to learn more. -Sari

We all have values. Family, personal growth, professional development, work...amongst others. Values are what help guide our life and our decision making. But what do you do when you have to make a decision that pits two values against each other? Listen to this podcast to learn how to make a decision when your values are competing with each other. -Sari

What's the best way to manage your time? I've got three major tips that have revolutionized how I manage my time and my life. Listen to this podcast to learn more. -Sari

"I'm not charismatic." "I need to be more persuasive." "I wish I was more like [insert-famous-trial-attorney]." Newsflash: Trial is not -about- you. But it's also -totally- about you. Listen to this podcast to learn more.

In my webinar with Jesse Wilson we talked about how to harness the power of the underdog. In that webinar, we talked about three ways you victimize your client, yourself and the jurors. I've taken the highlights from that webinar and put them in this podcast. Learn how to make the underdog story work for you. Listen to this podcast to learn more.

What are the main tools of a defense attorney? As Rick Friedman, in his book Rules of the Road , says: Confusion, Complexity and Ambiguity So why are you playing into their game? Your job as a plaintiff attorney is to communicate a simple, clear story. It's -not- to jump in after every defense theory and defend it as if your life depended on it. Listen to this podcast to learn more.

Y'all know I love thought work. We don't have to believe every bullshit thought our brain throws up for consideration. And yet, there is a downside to thought work, one that can really mess with your quest to improve your life. Give this podcast a listen to learn what it is. -Sari